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
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
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
alone sitting downe before the King as his Vicar generall send his Liutenant to the Challenger to come vnto him and the Marshall with his Liutenant did accompanie the Defender The Conestable thus set did pronounce this speach with a loude voyce Let them go let them go let them go and doo their best Vpon which words pronounced in the Kings presence the Challenger did march towards the Defender to assaile him furiouslie and the other prepared himselfe for defence soberlie In the meane time the Conestable and Marshall with their Liutenants stood attentiue to heare and see if any words signe or voyce of yeelding were vttered by anie of the Fighters and also to bee readie if the King should command the Launces to bee let fall to depart the fight The Conestable and Marshall did also take regard that the Challenger and Defender should appeare at the day and houre appoynted whether the quarrell were for treason or otherwise The Conestable did likewise measure the weapons of the Combattors and also search whether they had about them any engin or other vnlawfull things as Charmes or Inchauntment yet was it lawfull both for the Challenger and Defender to bee aswell and surelie armed as they could And if any of them would haue his Sword shorter than the Standerd yet was not the other bound to haue his cut to that measure if he required that fauour of the Court But if either the one or the others Sword passed the Standerd then was that inequalitie to be reformed or if they were both ouerlong both ought be reformed It had been also in more ancient time vsed that the Conestable and Marshall should foresee that if the Kings pleasure was to depart the fight and suffer the Fighters to rest before the Combat ended that they should bee parted in due time when no aduauntage were Likewise that they should take heed that none of them should priuatlie speake vnto the other of yeelding or otherwise For vnto the Conestable and Marshall apperteined the witnessing and record of all things And in case the Combat were for question of treason he that was vanquished should bee foorthwith disarmed within the Lists by commandement of the Conestable and the Marshall The said Armour and weapons of the vanquished in one end of the Lists was defaced in his disgrace and after the same was drawne out together with his horse From thence also the man vanquished was drawne vnto the place of execution to bee there headed or hanged according to the custome of the Countrie The performance of all which punishment apperteined onlie to the Marshall who ought see all things done in his owne presence And in case the Challenger did not vanquish his enemie then ought he suffer the same paines that are due vnto the Defender if he were vanquished But if the quarrell were vpon a crime of lesse importance the partie vanquished should not bee drawne vnto the place of execution but onelie led thether to receiue death or other punishment according to the custome and qualitie of the matter If the Combat were onelie for triall of vertue or honor he that was vanquished therein should be disarmed and put out of the Lists without further punishment If it happened that the King would take the quarrell into his hand and make peace betweene the parties without longer fight Then did the Conestable leade the one and the Marshall the other of the fighters out of the Lists at diuers gates armed and mounted as they were hauing speciall regard that neither of them should go the one before the other For the quarrell resting in the Kings hand might not bee renued or any violence offered without preiudice vnto the Kings honor And because it is a poynt verie speciall in matters of Armes that he who leaueth the Lists first incurreth a note of dishonor therefore to depart the Lists in due time was euer preciselie obserued were the Combat for treason or other cause whatsoeuer It is also to bee remembered that without the principall Lists were euer certeine Counterlists betwixt which two the seruants of the Conestable and Marshall did stand There stood also the Kings Seriants at Armes to see and consider if any default or offence were committed contrarie to the Proclamation of the Court against the Kings royall Maiestie or the lawe of Armes Those men were euer armed at all peeces The seruants of the Conestable and Marshall had charge of the place and good order thereof The Kings Seriants tooke care to keepe the gates of the Lists and be there readie to make arest of any person when they should bee commanded by the Conestable or Marshall The fees of the Marshall were all Horses peeces of Armour or other furniture that fell to the ground after the Combattors did enter into the Lists aswell from the Challenger as the Defender But all the rest apperteined to the partie victorious whether he were Challenger or Defender The Barres Posts Railes and euerie other part of the Lists were also the fees of the Marshall Certeine Combats graunted by the Kings of England CAP. 9. EDmond of the rase of West Saxons fought in combat with Canutus King of Denmarke for the possession of the Crowne of England In which fight both the Princes being wearie by consent departed the land betwixt them Anno. 1016. RObert Mountfort accused Henrie of Essex of treason affirming that he in a iorney towards Wales neere vnto Colshil threwe away the Kings Standerd saying the King was dead and turned backe those that went to the Kings succour Henrie denied the accusation so as the matter came to be tried by Combat The place appoynted for fight was a little I le neere vnto Reading In this Combat Henrie was vanquished and fell downe as dead and at the suite of friends licence was obteined that his bodie might be buried by the Monkes of Reading But it happened that the bodie of Henrie recouered and became a Monke in that Abey Anno 1163. In the raigne of King Henrie the second HEnry Duke of Hereford accused Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norffolke of certeine words by him spoken as they rode betweene London and Brainford tending vnto the Kings dishonor Thomas Duke of Norf. denied to haue spoken any such word but Henrie affirming his accusation the King graunted the Combat to beé performed at Couentrie the 7. of September 1398. Anno Rich. 2. A Combat was fought at Westminster in the Kings presence betweene Iohn Ansley Knight and Thomas Catrington Esquire whō the said Knight had accused of treason for selling the Castle of S. Sauiours which the Lord Chandos had builded in the I le of Constantine in France In which Combat the Knight was victorious Anno 1379. regni Rich. 2. A Combat was graunted vnto an Esquire borne in Nauarra to fight with an English Esquire called Iohn Welsh whom the Nauarrois accused of treason But the true cause of the Nauarrois his malice was for that the said Welsh had forced his wife as being vanquished
Thomas Radcliffe Sir Edward Norris Anthonie Cooke Sir Iohn Packington George Giffard Richard Ward Euerard Digbie Sir Edward Denie Sir William Hatton Thomas Vauisor Henrie Nowell Sir Iohn Borrowe Sir George Carew Anthonie Mildmay Thomas Gerrard Edward Winter Sir Charles Blont William Gressam Iohn Wotton Iohn Parker Francis Darcie Robert Carie. Sir Edward Wingfield Iohn Chidley Sir Philip Butler Richard Skipwith Pecksall Brocas William Haruie Thomas Sidney Iarues Clifton Richard Acton MY meaning was here to haue inserted all the Speaches Emblemes Deuises Posies and other Complements vsed in all Challenges other publique exercises of Armes since her Maiesties Raigne but for want of obseruation or rather lacke of some sufficient man to haue set them presently downe those things cannot be recouered Henceforth that defect is like to bee supplied by the dextrous hand of Master W. Seagar now called Somerset one of her Maiesties-Herehaults a Gentleman both learned and languaged and therewith also by his own hand able to expresse in demonstration with great art and excellencie Whose minde is whollie bent to her Maiesties seruice and the honour of her Court The Ceremonies apperteining to the deliuerie of Prizes at Iusts and Turniments CAP. 12. AT anie publique Triumph before the King it seemeth the vse hath heretofore been that the Prizes of best desert should bee giuen by the hand of the Queene notwithstanding it were in the Kings presence but first a solempne proclamation to be made by the Herehaults to this effect O Yes O yes O yes Be it knowen to all men by these presents that by the authoritie of the most high most excellent and most puissant Prince H. by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland c. That of those which haue Iusted on the Challengers side A.B. hath deserued the Prize and to him let the same be giuen as due by the censure of the Queene with the assent of her Ladies Gentlewomen and all others of her Highnes Court heere present Likewise on the partie of Defenders C.D. hath Iusted well E.F. better but G.H. best of all vnto whome the Prize is iudged by the most mightie most excellent and vertuous Princesse with consent aforesaid This was the forme of deliuering the Prizes at the most noble and triumphant Iusts performed by King Henrie the eight and Francis the French King with their Nobilitie and Gentlemen of Armes at their interviewe in Picardie where the Proclamation in forme aforesaid was pronounced in English and French which by fauour of Master Garter I haue seene recorded IT seemeth in elder times the vse was that the Prince did giue a letter of attestation to such persons as wan anie Prize either in Combat for life or Honor for my selfe haue read such a one granted by a King of France vnto an Italian Gentl. in these words following wherevnto as it seemeth was added a great and honorable Ceremonie NO I Filippo per gratia di dio Re di Franza c. notifichiammo a tutti coloro a quali peruerranno queste nostre littere et che lo haranno a grado et in piacere e generalmente a Imperadori Re Duchi Marchesi Conti Principi Nobili Caualierie Gentilhuomini come hauendo noi celebrato le nostre feste a honore a laude a gloria di nostro Signor dio ad honore di tutti i Caualieri che sono venuti a combattere a tutto transito in questo honorato passo di armi vogliamo che siano riconosciuti coloro che si saranno valorosamente portati senza esser mai vinti pure vna volta poi che si debbe dar l'honore a chi merita ch'e senza menda Pero per queste ordoniammo commandiammo e sententiammo che a gloria a honore a laude a fama del egregio e virtuoso Caualiere N. esso sia publicato in tutti quatro i cantoni delle lizze sbarre da i Re d' armi Araldi Passauanti con trombette e sonatori con consitimento nostro delli giudici del campo rappresentanti la persona nostra per lo migliore di tutti i Caualieri de nostro regno Et commandiammo che sia posto sopra vn cauallo tutto bianco e che tutti coloro che vi si truoueranno cosi donne come huomini vengono con esso noi tutti a piedi e sia fatta processione generale e. N. vada sotto il baldacchino fino alla chiesa Appresso commandiammo ordoniammo che vscendo della chieâ—â— si vada per tutte le lizze sbarre e. N. ne prenda la possessione e per i Re d' Armi gli siano date tutte le chiaui delle dette lizze insegno di vittoria Et ancora commandiammo che siano celebrate feste che durino quindeci giorni a laude gloria del vittorioso N. E perche ciascuno conosca la real verità di questo fatto habbiamo segnata la presente carta con color vermiglio èsuggellata co'l nostro real suggillo Data nella nostra Citta di Parigi a 4. di Luglio c. The same in English PHilip by the grace of God King of France c. Be it knowen to all men vnto whom these letters shall come and to euerie other person that take delight or pleasure in Armes and generally to all Emperors Kings Dukes Marquises Earles Princes Barons other Gentlemen that wee haue celebrated a solempne Triumph to the honour praise and glorie of God and the commendation of such as did fight in this honourable action of Armes And being desirous that they who haue valorouslie performed their parts without receiuing blame or disgrace should be knowen to the end honour may be giuen to euerie one according to his merit Therefore we haue hereby ordeined commaunded and iudged for the euerlasting honour praise and glorie of the excellent and vertuous Gentleman N. his name shal be proclaimed in euerie of the foure corners of the Lists or place of Iusts by the King of Armes the Herehaults and Pursiuants with our allowance and by the censure of the Iudges of the field representing our person letting all men thereby to knowe that the said N. is the most excellent and most vertuous Gentleman of Armes in all our kingdome We moreouer commaund that he shall be mounted vpon a white horse and that euery person present aswell women as men shall with vs follow him in Procession on fâ—ote that the said N. shall ride vnder a Canopie vnto the Church Wee likewise ordaine and commaund that in returne from the Church we shall passe through the place of Iusts and there the said N. to take possession and the keyes of the said Lists to be deliuered him by the King of Armes in signe of victorie Lastly we commaund that the celebration of the feast shall continue the space of xv dayes to the commendation and glory of the victorious N. And in witnes of the very troth in
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
The Lord Scroope The Earle of Essex The Earle of Ormond Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chauncelor of England The Earle of Sussex The Lord Buckhurst Other degrees of Knighthood in England CAP. 8. THree other sorts of Knights there are in England but because they weare no garment badge or signe to shewe the difference of their degree from other Gentlemen they are not noted or known to strangers for Knights Yet among our selues wee knowe them right well for euerie man hauing that dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William c. But here is to be noted that Knights are not borne but made either before a Battaile to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre they are made for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that doo appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royall authoritie giuen for that purpose or by his Liutenant in the wars who hath his royall absolute power for that time And this order may be resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doth agree with it for seldome in all poynts one Common wealth doth agree with an other nor long any State accordeth with it selfe Equites Romani were chosen ex Censu which is according to their substance and riches Euen so be Knights in England for the most part according to the yearely reuenew of their lands being able to mainteine that estate yet all they that had Equestrem Censum were not in Rome Equites no more are all Knights in England that may dispend a Knights land or fee but they onlie to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honor In Rome the number of Equites was vncerteine and so is it of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum publicum but the Knights of England find horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers valewe but in England who so euer may dispend of his free lands fortie pounds starling of yearely reuenew by an old lawe either at the Coronation of the King or mariage of his daughter or at the dubbing of the Prince Knight or some such great occasion may bee by the King compelled to take that order and honor or to pay a fine which many rich men not so desirous of honor as of riches had rather disburse Some also who for good respect are not thought worthie that title and yet haue abilitie neither bee made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fortie pounds starling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant monie Wherof this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more but that which Miles doth in Latin which is Soldier I know not Some hold opiniō that the word Soldier doth betoken a waged or hiered man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Soldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Capteine which order if the Almaines did followe it may bee that they who were not hiered but being of the Nation vppon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did followe the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almaines some are called Lance-Knights as Soldiers not hiered although they bee well neere all hiered Or it may bee that they which were next about the Prince as his Gard and seruants picked and choyse men out of the rest being called in the Almaine tung Knighten which is as much to say as Seruants these men being found of good seruice the word afterward was taken for an Honor for a man that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is wee in our English doo call him Knight whom the French doo call Cheualier and the Latin Equitem or Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the manner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is striken by the Prince with a Sword drawne vpon his backe or shoulder the Prince saying Soys Cheualier and in times past was added S. George And when the Knight riseth the Prince saith Auancé This is the manner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this poynt and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Herehaults called Knights Batchelers Of Knights of the Bath AT the Coronation of a King or Queene there are made Knights of the Bath with long and curious Ceremonies whereof I am not perfectly enformed Of Knights Bannerets THese Knights are made in the field onlie with the Ceremonie of cutting away the point of his Standerd and making it as it were a Banner he being before a Batcheler Knight shall then become of greater degree allowed to display his Armes in a Banner as Barons do and the wiues of all these three degrees of Knights shall be called Ladies as Barons wiues are The Order of the Toson and the originall thereof CAP. 9. THe number of Knights that were at the first admitted into this Order was 31. who ought bee of noble bloud men of good merite and without reproach The chiefe or head of this companie is he vnto whom the succession of the Dukedome of Burgondy doth lawfullie discend Whosoeuer entereth into this Order shall renounce all other Orders of Knighthood of euerie Prince Companie or Religion Yet out of that lawe are excepted all Emperours Kings and Dukes vnto whom is dispensed that they may weare the Badge of this Order if they bee chiefe and Soueraines of their owne Order But to the end the truth may appeare a generall Counsell of Knights shall bee called to consent vnto that dispensation The Soueraine of this Order hath authoritie himselfe alone to giue and bestowe the Ensigne of the Order which is a Coller of gold wherein are the Armes of Burgondie hauing the Toson of gold hanging thereat This Coller the Soueraine and euerie of the Knights is bound to weare daylie and failing thereof shall incurre a penaltie But in time of warre or great affaires to weare the Toson onlie shall suffice Or if by mishap the Cheine doo breake it is lawfull for mending thereof it may be carried to the Goldsmith Or if any Knight trauailing by the way shall doubt to be robbed he may without offence lay by or hide his Cheine Yet is it not lawfull to encrease the quantitie of the said Cheine nor adde thereunto any other stones or workmanship and most of all it is vnlawfull to sell it engage it or exchange it These and many other Statutes and ordinances the Knights of this noble Order are sworne to obserue and keepe And many of them haue been sith the first institution enlarged altered or