silke of diuers colours garnished with gold The first of them did come vnknowen clad in white supposed to be the Prince himselfe Mutio Sforza in Ash colour The Count Philippo Tornello in skie colour The Count Francesco Beneuentano in yellow Ramando Cardona in Greene. Alessandra Gonzaga in Murry Count Caetano in White and Blacke Ferdinando Noya in gold colour The Castellan of Cremona in Blacke Nicolao Rusterla in Wax colour Il Signior della Trinita in Blew From Milaine this Prince passed into Germany followed with these Lords and Gentlemen whose names are vnder written The Duke of Alba. The Duke of Sessa The Admirall of Castilia The Marquesse of Astorgo The Prince of Ascoli The Marquesse of Pescara The Duke of Ferendina The Duke of Monteliano The Count of Lunensa The Count of Cifanta Lodouico Dauila gran Commendator Gomesio à Figureia captaine of the guard Officers of Houshold Don Francesco Astense Marchio à Naue Comes Oliuarius Don Iacobo da Azeneda Gualtero Padillano Gentlemen of the Chamber Don Antonio Rosano Rogomes a Sylua Gentleman Courtiers Don Gabriel a Cuenta Marchio Falcesio Don Barnardindi Mendoza Don Alphonso Fonario Don Iacobo di Cardona Don Iacobo di Achuna Don Henrico Erugues Don Barnardo Manriques a Lara Don Iuaro a Seiauerda Don Michael a Luna Don Lodouico a Cardona with others to the number of 97. Lords and Gentlemen twentie Pages besides Officers and Grooms Harquebuziers two hundred Lances an hundred CHAP. 38. ¶ A Militarie challenge in Italy 1555. AT such time as the French king with his armie remained at Ast the Emperiall campe not being farre from thence certaine French Lords challenged the like number of Italians to breake sharpe Lances for their mistresse loue in which action they would hazard both honour and life The Emperiall Lords accepted the challenge Thus the match was concluded yet the French fearing some subtiltie because the countrey fauoured the enemy procured Monsieur de Thermes with fiue hundred horse and 200. footemen to lye neere the place to the end he might defend his friends if need should require The first courses were performed betweene the Duke de Nemours and the Marquesse of Pescara who hauing ended their courses with honor they embraced one the other and so gaue place The next that presented himselfe was Monsieur de Classis sonne and heire of Monsieur de Vasey a Knight of the Order and Captaine of fifty men at Armes against whome came the Marquesse Malespina who in that encounter was sore hurt and dyed The third courses were betweene Monsieur de Mauns a Leader in the French Army and a Spanish captaine called Alba. In which reencounter the Frenchman was wounded in the necke and the fourth day after died The last was betweene Monsieur Monshany and the Earle Caraffa a Neapolitan whose encounter was so violent as with his Lance he pearced thorow the Armour and body of the Frenchman so farre as an Ell thereof was seene at his backe whereof hee presently dyed So was both parties partakers of misaduenture CHAP. 33. Of Triumphant chalenges in France NOw to th' end it may appeare that our Gentlemen of England haue bene no lesse desirous to honour their Nation in forraine countreys then willing to aduance the renowne of their Prince at home it shall not be as I thinke offensiue to remember some triumphal actions by them performed in forraine countreys as writers haue well obserued wishing our English Armorists and Historians were of like care to conserue al memorable actions tending to the honour of their owne Prince and countrey Of which acts it seemeth there are many worthy to be remembred For when the Duke of Buckingham or as mine Author calleth him the Erle of Buckingham remained gouernour of the Kings Armie in Bullonoys a certaine Frenchman approching the Campe with a lowd voice asked if any Gentleman there had a mistresse or other beloued Lady for whose sake and honour he would breake three Launces and aduenture three encounters of his sword This proud Challenge being heard by the English men one Ioachimus Cathorius as the Author calleth him a braue English Gentleman stepped forth which the Lord Fitzwater then Marshall seeing hee foorthwith sent word vnto the Frenchman whose name was Gauuenus Micelleus that he should be presently answered Whereof the French Gentleman very glad returned to his friends furnished with three Launces three Maces of yron three Swords and three seruants to beare them presented himselfe before the English Armie The English seeing him in this sort prepared to maintaine the challenge much marueiled thereat supposing that no Frenchman had dared to encounter the force of an English Souldier The brute of this brauado foorthwith was dispersed through the Armie and at last the Generall became thereof enformed who desirous to behold the combat mounted on horsebacke accompanied with the Earle of Stafford and the Earle or L of Deuonshire The Duke and other beholders thus assembled the Challenger and Defender begun their courses but by default of the horses their Launces missed at the first and at the next incounter very lightly th' one touched the others Armor The Duke beholding in what estate the matter stood and perceiuing night at hand commanded the conflict should cease til an other day and in the meane space required the Frenchman might be well entreated The next day of triall being come th' one and th' other appeared and with much commendation brake their Launces That done they came to the sword th' one assaulting th' other furiously till they were both hurt which the Duke perceiuing caused them to be parted and the Frenchman by an Herault was safely sent home to his friends CHAP. 34. Of one other like Militarie action betweene fiue English Gentlemen and fiue French ABout the same time and in presence of the said Duke of Buckingham one other conflict on horsebacke was performed betweene fiue French Gentlemen and the like number of ours who gained the chiefe honour I dare not for feare of mistaking set downe their names in English but thus I finde them in Latine On the French party was Nothus Clarus a Pimontesse Tristamus Iailleus Ioannes Castelmorantius Galleus Aunoeus Dom Hoyauius Ameus The Englishmen were Edwardus Bellicampus the son of Roger Iohannes Ambreticortius Ionaquinus Clitonius Gulielmus Clitonius and Gulielmus Francus CHAP. 35. Of one other like Action IT happened that certaine English Gentlemen hauing serued in the warre of France determined to returne home and obtained license of the Constable that so they might doe Their names do seeme to be Iohn Fitzwarren William Clinton Iohn Burley and Nicholas Clifford They being vpon their way one whom mine Author calleth Ioannes Boucmelius a French Gentleman did ouertake them and hauing before that time spoken with Nicholas Clifford touching matter of Honour and Armes asked him whether he could before he departed consent to make triall of his vertue by breaking of three Launces With all my heart quoth Clifford for
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
principall fauourite of the Emperour Constantius was both an Eunuch and a Captaine very notable And Cyrus hauing conquered Babylon made choice of Eunuches onely to guard his person holding them of no lesse force then other men and by example of horses gelded was perswaded their bodies were no whit disabled for the warre But as these before may not be receiued in respect of natural debilitie so others for respect of qualification are priuiledged and excused as Priests and persons Ecclesiasticall to whom Romulus granted Immunities the like grace was giuen to the Druides in France by Caesar also all Graduates in schoole may challenge that priuiledge The same Immunitie is also due to men aged and those youths that are not of perfect strenght for so was it iudged by Gordianus the yonger In which point the law of Gracchus is also much to bee liked for thereby hee commaundeth that no person of lesse age then seuenteene yeeres should be called vnto the warre CHAP. 7. Of yong Souldiers called Tyrones IT is said of Hercules Prodicus That hee growing towards mans estate retired himselfe into a solitarie place and there sitting alone considered that two waies there were to passe the course of his life the one was of pleasure the other of industrie and vertue This consideration I recommend to all yong men yet therewith wish the choise should not be left vnto themselues For the greatest number affecting idlenesse or sensuall delight or else wanting mature iudgement would follow that way they finde themselues inclined vnto It therefore behooueth they should be compelled to the exercise of vertue and Armes And as great pitie it were to withholde the rewards due to militarie merit so not to incite young men to the exercise of Armes were an errour inexcusable For so was it decreed by lawe of Dioclesianus and Maximianus which also was more anciently obserued of the Romanes as by their histories appeareth For when Quintus Seruilius being Tribunus Plebis with authoritie Consulare was to assemble an armie against the Lucanes and Equians he refused to make a confuse choise of the people and elected of the yonger sort onely After that time the Dictator Camillus with his General of horse Seruilius Hala did the like And Appius Claudius with Lucius Furius Camillus beeing Consuls by direction of the Senate in a warre against the Gauls did choose only yong men both of the Citie and of the Countrey yea sometimes for want of them prisoners and persons condemned were pressed to beare Armes In some other ages by reason of scarcitie of able bodies some youths before they were seuenteene yeeres old and others that exceeded fiftie were forced to the warre But here is to be remembred that neither these Tyrones nor others for necessitie chosen ought be of equall reputation vnto more ancient soldiers yet thus much priuiledge the Romanes did allow them That when any errour was committed they were in respect of youth and want of experience the sooner pardoned In the flourishing state of the Romane Empire the Tyrones were chosen out of the free borne at the age of 17. yeeres by Officers called Conquisitores Scruius Honoratus and for the first yeere they had their Tutors and Guardians appointed to ouersee them But it is referred to one among other causes of the ouerthrow of the Empire when landed men were charged to finde Tyrones according to their reuenues and possessions For Vegetius writeth Lib. 1. cap. 7. Tot vbique ab bostibus illatae sunt clades dum longa pax militem incuriosiùs legit dum possessoribus indicti Tyrones per gratiam aut dissimulationem probantur tales◠sociantur armis quales dimini habere fastidiunt For then slaues and base people were matriculated for souldiers insomuch as straight lawes were made to the contrarie CHAP. 8. Of olde Souldiers whome the Romanes called Veterani THe Romanes called those soldiers Veterani that had serued long either in the Legion or elsewhere and behaued themselues dutifully as beseemed honest men The time ascribed vnto that name of Veteranus was commonly twenty yeeres which beeing passed the souldier was called also Emeritus The priuiledges bestowed vpon such persons were so great as diuers Emperous did contend who should be most liberall Also Canutus king of Denmarke decreed That when souldiers did meet to eat the yonger should giue place to him that was his ancient in Armes because his meaning was euen in ordinarie ceremonies to obserue the honour due vnto ancient seruice and whosoeuer in that case failed to performe the Kings commandement should be cassed with ignominie Constantinus the Emperour priuiledged old soldiers so much as to exempt them from all imposition contribution and exaction The great Antoninus and his father before him commanded that all Veterani should be free from paying vnto the building of ships also in buying of wares in faire or market they should passe without paiment of custome They were also permitted without molestation to liue in ease and rest Also to them it was lawfull to vse commerce fell employ money traffique and doe all things for their owne best commodity So concluding we say that the Emperour Dioclesianus and Maximianus ordained That vnto euery Veteran hauing honestly serued in any Legion or vnder any ensigne the space of twentie yeeres an honourable or causarie dismission should be granted After which time he enioyed many other immunities which extended also to his children but no further And Constantinus besides many other graces commanded they should be offered no sort of iniurie thinking it vnmeete that men so much priuiledged by their Prince should endure any wrong or indignitie Neuerthelesse if they or any of them did steale or commit felonie then without respect of priuiledge the punishment due by law should be inflicted But rarely is it seene that men hauing long liued vertuously and enioying the degrees of honour should offend or doe any act of slander or infamie Lastly the Veterani might marry wiues they could not be put to tortour nor condemned to the Mines nor publique workes they night manure their lands for Constantine the Great assigned them lands that would fall to husbandry and to euery one of them to buy necessaries 25000 pieces of money called Folles one yoke of oxen and an hundred bushels of graine To the other 100000. of those Folles as appeareth in Codex Theodosianus li. 7. titulo 20. where there is also a most ample Priuiledge granted to them by the said Constantine CHAP. 9. ¶ Of Souldiers called Emeriti REasonable it seemeth that souldiers hauing endured the danger toile and trauell of the warre should be suffered to leade the rest of their liues in ease and rest for so hath their long and loyall seruice deserued We read that the Legionarie souldiers of Rome that had many yeeres continued in pay without committing any crime were licensed to depart at their pleasure notwithstanding the Oath formerly taken and euery man hauing so serued the state might also claime the
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
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
the Band. That no Knight should be inforced to serue in any warre saue onely against the Infidels Or attending on the King to any other warre to weare no Band and if he serued any other Prince in his warre he should loose the Band. That all the Knights should assemble three times a yeere to consult vpon matters pertaining to the Order The assembly was at such place as the King pleased to appoint and there they awaited with their horse and armour the first meeting was in April the second in September the last at Christmas That all the Knights of this Order should fight at the Turney at the lest twise euery yeere Iust foure times a yeere play at the Canes sixe times a yeere and mannage horses euery weeke And who so failed to performe all or any one of these Knightly exercises should attend on the King one moneth without a sword and one other moneth without a Band. That if the King did come to any citie or towne that then the Knights within eight dayes after should prepare a place for the Iusts and Turnaments they should also exercise all other warlike weapons and if any Knight were negligent in these things he should be confined to his lodging and weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight might remaine in Court without a mistresse with intent to marry her and not dishonour her and whensoeuer she pleased to walke he was to attend on her on foote or horsebacke to do her all honour and seruice That if any Iusts were holden within tenne miles of the Court euery Knight to be there vnder paine to goe without his sword one moneth and without his Band another That if any of these Knights were married within twentie miles of the Court all the rest should accompany him to the King to receiue a gift and from thence to the place of wedding to exercise feats of Armes there and euery Knight to present the bride with some gift That the first Sunday of euery moneth all the Knights should shew themselues armed before the King ready to performe any action in Armes at the Kings pleasure for the King would not haue them be only Knights in name but in deed also That in no Turnament there should be more Knights then thirtie on one partie and so many on the other partie and that no sword should be brought into the place but such as were rebated both of edge and point And that vpon the sound of trumpet the fight should begin and at the sound of the Clarions euery man to cease from fight and retire vpon paine that who so failed should neuer more enter into that combat and be banished the Court for one moneth That at euery day of Iusts ech Knight should passe foure Carieres before foure Knights appointed for Iudges and they who brake no staues in those courses should pay the charges of the Iusts That if any Knight were sicke and in perill of death all other his fellow Knights should visit him and exhort him to godlinesse And if he died to accompany his course to the graue Also to mourne in blacke one whole moneth and absent themselues from the Exercise of Armes for the space of three moneths vnlesse the King should otherwise command That within two dayes after such funerall all the Knights should assemble and present the Band of the dead Knight vnto the King making humble sute for some of his sonnes to succeed if any of them were meete praying it would please his Maiestie to be good to the mother that she might liue according to her honourable calling CHAP. 23. Knights of Alcantara THese Knights liuing in effect vnder the ordinances and rules of the Calatraua do weare a greene Crosse. Neere vnto the citie of Alcantara in Castiglia vpon the Riuer of Tago they haue a Church of great beautie indowed with rich possessions CHAP. 24. Knights of Montesio IN Valentia are the Caualieridi Montesio a place also seated in that Prouince These Knights do weare a red Crosse and their order begun about the same time that the Knighthood of Calatraua tooke beginning CHAP. 25. Knights of Redemption Their garments are white and thereon a blacke Crosse. The office of these Knights is to Redeeme Prisoners whereupon they are called Caualieri del redentione The chiefe gouernour of them remaineth at Barcellona CHAP. 26. ¶ The Originall of the Knights Teutonici The beginner of this Knighthood ' was a certaine Almane who after the taking of Ierusalem by the Christians together with diuers other of that Nation remained there This Almaine being exceeding rich and maried kept a franke and liberall house relieuing all passengers and Pilgrims that trauelled to Ierusalem insomuch that his house became as an Hospitall or place of ordinary accesse At length he builded nere vnto it a faire Church which according to the vse of that time he did dedicate to our Lady Not long after many Christians resorting thither as well for loue of the Christian Religion as to visit the sicke they resolued to erect a fraternitie and hauing chosen a great Master to be gouernour ordained that euery man of that association should bee apparelled in white and vpon their vppermost garment weare a blacke Crosse voided with a Crosse potence It was also agreed that no man should be admitted into that order saue onely Gentlemen of the Duch nation and they to protest at all occasions to aduenture their liues in defence of Christs Gospel About 88 yeers after Ierusalem had remained in the Christians hands it was taken againe from them by the Saracens in the yeere 1184 since which time it neuer was recouered For which cause these Knights retired to Ptolemaida where they remained At length Ptolemaida being also taken by the Saracens they returned into Germanie their naturall countrey where after some short abode as loathing rest and idlenesse they went vnto Fredericke the second then Emperour in the yeere 1220 to let his Maiestie vnderstand that the people of Prusia vsed incursions vpon the confines of Saxonie adding that those people were barbarous idolaters without the knowledge of God and therefore besought his Maiesty to grant them leaue to make warre vpon them at their owne charges yet with condition that whatsoeuer they gained his Maiesty would giue the same to the maintenance of that Order The Emperour allowing of that suite presently granted them the countrey and vnder his seale confirmed the gift These Knights by this donation much encouraged forthwith tooke Armes and within short space subdued all that prouince and then passed the riuer of Vistola and conquered other people who became their subiects and were made Christians Within short space after these Knights builded diuers Churches and among the same Cathedrall Temples making them places of residence for Bishops who were also enioyned to weare the habit of that Order Neere vnto the riuer Vistola was a great Oke where these Knights builded the first Castle and Towne which with time was encreased
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
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
and all other Lords of the Court. The day of triumph being come the King and the Queene attended vpon by the troopes of men at Armes and Ladies aforesaid passed through London from the Tower to Smithfield Being come thither the King the Queene the Ladies and other honourable personages setled themselues in such places as were prepared and sorted with their degrees Then were the men of Armes marshalled and set in such order as they should runne The first courses were allotted to the Earle of S. Paul and his Band who were with great courage encountred by the English Betweene them the first dayes Iusting was spent and that night his Maiestie the Queene and all the company supped and lodged in the Bishops house neere to Saint Pauls Church The chiefe honour and commendation of that first fight was among the strangers giuen vnto the Earle of S. Paul and among the English the Earle of Huntington had the praise This magnificent supper ended euery one resorted to his lodging the King and Queene onely excepted who continued their lodging in that house all the time of that triumph The next day after noone King Richard himselfe in compleat Armour appeared in the fielde being followed with the whole band of English Knights Thither also came the Queene with her traine of Ladies and was set in that roome where the day before she had bene placed The first of the strangers that offered to runne was the Earle of Oye who presented himselfe and his companie most pompously furnished And after him followed the Earle of S. Paul with his troope of Frenchmen The Knights strangers being entred and readie were foorthwith incountred by the English The conflict continued till darke night with equall honour The Iusts of that day ended the King returned to his lodging accompanied with the Noble strangers and there supped The chiefe commendation of that day on the strangers part was allotted to the Earle of Oye who by his vertue without fauour so deserued Likewise among the English a Gentleman named Hewe Spencer was highly praysed On Tuesday also the men at Armes resorted to the Tilt and continued the exercise with great admiration of the beholders On Wednesday the runners intermingled themselues and euery one did runne as he thought good On Thursday the King conuited all the men and all the women supped with the Queene On Friday the whole company was feasted by the Duke of Lancaster On Saturday the King and the Queene accompanied with the Earles of Oye and S. Paul in great state rode to Windsor where they were most honourably intertayned and the Earle of Oye receiued the Garter From thence euery one returned home CHAP. 30. The triumphall passage of Charles the fift Emperour through France Anno 1540. IN the moneth of December this Emperour arriued at Bayon where the Dolphin and Duke of Auuernia with great pompe receiued him Being in the towne he behaued himselfe as King pardoning offenders and deluering them from prison From thence with like Maiestie he passed to other cities accompanied with the sayd Dolphin and Duke where he vsed the same authority In Ianuary hee came to Castelloaldum where the King in person with much magnificence intertained him From thence he passed to Amboyse where King Charles the 8. had built two great towers the walles whereof are so large as Mules and Carts may passe vpon them The King then to the end that Caesars entrie in the night should bee the more magnificent furnished those towers with an exceeding great number of lights so as they might behold all the Countrey as if it had bene faire day But when Caesar was going vp by great mishap the tower fell on fire the flame and smoke whereof became so great as euery one feared lest the Emperour should haue bene smothered Whereupon all men there present laboured by fleeing to saue themselues Some that were suspected to haue done this fact were apprehended and the King did command they should be hanged though indeed no proofe appeared but Caesar would in no wise they should die so were they pardoned After this disaster the King conducted the Emperar to Bleas and from thence to Fountainableu where they hunted hauked and beheld certaine Iusts and Tournaments in conclusion no sport or solace was omitted From thence the Emperour attended by the Dolphin and Duke went to Paris Before he entred the citie the Burgesses and Citizens of all sorts came foorth and receiued him with no lesse ceremony then if the King had bene present there he also set at libertie all prisoners From thence he passed vnto the Constables house and was there most honourably lodged At last he went into Picardy and so to Valentia which is the first town of his iurisdiction in Belgica vnto which place the Dolphin and Duke did follow him CHAP. 31. The triumphall Entry of Philip Prince of Spaine at Milan An. 1548. THis Prince entred at the gate towards Pauia where the citizens had made a stately bridge whereupon they shewed diuers Pageants Arkes triumphal adorned with verses and sentences very markable About three of the clocke after noone he entred the citie where the most reputed citizens did attend him in Burgo della Trinitá as they call it Being passed that place hee was saluted by Caesar Gonzaga the Count Iohn Treuultio the Count Charles Belgioso and many other noble persons richly apparelled After them Mutio Sforza presented his reuerence being accompanied with a great troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey clad in white silke and bearing in their hands Pollaxes the heads of them were gilt and the staues couered with white silke Then followed the Doctors schollers accompanied with 300 horsemen apparelled in yellow coats And immediatly appeared two other troupes of men lightly armed which company garded the ancient Lords and Noblemen of the countrey among whom were some Princes Earles and Barons That troupe was so great as two houres sufficed not to see them passe They that rode next vnto the Princes person were the Duke of Alba the Duke of Sossa the Marquesse of Pescara the Admiral of Castilia the Marquesse Milo Ferdinando Gonzaga On the one side of the Prince the Cardinal of Trent on the other the Duke of Sauoy did ride Behind them followed fiue companies of men at Armes apparelled in siluer and gold conducted by Count Alexander Gonzaga Count Francisco Somaia Count Philippo Tornello two other noblemen I omit to tell of diuers shewes Arkes triumphal and other sights wherwith in euery streete the Prince was entertained by Italians onely These Complements ended the Prince came vnto the chiefe Church at the doore whereof were excellent Paintries The Prince in his entire to the Church was by the Senate and people of Milan presented with a basin of gold ful of double Duckats to the number of ten thousand as was reported The Prince thus entertained and setled in the citie Iusts and Tournaments were brought before him The Actors in that triumph were apparelled in
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
in their crests they ware feathers of many colours Before them rode a young man apparelled like to a woman after the most anticke fashion That woman was mounted vpon a fish and by her a footman did runne She complained and bitterly cursed one by whom she had bene iniured Then the Knights who accompanied her promised to be reuenged and presently determined to assault the Iland The first of these three Knights bearing many colours was Yuan Cunia the Spaniard who at the second course hurt the Earle Arenberg very sore and hauing lost the vse of one finger on his right hand he ran no more In his place therefore succeeded a Knight vnknowen wearing the signe of an horne Then came the Earle Hochstrate in white siluer wearing on his breast a rose And although he perfourmed his part well yet was he forced to dismount The Earle Arenberg beeing wounded in his place one other of three knights errant did come who was the Lord Hubermunt of the Emperors Chamber The third Knight was Peter Ernest Earle Mansfield calling himselfe Knight of the white Moyle Against him came the Knight of the golden Lyon vpon whom the Earle Mansfield brake three swords but the fourth sword by misaduenture fell out of his hand and thereby he forced to become prisoner And this was the end of that dayes conflict The next day soone after dinner out came the Lord Pelous of Burgundy called the Knight of the greene Shield hee and his horse were furnished with gold and greene The first three encounters he made against the Lord Thourlo were to good purpose but beeing come to the Sword it was by force wrested from him and he caried to prison Then followed Rodorigo Bassano a Spaniard called Pedro Vermandesio who within three encounters was taken The Lo. Courlan a Burgundian called Knight of the three Starres all in greene desiring to be reuenged was also made prisoner The next day Peter Ernestus Earle Mansfield desired againe to try his fortune calling himselfe the feathered Knight But at the second encounter his aduersaries Launce brake the sight of his headpeece and cut his nose wherewith he fell downe dead yet because the armour was good and the violence of the blow broken he recouered After Mansfield followed the L. Noyel a Fleming who after a little fight before the tower of Terror where he fought with great courage was forced to yeeld Then Iacomo di Leyua a Spaniard called the Indian Knight attired in blacke after the second course yeelded himselfe Next to the Spaniard entred two Knights in red cloth of Tissue richly embrodered with gold they called themselues Knights of Hungary The one was the Prince of Ascoli who at the first encounter yeelded himselfe neither had Giacobo a Cunia called also Gonartus a Stella tenebrosa better fortune for at the first course he was taken The first that entred the Iland by force was Iohn Guixada sirnamed Gulielmus Superbus Hee apparelled in blacke tissue embrodered about with gold by force of Armes brake into all the passages and then by aid of the Lord Bossuuio master of the Emperours stable was receiued into a Barke hauing sayles of white and red silke So being landed in the I le he attempted to winne the precious sword And though his attempt prooued vaine yet in approbation of his valour the Queene did giue him a crowne Next to him his brother with equall fortune entred the Iland men called him Iohn Lodouic Guixada who for his hardy enterprise receiued also a garland The like successe had the Duke of Arscot his brother who with the Marquesse of Cieura called Knight of the red Shield wheron were painted three Mores heads entred the Ile Likewise Ferdinando della Zerda a Spaniard called fortunes Knight hauing slaine the guard was also crowned The next day also Monsieur de Chaumont called the sodaine Knight and one other Knight named Florestan which was the Lord Valous both Flemings yeelded their charges The fift man that entred the Ile was Lodouico Zapatta a Spaniard his garments were of yellow cloth of gold But Iohn Zeuendio a Spaniard also called the sorowfull Knight was forced in the first straight to alight was presently ledde into the darke fortresse The like fortune had Monsieur de Moncean named Knight of the Mistie mountaine The sixt that entred the Ile was the Earle of Megen otherwise the Knight of the Sunne His apparell was blacke cloth of gold The like good hap was like to befall vnto Monsieur Champagni but his horse encountring an enemy at the chocke amazed him so much as he fell downe and was taken prisoner The seuenth garland Gaspero Roblesio a Spaniard gained He being called Knight of the Moone recouered the second passage complaining vnto the Earle of Egmont that the Iudges without desert had giuen honor to Monsieur de Truilier a Frenchman But Monsieur Querenaut a Knight errant encountring Monsieur Preux called Knight of the Rose tooke him prisoner Then Garna ab Ayala a Spaniard called the Knight of Death all in blacke poudered white came foorth to fight Before â—im the Queenes Musicians went singing a funerall tune which prognosticated his misaduenture for at the first encounter he was taken Then appeared one called Knight of the Basâ—lisco beeing indeed Monsieur Myngoual who in a fight on foot gained great honour but at his first encounter on horsebacke he became prisoner The eight garland Monsieur de Mally a Flemish Gentleman and a follower of the Duke of Arscot obtained That Knight was brauely furnished in white siluer and called himselfe the furious Knight Last of all the prince of Spaine with his Band of Knights appeared their attire was vermilion cloth of gold wrought with flowers of siluer and garded about with lace of gold The Caparisons of their horses were of the same Also the Saddles the Petrels Croopers and Girthes were of vermilion silke mixed with gold so was euery mans scaberd and all the fauours in their Creasts were made of white and vermilion red The chiefe Knight of the princes company was the Marques of Pescara sonne to the Marquesse of Guasta in Italy who called himselfe Knight Anonius a beardlesse yong man yet so valorous as in that fight he receiued a crowne Next to him was the Baron Noirquerk a Fleming called Knight of the the Rose a gallant Gentleman yet at the first encounter taken prisoner The third was the Marquesse of Monte Knight of the Skie because his Armour was of that colour Hee passed the Strait but further hee could not goe The fourth was the Prince of Piemount and Duke of Sauoy whose vertue merited a garland but his sword could not gaine more ground but onely to enter the Iland The fift was the Prince of Spaine who brake his two first Launces with great courage and the third was torne with so great violence as thereof ten pieces were seen to lie on the ground These courses furiously perfourmed he drew forth his sword and with marueilous
performed by King Henry the eight Francis the French King with their Nobility and Gentlemen of Armes at their enteruiew in Picardie where the Proclamation in forme aforesaid was pronounced in English and French It seemeth that in ages more ancient the vse was that the Prince did also giue a letter of attestation to such persons as gained any prize either in combat for life or honour for my selfe haue read such a one granted by a King of France vnto an Italian Gentleman in these words following wherunto was added an honourable ceremony NOi Filippo per gratia di Dio Re di Franza c. Notifichiammo a tutti coloro a quali perueranno queste nostre littere che lo haranno a grado in piacere e generalmente a Imperadori Re Duchi Marchesi Conti Principi Nobili Caualierie Gentilhuomini Come hauendo noi celebrato le nostre feste a honore a laude a gloria di nostro Signor Dio ad honore di tutti i Caualieri che sono venuti a combattere a tutto transito in questo honorato passo di Armi. Vogliamo che siano riconosciuti coloro che si saranno valorosamente portati senza essermai vinti pure vna volta poi che si debbe dar l' honore a chi merita ch' esenza menda Però per queste ordoniammo commandiammo e sententiammo che a gloria a honore a laude a fama del egregio e virtuoso Caualiere N. esso sia publicato in tutti quatro i cantoni delle lizze sbarre dai Re d' armi Araldi Passauanti con trombette e Sonatori con consentimento nostro delli giudici del campo rappresentanti la persona nostra per lo miglioâ—e di tutti i Caualieri de nostro regno Et commandâ—ammo che sia posto sopra vn cauallo tuito bianco e che tutti coloro che vi si truoueranno cosi donne come huomini vengono con esso not tutti a Piedi e sia fatta processione generale e N vada sotto il baldacchino fino alla chiesa Appresso commandiammo ordoniammo che vscendo della chiesa si vada per tutte le lizze sbarre e N. ne prenda la possessione e per i Re d' Armi gli siano date tutte le châ—aui delle dette lizze in segno di vittoria Et ancora commandiammo che siano celebrate feste che durino quindeci giorni a laude gloria del vittorioso N. E perche ciascuno conosca la real verita di questo fatto habbiamo segnata la presente carta con color vermiglio e suggellata col nostro Real Suggillo Data nella nostra Citta di Parigi a 4. di Luglio c. The same in English PHilip by the grace of God King of France c. Be it knowen to all men to whome these Letters shall come and to euery other person that take delight or pleasure in Arms and generally to all Emperors Kings Dukes Marquesses Earles Princes Barons and other Gentlemen That we haue celebrated a solemne triumph to the honor praise and the glory of God and the commendation of such as did fight in this honourable action of Armes And beeing desirous that they who haue valorously perfourmed their parts without receiuing blame or disgrace should be knowen to the end honour may be giuen to euery one according to his merit Therefore we haue hereby ordained commanded and iudged for the euerlasting honour praise and glory of the excellent and vertuous Gentleman N. his name shall be proclaimed in all the foure corners of the Lists or place of Iousts by the king of Armes the Heralds and Puâ—seuants and by the censure of the Iudges of the field representing our person whereby all men may knowe that the sayde N. is the most excellent and most vertuous Gentleman of Armes in all our kingdome Wee moreouer commaund that hee shall be mounted vpon a white horse and that euery person present as well women as men shall with vs follow him in procession on foot And that the said N. shall ride vnder a canopy vnto the Church We likewise ordaine and commaund that in returne from the Church hee shall passe through the place of Iousts and there take possession of the keyes which shall be deliuered vnto him by the king of Armes in signe of victory Lastly wee commaund that the celebration of the feast shall continue the space of fifteene dayes to the commendation and glory of the victorious N. And in witnes of the very troth in this matter we haue signed these Letters with red inke and thereunto set our Royall Seale Dated in our Citie of Paris the 4. of Iuly c. CHAP. 50. Of Iusts and Turneaments and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged in the Kingdome of Naples IT is written how at a triumph in the noble citie of Naples a Gentleman called the L. Peter Counte of Derise receiued so furious an encounter by the Launce of another that ran against him that therewith he became at one instant disarmed of his shield his Curats and Headpeece so as he being vtterly disarmed was left on horsebacke in his doublet onely without other harme In requital whereof the said Peter gaue vnto the other Gentleman so violent a blow as therewith the girthes of the horse were broken and the man cast headlong on the ground Whereupon a question was moued which of them had merited most honour or rather which of them deserued least reproch Whereunto was answered absolutely that he who fell from the horse was most dishonored for next vnto death to fall from the horse is most reprochfull Yet it is lesse disgrace to fall with the horse then to fal alone and therefore albeit a man doth runne neuer so well if in the end he doth fall from the horse he can by no meanes receiue honour for that day but shal rather depart with disgrace Who so fighteth on foot at Barrier or in any other exercise of Armes is by the force of his aduersary constrained with his hand to touch the ground shall thereby lose all commendation He that on horsebacke directeth his Launce at the head is more to be praised then he that toucheth lower For the higher the Launce hitteth the greater is the Runners commendation Whoso runneth low is not onely vnworthy praise but also meriteth reproch And he who so carieth his Launce comely and firme is more to be praised although he breake not then he who misgouerneth his horse or vnskilfully handleth his Launce although he doeth breake He that vseth to runne high sitteth steadily and mooueth least in his course accompanying his horse euenly and iustly is in running worthy all commendation He that falleth with the encounter of the aduersary although as is before said the same be a great disgrace yet is it more excuseable then if he remaineth on horsebacke amazed suffering his horse to wander
prize He that his Sword falleth out of his hand shall winne no prize He that striketh his hand in fight on the Barriers shall win no prize Whosoeuer shall fight and not shewe his Sword to the Iudges before shall winne no prize The Prizes giuen The Prize of the fairest and most gallant entry THe Marquesse de Valle came into the field very well appointed in armour and apparell The Kings Maiestie better then he Don Fredericke de Toledo best of all to whome the Queenes Maiestie awarded the prize of the Brooch The Prize for the Pike THe Duke of Medina Caeli performed valorously Don Pedro de la Zerda bettered him Don Diego Ortado di Mendoça did best of all to whome was giuen by the Queenes Maiestie a Ring of gold with a Rubie The Prize for the Sword SIr George Howard fought very well Don Adrian Garçias performed better Sir Iohn Parrat best of all to whome the Queenes Maiesty gaue a Ring of gold with a Diamond The Prize at the Pike in ranke THomas Percy acquited valiantly Carlo di Sanguine with greater fortune Ruygomez best of all to whome the Queene gaue a Ring of gold The Prize of all together in ranke at the foyle LOrd William Howard L. Admiral with high commendation Marquesse di Toro Mayore exceeded him the Kings Maiesty exceeded all to whome the Queene gaue in highest honour a Ring of golde with a rich Diamond In all which and other the like triumphant Gests perfourmed by the English and Spanish Nobilitie it was euer held honorable and prizeworthy to appeare within Listes most gallant and fairest armed and yet with least superstuous cost of golde siluer embrodery or curiositie of workemanship CHAP. 53. Of the like Actions in Armes since the reigne of Queene Elizabeth ONe solemne Iust Tournament and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norffolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwick the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scroope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers with great honour answered all commers The Defenders names are not extant 1558. A royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard nowe Lord Admirall Sir Henrie Lea and Sir Christopher Hatton now Knights of the Garter the one Master of her Maiesties Armorie the other at his death Lord Chancellor The Defenders were THe Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seamor Edward Harbert Sir George Carie Thomas Cecil Henry Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henry Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkley Thomas Kneuet Willliam Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Launcelot Bostock Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliam Thomas Bedding field Thomas Moore William Worthing toÌ„ Richard Blunt Thomas Connesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three dayes the first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barrier On euery of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a prize for the recieuing whereof they were particularly led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The prize at the Tilton the Defenders party was giuen vnto Henry Gray at the Tourney to the Lord Henry Seamor at the Barriers to Thomas Cecil Before them went Clarencieux King of Armes in his Rich coate of Armes This magnificent triumph was performed Anno 1571. An honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his assistant Sir William Drurie challenged all commers Anno 1580. The Defenders were THe Earle of Oxford the Lord Windsor Phillip Sidney Edward Norris Henrie Knowles Robert Knowles Fulk Griuell Thomas Kneuet Thomas Kellaway Rafe Bowes George Goring George Gifford Anthonie Cooke Henrie Bronkard Edward Denny Richard Ward Thomas Parrot The prize was giuen to the Earle of Oxford To these actions of Armes we may adde a notable Tourneament on horsebacke solemnized within her Maiesties pallace at Westminster which became the more rare and memorable because it was performed in the night The manner whereof in briefe was thus It pleased her Maiestie according to her Princely custome in the intertainement of noble strangers to conuite vnto supper the Duke Memorancie chiefe Marshall of France at that time come thither to receiue the honourable order of the Garder This magnificent supper ended it pleased her Highnesse the weather being warme to walke out of her chamber into the open Tarrace whither also awayting on her went the sayd Duke and all others of the French Nobilitie with the Ambassadours Lords and Ladies of the Court. At her Maiesties comming to the North side of the Tarrace there were prepared and set rich chaires cushions and carpets In which place it pleased her to stay entertayning most gratiously the said Duke and other Noble strangers Next vnto them were placed the Ladies Lords Counsellers and other persons of reputation according to their degrees and conuenience of the roome So as the said Tarrace was on all sides beset with Lord Ladies and persons of qualitie sumptuously apparelled and richly furnished and among them both aboue and vnder stood many of the Guard in their rich coates holding an infinite number of Torches and so in the preaching place by which meane those that beheld the Tarrace in this sort furnished deemed it rather a Theater celestiall then a pallace of earthly building The place with this Royall presence replenished suddainly entred Walter Earle of Essex and with him twelue Gentlemen armed at all peeces and well mounted The Earle and his horse was furnished with white cloth of siluer and the rest in white sattin who after reuerence done to her Maiesty marched to the East side of the Court and there in troope stood firme Forthwith entred Edward Earle of Rutland with a like number in like sort armed and apparelled all in blew and hauing presented his reuerence stayed on the West end Before either of these bands one Chariot was drawen and therein a faire Damsell conducted by an armed Knight who pronounced certaine speeches in the French tongue vnto her Maiestie These Ceremonies passed The Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight which was performed with great courage and commendation chiefly in the Earle of Essex a noble personage valorous in armes and all other wayes of great vertue Truely this Action was marueilously magnificent and appeared a sight exceeding glorious to those that were below looking vpward to the Tarrace where her Maiestie the Lords and Ladies stood so pompously apparelled iewelled and furnished as hardly can be seene the like in any Christian Court as my selfe saw and other the Actors at occasions staying from fight with great admiration did behold and thinke Of the Actors names in this Triumph it seemeth no note is kept yet are many of them liuing Not inferiour but farre exceeding in princely pompe and qualitie of Actors was that Royall combat and fight on foote before her Maiestie the first of Ianuarie Anno 1â—81 where Mounsieur brother vnto the French
gratiously accepting of that offer this aged Knight armed the Earle and mounted him vpon his horse That being done he put vpon his owne person a side coat of blacke Veluet pointed vnder the arme and couered his head in liew of an helmet with a buttoned cap of the countrey fashion After all these ceremonies for diuers dayes hee ware vpon his cloake a crowne embrodered with a certaine motto or deuice but what his intention therein was himselfe best knoweth Now to conclude the matter of assignation you shall vnderstand that this noble Gentleman by her Maiesties expresse commandement is yerely without respect vnto his age personally present at these military exercises there to see suruey and as one most carefull skilfull to direct them for indeed his vertue and valour in Arms is such as deserueth to command And touching that point I will let you know the opinion of Monsieur de Champany a Gentleman of great experience and notable obseruation who at his beeing Embassadour in England for causes of the Low Countreys and writing to his friends there in one of his intercepted Letters among other occurrents these words were found I was quoth he one day by Sir Christopher Hatton Captaine of her Maiesties guard inuited to Eltham an house of the Queenes whereof he was the guradian At which time I heard and saw three things that in all my trauel of France Italy and Spaine I neuer heard or saw the like The first was a consort of musicke so excellent and sweet as cannot be expressed The second a course at a Bucke with the best and most beautifull Greyhounds that euer I did behold And the third a man of Armes excellently mounted richly armed and indeed the most accomplished Caualiero I had euer seene This Knight was called Sir Henry Lea who that day accompanied with other Gentlemen of the Court onely to doe me honour vouchsafed at my returne to Greenwich to breake certaine Lances which action was performed with great dexterity and commendation Thus much was the substance and well neere the whole circumstance of Sir Henry Lea his last taking of Armes wherein he seemed to imitate the auncient Romanes who hauing serued a conuenient time and claiming the priuiledges due to old Souldiers whome they called Emeriti did come into Campo Martio euery man leading his owne horse and there offered his Armes vnto Mars in presence of the chiefe Magistrates which ceremony Scipio Cassius the great Pompey with many other noble Captaines disdained not to doe Summarily these annuall Actions haue bene most nobly perfourmed according to their times by one Duke 19 Earles 27 Barons 4 Knights of the Garter and aboue 150 other Knights and Esquiers The Authors Intention NOw fora much as all that which hath bene hitherto said doeth tend to extoll the excellencie of Armes and honour with the dignities to them appertaining Yet for not being mistaken in my meaning I haue thought good to say that the commendation due vnto learning is of no lesse desart then that which belongeth to Marshall merit And indeed very rarely doeth any man excell in Armes that is vtterly ignorant of good letters For what man vnlearned can conceiue the ordering and disposing of men in marching incamping and fighting without Arithmetique Or who can comprehend the ingenious fortifications or instruments apt for Offence or Defence of Townes or passing of waters vnlesse he hath knowledge of Geometrie or how may Sea seruice be performed without skill to know the Latitude of the place by the Pole and the Longitude by other Starres which must be learned of Astronomers Yea learning is of such necessitie that no common weale without it can be well gouerned neither was any State euer well ordered vnlesse the Gouernors thereof had studied Philosophie chiefly that part that intreateth of maners for that onely informeth first how euery man should gouerne himselfe Secondly how hee should guide his owne family and thirdly teacheth how a Citie or Common weale may be well ordered and gouerned both in warre and peace Which moued Plato to say That happy is the common weale where either the Prince is a Philosopher or where a Philosopher is the Prince And although it cannot be denied that Empires and Kingdomes are both wonne and kept aswell by force and manhood as by wisdome and pollicie yet is the chiefe of that pollicie attained vnto by learning For in all gouernments the wiser haue authoritie aboue the rude and vnlearned as in euery priuate house or towne the most discreet and best experienced are preferred so in all Nations they that be most ciuill learned and politique doe finde meanes to command the rest although in force they be inferiour The experience hereof was apparantly seene in the Grecians and Romanes among whom like as wisedome and learning was most esteemed so their Empires were spread furthest and continued longest And to prooue that excellencie of learning in those Nations preuailed against others equall to them in manhood and courage we also will vse this onely example That albeit this Realme before any conquest thereof was no doubt inhabited with people of great courage yet for that they were vnciuil or at the least without policie and learning they were brought vnder the subiection of other Nations as the Saxons were last by the Normans and the Romanes by the Saxons before that and the Britaine 's by the Romanes first of all And albeit diuers men haue bene and yet are both wise and politique without learning and some also that be learned in respect of wordly policie be very simple yet I say that such wise men should haue bene more excellent if they had bene learned and the other more simple and foolish they had bene vtterly without learning Exercise in warre maketh not euery man fit to be a Captaine though he follow Armes neuer so long and yet is there none so vnapt for warre but with vse is more perfect and the rather if he be learned For if experience doeth helpe then I am sure that learning helpeth much more to the encrease of wisedome We will then determine that experience because it doeth further Wisedome may be called the father thereof and Memorie the mother because she doth nourish and preserue it for in vaine should experience bee sought for if the same were not held in remembrance Then if both experience and memory be holpen and encreased by learning it must needs be confessed that experience helpeth it Euery man seeth that the experience of an old man maketh him wiser then the yonger because he hath seene more â—et an old man seeth onely things in his owne time but the learned maâ— seeth not onely his owne age and experience but whatsoeuer hath bene in long time past yea since the first writer tooke pen in hand therefore must needs know more then the vnlearned man be he neuer so old for no memory can compare with writing Besides that if the vnlearned doe forget any thing seene hardly shall
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
Nobilitas theologica seu supernaturalis Nobilitas naturalis Nobilitas politica The first is a certaine Nobilitie knowen to God only and they that be so ennobled be noble for integrity and vertue The second Nobility may be considered in two respects as Bartholus affirmeth For both creatures vnreasonable and they that are senslesse may in some sort be called Noble as we see Birds euen of one Espece or kind some prooue noble and some ignoble as of Falcons some are Gentle and some Haggard Likewise of fourefooted beasts some are Noble as the Lyon some ignoble as the Wolfe which Ouid in his booke de Tristibus well expresseth Quo quisque est maior magis est placabilis irae Et faciles motus mens generosa capit Corpora magnanimo satis est prostrasse Leoni Pugna suum finem cum iacet hostis habet At Lupus turpes instant morientibus Vrsi Et quaecunque minor nobilitate fera est Politica nobilitas is that honour which the Prince giueth as hath bene formerly said Aristotle in his 4. booke of Politikes maketh foure kindes of Nobility viz. Diuitiarum Generis Virtutis Disciplinae that is noble by riches noble by ancestors noble for vertue and noble for learning But leauing to say more concerning the qualitie of Nobility let vs returne to those persons that we formerly called priuate or simple Gentlemen We say therefore that they ought be preferred before all other men without dignity whensoeuer any comparison is made For this word Gentleman or Nobilis id est nos cibilis is a name of preheminence to distinguish men of vertue from base people We read in holy Scripture how Moses constituted certaine Iudges and called them Sapientes and Nobiles Deut. 1. Samuel was also called Nobilis for his excellencie in prophecying It is likewise in Eccles Beata terra cuius Rex nobilis est And Aristot. in his Polit. sayth Nobilitas apud omnes in honore habetur And Seneca sayth Habet hoc proprium generosus animus quod concitatur ad honesta Now for so much as Nobility or Generositie is the first degree or steppe whereby men ascend to greater dignity it seemeth fit to be enformed how that title is acquired We say therefore that some are Gentlemen by blood of Ancestours as appeareth in the booke of Wisd 3. Gloria hominis ex honore patris sui contumelia filij pater sine honore Also Gloria filiorum parentes eorum Prou. 18. Yet is this to be vnderstood that the worde Parentes signifieth the Nobilitie of fathers not of mothers as Bal. affirmeth Cap. de Seruis fugiti Of which opinion Cicero in his Offices seemeth to be saying Optima haereditas à patribus traditur liberis omnisque patrimonio praestantior gloria virtutis rerumque gestarum Secondly men are made Noble for wisdome for in true wisdome Nobility consisteth Sap. 7. And Prudence ought bee preferred before all riches yea nothing desirable can be thereunto compared Prou 8. Thirdly men are aduanced for learning in the Lawes Ciuil hereof it commeth that Doctors of Law are to be honoured so highly as no other man how honourable soeuer shall presume to call them Fratres but Domini Le. 1. Cod. Yet Bonus de Curtili in his treatise of Nobility sayth That in the opinion of Bartolus knowledge or learning doth not make a Gentleman vnlesse hee be dignified with the title of Doctor or graced by some office of reputation and if that be taken away he shal be reputed a common person Item men placed in Offices Iudicial are thereby made noble for euery Iudge ought be reputed a Gentleman in regard of his Office Also euery officer vnder the Prince I meane hauing any Office of honor or worship is therby made a Gentleman Dignitas nobilitas idem sunt Bart de Dig li. 12. Item men become noble for vertue and chiefly Iustice which moued Lucas de Penna to define Nobilitie thus Nobilitas nihil aliud est quà m habitus operatioque virtutis in homine And another old writer summarily saith Nobilitas hominis est mens Deitatis Imago Nobilitas hominis virtutum clara propago Nobilitas hominis humilem releuare iacentem Nobilitas hominis mentem refrenare furentem Nobilitas hominis nisi turpia nulla timere Nobilitas hominis Naturae â—ura tenere Item if any common person by his vertue or fortune doe chance to be made a Duke and Earle a Baron or do aspire to any other dignitie of honor or worship he thereby becommeth a Gentleman Or if he be made a Captaine of a Countrey or castle hauing pension or fee appertaining thereunto he ought be a Gentleman For which reason euery man of dignitie is a Gentleman Item they are Nobilitated to whom the Prince granteth any honorable Fee farme Pension or intertainement for life chiefly if the same be ancient Quoniam feodum nobile nobilitat suum possessorem And that Fee is indeed ancient and Honourable which by custome is vsed to be giuen by the Prince to Gentlemen onely and if the same be granted to any ignoble person that donation doeth not presently make the receiuer noble Quoniam nobilitas ictu oculi non nascitur Bal. Praeludij FeodoruÌ„ Lucas de Penna saith that if a Yeoman do buy an honorable Fee he shal not thereby become a Gentleman The reason therof is Res à persona sumit coÌ„ditionem honoreÌ„ non e contra Item by common opinion some ignoble persons are called Gentlemen Of these the number is infinite yet are they not indeed Noble but vulgarly so esteemed as Lucas de Penna saith Item men are ennobled by the Princes grant as Baldus affirmeth Yet if a simple subiect being made a Gentleman doe not exercise the qualities beseeming that dignitie he ought be depriued of that title Or if hee conuerse with base men or apparell himselfe and his wife in garments vnfit for their degree they shall not be accompted Noble Quia habitus demonstrat qualitatem dignitatem personae deferentis And as these persons made Gentlemen in not exercising the professions of that degree doe loose the benefit thereof So Captaines and Souldiers discontinuing the warre doe by Law loose their reputation Milites not exercentes militiam non gaudent priuilegijs militum Bal. in lib. 1. Cod. Item men may sometimes become Noble in respect of the place where they were borne For the Citizens of famous Townes may reasonably be thought more worthy then villaines Yet if a Gentleman doe inhabite his village he shall neuerthelesse continue Noble Quia nobilis à rustico non loco sed genere distinguitur Item all men in the princes ordinary seruice and houshold are thereby ennobled and ought be Gentlemen The words 〈◊〉 the Law be these Omnes famulantes principi sunt in dignitate ideo nobiles cum dignitas nobilitas idem sunt Bart. lib. 1. Ca. de Dignit 12. Item some Gentlemen doe hold that dignitie by