Collars in token they excell all other degrees of Knighthood Godfredus Adelmarâ— Institut Ordin Tem plariorum Fol. 98. CHAP. 18. Knights Templars IN the yeere 1117. nine Gentlemen who happened to meete in the Holy land of which number was Godfredus Aldemaro Alexandrino and Hugo de Planco de Paganus among themselues determined to erect an Association or brotherhood And being come vnto Ierusalem they consulted vpon the estate of that countrey beeing enformed that in Zaffo a towne anciently appertaining to the family of Contareni in Venice there remained many theeues that vsed daily to rob such Pilgrims as resorted vnto the holy Sepulchre They therefore resolued as a seruice acceptable to God to hazard their liues in the suppression of those robbers whereby the way vnto Ierusalem might become secure And because the Christian armie was then employed in recouery of the Holy land no order was taken for safe passage To encourage these Gentlemen in so praiseable an enterprise a lodging in the Temple of Ierusalem neere vnto the Sepulchre was appointed of which place they tooke the name of Knights Templars Also the King and Patriarch much liking an action so honourable furnished them with many necessarie prouisions To them also resorted many other Christians so as in short time the number became much encreased yet no habit signe or rule was agreed vpon Notwithstanding the Gentlemen persisted in their vow nine yeeres and grew to so great reputation that Pope Honorius at the suite of Steuen Patriarch of Ierusalem prescribed vnto them an order of life whereby they were enioyned to weare a white garment and Pope Eugenius added thereunto a red Crosse. After which time they elected an head or great master like vnto him that commandeth in Malta The number of these Knights daily encreased and their enterprises became famous not onely for guarding the way and passages but also they vndertooke warre against the Infidels both by Sea and land And the Christian Princes mooued with loue of their vertue in sundry prouinces assigned vnto them houses and great reuenues to be spent in Gods seruice In processe of time they became so potent as in euery Christian kingdome they were owners of Townes Fortresses and Castles and wheresoeuer the great Master did goe a mightie army did follow him It pleased God afterwards to permit that Ierusalem and other places of the Holyland through discord among the Christians and negligence of Princes not sending thither any aid was conquered about ninety yeeres CHAP. 19. Knights of San Iago At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered the Countrey the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the Lawes of that barbarous nation retired themselues vnto the mountaines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeeres of their abode there certaine gentlemen consulting together determined to make an association and begin a warre vpon the infidels and Moores These gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certaine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of mariage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare was a red Crosse in forme of a sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victory against the Moores in the prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuiledges 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 Saints these Knights do vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is marueilous amounting to many hundred thousand duckets Many Popes haue giuen their alowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof then ten Malachini yeerely Thomas Docwra Ordinis S. Iohis Hiâ—rosolom vulgo de Malta Pras. in Anglia Eques vlt. Fol 94. CHAP. 20. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called Knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta IT is written I know not with what warrant that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certaine Gentleman who in his childhood had bene brought vp in learning and being growen to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and there in long time continued Afterwards hauing attained riper yeres he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fully resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a suddaine desire he had to visite the Sepulchre where Christ was buried which shortly 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 strange Countries he arriued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarch of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and dayly vsed by the Infidels towardes the poore Christians in those Countreys Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those countreys 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 Patriarch conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to be a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should be committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarch 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 sollicited 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 recouery of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with money and some did go in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorain with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Robert Earle of Flanders Hugh surnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thither went Beaumond Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honour resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarily follow him of whom with such other Captaines and souldiers of Italy as came vnto him hee assembled more then twenty thousand all choyse men and young fit for warre All things in this sort prepared for the iourney Vrban
Hall in their Liueries which number amounted to sixe hundred All the streets where the King passed were hanged with cloth of golde siluer or rich Arras That day and the next all the conduits were full of wine some Claret and some White The night before the Coronation the King washed his body and the next morning prayed in the presence of three Prelats The next morning the Clergie in great numbers attended the King to the Temple of Westminster and from thence all the Lords and Knights of the Order in their robes awaited vpon his Maiestie to the Pallace who all that way marched vnder the Canopy of State On either hand of the King a sword was caried the one represented the Ecclesiasticall the other Politicall iurisdiction The Ecclesiasticall sword was borne by the Prince of Wales the Kings sonne the sword of Iustice Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland and Constable of England did beare which office was lately taken from the Earle of Rutland and giuen to him The scepter was caried by the Earle of Westmerland Marshall of England In this order and thus accompanied the King came into the Church where he found a place of State prepared in the mids there he set himselfe downe being furnished with all his rich and royall ornaments the crowne excepted The Archbishop of Canterbury preached and shewed the Kings person vnto the people saying Behold him here that is to raigne ouer you for so God hath ordained Will you quoth hee consent he shall be crowned your King whereunto they answered Yea and holding vp their hands offered to be sworne Then the King went downe from his seate and kneeled before the high Altar where two Archbishops and ten Bishops did take off his royall garments and annoynt him in the presence of all the multitude viz. on the crowne of his head on the breast on the shoulders on the palmes of his hands which done they set his cap vpon his head Then the King put vpon him a garment like vnto a Deacon and girt the same as Prelates vse to doe Then they buckled vpon one of his feete a Spurre and drew forth the sword of Iustice which they deliuered into the Kings hand and he put it vp into the sheath when it was put vp the Archbishop of Canterbury girt it vnto his side Then was the Crowne of S. Edward brought thither and by that Archbishop set vpon the Kings head All these ceremonies and Diuine Seruice finished the King with the same pompe he came to the Church returned to the Pallace in the mids whereof was a fountaine which flowed with wine white and red At dinner the King did sit at the first table at the second sate the fiue chiefe Peeres of the kingdome at the third the Mayor and Aldermen at the fourth the nine new made Knights at the fifh the Knights Gentlemen of the Kings house So long as the King did sit the Prince of Wales stood on his right hand holding the Ecclesiasticall sword and on the left hand stood the Constable of England shaking the sword of Iustice vnder them stood the Marshall holding the Scepter At the Kings table besides the King two Archbishops and three other Bishops did sit In the dinner time a Knight well mounted armed at all peeces came into the Hall and before him rode an other horseman that caried his Launce his name was Dymmock This Champion hauing his sword drawen and a Mace also ready deliuered vnto the king a scroule of paper wherein was contained that if any Gentleman would denie that Henry there present were not the lawfull King of England he was ready by Armes to maintaine it where and when the King should command This Cartell was deliuered to a King of Armes and by the Kings commandement proclaimed in the palace and in sixe places of the Citie but no man found to say the contrary and so the ceremonie of this Coronation ended CHAP. 46. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes 1380. THis Charles the 6. King of France of that name being twelue yeeres olde was crowned in the presence of the Dukes of Anioy Auuernia Burgundy Burbon Brabant Berry and Lorayn the Earle of Piedmont the Earle of Marcury the Earle Eu and William Lord of Namur beeing present the Earle of Flanders and Bloys sent their deputies The King entred the citie of Rhemes with a marueilous troupe of Lords and Gentlemen hauing before them thirty trumpets sounding His Maiestie alighted at our Lady Church and thither resorted vnto him his cosins of Albert Nauarre Barry Harecourt and other yong Princes and Lords of the blood whom the next day he dubbed Knights On Sonday after the King went vnto the Church which was most sumptuously prepared There the Bishop crowned his Maiestie and anointed him with that oyle wherewith Saint Remigius had anointed Clodoueus the first Christian King of France That Oyle was miraculously as is reported sent from heauen by an Angel purposely to anoint Clodoueus And being preserued euer since a glasse although all the kings haue bene therwith anointed yet is the quantity thereof no whit decreased The King being come before the high Altar did honour all the yong men aforesayd with Knighthood and that done hee kneeled vpon rich foote Carpets that were there spred at his feete the yong Princes newly made Knights did sit and Oliuer Clisson newly also aduanced to be Constable of the kingdome performed his office and there amids the nobility with all pomp possible the King was crowned Then to the end that all men might haue cause to reioice the King was pleased to remit and forgiue all taxations subsidies and impositions by what name soeuer lately inuented The Coronation finished his Maiestie returned to the palace where his table was prepared and hereat besides the King did sit the Dukes his vncles viz. the Duke of Brabant Anioy Auuernia Burgundy and Burbon and on his right hand sate the Archbishop of Rhemes with other Lords of the Spiritualty Touching meaner Lords of the kingdome they shifted for place where it could be found The Admirals Coucy Clisson and Tremoly had their tables equally couered with Carpets of Tissue The next day the King dined according to ancient vse and the charge of the Inauguration was defrayd by the Citizens of Rhemes These ceremonies being consummate with great pomp triumph and ioy he returned to Paris CHAP. 47. At the Inauguration of King Henry the third French King three notable things obserued FIrst when he should haue bene anointed with the holy oile there was none found in the ceremonious Horne which for many yeeres had bene preserued by miracle as a relike sent from heauen Secondly when in the royall seate the Crowne was set vpon his head by certaine Bishops as is accustomed he cried out twise Oh it hurts me Thirdly when he kneeled before the Altar during Masse the Crowne fell from his head all which seemed ominous to the beholders and so it prooued both to himselfe
vllam nisi datum tibi esset desuper Ioh. 19. It appeareth also that good Princes doe deserue diuine honour as S. Austen seemeth to affirme And the Apostle in his Epistle to Timothy saith Qui bene praesunt duplici honore dignisunt Good and godly Kings therfore haue receiued from God diuine vertue aboue all other creatures As was scene in Saul who being made King by Samuel foorthwith became inspired with the gift of Prophecie and the Spirit of God did enter into him whereby he prophecied with other Prophets 1. King cap. 10. We reade likewise that Salomon being created King obtayned the excellencie of wisedome 1. King 3. If seemeth also that Kings are diuinely inspired with diuers other parttcular graces and vertues as the kings of England and France by touching only do cure an infirmity called The Kings euill the Kings of Spaine as some writers affirme haue power to cast diuels out of meÌ„s bodies CHAP. 6. Of Queenes NExt and neerest vnto the King his Queene is to take place because the weareth a Regall Crowne which no other person but a King may doe It seemeth also that a Queene ought to sit on the Kings right hand which honour the sacred Scriptures do allow Psal. 45. Astitit Regina à dextris tuis in vestitu deaurato And if she be a mayden Queene Soueraigne and absolute shee is In pari dignitate with a King may precede him also according to the dignitie of her kingdome And if she be a Queene of three entiere kingdomes as our Soueraigne is she may assume the title of an Empresse Also Officers and ministers appertaining vnto a Queene absolute are priuiledged equall with the Officers of Kings and may take place accordingly Lu de Pen. Ca. de priuilegijs Note also that albeit a Queene be the daughter of a Duke or an Earle or any other inferior degree yet shall she be called Queene by the dignitie of her husband And if she be the daughter of a King superior to her husband then may she also reteine the dignitie of her fathers daughter Iac. Rebuff alij dig lib. 12. which was the reason that the Lady Claudia daughter vnto King Lewis the 12. did take place before the Lady Loysia of Sauoy notwithstanding shee was mother to King Francis the first So did the daughter precede the mother Yet some doe hold that a Kings mother ought be preferred before all others alleaging the Text Positus est thronus matris iuxta thronum Regis the 3. of Kings We reade also in the same place that King Solomon beholding his mother comming towards him adored her and caused a Throne to be set on his right hand Which seemeth indeede to be her place in absence of the Queene not otherwise as mine Author writeth CHAP. 7. A Prince LIke as the splendent beames of the Sunne doe spread themselues in giuing light heat and comfort vnto all liuing things without any dimunition of his proper vertue either in substance course or brightnesse so from the sacred power and Regall authoritie of Emperours Kings and Queenes all earthly dignities doe proceed yet their owne Princely and soueraigne power In sua prima sublimitate doth not suffer or sustaine any blemish or detriment The first place and chiefest degree therefore after the Estates aforenamed appertaineth vnto the Prince or eldest sonne of the King in respect he is the first borne childe of his father and may claime to sit on the right hand as Baldus seemeth to affirme saying Primogenitus sedet ad dextram patris by imitation of the Christian beleefe Note that the eldest sonne of a King hath euer a title of greater dignitie then his other brethren viz. In England hee is called Prince of Wales in France the Dolphin in Spaine L' Infante c. Princeps dicitur quia est quasi prinicipalis in sâ—renuitate post Regem In Enland he is borne Duke of Cornewall and therefore needeth no ducall creation when he is made Prince he is presented before the King in Princely robes who putteth about his necke a sword bendwise a cap and Coronet ouer his head a ring ouer his middle finger a verge of gold in his hand and his Letters pattents after they be read The second place is due vnto the first sonne of the Kings eldest sonne So as the nephew seemeth to precede the vncle which hath bene a question of great difficultie and left vnto triall of the sword Yet in France it hath bene diuers times diuersly iudged but for the most part in fauour of the Nephew And in England the Nephew was preferred before the Vncle as Baldus noteth CHAP. 8. An Archduke Some hold opinion that this title of Archduke may be assumed by the eldest brother of euery Ducall family in Germany hath bene by custome so vsed as a title of greatest dignitie among brethren But Tillet saith that in France when any great Duke had the conduct of an Armie and thereby commanded other Dukes vnder him then was hee called Duke of France that is to say Duke of Dukes The which office for that it had so great a superintendencie was afterward called Meyer du Pallays This Meyer or Maior had the authoritie of a Vice-Roy and commanded in all causes both Military and Ciuil To this degree of Archduke belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a hood of Crimsin veluet wherewith he is inuested at his Creation he hath also a Chapeau or Ducal cap doubled Ermin indented with a Coronet about the same and one arch of gold with an Orbe hee also beareth a Verge or rod of gold CHAP. 9. A Duke These Dukes are ornified with a Surcoat Mantle and Hood at their Creation they weare also a Ducall cap doubled Ermin but not indented They haue also a Coronet and Verge of gold Note here that in England all Dukes of the Kings blood as his sonne brother vncle or nephew ought be reputed as Archdukes and precede all other Dukes Note also that hee who is a Duke tantùm shall take place before any Lord that is both a Marquesse and an Earle notwithstanding they be two dignities But he that is a Duke and Marquesse or a Duke and an Earle shal march before a Duke tantùm CHAP. 10. A Marquesse THe fift estate is a Marquesse called by the Saxons A Marken Reue that is to say a Ruler of the Marches This great Officer in the Kings battaile was chiefe Captaine of the Horse campe and next it authoritie vnto the Heâ—tzog or Constable so that it should seeme he was in degree as our High Marshall is in England To this estate is due a Surcoat Mantle and Hood with a Coronet of golde Fleury CHAP. 11. An Earle In the Empire at this day are sundry sorts of Earles which they call Graues as Landgraues id est regionum Comites Margraues id est certarum marcarum seu districtuum vel agri ciuitatis aut regionis alicuius finium Comites Palatins qui sunt Iudices regni
triumphant and euer memorable victory ouer the Spanish Fleet proudly by them called Inuincible The Sermon beeing done her Maiestie went to the Bishops Palace and there dined and towards euening returned vnto Somerset place by torchlight Against her Highnes cōming in the morning the streets were railed and hung with Blew broad clothes for the seueral Companies in their Liueries to stand euery Company distinguished by Banners Standards and Penons of their Armes richly painted and illumined The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court likewise being placed nere Temple Bar stood orderly within their railes All the fronts of houses were couered with rich Arras and Tapistry and the windowes and streets replenished with all sorts of people innumerable who with great applause and ioyful acclamations both graced and honoured her Maiesties most Royall proceeding The Lord Mayor which was Alderman Calthrope deliuered his Sword to her Maiestie at Temple Barre who receiuing it gaue him a Mace or Scepter to beare and deliuered the Sword to the L. Marquesse of Winchester who bare it before her Highnesse all that day ¶ Here followeth the List or Roll of all Estates that were in this Princely proceeding according as they were then marshalled Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen Harbingers Seruants to Ambassadors Gentlemen Her Maiestics seruants Esquires Trumpets Sewers of the Chamber Gentlemen Huishers The sixe Clerkes of the Chancery Clerkes of Starre chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the Priuie Seale Clerkes of the Councel Chaplens hauing dignities as Deanes c. Masters of the Chancery Aldermen of London Knights Batchelers Knights Officers of the Admiralty The Iudge of the Admiraltie The Deane of the Arches The Soliciter and Attourney Generall Serieants at the Law The Queenes Serieants Barons of the Exchequer A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Common Pleas. A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Kings Bench. The L. chief Baron the L. chief Iustice of the Common pleas The Master of the Rols and the L. chiefe Iustice of the K. Bench. The Queenes Doctors of Physicke The Master of the Tents and the Master of the Reuels The Lieutenant of the Ordinance The Lieutenant of the Tower The Master of the Armorie Knights that had bene Ambassadors Knights that had beene Deputies of Ireland The Master of the great Wardrobe A Pursuy of Armes The Master of the lewel house A Pursuy of Armes Esquires for the Bodie and Gentlemen of the Priuie chamber Trumpets The Queenes Cloake Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquire Barons yonger sonnes Knights of the Bath Knights Bannerets Lancaster Vicounts yonger sonnes Yorke Barons eldest sonnes Earles yonger sonnes Vicounts eldest sonnes Secretaries of her Maiestie Knights of the Priuie Councel Sommerset Richmond Knights of the Garter Principal Secretarie Vicechamberlaine Comptroller and Treasurer of the houshold Barons of the Parliament Chester Bishops 〈◊〉 The Lord Chamberlaine of the house being Barons The Lord Admiral of England Marquesses yonger sonnes Earles eldest sonnes Vicounts Dukes yonger sonnes Marquesses eldest sonnes Norroy King of Armes Earles Dukes eldest sonnes Marquesses Dukes Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord high Treasurer of England The Archbishop of Yorke The Lord Chanceller of England The Archbishop of Canterbury The French Embassadour Garter King of Armes The Maior of London A Gent. Huisher of the Priuie Chamber The Queenes Maiestie in her Chariot Her Highnesse traine borne by the Marchionesse of Winchester The Palfrey of Honour led by the Master of the Horse The chiefe Lady of Honour All other Ladies of Honour The Captaine of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard CHAP. 26. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition BArtholus in his discourse de re Militari Duello diuideth men into three degrees viz. great personages aduanced to dignitie men of reputation without dignitie and common or ignoble persons Of whom Iac. Faber in his discourse vpon Aristotles politickes maketh nine sorts The first are husbandmen whose endeuor is employed about the fruits of the earth Secondly artificers occupied Arts either necessarie honest or pleasing Thirdly victualers retailers of wares and chapmen Fourthly Marriners and sea souldiers Fiftly Fishermen Sixtly Watermen and Ferrymen Seuenthly Masons and labourers in stone Eightly workemen of little substance and Labourers Lastly Bondmen and slaues Among common persons in euery Prouince or Towne the Gouernor or Captaine is of most reputation notwithstanding hee be of a common birth yet in some Cities the Maior or chiefe Iudge hath that chiefe honour and is superior to the military Officer but generally men in Office are of more reputation then others without office and Officers for life are preferred before Officers annuall or time certaine Data paritate in alijs Raynutius Note also that euery man during the time he beareth office is to be respected and honoured as Purpuratus writeth And to say summarily all wisemen hauing place of rule in any Prouince Citie or Towne must be preferred before others albeit they are aduanced aboue the measure of their vertue For no man is so euill but sometimes he doth well Laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt Pli. Men married are euer to precede men vnmaried in pari dignitate And he who hath most children or lost the greater number in the warre of his Countrey is to be most honored Lex Iuli◠The like order ought be obserued among women maried in pari dignitate and in Rome maydens did anciently go before widdowes and wiues also and sonnes before their Fathers Men hauing land of inheritance are to precede other hauing none and Citizens that are housholders must be preferred before others hauing no habitation chiefly in such Cities and Townes where their Ancestors and families haue bene of continuance in reputation of marchandise or other possessions For next after Gentlemen and Magistrates they are to take place in pari dignitate Yet here is to be noted that if any Burgesse Marchant or other man of wealth doe happen to purchase a Barony yet ought he not be a Baron nor haue place among Barons Iac. Rabuff A father whose sonne beareth any Office shall giue place to his sonne in all publike meetings and seruices but in priuate affaires the order of nature ought be obserued and in domesticall conuersation the father shal goe and sit before the sonne Likewise a Bishop must doe reuerence vnto his father at home but being in the Church the father shal follow him So for diuers respects the one and the other is honoured Betwene two equals he that is in his owne iurisdiction shal precede as if an Archbishop or Cardinall doe come into the Diocesse of a Bishop notwithstanding they be persons of more dignity yet ought they giue honour vnto the Bishop because their presence doth not cancell his authority A Citizen or dweller of any chiefe City shall take place of other Inhabitants of meaner townes or cities when soeuer they meet in any place indifferent
priuiledges appertaining to old souldiers for so was it decreed by Tiberius the Emperour and Caligula as Tacitus sayth taking view of his bands dispensed with diuers Captaines before they had gray haires as one that respected rather their imbecilitie and strength decayed then the time they had serued beeing perswaded that age approching was a cause sufficient to merit honest libertie It was therefore thought fit that all souldiers that had well serued should bee left to their libertie Antoninus the Emperour commanded that such men should be dismissed with honour and extraordinarily rewarded Which fauour was granted not onely to men armed but also vnto all officers that followed the Generall and serued in place of reputation yet were they inhibited to keepe company with other men then such as made profession of Armes or to intermeddle in any affaires not appertaining vnto the warre vpon paine to forfeit ten pounds in gold These Emeriti were alwayes ancient seruitours and professours of Armes who continued in Court or Campe euer ready to perfourme the Emperours will and commandement Touching the time of their seruice it seemeth to rest chiefly in the Princes commandement and was sometimes more and sometimes lesse as hath bene formerly said yet in shorter space then ten yeeres no souldier was with grace dismissed as shall be more particularly said in the Chapter of Cassation CHAP. 10. ¶ Of crimes Militarie in generall FIrst it is to be knowen that some crimes be common and punishable in all men and some are proper to men of war onely of the first are forgeries adulterie publique and priuate violence sedition manslaughter burning of houses treason sacrilege other enormities for whosoeuer committeth any such offence whether he be a man of warre or not the punishment due is all one Crimes proper to souldiers are such only as are committed contrarie to discipline Militarie and excuseable in other men not being souldiers Now is it necessarie to vnderstand how crimes contrary to Militarie Iustice ought be punished We call that discipline Militarie whereby men are made obedient and instructed in all such qualities as are required in a souldier And for so much as the readiest way vnto vertue is first to restraine vice we must endeuour by discipline to hold men in obedience And notwithstanding al humane policie and lawes both diuine and humane some men there are so vile and malicious as without respect will commit all actes or iniuries that can be inuented yet good gouernours do forecast not onely what men doe but also what may be done which moued the Romanes to consider that some men did commit faultes beyond expectation in so much as there wanted not of those that haue slaine their owne fathers For which offence Solon in his lawes prouided no punishment and being asked why he did not inflict penaltie vpon those offendors answered he thought not that any man would haue bene so wocked We therefore thinke fit to prescribe punishments vnto all crimes for souldiers like vnto others be neither gods nor perfect creatures but men apt to erre and without restraint of law not to be gouerned Arrius Meander in his first booke Dere Militari saith Crimes properly Militarie are those which a man as a souldier doth commit And here a certaine difference betweene errour and crime is to be noted for we call that an error when any thing is done contrary to common discipline as to be slouthful disobedient and vnwilling but he is said to commit a crime when the fault is accompanied with intent to hurt for without that intent the acte may be imputed to destenie or chance and as a thing happened vnwares therefore Antoninus the Emperour did command Herculianus and other Captaines that if a souldier hauing stroken another man did prooue the act was without intent to kill that then he should not bee condemned of manslaughter as if a man be slaine when souldiers be trained or in exercise of armes then that act is not accounted criminall but casuall yet if such an act be done in any other place the doer thereof shall be reâ—uted guiltie But as the humors of men are diuers so are the crimes by them committed of diuers qualitie as hereafter shall be discoursed CHAP. 11. Of treason and Traytors ALbeit a custome most common it is that Traitors flying vnto the enemie are well entreated and greatly esteemed so long as their seruice is thought profitable yet afterwardes their condition being knowen that credit doth decay and consequently the fauour they finde becommeth euery day lesse then other The law calleth them Traytors that indeuour to betray their Prince or the libertie of their countrey they are also called Traytors that hauing a charge doe yeeld the same vp vnto the enemie of whom it is by law decreed they ought to be capitally punished or at the least discharged Likewise all Explorators or spies that bewray our secrets and enforme the enemie are accounted Traytors and worthy capitall punishment With these offendors the Aegyptians vsed to deale more mildly for in that case the offendors had their tongues cut out and so suffered to liue They were also accounted to haue committed a crime treasonable that furnished the enemie with weapon or munition whereby they might offend vs and we with more difficultie offend them The goods of such men ought be confiscate and their liues subiect vnto death The doctor Paulus iudged that who so did sell any armour vnto the enemie did thereby incurre the forfeiture of his life Edward the third king of England in a Parliament holden at Winchester caused Edmond Earle of Kent to be conuicted of Treason for perswading other Lords to rebell Yet true it is that Traitors are diuersly punished according to the qualitie of the crime the custome of the countrey and the discretion of the Prince Tullus Hostilius king of Rome caused Metius Suffetius guiltie of Treason to be beaten by the Littori and after torne in pieces with horses Antony de Leua defending Pauia discouered a souldier of his had informed the French that in that citie small store of powder remained he called him to be examined and the fault confessed the souldier was put to death and quartered Among the Athenians it was not lawfull to burie a Traitor which was the cause that the bones of Themistocles were secretly caried into his friendes house and there buried Bellesarius finding that a Citizen of Athens called Laurus had complotted treason commanded his bodie should be brought vnto a hill before the citie and there thrust thorow with a stake which maner of death is at this day vsed in Turkie Charles the Emperour making warre vpon Philip duke of Austria practized with certaine of the Captains to perswade Philip to leaue the fielde who hauing compassed so much as the Emperour required they demanded a reward of their treason which was foorthwith payed in counterfeit money and caried home But the Traytors perceiuing the money not to be good returned therewith desiring better
payment The Emperour calling both for the Traytors and the payers caused the Traytors to be put out of the doores saying That false workemen must be payed with false coyne CHAP. 12. ¶ Of Disobedience TOuching contumacie or disobedience the law determineth that whosoeuer resuseth or omitteth to execute that which the General commandeth or doth what he forbid deth ought to be punished by passing the pikes yea though he hath effected what he would which rule the Romanes obserued precisely as appeareth by the Iustice of Lucius Papirius the Dictator in flicted vpon Fabius Rutilianus Generall of the horse although he were victorious and had slaine twenty thousand Samnites Likewise by the iudgement of Torquatus against his sonne hauing contrary to his cōmandement fought with the Tusculans and gained victorie was neuertheles beheaded Therefore it remaineth as a rule that not onely breach of commandement but also simple contumacie is an offence capital if the same be apparant Yea sometimes omission of due respect is criminall though not euer capitall As if a man with order doe enter into a place guarded or passe out by any other way then that which the Generall hath appointed Another point of disobedience it is not to goe vnto the army being called or without licence to depart from thence for that is indeed an apparant contempt and by the Romans punished with death Omnis contumacia aduersus Ducem capite punienda est Posthumius Triburtius commanded Aulus Posthumius to be put to death for vanquishing the enemie without his commission and Aulus Fuluius for going to fight vncommanded condemned his sonne to die Yet the Aegyptians made a law that Captaines and souldiers for disobedience should not be put to death but remaine infamous vntill by some notable seruice their reputation were rccouered Arrius made a lawe that if a man did wound his fellow souldier though it were with a stone he ought to be cassed it it were with a sword to loose his life The like was decreed by Kanutus King of Denmarke CHAP. 13. Of Cowardise IT seemeth that all Militarie offences may be comprised in three viz. Cowardise Treason and Disobedience yet will wee speake more particularly Touching the first easily may it be conceiued that Cowardise is the cause and occasion of many other transgressions for who so is irresolute or apt to entertaine feare is also soon perswaded to saue himselfe with dishonour By Cowardise souldiers doe forsake their rankes and sometimes abandon their Ensigne which faults the Romanes punished with death It was long since by an Edict commanded in France that whosoeuer did forsake his colours or the ranke wherein he was placed should receiue punishment by passing the pikes Another kinde of Cowardise is to faine sickenesse or without leaue to be absent from the Armie He is also culpable of that crime that leaueth his place of standing vpon the wall during the assault or shall abandon the trench Yet true it is if any such fault bee committed at any other time then during the assault the same is not absolutely capitall but is arbitrable It hath bene also anciently vsed that if a souldier without lawfull excuse did goe from the Watch or office of Scout or any other seruice allotted vnto him by the Sergeant that then he should be iudged to passe the Pikes or Harquebuzies according to that kinde of weapon wherewith he serued And if many souldiers as a whole Ensigne or troupe did commit that crime the Roman vse was to execute euery tenth man in presence of the rest to the end the pain might fall vpon fewe and the terrour to all And in such cases of Cowardise the Generall ought to be inexorable because seueritie doth make an army inuincible The experience whereof was seene when Spartacus defeated the Romanes conducted by Crassus For presently vpon that dishonour Crassus commanded a decimation and put to death a tenth man in euery Legion for not hauing fought manfully That being done he begun to fight a-new And albeit the number of Romans was diminished yet were they victorious and cut the enemies in pieces But here is to be noted that of fleeing there is two sorts the one proceeding of a sudden and vnlooked for terror which is least blameable the other is voluntary and as it were a determinate intention to giue place vnto the enemie A fault exceeding foule and not excusable CHAP. 14. Of other militarie crimes BEsides these crimes formerly touched many other there are that merit seuere punishment and chiefly To abandon the Armie and flee to the enemie For what iniurie can be greater or what offence more foule in a souldier then being instructed trained and well entertained to employ his vertue in seruice of an enemie This crime was therefore in ancient time grieuously punished and the greater the qualitie was of him that did offend the more was the punishment inflicted Yet doe we not finde any particular paine ascribed to this offence but left to discretion of the Generall Neuerthelesse in that case it shall not be amisse to imitate the ancient proceeding of ancient Chieftaines The Romanes therefore for punishment of the Brutij who fled vnto Hannibal protested them to be from thenceforth neither souldiers nor companions in armes but persons ignominious and seruants vnto the Armie And when Cyrus intercepted a letter which one of his Captaines called Orontes had written offering to serue the enemie with a company of horse Cyrus assembled the Leaders and in their presence condemned Orontes to death Fredericus the second possessing the kingdome of Naples was by his sonne Henrie abandoned and being with the enemie he pardoned him yet with condition he should confine himselfe to the bounds of Apulia vntill his father returned from Germany during which time Henry practised some other innouation and therefore was put in prison and in the end suffered death Elfricus a chiefe Leader vnder Etheldred King of England pretending to doe seruice fled vnto the Danes but the warre being ended he returned vnto his Prince desiring his life which with difficulty he obtained yet did the King command his eyes should be put out To these offendors we may adde all such as secretly doe relieue the enemie with counsell money meate or by any other meane whatsoeuer In which case the Emperour Constantius decreed that if a souldier Captaine or Leader did vtter any word signe or voice to encourage the enemie that for so doing he should be tied in chaines and as a beast be led whersoeuer the Armie went Of this kinde we may account two other sorts of men whom the Romanes called Emansores Desertores They named him Desertor that went from the Armie and did not onely secretly depart but stayed long with the enemie as one intending neuer to returne But Emansor was hee that without licence went away and very shortly did come againe and therefore his offence reputed the lesse This error is most commonly found in yong souldiers whom we call Tyrones Neither
French king all souldiers were inhibited to goe from the Armie without License It was also the Romane vse that euery souldier did aske leaue of his Captaine and the Captaine to haue License of the Generall of horse or Captaine general before he departed from the Armie also during his absence to leaue a sufficient man to supplie the place and he himselfe to returne at the time prefixed which done he receiued his whole pay without diminution as though hee had neuer bene absent As touching the limitation of time and the number of souldiers who were licensed to be absent we reade that Scipio in the warre of Carthage gaue license vnto three hundred Sicilian souldiers and put three hundred other men to serue in their places and Francis the French king commanded that more then thirty horsemen should not be licensed to go from the Armie at one time and they not to be absent longer then three moneths vpon paine to be checked of their whole wages William Rufus King of England did inhibit souldiers and all other subiects of reputation to depart the land without leaue which is yet obserued It seemeth by Pol. Virg. that rather the hand of God then the King punished this attempt for he was there slaine in the battell And Polydor Virgil writeth that one Edward Wooduile chiefe gouernour of the Isle of Wight for going forth of the Realme without license was put to death vnder King Henrie the seuenth But Zeno the Emperour punishing that offence more mildely ordained that if any souldier were absent one whole yere without license he should be put after tenne if he were absent two yeres he should giue place to twenty if three yeres then to be vtterly discharged from the Armie at his returne thither Theodosius and Valentinianus in that case would not vtterly discharge them the Armie vntill foure yeeres absence was complete If any souldier were sent vnto a Prince to performe any seruice and at his returne did signifie such employment together with his diligence to returne in that case he ought be excused because his absence was by commandement and in seruice of the State not for his owne profit or priuate commoditie But who so for his owne particular affaires is licensed and assigned a day of returne in failing thereof he shall be reputed a loyterer or a fugitiue vnlesse he be deteined or otherwise iustly excused To conclude therefore we say that no souldier departing from his Ensigne without leaue can be excused nor his absence auowable but when the same is for seruice of the prince or common weale as Scoeuola in his militarie Ordinances hath written CHAP. 30. ¶ Of Ambassadours or Legats THe office of an Ambassador was by the Romanes accounted both honourable and sacred including as well power of commandement as dignitie Whensoeuer therfore any Ambassadour did come to Rome he was first brought vnto the Temple of Saturnus there to haue his name written before the Praefectiaerarij from thence he went to deliuer his legation vnto the Senate But first it ought be remembred that men meetest to be employed for Ambassadours are they indeed who are of most sagacitie and greatest skill how to discouer the counsels and designes of the enemy Scipio Africanus hauing occasion to send an ambassage to Syphax elected certaine Tribunes and Centurions and caused them to be basely apparelled Cato beholding certaine Ambassadors to be sent by the Senate to compound a peace betweene Nicomedes and Prusias the one of them had his headfull of skarres the second was impotent of his feet the third timersome said This Legation hath neither good head feet nor heart Ambassadours ought be in all countreys inuiolable in signe whereof they anciently caried about them the herbe Sagmen which we call Veruen to shewe they were sacred and that no man should dare to lay hold on them who so offred them violence was thought to haue done contrary to law of Nations Which moued Publius Mutius to command that whosoeuer did strike an Ambassadour should be deliuered vnto that enemy from whome the Ambassadour was sent And though the enemy receiued him not yet should he remaine an exile as if he were interdicted from fire and water according to the sentence of Publius Mutius Yet doe we read that Dioscorides and Scrapion Ambassadors sent from Caesar to Achillas so soone as they came within his sight and before he heard them or for what affaires they were sent commanded them to be taken and slaine Caesar likewise sent Marcus Valerius Porcillus vnto king Ariouistus who being there arriued was presently taken and put into prison notwithstanding he were a young man of great vertue and curtesie Likewise Comius Attrebas being sent by Caesar into Britane was cast into prison by the Britanes Laërtes Tolumnius king of Vients did â—lea foure Ambassadours of Rome whose portraitures remained long in the market place Such honour the Romanes vsed to giue vnto those men that dyed for their country Alexander the Great besieging a Citie called Tyrus sent Ambassadours vnto the inhabitants thereof who contrary to the lawe of Nations slewe them and from an high tower cast downe their bodies CHAP. 31. ¶ Of prisoners taken by the enemie WHo so is taken in the warre ought by the law of Nations to be reputed a lawfull prisoner yet if afterwards hee escape and returne home he recouereth his former estate They that are thus taken were by the Romanes called Serui quod seruantur as much to say as being taken they ought be kept not killed whereof may bee inferred it is vnlawfull to kill a man hauing yeelded himselfe because that acte is inhumane and all great Captaines haue forbidden it according to the saying of Horace Vendere cum possis captiuum occidere noli Herein also wee are to follow the example of ancient Princes and chiefe commanders in warre Alexander the Great tooke to wife Roxanes whom he had taken prisoner in the warre Henry the seuenth king of England hauing taken Lambert a king of Ireland together with his schoolemaster pardoned both their liues the one because he was a childe the other a person Ecclesiasticall and dedicated to God so sayth Polydor Virgil. Romulus made a law that cities taken by warre should not be vtterly demolished nor all beasts in the field slaine but setling there certaine Colonies they did participate of the commodities with the naturall people Yet true it is that some conquerors haue anciently vsed great crueltie For reade wee may that the Africans caused many Cathaginians their prisoners together with their Captaine Gestones to haue their hands cut off and their legs broken with a wheele Likewise Hasdrubal after Megarae was recouered from the Romanes caused their eyes their tongues secret parts to be torne with yron hookes he also cut off their fingers and flayed their bodies and before they were dead hung them vpon the walles We may also here remember the terrible custome of the Thuliti who vsed to
should not be arested to the vse of his creditors if other meane of satisfaction might be found Because the law compelleth souldiers to pay only so much as they are able yet that fauour extendeth not to all men professing armes but those in particular that haue serued long and for such debtes as they incurred during the time they continued in the warre Here is it also to be remembred that no gift bestowed for seruice may be vpon any priuate contract impawned For if the creditor can be otherwise satisfied then the law determineth no execution shall be taken vpon gifts or goods bestowed for seruice anciently reputed sacred which reason mooued the most Christian king Francis to make an Edict whereby he commanded that vnto such souldiers as wanted money victuall should be sold in credit but if after a conuenient time that debt were not payd then the Treasorer should make stay of the souldiers pay and deliuer it vnto the creditor Likewise Charles the seuenth did forbid that the Armes of souldiers should be sold to satisfie creditors The law of Graecia did also inhibit the taking of Armes for satisfaction of debt yet by the same law power is permitted vnto creditors to arrest any souldiers person that is indebted The same lawe likewise commaundeth that no artificer appertaining to the warre should be personally imprisoned for money yet was it lawfull to extend his goods Solon in his law called Sisacthia made for the Athenians seemeth to thinke it vnreasonable that the body of any Citizen should be imprisoned vpon debt due for vsurie Summarily therefore we say That souldiers are bound to pay so much as they are able and no more which happily mooued Tertullianus to affirme that who so hath possession of any stocke of goods chiefly appertaining vnto the warre he may be forced to pay vnto his creditors so much as is properly his owne but not take any thing belonging vnto the State neither is it lawfull for the father to sell the lands or goods entayled or assured in perpetuum vnto his heires as Papinianus hath written CHAP. 35. ¶ Of Captaines generall Marshals and other chiefe Commanders IN Athens a man called Dionysiodorus did take vpon him to reade an art of conducting and trayning souldiers which skill albeit he had knowen yet could he not enforme any of his auditory how to become a good Commander because the leading of men is indeede the least part of Commanding For it behoueth a Generall not only to conduct an armie but also to prouide things needfull both for the warre and mainteining of men A carefull chieftaine therefore is to shew himselfe patient prudent cautious liberall and such a one as loueth more to giue then to keepe Homer vsed to call Agamemnon a Pastor of people because he carefully intended the safety of his Army Antonius for many qualities no commendable Emperour yet in one point much to be praised because he liked better to be called a companion of armes then a Prince He also sometimes vouchsafed to march on foot and in his owne hand carry the generall ensigne of the armie which was of great poyze and not to be borne of the strongest souldiers without much paine Theodosius the Emperor did not command the meanest souldier to do any thing but that he himselfe would sometimes doe wherein he performed the part of a stout souldier and an excellent chiefetaine which example percase mooued ancient men of warre after victory to elect their Emperour out of the number of notable souldiers for so it seemeth Germanicus was aduanced We likewise reade that Tiberius was pleased to consent that Blesus should be called of the Legions Imperator for that was the ancient title due to Commanders generall The historie of Maximinus sheweth that he became preferred by the warre being borne of obscure parents in Thracia and as some write the sonne of a shepheard Yet because he was a man of great fortune courage and strength by the degrees of warre he aspired to gouerne many Countreys After that time he became Liuetenant generall vnto Alexander and in the end by the Romane armie chosen Emperour Thus much concerning generall Commanders aduanced for proper vertue Plato in his common weale wisheth a Chiefetaine to be elected in this sort A General of horse saith he ought be made by consent of the whole Armie The Praefecti whom we call great commanders were elected by those souldiers that bare targets The Tribunimilitum had their aduancement by voice of men at armes and other Captains of meaner place were appointed by the chiefe General The horsemen did euer giue their voyces first in presence of the foot bands and two of them that gained most voices were appointed to commaund the rest The Captaines also did name him for Emperour that was in seruice most painefull in perill most resolute in action most industrious in execution most quicke and in counsell most prouident In this election no respect was had whether the person elected were a Senator or recommended by the Senate because the qualities aforesayd sufficed to make a Generall as appeared in Maximinus the Emperour in whose election the Senate did not intermeddle That General therefore seemeth of most sufficiencie who knoweth as a souldier how to offend his enemie gouerne his owne forces endure heate and cold sleepe on the ground patiently suffer both labour and lacke For sometimes we see that he who hath authority to command needeth another to command him Some others also are called to authoritie and command in the warre before they haue skill how to doe it or haue read any precepts military or are by the rules of predecessors enformed For a matter of more difficultie it is to know what appertaineth vnto a Captaine then to execute the office of that place seeing skill must precede action and vse goe before commandement In this point we haue heard Francis the French king much commended who kept in memorie the historie of all his predecessors and to witnesse his proper valor at the battel of Pauia wherin albeit he was vnfortunate yet with his owne hand he slew a German Ensignebearer to his eternall glory It seemeth therefore expedient for all Princes and commanders in warre to be well studied in histories and chiefly those that concerne the actions of their ancestors which perhaps moued Edward the third king of England at such time as he made warre vpon Robert the second king of Scots to command a certaine Monke to attend his Maiestie in that expedition and with his penne to expresse in verse being indeed an excellent Poet all the actions and proceedings of that enterprise Mahomet the second king of Turkie endeuoured much to know the histories of his predecessors and gaue bountifull rewards vnto one writer called Iohn Maria of Vincenza for expressing the victorie he obtained against Vssancassan king of Persia as Paulus Iouius noteth much more praise and honour is due vnto those Captaines that haue by long seruice and due degrees of warre
deserued the titles appertaining to armes and beare about them the scarres and tokens of true valour Adrianus the Emperour would not permit any man to bee a Tribune or take charge in the warre whose beard was not full growen or whose witte or yeres were vncapable of that office neither would he suffer a Captaine to take any thing from his souldier Among many other parts of commendation required in a soueraigne commander there is not any more to bee honoured then liberalitie and contrariwise auarice ought to be extreamely abhorted For hard it is to attend the affaires of warre and ouer much to affect money Great reason therefore had Nicomedes to thinke himselfe vsed with indignitie by the Bithynians when he hauing borne all the offices of warre and was wounded in many places of his body was then repulsed All which notwithstanding Antisthenes was preferred and made General when hee had neuer performed any action praise worthy or memorable nor had endeuoured more then to make himselfe mighty in mony yet is not that Captaine to be misliked that can with honour and good conscience purchase wealth for thereby he hath meane and power to supply the wants both of priuate souldiers and publique scarcitie The office of a souereigne Commander may be compared vnto the skill of him that gouerneth well a priuate house which is to command things fit to make men obedient to reward the good and punish the euill In which offices the one and the other of these commanders shall not faile to finde enemies and therefore may be called a warre Here may we also remember that the Mauritanes being confederate with Iustinianus the Emperour consented that no man should be their Generall but such a one as was a friend vnto the Romanes or had receiued the Ensignes from a commander of the Romane armie which were these A staffe of siluer gilded a cuppe of leather ornified with siluer and a white vesture of small price The Romanes called these officers Magistri militum or Praefecti when they were sent to gouerne an army against the enemy or to giue counsell in the warre or had in charge to dispose of the campe for so was it decreed by Honorius and Theodosius Sometimes also their lieutenants were called Praefecti hauing in charge the defence of a particular prouince against the enemie and were in authoritie equall to him that led the army called Dux and before the Proconsul To this dignity Cabades being restored vnto the kingdome of Persia preferred Selanem a man of great fame and reputation in the warre and therefore called him Seosen which is the title of that Magistrate who commandeth all sorts of souldiers as the Constable doeth in France and the High Marshall in England The office of the Tribunes in Rome was to hold the soldiers in order to see them trained to keepe the keyes of gates to suruey the watch to dispose of the vittaile to correct false measures to punish offenders according to the quality of their faults to behold often the order of the army to here the quarels in question betweene souldiers and to visit the sicke For in deed the office of euery commander consisteth in doing iustice and obseruation of discipline He is also to be spare in giuing licence vnto Souldiers or to permit any horses to passe out of his countrey neither should he suffer them to be employed in hunting hauking or such like exercises a matter specially inhibited by the discipline of Augustus A soueraigne Magistrate militarie ought also to remember that after his commission be expired he ought not to depart the place of his charge within the space of fiftie dayes for so doing without licence of his superior he incurreth an offence capital such was the instruction which Zeno the Emperor did giue vnto Sebastianus notwithstanding his authority was ceassed and a successor come to receiue charge of the Armie THE Second Booke OF KNIGHTHOOD ¶ The Contents of this Booke THE Prooeme Of Knighthood Cap. 1. The originall of Knighthood giuen as a dignitie and what Princes haue authority to make Knights Ca. 2. The maner of making Knights about the yeere of our Lord 500. neere which time King Arthur reigned in England Cap. 3. The order of disgrading Knights in those dayes Cap. 4. Knights of the Round table Cap. 5. Howe actions Aduenturous ought be admired not discredited Cap. 6. The office and duety of euery Knight gentleman Cap. 7. Of Honourable Ornaments giuen vnto Knights Cap. 8. Knights of the Garter Cap. 9. Knights Bannerets Cap. 10. Knights of the Bath Cap. 11. Knights Bachellers Cap. 12. Ceremonies of degrading of Knights in England Cap. 13. Knights of the Toison Cap. 14. Knights of S. Michael Cap. 15. Knights of the Annunciation Cap. 16. Knights of S t. Esprit Cap. 17. Knights Templers Cap. 18. Knights of S. Iago Cap. 19. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta Cap. 20. Knights of Calatraua Cap. 21. Knights of the Band. Cap. 22. Knights of Alcantara Cap. 23. Knights of Montesio Cap. 24. Knights of Redemption Cap. 25. The originall of the knights Teutonici Cap. 26. Knights of the Sepulchre Cap. 27. Knights of S. Mary Cap. 28. Knights of S. Lazaro Cap. 29. Knights of S. Steffano Cap. 30. The Prooeme FOrasmuch as the Actions of Armes chiefly on horsebacke are and euer haue been vsed of Noble personages and Gentlemen of best quailitie whom the Romanes in their flourishing time by a generall tearme called Equites and are presently of the Italians and Spaniards named Caualieri without respect of priuate dignitie or other distinction wee will for this time yet with respect and vnder correction aduenture to English the word Eques a Gentleman that professeth honour vertue and Armes or any of them particularly discoursing of what qualitie hee ought bee as followeth First he must be of good constitution and conuenient strength to endure trauell in Actions appertaining to Souldiers Secondly he should be well fauoured of face and comely for commonly God and Nature giueth beauty to such persons as are destined to command and from others borne to obey hee hath withholden that fauour which moued some writers to affirme that the princely presence of Priamus did shew him to be worthy of gouernement and to commaund other men Thirdly hee should be of bold aspect rather inclined to seuerity then softnesse which countenace the Swisses and Turkes do much affect Fourthly hee must be sober and discreete not inclined to vaine delights or effeminate pleasures Fiftly hee ought bee 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 greatly imbraced of the Romanes and occasioned their often victories For the punishment of disobedience inflicted by military 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 General of the horsemen in the Romane Armie Sixtly hee ought hee vigilant and patient for in the one consisteth the execution of warlike Actions by the other all trauailes paines and misfortunes are endured Seuenthly he must be faithfull and loyall which qualitie is required in all sorts of subiects but chiefly in souldiers for thereupon dependeth his Princes securitie and State also which moued Vegetius to say That the safety of a Prince consisteth in the well chusing his souldiers This is the cause that men professing Armes doe commonly sweare by the faith of a Souldier The French man a foy de Soldat The Italian a fe di Soldato c. Yea the Kings of France doe commonly vse this phrase a foy de gentil homme a foy du cheualier Eightly he ought be constant and resolute because resolution maketh all difficulties easie and constancie or perseuerance bringeth perfection in that he professeth Ninthly that he should be charitable because warres are not taken in hand for the destruction of Countries and towns but the defence of lawes and people Lastly he should bee fortunate sith Fortune is the Ladie of Armes and sheweth her power in nothing more then in the aduentures of warre CHAP. 1. Of Knighthood WHo so desireth to knowe the originall name and dignitie of Knighthood it behooueth him to be enformed that the Romanes among whom Martiall discipline was first esteemed and titles giuen to men for valorous merit diuided their people into Patritij and Plebaei After that time another diuision was made as Senatores Equites and Plebs as the French haue at this day Les Nobles la populaire or Gentils hommes villains And we in England doe diuide our men into fiue sorts Gentlemen Citizens Yeomen Artificers and Labourers Of Gentlemen the first and principal is the King Prince Dukes Marquesses Earls Vicounts and Barons These are the Nobilitie and be called Lords or Noblemen Next to these be Knights Esquiers 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 doe resemble the dignity of Senatores in Rome and the title of our Nobilitie is like vnto Patritij when the Patritij did signifie Senatores aut Senatorum filij But that degree which we doe 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 well among the Italians as the Spaniards But howsoeuer it was most certaine it seemeth that vntill Equestris ordo was erected in Rome there was no such degree of men as we call Knights neither was that name giuen with such ceremony and shewe of dignitie as since it hath beene vsed Yet some there are that faile not to affirme that Knighthood had the originall from Romulus in this sort That King hauing set led his gouernment in Rome partly for security and partly for magnificence erected three bands of horsemen the first called Romence after his owne name the next Titience after Titus Tacius and the third Luceria whereof only I thinke Liuie maketh mention Hereupon they will inferre that Knighthood begun vnder Romulus The Spaniards doe hold opinion that when faith and plaine dealing decayed those men that made profession of warre euery thousand did chuse one man whom they thought to be of greatest wisdome 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 whome 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 only they that haue that title giuen by the Prince or his Lieutenant with a ceremony thereunto belonging And of Knights made according to the vse of England are diuers degrees as shall hereafter bee declared CHAP. 2. ¶ The originall of Knighthood giuen as a Dignity and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights IT is affirmed by some writers that Alexander the Great with the aduise of his learned tutor Aristotle resolued to bestow vpon such persons as performed any notable seruice in the warre certaine honours and aduancements in token of their extraordinary vertue and notable merit and therefore he gaue vnto some badges to some chaines to some immunities or some such other demonstration of fauour and honour The Romane Emperours in like manner sometimes before the beginning of a seruice and sometimes after bestowed not only commendation but also dignity on those whose vertue they thought so worthy as crowns of Bayes of Golde of Myrtle or some other gift thought fit by the giuer They gaue also horses swords armour arming coats and such like they that receiued them as a token of honour kept them carefully in perpetuall memory of their valour and the honour of the Prince that gaue them By this meane also they became much admired and esteemed of other souldiers Afterwards for more encouragement of vertuous minds other Princes thought good that the memorable acts of soldiers should be in perpetuall memory written and such priuiledges as were giuen them to be recorded calling them in those writings Valiant men Companions in Arms Victorious souldiers and Knights Which maner of proceeding did encourage the men of warre no lesse then the great pouâ—traitures which the most ancient Romanes made for those that had performed actes egregious Touching the making of Knights we say That euery Prince souereigne hath power to giue that dignitie to what person it pleaseth him as well in time of 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 made them For he that is made knight by a King shall be preferred before a knight made by a Prince of meaner title To conclude therefore we say that all Emperours Kings Dukes and other Princes acknowledging no Superiour may make Knights and so may common-weales as the State of Venice and Genoa The Popes doe also sometimes make Knights for money calling them commonly after their owne names Caualieri di San Pietro San Paulo Guiliani Pij c. CHAP. 3. The maner of making Knights about the yeere of Christ 500. neere which time King Arthur reigned in England IN that age a Prince determining to make a Knight did command a Scaffold or Stage to be builded in some Cathedrall Church
of his kingdome or other spacious place neere vnto it Thither the Gentleman was brought to receiue that honour and being come was forthwith placed in a chaire of siluer adorned with greene silke Then was demaunded of him if he were healthy of bodie and able to endure the trauell required in a souldier also whether he were a man of honest conuersation and what witnesses worthy credit he could produce so to affirme That being done the Bishop or chiefe Prelate of the Church tooke the Bible and holding it open before the Knight in presence of the King and all others spake these words Sir you that desire to receiue the order of Knighthood sweare before God and by this holy booke that ye shal not fight against this mightie and excellent Prince that now bestoweth the order of Knighthood vpon you vnlesse you shall be commanded so to do in the seruice of your owne King and naturall Prince for in that case hauing first yeelded vp the coller deuice and other ensignes of honour now receiued it shall be lawfull for you to serue against him without reproch or offence to all other companions in Armes but otherwise doing ye shall incurre infamy and being taken in warre shall be subiect to the paines of death Ye shall also sweare with all your force and power to maintaine and defend all Ladies Gentlewomen Orphans Widdowes women distressed and abandoned The like must ye doe for wiues being desired and shun no aduenture of your person in euery good warre wherein ye happen to be This oath taken two of the chiefe Lords led him vnto the King who presently drew foorth his sword and layd the same vpon the Gentlemans head and said God and Saint George or what other Saint the King pleased to name make thee a good Knight Then came vnto the Knight seuen noble Ladies attired in white and girt a sword vnto his side That done foure Knights of the most honourable in that presence put on his spurs These Ceremonies past the Queene tooke him by the right arme and a Dutchesse by the left and led him vnto a rich seat made on high and thereupon set him the King sitting downe on the right hande and the Queene on the other After the King and Queene were thus set and the new Knight between them al the rest of the Lords and Ladies sate downe also vpon other seats prepared for them three descents vnder the kings seat Euery Lord and Lady being thus placed thither was brought a solemn collation or banquet of delicate meates whereof the Knight the King the Queene and whole company did eate And so the ceremony ended CHAP. 4. The degradation of Knights in those daies IF any Knight at that time had bene corrupted with money by his Princes enemy or committed any other notable fact against loyaltie and honour the other Knights forthwith made humble suite vnto the king that he might be punished Which request being granted they apprehended the offendour and caused him to be armed from head to foot and in such sort as if he were going to the field Then they led him vp to an high stage made in a Church for that purpose where thirtie Priests soung such Psalmes as are vsed at burials as though the Knight had lien dead at their feete At the end of euery Psalme they tooke from him one piece of armour First they tooke off his Helmet as that which deâ—ended his traiterous eyes then his gauntlet on the right side as that which couered a corrupt hand then his gauntlet on the left side as from a member consenting and by peecemeale dispoiled him of all his Armes as well offensiue as defensiue which one after another were thrown to the ground and at the instant when any peece of armour was cast downe the King of Armes first and after him all other Heralds cryed aloud saying this is the head-peece of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thither a basen of golde or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Heralds with a loud voice saide What is the Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the chiefe King of Armes said That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitour and hath transgressed the ordinances of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplains Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trumpets What shall be done with him To which wordes the King answered Let him with dishonour and shame be banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath offended the honour of Knighthood So soone as the King had so said the King of Armes and other Heralds cast the warme water vpon the disgraded Knights face as though he were new baptized saying Henceforth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitour Then the King with twelue other Knights put vpon them mourning garments declaring sorow and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the Stage not by the stayers hee mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignominy hee was brought vnto the Altar and there layd groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses CHAP. 5. ¶ Of Knights of the Round Table ABout the yeere of Christ 490. there raigned in England then called Britaine a King named Arthur whose valour was so great and admirable as many men now liuing doe hold the same rather fabulous then credible Yet whoso shall consider enterprises of later time atchieued by priuate persons may be easily induced to thinke that a great part of praise written of that mighty Monarche may reasonably receiue beleefe But omitting to speake of his prowesse percase already by others ouerlargely discoursed I say that this most famous King hauing expulsed out of England the Saxons conquered Norway Scotland and the most part of France was crowned in the Citie of Paris From whence returned he erected a certaine Association or brotherhood of Knights who vowed to obserue these Articles following First that euery Knight should be well armed and furnished to vndertake any enterprise wherein he was employed by Sea or land on horsebacke or foot That he should be euer prest to assaile all Tyrants and oppressours of people That he should protect widowesâ—and maidens restore children to their right repossesse such persons as were without iust cause exiled and withall his force maintaine the Christian faith That he should be a Champion for the weale publique and as a Lion repulse the enemies of his countrey That he should aduance the reputation of honour and suppresse al vice releeue people afflicted by aduerse fortune giue aide to holy Church and protect pilgrimes That he should bury Souldiers that wanted sepulture deliuer prisoners ransome captiues and cure men hurt in seruice of their countrey That he should in all honourable actions aduenture his person yet with respect to iustice and trueth and in all enterprises proceed sincerely neuer
failing to vse his vttermost force of body and valour of minde That after the atteyning of any enterprise he should cause it to be recorded to th' end the fame of that fact might euer liue to his eternall honour and renowne of the Noble order That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of iniury or oppression then some knight of the Order whō the king should appoint ought reuenge the same That if any knight of forraine nation did come vnto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowesse that then were he single or accompanied these knights ought be ready in Armes to make answere That if any Lady Gentlewoman Widow Maiden or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring they were or had bene in this or other nation iniured or offered dishonour they should bee gratiousty heard and without delay one or more Knights should bee sent to make reuenge That euery Knight should bee willing to enforme yong Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of Arms therby not only to auoid idlenes but also to increase the honor of Knighthood and Chiualrie Diuers other Articles inciting to magnanimious Action of honour in Armes these Knights were sworne to obserue which for breuitie I omit Neuerthelesse being vsed to lose my labour I aduenture to say this little and the rather because this order of knighthood is ancient and English I doe not read of any robe or habit prescribed vnto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made Their place of meeting and conuocation was the city of Winchester where king Arthur caused a great round Table to be made and at the same the Knights at the feast of Pentecost did sit and eat The proportion thereof was such as no roome could be thought of more dignity then the rest Yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea perilous reserued for that Knight that did excell the rest in vertue That place by consent of all the Knights was allotted vnto King Arthur who for his valour surpassed other professors of Armes Of officers and ministers belonging vnto this Order I doe not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keepe records of all and euery action enterprised attempted or performed by any or all these Knights which records were read and sung publikely to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights were many or fewe I doe not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie or much prowesse For at a city called Carlion resorted vnto king Arthur at one time ten kings and thirteene Earles besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner title As the conquests of this King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that vnto his chiefe Seneschal or Steward called Kay hee gaue the prouince of Anjou on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandie and to his cousin Berell he granted the Dutchie of Burgundie and vnto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue and merit Some men haue surmised that the successe of king Arthurs prosperous proceeding in his enterprises was occasioned by counsell of one Merlin a man in that time reputed a Prophet King Arthur hauing all his youth found fortune his friend was notwithstanding at length deceiued by the treason of one Mordred his owne cousen to whome during his absence out of England he had committed the gouernment He was also at a city called Augusta encountred of the Romans and Saracens conducted by a Consul called Lucius neuerthelesse Arthur by his great valour slew Lucius and forced his Romanes to flee In that battell also were slaine fiue Saracen kings After this victorie Arthur returned into England and fought with Mordred In which conflict died Gawen a Noble Knight and cousen to king Arthur Also in landing Aquisel king of Scots was slaine But notwithstanding the losse of these valiant Knights king Arthur landed and Mordred fledde to London where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the City Then he went into Cornewall where Arthur did slea him and he himselfe was mortally wounded So great a slaughter had neuer ben before that day seene After this conflict king Arthur was neuer found aliue or dead but as some Poets haue supposed was taken vp into the firmament and remaineth there a Starre among the nine Worthies which fancie is founded vpon the prophecie of old Merlyn who many yeeres before affirmed that Arthur after a certaine time should resuscitate and come vnto Carlion to restore the round Table There he wrote this Epitaph Hic iacet Arturus rex quondam rexque futurus CHAP. 6. ¶ How enterprises aduenturous ought be admired but not discredited TRue it is as hath bene formerly said that many enterprises in times past attempted and atchieued aboue the expectation of men are now thought rather fabulous then faithfully reported either because we that now liue did not know or see them or that ignorant men cannot conceiue howe they might be done or that want of courage doth disable them to take the like actions in hand Yet most certaine it is that diuers histories commonly reputed vaine fables were at the first begun vpon occasion of matter in effect true although some writers afterwards to shew the excellencie of their inuention or make their workes more vendible haue added many fancies and fictions which are not indeede worthy to bee beleeued And who so shall well consider how difficult a thing it is to write an history of so great trueth and perfection as cannot be controlled will easily excuse these writers that haue taken in hand matter so farre from our knowledge and vnderstanding For like vnto all other men mooued with loue hate profit or other priuate passion they are either willing or ignorantly induced to encrease or extenuate the actions and merits of those men of whom their histories haue discoursed How soeuer that bee I verely thinke the Acts and enterprises of Vlysses Aeneas Hector and other famous captaines of whome Poets and profane Writers haue written so many woonders were indeed of notable men and some part of their doings such as writers haue made mention Much lesse doe I doubt that some egregious acts atchieued and written in the bookes of Amadis de Gaule Ariosto Tasso King Arthur of England and such others doe containe many things which deserue not to be discredited But omitting to meddle with time so long since past and with countreys so farre from our Climate wee will remember some few Actions which worthy men of our owne Nation or our neighbours as that of Hernando Cortez Pisarro and others haue within our knowledge to the eternizing of their fame and honour perfourmed The greater part of which enterprises haue bene atchieued in this present age and shall no doubt hereafter when men are lesse industrious be thought rather fabulous then
daunger Hieramias with his right hand deliuered a sword vnto Iuda and in the name of God made him a Knight saying Receiue this sacred sword sent from God wherewith thou shalt vanquish the enemies of Israel It hath bene also a custome ancient that Princes did giue collars as a singular demontration of fauour and honour Plinie reporteth that the Romanes did giue vnto their confederates a collar of gold and to their owne citizens a collar of siluer When Manlius in single combat had slaine a French man hee tooke from him a collar of golde all bloodie and put the same about his owne necke in token of victorie After which time he was surnamed Torquatus because Torques in the Latine signifieth a collar or chaine The Emperours in like maner bestowed collars vpon Captaines and others that serued in the warre and deserued commendation In some Histories may be found that collars were of two sorts the first called Duplares th' other Simplices And with those collars the Emperours for the most part did giue prouision of money or vittaile to some more to some lesse For these reasons and by these examples it appeareth that among the ensignes and ornaments of Honor and Armes the great Collar is of highest reputation It is also seene that Princes soueraigne doe at this day bestow chaines or small collars vpon men of vertue or fauour and in token thereof for the most part a picture or modele of the giuer is thereat pendant which Collat the Knight or Gentleman that receiueth it ought carefully to keepe during his life The ancient custome was that Knights of meane degree and such as were not of the great Orders whereunto particular habits are assigned should in signe of honour weare a garment of scarlet because red representeth fire the most noble element and next vnto the Sunne of most brightnesse It was therefore among the olde Romanes decreed That no man should weare any habit of that colour but only Magistrates and men of dignity Red doeth also betoken boldnesse magnanimitie and ardent loue with charitie The element of fire is also assigned to Mars in respect whereof that colour is most proper to Knights Captaines and all other professours of Armes Carol D Howard Comâ— Notingham 〈…〉 CHAP. 9. Knights of the Garter EDward the third King of England after hee had obtained many great victories of Iohn the French King and Iames King of Scotland both prisoners in the Realme at one time Henry King of Castile the Bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this order in his kingdome Anno 1350. vpon no waightie occasion as is reported Notwithstanding the same is and long hath bene in so great reputation as Emperors Kings and Princes haue and doe desire to bee companions thereof for their greater honour The patron of this Order is S. George vnto whom it was first dedicated The Soueraigne of this Order is the King of England his heires and successors for euer The number of this Colledge of fellowship is 26. Knights with the Soueraigne and when any of them die another is chosen by consent of those Knights that liue The habit of these Knights is an vnder garment or gowne of Crimsin veluet of some called akâ—rtle ouer which he weareth a mantle of Purple veluet lined with white sarsnet on the left shoulder thereof is embroidred in a Garter an Eschuchion of S George and ouer his right shoulder hangeth his hood of Crimson veluet lined with white the Cordons to the mantle are purple silke and gold Aboue all which about his necke he weareth the collar of the order being of pure gold made of garters and knots and enamiled with roses white and red weying 30. ounces of Troy weight with the image of S. George richly garnished with precious stones pendant thereat About his left legge he weareth buckled a garter enriched with gold pearle and stones whereupon these French words are embrodered HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Which may be thus Englished Shame be to him that euill thinketh The custome was long that these Knights did yeerely hold a feast at the Castle Windesor where the same King Edward founded a Church and gaue vnto certaine Priests and Prebends large stipends to serue there And he ordained also that thirteene poore aged and decayed Gentlemen by the name of poore Knights were there for euer to be maintained and kept inuested in gownes and mantles of cloth onely sutable with those of the Order to pray for the prosperity of the Soueraigne and his successors and all other Knights of the said noble Order It is not publiquely knowen what mooued the King to make this order but thus it is vulgarly reported that King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court hapned to take vp a blewe garter which fell from one of them and of some said from the Countesse of Salisburie of whom the King was then enamored which garter the King afterwards wore about his left legge for a fauour The Queene taking some offence thereat it was signified vnto the King by some of the Lords the cause of her displeasure at which he smiling sayd HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE I will make of it yet it be long the most honourable Garter that euer was worne and thereupon instituted the order of the Garter Some rather thinke it was made to remunerate those Noble men and Knights that had best endeuoured and deserued in his most Royall and Martiall affaires of France Scotland and Spaine with all which Nations he then had warre and triumphed The Statutes of this great Order for that they are sufficiently knowen I here omit The names of the first Knights KIng EDWARD the third Soueraigne Edward Prince of VVales Henry Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of VVarwicke The Captaine of Bouche Ralph Earle of Stafford William de Mounteacute Earle of Sarisburie Roger Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholomew Burgwash Sir Iohn Beauchampe Sir Iohn de Mohun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas Holland Sir Iohn Grey Sir Richard Fitzsymon Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh VVrothesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames de Audley Sir Otho Holland Sir Henry Eme. Sir Zanchet d'Abrigecourt Sir VVilliam Paganel The names of those Knights that are this present yeere 1602. of the same most noble Order ELIZABETH Queene of England Soueraigne Henry the fourth the French King Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Thomas Sackuile Lord Buckhurst Gilbert Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George Clifford Earle of Cumberland Henry Percye Earle of Northumberland Edward Somerset Earle of VVorcester Edmond Sheffeild Lord Sheffeild Thomas Howard Baron of VValden George Carey Baron of Hunsdon Charles Blount Lord Montioy Sir Henry Lea Master of her Mties Armorie Robert Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Scrope Lord Scrope VVilliam Stanley Earle of Derby Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh  The Officers appertaining at this
present vnto this most Honourable Order are these Doctor Bilson Prelate B. of Winchester Sir Edward Dier Chauncellour Knight Doctor Benet Register Deane of Windsor William Dethicke Garter Principall K. of Armes Richard Conings by Esquier Vsher. Officers of Armes attendants vpon the said Order W. Camden Clarencieux Kings of Armes W. Segar Norroy Lancaster Chester Heraulds Yorke Richmond Windesor Somerset Rouge-crosse Rouge-Dragon Pursuyuants Portcullis Blewmantle CHAP. 10. Of Knights Bannerets OTher degrees of Knighthood there are in England but because they we are no garment badge or signe to distinguish them from other gentlemen they are not knowen to strangers yet among our selues we know them right wel because euery one hauing such dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William Sir Simon c. But first of Knights Bannerets A Knight that is to receiue this honour shal be led betweene two other Knights before the King or Generall bearing his Pennon of Armes in his owne hand and in presence of all the Nobilitie and other Captaines the Heraulds shal say vnto the King or his Generall these words folowing viz. May it please your grace to vnderstand that this gentleman hath shewed himselfe valiant in the field and for so doing deserueth to be aduanced vnto the degree of a Knight Banneret as worthy from hencefoorth to beare a Banner in the warre Then the King or Generall shal cause the points of his Pennon or Guydon to be rent off And the new Knight shal goe vnto his tent conducted betweene two other Knights the trumpets sounding all the way before him there to receiue sees viz. to the Heraulds three pound sixe shillings and viij pence And if he were before a Knight Bachelour then is he to pay also vnto the Trumpets twenty shillings I suppose the Scots doe call a Knight of this creation a Bannerent for hauing his Bannerrent Here is to be noted that no Knight Banneret can be made but in the warre and the king present or when his Standerd royall is displayed in the field A Banneret thus made and euery estate aboue him may beare his Banner displayed if he be a Captaine and set his Armes therein as Barons do CHAP. II. Knights of the Bath according to the ancient vse WHen an Esquier commeth to the Court to receiue this Order of Knighthood in time of peace according to the custome of England he shall be very nobly receiued by the officers of the Court as the Steward of Chamberlane if they be present or otherwise by the Marshals and Vshers and there shall be ordayned two Esquiers of honour wise and well learned in courtesie and nurture as also in feates of Chiualry and they shall be Esquiers and Gouernours of all which pertaineth to him who receiueth the order abouesaid and if the Esquier doe come before dinner hee shall serue the King of water or with a dish at the first course onely and then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade the Esquier that is to be Knighted into his chamber without any more adoe at that time and towards euening the Esquiers gouernours shall send for a Barber and hee shall prepare a Bath decked with linnen aswell within the Tubbe as without and that the tubbe be well couered with carpets and mantels for the colde of the night and then the beard of the Esquier shal be shauen and his haire rounded This done the Esquiers gouernours shall goe to the King and say Sir it is euening and the Esquier is readie at the Bathe when it shall please ye Whereupon the King shal command his Chamberlaine to conuey to the chamber of the Esquier the most gentle and wisest Knights that are then present to enforme counsell and instruct him in the order and feates of Chiualrie and likewise that the other Esquiers of that house with minstrelsie doe goe before the Knights singing playing and dancing to the chamber doore of the said Esquier And when the Esquiers gouernours doe heare the noyse of Musicke they shall vncloth the Esquier and put him naked into the Bath But at the entring of the chamber the Esquiers gouernours shall cause the musicke to cease and the Esquiers also for a time This done the Knights shall enter into the chamber still without making any noyse and then the Knights shall doe reuerence one to the other who shall be the first to counsell the Esquier in Order of the Bath and when they are agreed then the first shal go to the Bath and kneeling downe before the tubbe shal say secretly Sir great honour may this Bath be vnto you and then he sheweth him the maner of the Order that best he can and then putteth some of the water of the Bath vpon the shoulder of the Esquier and taketh leaue and the Esquiers gouernours shall attend on each side of the Bath themselues and after that same maner shall all the other Knights do one after another till they haue all done and then the Knights depart out of the chamber for a season This done the Esquiers gouernours doe take the Esquier out of the Bath lay him in his bed till he be dry which bed ought to be simple without curtens and being dry he shal rise out of his bed and apparelled somewhat warme because of the coldnes of the night and ouer all his apparell he shal weare a coat of Russet cloth with long sleeues after the manner of an Hermit with an hood The Esquier being out of the Bath and made readie the Barber shall take away the Bath and all that is about the same aswell within as without and take them for his fees and likewise the Coller if hee be an Earle Baron Banneret or Bachelor Knight according to the custome of the Court This done the Esquiers gouernours shall open the chamber doore and let the Knights enter in to leade the Esquier to the Chappell And when they are entred the Esquiers singing and dauncing shall be brought before the Esquier with their melodie to the Chappell And when they are entred into Chappell then spices and wine shall be giuen to the sayd Knights and Esquiers And the Esquiers gouernours shall lead the Knights before the Esquier to take their leaues And he shall thanke them altogether for their trauell honor and courtesies And so they depart after whom the Esquiers gournours shall shut the doore and let no man tarie in the Chappell except the Esquiers his gouernours the Priests Chandler and Watch. And so he shall remaine in the Chappell till it be almost day alwayes in prayer desiring God to blesse and increase his grace in him to giue him power and comfort to take this high temporall dâ—gnitie to the honour and prayse of him the holy Church and order of Knighthood And when day appeareth they shal cause the Priest to say prayers and communicate if he will And from the entring of the Chappell doore hee shall haue a candle of waxe borne before him Prayers being begunne one of the Gouernours
gentlemen doe come after the Knight and doe bring him to the Kings presence and the Esquiers gouernours before him And when the newe Knight commeth into the Kings presence he shall kneele downe before him saying Most noble and renowned Sir I do thanke you for al the honors courtesies and goodnesse which you haue done vnto me And so he taketh leaue of the King And then the Esquiers gouernours do take leaue of their Master saying Sir we haue accomplished the coÌ„mandement of the Kings as he charged vs to the vttermost of our power wherein if we haue displeased you through negligence or deed during the time we desire pardon On the other side Sir according to the custome of the Court and ancient Kings we demaund Robes and fees for terme of life as Esquiers of the King and companions vnto Bachelors Knights and other Lords CHAP. 12. Knights Bachelors FIrst it is to be remembred that no man is brone a Knight of any title but made either before a battell to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that do appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royal authority giuen for that purpose or by his Lieutenant in the warres who hath his royal and absolute power for that time And this order may bee resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doeth agree with it for seldome in all points one Common wealth doeth agree with another 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 yeerely reuenue of their lands being able to maintaine 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 onely to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honour In Rome the number of Equites was vncertaine and so it is of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum Publicum but the Knights of England finde horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers value but in England whosoeuer may dispend of his free lands fourty pounds starling of yeerely reuenue by an old Law 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 be by the King compelled to take that order and honour 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 worthy that title and yet haue abilitie neither be made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fourtie pounds sterling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant money Where of this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more then Miles doeth in Latine which is Souldier I know not Some hold opinion that the word Souldier doeth betoken a waged or hired man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Souldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Captaine which order if the Almanes did follow it may be that they who were not hired but being of the Nation vpon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did follow the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almanes some are called Launce-Knights as Souldiers not hired although they be wel-neere all hired Or it may be that they who were next about the Prince as his Guard and seruants picked and chose men out of the rest being called in the Almane tongue Knighten which is as much to say as dayly seruants being found of good seruice the word afterwards was taken as an honour for one that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is we in our English doe call him Knight whom the French do call Cheualier and the Latine Equitem for Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the maner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is stricken by the Prince with a sword drawen 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 Auance This is the maner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this point and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Heralds called Knights Bachelers CHAP. 13. The Ceremonies in the degradation of Knights in England IT seemeth that the degradation of Knights hath bene vsed onely for offences of greatest reproch and dishonour which I conceiue partly by the rarenesse of such actions and partly for that the men bereft of that dignitie were not onely degraded but also by law executed As in the raigne of King Edward the fourth it appeared a Knight was degraded in this sort First after the publication of his offence his gilt spurres were beaten from his heeles then his sword taken from him and broken That being done euery peece of his armour was bruised beaten and cast aside After all which disgraces he was beheaded In like maner Andrew of Herklay a Knight and Erle of Carlile was in this sort disgraded He being apprehended was by the Kings commandement brought before sir Anthony Lucie anno 1322. apparelled in all the robes of his estate as an Earle and a Knight and so led vnto the place of iudgement Being thither come Sir Anthony Lucie saide vnto him these words First thou shalt loose the order of Knighthood by which thou hadst all thine honour and further all worship vpon thy bodie be brought to nought Those words pronounced Sir Anthony Lucie commanded a knaue to hew the Knights spurs from his heeles after caused his sword to be broken ouer his head That done he was dispoiled of his furred Tabord of his hood of his furred coats and of his girdâ—e Then Sir Anthony said vnto him these words Andrew now art thou no Knight but a knaue and for thy treason the King doth will thou shalt be hanged Maxitmilianus de Austria Dux Burâ—undiâ— Râ—m Imâ— Ordâ—nâ— Velleris Aurei Eques 〈◊〉 Fol. 〈◊〉 CHAP. 14. Knights of the Toizon D'or or golden Fleece THE Knighthood of the Toizon was instituted by Philip surnamed the good Duke of Burgundy and Earle of Flanders in the yeere of our Lord 1429. being mooued thereunto with deuoute zeale that he had to vndertake the conquest of the holy land albeit his valerous determination tooke none effect by
and called Borgo di Santa Maria or Mareenburg where is now the chiefe Church appertaining to this Order there unto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and money compare with diuers Princes This countrey of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer of Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massagets and Polonia These Knights are also Lordes of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie is with Christians inhabited CHAP. 27. Knights of the Sepulchre THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two Red Crosses vnited CHAP. 28. Knights of S. Mary The habit of this Order was very pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were specially inhibited to weare gold in their spurres and horse harnesse They made profession to fight against the Infidels and all others that offended iustice notwithstanding they liued euer at home in rest with their wiues and children They were commonly called Caualieri di Madona but because they liued continually in ease and pleasure men termed them Fratri gaudenti as much in our language as Good fellow brethren It may be some of them are yet extant CHAP. 29. Knights of S. Lazaro These Knights doe professe to be obedient vnto their great Master and other officers of the Order they promise also to liue chast or at the least continent and content with one wife Also to be charitable and liberall chiefely to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euery Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse and before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to be borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is descended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200 crownes wherewith to maintaine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mechanicall occupation That he hath not bene suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widowe or hath had more then one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so many Aue Marias with other superstitious things not worthy the writing This Order hath of late time bene much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy CHAP. 30. Knights of S. Stephano The Statutes annexed to this Order are not vnlike to those appertayning to the order of Malta sauing that these haue libertie to marrie The chiefe place of their resiance is the citie of Pisa where the Duke prepared them a Church and builded for them a pallace wherein to lodge And because neere to that Citie is a Hauen fit to receiue the Gallies wherin these Knights should serue it seemed good to that Prince to settle them there The Duke himselfe and his successors is Great master of this Order and vnder him are diuers other Officers of reputation This is the last Order or degree of Knights that I haue seene or read of THE THIRD BOOKE Concerning Combat for life Iusts Turnements Triumphes and Inaugurations of Emperours Kings and Princes The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of particular Combats with their original Ca. 1. Whether Combats may be iustly permitted Ca. 2. When and how Combats were in vse Cap. 3. What exceptions or repulses may mooue the defendors to refuse the Combat Cap. 4. Whether a man of meane qualitie may chalenge his superior Cap. 5. What sorts of men may not be admitted to trial of Armes 6. Who was anciently accompted victorious in Combat Cap. 7. What was anciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combat Cap. 8. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen Cap. 9. Of the qualitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes Cap. 10. Of Armes offensiue and defensiue Cap. 11. Of the Election of weapons Cap. 12. Certaine questions opinions and iudgements vpon accidents in triall and exercise of Armes Cap. 13. Of honour gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and sundry peeces Cap. 14. Of honour gained or lost by hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or triumph Cap. 15. Of Combats ancient Cap. 16. The order of Combats for life in England anciently recorded in the Office of Armes Cap. 17. Of Triumphes ancient and moderne Cap. 18. Of Triumphes and their Originall Cap. 19. Of the maner of Triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher Cap. 20. Of the diuers qualitie of Triumphes in Rome Cap. 21. In what Order the Romanes triumphed Cap. 22. Of other furniture and pompe appertayning to Triumphes in Rome Cap. 23. Of the Triumphal going of Darius to meet Alexander the great Cap. 24. The Triumphal entry of Xerxes K. of Persia into Greece yet afterward forced for feare to flie into his owne kingdome Cap. 25. Of Triumphes in Germanie Cap. 26. Of Triumphes at the enteruiew of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Frederick Barbarosa at Venice Anno Dom. 1166. Cap. 27. An admirable Triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cypres Anno 1366. Cap. 28. A Triumph in the raigne of King Richard the second Anno 1590. Cap. 29. A Triumphal passage of Charles the v. Emperor through France Anno 1540. Cap. 30. A triumphal entrie of Philip Prince of Spaine at Millan Anno 1548. Cap. 31. A Military chalenge in Italy Anno 1555. Cap. 32. Of triumphal challenges in France Cap. 32. Of one other Military action betweene fiue English gentlemen and fiue French Cap. 34. An other like action Cap. 35. An other chalenge of a French gentleman in Spaine Cap. 36. An other notable challenge in France Anno 1390. Cap. 37. An other most noble challenge Cap. 38. The triumphant interuiew of the Kings of England and France Anno 1519. Cap. 39. A triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. Cap. 40. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. Cap. 41. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italie Anno 773. Cap. 42. Carolus Magnus Inauguration being made Emperour Anno 1800. Cap. 43. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie the tenth Cap. 44. The Inauguration of Henry the fourth King of England Anno 1399. Cap. 45. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes Anno 1380. Cap. 46. At the Inauguration of King Henry the thirde French King three notable things obserued Cap. 47. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Cap. 48. Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iusts and Turnements Cap. 49. Of Iusts and Turnements and how the Accidents in such exercises are iudged in the kingdome of Naples Cap. 50. Iusts and Turnements how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester high Constable of England in the Raigne of King Edward the 4. Cap. 51. Triumphes Military for honour and loue of
Ladies brought before the Kings of England Cap. 52. A triumph before King Edward the third A triumph before King Edward the fourth A triumph before King Henry the sixt A triumph before King Henry the seuenth A triumph before King Henry the eight Of like Actions in Armes since the Raigne of Queene Elizabeth Cap. 53. The Originall occasions of yeerely Triumphes in England Cap. 54. The Authors conclusion The Prooeme ALbeit in ages more ancient Princes were sometimes pleased to admit priuate Combate and triall by armes yet euen then the lawes determined that no man of base calling could be allowed to fight with any Gentleman or other person by long seruice or vertue become Noble It behoueth therefore to know what Nobilitie and Gentilitie is Be therefore enformed that Nobilitie is as some haue defined it ancient riches accompanied with vertuous qualities Others affirme that riches being of their owne nature vile cannot make men Noble concluding that vertue alone sufficeth Bartholus sayth that vertue onely maketh a man Noble and riches is an ornament thereof Others doe thinke that Nobilitie proceedeth from the ancient honor fame and title of Predecessors because other wise a bondman being vertuous might challenge that honour Some also haue thought that as before God he is most Noble and worthy vnto whom he hath giuen most grace euen so is he most Honourable among men whom Princes or lawes haue aduanced vnto dignitie Howsoeuer it be most sure it is that no man giueth vnto himselfe any title but it behooueth him to receiue it from others Therefore Bartholus concludeth that to be made Noble it is requisite the Prince should bestow some sort of dignitie office or title vpon the person that is ennobled to the end he may be knowne from other men But our opinion is that men may be reputed Noble by three meanes First by nature or descent of Ancestors which is the vulgar opinion Secondly for vertue onely which the Philosophers affirme Thirdly by mixture of Auncient Noble blood with vertue which is indeed the true and most commendable kind of Nobilitie For seeing man is a creature reasonable hee ought be Noble in respect of his owne vertue and not the vertue of others which moued Vlysses to say vnto Aiax boasting of Ancestors Et genus Proauos quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco c. But for manifestation that naturall Nobilitie mixed with vertue is most true and perfect thus may it be prooued The Almighty hath created all things both in generalitie and specialitie with a certaine excellencie and bountie one more perfect then the other one noble another ignoble For among stones some are precious others of no vertue of the better sort of them some more or lesse precious Euen so among liuing creatures both in generality specialitie we find some courteous and gentle others rude and vnciuill Much more is the difference of nature in men among whom the eternall God hath dispensed his grace to some more and to some lesse according to his diuine will and pleasure VVherefore they seeme to erre much that thinke Gentility in nature hath no force when experience proueth that of one race we see wise iust valiant and temperate persons Yet because in ordinarie obseruation we finde that neither the horse of excellent courage doth alwayes beget another of like qualitie nor that the vertuous man hath euer children resembling himselfe we doe not hauing proofe of their degeneration esteeme the one or the other as Iuuenal sayth Malo Pater tibi sit Thersites dummodo tu sis Aeacidae similis Vulcaniaque arma capessas Quà m te Thersitae similem producat Achilles Seeing then that either by nature nurture or endeuour some men are more vertuous then others therefore ought they bee reputed more Gentle Noble and worthy honour then are those which are void of noble Ancestors good education and industrie No rule is so generall or certaine but sometime receiueth exception Yet appeareth it that Nature in her owne operation doth seldome digresse from the order thereof The Faulcon neuer or very rarely bringeth forth other bird then a Faulcon The Greyhound engendereth a whelpe like vnto himselfe Neuerthelesse if either that bird in shape resembling her Dame hath not in her like vertue or that whelpe doth prooue in delight diuers from his Sire they thereby become either contemned or little esteemed Euen so is it among men descending from Ancestors of honour and vertue for if neither by celestiall grace nurture nor endeuour they aspire vnto the habite of vertue then become they thereby vnfit for all publike action vnprofitable to themselues and consequently disdained or at the least lightly regarded what Pedigree Armes or Badges soeuer are to warrant their Ancient Nobilitie VVherefore estsoones concluding I say with the Poet Tota licèt 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 equum facili cui plurima palma Feruet exultat rauco victoria circo Nobilis hic quocunque venit de gramine cuius Clara fuga antè alios primus in aequore puluis CHAP. 1. Of particular Combats with their Originall THe Graecians called a priuat fight Monomachia and the Law Ciuil Duellum as it were the fight of two persons The first vse thereof was among the Mantineians in Greece where they that entred into such Combats did for the most part appeare in pompous apparell with feathers and other ornaments of great magnificence Those fighters also vsed Emblemes and Emprezes This kinde of fight seemeth very ancient for Homer and Virgil make thereof mention CHAP. 2. ¶ Whether Combats may iustly be permitted THe Popes of Rome haue long since inhibited all Combats The Lawes Ciuile also doe seeme to reiect that kind of triall Yet is it reasonable that a martiall man iustly challenged should without offence appeare in the field and with sword in hand defend his honour for by law of Nations it is lawfull he may so doe Yet ought he not without licence to fight within his owne Princes dominion if without losse of reputation he may doe otherwise And in the Romane state without the Magistrates allowance the law did absolutely forbid such fight Therfore as without licence combat was vnlawfull in Rome so was it with the Princes permission auowable for by such warrant Valerius Coruinus Marcus Torquatus and others did fight We reade also that Princes themselues contending for kingdomes by that meane to auoid effusion of blood haue determined their right wherof we haue ancient examples as the combat of Charles Duke of Anioy and Peter of Arragon contending for the Isle of Sicil of Corbis Osua brethren vpon their title to Carthage of
the Pope that is the French King the King of England the King of Ierusalem and the King of Sicil. All the other Kings were crowned by their owne Prelats Thus sayth 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 he hath the title of Prince Duke or Marquesse Here is to be noted that these titles of honour were at the first giuen in office as the title of Duke was proper vnto him that was a Generall of the Armie A Marquesse was he vnto whome the confine or marches of a countrey or kingdome was committed An Earle or Count was a Iudge or commander in peace and of them in the ancient Emperours seruice were diuers as the Countes Palatine were as stewards of the Emperors house of his court or stable and euery of them might challenge any Prince Duke or Marquesse being a subiect because they are in respect of subiection reputed none other then Barons A Gentleman well borne and descended from Parentage of foure degrees may fight with any Earle or Baton in case of treason to his Prince or Countrey and also murther and infidelitie because they are besides their dignity none other then Gentlemen and Gentilitie or Nobilitie is hereditary and cannot be taken away but dignitie may But in other quarrels 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 be aged lame or otherwise disabled A Captaine Generall of an Armie Emperiall or Royall may not be challenged by any Gentleman or Lord neither ought the gouernour of and City Towne or Castle because no publike commandement may be abandoned for priuate respect The like is to be vnderstood of Ambassadors who in regard of the place they hold may during their commission repulse the challenge of any Gentleman or other subiect whatsoeuer A Souldier basely borne hauing liued in continuall exercise of Armes by the space of ten yeeres without committing any disobedience or other reprochfull acte ought be admitted to fight with any Gentleman borne A Gentleman who either by his owne fault or his ancestor hath committed any treason against his Prince may be repulsed to fight with any other Gentleman vnlesse the said offender or his ancestors were restored in blood or is in descent three degrees froÌ„ the ancestor that was attainted A Gentleman that is knowen Spie for the enemy or bewrayeth the secrets of his owne Princes campe abandoneth his ensigne or committeth any other military offence may be repulsed to fight with euery other gentlemen of good fame and reputation And by ancient custome men blotted with such a note might not liue in any City or Towne where the Emperour or other Prince remained A Gentleman that hath made profession of Armes by the space of twenty yeeres in the Court or Campe of his Prince without infamy or reproch may not withstanding he be dismissed reâ—ired or cassed fight with any other Gentleman that liueth in present pay A Gentleman hauing aspired vnto any title or dignity and is either in respect of age or infirmitie retired to his owne house ought neuerthelesse to enioy all his honours and shall be euer vnlesse he commit some dishonourable fact reputed worthy the honour he receiued in Court or campe and fight with any other Gentleman whatsoeuer An Artificer following the campe and exercising his Artor Mysterie notwithstanding he be also in pay may be repulsed to fight with any priuate Souldier that maketh particular profession and exercise of Armes No man vnder the degree of a Gentleman ought be receiued or allowed for a man at Armes on horsebacke for by the Emperiall lawes the Regiment of Launces was called Equestris ordo and they whome we call light Horsemen were named Celeri CHAP. 11. Of Armes both offensiue and Defensine IT hath bene before sayd that by the law of Lombardie euery Combat vnlesse vpon quarell of infidelitie should bee tried with shields and staues and with no other weapon But the matter of their Combats was onely for triall of trueth without respect of honour Howsoeuer it were besides that custome must be receiued for lawe it seemeth to me that either in publique or priuate fight such weapons ought bee vsed as are commonly worne of Gentlemen and others professing Armes And touching Armes defensiue it hath beene also the vse that as they are thought allowable in warre and all generall fights so in particular trial of Armes they ought not be reiected because fortitude accompanied with prudence is much the more commendable seeing he that vnwisely or inconsiderately aduentureth himselfe is not to bee reputed valiant but furious neither is hee accompted valiant that without counsell or cause delighteth in dangers but he that neuer doth shun any generous action tending to publique benefit or his owne priuate reputation And Aristotle sayth that a valiant man doth neither feare all things nor dare doe all things For these respects it hath euer bene thought fit that in particular Combats the Fighters should be allowed Armes defensiue and not performe the same naked and vtterly disarmed with swords and daggers onely as is in this part of the world now vsed And sith the perill of life is no lesse in particular then in publique fight it seemeth very reasonable that defensiue Armes should be allowed yet so as both the challenger and defender be equally armed and weaponed which in trueth ought be at the election of the defendant as heretofore hath bene discoursed But because the custome of the land is and happily also lawe forbideth that any man should be armed saue onely in the warre I thinke no Gentleman ought to refuse to fight disarmed And here will I not omit to remember an abuse which hardly is discontinued I meane that some English gentleman are so obstinately addicted to custome as notwithstanding they doe themselues enter quarrell and be challengers yet wil they vse that sort of weapon only which please themselues An opinion contrary vnto reason and the vse of all other people as though ancient vse made that weapon onely allowable which reason will also prooue vice as good as vertue because it is no lesse ancient CHAP. 12. Of the election of Weapons FOr good and reasonable causes many aduantages are due vnto him that is chalenged because hee being accused and constrained to fight iust and true reason willeth that hee should enioy all honest fauour It hath bene therefore well determined that whosoeuer is defender doeth sufficiently acquite himselfe and ought be reputed victorious if hee be not victored But on the other side he that challengeth must not onely escape to be vanquished but also vanquish his enemie for otherwise he shall be reputed as victored and lose the quarell Which seemeth very reasonable because his office is to proue But the defender is not bound to more then defend Another fauour also
commendably acquite themselues but the other two of that side were ouerthrowen On the other side two only perfourmed their courses well and the rest of that company exceeding euill losing many Lances and running very foule whereof a question grew whether vnto fiue well doers and two euill or vnto two well doers with fiue euil the honour ought to be allotted Albeit in this case much may be 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 alleaged that the partie wherein were most weldoers ought to haue the honour notwithstanding the fall of two of their companions yet for so much as the fall from horsebacke by the enemies force or vertue is most reprochefull it seemeth that the misaduenture of two men onely may reasonably be the losse of honour to all the rest And therefore we leaue the iudgement of this doubt vnto wise men better experienced in Armes Two gentlemen being in combat for life the Challenger taketh the sword of the Defender from him notwithstanding the Defender most valiantly defendeth himselfe with his arme and hands all the whole day during which time he could not be forced either to denie yeeld or be slaine A question thereupon arose whether of them was victorious Forasmuch as this Combat was for life and that in euery fight of such nature no victory is fully gained vntill the Defender is slaine or els forced to yeeld or denie it seemeth that he is not to be iudged guiltie not hauing done any of these although his sword were lost which indeed in all martiall exercises and feates of Armes is a thing much to be discommended But most certaine it is that in all Combats and actions for honor loue and praise onely whosoeuer loseth his sword must presently also lose the honor and victory 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 euery prisoner appertaineth vnto his taker yet hath it commonly bene vsed that the victorious haue presented their prisoners vnto the Prince to be disposed at his good pleasure who in recompense thereof doe vse according to the magnanimous mindes of such persons not onely 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 Philip Duke of Millain did the like vnto an vnfortunate Gentleman vanquished by a Neoplitane Knight CHAP. 14. Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and of sundrie peeces A Man that loseth his sword in fight is more reproched then he that loseth his shield For he gaineth the greatest honor that winneth the chiefe weapon from the enemie which is the sword seeing therewith the Emperour and Kings doe create their Knights and the sword is borne before them in in signe of authoritie and Regal power He that loseth his headpiece in fight is more dishonoured then he that loseth his shield because the Helmet defendeth the most principal part of man but the shield armeth a lower place He that loseth his Gauntlet in fight is more to be blamed then he who is disarmed of his Poulderon For the Gauntlet armeth the hand without which member no fight can be performed and therefore that part of Armor is commonly sent in signe of defiance He that is cast out of the Saddle by violence of his aduersaries encounter shal be more reproued then he who falleth by the default of his horse the breaking of Girthes or any such like accident CHAP. 15. ¶ Of the honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in triumph HE that in fight loseth his eye shall thereby receiue more dishonour then he that loseth his teeth because the eye is a member seruing the most necessarie sence but the teeth are onely instruments of the mouth He that loseth his right eye is more to be reproached then he that loseth the left eye because the right side is in better opinion of men The like is to be sayd of the hands of the armes and legges If a man hauing but one eye doe fight with another man that hath two in losing that one eye he shall be more blamed then he who hath two eyes although he loseth one He that loseth his whole hand shall be more reproached then he who loseth one eye And he that loseth a foot is more disgraced then he that loseth one hand CHAP. 16. Of Combats auncient TOo long it were to tell the causes and euent of Combats heretofore performed by Princes and other persons of honourable qualitie Neuerthelesse who so desireth to know what was anciently done in matter of such quality let him read the Combats of Dauid with Goliah Of Romulus with Acron of Marcellus with Virdimarus king of France Of the Horatij and Curiatij Of Satibarzanes with Erigius Of Horrates with Dioxippus a Champion Of Alexander with Porus king of the Indians Of Titus Manlius with one other Frenchman of Marcus Valerius with one other Lord of that Nation Of Ionathas the Iewe with Pudentus of a Duke of Bohemia with the Duke of Lancaster Of certaine Christians with a like number of Barbarians Of Seanderbeg alone against three other men Of Valares a Gothian with Artanas an Armenian and many others CHAP. 17. The order of Combats for life in England as they are anciently recorded in the office of Armes at London FIrst the Cartell or Bill of Quarrell aswell of the Challengers behalfe as of the Defenders was brought into the Court before the Constable and Marshall And when the trueth of the cause of quarrell could not be prooued by witnesse nor otherwise then was it permitted the same should receiue triall by force of Armes the one partie by assayling the other by defending The Constable as Vicar generall vnto the King assigned the day of battell which was to be performed within forty dayes next following whereunto both the Challenger and Defender condscended Then were the Combattants commaunded to bring in sufficient pledges for suertie that they and euery of them should appeare and performe the combat betwixt the sunne rising and going done of the day appointed for the acquirall of their pledges and that they nor any of them should doe or cause to be done any molestation damage assault or subtiltie against the person of his enemie either by himselfe his friends his followers or other person whatsoeuer In what sort the King commanded the place of Combat to be made THe Kings pleasure being signified vnto the Cōstable Marshal they caused Lists or Rayles to be made and set vp in length
fell to the ground after the Combattants did enter into the Lists aswell from the Challenger as the Defender But all the rest appertained to the partie victorious whether he were Challenger or Defender The Barres Posts Railes and euery other part of the Lists were also the fees of the Marshall Certaine Combats granted by the Kings of England EDmund of the race of West Saxons fought in Combat with Canutus King of Denmark for the possession of the Crowne of England In which fight both the Princes being weary by consent parted the land betwixt them Anno 1016. Robert Mountfort accused Henry of Essex of treason affirming that hee in a iourney toward Wales neere vnto Colshill threw away the Kings Standerd saying the King was dead and turned backe those that went to the Kings succour Henry denied the accusation so as the matter was to bee tried by Combat The place appointed for fight was a little Isle neere vnto Reding In this Combat Henry was vaquished and fell downe dead and at the sute of friends license was obteined that his body might be buried by the Monks of Reding But it happened that the said Henry recouered and became a Monke in that Abbey Anno 1163. In the raigne of King Henry the second Henry duke of Hereford accused Thomas Mowbray duke of Norfolke of certaine words by him spoken as they rode betweene London and Braineford tending vnto the Kings dishonour Thomas duke of Norfolke denied to haue spoken any such word but Henry affirming his accusation the King granted the Combat to be performed at Couentry the seuenth of September 1398. Anno Rich. 2. but the combat was not performed for th' one and th' other party was banished the Realme A combat was fought at Westminster in the Kings presence betweene Iohn Ansley Knight and Thomas Catrington Esquier whom the said Knight had accused of treason for selling the castle of S. Sauiours which the Lord Chandos had builded in the Isle of Constantine in France In which combat the Knight was victorious Anno 1374. Rich. 2. A combat was granted vnto an Esquier borne in Nauar to fight with an English Esquier called Iohn Welsh whom the Nauarrois accused of Treason But the true cause of the Nauarrois his malice was that the said Welsh had dishonoured his wife as being vanquished he confessed The King gaue sentence he should be drawne and hanged Anno 1344. Rich. 2. A combat was fought betweene sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the thirde blow giuen the King stayed the fight Anno 1441. Henrici 6. A combat was granted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cypres and Thomas de la Marsh Bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of king Edward the third at Westminster CHAP. 18. Of Triumphs Ancient and Moderne TRiumphs haue bene commonly vsed at the Inauguration and Coronation of Emperors Kings and Princes at their Mariages Entry of cities Enteruiewes Progresses and Funerals Those pompous shewes were first inuented and practised by the Romanes whom dâ—uers other Princes haue imitated though hard it was and happily impossible for any Prince to equal them in magnificence Yet reade we may that Xerxes Darius and Alexander the great were Princes of marueilous puissance and for triumphs admirable Howsoeuer those matters were handled certein it is that albeit our Princes of Europe in respect of Christian religion doe in some sort contemne excesse of Mundane glory yet haue they euer liued royally and at occasions triumphed with princely honour and greatnes according to the measure of their Empires as shall hereafter appeare But first we haue thought good to speake of Romane Triumphs and briefly to touch in what order they triumphed for to report them at large were a labour almost infinite CHAP. 19. Of Triumphes and their originall VArro saith That Princes and great Captaines being returned to Rome with victory were allowed to passe with their armie through the citie vnto the Capitall singing Io. Triumphe Io. Triumphe The first inuentour of Triumphes was Liber Pater as Pliny saith Yet certaine it is and so by lawe prouided that no man should be admitted to Triumph vnlesse he had vanquished full fiue thousand enemies Cato and Martius Tribunes of the people by law also decreed that who so vntruely reported the enterprize he had done should incurre punishement Therefore entring into the citie euery Triumpher did first come before the Questors and deliuer his actions in writing and sweare they were true It was likewise by law prouided and by custome also obserued that only for recouery of dominion no man should bee permitted to triumph Which was the cause that neither Publius Scipio for the recouery of Spaine not Marcus Marcellus for taking of Syracusa were suffered to triumph The first that imitated Liber Pater in triumphing was Titus Tatius when he triumphed for victory of the Sabini yet was that no full triumph but as they called it Ouante because his victorie was not great and without blood For the same reason the crowne he ware was made of Myrtel which euer after was the crowne of all Captains that triumphed for victories of meane reputation In that age also it was vnlawfull for any man to triumph vnlesse he were a Dictator a Consull or a Praetor Therefore L. Lentulus being Proconful although he had performed great seruices in Spaine yet was he not admitted to enter Rome but Ouante Afterwards Scipio most instantly required to triumph hauing deserued great glory but till that time no man without office had triumphed Likewise C. Manlius by the base people elected the first Dictator by their commandement also without allowance of the Patritij did triumph And Gneus Pompeius a Gentleman Romaine before he was of age to be Consull triumphed twise Another law or custome there was that no Captaine might triumph vntill he had brough backe the armie and therewith also deliuered the country of his charge quiet into the hand of his successour For Lucius Manlius the Consull hauing effected great victories in Spaine was in the Hall of Bellona denied to triumph because the countrey where he commanded was not in peace as Liuie reporteth CHAP. 20. The maner of triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher in Rome THe Prince or Captaine that triumphed was euer drawen in a chariot as appeareth by the Arke Triumphall of Titus and Vespatian and likewise by that of L. Verus Antoninus made of marble yet extant in Rome This Arke was drawen by foure white horses Others vsed in their chariots white Buls or Elephants As Pompei triumphing of Affrica had in his chariot Elephants onely But Caesar surpassing all others in pompe was drawen by forty Elephants and in the day time conducted to the Capitoll with torches when he triumphed ouer the Galli Some writers haue said that the Emperour Aurelianus was drawen with foure Harts or Stags and being come to the Capitoll he caused them all to be slaine and sacrificed to Iupiter Optimus Maximus
Christian to the ende that if any of their Nobilitie were louers of Arms and honor they might appeare in our Triumphs with all things needful on Munday next after S. Matthew the Apostle At Meydeburg THen his Maiesty was pleased with the aduise of the foure and the fifteene men aforesaid to adde diuers other Articles as followeth That If any man had either openly or secretly slaine his wife or had aided or counselled another man to kill his master he should forfeit his horse and be expulsed the Lists If any man had committed sacriledge by spoiling of Churches or Chappels or had by force taken the goods of any widow or Orphan or not defended them to his power he should forfeit his horse and be punished with infamy If any man without warning had assaulted his enemy or by indirect meanes had procured him to be robbed of corne wine or other prouision feloniously he should forfeit his horse c. If any man in the Empire or vnder the Empire rashly and without licence of the Emperour did impose new and vnaccustomed tributes wherby the people might be damnified he should forfeit his horse and be taxed of infamy If any man had beene conuinced of notorious adultery hauing himselfe a wife or being a Batcheler had by force defloured any matron virgine or religious woman he should forfeit his horse remaine infamous If any Gentleman borne being the Owner of lands and reuenue and not therewith contented did exact or oppresse his Tenants or being the Officer of a Prince or other great Lord did wrest from his subiects to enrich himselfe for so doing he should forfeit his horse and be excluded from the Lists with infamie All which Articles being publikely read and approued were by his Emperiall Maiestie confirmed as Law CHAP. 27. ¶ Of Triumphs at the interuiewe of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Foedericus Barbarossa at Venice Anno 1166. ADuertizement being giuen to Venice that the Emperor resolued to come thither Piro Zinzano the Dukes sonne was sent with sixe long Galleyes to meete him at Rauenna After them were dispatched a great number of lesse vessels The Emperour being arriued at Venice the Pope was set in a rich chaire at the Church doore and there taried his comming Before the Popes feet a carpet of purple was spread vpon the ground The Emperor being come to the sayd Carpet forthwith fel downe and from thence vpon his knees went towards the Pope to kisse his feete which done the Pope with his hand lifted him vp From thence they passed together vnto the great Altar in S. Markes Church whereon was set the Table of precious stones which at this day is reputed one of the richest treasures of Europe Some haue reported that there the Emperor did prostrate himselfe before the Altar and the Pope set his foot vpon his necke While this was in doing the Clergie sung that Psalme of Dauid which sayth Super Aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis Which the Emperour hearing sayd Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replied Et mihi Petro. After some dayes abode in Venice the Pope departed by sea to Ancona and the Emperor towards Germany by land either of them accompanied with Gentlemen Venetians in great number CHAP. 28. ¶ An admirable triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cyprus Anno. 1366. AFter thankes giuen to God for the recouery of this Island euery man endeuoured to make demonstration of gladnes wherin no cost in banquetting or other solemnization was omitted Among these shewes of triumph and iolitie two sights there were most admirable and neuer before that time seene the maner of the one was a representation of Iusting on horsebacke For certaine portratures or images of men and horses were so made of skinnes clothed in silke with Lances and Shields as the wind by a straight line forced them to runne one encountering the other like to a course of the field The other was like vnto a combat where armed men did seeme to fight both which shewes were in the streete In the first the Actors were only 24 yong Gentlemen Venetians for personage apparell and yeeres very commendable The inuentor and director of these pastimes was Thomasso Bambasio who for such deuises and action was in Venice esteemed as in old time Roscius had bene in Rome Surely it seemeth strange that so many men richly attired and so many horses brauely furnished could be managed with so great dexteritie and one hauing ended his courses another was presently ready to supply that place In the meane while the Lances did seeme broken and the splinters flie about The duke with al the Nobilitie of the city beheld this miraculous sight and so did a multitude of people Among these beholders as mine Author sayth were diuers Noble men of England who trauailed to Venice purposely to see the maner of this Triumph and the Actors CHAP. 29. A Triumph in the reigne of King Richard the second 1390. THis noble Prince being aduertised with what magnificence and pompe the Queene Isabella of France had made her entry into Paris thought good to appoint a militarie triumph at London wherin appeared sixty Knights and so many faire young Ladies of his Court sumptuously apparelled With this troope his Maiestie rode from the Tower of London vnto Smithfield and passing thorow Cheapeside a proclamation was made that on Sunday and Munday next following these Knights would attende there to challenge all commers For him that deserued best in this Iust if he were a stranger the Queene and her Ladies had prepared a crowne of golde or if he were any of the sixty English Knights he should receiue a rich bracelet The English Knights likewise promised to giue vnto the stranger of best desert a faire horse with his furniture or if he were an English man hee should receiue a Falcon. This challenge and these prizes had bene by a King of Armes formerly proclaymed in England Scotland France Flaunders Brabant Henault and Germany which mooued many persons of Honour and reputation to come hither Among whom was William of Henault Earle of Oye or as some did call him of Ostrenant a young Prince much delighting in Armes This Noble youth desirous to honour the King of England his kinsman drew into his company many Gentlemen of his Nation with whom hee passed into England Then resoluing to performe that iourney thought good to take the consent of Albert his father Count of Henault Holland and Zeland Of whom with great difficultie he obtained leaue The like desire to honour the King mooued the Earle of S. Paul who had married the Kings sister And he brought with him a great troope of gallant Knights These two Princes came first vnto Calis where they found English ships readie to transport them But the Earle of Oye passed ouer first and being come to London had accesse to the King of whom he was with great ioy embraced The like courtesie he found in Iohn Holland the Kings brother
so haue I long desired to do and no time more fit then now when the Constable and his company may be iudge Yet such is my hap as I haue no Armor at hand For supply of that want quoth Boucmelius I will take order that two Armors shal be brought vnto vs and of them the choise shal be yours with euery other thing fit for our purpose This agreement made they imparted the same vnto the Constable and obtained his license yet with condition that they should attend vpon him the next day at which time hee would with other noble men see what should be the euent of that Action About the houre appointed these Champions did appeare and at the first course Clifford with his Launce pearced through the Armor and body of Boucmelius of which hurt he presently died This accident much grieued the French and Clifford himselfe was not a little sory which the Constable perceiuing said vnto Clifford Be not dismayed for this is the fruite of like aduentures and if my selfe had beene in thy place I should haue done the same for better euer it is to doe then suffer at the hand of an enemy The Constable hauing ended his speech conuited Clifford with his company to dinner and then caused them to be conducted to the next towne in safety CHAP. 36. ¶ An other Challenge of a French Gentleman in Spaine IN the Army of the King of Castile there was a French Gentleman young of yeeres and in Armes of great reputation men called him Tristram de Roy. He seeing the warres ended betweene the Kings of Castile and Portugal determined to returne home Yet desirous by some means to gaine honor before his arriuall in France procured an Herauld to goe vnto the English Army and proclaime That if any Gentleman there would breake three Launces he would challenge him This challenge being heard in the English campe a braue young Gentleman named Miles Windesor accepted thereof hoping by that occasion to merit the honour of Knighthood The next day according to appointment he appeared in the field accompanied with Mathew Gorney William Beuchamp Tho Simons the L. Shandos the L. Newcastle the L. Bardolf and many others The French Challenger appeared likewise honourably graced with friends and thus both parties in readinesse to runne the Lord Souldichius bestowed the dignitie of Knighthood vpon the said Windsor Which done the one charged the other and the two first courses were perfourmed with great courage yet without any hurt But in the third course the armour both of the one and the other was pearced through yet by breach of the launces both of them escaped more harme CHAP. 37. One other notable Challenge in France Anno 1390. IN the reigne of King Charles the sixth three noble young men of great hope and much affecting the warre liued in that Court viz. Mounsier de Bouciquant the younger Mounsier Reynaut de Roye and Mounsier de S. Pye all Gentlemen of that Kings chamber In the same time also there was in England a Knight for valour and militarie vertue of great fame men called him Sir Peter Courtney He hauing obtained license passed the sea and trauelled to Paris After a few daies rest in that citie he challenged Mounsieur Trimoulie a noble Gentleman in great reputation who accepting the defie obtained license to answere appointing a day and place The time being come the King accompanied with the Duke of Burgundy and many other great Estates went to behold that conflict The first course was performed exceeding well and ether partie brake his launce with commendation But the second launce being deliuered into their hands the King inhibited more should be done seeming somewhat offended with the English Knight who had made sute that he might be suffered to doe his vttermost This Action by the Kings commaundement was stayed and Sir Peter Courtney therewith grieued thought good to abandon that Countrey and so desired he might doe The King well pleased he should depart sent vnto him an honourable gift and the Duke of Burgundie did the like The King also commaunded Mounsiuer de Clary a greaâ— Lord to accompany him to Callis By the way they visited the Earle of S. Paul who married King Richards sister of England The Earle in most courteous manner welcommed Sir Peter and the rather for that his Ladie had formerly bene married to the Lord Courtney his kinsman who died young This Sir Peter Courtney being well entertained the Earle and hee with their company supped together in which time as the custome is they communed of many matters Among which the Earle asked of Sir Peter how he liked the Realme of France and what conceit he had of the Nobilitie Whereunto Sir Peter with a sowre countenance answered That hee found in France nothing to be compared with the magnificence of England though for friendly entertainment hee had no cause to complaine yet saide Sir Peter I am not well satisfied in that matter which was the chiefe cause of my comming into France For I protest in the presence of all this Honourable company that if Monsieur de Clary beeing a Noble Gentleman of France had come into England and challenged any of our Nation he should haue beene fully answered but other measure hath ben offered to me in France for when Monsieur de Tremoulie and I had engaged our honour after one Lance broken the king commanded me to stay I haue therefore sayde and wheresoeuer I shall become will say that in France I was denyed reason and leaue to doe my vttermost These words much moued Mounsieur de Clary yet for the present hee suppressed his anger hauing charge to conduct Sir Peter safely vnto Calis Notwithstanding this heate quoth the Earle let mee tell you Sir Peter that in mine opinion you depart from France with much honour because the King vouchsafed to entreate you that the fight might stay whom to obey is a certaine signe of wisedome and praise worthy I pray you therefore Sir Knight haue patience and let vs proceede in our iourney Thus Sir Peter hauing taken leaue of the Earle passed forth towards Calice accompanied with Mounsieur de Clary who so soone as they were entred into the confines of the English Dominion Sir Peter most heartily thanked him for his company and courtesie But Clary hauing made an impression of such sowre speeches as Sir Peter had vttered in the Earles house said thus Hauing now fully performed the Kings commandement conducting you safe to your friendes I must before wee part put you in minde of your inconsiderate words in contempt of the Nobility of France And to the end you being arriued in England shall haue no cause or colour to boast that you were not answered in France Loe here I my selfe though inferiour to many others am this day or to morow ready to encounter â—ou not for malice to your person or gloriously to boast of my valour but for conseruation of the fame and honor
due to our French nation where neuer wanted Gentlemen to answere in Armes when any English man should challenge Well quoth Sir Peter you say well and with good will I accept your challenge and to morow I will not faile to attend you armed with three Launces according to the custome of France This agreement being made Sir Peter went foorthwith to Calice there to furnish himselfe of Armes fit for the Combat And making the Lord Iohn Warren then Gouernour priuie to what was intended the next day hee returned to meete Mounsieur de Clary betweene Bullaine and Calice thither also went the Gouernor and other English Gentlemen to behold The courses betweene these Champions being begun at the first encounter either partie brake well but in the second encounter by default of the English Knights Armour he was hurt in the shoulder as other English Gentlemen did well see which moued the Gouernour of Calice to say vnto Mounsieur de Clary You haue dealt discourteously to hurt Courtney when his Armour was broken I am sory quoth Clary but in my power it is not to gouerne Fortune what is happened to him might likewise haue come to me The matter standing in these termes Mounsieur de Clary returned into France supposing he had deserued great commendation But being come to the Court the King the Duke of Burgundy and Trymoulie himselfe blamed him and the Counsel of France gaue sentence that his goods should be confiscate because the King hauing commanded that Sir Peter should be without offence peaceably conducted to Calice the matter was otherwise handled To be short Clary was brought to the Kings presence and by the Counsel asked what reason he had to take Armes against amy man whom the king expresly had commanded to defend These words much perplexed Clary and the kings offence did greatly amaze him Notwithstanding with a good courage he sayd that what was enioyned him to doe he had most faithfully performed But Courtney with insolent speech taxed him and all the French nation which without dishonor might not be endured He therfore thought not only to haue bene free from blame but also merit commendation yet quoth he seeing my expectation faileth me I submit my selfe to the censure of the Constable and Marshals of France I also will endure the iudgement of Courtney himselfe and all other men of Armes in the kingdomes of France and England All which excuses submissions notwithstanding he was committed to prison and his goods confiscate til at the humble and earnest suit of Mounsieur de Coucy the Duke of Burbon the Earle of S. Paul and the Englishman to whom he had done wrong hee was restored to liberty Then said the Constable Doest thou thinke Mounsieur de Clary to haue done well or honoured the French nation by taking Armes against Courtney who was recommended vnto thee If ought hath bene by Courtney spoken in preiudice of the French Nobility thou ought haue complained thereof to the king and then haue proceeded by his Maiesties direction But the matter was not so handled by thee which is cause of thy punishmēt From henceforth therfore be more aduised for thy liberty giue thanks vnto the duke of Burbon Mounsieur de Coucy the Earle S. Paul who haue exceedingly entreated to compasse this fauor Such was the end of this military Action CHAP. 38. ¶ One other most noble Challenge THe strange euent of the former conflict betweene Courtney Trimolie and Clary mooued the Ladies of the French Court to incite Bouciquant Roy and S. Pie to attempt some new feates of Armes vpon the confines of the King of Englands possessions in Picardy This generous motion proceeding from the Ladies was easily apprehended by the French Lordes and Gentlemen and chiefly those three aforesaid beeing of all others most desirous of same and military glory The King being made priuie to this intention commanded those three Gentlemen to frame a forme of Challenge in writing which should be allowed or reformed as to his Maiestie should be thought good which was done accordingly containing this in effect THe great desire wee haue to know the noble Gentlemen inhabiting neere the kingdome of France and therewith longing to make triall of their valour in Armes haue mooued vs to appeare at Ingueluert the 20. of May next and there to remaine 30. dayes We also determine to be accompanyed with other noble Gentlemen louers of Armes and Honour there to encounter all commers with Lances either sharpe blunt or both and euery man shal be permitted to run fiue courses We likewise hereby giue you to vnderstand that such order is taken as euery one of vs shall haue his shield and Empreaze hanging on the outside of the Pauilion to th' end if any of you desire to runne then the day before you may with a wandor such a Launce as you intend to run with touch the shield And who so meanetb to try his fortume both with blunt and sharpe must touch the shield with either and signifie his name to him that hath our said shields in keeping It is moreouer ordered that euery Defendor may bring with him one other Gentleman in lieu of a Padrin to encounter vs both or single as it shall please them Wherewith we pray and desire all noble and worthy Gentlemen of what Nation soeuer to beleeue that no pride or malice hath moued vs to this enterprize but rather an earnest desire to see and know all such noble Gentlemen as are willing to make proofe of their vertue and valor without fraud or couin In witnesse whereof euery one of vs haue signed these Letters with our seales and Empreaze Written and dated at Montepessolane the 20. of Nouember 1389. Subscribed Bouçequaut Roy. S. Pye THese Letters shewed to the King were imparted to his Counsell who considering their tenor deemed them to be presumptuous chiefly in respect the place appointed was neere vnto Calis which haply might call into question the truce taken for three yeeres Whereupon some of the most ancient Counsellors thought it vnmeete to permit the Challenge But others perceiuing the Kings inclination did allow thereof because the words of challenge were modest and reasonable The matter thus debated in Counsel the King called into his chamber all the three Challengers to whom he said thus Bouciquaut Roy and you S. Pye behaue your selues well and with respect both to priuate and publique comelinesse performe what you haue in hand As for charge spare not for of our bountie we wil bestow vpon you ten thousand Florins to be discreetly spent to your owne honour Then after most humble thankes giuen vnto his Maiestie they determined to send the proclamation of their Challenge into diuers countries but chiefly into England The proclamation being in al places published euery courageous Lord and Gentleman put himselfe in readinesse and first of all the English being perswaded that in respect they were neerest it behooued them to appeare soonest Therefore before all
others these Englishmen determined to make proofe of their fortune Iohn Holland The Earle of Huntingdon Iohn Courtney Iohn Goulonfee Iohn Russell Thomas Scrope William Clifton William Clinton William Tailboys Godfrey Seten William Hacklet Iohn Dabridgcourt Henry Bewmount and others to the number of one hundreth or more went into France to shew their vertue in that Challenge Besides them also many others did passe the seas to see what should be done The first Englishman that passed the Sea was Iohn Holland brother to the King of England hauing in his traine Noblemen and Gentlemen of note about 60. who were all lodged within the towne of Calis The Challengers then hauing prepared themselues arriued at Bullaine in the beginning of May and were lodged in the Abbey where they were enformed of the excellent furniture which the English had brought Whereat they reioyced and made the more hast to their businesse Then they caused there greene Pauilions to be set vp betweene Calis and Bullen At the doore of euery Pauilion a shield was hanged which any man desirous to fight might at his pleasure touch The order of this Triumph was thus THe twenty and one day of May the Challengers appeared at the place ready armed and mounted Shortly after the English men came from Callis some to try their fortune and other to behold First of al Iohn Holland with his Lance touched the Shield of Bouciquaut and foorthwith he came out of his Pauilion and mounted on horsebacke which done th' one charged the other without more hurt then that the English Lords shield was pearced through The second course was also without harme And the English man preparing for a third course Bouciquaut denied to do more that day which the English Lord hearing turned himselfe to the shield of S. Pye touched it Then presently he came forth couragiously but the first course proued foule for that the horses kept not their right path Notwithstanding Holland disarmed the head of S. Pye The second course was performed better and the launce both of the one and the other broken vpon the Shields At the third course both their Headpieces were striken off and all the lookers on might see their faces Neuerthelesse the Lord Holland desired that for his mistresse sake he might breake one Launce more Which couragious offer both French and English commended Next to these Roy and the English man called Earle Marshall charged one the other with much commendation The third courses were performed by Bouciquaut and the Lord Clifford cousin to the Lord Shandois a man expert in Armes and of great fame The fourth English man that ranne was Henry Bewmount a Knight of good reputation The seuenth encounter was betweene S. Pye and the same Bewmount The eight encounter was betweene Roy and Peter Courtney The ninth encounter was betweene Bouciquaut and Courtney The tenth betweene S. Pye and Courtney who had touched all their shieldes The next encounter was allotted to Goulowfer and Roy. The next courses were betweene S. Pye and Iohn Russell The next was betweene Bouciquaut and Peter Scrope a young Gentleman of great courage but of no long practise in Armes yet was his encounter so violent as forced Bouciquaut to bleede at the eares and retire to his pauilion all that day But Scrope not contented with the honour of his successe against Bouciquaut touched the shield of S. Pye and presently the one encountred the other But at the second course by misfortune the English Knight fell downe and though with some helpe he recouered his horse yet ranne he no more that day Such was the successe of the first dayes Iusting The second meeting THe second day Gulielmus Clysetonius an English Knight expert in Armes encountred Bouciquaut with equall fortune The next encounter was betweene the L. Clinetonius and S. Pye either of them performing his part well The third encounter was betweene William Stamartius cousin to the Earle of Huntingdon and Raynol Roy who seemed to deserue best The 4. encounter was betweene Lancaster and Bouciquaut with small aduantage The 5. encounter was betweene S. Pye and Taylbois a Gentleman very yong Either of them was disarmed on the head and so returned to their Pauilions The 6. encounter was betweene Godfrey Seten and Roy at the first course Launces being strong their horses were forced to pauze At the second for the same reason th' one and th' other let fall their Launces without breaking At their third course th' one and th' other was hurt so as Roy was sore bruzed and Seten pearced into the shoulder Which wound he endured with great patience without shew of griefe suffâ—ed the Chirurgeon to draw backe the Launce and search the wound which courage was highly praised The 7. encounter was betweene an English man called Blanquetius and S. Pye The 8. encounter was betweene Thomalinus Messidonius and Bouciquaut This English man was richly armed at the first course pearced through the shield of Bouciquaut But at the third course he was vnhorsed The 9. encounter was betweene Nauartonius and Bouciquaut with equal fortune The 10 encounter was betweene Sequaquetonius an English Knight and Roy. This Knight was of experience in Armes and at the first course wel-neere vnhorsed his aduersary But at the last meeting the French Taint was so strong as the Englishman was wel-neere borne downe and so they departed Thus ended the second dayes Triumph ¶ Note here that the French King being disguised was present at all these exercises The third meeting THe third day likewise these noble Knights both English and French appeared The weather was faire calme and fit for Military action The first courses were performed betweene Iohn Sauage and Roy who at the first encountred so furiously as both th' one th' other was almost forced to fall from his horse The rest of their courses were honourable The second encounter was betweene Gulielmus Basqueneus cosin to the Earle Marshall and Bouciquaut At the third course they were both disarmed on the head The third encounter was betweene an English Knight called Scot and S. Pye Their first course was faire on both sides and so was the second But at the third course the French Knight lost his headpeece and the English Knight vnhorsed The fourth encounter was betweene Barnard Stapleton and s. Pye and either of them at the third course lost his headpeece The fifth encounter was betweene Iohn Arundel and Roy. This English Knight was reputed for horsemanship dancing and singing excellent The one and the other of them perfourmed their courses with commendation The sixth encounter was betweene Nicolas Stoner and Bouciquaut who in their third course lost both their headpeeces and so bare headed went away The seuenth encounter was between Iohn Marshal and Bouciquaut who was somewhat hurt with a splitter the other disarmed of his headpiece The eighth encounter was betweene Iohn Clifton and Roy with equall fortune The ninth encounter was betweene Roger
Lea and S. Pye either of them being disarmed on the head departed The tenth encounter was betweene Aubrigcourt and Roy. This Aubrigcourt was not borne in England but brought vp in the Court of the most noble King Edward At their first course they were both violently stricken on the head and in the next on the breast and so they parted But Aubrigcourt not so contented challenged Bouciquaut who answered him two courses with equall fortune and the third course they were both disarmed on the head Such was the successe of the third dayes meeting The fourth meeting ON Thursday which was the last these noble Knights returned to the field where Godfrey Eustace made the first encounter against Bouciquaut and were both hurt on the head The next encounter was betweene Alanus Burgius and S. Pye with being both disarmed on the head The next encounter was betweene Iohannes Storpius and Bouciquaut in which courses the English mans horse was said to fall downe The next encounter was betweene Bouciquaut and an English Knight called Hercourt belonging to the Queene of England but not borne in England At the first course Bouciquaut missed and the English Knight brake crosse which is an errour in Armes and thereupon much disputation arose betweene the French and English For the French affirmed that Hercourt by law of Armes had forfeited his Horse and Armes but at request of the company that fault was remitted and he permitted to runne one course more against Roy who had not runne that day and therefore willingly consented The courses betweene these Knights were exceeding violent but the Englishman being wearied was vtterly throwen from his horse and as a dead man lay flat on the ground but afterwards he reuiued lamenting that disgrace The fifth encounter was betweene Robert Scrope and S. Pye who after three courses gaue ouer without losse or gaine The sixth encounter was betweene Iohn Morley and Reginaldus Roy for the first blow was so violent as forced their horses to stand still in the place of meeting The seuenth encounter was betweene Iohannes Moutonius and Bouciquaut both of them at the first meeting had their shields pearced and after were disarmed on the head The eight encounter was betweene Iaqueminus Stropius and S. Pye At the first course both their horses went out At the second they brake both on the head At the third both their Lances fell from them and at the last the Englishman pearced through the Aduersaries shield but was himselfe dismounted The ninth encounter was betweene Guilielmus Masqueleus and Bouciquaut These Knights with equall courage and skill perfourmed well their courses The last encounter was betweene Nicolas Lea and S. Pye the one and the other of them brake their Launces well till at the last they were both disarmed on the head The Challenge thus ended all the troupe of English Knights hauing attended that busines full foure dayes thanked the French Knights for being Authours of so honourable a triumph On the other side the French much thanked the English for their company and the King who was there secretly returned home where hee enformed the Queene what honour had bene done to all Ladies CHAP. 39. The triumphant Interuiew of the Kings of England and France An. 1519. THese most excellent Princes hauing occasion of conference appointed a meeting in Picardie The day drawing neere the king of England passed the seas and arriued at Calice from whence hauing reposed himselfe he remoued to Guynes The French King likewise being come lodged at Ardes Betweene the one and the other of those townes as it were in the mid-way a place of meeting was appointed Thither went the one and the other of those Kings most royally mounted and followed with so great magnificence as in an hundred yeeres before the like sight had not bene seene in Christendome Some writers haue in vaine laboured to set downe the royalty and exceeding pomp of those Courts which might be seene but not expressed At the place of meeting two Pauilions were erected the one for the French king the other for the King of England These Princes being come embraced one the other and that done they went together into one Pauilion The French King was accompanied with his Lord Admiral called Boniuett his Chancellor and some fewe other Counsellors The King of England had with him the Cardinall of Yorke the Duke of Norffolke and the Duke of Suffolke Then hauing set in counsel and returned to their Pauilions they bethought them of entertainement sports and princely Complements For which purpose commandement was giuen that a Tilt should bee erected where Iusts Tournaments and other triumphall exercises continued about fifteene dayes for so long those Princes remained there One day the King of England conuited the French King feasted him in his Pauilion which was a building of wood containing foure roomes exceeding large and so richly furnished as haply the like had not bene seene in Christendome That Frame was purposely made in England and after the feast taken downe to be returned One other day the French King feasted the King of England in his Pauilion wherein hanged a cloth of Estate marueilous large and so rich as cannot be expressed The ropes belonging to that Pauilion were make of yellowe silke and gold wreathed together The Kings being ready to dine there happened so great a storme of wind as fearing the Pauilion could not stand they remooued from thence to the place where the Fortresse is nowe and beareth the name of that banquet The apparell Iewels and other Ornaments of pompe vsed by Princes Lords Gentlemen awaiting on those Kings cannot be esteemed much lesse expressed for as mine Author sayth some caried on their backes the prise of whole woods others the weight of ten thousand sheepe and some the worth of a great Lordship CHAP. 40. A Triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. WHen the mariage betweene the King of Spaine and Elizabeth eldest daughter of Henry the French King was concluded in signe of congratulation and ioy a royal Triumph was proclaimed and prepared at Paris whereunto the Nobilitie of all France Spaine and the Lowe countreys repaired which done a solemne Iust and other military sports were taken in hand wherein the King in his owne person the Duke of Ferrara the Duke of Gwyze and the Duke of Nemors were Challengers The place for performance of that Action was appointed in the streete of S. Anthony in Paris and there a Tilt with euery furniture fit for such a feast was prepared To that place as at like occasions it happeneth resorted an infinite number of people to behold for whom scaffolds and stages were ready to receiue them and those places not capable of so excessiue a number many of the people bestowed themselues on the sides and roofes of the houses The first courses were performed by the French King to his great glory the rest of the Challengers also very honourably did the like Then the Lords and
speede pearced further into the Iland till in the end of three assaults he gained the place where the fatall sword was whereof hauing layd hold he flourished ouer his head and forthwith the misty cloudes of darkenes vanished so as euery man might see all places of the Castel The darkenes of the fortresse thus driuen away the Prince with his inchanted sword touched the wals and immediatly they fell downe The castel thus demolished the Inchanter Norabroc with a Turkish cap on his head came forth and kneeling on his knees desired the Princes pardon Therewith also he set at libertie all the knights whom he held in prison and they being free in triumphant wise foâ—lowed the Prince to his Court. CHAP. 42. The inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italy Anno 773. WHen Desiderio King of the Lombards was taken prisoner and the people of Lombardie yeelded to Charles he proclaimed himselfe King of all Italy which title by law of Armes he iustly claimed to be his The same was also by the decree of Pope Gregory confirmed Then was he also by the Bishop of Milan crowned at Modena The crowne he receiâ—ed was of iron for of that mettall he commanded it should be made enioyning all his successors to doe the like The order and ceremonies of that coronation remaineth recorded in the Rota at Rome and is to this day obserued at the Inauguration of all Emperours when they are elected King of Romanes The morning when this Charles was to be crowned certaine Bishops were sent to conduct him from his chamber vnto the Church and being come thither he was brought before the high Altar Then the Archbishop after he had said certaine prayers turned himselfe to the people and asked them whether they did consent to receiue that Prince for their King and whether they determined faithfully to obey his lawes and commandements So soone then as the people had pronounced their consent the Bishop with holy oyle anointed the Kings head his breast and shoulders therewith praying God to blesse him and grant him good successe in Armes with an happie succession of children These Ceremonies being ended the Archbishop deliuered into the Kings hand a sword and ornified him with a bracelet a ring and a scepter Also vpon his head he set the crown aforesaid All those things being done he kissed him as a signe of peace and so departed from the King CHAP. 43. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus being made Emperour Anno 800. WHen the people inhabiting the confines of Beneuento had much molested that Countrey and were subdued by Vinigesius the sonne of Charles then Duke of Spoleto Leo the Bishop of Rome in the time of prayers when all the people were assembled the Barons of Rome also present did consecrate and anoint Charles before the Altar Basilica where he also receiued the Ensignes of the Empire From thence he was conducted to the chiefe Altar of the Temple and there anointed when he had raigned in France 33 yeeres before which time no Emperour in three hundred and thirtie yeeres had bene seene in Italy This order of coronation hath euer since bene obserued At euery such coronation the people with one voice did cry Carolo Augusto Magno Pacifico vita victoria The same time also Pypin his sonne was anointed and by solemne decree of the Pope declared King of Italy CHAP. 44. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie x. IN the yeere 1268. Pope Clement the fourth died at Viterbo After whose death the Papacie by discord of Cardinals was voide two yeeres and nine moneths The Cardinals then present in Court were seuenteene whose disconformitie continued the seat voyd almost three yeeres yet did they assemble often but euery one ambitiously affecting the Papacie for himselfe nothing could be concluded for in those dayes the Cardinals were not shut vp in the conclaue as since hath beene the vse but euery one went at libertie and at his pleasure The creation of the Pope thus deferred Phillip the Frence King and Charles king of Sicill came vnto Viterbo to sollicite the election yet they preuailed not One day these Kings being present in the Conclaue the Cardinall of Porto seeing the frowardnesse of the other Cardinals who seemed to pray ayd of the holy Ghost in that action said vnto them My Lords let vs vntile the roofe of this chamber for it seemeth the holy Ghost cannot enter if the house be still couered And so soone as he heard that Gregory was pronounced Pope he framed these verses of that election viz. Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus vnus Quem patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum This Pope before his ascension was called Theobaldus an Archdeacon no Cardinall being also at that time beyond the sea at Ptolemaida in Syria whether he was gone with Edward the King of Englands eldest son From thence they intended among other pilgrims to go vnto Ierusalem But hearing he was pronounced Pope returned from Syria into Italy and being come to Viterbo he receiued the Ensignes of Papacie From thence he passed to Rome and was there crowned by the name of Gregory the tenth He liued Pope sixe yeeres sixe moneths and tenne dayes and finding fault with some orders of the Church chiefly in electing the Pope he framed diuers Canons of which these are part First that the assembly of Cardinals for choise of euery new Pope should be at a place fit for the purpose and where the Pope defunct with his Court did die But if the death hapened in any village or small towne then the next citie to be the place of election That no election of any new Pope should be till after ten dayes that the other Pope departed to the end the Cardinals absent might appeare That no Cardinal in his absence should be permitted to haue any suffrage or voice in the conclaue That euery Cardinal absent and euery other person of any condition should be capable of the Papacie That no Cardinal entred into the Conclaue should goe out before the new Pope were created That no Cardinal or other person should ambitiously endeauour to compasse the Papacie by money or other corruption vpon perill of the Popes curse CHAP. 45. ¶ The Inauguration of Henry the 4. King of England 1399. THis King called before Duke of Lancaster came first to Westminster and from thence he went vnto the Tower of London accompanied with the Nobilitie and the rest of his Court there he made nine Knights of the Bath and 46. other Knights The next day after dinner he returned to Westminster in great pompe he himselfe riding through London kept his head bare and about his neck he ware the collar appertaining to the Order of Fraunce Before the King went the Prince his sonne sixe Dukes sixe Earles and eighteene Barons besides other Lordes Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen to the number of 900. or thereabout By the way awaited the Lord Mayor with his brethren and officers of the City Also the companies of euery
and others CHAP. 48. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Anno 1520. THis Emperor hauing giuen order for his affaires in Belgica required the Electors that they would come to his Inauguration at Aquisgran where the plague then happened to be which mooued them to desire that the celebration might be elswhere But his Maiestie at the Citizens suite who had prepared with great cost resolued not to alter alleaging also that Charles the fourth his predecessor had made a lawe that the Emperour ought of necessitie be crowned at Aquisgran The 21. of October the Archbishop of Mentz Colein and Treuer appeared The Marquesse of Brandenburg came after and the Duke of Saxony being sicke stayed at Colein The next day all these Princes rode to meete the Emperour and when they came neere vnto his person they alighted which done with all reuerence the Archbishop of Mentz in the name of them all spake vnto his Maiestie and was by the mouth of the Cardinall of Salisburg courteously answered All those troupes so vnited proceeded to the Citie Without the gate the Palatin of the Rheine also did meete them so were the Electors companies about one thousand sixe hundreth some Launces and some Archers The Emperours owne troupe was two thousand very magnificently furnished Thither also came Iohn Duke of Cleue with 400. men well armed and much discord there was betweene the Clâ—uoys and the Saxons who should preceed The like pompe had not bene seene in Germanie On th' one side of Caesar rode the Archbishop of Cullein and on th' other was the Archbishop of Mentz Next to them folowed the Ambassadors of the King of Bohemia the Bishops of Sedun Saltsburg and Croy all Cardinals and with them were the Ambassadors of all Kings and Princes sauing of the Pope and the King of England which was supposed to be of purpose lest the deputies of the Germane Princes should preceed them The Emperor being come to Aquisgran alighted at our Lady Church and there after prayers he talked particularly with the Electors who followed him to his lodging One other day they met againe in the Temple where the throng was so great as hardly the Guard could make roome In the mids of the Temple a great Crowne was hanged and vnder it carpets were spred whereupon Caesar did prostrate himselfe till the Archbishop of Collen had ended certaine prayers Then the Archbishop of Mentz and Treuer did take him vp and led him before our Ladies altar where againe he fell downe vpon his face and after prayers they led him to his throne of State When these ceremonies were ended the Bishop of Cullen begunne the Masse and hauing said a part thereof he asked the Emperor in the Latine tongue If he would conserue the Christian faith defend the Church do Iustice protect the Empire defend widowes fatherlesse children and people distressed Whereunto when he had consented hee was led to the Altar and there with a solemne othe confirmed the words he had spoken and returned to his throne After the oath taken the Bishop of Cullen said other prayers and then put oyle vpon his head his brest the bending places of his armes and the palmes of his hands Being thus anointed the Archbishops of Mentz and Treuer led him into the Vestry where they apparelled him as a deacon and in that habit brought him forth and placed him in his throne where after more prayers the Archbishop of Cullen in presence of the whole Clergie deliuered into his hand a naked sword and recommended to him the Common weale Caesar hauing the sword in his hand put it into the sheath which done they put vpon his finger a Ring and on his shoulders they cast a Regal cloake They also deliuered to him a Scepter and a Ball to represent the forme of the whole world Then all the three Bishops layed hand on the Crowne and set it vpon the Emperours head When all these things were done hee was againe brought vnto the Altar and there sworne to performe the duetie of a good Prince That oath taken the Emperour accompanied with those Bishops went vp higher and there sate in a seat of stone Then the Bishop of Mentz in the Germane tongue spake alowd and wished that his Maiestie and people to him subiect might long liue in health and happinesse After which words in signe of publicke ioy the Quoristers and instruments of Musicke made melody At all these solemne prayers the Lady Margarita aunt to the Emperor and gouernesse of the Low countreys was present In the end of these complements he receiued the Sacrament and made many Knights which honour as mine Auctor saith was anciently the reward of vertue and approued valor but now the custome is that if a King do lightly lay his sword vpon any mans shoulder that fauour alone without more ceremony or other merit shall make him a Knight which is the cause that title is giuen not only to Gentlemen well borne but also to Merchants and others that ambitiously do seeke it All these things being done in the Church the Emperour returned to his Pallace which was most magnificently prepared There he dined and so did the Electors euery one sitting at a table by himselfe The dinner being ended and the tables taken away the Bishop of Treuer tooke place right against the Emperour for so the law of Charlemaine determined In ages more ancient an oxes body filled full of small beasts and fowles was rosted on the day of Caesars Inauguration whereof one part was serued at his table the rest giuen to the multitude Two Conduits were likewise made to runne wine all that day Dinner being done the Emperour retired into his chamber and there he deliuered the seales of the Empire vnto the Archbishop of Mentz and the next day all the Electors supped with his Maiestie CHAP. 49. ¶ Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iousts and Tournaments AT euery publique triumph before a Prince it seemeth the vse heretofore hath ben that the Prizes of best desert should be giuen by the hand of the Queene notwithstanding it were in the Kings presence but first a solemne proclamation to be made by the Heralds to this effect Oyez oyez oyez Be it knowen to all men by these presents that by authority 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 Iousted 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 Highnesse Court here present Likewise on the party of Defenders C. D. hath Iousted 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 Iousts
he wotteth not whither He that with his Launce taketh away the rest of the aduersaries Armor meriteth more honour then he that taketh away any other ornament He that breaketh his Launce on the pomel or bolster of his aduersaries faddle deserueth worse then he who beareth his Launce well without breaking He that breaketh on the face or other part of the horse meriteth worse then he that breaketh not at all He that hurteth an horse shall not receiue honour although before he hath run well for he that hurteth an horse is in like predicament with him that falleth who cannot on that day receiue any honour He is worthy small estimation that cannot gouerne his owne horse or that sitteth loose in his saddle but much is he to be praised that with his force disordereth his aduersary in the saddle He that letteth his Launce fall can claime no commendation And lesse worthy praise is he that knoweth not how it should be charged He that breaketh the Launce furiously in many pieces is more reputed then he that breaketh it faintly in one onely place He that conueyeth his Lance into the Rest in due time is worthy commendation but he that carieth it shaking in his hand or vnstayedly in the Rest meriteth blame He that dexteriously carieth the Launce long on the arme and skilfully conueyeth it into the Rest nere the time of encounter is more allowed them he that suddenly and at the first setting out doth charge it To conclude he is worthy all commendation that beareth himselfe wel on horsebacke that sitteth comely that fitteth his body well with Armor that hath his person so disposed as if it were without Armor that can endure to weare it long that till the end of the day disarmeth not his head He that performeth not all his determined courses ought not receiue any prize or honor He that hurteth or toucheth an horse with his Launce shal neither haue prize nor praise for he is in case as though he had fallen He that doth fall may not run any more in that day vnlesse he falleth on his feet standing right vp and be also a Challenger for in that case he may returne to horse answere all commers because on that day hee is so bound to doe CHAP. 51. Of Iusts and Turnaments how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of VVorcester high Constable of England in the reigne of King Edward the fourth FIrst who so breaketh most speares as they ought be broken shall haue the prize Who so hitteth three times in the height of the Helme shall haue a prize Who so meeteth cronall to cronall shall haue a prize Who so beareth a man downe with the force of his Speare shall haue a prize Here followeth wherefore the prize shal be lost FIrst who so striketh an Horse shall haue no prize Who so striketh a man his backe turned or disgarnished of his speare shall haue no prize Who so hitteth the Toyle three times shall haue no prize Who so vnhelmeth himselfe two times shall haue no prize vnlesse his horse faile him Here followeth how speares shall be allowed FIrst who so breaketh a Speare betweene the Saddle and the Charnell of the Helme shal be allowed one Who so breaketh a speare from the Charnell vpward shall be allowed one Who so breaketh and putteth his aduersary downe or out of the saddle or disarmeth him in such wise as he may not runne the next course after shal be allowed three speares broken Here followeth how Speares broken shall be disallowed FIrst hee that breaketh on the Saddle shall be disallowed for a Speare breaking Who so hitteth the Toile once shal be disallowed for two Who so hitteth the Toile twise for the second shal be abated three Who so breaketh a speare within a foote of the Charnel shal be iudged as no Speare but a Taynt Of prizes to be giuen FIrst who so beareth a man downe and out of the Saddle or putteth him to earth horse and man shall haue the prize before him that striketh Curnall to Curnall He that striketh Curnall to Curnall two times shall haue the prize before him that striketh the sight three times He that striketh the sight two times shall haue the prize before him that breaketh most Speares At the Torney TWo blowes at passage and ten at the ioyning ought suffise vnlesse it be otherwise determined All gripes shockes and foule play forbidden How prizes at Turney and Barriers are to be lost HE that giueth a stroke with a Pike from girdle downeward or vnder the Barre shall haue no prize He whose sword falleth out of his hand shall haue no prize He that hath a close Gauntlet or any thing to fasten his sword to his hand shall haue no prize He that stayeth his hand on the Barre in fighting shall haue no prize He that sheweth not his sword vnto the Iudges before he fighteth shall haue no prize HAuing here spoken of forreine triumphs I thinke it not impertinent and haply my duety also to remember what honour hath bene by like Actions done vnto the Kings of England our own natural Souereigns For albeit the Romans the Persians Syrians being heretofore the most mighty Monarches of the world and consequently of greatest pompe yet in later time and chiefly within these 500. yeeres no Prince Christian hath liued more honourably then the Kings of England And as their prowesse in Armes hath bene great so their Courts for magnificence and greatnesse needed not giue place to any which may appeare by the often and excellent triumphes celebrated before Kings and Queenes of this land Yea certaine it is that neither France Spaine Germany or other Nation Christian was euer honoured with so many Militarie triumphes as England hath bene chiefly in the raigne of her Maiestie who now liueth as hereafter shal appeare For besides other excellent triumphal Actions and Militarie pastimes since her Maiesties raigne a yeerely and as it were ordinary triumph hath bene celebrated to her Highnesse honour by the noble and vertuous Gentlemen of her Court a custome neuer before vsed not knowen in any Court or Countrey And albeit as hath bene formerly remembred the Triumphes of Germany were of great pompe and notable yet because they were furnished with the whole number of Princes and Nobilitie of that Nation and the celebration rare they seeme to me lesse admirable then our owne which haue continued more then 30. yeeres yeerely without intermission and performed chiefly and in effect onely by the Princes Lords and Gentlemen dayly attendant vpon her Maiesties Royal person Whereby the honour of those Actions is indeed due to her Highnesse Court onely CHAP. 52. ¶ Triumphes Military for Honor and loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England A Triumph before King Edward the third 1343. THis King being the most warlike and vertuous Prince that liued in his dayes happened as mine Author saith to fall in loue with a noble Lady of his Kingdome and
desiring both to honour her and please himselfe with her presence conuited all noble Ladies to behold a triumph at London to be there performed by the Nobles and Gentlemen of his Court This intention his Maiestie did command to be proclaimed in Fraunce Henault Flanders Brabant and other places giuing Passeport and secure abode to all noble strangers that would resort into England That done he sent vnto al Princes Lords and Esquiers of the Realme requiring that they with their wiues daughters and cosins should at the day appointed appeare at his Court. To this feast came William Earle of Henault and Iohn his brother with many Barons and Gentlemen The triumph continued 15. dayes and euery thing succeeded well had not Iohn the sonne and heire of Vicount Beaumount bene there slaine In this triumph also appeared the Earle of Lancaster and Henry his son The Earle of Darby The Lord Robert of Artoys The Erle of Richmount The Earle of Northampton The Earle of Glocester The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury The Earle of Pembroke The Earle of Hartford The Earle of Arundel The Earle of Cornewall The Earle of Norffolke The Earle of Suffolke The Baron of Stafford with others In the raigne of the same King Edward a Royall Iust was holden at Lincolnâ— by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certaine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Lady Ioane daughter to the King who should haue bene married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died 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 de Valoys 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 Thither came also noble persons of other Nations and Spaniards Cipriots Armenians who at that time humbly desired aide against Pagans An. 1361. A triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthony Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgundie Anno 1444. A triumph before King Henry the sixt ONe other notable Action of Armes was personally performed in Smithfield betweene a Gentleman of Spaine called Sir Francis le Arogonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honour 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 Triumphs before King Henry the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Vaughan was hurt and died 1494. One other triumph was in the same Kings daies performed in the Tower of London Anno 1502. Triumphs before King Henry the eight BVt farre exceeding all these was that magnificent Iust and Tournament at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henry the eight of England and Francis the French King who chusing vnto them fourteen others did challenge to run at the Tilt and fight both at the Tourney and Barrier with all commers The Challengers were the King of England the French King the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Ierningham Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capel with these were so many other French Gentlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thither came Mounsieur Vandosme the Earle of Deâ—onshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euery of them bringing in a faire band of Knights well armed This most noble challenge of these two mighty Kings accompanied with fourteene other Knights of either nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King at Armes in England France and Germanie Anno 12 Henrici 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 and Edward Neuel Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Caeur Loyal the Lord William Bon Voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Valiant desire and Edward Neuil Ioyâ—us Pensier The Defenders were THe Lord Gray Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blunt Thomas Cheyney Thomas Terrel Christopher Willoughby the Lord Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquesse Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshirâ— 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 Caeur Loyal and among the Defenders to Edmond Howard Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights viz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seimor Sir Francis Poynings Sir George Carew Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel Anno 1540. Another action of Armes published in the Chamber of Presence at VVestminster by a King of Armes 25. of Nouember in the 1. and 2. of P. and M. FOrasmuch as euer it hath bene a custome that to the Courts of Kings and great Princes Knights and Gentlemen of diuers Nations haue made their repaire for the triall of Knighthood and exercise of Armes And knowing this Royall Court of England to bee replenished with as many noble Knights as any kingdome in the world at this day It seemeth good to Don Fredericke de Toledo the Lord Strange Don Ferdinando de Toledo Don Francisco de Mendoca and Garsulace de la Vega That seeing here in this place better then in any other they may shew the great desire that they haue to serue their Ladies by the honorable aduentures of their persons They say that they will maintaine a fight on foot at the Barriers with footmens harnesse three pushes with a pike seuen strokes with a sword in the place appointed before the Court gate on Tuesday the 4. day of December from the twelfth houre of the day vntill fiue at night against all commers Praying the Lords the Earle of Arundell the Lord Clinton Gartilapez de Padilla and Don Pedro de Cordoua that they would be Iudges of this Triumph for the better performance of the conditions following First that he which commeth forth most gallantly without wearing on himselfe or furniture any golde or siluer fine or counterfeit wouen embroidered or of goldsmiths worke shall haue a rich Brooch He that striketh best with a Pike shall haue a Ring with a Rubie He that fighteth best with a Sword shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that fighteth most valiantly when they ioyntly fight together shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that giueth a stroke with a Pike from the girdle downeward or vnder the Barrier shall winne no prize Hee that shall haue a close gantlet or any thing to fasten his Sword to his hand shall winne no
edomiti Burgraues quasi 〈◊〉 Comites Rheingraues qui praesunt rusticis In the Court Imperiall Comes was anciently the title of sundry officers as Comes Largitionum Comes laborum Comes Consistorianus Comes Palatij Comes Palaij had Iura Regalia and thereby might erect Barons vnder them as Hugh Lupus first Count Palatin of Chester made eight Barons and had that Earledome giuen vnto him by the Conqueror ita liberè ad Gladium sicut ipse Rex tenebat Angliam ad Coronam The Countie of Lancaster was made County Palatine by King Edward the third and had Barons Chancerie and Seale so had the Bishopricks of Durham and Ely The Offices of these Barons were to sit in Councell and Parliament with the Earle in his Pallace and to honor his Court with their presence Also for more magnificence these Earles kept their Grandiours and festiuall dayes as absolute Princes in their prouinces Comes Marescallus Angliae is an Earle by office and so is no other Earle of England but hee he is in the vancancie of the Constable the Kings lieutenant Generall in all marshall affaires His office is of great commandement and endued with many honourable priuiledges King Rich. the second in the 21. of his reigne granted to Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey Earle Marshal of England Quod idem Dux ratione officij sui habeat gerat deferat quendaÌ„ baculuÌ„ aureum circa vtrumque finem de nigro annulatum non obstante quod aliquis alius ante haec tempora baculum ligneum portare consueuerit To the degree of an Earle belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a Hood with a Coronet of gold with points only and no flowers CHAP. 12. A Vicount A Vicount is in degree dignity next vnto an Erle it was anciently a name of Office vnder an Earle and called Vicecomes or Subcomes and this office was to heare and determine causes of difference and to execute Iustice in the Earles County The Saxons called him the Shyre-Reue and in the Norman speech Vicount Hee is of greater dignity then a Baron as is the Vicount de Thureyn and the Vicount of Combre in Fraunce or as the Vicounts Mountacute and Vicount Howard of Bindon in England This degree hath a Surcoat a Mantle and a Hood and a Circulet without either Floures or Points as appeareth in the Margent CHAP. 13. A Baron NExt ensueth a Baron which dignity was called in the British tongue Dynast in the Saxon Thayn in Latine Baro which signifieth Vir grauis for Albertus de Rosa in his Dictionary expressing the signification of the word Baro sayth Barones dicuntur graues personae à Graeco vocabulo Baria quod idem est quod autoritas grauis Likewise Calap in his Dictionary sayth Baro est vir fortis à quo fit diminutiuum Barunculus Men in this dignity were euer of great reputation for Hortensius speaking of Barons whome Dominicus de S. Gemi calleth also Capitanius sayth Non solum militare sed prudenter atque grauiter ipsis ducibus consulere officium est Baronis Barons were also anciently accounted companions to Earls and others of higher dignity and therefore reckoned of that number called Peeres or Pares regni or Pares homines of some men pronounced Parhomines and corruptly Barones conuerting the letter P. into B. as Libard for Leopard The dignitie of a Baron is thus defined Baronia est quaedam dignitas inter nobiles habens quandam praeeminentiam inter solos simplices nobiles post principatus ex consuetudine introductam ex quodam modâ— vtendi diuer simode diuersas patrias Cass. It seemeth also that a Baron in diuers Countreys is diuersly esteemed for in England they are to proceede according to their segniority but in Burgundy they be reputed the greatest Barons that are of greatest possessions And as a Duke had anciently vnder him ten Earles or Earledomes and an Earle 10 Baronies so a Baron ought be commander of some competent company of Segniories the greater the number be the more his honour Quanto maiora quâ—â—tractat tanto ipse maior est Dauid Likewise Salustius in his Prooeme of Catelin sayd Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio In the kingdome of Naples all Gentlemen hauing iurisdiction appertaining to their lands and castels are called Barons yet in diuers places of France no Segniory is reputed a Barony vnlesse it hath belonging vnto it foure Castels one Hospital one Colledge with a Chruch hauing also a Seale autentike Which dignitie is preferred before the title of Gentlemen yet is inferiour to all Countiships such is the opinion of Cassaneus lib. 8. One other degree of great estate and titular dignity there is called Princes although in England I haue not seene or read of any such in that kind yet where that title is in vse they precede Barons Some of them haue Iuraregalia and therefore do hold that dignitie either by custome or priuiledge as the princes of Orange Piedemont and Achaia haue Iura regalia But others do hold that title by custome which is of great force as Baldus affirmeth saying Consuetudini standum erit A Baron hath not Potestatem Principis yet is he numbred among noble personages and some Barons by reason of their Baronies haue so much authority ouer their owne vassals as if they conspire against them that offence is called treason in respect whereof the title of Baron is so much the more honourable Note that a Baron hauing Iura Imperialia or Iura Regalia is reputed equal vnto an Earle notwithstanding the Earldome or Barony doe differ in dignity Note also that Barons doe participate of diuers priuiledges and Immunities proper vnto other dignities aforesayd they are Lords of the Parliament in England and of them it is called the Barons Court For the Parliament makes not Barons but Barons Parliaments The title of Barons in France was anciently generall aswel to Princes of blood as all others holding immediatly of the Crowne So do we cal the greatest estates of England by the names of Barons Lords Spiritual and Temporall Of Barons in England there hath bene also anciently diuers sorts Some were Barons in name but not noble as the Barons of the fiue Ports and Barons of London whom Bracton maketh mention of in these words Coram Baronibus London And in another place Sicut Barones London corà m me testantur The Barons of the Exchequer are of like condition Other Barons both in name and dignitie yet not called honorable were Barons created by the Earles Palatines Of Barons honourable are three degrees viz. by Tenure by Creation and by Writ Barons by Tenure are Bishops chiefly caled Lords Spiritual and euer reputed honorable not in respect of noblenes in blood but for their function and office they are Peeres and Barons of the Realme They are also first in nomination and take place on the Princes right hand in the Parliament chamber They are also called Right honourable Lords and Reuerent Fathers in God They haue
bene likewise capable of Temporal dignities as Baronies and Earledomes Some of them be accounted Counts Palatine in their proper iurisdiction Barons by writ are summoned by their proper surnames as A. B. Cheualier although indeede he be no Knight And all those Barons so called by writ the dignitie is inuested in their owne sirname and so in their owne persons and not in their Castles Houses Manors or Lordships Barons by creation are either solemnely created by another name then their owne as in the right of their wiues or mothers Or els by the names of some Castle House Manor or Lordship In which diuersities although Barons be diuersly made yet are they all alike in their callings and though in shew some of their dignities be of a place certaine yet is the right dignitie in the person of the Baron For admit a Baron should â—ell or exchange the place whereof he is called yet shal he still holde the name and be written and reputed thereby and haue his place and voyce in Parliament by the same name hee was first called or created Of Knights and Knighthood we haue at large discoursed in the second Booke only this is to be remeÌ„bred that the forme of dubbing of Knights both in warre and peace is not now obserued as it hath bene Nam Milites tunica suorum armorum torque indui gladio cingt calcaribus auratis ornarisolebant and the Prince in the action thereof pronounced these words Soyez loyal Chlr. en nom de Dieu S. George Miles dicitur quasi vnus electus ex mille olim inter Romanos mille homines strenui maximè bellicosi electiinter caeteros fuerunt quilibet eorum dictus fuit miles quasi vnus ex mille CHAP. 14. Of Esquiers AN Esquier or Escuier commonly called Squier is he that was antiently called Scutiger and to this day in the latine is named Armiger These men as sir Thomas Smith in his booke de Rcip Anglorum doth describe them are Gentlemen bearing armes or armories as the French do call it in testimony of the Nobilitie or race from whence they are come Esquiers be taken for no distinct order of the common weale but goe with the residue of Gentlemen saue that as hee thinketh they be those men who beare Armes in signe as I haue said of the race and familie whereof they are descended In respect whereof they haue neither creation nor dubbing vnlesse it be such as hold office by the Princes gift and receiue a collar of SS Or els they were at the first costrels or bearers of the Armâ— of Lords or Knights and by that had their name for a dignitie and honour giuen to distinguish them from common Souldiers called in Latine Gregarij milites So is euery Esquier a Gentleman but euery Gentleman not an Esquier vnlesse he be such a one as beareth Armes which Armes are giuen either by the Prince as a testimonie of fauour or a signe of his vertue that receiued them or both either else by donation of the Kings of Armes who by the Princes Commandement or Commission haue authoritie at their discretion to bestow such honour with consent of the Earle Marshall Somerset Glouer that learned Herauld maketh foure definitions or seuerall sorts of Esquiers according to the custome of England The first of them and the most ancient are the eldest sonnes of Knights and eldest sonnes of them successiuely The second sort are the eldest sonnes of the younger sonnes of Barons and Noble men of higher degree which take end are determined when the chiefe Masles of such elder sonnes doe faile and that the inheritance goeth away with the heires females The third sort are those that by the King are created Esquiets by the gift of a Collar of SS and such bearing Armes are the principall of that coat Armour and of their whole race out of whose families although diuers other houses doe spring and issue yet the eldest of that coat Armour onely is an Esquier and the residue are but Gentlemen The fourth and last sort of Esquiers are such as bearing office in the common weale or in the Kings house are therefore called and reputed to be Esquiers as the Serieants at the Lawe the Escheators in euery shire and in the Kings house the Serieant of euery Office but hauing no Armes that degree dieth with them and their issue is not ennobled thereby Mounsieur P. Pithou in his memories of the Earles of Champagne and Brie saith further that among the Fiefes of Normandy the Fiefe called Fiefe de Haubert was that which in Latine is Feuda Loricae or Feuda Scutiferorum the very originall of the name of our Esquiers comming of the Armes and seruice which they ought to Knights for they helde their land of a Knight by Scutage as a Knight helde his land of the King by Knights seruice And such Fiefes were called Vray Vassaulx being bound alwayes to serue their Lorde by reason of their Fiefe without pay There are also in England other sorts of Esquiers which courtesie and custome haue made among which they are reputed Esquiers that are able at the Musters to present a Launce or light horse for the Princes seruice not vnlike the manner of the Spaniardes where all freehoulders are called Caualieros that doe keepe horse for the Kings impolyments CHAP. 15. Of Gentlemen GEntlemen are they who in the Greeke are called Eugeneis in Latine Nobiles or Ingenui in the French Nobles in the English Gentlemen Gens in Latine betokeneth a race a sirname or family as the Romans had Traquinij Valerij Quintij Claudij Cincinnati Fabij Cossi and such like so haue we in England certaine names which for their continuance in reputation vertue and riches may be in Latine called Agnati or Gentiles that is men knowen or Gentlemen of this or that name and family But let vs consider how this Nobility is defined and by how many meanes men doe thereunto aspire Iudocus Clicthouius defineth Nobilitie thus Nobilitas est generis velalterius rei excellentia ac dignitas Tract Nobil Cap. 1. Nobility is the excellencie of gentle race or of some other good quality And Bartholus discoursing long whether Nobilitie and Dignity be but one concludeth they are not yet said he the one resembleth the other Lib. 1. Cap. de Dig. adding That as he to whome God hath vouchsafed his grace is before his diuine Maiesty noble so before men who so is fauoured by his Prince or the Lawes ought be receiued for noble This Nobilitie therefore is thus defined Nobilitas est qualitas illata per Principatum tenentem qua quis vltra acceptos plebeios honestus ostenditur Nobility is a title bestowed by him that holdeth place of the Prince and maketh him that receiueth it to be of better reputation then other men Of Nobilitie or as we call it Gentilitie diuers diuisions by diuers men haue bene Bartholus sayth That of Nobility there are three kinds viz.
the more rich they were the more they were esteemed Among the Grecians there was not anciently any meane to be aduanced but only by the Emperours seruice wherein whosoeuer did continue any time were he neuer so basely borne should notwithstanding be made a Gentleman The Egyptians and Affyrians would not admit any man to haue the title of a Gentleman vnlesse he were a souldier and skilfull in Militarie affaires The rest of the people liued as slaues without reputation The Tartarians and Muscouites doe holde no man worthy the name of a Gentleman vnlesse he be a man of Armes a Captaine or at the least a souldier of extraordinary account For learning is there of no price CHAP. 19. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance in the time of King Henry the fift WE reade that anciently the greatest and most noble Kings of the world were these viz. The King of Sycionia the King Egypt and the King of Assyria but of them that of Assyria of greatest power For Ninus the sonne of Belus had conquered and brought to his obedience all the people of Asia India excepted Others affirme hee commaunded the one halfe of the world and some say he was King of a third part So writeth S. Augustine li. 17. cap. 17. de ci Dei It is likewise by other writers said that in ancient time were foure mighty Kingdomes by Daniel compared to foure mettals viz That of Assyrians in the East was likened vnto gold that of the Persians and Medians to siluer that of the North Regions to brasse that of the Romans in the West to yron But the kingdomes of the East were most honourable though at length it pleased God that the Empire of Rome resembled to yron both in longitude and latitude exceeded all others For as yron doth cut and decrease all other mettals so the dominion and power of Romanes abased and eclipsed all other Regall puissance Howsoeuer that were the glory and greatnesse of the Romane force in tract of time did also become of small force weake and feeble according to the prophesie of Daniel ca. 2. But leauing to speake more of times so ancient we say that in Asia the chiefe Kingdomes are Catai Tharses Turnester Corasina India Persia Media Georgia Syria Cappadocia Ethinia c. In Affrica is Ethiopia Libya Arabia Iudea Cilicia Mauritania Numidia and others In Europe are likewise many kingdomes but of them these are most potent viz. England France Scotland Spaine Portugal Denmark Moscouia Sweden Poland c. Now touching the Precedence of these Princes in Europe by diuers writers it is affirmed that the King of France may iustly claime the chiefe place First for that it pleased God to send from heauen vnto Clodoueus the first Christian King of that Nation three Lilies as a Diuine fauour to be from thenceforth borne in the Armes of that kingdome before which time the Kings Armes was three Toades Secondly they alleage that France is the most ancient kingdome of Europe and that Suardus was King of that Nation in the raigne of Alexander Thirdly because the King of France is anointed which indeed seemeth a marke of much preeminence Fourthly for that the French King beareth the title of Most Christian. Lastly because it hath been in sundry papall Consistories decreed that the Ambassadours of France should precede the Ambassadors of Spaine Others hold that Precedencie appertaineth to the King of Spaine First for that he is entituled The most Catholique King Secondly because he is King of many kingdomes and consequently of most honour according to the prouerbe of Sal. In mulitudine populi dignitas regis which reason Salust seemeth also to confirme saying Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio But we say the chiefe place of honour and Precedencie in Europe appertaineth to the King of England First in respect of ancienty For albeit Alexander first King of the Grecians and of Persia called himselfe King of the world euen at that time Brutus was King of England and as some haue sayd Suardus was then King of France But Gaquinus in his Chronicle of France maketh no mention thereof not recordeth his name among the number of French Kings Secondly the king of England is anointed and so is no other king but the French King the King of Sicil and the King of Ierusalem Thirdly the King of England is crowned which honour the King of Spaine Portugal Aragon Nauarra and many other Princes haue not Fourthly the King of England is a Prince most absolute as from whom is no appellation either in iurisdiction Ecclesiastical or Ciuil And albeit Enqueranus Monstellet writeth that in the yeere 1420. at the Interuiew of the Kings of England and France making their entrie into the Citie of Paris the French King did ride on the right hand and kissed the Relikes of Saints first Yet is that no proofe of his right in precedence for Quilibet rex seu Princeps in suo regno in culmine sedere debet so saith Corsetus de potestate Regia And admit that in time more ancient the Kings of France had precedence before England yet since the Conquest famous victories of Henry the fift and Coronation of Henry the sixt in Paris the Kings of England may iustly take place neither is the title of most Christian any proofe of ancienty being only an honour giuen for certein seruices done by King Pepin and Charlemaine to the Church of Rome As for the allegation of Spaine affirming that the King Catholike is owner of many kingdomes and therefore of most honor that reason is of no consequence For so is also the King of England whose only kingdome of England is by nature inexpugnable and so plentifully peopled as sufficeth not onely to defend it selfe against all other Nations but also to inuade and conquer as both Spaine and France hath made experience But the last and most effectuall reason in fauour of England is that the King and people thereof receiued the Gospell and faith Christian before France or Spaine Also the Bishops with the Ambassadours English had precedence in the greatest general Councels of Christendome as particularly appeared at the Councell of Constance where the Bishops of England were present and honoured accordingly At which time it was doubted whether Spaine should be admitted a nation but in the end the Spaniards were allowed for the fift and last nation And al the people there assembled were diuided into fiue classes or rankes viz. Germanes French English Italians and Spaniards The Germane ranke contained themselues Bohemia Hungaria Polonia Dalmatia Graecia and Croatia The French had place alone as a nation absolute To the English Nation Scotland Norway Denmark Sweden and Cyprus were adioyned The Italians had all the Kingdomes subiect to Rome Sicily Naples and Argier With the Spaniards were the Ambassadors and Bishops of Castilia Arragon Maiorca Nauarra Portugall and Granado This assembly contained the Legates and Ambassadors of 83. Kings Besides
the person of the Emperor and King of Romanes two Popes for one died there fiue Patriarches three and thirty Cardinals fourtie and seuen Archbishops a hundreth forty and fiue Bishops and 83. Suffragans Thirty and nine Dukes Thirty and seuen Earles being absolute Princes An hundreth and thirtie inferior Earles Seuentie and nine free Lords or Barons Knights of all Nations fifteene hundred Gentlemen twentie thousand besides Doctors Licentiats and Scholemen infinite For the King of England appeared Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick with him were foure Bishops viz. Sarisbury Chester Bathe and Bangor Sarisbury died during that Councell and liuing tooke his place aboue all other Bishops as an Archbishop and for the time was placed last in the ranke of Archbishops The Earle of Warwicks attendants were as followeth Hurting de Clough Knight Iohn Waterton Knight Iohn Seton Knight Piers Craft Knight Iohn Roch Knight Iames Hermford Knight Beringer de Beaumont Knight Gentlemen Nicholas Serpon William Newland Geffrey Offley Walter Hungerford Hugh Holdbach Iohn Fitton Thomas Wileot Richard Dutton Oliuer Dunley Petrs Craft Iohn Lantsdon Iohn Roche Thomas Fanhes William Newland Iohn Merbory Iohn Otlinger Ralfe Rainscroft Henry Vessey William Vessey Scholemen of Cambridge Henry Abundy Iohn Wells Iohn Sheirford Doctors in Diuinitie Thomas Palton Robert Appleton Iohn Stokes Ciuilians Scholemen of Oxford The Lord Prior of Orsestry Peter Rodley Priamus Farbach CHAP. 20. Of Magistrates NExt vnder Emperors Kings and Princes Souereigne are foure degrees of Magistrates Some are called Magni and Illustres Some are Medij and Spectabiles Some are Minimi and Clarissimi And some are Infimi The first may be named Magistrates souereigne as they who acknowledge no superior but the Maiestie of the Prince The second are they that yeeld obedience to them and command other Magistrates their inferiors The latter two are such as cannot command any Magistrate but haue power only ouer particular subiects within the limits of their iurisdiction Touching the first that haue authority to commaund all other Magistrates and acknowledge no superior but the Prince they are fewer at this day then heretofore Yet certaine it seemeth that some Romane Emperours authorized one Magistrate or Lieutenant without any companion to command all other Magistrates of the Empire and to him all Gouernours and Magistrates did appeale Which Magistrate they called Praefectus Praetorio True it is that at the beginning he was of no greater quality then Captaine of the Legions Praetorian as Seius Strabo vnder Augustus and Seianus vnder Tibertus vntill other Emperors succeeding by litle and litle encreased their authority as in the end the Praefectus Praetorio became Lieutenant generall and iudge of all questions and causes whatsoeuer by which occasion that office was giuen vnto men learned in the Lawe as Martian vnder Otho Papinian vnder Seuerus and Vlpian vnder Alexander All which came to passe before Armes were diuided from lawes and Iusticers from Captaines Afterwards this great office became imparted vnto two and sometimes three persons purposely to abridge the excessiue authority of one But touching the Precedencie of Magistrates albeit they cannot aptly be ranged with those of the Empire yet may they in some sort be placed according to the dignitie and degrees of those titles which the Romanes anciently vsed And touching their authority it shal not be amisse to know that a Magistrate is an Officer hauing power to command in the common weale among whom in the Romane Empire the Praefectus Praetorio was the chiefe hauing authority aboue all other Officers to whom also euery one did appeale To this Praetor or Praefect we may compare the Grand Mayor du Pallais in France who in times past did in that kingdome beare chiefe office To him also in some sort we may resemble the high Seneschal of England vnder King William the Conqueror and other Kings his successors These Magistrates might therefore bee reasonably called Illustrissimi chiefly in the Kings absence For sure it is that in presence of the King all power of Magistrates and Commissioners also doth cease For during that time they haue no authority of commandement either ouer other subiects or other Officers their inferiors But this mighty Magistrate is no more either in England or France yet during their authoritie they were called Illustrissmi which title signified a certein preeminencie aboue all Magistrates that were Illustres either Honorarij or Administrantes Nam accidentia denominant Subiectum Next to these Illustrissimi or Maximi the chiefe place of Precedencie is due vnto those whome we called Illustres and among them the L. Chancellour is chiefe etiam in dignitate impari as one whose excellent vertue ought be preferred before all other officers Likewise the Lord high Constable or Lord Marshall is a Magistrate Illust. the Lord Treasurer Admirall of England the Lord Chamberlaine and all others of the Kings priuie Councell may assume the title of persons Illust. or as we commonly call them right Honorable So saith Cass. It seemeth also that Doctours who haue read in schoole the space of twenty yeeres may be called Illustrissimi as Purpuratus noteth To these Illust. or right Honourable personages the lawes Emperiall haue graunted many great priuiledges as the same Barthol discourseth After these the Magistrates whome we formerly called Spectabiles and may in our tongue be tearmed Honourable ought to follow as commanders in Armes Iudges Gouernours or Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces and Cities c. The fourth place appertaineth to them that anciently were named Clarissimi or Right worshipfull who are inferiour Iusticers and Ministers Colonels Captaines and meane Officers c. Lastly are they whome the Romanes intituled Infimi and in English Worshipfull as Captaines of particular Castles Iudges in Townes corporate where no action is triable aboue 3000 shillings Note here that euery Magistrate is an Officer but euery Officer is not a Magistrate and of all Magistrates the Lord Chancellor hath euer had precedence not onely in England and Fraunce but of all anciencie in euery other place for read we may that Eginardus who wrote the life of Carolus Magnus was his Chancellor Likewise Tribonianus was Chancellor vnto the Emperor Iustinian Iosaphat was Chancellor to King Dauid 2. of Kings Vlpianus to the Emperour Alexander Seneca to Nero and in France the Chancellor hath so great preheminence as he precedeth the Constable vnlesse he be the Kings brother or his sonne For the better memory of the degrees aforesaid Lucas de Penna speaking of titular dignity hath left these verses vnderwritten Illustris primus medius spectabilis imus Vt lex testatur clarissimus esse probatur Et superillustris praeponitur omnibus istis CHAP. 21. Of Officers and their Precedencie OFficers seruing Princes are of diuers sorts among which some doe attend the Princes person others haue charge of his Treasure some are ministers of Iustice and some are commanders in warre For the better conceiuing of our intention therfore and the order of that which
stand aboue and precede all others that are in pari dignitate of themselues as a Duke of the Bloud aboue all Dukes not of the Bloud and so the like in all other degrees except the Princes knowen pleasure be to the contrary A Dukes eldest sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall haue place before a Marquesse and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue an Earle An Earles sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall precede a Vicount and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue a Baron CHAP. 23. The proceeding of Parliament to Westminster from her Maiesties Royall Pallace of VVhite Hall FIrst Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen two and two Esquiers two and two The sixe Clerkes of the Chancerie Clerkes of the Starre-chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the priuie Counsell The Masters of the Chancery Esquiers of the Body The Trumpets The Queenes Attorney and Soliciter Sergeants of the Law The Queenes Sergeant alone The Barons of the Exchequer two and two Iudges of the Common Pleas. Iudges of the Kings Bench. Pursuyuants Pursuyuants The Lord chiefe Baron and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. The Master of the Roules and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench. Batcheler Knights Knights of the Bathe Knights Bannerets Knights of the Priuie Counsell two and two Knights of the Garter The Queenes Maiesties Cloake and Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquier Noblemens yonger sonnes Heralds Heralds and heires apparant two and two The principall Secretary being no Baron The Vice-chamberlaine The Treasourer and Comptroller of the Houshold Barons in their Robes two and two The yongest form ost Bishops in their Robes two and two The Lord Admirall and the Lord Chamberlaine of Household together if they be Barons and In pari dignitate Norroy King of Armes Viscounts in their Robes two and two the yongest formost Earles in their Robes two and two they yongest formost Marquesses in their Robes Dukes in their Robes The Lord President of the Counsell and the Lord Priuie Seale Lord Steward of the Queenes house and the Lord great Chamberlaine Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord Chanceler and the Lord Tresurer of England together The Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke together Sergeants at Armes Sergeants at Armes Garter chiefe King of Armes barehead The Cap of Estate borne by the Marques of Winchester and with him on the left hand the Earle Marshall of England with his gilt rod. The Sword borne by an Earle THE Queenes Maiestie on horsebacke or in her Chariot with her Robes of Estate her Traine borne by a Duchesse or Marchionesse The Pensioners on ech side of her Maiestie bearing Poleaxes The Lord Chamberlaine and the Vize-chamberlaine on eche side of the Queene if they attend out of their ranke but somewhat behinde her The Master of the Horse leading a spare Horse next behinde her Maiestie Ladies and Gentlewomen according to their Estates two and two The Captaine of the Guard with all the Guard folowing two two CHAP. 24. The placing of great Officers according to the Acte of Parliament made An. 31. H. 8. THe Lord Vicegerent shal be placed on the Bishops side aboue them all Then the Lord Chauncellour The Lord Treasorer The Lord President of the priuie Counsell The Lord Priuie seale These foure being of the degree of a Baron or aboue shall sit in the Parliament in all assemblies of Councell aboue Dukes not being of the blood Royall viz. The Kings brother Vncle or Nephewes c. And these sixe The Lord great Chamberlaine of England The Lord High Constable of England The Earle Marshall of England The Lord Admirall of England The Lord great Master of Steward of the Kings house The Lord Chamberlaine of the Kings houshold These sixe are placed in all assemblies of Councell after Lord priuie Seale according to their degrees and estates So that if he be a Baron to sit aboue all Barons and if he be an Earle aboue all Earles And so likewise the Kings principall Secretary being a Baron of the Parliament hath place aboue all Barons and if he be of higher degree he shall sit and be placed according thereunto Note If any of the Officers aboue mentioned be not of the degree of a Baron whereby he hath not power to assent or dissent in the high Court of Parliament then he or they are to sit on the vppermost Wolsacke in the Parliament chamber the one aboue the other in like order as is specified The Nobilitie Temporall are placed according to the auncientie of their seuerall creations and so are the Lords Spirituall sauing The Archbishop of Canterburie So placed of dignitie The Archbishop of Yorke Bishop of London So placed by Acte of Parliament Bishop of Durham Bishop of Winhcester The rest of the Bishops haue their places according to the senioritie of their seuerall consecrations And this for their placing in the Parliament house Howbeit when the Archbishop of Canterburie sitteth in his Prouinciall assembly he hath on his right hand the Archbishop of Yorke and next vnto him the Bishop of Winchester and on the left hand the Bishop of London But if it fall out that the Archbishop of Canterburie be not there by the vacation of his See then the Archbishop of Yorke is to take his place who admitteth the Bishop of London to his right hand and the Prelate of Winchester to his left the rest sitting as is before said as they are elders by consecration CHAP. 25. The Queenes Maiesties most royall proceeding in State from Somerset place to Pauls Church Ann. 1588. ON Sunday the 24. day of Nouember Anno 1588. our Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth rode with great solemnitie in her open chariot from Somerset house in the Strond to the Cathedrâ—l Church of S. Paul in London where at the West doore before her Maiesties entrance in there was prouided a rich Chaire of Estate and the ground being spred likewise with tapits her Maiestie kneeled downe against a deske couered with very Princely furniture and said the Lords prayer and then the Bishop of London in his Cope deliuered her a booke containing all the Orders Charters and Priuiledges belonging to the said Church which her Maiesty receiuing did confirme and redeliuer vnto the Bishop in the presence of all the Prebends and Churchmen who attended her Highnesse in very rich Copes and so with the whole Quire singing before her she proceeded vp into the Chancell where within a Trauers she rested vntill the Procession and other diuine Anthems were sung After which her Maiesty entred into the place ordained for the Duchie of Lancaster which at that time was newly reedified with faire and large glasse windowes in which she stayed during the Sermon preached at the Crosse by Doctor Perce then Bish. of Salisbury where with the whole assembly of the people she gaue God publicke thankes for that
Gentleman or Souldier Finally whosoeuer is defamed of any notable crime or is by the law of the land not admitted to beare witnesse may be numbred among them that lawfully are repulsed these men I say challenging any Gentleman or souldier ought not onely be refused but of euery honest persons to be abhorred because in fighting with men of such condition a man of good reputation doth equll himselfe vnto persons vtterly vnworthy Yet true it is that whosoeuer repulseth a person for cause of infamie must assuredly know that he hath bene for such crimes condemned or at the least the same is a thing so notorious as the partie repulsed cannot denie it But if any such infamous man be challenged by a Gentleman or souldier he may not after be refused vnlesse that after challenge he committeth some infamous fact which is to be obserued aswell in the challenger as the defender CHAP. 7. Who was anciently accounted victorious in Combat AT such time as combats were in vse by permission of Princes and publikely performed the order was thus If the Challenger did not vanquish the Defender in the day of fight before the Sunne setting he himselfe was iudged vanquished and could not after challenge any other Gentleman This victorie and this priuiledge is onely due vnto the Defender all other fauours were common to both the fighters The next kind of victorie was when any of the Combattants did yeeld vnto his enemie either by confessing himselfe not able to defend or yeelding himselfe prisoner or when he vttered any other speech tending to submission The third was when any of them did expressely denie or vnsay that he affirmed or repent the words whereon the quarrell did grow Fourthly if he did runne away and abandoned the lists or field where the fight was to be performed And this was the most base and dishonourable sort of vanquishment He was also without victorie and vanquished that was slaine within the Lists or sield yet was that sort of vanquishing least dishonorable though by auncient custome no man slaine in publique combats should be buried among Christian bodies CHAP. 8. ¶ What was aunciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combats ALbeit I am not ignorant that this discourse is little or nothing pertinent to priuate Combat or quarrell yet for that it concerneth a matter pleasant vnto vs and glorious for those that haue bene victorious I will briefly set downe what was due by auncient order of Armes vnto such Gentlemen as in publique combat were victorious Whosoeuer was vanquished within the Lists was the prisoner of him that did vanquish To him also was due all Armes both offensiue and defensiue garments and horse with all furniture brought thither either for ornament or vse The person of him that was vanquished was by honourable custome giuen vnto the Prince of the place or else vnto some other Prince whom the vanquisher serued or loued but this was done by vse not of dutie The vanquished also might be compelled to pay the charges of the vanquisher The vanquished might be forced to pay ransome no lesse then if he had bene a prisoner of the warre But if the prisoner did serue the vanquisher the space of fiue yeeres in seruices meete for a Gentleman then was he set at libertie without paiment And if in the meane time he were emploied in any base action or seruice vnworthie his degree then was it lawfull for him to escape and breake prison Or if it happened that during the imprisonment any land or other wealth did come vnto him yet was it not lawfull for the victour to increase the ransome If the victor did die within the time that the vanquished was a prisoner then should his heire haue the same title and interest If a prisoner was suffered to goe at libertie vpon his faith hee did or ought in any wise returne being called vnlesse the victor in the meane time did become a Traytor to their common Prince or were excommunicate or that betweene them were some new enmitie for in those cases it was lawfull not to returne If being in this sort at liberty he hapned to become a Prince or a Lord then was he not bound to returne but pay ransome onely If during the time of imprisonment he were not well vsed he was likewise excused yet did he pay a conuenient ransome If the prisoner did happen to saue his taker from any great perill during the imprisonment then was he by law forthwith set at libertie CHAP. 9. Of disequalitie among Gentlemen OMitting to speake of Emperors Kings and Lords of great title Let vs onely remember what order was anciently obserued when one Gentleman or souldier happened to challenge another It behooueth therefore to consider that euery Gentleman either he hath office or he hath none If he hath office as gouernment of Countreys Townes Ambassage or commaund in the warre then his authoritie or employment doth continue for time or life In which case the custome was anciently thus If an Officer for time were called to answere by armes then did hee deferre the Combat vntill the expiration of that Office If this Office were for life and his qualitie superior to the Challenger then did he fight by Champion If the Officer challenged were not superior then did he aske leaue of his Souereigne and fight But if he could not obtaine license yet did hee appeare in person and with armes answere his enemie for in those dayes the obligation of honour was preferred before all other respects Whosoeuer was borne Noble vnder which word is comprised all sorts of Gentlemen then were they euer reputed equall Yet note here that a Gentleman borne is he who hath his descent from three degrees of Gentry both of the mothers and fathers side So sayth Paris If the Office or authoritie of the desender were such as ought to command the Challenger then might he fight by Champion A Gentleman of any Noble house not hauing iurisdiction or commandement might in those ages be challenged by any other priuate Gentleman And because the profession of armes is honourable an old souldier without reproch was accounted a Gentleman Ascholler also hauing taken degrees of schoole was not denied the title of Gentrie A simple souldier of honest same might fight with any Corporall Sergeant or other Officer the Captaine excepted Euery Captaine might challenge another Captaine vnlesse their charges were such as the one did command the other And this rule serued through all degrees of souldiers Yet men of armes being the most honourable souldiers might not be refused to fight with any priuate Captaine of footmen being of equall birth and authoritie CHAP. 10. ¶ Of the equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes A King vncrowned may lawfully challenge a King crowned vnlesse the King vncrowned be vnlawfully aspired or a tyrant The number of Christian Kings are 14. of whom only foure were anciently crowned by