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
of the weapon cap. 7. How manie waies victorie is gained cap. 8. What was ancientlie due vnto such as were victorious in publique Combat cap. 9. The third Booke WHat sortes of men ought not bee admitted in triall of Armes cap. 1. Whether a Bastard may challenge a Gentleman to Combat cap. 2. Of restitution of Honor. cap. 3. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen cap. 4. Of Iniurie done with aduantage cap. 5. Of Iniuries euill offered cap. 6. Of Satisfaction cap. 7. What satisfaction is to bee giuen vppon an Iniurie by deedes cap. 8. Other meanes of Pacification and composition cap. 9. Of satisfaction to be giuen vpon words cap. 10. How the giuing of satisfaction is a thing not reproachfull cap. 11. The fourth Booke OF Nobilitie accompanied with great dignitie cap. 1. Whether a King may challenge an Emperour to Combat cap. 2. Whether a quarrell betweene two Emperours may be decided by particular Combat cap. 3. Of the equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due vnto all men professing Armes cap. 4. Certeine Questions Opinions and Iudgements vpon accidents happening in trialls and exercises of Armes cap. 5. Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundrie places and of sundrie peeces cap. 6. Of honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in Triumph cap. 7. Of Iusts and Turniamens and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged cap. 8. The manner of Combats as they were auncientlie tried in England cap. 9. Certeine Combats for life graunted by the Kings of England cap. 10. Certaine Combats for Triumph and Honor performed before the Kings of England cap. 11. The ceremonie appertaining to deliuerie of Prizes at Iusts Turniaments before the King cap. 12. The fifth Booke OF what qualitie a Gentleman professing Armes ought to be cap. 1. Of Knighthood cap. 2. Of the originall of Knighthood giuen as dignitie and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights cap. 3. The Ceremonie at the making Knights about the yere of our Lord 1020. cap. 4. The Ceremonies at the disgrading Knights in those dayes cap. 5. How manie degrees of Knighthood haue been of them how manie are yet extant cap. 6. Of the Order of the Garter cap. 7. Other degrees of Knighthood in England cap. 8. The order of the Toson and originall thereof cap. 9. The order of S. Michael cap. 10. The Order of the Anunciata cap. 11. Knights of the Band. cap. 12. Knights of S. Iago cap. 13. Knights of Calatraua cap. 14. Knights of Alcantara cap. 15. Knights of Montesio cap. 16. Knights of Redemption cap. 17. Knights of S. Iohn in Ierusalem of some called Knights of the Rhodes and now Knights of Malta cap. 18. Knights Teutonici cap. 19. Knights of the Sepulcher cap. 20. Knights of S. Marie cap. 21. Knights of S. Lazaro cap. 22. Knights of S. Steuen cap. 23. Ceremonies in degradation of Knights cap. 24. The Authors Intention cap. 25. The Authors Conclusion cap. 26. FINIS THE BOOKE OF Honor and Armes VVhat a Combat is and the originall thereof CAP. 1. A COMBAT is a single fight of one man against another for trial of truth either els of diuers men as two foure sixe tenne or more equallie and indifferentlie agreed vppon to fight on horsbacke or foot without aduantage in number of persons or disequalitie of weapons These kind of fights seeme to be first vsed of great Princes who desiring to end publique Contention and warre did mutuallie consent to determine the same by their owne priuate vertue and aduenture of life as did Golias and Dauid the Horatij and Curiatij with diuers other who fighting onlie in person for the publique cause therby saued the effusion of much bloud and the liues of many most worthie Captaines and valiant Soldiers And albeit the cause and occasion of these Combats was publique respect yet each particular Gentleman or other person professing Honor and Armes ought sufficientlie bee moued therevnto for defence of his owne particular reputation which respect and haplie also some publique occasion mooued the Combat of Aeneas with Turnus of Menelaus with Alexander of Pulfius with Varenus of Robert Mountfort with Henrie Earle of Essex in England yea Kings and Princes haue of late time done the like as Charles the third King of France with the King of Hungarie Alfonso King of Spaine with Richard Earle of of Cornwall and King Alfonso with King Ranier These particular fights were first vsed among the people called Lombardes as appeareth by the lawes written by Aliprandus one of the Kings that gouerned that Nation yet true it is that the Combats of those People and in that Age were tried with no other weapons but onelie certeine shields and staues of wood vnlesse it were for cause of infidelitie Neither seemeth it that the chiefe occasion of their fight was respect of Honor nor that the vanquished should become dishonored or Prisoner vnto the vanquisher as since hath been vsed Of the order of challenging and defending CAP. 2. FIrst is to bee considered that all Iniuries are either by words or by deeds and that in euerie Iniurie by words the Iniurer ought bee the Challenger but in an Iniurie by deedes the Iniured ought to challenge as for example Simon saith to Austen thou art a Traitor Austen answereth Thou liest then doth it behooue Simon to mainteine his words and consequentlie to challenge Austen to the Combat An Iniurie by deedes is thus Simon giueth a hurt a cut or other violence vnto Austen whereat offended he saith Thou hast done me offence violence iniurie or such like speach Simon answereth Thou liest Then behoueth it that Austen do challenge Simon and force him by fight to mainteine the hurt he offred Wherfore as a rule or maxime in matter of Honor it is speciallie to be noted that whosoeuer is truelie and lawfullie belied must of force become Challenger to mainteine that he spake or did and wherevppon the Lie is giuen him And although some men rather to shewe the dexteritie of their wits than the valour of their mindes will at such occasion vse many superfluous words whereby further speach of offence doth followe and so take opportunitie to giue the Lie vnto whom the hurt by hand was giuen yet the true and precise reason of Honor is that he who gaue the blowe hurt should without further dispute be challenged vnlesse he denie the doing thereof with offer of satisfaction Thus appeareth brieflie that whosoeuer is lawfullie belied ought by Armes to challenge mainteine and proue that which he affirmed or did in preiudice of the honor or person of the Iniured For what cause the partie belied ought to challenge and of the nature of the Lie CAP. 3. FOr so much as in ordinarie triall by lawe and ciuill Iudgements whosoeuer standeth accused by deniall of such accusation is free from condemning vntill further proofe be made euen so in euerie imposition by speach contrarie to
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
THE BOOKE OF HONOR and Armes AT LONDON Printed by Richard Ihones dwelling at the signe of the Rose and Crowne neere Holburne Conduit 1590. THE BOOKE OF HONOR and Armes VVherein is discoursed the causes of Quarrell and the nature of Iniuries with their repulses Also the meanes of satisfaction and pacification with diuers other things necessarie to be knowne of all Gentlemen and others professing Armes and Honor. Fortes magnanimi sunt habendi non qui faciunt sed qui propulsant iniuriam TO THE RIGHT HOnorable Sir Christopher Hatton Knight of the most noble Order and Lord Chancellor of England Richard Ihones Printer wisheth long life with encrease of happinesse RIght Honorable the manifold testimonies of your loue both vnto Honor and Armes haue induced me to think the first sight of this small booke doth of right belong vnto your Lordship being by the due degrees of vertue ascended to that place which among others in this Realme is and long hath been reputed most honorable To your L. therefore I humblie dedicate the same as vnto him that by censure of our Soueraigne with the applause of people hath in hand the consideration of actions apperteining to equitie Honor and Iustice. The propertie of which vertue as Cicero saith is to foresee that no violence be offered but onlie by him that with iniurie is thereunto prouoked and that things common should bee commonlie vsed and priuate things priuatlie enioyed By which rule appeareth that vertue alloweth iust reuenge and admitteth the defence of propertie and right But for that your Lordship hath been as well an actor in Armes as a knower of what is due to Honor I omit to say more either of the one or the other beseeching your good Lordship to pardon my boldnesse and take in acceptable wise the entent of the Author who both by election and obligation acknowledgeth himself yours Your Lordships euer to commaund Richard Ihones To the Reader THE cause of all Quarrell is Iniurie and reproach but the matter of content is Iustice and Honor. For loue whereof we shun no care of minde losse of wealth nor aduenture of life Hereof proceedeth all disputation in Schooles pleading in lawe warre and all worldlie wrangling For who so is either in deede or opinion perswaded to haue truth and reason on his side doth not onlie constantlie beleeue that so it is but also being thereof denied holdeth himselfe iniured and consequently burthened True it is that the Christian lawe willeth men to be of so perfect patience as not onlie to indure iniurious words but also quietlie to suffer euerie force and violence Notwithstanding forsomuch as none or verie fewe men haue attained such perfection the lawes of all Nations for auoyding further inconueniences and the manifestation of truth haue among many other trials permitted that such questions as could not bee ciuilie prooued by confession witnesse or other circumstances should receiue iudgement by fight and Combat supposing that GOD who onelie knoweth the secret thoughts of all men would giue victorie to him that iustlie aduentured his life for truth Honor and Iustice Seeing then that al humaine lawes haue permitted the triall of Armes and that euerie iniurious action not repulsed is by common consent of all Martiall mindes holden a thing dishonorable infamous and reproachfull it cannot be but at some times and occasions such questions and quarrels shall arise as necessarilie must receiue triall by the Sword And Cicero saith that hee who repulseth not an iniurie being able offendeth no lesse than if he had abandoned his friends parents and countrie By these reasons appeareth that the triall by Armes is not onlie naturall but also necessarie and allowable Notwithstanding for that the vulgar sort and many right noble also be ignorant what are the true causes requiring triall of Armes and what words or deedes are of such qualitie as ought bee repulsed or reuenged I haue at the earnest requests and often desires of verie honorable friends by way of abreuiation reduced into this small volume all causes of Quarrell or Combat the nature of Iniuries and repulses the equalitie and disequalitie of men who may bee challenged and for what respects Challenges ought bee refused with many other things in matter of Honor and Armes worthie to be knowne and considered And albeit I am not ignorant that publique Combats are in this age either rarelie or neuer graunted yet for that as is before said no prouidence can preuent the questions and quarrels that daylie happen among Gentlemen and others professing Armes it shall not be amisse but rather behouefull that all men should be fullie informed what iniurie is and how to repulse it when to fight when to rest satisfied what is Honor and good reputation how it is gained and by what meanes the same is kept preserued which was the respect that the Earle Balthazar Castilio in his booke of the Courtier doth among other qualities requireable in a gentleman specially aduise he should bee skilfull in the knowing of Honor and causes of quarrell This booke doth not incite men to vnaduised fight or needles reuenge as some simple wit may surmize but enformeth the true meanes how to shunne all offences or being offended sheweth the order of reuenge and repulse according vnto Christian knowledge and due respect of Honor. And for that the dignitie of Knighthood apperteineth chieflie to Martiall merite I haue thought fit brieflie to touch the original thereof declaring how many Orders or degrees of Knights were in times past and of them how many yet extant We haue not in this worke medled with Armorie or blazing of Badges but chieflie touched matters offenciue to reputation and Honor whereof Combat or particular triall of Armes ought to ensue If ought els is looked for it may bee taken from the learned Tractant Fabrilia fabri FINIS The Contents of this worke diuided into fiue Bookes The first Booke WHat a Combat is and the originall thereof cap. 1. Of the order of challenging and defending cap. 2. For what cause the partie belied ought to challenge and of the nature of the Lie cap. 3. Of the nature and diuersitie of Lies cap. 4. Of Lies certeine cap. 5. Of Lies conditionall cap. 6. Of Lies generall cap. 7. Of Lies speciall cap. 8. Of vaine Lies cap. 9. Whether a man iniured in presence of a Prince it sufficeth of answer in presence of priuate Gentlemen cap. 10. Of the returne of Lies cap. 11. How vpon euerie Lie the triall of Armes is not necessarie cap. 12. Of the forme of a Cartel or letter of Defiance cap. 13. The second Booke OF Iniurie and Burden cap. 1. How shamefull and dishonorable it is to offer iniurie with aduantage and cowardlie cap. 2. That euerie Lie giuen ought not occasion Combat cap. 3. For what causes the Combat is to be granted cap. 4. How betweene Padrines no fight or quarrell ought be cap. 5. Of Armes both offenciue and defenciue cap. 6. Of the election
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
man naming him Caualiero which signifieth Horseman though we improperly english it Knight Thus much is said in generall concerning Gentlemen that make profession of Armes whom the Romanes as it seemeth sometimes called Milites and some other times Equites The Italians and Spaniards Caualieri the French Cheualiers But in our language as is now vsed none are called Knights but onelie they that haue that title giuen by the Prince or his Lieutenant with a ceremonie thereunto belonging And of Knights made according to the vse of England are diuers degrees as shall hereafter be declared The originall of Knighthood giuen as dignitie and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights CAP. 3. IT is affirmed by some writers that Alexander the great with the aduise of his learned tutor Aristotle resolued to bestowe vppon such persons as had done any notable seruice in the warre some honor and degree in token of extraordinarie vertue and notable merite and therefore gaue vnto some Badges to some Cheines to some Priuileges and other such like demonstrations of honor The Romane Emperours in like manner sometimes before the beginning of a seruice and sometimes after bestowed not onlie commendation but also dignities on those whose vertue they thought so worthie as Crownets of Bayes of Gold of Myrtill or some other thing as was thought fit to the giuers They gaue also Horses Swords Armours arming Garments such like and they that receiued them in token of Honor kept them carefullie in perpetuall memorie of their owne valour and the honor of that Prince who gaue them By this meane also they became much admired and esteemed of all other Soldiers Afterwards for more incouragement of vertuous minds other Princes thought meete that the memorable acts of Soldiers should be in perpetual memorie written and such Priuileges as were giuen to bee recorded calling them in those writings valiant men companions in Armes victorious Soldiers and Knights Which manner of proceeding did animate the men of warr no lesse than the great pourtraitures which the old Romanes were wont to make for those that had performed egregious acts Touching the making of Knights we say that euerie Prince soueraine hath power to giue that dignitie to what person it pleaseth him as well in peace as warre But here is to be noted that the Knights made are of more or lesse reputation according to the qualitie of that Prince that maketh them for he that is made Knight by a King shall bee preferred before a Knight made by a Prince of meaner title Wherefore to conclude wee say that an Emperour Kings Dukes and other Princes acknowledging no superiour may make Knights and so may Common weales as the Venetian and Genoa States The Popes also doo take vppon them to make Knights for monie calling them commonlie after their owne names Cauallieri di San Petro San Paulo Giuliani Pij c. The manner of making Knights about the yere of our Lord. 1020. CAP. 4. IN that age a Prince determining to make a Knight caused a high scaffold to bee built in some Cathedrall Church of his kingdome or other spacious place neere vnto it Thether the Gentleman was brought to receiue that honor Being come he was foorthwith set vpon a Chaire of siluer couered with greene silke Then was demanded of him if he were healthie in bodie and able to endure the exercises required in a Soldier Also whether he were a man of honest conuersation and what witnesses worthie credite he could produce to answere for him This being done the Bishop or chiefe officer of that Church tooke the Bible and holding it open before the newe Knight in the presence of the King and all others spake these words saying Sir you that desire to receiue the order of Knighthood sweare before God and by this holie Bible that ye shall neuer fight against this mightie and excellent Prince that bestoweth the order of Knighthood vpon you vnlesse ye shall be occasioned so to doo in the seruice of your owne King and naturall Prince for in that case hauing first yeelded vp the Coller deuise and other Ensignes of Honor now receiued it shall bee lawfull for you to serue against him without reproach or offence to all other companions in Armes but otherwise dooing you shall incurre infamie and being taken in warre shall bee subiect to the paines of death Ye shall also sweare with all your force power to mainteine and defend al Ladies Gentlewomen Orfants widowes women distressed and abandoned The like ye must doo for wiues being desired and shunne no aduenture of your person in euerie good warre wherein ye happen to be This oath taken two of the chiefe Lords led him vnto the King who presentlie drew forth his Sword and laied the same vpon his head and said God and S. George or what other Saincts the King pleased to name make thee a good Knight Then came vnto the Knight seuen noble maidens attired in white and girt his Sword vnto his side That being done foure Knights of the most honorable in that presence put on his Spurres These ceremonies past the Queene tooke him by the right arme and a Dutchesse by the left and led him vnto a rich seate made on high and thereupon set him the King sitting downe on the one hand and the Queene on the other After the King and Queene were thus set and the newe Knight betweene them al the rest of the Lords and Ladies set them downe also vppon other seates prepared for them three dissents vnder the Kings seate Euerie Lord and Ladie being in this sort placed thether was brought a solemne Collation or Banquet of delicate meates whereof the Knight the King the Queene and the whole companie did eate And so the Ceremonie ended The order of disgrading of Knights in those daies CAP. 5. IF any Knight had in that time been corrupted with monie by his Princes enemie or committed any other notable fault against loyaltie and honor the other Knights forthwith made humble suite vnto the King that he might bee punished Which request being granted they apprehended the offender and caused him to bee armed from head to foote in such sort as if he should go to the field Which done they led him vp to an high stage made in a Church for that purpose where were thirteene Priestes saying those praiers ordinarily vsed at Burials as though that Knight had lien dead at their feete At the end of euerie Psalme they tooke from him one peece of his Armour First they tooke off his Helmet as that which defended his traiterous eyes then his Gauntlet on the right side as that which couered a corrupt hand then the Gauntlet of the left hand as from a member consenting And so by peecemeale dispoyled him of all his Armes as well offensiue as defensiue which one after another were throwne to the ground and at the instant when euery part of Armour was cast downe the King of Armes first and after him all the