this matter we haue signed these letters with red inke and thereunto haue set our Royall seale Dated in our Citie of Paris the 4. of Iuly c. What the vse at this time in like cases is may appeare by the Prizes aforesaide bestowed by her Maiestie THE FIFT BOOKE Of what qualitie a Gentleman professing Armes ought to be CAP. 1. BY consideration of things conteined in these bookes a Gentleman may bee enformed what are the true causes of quarrell or offence vnto Honor what repulses are due vnto Iniuries of all sorts what iudgement is to be giuen vpon accidents in the exercises of Armes Whereunto wee added some particular examples of certeine Combats for life performed by persons of honor within this land and likewise haue noted the actions most glorious in Triumphs brought before the Princes of this realme And forsomuch as these actions of Armes chieflie on horsebacke are and euer haue been vsed of noble personages and Gentlemen of the best sort whom the Romanes in their florishing time by a generall terme called Equites and are presentlie both of the Italians and Spaniards named Cauallieri without respect to priuate dignitie or other distinction wee will therefore for this time yet with respect to each mans title aduenture to english the word Eques a Gentleman that professeth Honor Vertue Armes or any of them particularly reciting with what condition and qualities he should bee endued which in briefe are these 1 First he ought be of good constitution in bodie and conuenient strength to suffer trauell and performe the actions apperteining to a man of Armes 2 Secondly he should be well fauoured of face and comelie for commonlie GOD and Nature giueth beautie to such persons as are destined to command and from others borne to obay they haue withholden that fauour Which mooued some writers to affirme that the princelie presence of Priamus did shewe him to bee worthie of gouernment and command other men 3 Thirdly he should be of bold aspect rather inclined to seueritie than softnesse which countenance the Swisses and Turkes doo much affect 4 Fourthly he must be sober and discreet not inclined to vaine delights or effeminate pleasures 5 Fiftlie that he be 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 greatlie imbraced of the Romanes and occasioned their often victories and at this day is well obserued among the Turkes And of the punishment for disobedience towards the militarie Magistrates the Romanes haue left two most notable examples the one of Manlius Torquatus who caused his owne sonne for that fault to be slaine notwithstanding he had vanquished the enemie The other of Papirius the Dictator who for the like offence was punished by Fabius Rutilius Generall of the horsmen in the Romane Armie 6 Sixtly he ought bee vigilant and patient for in the one consisteth the execution of warlike actions by the other all trauailes paines and misfortunes are indured 7 Seuenthly he must be faithfull and loyall which qualitie is required in all sorts of subiects but chiefly in Soldiers for thereupon dependeth his Princes securitie and state also which mooued Vigetius to say that the safetie of a Prince consisted in well choosing his Soldiers Which is the cause that men professing Armes doo commonlie sweare by the faith of a Soldier the French man a foy de Soldat the Italian a fe di Soldato c. Yea the Kings of France do commonlie vse this phrase a foy de gentil home a foy du chiualier 8 Eightly he ought bee constant and resolute because resolution maketh al difficulties easie and constancie or perseuerance bringeth perfection in that he professeth 9 Ninthly that hee should bee charitable because warres are not taken in hand for the destruction of Countries and townes but the defence of the lawes and people Lastly that he should be fortunate sith Fortune is the Ladie of Armies because she sheweth her vertue in nothing more than in the aduentures of warre Of Knighthood CAP. 2. FOrsomuch as in these former bookes wee haue discoursed the poynts of Honor and in what sort the exercises of Armes haue been vsed in England it shall not be amisse but rather necessarie to speake of Knighthood which dignitie was at the beginning giuen chieflie for seruice in Armes and valiant enterprises Our meaning therefore is to examine the originall occasion of the name of Knight and how many orders and degrees of Knighthood there are or haue been in Christendome For performance whereof it behoueth to knowe that the Romanes among whom Martiall Discipline was first knowne and names giuen to men for valerous merite diuided their people into Patritij and Plebei After that time another diuisiō was made as Senatores Equites and Plebs As the French haue at this day Les nobles la populaire or gentils homes villains And wee in England diuide our men into foure sorts Gentilmen Citizens Yeomen Artificers and Labourers Of Gentlemen the first and principall is the King the Prince Dukes Marquises Earles Viconts and Barons These are the Nobilitie and be called Lords or Noblemen Next to these bee Knights Esquires and simple Gentlemen which last number may be called Nobilitas minor for they in Parliament haue no place among the Lords Therefore the Barons or degree of Lords doo resemble the dignitie of Senators in Rome and the title of our Nobilitie is like vnto the Patritij when the Patritij did signifie Senatores aut Senatorum filij But that degree which we doo now call Knighthood is most like vnto the title in Rome named Equestris ordo yet other opinions there are both of the beginning and name of Knight as wel among the Italians as the Spaniards But howsoeuer it was most certeine it seemeth that vntil Equestris ordo was erected in Rome there was no such degree of men as we call Knights neither was that name giuen with such ceremonie and shewe of dignitie as since hath been vsed Yet some there are that faile not to affirme that Knighthood had the originall from Romulus in this sort That King hauing setled his Gouernment in Rome partlie for securitie partlie for magnificence erected three Bands of Horsemen the first called Romence after his owne name the next Titience after Tito Tatio and the third Luceria whereof only I thinke Liuie maketh mention Hereupon they will inferre that Knighthood begun vnder Romulus The Spaniards doo hold opinion that when faith and plaine dealing decaied those men that made profession of warre euerie thousand did choose but one man whom they thought to bee of greatest wisedome courage and curtesie among the rest That being done they made choise of such an horse as was reputed to excell the rest for beautie force and other perfections and forthwith gaue that beast vnto that man whom they had chosen as though their intention were to conioyne that singular beast vnto that notable
other Herehaults cried aloud saying This is the Helmet of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thether a Bason of gold or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Herehaults with a loud voyce sayd What is this Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the King of Armes sayd That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitor and such a one as hath broken the ordinance of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplins Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trompets What shall be done with him To which words the King answered Let him bee with dishonor and shame banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath done offence against the honor of Knighthood When the King had so said the King of Armes and other Herehaults cast the warme water on the disgraded Knights face as though he were a new baptized saying Hencefoorth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitor Then the King together with twelue other Knights put vppon them mourning garments declaring sorowe and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the stage not by the staiers he mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignomie he was brought vnto the Altar and there laied groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses These were the Ceremonies vsed at the degradatiō of Knights in the time of Sir Tristram Sir Lancelot and other famous Knights who were no doubt men very valiant in Armes but by meanes of writers that haue added vnto their acts many vntruths their prowesse and enterprises are holden as fables How many orders and degrees of Knighthood haue been and of them how many yet extant CAP. 6. 1 THe first and most noble order both for antiquitie and honor is that of the GARTER 2 The next to it is that of the TOSON 3 The third is that of S. MICHAEL 4 The fourth is that of the NVNTIATA 5 There is also one newe order of Knighthood in France called the Order of S. ESPRIT whereof I am not fullie enformed All these Knights be called Knights of the Coller in signe they excell others in Honor and reputation as those Orders whereinto Emperours Kings and Princes doo enter Next to these in dignitie are 1 The Knights of the BAND 2 The Knights of S. IAGO 3 The Knights of CALATRAVA 4 The Knights of ALCANTARA 5 The Knights of MONTESIO 6 The Knights of REDEMPTION 7 The Knights of MALTA 8 The Knights TEVTONICI The third sort of Knights are 1 The Knights of the SEPVLCHER 2 The Knights of SANTA MARIA 3 The Knights of S. LAZARO 4 The Knights of S. STEFFANO These may bee called rather Knights of Superstition than persons of Honor. Among these wee make no mention of Knights of the Round Table neither haue wee set downe the Knights of Amadis de Gaule nor of Orlando Furioso Yet doo I suppose some part of those stories to bee matters of trueth although writers haue added vnto them things incredible By which meane the histories themselues are holden fabulous Wee haue not here spoken of the Knights of the Starre nor of them which were called Knights of the Spurre which orders are extinct or not regarded The Knights Templers were also long since cleerelie suppressed Of the Order of the Garter CAP. 7. EDWARD the third King of England after he had obteined many great victories King Iohn of France King Iames of Scotland being both prisoners in the Tower of London at one time and King Henrie of Castile the bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this Order in his Kingdome Anno 1350. vppon no weightie occasion as is reported Notwithstāding the same is and long hath been in so great honor as Emperours Kings and Princes haue desired to bee of that companie accompting it great Honor. The number of this Colledge or fellowship is 26. Knights and when any of them dye another is chosen by consent of the companie The Soueraine of the Order is the King of England his heires and successors This Order was dedicated to S. George as the Aduocate of those Knights The custome was long that these Knights yeerely held a feast at the Castle of Winsor where is also the Church founded by the same King Edward who likewise gaue great stipends to certeine Priestes to serue there It is not commonlie knowne what was the occasion that mooued the King to make this Order but thus haue I heard it vulgarlie reported That King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court tooke vp a Garter that happened to fall from one of them whereat some of the Lords smiling the King said vnto them that or it were long he would make that Garter to bee of high reputation Vpon this ground it is sayd the Order tooke beginning Euerie yeare all the Knights on the feast day of S. George are bound to resort vnto Windsor or such other place as by the Soueraine shall be appoynted The principall Officers apperteining to this most honorable Order are these The Prelate The Chancellor The Register The King of Armes named Garter and the Vsher called the Blacke Rod. Which places are presentlie furnished with these persons viz. Doctor Cooper Bishop of Winchster Prelate Master Iohn Wolly Esquire one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell Chauncellor Doctor Day Deane of Winsor Register Master W. Dethicke chiefe King of Armes Garter Master William Norris Esquire Vsher. The Statutes of this great Order are remaining with the sayd Master Garter a Gentleman verie studious in his facultie and carefull to preserue the Records belonging vnto the Nobilitie of England From him I receiued the names of these Knights of the first institution of the GARTER which I found in an auncient booke of his written in the French tongue The first Knights of the Order King Edward Soueraine The Prince of Wales his sonne The Duke of Lancaster The Earle of Warwicke The Capteine de Buch. The Earle of Stafford The Earle of Salisburie The Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholmew de Bourchesh Sir Iohn Bewchamp The Lord of Mahun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas de Holland Sir Iohn de Grey Sir Richard Fitzsimond Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh Wortesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Dandely Sir 〈◊〉 de Holang Sir Henrie Eme. Sir Fauchet de Prichcourt Sir Walter Pauelly The names of those that are presentlie of the same most noble Order The Queene of England Soueraine The King of Spaine The Duke Casemirus The Vice Conte Montacute The Earle of Shrewsburie Earle Marshall of England The Lord of Honsdon Lord Chamberlein The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Hontingdon The Lord Bourleigh Lord Threasurer of England The Lord Grey The Earle of Darbie The Earle of Pembrooke The L. Howard of Effingham L. Admirall of England The Lord Cobham
say with the Poet. Tota licet veteres exornent vndique cerae Atria nobilitas sola est atque vnica virtus Paulus aut Cossus aut Drusus moribus esto Hos ante effigies maiorum pone tuorum Praecedant ipsas illi te consule virgas Dic mihi Teucrorum proles animalia muta Quis generosa putet nisi fortia nempe volucrem Sic laudamus aequum facili cui plurima palma Feruet exultat rauco victoria circo Nobilis hic quocunque venit de gramine cuius Clara fuga ante alios primus in aequore puluis VVhether a quarrell betweene two Emperours may be decided by particular Combat CAP. 2. IT happened the Emperiall seate being voyd the Electors named vnto that dignitie two Princes not by general cōsent but by deuisiō of voyces the one partie chosing Alfonso king of Spaine the other Richard Duke of Cornwal brother to the King of England These Princes claiming the Empire the one challenged the other to trie the right by Combat wherevpon grewe a question whether persons of so high calling ought be admitted to fight in Combat Therevnto is said that forsomuch as the Empire in the beginning was gotten by Armes and vertue and that the execution of all iustice resteth in Armes it seemeth an Empire in that sort gained to be more honorable than if it were giuen by election Besides that in such triall the victorious enioyeth it by diuine iudgement And for example that Empires haue been so iudged we reade that the Romanes being in warre with the Albanois it was by consent of the one and the other people agreed that three brethren of the one partie called Horatij should fight with three of the enemies who were also brethren called Curiatij These men being brought together after long and doubtfull fight the victorie fell vnto the Romanes and the Albanois according vnto agreement willinglie yeelded their Countrie vnto the Romanes gouernment On the contrarie may be alleadged that forsomuch as the weldooing of the whole Empire consisteth vpon the life of the Emperour he ought not to fight in person But this is to bee vnderstood of an Emperour alreadie possessed and inuested for if the election be doubtfull then to auoyd a publique warre and effusion of bloud it seemeth verie reasonable that two Princes making claime ought be admitted to triall of Armes so long as no other title or interest appeareth VVhether a King may challenge an Emperour to Combat CAP. 3. THe auncient Emperours of Roome were of so great puissance and had vnder them so manie Monarchies and Kingdomes as well neere the chiefest part of the world was vnto them subiect and the Princes of those ages were reputed either Subiects Vassals or Tributaries vnto the Emperours In which respect it was thought vnfit that the Emperour should vouchsafe to fight with any King or Prince of what state or qualitie soeuer It appeareth also that the honor and respect borne towards them was excessiue because the ciuill lawe doth call the Emperour Lord of the world affirming he hath iurisdiction ouer Kings and all Princes yea there wanteth not of those that haue named him GOD vpon the earth and consequently reasonable that he should refuse to fight in Combat with any King or other Potentate On the contrarie side may be alleadged that the dignitie and title of Kings is more auncient than that of Emperours and that they haue the like soueraigntie ouer men For well we knowe that Aeneas Romulus Numa gouerned in Roome many and many yeares before that Iulius Caesar vsurped the title of Emperour Neuertheles Lancislao King of Hungarie challenging the Emperour was repulsed as vnworthie It happened also that another King contending with the Emperour for the Kingdome of Polonia the said King did challenge the Emperour to Combat as before that time Carlo Martello the sonne of Carlo the second had done for triall of the title of Hungarie which he claimed by discent from his mother The said King of Hungarie who was then possessed being of person puissant did condiscend to fight with Carlo Martello a young man of twentie yeares and vnexpert in Armes yet indeede rightfull heire These Princes resolued to make triall by Armes vppon a day certeine appoynted the King of England to be their Iudge and they to performe the fight in a certeine Iland of his which was done Carlo Martello became victorious and tooke from the Hungarian King his helmet which had a cheine hanging at the same which helmet Carlo Martello and all his successors vsed as a badge But for resolution of this matter thus wee conclude that Princes or Kings hauing dependance of the Empire may bee repulsed to fight with the Emperour but a King soueraigne acknowledging no Superiour and holding his Dominion of GOD and his owne sword onelie may challenge and fight with any Emperour Of the Equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes CAP. 4. A King vncrowned may lawfullie challenge a King crowned vnlesse the King vncrowned be vnlawfullie aspired or a Tyrant The number of Christian Kings are 14 of whom onelie foure were auncientlie crowned by the Pope that is the French King the King of England the King of Ierusalem and the King of Sisil All the other Kings were crowned by their owne Prelates Thus saith Paris An Earle being a Prince absolute and not subiect vnto the Empire or any other Potentate may refuse to fight with any person being a subiect notwithstanding hee hath the title of Prince Duke or Marquize Here is to bee noted that these titles of honor were at the first giuen in office as the title of Duke was proper vnto him that was a Generall of the Armie A Marquize was he vnto whom the confine or Marches of a Countrie or Kingdome was committed An Earle or Count was a Iudge or Commander in Peace and of them in the auncient Emperours seruice were diuers as the Countes Palantine were as stewards of the Emperours house of his Court or Stable euerie of them might challenge any Prince Duke or Marquize being a subiect because they are in respect of subiection reputed none other than Barons A Gentleman well borne and descended from Parentage of foure degrees may fight with any Earle or Baron in case of treason to his Prince or Countrie and also murther and infidelitie because they are besides their dignitie none other than Gentlemen and Gentilitie or Nobilitie is hereditarie and cannot bee taken away but Dignitie may But in other quarrells of lesse importance the Earle in respect of his dignitie may fight by Champion but in the cases aforesaid he shall fight in person vnlesse he bee aged lame or otherwise disabled A Capteine Generall of an Armie Emperiall or Royall may not be challenged by any Gentleman or Lord neither ought the Gouernour of any Citie Towne or Castle because no publique commandement may be abandoned for priuate respect The like is to be
he confessed The King gaue sentence he should bee drawne and hanged Anno. 1384. Regni Rich. 2. A Combat was fought betweene Sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the third blowe giuen the King staied the fight Anno 1441. Regni Henr. 6. A Combat was graunted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cipres and Thomas de la Marshe bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of King Edward the 3. at Westminster Certaine Combats for Triumph Honor and Loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England CAP. 11. IN the former Chapter wee made mention of the Ceremonies appertaining to Combats for life as they were ancientlie vsed Nowe I thinke fit for the furniture of this worke brieflie to remember some speciall exercises of Armes brought before the Princes of this realme for Honor and loue of Ladies onlie and among the rest as actions most worthie memorie wee will touch certeine particular Combats or as they are commonlie called Triumphs Iusts and Turniaments performed before our present Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth a Prince of so great magnanimitie and wisedome as by imitation of her most noble and princelie vertues the Court of England both for Armes and learning hath in her raigne excelled all others Triumphs before King Edward the third IN the raigne of King Edward the third a royall Iust was holden at Lincoln by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certeine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Ladie Ioane daughter to the King who should haue been married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died Anno. 1348. A Triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles Valloys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno. 1349. IN Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thether came also noble persons of other Nations as Spaniards Ciâ—riots and Armenians humblie desiring aide against the Pagans Anno 1361. A Triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthonie Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgondie Anno. 1444. A Triumph before King Henrie the sixt ONe other notable action of Armes was persosonallie performed in Smithfield betweene a Knight of Spaine called Sir Francis le Aragonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honor from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall Challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him The memorie of which action remaineth with Master Garter principall King of Armes Triumphs before King Henrie the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne Triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Váughan was hurt and died 1494. ONe other Triumph was in the same Kings dayes performed in the Tower of London Anno. 1502. Triumphes before King Henrie the eight BVt farre exceeding al these was that magnificent Iusts Turniments at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henrie the eight of England K. Frances the French King who choosing vnto them xiiij others did challenge to runne at the Tylt and fight at the Turney and Barrier with all commers The Chalengers were The King of England the King of France the Duke of Suffolke the Marquis Dorcet Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Iernegan Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland Sir Giles Capell with these were so manie other French GeÌ„tlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thether came Monsieur de Vandosme the Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euerie of theÌ„ bringing in a faire Band of Knights well armed This most noble Challenge of these two mightie Kings accompanied with xiiij other Knights of either Nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King of Armes in England France Germanie Anno 12 Hen. 8. ONe other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet Edward Neuell Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Cuer loyal the Lord William Bon voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Vailliant desir and Edward Neuill Ioyous penser Defenders were The Lord Grey Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blont Thomas Cheyney Thomas Tyrrell Sir Rowland Christopher Willoughby the L. Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquis Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshire Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Cuer Loyall among the Defenders to Edmond Howard ANother solempne Challenge was proclaimed and performed by certaine English Knights vz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seymour Sir Francis Poinings Sir George Carew Anthonie Kingston and Richard Cromwell Anno. 1540. Of like Actions in Armes sith her Maiesties Raigne these doo seeme most notable as appeareth by the memorialls of M. Clarentieux a Gentleman verie diligent in her Maiesties seruice and carefull to obserue things to the Honor of her Maiesties Court. ONE solempne Iust Turniment and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scrope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers and with great honour answered all Commers The Defenders names are not extant A Royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard Sir Henrie Lee and Christopher Hatton The Defenders were The Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seymour Edward Harbart Sir George Carie Thomas Cicill Henrie Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henrie Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkelcy Thomas Kneuet William Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Lancelot Bostocke Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliams Thomas Bedingfield Thomas Moore William Worthington Richard Blunt Thomas Conyngesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three daies The first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barriers On euerie of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a Prize for the receiuing whereof they were particularlie led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The Prize at the Tilt on the Defenders partie was giuen vnto Henrie Grey At the Turney vnto the L. Henrie Seymor at the Barriers vnto Thomas Cicill Before them went Clarentieux king of armes in his rich coate of Armes This magnificent Combat was performed Anno 1571. AN honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his Assistant Sir William Drewrie challenged all commers Anno 1580
was a red Crosse in the forme of a Sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victorie against the Moores in the Prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuileges were giuen to S. Iames of Compostella Anno. 1030. This Order hath one chiefe Gouernour who is called Great Master he with thirteene other Knights haue authoritie to choose or remooue any Knight at their discretion Vpon the Feast day of All Saincts these Knights doo vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is merueilous amounting to many hundred thousand Duckets Many Popes haue giuen their allowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof than ten Malachini yearely Knights of Calatraua CAP. 14. BY imitation of the Order aforesaid was this Knighthood of Calatraua begun in the yeare 1130. The inuenter thereof was Don Santio King of Toledo They were called Knights of Calatraua of the Prouince and place where they were made and setled which was where ancientlie the chiefe Church of Templers had been 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 Knights of Alcantara CAP. 15. THese Knights liuing in effect vnder the ordinances and rules of the former doo 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 Knights of Montesio CAP. 16. IN Valentia are the Cauallieri di Montesio a place also seated in that Prouince These Knights doo weare a red Crosse and their Order begun about the same time that the Knighthood of Calatraua tooke beginning Knights of Redemption CAP. 17. THese Knights were erected in the Kingdome of Aragon by King Iames who conquered the Ilands Maiorica and Minorica in the yeare 1212. Their garments are white and thereon a blacke Crosse. The office of these Knights is to redeeme prisoners wherevpon they are called Caualieri della Redentione The chiefe Gouernour of them remaineth at Bercellona Knights of S. Iohn in Ierusalem of some called Knights of the Rhodes and now Knights of Malta CAP. 18. IT is written with what warrant I know not that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certein Gentleman who in his childhood had been brought vp in learning and being growne to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and therein long time continued Afterwards hauing atteined riper yeares he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fullie resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a sodeine desire he had to visite the Sepulcher where Christ was buried which shortlie after he did And to the end he might with securitie passe the barbarous Nations he apparelled himselfe like vnto a Phisition by which meane without impediment he performed his iorney Thus hauing passed the difficulties of trauell in diuers straunge Countries he ariued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarke of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and daylie vsed by the Infidels towards the poore Christians Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those Countries indured great outrages yet they of Ierusalem suffered much greater and should be forced to more if God did not defend them By this conference the Patriarke conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to bee a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should bee committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarke determined to make him a messenger vnto the Pope vnto whom by letters he imparted the great calamitie and afflicted estate of the poore Christians inhabiting the Holy land Peter hauing receiued his instructions and letter of credence returned into the West first vnto the Pope and after solicited other Princes in such sort and with so good successe as by his perswasions many great Kings and Potentates consented to take in hand the recouerie of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with monie and some did goe in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorayn with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Hugh sirnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thether went Beomondo Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honor resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarilie followe him of whom with such other Capteines and Soldiers of Italie as came vnto him he assembled more than twentie thousand all choyce men yong fit for the warre All things in this sort prepared for the iorney Vrban the second then Pope sent vnto these Capteines a white Crosse with commandement that al the Soldiers should weare the like calling that enterprise la Cruciata It is said that the Christians at such time as this warre was proclaimed in Chiaramont a Citie of Auernia indeuoured themselues vniuersallie to animate the Soldiers and ioyned in generall praier for their good successe giuing them meate apparell and furniture vnasked or required Moreouer those that were indebted were forgiuen and such as had been banished were pardoned The women also contrarie to their custome willinglie and with much ioy consented their husbands and sonnes should passe in this enterprise and for their furniture gaue them their Iewels Cheines and monie The French King likewise sent them great treasure and gaue priuileges to the Soldiers 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 holie enterprise amounted vnto three hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horse who presentlie marched towards Constantinople where they passed the straight called Bosphoro Tracio and landed at Calcedonia For the first enterprise they besieged Nicea in Bithinia which within fiftie daies was yeelded and the fourth of Iuly at the foote of certeine Mounteines neere vnto that Citie the Christians fought a battell with a Turkish Armie which in number exceeded ours and thereat was present Soliman the Emperour of Turkie and Persia but the Christians had victorie with the losse of two thousand men but of the enemies were slaine fortie thousand This victorie gained the Christians following their enterprise within short time wonne an hundred Cities and Townes of accompt among