HONOR Military and Ciuill contained in foure Bookes Viz. 1. Iustice and Iurisdiction Military 2. Knighthood in generall and particular 3. Combats for life and Triumph 4. Precedencie of great Estates and others ¶ IMPRINTED AT LONdon by Robert Barker Printer to the Queenes most Excellent Maiestie ANNO DOM. 1602. TO THE MOST HIGH MOST MIGHTY AND MOST Excellent Soueraigne Princesse ELIZABETH by the Grace of GOD Queene of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. COnsidering most sacred and most mighty Princesse that the duety of euery Subiect is not onely to obey but also to the vttermost of his power in his degree and qualitie to aduance the Honour of his Prince and Countrey I haue according to my poore talent endeuoured in discharge of my duetie for the place of Seruice which I holde vnder your Maiestie by your most Gracious fauour to frame these Discourses concerning Armes Honor and the Princely Magnificence of your Maiesties Court a subiect proper to Armorists and men of my profession not handled heretofore in our English by them or any other to my knowledge Yet fit to be knowen of all Noble and worthy personages being perswaded that as your Maiestie hath bene a Mirrour to all the world for excellent gifts of Minde Person and Fortune So your Raigne most happie both for victorious Armes and flourishing Arts which shall remaine glorious to all posteritie may haply receiue some Honourable note from hence which I most heartily desire as the chiefest scope of my dessein And so most humbly beseeching your Maiestie to vouchsafe that your poorest Seruant may in all duetie and humble deuotion prostrate himselfe and his Labours at your most Sacred feete I beseech the Almightie God to graunt your Maiestie to exceede all other Princes in length of life in perfect health in prosperous Raigne and all felicitie Your Maiesties Most humble and obedient seruant W. Segar Norroy T. B. To the Reader THE principall markes whereat euery mans endeuour in this life aimeth are either Profit or Honor Th' one proper to vulgar people and men of inferior Fortune The other due to persons of better birth and generous disposition For as the former by paines and parsimony do onely labour to become rich so th' other by Military skil or knowledge in Ciuill gouernment aspire to Honor and humane glory whereof this Booke chiefly entreateth and enformeth all Gentlemen and Souldiers not onely what commendations and prizes belong to valorous desert but likewise what penalties and punishments appertaine to disloyaltie and Armes abused Therewith also is discoursed what dignities and honourable degrees accompany Martiall merit What order hath bene obserued in publique Combats and princely Triumphes both ancient and moderne What places are due to Noble personages aswell men as women And to some others also according to their sex age Office or place of Seruice with diuers other things whereof worthy Gentlemen desire to be enformed This worke with much labour compiled and not without great cost and care now Imprinted is according to order by learned censure allowed and by the Honourable approbation of the right Noble Earle of Nottingham the most ancient and most Honorable Commander in Armes of this kingdome and chiefe Knight of the Order fauourably admitted and recommended The imitation of whose vertue and valour and the excellent actions of other worthy men mentioned in this Booke may reasonably incite all yong Gentlemen to employ their time in study of Morall and Military vertue Thereby to become seruiceable to their Prince profitable to their Countrey and worthy of all Honourable estimation and aduancement Vale. ¶ The Contents of the first Booke THe Prooeme Cap. 1. Military Iustice and the originall thereof Cap. 2. Of warre and the causes thereof Ca◠3. Of Souldiers Cap. 4. How soul. did anciently take oth Ca. 5 VVhat sorts of men ought to be reputed souldiers c. Cap. 6. Of yong souldiers called Tyrones Ca. 7. Of old sould called Veterani Cap. 8. Of souldiers called Emeriti Cap. 9. Of crimes Military in general Cap. 10. Of Treason and Traitors Cap. 11. Of Disobedience Cap. 12. Of Cowardise Cap. 13. Of other Military crimes Cap. 14. Of punishment pecuniarie Cap. 15. Of degrading of souldiers Cap. 16. Punishments Military Cap. 17. Of wages and pay Cap. 18. Restitution of sould goods Cap. 19. Of Donatiues or Rewards Cap. 20. Of Apparell Cap. 21. Of Hostages Cap. 22. Restitution of sould persons Cap. 23. Priuiledges anciently graunted vnto Souldiers Cap. 24. Of Cassation and dismission Cap. 25. Of Iustice appertaining vnto warre offensiue Cap. 26. Of Iustice appertaining to warre defensiue Cap. 27. Of Peace Cap. 28. Of Licences and Pasports Cap. 29. Of Ambassadors or Legats Cap. 30. Of prisoners takē by the enemy C. 31. Of rescuing of Prisoners Cap. 32. Of enemies Cap. 33. Of Immunities Military Cap. 34. Of Captaines generall c. Cap. 35. OF HONOVR MILITArie and Ciuil contayning fiue parts CHAP. 1. ¶ The Prooeme FOrsomuch as the life of man holdeth on a traueilers course continually as it were vnder saile either in the calme of Peace or the tempestuous sea of VVarre it behoueth euery well gouerned Common weale to bee prepared for the one and the other which moued wise Princes and Magistrates not onely to deuise Lawes how men might siue peaceably but also to prepare Armes both defen siue against forraine inuasion and correctiue against domestical insurrection It therefore seemeth expedient to conioyne good Lawes vnto Armes th' one command th' other to execute yet because they are in nature diuers or rather contrary it prooueth a matter of much difficultie For well we see betweene equitie and force is no proportion Lawes are friends to peace and rest but war is alwayes accompanied with men of audatious sudden and seuerest spirit The Philosophers and wise Lawmakers therfore haue endeuoured more to make such warres as might assure peace then to enioy such peace as might not be able to withstand warre Iustinianus desiring to vnite Lawes and Armes authorised one Officer to command both Martially and Ciuilly whom be called Praetor and so the Romanes cōtinued that name for their General of warre His office was mixed both of authoritie Martial and Ciuile It seemeth therefore that as our bodies cannot without sinowes and blood be strong so the warre without ayde of Lawe and equitie may not endure which mooued wise men of former ages to be perswaded that Prudence and Power ought neuer to be disioyned Of which opinion the ancient Poet Horace seemed to be saying Vis expers consilij mole ruit sua The same reason induced learned writers to commend valiant Captaines and wise Counsellors ioyntly and as it were in one and the selfe same ranke VVith Croesus they coupled Solon with Simonides Pausanias Pericles with Anaxagoras The Poets likewise in their workes do praise Agamemnon with Nestor Diomedes with Vlisses meaning to mixe force with policie and ciuile Lawes with power and Armes The Kings of
lege perenni Deinde iterum ex alio faetu instaurata renasci Thus haue we heard the meanes of aspiring vnto honour and by what occasion the same is lost decayed But well I wot that vnto these reasons and examples produced to incite our English youth they answere That were they sure to attaine vnto the least part of that fortune these great personages and many others their inferiours haue come vnto then would they not feare to aduenture their labor and liues to the vttermost but because the paines and perils are certein the successe doubtful they thinke it more wisdome to Hunt and Hawke at home then hazard their bodies abroad or beate their braines about that which haply shall neuer turne them to profit This silly allegation compounded of sloth and pusillanimitie may easily bee refelled but rarely reformed notwithstanding for that I am vsed to loose my labour I will reply thereunto thus That seeing no reward is due before desert and that honour is the recompence of vertue it may not be looked for vntill some vertuous testimony be first shewed What Souldier is so simple as entring into pay wil at the first day looke to be made a Captaine or haue promise within fewe yeeres to become a Generall what Scholler will at his first comming to study demand the degrees due vnto Art or shortly after with little learning will challenge to be a Doctor Yet true it is that sometimes the simplest Archer doeth hit the marke which many an excellent shooter misseth yet hardly will any wise man bee brought to lay money on his side or hope of such successe Euen so in the attaining of Honor although fauour and fortune oft times preferreth the vnworthy yet the true way and most likely meane thereunto is true vertue and industrious life Wherefore concluding I say that euery noble and magnanimous mind doth not so much couet the reward of vertue as it taketh delight therein As the Poet sayth Propter se virtus petitur non propter honorem Ipsa licet propriè ac verè merâ—atur honorem THE FOVRTH BOOKE Of Precedencie and places due to great Personages Ciuil Magistrates and others of reputation The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of Honour in generall Cap. 1. Of Honour in particular And with what Complements men are honoured Cap. 2. Of Ensignes Royall and Military Cap. 3. Of Emperours Cap. 4. Of Kings Cap. 5. Of Queenes Cap. 6. A Prince Cap. 7. An Archduke Cap. 8. A Duke Cap. 9. A Marquesse Cap. 10. An Earle Cap. 11. A Vicount Cap. 12. A Baron Cap. 13. Of Esquires Cap. 14. Of Gentlemen Cap. 15. How Gentlemen are to take place Cap. 16. Priuiledges anciently appertaining to Gentlemen Cap. 17. Of diuers dispositions of Gentlemen according to the humor of the Countrey wherein they inhabit Cap. 18. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance Cap. 19. Of Magistrates Cap. 20. Of Officers and their Precedencie Cap. 21. Of Honourable places due to great Estates their wiues and children Cap. 22. The proceeding of Parliament Cap. 23. The placing of great Officers according to the Statute Anno 31. Hen. 8. Cap. 24. The Queenes Maiesties most Royall proceeding to Pawles Anno 1588. Cap. 25. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition Cap. 26. Of Funerals and Order to be therein kept Cap. 27. Of Monuments and Epitaphes Cap. 28. The Prooeme ALbeit the rankes and places appointed to honourable Subiects ought euer to bee at the Princes disposition and pleasure for so do we find in sacred Scripture Hester cap. 6. Yet the Maiesty of our present Soueraigne hath euer consented that all noble personages Magistrates and others of dignity should precede according to order anciently vsed in the reignes of her most noble predecessors Howsoeuer it be true it is that in diuers ages and vpon diuers considerations some alteration hath bene As sometimes the Prelates haue taken place before Princes and all other Lords and some other times the Temporall Lords and Officers did march next vnto the King In some other time the chiefe precedence was giuen to Dukes Marquesses and Earles without respect vnto the Kings blood his Alliance or fauour So as no absolute order or precise rule hath bene on that behalfe obserued and is the cause that questions and confusion do oft times arise at the assembly and meeting of great personages and others of dignitie and reputation For auoiding of which inconueniences it may please her royall Maiestie by princely power and sacred wisedome to signifie her pleasure on that behalfe to the end that persons of dignitie Magistrates Officers and other subiects of qualitie may be martialled and ranged accordingly For as good order is an ornament of great excellencie so confusion causeth discord and is the roote of many most dangerous questions which moued the Philosophers to say that the losse of worldly wealth is lesse grieuous to men of generous minde then the priuation of place and honorable estimation If then order in precedencie be a matter of so much consequence among persons of reputation great heede and râ—gard ought bee had thereunto to the end that Princes Prelates Magistrates Officers Ministers and all other of honourable and honest qualitie should take due places without preiudice to their superiours or equals For so great is the force of ambition as oftentimes priuate ostentation seeketh to put backe true dignitie and impudent presumption presumeth to step before vertue honour and honourable merit CHAP. 1. Of Honor in generall HOnor saith Cicero is the reward of vertue and infamie the recompense of vice whoso then desireth to aspire vnto Honor it behooueth him to come thereunto by the way of vertue which the Romanes couertly expressed in building the Temple of Honour so as no man could passe thereunto but first he was forced to goe through the Church dedicated to Vertue But because the greatest number of men are not well informed what Vertue meaneth it shall bee expedient to say that Vertue is a good habite and true perfection of reason whereunto whoso will attaine it behooueth him to consider what and how many the morall Vertues are chiefly those fewe of the which the rest haue dependance Therefore to begin with that which of all others is most necessary for preseruation of humane societie I say that Iustice is a vertue which enformeth euery man to rest contented with so much as to him appertaineth and giue to all others that which to them belongeth This is it which conserueth peace and whereof men be deseruingly called Good Next therunto we thinke Temperance or modestie ought to accompanie euery wise man and chiefly him that hath authoritie ouer others For no man there is that can rightly iudge howe to direct the maners of other men that knoweth not first how to gouerne him selfe The rule whereof is this vertue of Temperance which teacheth a moderation of hope and feare and of ioy and sorow with euery
the more rich they were the more they were esteemed Among the Grecians there was not anciently any meane to be aduanced but only by the Emperours seruice wherein whosoeuer did continue any time were he neuer so basely borne should notwithstanding be made a Gentleman The Egyptians and Affyrians would not admit any man to haue the title of a Gentleman vnlesse he were a souldier and skilfull in Militarie affaires The rest of the people liued as slaues without reputation The Tartarians and Muscouites doe holde no man worthy the name of a Gentleman vnlesse he be a man of Armes a Captaine or at the least a souldier of extraordinary account For learning is there of no price CHAP. 19. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance in the time of King Henry the fift WE reade that anciently the greatest and most noble Kings of the world were these viz. The King of Sycionia the King Egypt and the King of Assyria but of them that of Assyria of greatest power For Ninus the sonne of Belus had conquered and brought to his obedience all the people of Asia India excepted Others affirme hee commaunded the one halfe of the world and some say he was King of a third part So writeth S. Augustine li. 17. cap. 17. de ci Dei It is likewise by other writers said that in ancient time were foure mighty Kingdomes by Daniel compared to foure mettals viz That of Assyrians in the East was likened vnto gold that of the Persians and Medians to siluer that of the North Regions to brasse that of the Romans in the West to yron But the kingdomes of the East were most honourable though at length it pleased God that the Empire of Rome resembled to yron both in longitude and latitude exceeded all others For as yron doth cut and decrease all other mettals so the dominion and power of Romanes abased and eclipsed all other Regall puissance Howsoeuer that were the glory and greatnesse of the Romane force in tract of time did also become of small force weake and feeble according to the prophesie of Daniel ca. 2. But leauing to speake more of times so ancient we say that in Asia the chiefe Kingdomes are Catai Tharses Turnester Corasina India Persia Media Georgia Syria Cappadocia Ethinia c. In Affrica is Ethiopia Libya Arabia Iudea Cilicia Mauritania Numidia and others In Europe are likewise many kingdomes but of them these are most potent viz. England France Scotland Spaine Portugal Denmark Moscouia Sweden Poland c. Now touching the Precedence of these Princes in Europe by diuers writers it is affirmed that the King of France may iustly claime the chiefe place First for that it pleased God to send from heauen vnto Clodoueus the first Christian King of that Nation three Lilies as a Diuine fauour to be from thenceforth borne in the Armes of that kingdome before which time the Kings Armes was three Toades Secondly they alleage that France is the most ancient kingdome of Europe and that Suardus was King of that Nation in the raigne of Alexander Thirdly because the King of France is anointed which indeed seemeth a marke of much preeminence Fourthly for that the French King beareth the title of Most Christian. Lastly because it hath been in sundry papall Consistories decreed that the Ambassadours of France should precede the Ambassadors of Spaine Others hold that Precedencie appertaineth to the King of Spaine First for that he is entituled The most Catholique King Secondly because he is King of many kingdomes and consequently of most honour according to the prouerbe of Sal. In mulitudine populi dignitas regis which reason Salust seemeth also to confirme saying Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio But we say the chiefe place of honour and Precedencie in Europe appertaineth to the King of England First in respect of ancienty For albeit Alexander first King of the Grecians and of Persia called himselfe King of the world euen at that time Brutus was King of England and as some haue sayd Suardus was then King of France But Gaquinus in his Chronicle of France maketh no mention thereof not recordeth his name among the number of French Kings Secondly the king of England is anointed and so is no other king but the French King the King of Sicil and the King of Ierusalem Thirdly the King of England is crowned which honour the King of Spaine Portugal Aragon Nauarra and many other Princes haue not Fourthly the King of England is a Prince most absolute as from whom is no appellation either in iurisdiction Ecclesiastical or Ciuil And albeit Enqueranus Monstellet writeth that in the yeere 1420. at the Interuiew of the Kings of England and France making their entrie into the Citie of Paris the French King did ride on the right hand and kissed the Relikes of Saints first Yet is that no proofe of his right in precedence for Quilibet rex seu Princeps in suo regno in culmine sedere debet so saith Corsetus de potestate Regia And admit that in time more ancient the Kings of France had precedence before England yet since the Conquest famous victories of Henry the fift and Coronation of Henry the sixt in Paris the Kings of England may iustly take place neither is the title of most Christian any proofe of ancienty being only an honour giuen for certein seruices done by King Pepin and Charlemaine to the Church of Rome As for the allegation of Spaine affirming that the King Catholike is owner of many kingdomes and therefore of most honor that reason is of no consequence For so is also the King of England whose only kingdome of England is by nature inexpugnable and so plentifully peopled as sufficeth not onely to defend it selfe against all other Nations but also to inuade and conquer as both Spaine and France hath made experience But the last and most effectuall reason in fauour of England is that the King and people thereof receiued the Gospell and faith Christian before France or Spaine Also the Bishops with the Ambassadours English had precedence in the greatest general Councels of Christendome as particularly appeared at the Councell of Constance where the Bishops of England were present and honoured accordingly At which time it was doubted whether Spaine should be admitted a nation but in the end the Spaniards were allowed for the fift and last nation And al the people there assembled were diuided into fiue classes or rankes viz. Germanes French English Italians and Spaniards The Germane ranke contained themselues Bohemia Hungaria Polonia Dalmatia Graecia and Croatia The French had place alone as a nation absolute To the English Nation Scotland Norway Denmark Sweden and Cyprus were adioyned The Italians had all the Kingdomes subiect to Rome Sicily Naples and Argier With the Spaniards were the Ambassadors and Bishops of Castilia Arragon Maiorca Nauarra Portugall and Granado This assembly contained the Legates and Ambassadors of 83. Kings Besides
deserued the titles appertaining to armes and beare about them the scarres and tokens of true valour Adrianus the Emperour would not permit any man to bee a Tribune or take charge in the warre whose beard was not full growen or whose witte or yeres were vncapable of that office neither would he suffer a Captaine to take any thing from his souldier Among many other parts of commendation required in a soueraigne commander there is not any more to bee honoured then liberalitie and contrariwise auarice ought to be extreamely abhorted For hard it is to attend the affaires of warre and ouer much to affect money Great reason therefore had Nicomedes to thinke himselfe vsed with indignitie by the Bithynians when he hauing borne all the offices of warre and was wounded in many places of his body was then repulsed All which notwithstanding Antisthenes was preferred and made General when hee had neuer performed any action praise worthy or memorable nor had endeuoured more then to make himselfe mighty in mony yet is not that Captaine to be misliked that can with honour and good conscience purchase wealth for thereby he hath meane and power to supply the wants both of priuate souldiers and publique scarcitie The office of a souereigne Commander may be compared vnto the skill of him that gouerneth well a priuate house which is to command things fit to make men obedient to reward the good and punish the euill In which offices the one and the other of these commanders shall not faile to finde enemies and therefore may be called a warre Here may we also remember that the Mauritanes being confederate with Iustinianus the Emperour consented that no man should be their Generall but such a one as was a friend vnto the Romanes or had receiued the Ensignes from a commander of the Romane armie which were these A staffe of siluer gilded a cuppe of leather ornified with siluer and a white vesture of small price The Romanes called these officers Magistri militum or Praefecti when they were sent to gouerne an army against the enemy or to giue counsell in the warre or had in charge to dispose of the campe for so was it decreed by Honorius and Theodosius Sometimes also their lieutenants were called Praefecti hauing in charge the defence of a particular prouince against the enemie and were in authoritie equall to him that led the army called Dux and before the Proconsul To this dignity Cabades being restored vnto the kingdome of Persia preferred Selanem a man of great fame and reputation in the warre and therefore called him Seosen which is the title of that Magistrate who commandeth all sorts of souldiers as the Constable doeth in France and the High Marshall in England The office of the Tribunes in Rome was to hold the soldiers in order to see them trained to keepe the keyes of gates to suruey the watch to dispose of the vittaile to correct false measures to punish offenders according to the quality of their faults to behold often the order of the army to here the quarels in question betweene souldiers and to visit the sicke For in deed the office of euery commander consisteth in doing iustice and obseruation of discipline He is also to be spare in giuing licence vnto Souldiers or to permit any horses to passe out of his countrey neither should he suffer them to be employed in hunting hauking or such like exercises a matter specially inhibited by the discipline of Augustus A soueraigne Magistrate militarie ought also to remember that after his commission be expired he ought not to depart the place of his charge within the space of fiftie dayes for so doing without licence of his superior he incurreth an offence capital such was the instruction which Zeno the Emperor did giue vnto Sebastianus notwithstanding his authority was ceassed and a successor come to receiue charge of the Armie THE Second Booke OF KNIGHTHOOD ¶ The Contents of this Booke THE Prooeme Of Knighthood Cap. 1. The originall of Knighthood giuen as a dignitie and what Princes haue authority to make Knights Ca. 2. The maner of making Knights about the yeere of our Lord 500. neere which time King Arthur reigned in England Cap. 3. The order of disgrading Knights in those dayes Cap. 4. Knights of the Round table Cap. 5. Howe actions Aduenturous ought be admired not discredited Cap. 6. The office and duety of euery Knight gentleman Cap. 7. Of Honourable Ornaments giuen vnto Knights Cap. 8. Knights of the Garter Cap. 9. Knights Bannerets Cap. 10. Knights of the Bath Cap. 11. Knights Bachellers Cap. 12. Ceremonies of degrading of Knights in England Cap. 13. Knights of the Toison Cap. 14. Knights of S. Michael Cap. 15. Knights of the Annunciation Cap. 16. Knights of S t. Esprit Cap. 17. Knights Templers Cap. 18. Knights of S. Iago Cap. 19. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta Cap. 20. Knights of Calatraua Cap. 21. Knights of the Band. Cap. 22. Knights of Alcantara Cap. 23. Knights of Montesio Cap. 24. Knights of Redemption Cap. 25. The originall of the knights Teutonici Cap. 26. Knights of the Sepulchre Cap. 27. Knights of S. Mary Cap. 28. Knights of S. Lazaro Cap. 29. Knights of S. Steffano Cap. 30. The Prooeme FOrasmuch as the Actions of Armes chiefly on horsebacke are and euer haue been vsed of Noble personages and Gentlemen of best quailitie whom the Romanes in their flourishing time by a generall tearme called Equites and are presently of the Italians and Spaniards named Caualieri without respect of priuate dignitie or other distinction wee will for this time yet with respect and vnder correction aduenture to English the word Eques a Gentleman that professeth honour vertue and Armes or any of them particularly discoursing of what qualitie hee ought bee as followeth First he must be of good constitution and conuenient strength to endure trauell in Actions appertaining to Souldiers Secondly he should be well fauoured of face and comely for commonly God and Nature giueth beauty to such persons as are destined to command and from others borne to obey hee hath withholden that fauour which moued some writers to affirme that the princely presence of Priamus did shew him to be worthy of gouernement and to commaund other men Thirdly hee should be of bold aspect rather inclined to seuerity then softnesse which countenace the Swisses and Turkes do much affect Fourthly hee must be sober and discreete not inclined to vaine delights or effeminate pleasures Fiftly hee ought bee obedient for of obedience proceedeth that the meaner are content to bee commanded by the better and the ignorant by those that know This vertue was greatly imbraced of the Romanes and occasioned their often victories For the punishment of disobedience inflicted by military Magistrates the Romanes haue left two most notable examples the one of Manlius Torquatus who caused his owne sonne for that fault to be slaine notwithstanding he had
daunger Hieramias with his right hand deliuered a sword vnto Iuda and in the name of God made him a Knight saying Receiue this sacred sword sent from God wherewith thou shalt vanquish the enemies of Israel It hath bene also a custome ancient that Princes did giue collars as a singular demontration of fauour and honour Plinie reporteth that the Romanes did giue vnto their confederates a collar of gold and to their owne citizens a collar of siluer When Manlius in single combat had slaine a French man hee tooke from him a collar of golde all bloodie and put the same about his owne necke in token of victorie After which time he was surnamed Torquatus because Torques in the Latine signifieth a collar or chaine The Emperours in like maner bestowed collars vpon Captaines and others that serued in the warre and deserued commendation In some Histories may be found that collars were of two sorts the first called Duplares th' other Simplices And with those collars the Emperours for the most part did giue prouision of money or vittaile to some more to some lesse For these reasons and by these examples it appeareth that among the ensignes and ornaments of Honor and Armes the great Collar is of highest reputation It is also seene that Princes soueraigne doe at this day bestow chaines or small collars vpon men of vertue or fauour and in token thereof for the most part a picture or modele of the giuer is thereat pendant which Collat the Knight or Gentleman that receiueth it ought carefully to keepe during his life The ancient custome was that Knights of meane degree and such as were not of the great Orders whereunto particular habits are assigned should in signe of honour weare a garment of scarlet because red representeth fire the most noble element and next vnto the Sunne of most brightnesse It was therefore among the olde Romanes decreed That no man should weare any habit of that colour but only Magistrates and men of dignity Red doeth also betoken boldnesse magnanimitie and ardent loue with charitie The element of fire is also assigned to Mars in respect whereof that colour is most proper to Knights Captaines and all other professours of Armes Carol D Howard Comâ— Notingham 〈…〉 CHAP. 9. Knights of the Garter EDward the third King of England after hee had obtained many great victories of Iohn the French King and Iames King of Scotland both prisoners in the Realme at one time Henry King of Castile the Bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this order in his kingdome Anno 1350. vpon no waightie occasion as is reported Notwithstanding the same is and long hath bene in so great reputation as Emperors Kings and Princes haue and doe desire to bee companions thereof for their greater honour The patron of this Order is S. George vnto whom it was first dedicated The Soueraigne of this Order is the King of England his heires and successors for euer The number of this Colledge of fellowship is 26. Knights with the Soueraigne and when any of them die another is chosen by consent of those Knights that liue The habit of these Knights is an vnder garment or gowne of Crimsin veluet of some called akâ—rtle ouer which he weareth a mantle of Purple veluet lined with white sarsnet on the left shoulder thereof is embroidred in a Garter an Eschuchion of S George and ouer his right shoulder hangeth his hood of Crimson veluet lined with white the Cordons to the mantle are purple silke and gold Aboue all which about his necke he weareth the collar of the order being of pure gold made of garters and knots and enamiled with roses white and red weying 30. ounces of Troy weight with the image of S. George richly garnished with precious stones pendant thereat About his left legge he weareth buckled a garter enriched with gold pearle and stones whereupon these French words are embrodered HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Which may be thus Englished Shame be to him that euill thinketh The custome was long that these Knights did yeerely hold a feast at the Castle Windesor where the same King Edward founded a Church and gaue vnto certaine Priests and Prebends large stipends to serue there And he ordained also that thirteene poore aged and decayed Gentlemen by the name of poore Knights were there for euer to be maintained and kept inuested in gownes and mantles of cloth onely sutable with those of the Order to pray for the prosperity of the Soueraigne and his successors and all other Knights of the said noble Order It is not publiquely knowen what mooued the King to make this order but thus it is vulgarly reported that King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court hapned to take vp a blewe garter which fell from one of them and of some said from the Countesse of Salisburie of whom the King was then enamored which garter the King afterwards wore about his left legge for a fauour The Queene taking some offence thereat it was signified vnto the King by some of the Lords the cause of her displeasure at which he smiling sayd HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE I will make of it yet it be long the most honourable Garter that euer was worne and thereupon instituted the order of the Garter Some rather thinke it was made to remunerate those Noble men and Knights that had best endeuoured and deserued in his most Royall and Martiall affaires of France Scotland and Spaine with all which Nations he then had warre and triumphed The Statutes of this great Order for that they are sufficiently knowen I here omit The names of the first Knights KIng EDWARD the third Soueraigne Edward Prince of VVales Henry Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of VVarwicke The Captaine of Bouche Ralph Earle of Stafford William de Mounteacute Earle of Sarisburie Roger Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholomew Burgwash Sir Iohn Beauchampe Sir Iohn de Mohun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas Holland Sir Iohn Grey Sir Richard Fitzsymon Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh VVrothesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames de Audley Sir Otho Holland Sir Henry Eme. Sir Zanchet d'Abrigecourt Sir VVilliam Paganel The names of those Knights that are this present yeere 1602. of the same most noble Order ELIZABETH Queene of England Soueraigne Henry the fourth the French King Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Thomas Sackuile Lord Buckhurst Gilbert Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George Clifford Earle of Cumberland Henry Percye Earle of Northumberland Edward Somerset Earle of VVorcester Edmond Sheffeild Lord Sheffeild Thomas Howard Baron of VValden George Carey Baron of Hunsdon Charles Blount Lord Montioy Sir Henry Lea Master of her Mties Armorie Robert Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Scrope Lord Scrope VVilliam Stanley Earle of Derby Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh  The Officers appertaining at this
Vienna Taniqui de Castello Gouernour of the Prouince of Rossiglioni and Sardenna The rest of Knights to be chosen into this Order was deferred vntill the the next meeting The place of assembly of these Knights and where their Armes with other Ensignes of Knighthood should be preserued was appointed to be the Church on Mount S. Michael To this Order belongeth a Treasurer a Chanceller a Register and an Herauld named Monsanmichaele The feast ordeined for these Knights was on Michaelmas day to bee kept yeerely The Statutes appertaining to this Order are to be seene in the booke intituled Les Ordinances de France In the raigne of Henry the second French King the habit of this Order of S. Michael was altered in maner following as to this day is continued First his dublet hose shoes scaberd with the band of his cap feather were all white His surcoat of cloth of siluer with the sleeues on Ouer that hee wore a mantle of cloth of siluer tied ouer the right shoulder and turned vp ouer the left it was bordered about with a rich embroidery of cockles and knots Ouer the right shoulder lay his hood of cloth of siluer spreading ouer his backe the tippet hanging before and ouer all the Collar of the Order of S. Michael â—mmanud Philibâ—â—tus 〈◊〉 Dux Prâ—â—â—ps Peâ—emontij Ord S. Aâ—â—un ciation Equ◠〈◊〉 Fol. 8â— CHAP. 16. ¶ Knights of the Annunciation THis Order was also about the same time begun by Amedeo Count of Sauoy sirnamed Iâ— Verde in memory of Amedeo the first Earle who hauing valorously defended the Iland of Rhodes against the Turkes wanne those Arnâ—es which deseruingly are now borne by the Dukes of Sauoy Viz. Gules a crosse Argent The Collar appertaining to this Order is made of gold and on it these foure letters engrauen F. E. R. T. which signifieth Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit At the said Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the figute of the Annunciation The Church appointed for ceremonies appertaining vnto this Order is called Pietra within a Castle in the Diocesse of Belleis whereunto was giuen at the foundation of this Order certaine lands for the sustentation of fifteene Chapleins For continuance of this Order at the time of the constitutioâ— were made many honourable ordinances to be kept by the Knights presently elected and after to be elected The chiefe of them are these following First that he the said Duke and his successour should be Lord and Soueraigne of the said Order That euery brother and companion of the said Order should at all occasions fauour loue and maintaine one the other and also defend and protect his person estate against euery other person or persons whatsoeuer That if any question or controuersie should arise betweene two Knights then they to submit the ordering thereof vnto two or more of the fraternitie and after to obserue the same vnuiolated That for auoiding of suite in Lawe whensoeuer any cause of Action was betweene the Knights then the censuring thereof should be referred vnto foure other companions of the Order to the end the matter might be determined without charge or expences And if the question depending were difficult then the Knights that were to consult there of might call vnto their assistance two Doctors mâ—n of approoued honestie and vnderstanding That euery Knight at his death should giue towards the maintaining of the said Church an hundreth Florins to be deliuered into the hand of the Pryor for the time being That at the death of euery Knight the rest of the companions should assemble at the Castle of Pietra to bury the dead in good and honourable order and euery of the said Knights to weare a white gowne and so make their offering Or if any of them could not be present then with what conuenient speed might be to come thither after That euery Knight at his buriall should giue vnto the Church a Collar a Banner his Armour and coat of Armes if he be a Banneret or not being he ought to giue a Penon of Armes a Collar and coat of Armes All which shall be offered on the day of entertainment at the Church in memory of the dead That euery Knight should at his owne charges come vnto the buriall accompanied with two seruants and bring thither foure great waxe Candles or Torches weighing one hundreth pounds ¶ After this Order of Knighthood was ordained at the Castle of Pietra the third of Februarie Anno 1434. by Amadeo first Duke of Sauoia these Statutes were added THat euery Knight after the death of any of the brethren should during certaine dayes be apparelled in blacke and not weare the Collar for nine dayes next after the Knights decease signified That the Soueraigne should at the buriall offer vp his collar That euery Knight in going to offer should proceed according to his ancientie without other respect That no Knight should be receiued into the Order that was a person noted for any dishonourable reproch or if after hee were receiued any fault should be committed then presently was forced to forgoe his collar and neuer more to weare it but returne it vnto the Soueragine within two moneths And if he failed so to doe then to abide the censure of his companions and by an Herauld be summoned to send the collar vnto the Soueraigne and be enioyned neuer after to weare it That euery Knight should be sworne to weare the Order daily and not to accept any other Some other Statutes there are which for breuitie I omit 〈…〉 Henricus Borbortius â— Rex Francia et Nauartaâ— Ordin S. Spiritus Eques Suâ—â—â—mus Fâ—l â—6 CHAP. 17. Knights of S t Esprit THE Order of S t Esprit was instituted by the right Christian King of France and Poland Henrie the third of that name containing a hundred and fiue Articles This Knighthood was instituted in the yeere of grace 1578. and in the fifth yeere of his reigne It was called the Order of the S. Esprit for that on the day and feast of Pentecost it pleased God as they say by the inspiration of the holy Ghost to vnite the hearts and wils of the Polish Nobilitie at an assembly of Estates generall of that puissant kingdome together with the great Duchie of Lituania to make choise of the said Henry for their King and afterward vpon the same day and feast to call and accept him to the rule and gouernment of that Crowne In commemotation whereof with the aduice consent of the Queene his mother the Princes of his blood and other Princes Officers of his Crowne and Lords of his Councell he instituted this Militarie Order of S. Esprit to be continued for euer with all Ordinances and Statutâ— therein mentioned irreuocable The number of persons conteined in the said Order are one hundred besides the Souereigne which is euer the King in which number are comprehended foure Cardinals fiue Prelates the Chauncelor Prouost Master of the Ceremonies great Treasurer and Scribe who are called
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
desiring both to honour her and please himselfe with her presence conuited all noble Ladies to behold a triumph at London to be there performed by the Nobles and Gentlemen of his Court This intention his Maiestie did command to be proclaimed in Fraunce Henault Flanders Brabant and other places giuing Passeport and secure abode to all noble strangers that would resort into England That done he sent vnto al Princes Lords and Esquiers of the Realme requiring that they with their wiues daughters and cosins should at the day appointed appeare at his Court. To this feast came William Earle of Henault and Iohn his brother with many Barons and Gentlemen The triumph continued 15. dayes and euery thing succeeded well had not Iohn the sonne and heire of Vicount Beaumount bene there slaine In this triumph also appeared the Earle of Lancaster and Henry his son The Earle of Darby The Lord Robert of Artoys The Erle of Richmount The Earle of Northampton The Earle of Glocester The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury The Earle of Pembroke The Earle of Hartford The Earle of Arundel The Earle of Cornewall The Earle of Norffolke The Earle of Suffolke The Baron of Stafford with others In the raigne of the same King Edward a Royall Iust was holden at Lincolnâ— by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certaine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Lady Ioane daughter to the King who should haue bene married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died A triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles de Valoys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno 1349. In Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thither came also noble persons of other Nations and Spaniards Cipriots Armenians who at that time humbly desired aide against Pagans An. 1361. A triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthony Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgundie Anno 1444. A triumph before King Henry the sixt ONe other notable Action of Armes was personally performed in Smithfield betweene a Gentleman of Spaine called Sir Francis le Arogonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honour from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him Triumphs before King Henry the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Vaughan was hurt and died 1494. One other triumph was in the same Kings daies performed in the Tower of London Anno 1502. Triumphs before King Henry the eight BVt farre exceeding all these was that magnificent Iust and Tournament at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henry the eight of England and Francis the French King who chusing vnto them fourteen others did challenge to run at the Tilt and fight both at the Tourney and Barrier with all commers The Challengers were the King of England the French King the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Ierningham Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capel with these were so many other French Gentlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thither came Mounsieur Vandosme the Earle of Deâ—onshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euery of them bringing in a faire band of Knights well armed This most noble challenge of these two mighty Kings accompanied with fourteene other Knights of either nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King at Armes in England France and Germanie Anno 12 Henrici 8. One other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet and Edward Neuel Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Caeur Loyal the Lord William Bon Voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Valiant desire and Edward Neuil Ioyâ—us Pensier The Defenders were THe Lord Gray Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blunt Thomas Cheyney Thomas Terrel Christopher Willoughby the Lord Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquesse Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshirâ— Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Caeur Loyal and among the Defenders to Edmond Howard Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights viz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seimor Sir Francis Poynings Sir George Carew Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel Anno 1540. Another action of Armes published in the Chamber of Presence at VVestminster by a King of Armes 25. of Nouember in the 1. and 2. of P. and M. FOrasmuch as euer it hath bene a custome that to the Courts of Kings and great Princes Knights and Gentlemen of diuers Nations haue made their repaire for the triall of Knighthood and exercise of Armes And knowing this Royall Court of England to bee replenished with as many noble Knights as any kingdome in the world at this day It seemeth good to Don Fredericke de Toledo the Lord Strange Don Ferdinando de Toledo Don Francisco de Mendoca and Garsulace de la Vega That seeing here in this place better then in any other they may shew the great desire that they haue to serue their Ladies by the honorable aduentures of their persons They say that they will maintaine a fight on foot at the Barriers with footmens harnesse three pushes with a pike seuen strokes with a sword in the place appointed before the Court gate on Tuesday the 4. day of December from the twelfth houre of the day vntill fiue at night against all commers Praying the Lords the Earle of Arundell the Lord Clinton Gartilapez de Padilla and Don Pedro de Cordoua that they would be Iudges of this Triumph for the better performance of the conditions following First that he which commeth forth most gallantly without wearing on himselfe or furniture any golde or siluer fine or counterfeit wouen embroidered or of goldsmiths worke shall haue a rich Brooch He that striketh best with a Pike shall haue a Ring with a Rubie He that fighteth best with a Sword shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that fighteth most valiantly when they ioyntly fight together shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that giueth a stroke with a Pike from the girdle downeward or vnder the Barrier shall winne no prize Hee that shall haue a close gantlet or any thing to fasten his Sword to his hand shall winne no
vllam nisi datum tibi esset desuper Ioh. 19. It appeareth also that good Princes doe deserue diuine honour as S. Austen seemeth to affirme And the Apostle in his Epistle to Timothy saith Qui bene praesunt duplici honore dignisunt Good and godly Kings therfore haue receiued from God diuine vertue aboue all other creatures As was scene in Saul who being made King by Samuel foorthwith became inspired with the gift of Prophecie and the Spirit of God did enter into him whereby he prophecied with other Prophets 1. King cap. 10. We reade likewise that Salomon being created King obtayned the excellencie of wisedome 1. King 3. If seemeth also that Kings are diuinely inspired with diuers other parttcular graces and vertues as the kings of England and France by touching only do cure an infirmity called The Kings euill the Kings of Spaine as some writers affirme haue power to cast diuels out of meÌ„s bodies CHAP. 6. Of Queenes NExt and neerest vnto the King his Queene is to take place because the weareth a Regall Crowne which no other person but a King may doe It seemeth also that a Queene ought to sit on the Kings right hand which honour the sacred Scriptures do allow Psal. 45. Astitit Regina à dextris tuis in vestitu deaurato And if she be a mayden Queene Soueraigne and absolute shee is In pari dignitate with a King may precede him also according to the dignitie of her kingdome And if she be a Queene of three entiere kingdomes as our Soueraigne is she may assume the title of an Empresse Also Officers and ministers appertaining vnto a Queene absolute are priuiledged equall with the Officers of Kings and may take place accordingly Lu de Pen. Ca. de priuilegijs Note also that albeit a Queene be the daughter of a Duke or an Earle or any other inferior degree yet shall she be called Queene by the dignitie of her husband And if she be the daughter of a King superior to her husband then may she also reteine the dignitie of her fathers daughter Iac. Rebuff alij dig lib. 12. which was the reason that the Lady Claudia daughter vnto King Lewis the 12. did take place before the Lady Loysia of Sauoy notwithstanding shee was mother to King Francis the first So did the daughter precede the mother Yet some doe hold that a Kings mother ought be preferred before all others alleaging the Text Positus est thronus matris iuxta thronum Regis the 3. of Kings We reade also in the same place that King Solomon beholding his mother comming towards him adored her and caused a Throne to be set on his right hand Which seemeth indeede to be her place in absence of the Queene not otherwise as mine Author writeth CHAP. 7. A Prince LIke as the splendent beames of the Sunne doe spread themselues in giuing light heat and comfort vnto all liuing things without any dimunition of his proper vertue either in substance course or brightnesse so from the sacred power and Regall authoritie of Emperours Kings and Queenes all earthly dignities doe proceed yet their owne Princely and soueraigne power In sua prima sublimitate doth not suffer or sustaine any blemish or detriment The first place and chiefest degree therefore after the Estates aforenamed appertaineth vnto the Prince or eldest sonne of the King in respect he is the first borne childe of his father and may claime to sit on the right hand as Baldus seemeth to affirme saying Primogenitus sedet ad dextram patris by imitation of the Christian beleefe Note that the eldest sonne of a King hath euer a title of greater dignitie then his other brethren viz. In England hee is called Prince of Wales in France the Dolphin in Spaine L' Infante c. Princeps dicitur quia est quasi prinicipalis in sâ—renuitate post Regem In Enland he is borne Duke of Cornewall and therefore needeth no ducall creation when he is made Prince he is presented before the King in Princely robes who putteth about his necke a sword bendwise a cap and Coronet ouer his head a ring ouer his middle finger a verge of gold in his hand and his Letters pattents after they be read The second place is due vnto the first sonne of the Kings eldest sonne So as the nephew seemeth to precede the vncle which hath bene a question of great difficultie and left vnto triall of the sword Yet in France it hath bene diuers times diuersly iudged but for the most part in fauour of the Nephew And in England the Nephew was preferred before the Vncle as Baldus noteth CHAP. 8. An Archduke Some hold opinion that this title of Archduke may be assumed by the eldest brother of euery Ducall family in Germany hath bene by custome so vsed as a title of greatest dignitie among brethren But Tillet saith that in France when any great Duke had the conduct of an Armie and thereby commanded other Dukes vnder him then was hee called Duke of France that is to say Duke of Dukes The which office for that it had so great a superintendencie was afterward called Meyer du Pallays This Meyer or Maior had the authoritie of a Vice-Roy and commanded in all causes both Military and Ciuil To this degree of Archduke belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a hood of Crimsin veluet wherewith he is inuested at his Creation he hath also a Chapeau or Ducal cap doubled Ermin indented with a Coronet about the same and one arch of gold with an Orbe hee also beareth a Verge or rod of gold CHAP. 9. A Duke These Dukes are ornified with a Surcoat Mantle and Hood at their Creation they weare also a Ducall cap doubled Ermin but not indented They haue also a Coronet and Verge of gold Note here that in England all Dukes of the Kings blood as his sonne brother vncle or nephew ought be reputed as Archdukes and precede all other Dukes Note also that hee who is a Duke tantùm shall take place before any Lord that is both a Marquesse and an Earle notwithstanding they be two dignities But he that is a Duke and Marquesse or a Duke and an Earle shal march before a Duke tantùm CHAP. 10. A Marquesse THe fift estate is a Marquesse called by the Saxons A Marken Reue that is to say a Ruler of the Marches This great Officer in the Kings battaile was chiefe Captaine of the Horse campe and next it authoritie vnto the Heâ—tzog or Constable so that it should seeme he was in degree as our High Marshall is in England To this estate is due a Surcoat Mantle and Hood with a Coronet of golde Fleury CHAP. 11. An Earle In the Empire at this day are sundry sorts of Earles which they call Graues as Landgraues id est regionum Comites Margraues id est certarum marcarum seu districtuum vel agri ciuitatis aut regionis alicuius finium Comites Palatins qui sunt Iudices regni