albeit one of the enemies did also leaue the Lists yet his entent therein was to pursue his foe being fled thence and forsomuch as the Combat was for matter of Treason it sufficeth not onlie for the victorious to vanquish the enemie but also to bring him into the power of the Iudge to bee punished And it is plaine that seeing of the one partie one was hurt and the other fled they ought to be iudged to lose all honor and be condemned as guiltie of that wherevpon the quarrell was mooued 14 Seauen Gentlemen doo compound with seauen other to runne certeine courses at the Tilt for honor and loue of Ladies in which match it happened that fiue of the one partie did commendablie acquite themselues but the other two of that side were ouerthrowne On the other side two onelie performed their courses well and the rest of that companie exceeding euill losing many Launces and running very foule whereof a question grewe whether vnto fiue well doers and two euill or vnto two weldoers with fiue euill the honor ought be allotted Albeit in this case much may bee spoken yet for that the question is not of any particular mans merit but which partie in generall performed best the enterprize it may be alleadged that the partie wherein were most weldoers ought to haue the honor notwithstanding the fall of two of their companions yet forsomuch as to fall from horseback by the enemies force or vertue is most reproachfull it seemeth that the misaduenture of two men onlie may reasonablie be the losse of honor to all the rest And therefore we leaue the iudgement of this doubt vnto wise men better experienced in Armes 15 Two Gentlemen being in Combat for life the Challenger taketh the sword of the Defender from him notwithstanding the Defender most valiantlie defendeth himselfe with his arme and hands all the whole day during which time he could not be forced either to denie yeeld or bee slaine A question thereupon arose whether of them was victorious Forsomuch as this Combat was for life and that in euerie fight of such nature no victorie is fullie gained vntill the Defender is slaine or els forced to yeeld or denie it seemeth that he is not to be iudged guiltie nor hauing done any of these although his sword were lost which indeede in all Martiall exercises and feates of Armes is a thing much to bee discommended But most certeine it is that in all Combats and actions of Armes for Honor Loue Praise onelie whosoeuer loseth his sword must presentlie also lose the honor and victorie 16 Two Gentlemen fighting for life within the Listes the one yeeldeth himselfe a prisoner Whether may the Prince of the place who in Combat is elected a Iudge saue the life of him that is vanquished Hereunto may be answered That albeit euerie prisoner apperteineth vnto his taker yet hath it commonly been vsed that the victorious haue presented their prisoners vnto the Prince to bee disposed at his good pleasure who in recompence thereof doo vse according to the magnanimous mindes of such persons not onelie to pay the charges of the victorious but also in signe of clemencie and mercie set the infortunate prisoner freely at libertie As did the noble King Edward the third of England vnto Iohn Visconti who in his presence was vanquished by Thomas de la March base sonne vnto the French King And Phillip Duke of Milan did the like vnto another infortunate Gentleman vanquished by a Neapolitane Knight Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundrie places and of sundrie peeces CAP. 6. A Man that loseth his Sword in fight is more reproached than he that loseth his Shield For he gaineth the greatest honor that winneth the chief weapon from the enemie which is the Sword seeing therewith the Emperour and Kings do create their Knights and the Sword is borne before them in signe of authoritie and regall power He that loseth his Headpeece in fight is more dishonored than he that loseth his Shield because the Helmet defendeth the most principall part of man but the Shield armeth a lower place He that loseth his Gauntlet in fight is more to bee blamed than he who is disarmed of his Poulderon For the Gauntlet armeth the hand without which member no fight can be performed and therfore that part of Armour is commonlie sent in signe of defiance He that is cast out of the Saddle by violence of his aduersaries encounter shall bee more reprooued than he who falleth by the default of his horse the breaking of girths or any such like accident Of the honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in Triumph CAP. 7. HE that in fight loseth his Eye shall thereby receiue more dishonor than hee that loseth his Teeth because the Eye is a member seruing the most necessarie sence but the Teeth are onelie instruments of the mouth He that loseth his right Eye is more to bee reproached than he that loseth the left Eye because the right side is in better opinion of men The like is to bee said of the hands of the armes and legges If a man hauing but one Eye doo fight with another man that hath two in losing that one Eye he shall be more blamed than he who hath two Eyes although hee loseth one Hee that loseth his whole hand shall bee more reproached than he who loseth one Eye And hee that loseth a foote is more disgraced than he that loseth one hand Of Iusts and Turniaments and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged CAP. 8. IT is written how at a Triumph in the noble Citie of Naples a Gentleman called the L. Peter Counte of Derise receiued so furious an encounter by the Launce of another that ranne against him that therewith he became at one instāt disarmed of his Shield his Curats Headpeece so as he being vtterly disarmed was left on horsback in his doublet only without other harme In requitall whereof the said Peter gaue vnto the other Gentleman so violent a blowe as therewithall the girths of the horse were broken and the man cast headlong on the ground Thereupon a question was mooued which of them had merited most honor or rather which of them deserued least reproach Whereunto was answered absolutelie that he who fell fro the horse was most dishonored for next vnto death to fall from the horse is most reproachfull Yet is it lesse disgrace to fall with the horse than to fall alone and therefore albeit a man doth runne neuer so well if in the end he doth fall frō the horse he can by no meanes receiue honor for that day but shall rather depart with disgrace Who so fighting on foote at Barrier or in any other exercise of Armes is by the force of his aduersarie constrained with his hand to touch the ground shall thereby lose all commendation He that on horsebacke directeth his Launce at the head is more
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
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