Office of a King to fight the Battels of his people and rightly to judge them 1 Kings 8. And the Prophet David saith Be ye learned you that judge the Earth Whereto if they also would endeavour to have knowledge in the Principles and Grounds of the Laws of their own Country which they in due time inherit they shall be much the more enabled to govern their Subjects and it is a point of Wisdom in such to acknowledge that Rex datur propter Regnum non Regnum propter Regem And to move the Princes to these things there is an excellent Book Dialogue-wise between a Prince a King's Son of this Realm and Sir Iohn Fortescue a Judge entituled De laudibus Legum Angliae Many that have been Heirs apparent to the Crown of England ever since the Norman Conquest have been taken away either by their natural deaths or by violence during the life of their Ancestors so that they have not attained to the Crown William the only Son of Henry the First was drowned in his passage from Normandy his Father reigning Eustace King Stephen's only Son died mad to the great grief of the King his Father William the eldest Son of King Henry the Second died in the Fourth year of his Age and in the Third year of his Fathers Reign King Henry the Second's Son called Curt-Mantel was in his Father's life time crowned King by the Name of King Henry the younger but died in the life time of his Father Geffrey the fourth Son of the said King died during the Reign of Richard Coeur de Leon his third Brother which King Richard had no Son and so Geffrey was Heir apparent to the Crown King Edward the First had Issue Iohn Henry and Alphons but all three died in their Childhood in their Father's life Edward the Black Prince of famous memory eldest Son to King Edward the Third died before his Father Richard the Third had Issue only one Son named Edward who died without Issue Arthur the eldest Son and Heir apparent to King Henry the Seventh died in the life time of his Father Henry Prince of Wales eldest Son to King Iames also left the World before his Father These Examples may serve as a Mirror for all succeeding Princes and others to see how transitory the Glory of this World is whereof the saying of the Princely Prophet David may never be out of remembrance Psal. 82. I have said ye are Gods and ye are all the Children of the most High but ye shall die like men and ye Princes like others Also divers other Heirs apparent and those that have been in possession of their Crowns have been defeated by Usurpers And namely Robert Duke of Normandy eldest Son to William the Conqueror was defeated of his Birth-right by his two younger Brethren William Rufus and Henry successively one after another and after Six and twenty years Imprisonment having both his Eyes put out died in the Reign of his Brother Henry Maud the sole Daughter of the said King Henry was defeated of her Birth-right to the Crown by Stephen the Son of her Fathers Sister Arthur the only Son and Heir of Geffrey the fourth Son to Henry the Second was next Heir to the Crown after the death of his Uncle Richard the first King of that Name who died without Issue his Father being dead before but his Uncle Iohn Son to the said Henry the Second defeated him not only of his right to the Kingdom but also of his Life and that by starving him King Edward the Second was deposed by his eldest Son who in the life time of his Father took upon him to be the King of England Richard the only Son to Edward the black Prince and next Heir to the Crown after the death of his Grandfather King Edward the Third was defeated both of his Crown and Life by Henry of Lancaster Son to Iohn of Gaunt who was but the fourth Son of King Edward the Third yea although Lionel the third Son of the said King Edward had Issue Philip his only Daughter who by consequence was next to the Crown before the Issue of Iohn of Gaunt which Philip was married to Edward Mortimer Earl of March from whom the House of York by the name of Edward the Fourth are lineally descended For William of Hatfield second Son to King Edward the Third died young without Issue King Henry the Sixth having but one Son named Edward he was slain in the life time of his Father and the King himself deposed by Edward the Fourth and murthered in the Tower So the Act of Parliament made between them for an indented Peace exemplified in our Books of Law Edward and Richard the two only Sons to Edward the Fourth after the descent of the Crown and before the Coronation of Prince Edward were both of them murthered in the Tower by their Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester who thereupon took upon him the Crown although there were remaining alive divers Daughters of the late King Edward the Fourth During these troublesome and tragical times each of the Kings prevailing attainted the other their Adversary of High Treason by Act of Parliament intending utterly to disable them and make them to be incapable by the Law of the Crown And it is a matter worthy of Observation how the Hand of God did not forget to pursue Revenge in these Cases for William Rufus died without Issue Henry his Brother had a Son and one Daughter but his Son died an Infant and his only Daughter Maud was defeated of her Birthright by Stephen King Iohn who defeated Arthur his Nephew of his Birthright and Life lived in continual Wars never enjoyed Peace but was driven to submit himself and subject his Kingdom to the Pope In his time Normandy which King William the First brought with him and which in five Descents continued in actual Obedience of the Kings of England was in the sixth year of his Reign lost until King Henry the Fifth recovered it again and left it to King Henry the Sixth who again lost it in the Eight and twentieth year of his Reign as doth appear both in our Chronicles and in our Books of Law Concerning the violence done to King Henry the Second albeit Edward his Son enjoyed a long and prosperous Reign yet his Successor King Richard was in the like violent manner imprisoned deprived and put to death King Henry the Fourth by whom King Richard was deposed did exercise the chiefest Acts of his Reign in executing those who conspired with him against King Richard His Son had his Vertue well seconded by Felicity during whose Reign by the means of Wars in France the humour against him was otherwise imployed But his next Successor King Henry the Sixth was in the very like manner deprived and together with his young Son Edward imprisoned and put to death by King Edward the Fourth This Eward died not without suspicion of poyson and after his death his two Sons were likewise
disinherited imprisoned and murthered by their cruel Uncle the Duke of Glocester who being both a Tyrant and Usurper was justly encountred by King Henry the Seventh in the Field So infallible is the Law of Justice in revenging Cruelties and Injuries not always observing the present time wherein they are done but often calling them into reckoning when the Offenders retain least memory of them But as the saying is Ex malis moribus bonae leges oriuntur so their Tragical and Miserable Combustions have occasioned that the Law hath established more certain Resolutions in all these cases and pretences against the right Heir to the Crown than before For first though a common Opinion was conceived that a Conqueror might freely dispose of the Succession of that Estate which he had obtained by the purchase of his Sword which was the Title pretended for William Rufus yet now in our Books this difference is taken for Law viz. between the Conquest of a Kingdom from a Christian King and the Conquest of a Kingdom from an Infidel For if a King come to a Christian Kingdom by Conquest seeing he hath Vitae necis potestatem he may at his pleasure alter and change the Laws of that Kingdom but until he doth make an alteration thereof the ancient Laws do stand and therefore the case of Rufus the ancient Law of this Realm being That the eldest Son should inherit and that a King in possession cannot devise the same by his last Will or by other Act therefore the said William Rufus was no other than a Usurper But if a Christian King should Conquer a Kingdom from an Infidel and being then under his subjection there ipso facto the Laws of the Infidels are abrogated for that they be not only against Christianity but against the Law of God and Nature mentioned in the Decalogue and in that case until certain Laws be established amongst them the King by himself and such Judges as he shall appoint shall judge them and their causes according to natural Equity in such sort as Kings in ancient times did within their Kingdoms before any certain municipal Laws were given And if a King have a Kingdom by Title of Descent there seeing by the Laws of that Kingdom he doth inherit the Kingdom he cannot change those Laws of himself without consent of Parliament Also if a King have a Christian Kingdom by Conquest as King Henry the Second had Ireland after that King Iohn had given unto them being under his Obedience and Subjection the Laws of England for the Government of that Country no succeeding King could alter the same without Parliament In Succession of Kings a question hath been Whether the King who hath had Sons both before and after he came to the Crown which of them should succeed he that was born before as having the prerogative of his Birthright or he that was born after And for each Reasons and Examples have not been wanting For Xerxes the Son of Darius King of Persia being the eldest Son after the enthroning his Father carried away the Empire from his Brother Arthemones or Artobazanes who was born before his Father came to the Royal Possession thereof So Arceses the Son of another Darius born in the time of his Fathers Empire carried away the Garland from his Brother Cyrus born before his Father came to the Empire So Lewis Duke of Millain born after his Father was Duke was preferred to the Dukedom before his Brother Galiasius born before the Dukedom But notwithstanding these Examples and the Opinion of sundry Doctors to the contrary common use of Succession in these latter days hath been to the contrary and that not without good reason for that it is not meet that any that hath right to any Succession by the prerogative of their Birthright such as all elder Brothers have should be put by the same And this was the pretence of Henry the First against Robert his eldest Brother Also sundry Contentions have risen in Kingdoms between the Issue of the eldest Son of the King dying before his Father and the second Brother surviving who should Reign after the death of the Father the Nephew challenging the same unto him by the Title of his Fathers Birthright and by way of Representation Cok. part 3. cap. 4. the other claiming as eldest Son to his Father at the time of his death Upon which Title in old time there grew a Controversie between Arcus the Son of Arrotatus eldest Son of Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia and Cleomenes second Son of Cleomenes Uncle to the said Arcus But upon debate of the matter the Senate gave their Sentence for Arcus against Cleomenes Besides Enominus King of Lacedemon having two Sons Polydectes and Licurgius Poyldectes dying without Children Licurgius succeeded in the Kingdom but after he had understood that Polydectes Widow had a Child he yielded the Crown to him wherein he dealt far more religiously than either did King Iohn or King Richard the Third For King Iohn upon the like pretence not only put by Arthur Plantaginet his eldest Brother's Son from the Succession of the Kingdom but also most unnaturally took away his life And King Richard the Third to come to the Crown did most barbarously not only slay his two innocent Nephews but also defamed his Mother in publishing to the World that the late King his Brother was a Bastard Our Stories do obscurely note that Controversie of like matter had like to have grown between King Richard the Second and Iohn of Gaunt his Uncle and that he had procured the Counsel fo sundry great Learned Men to this purpose but that he found the hearts of divers Noblemen of this Kingdom and especially the Citizens of London to be against him whereupon he desisted from his intended purpose and acknowledged his Nephews Right And the reason of the Common Law of England is notable in this point and may be collected out of the ancient Authors of the same Glanvile lib. 7. cap. 1. Bracton lib. 7. c. 30. and by Brittan fol. 119. For they say Whosoever is Heir to another aut est haeres jure proprietatis as the eldest Son shall inherit only before his Brothers aut jure representationis as where the eldest Son dieth in the life of his Father his Issue shall inherit before the youngest Son for though the youngest sit magis propinquus yet jure representationis the Issue of the eldest Son shall inherit for that he doth represent the person of his Father And as Bracton saith jus proprietatis which his Father had by his Birthright doth descend unto him aut jure propinquitatis ut propinqui jus excludit remotum remotus remotiorem aut jure sanguinis And yet Glanvile Lord Chief Justice under King Henry the Second seemeth to make this questionable here in England Who should be preferred the Uncle or the Nephew Also it hath been resolved for Law That the possession of the Crown purgeth all defects
Honourable and Peers of the Realm as they are Barons without any other distinction The Etymology of the Name of Baron MAny Writers have laboured to place the Etymology and signification of this word wherein following too much their own Fantasies they have bred much variation of Opinion As for Etymology of words I agree with him that saith it is Levis fallax Effigies Illustrissimi DniÌ„ Caecilij Calvert Baronis BALTEMORE de Baltemore in Regno Hibernice Absoluti DniÌ„ et Proprietarij Provinciarum Terrae-Mariae et Avaloniae in America etc a. Abra Blotling sculp The Right Honourable George Lord Nevill Baron of Abergâ—venny in Monmouthshire â—â— The Right Honourable Iames Lord Touâ—hett Baron Audley of Hâ—leigh in England and Earle of Castle haâ—en in Ireland c a. The Right Honourable Charles Lord Weâ—â— Baron De la Ware in Hantshire The Right Honourable George Lord Berkley of Berkley c a. descended from Harding a yonger sone of one of the Danish Kings Who came in with William ye. Conquerour c a The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Parker Baron Morley and Monteaglâ— in Lancashire The Right honourable Conyers Lord D'Arcy Baron D'Arcy and Menil in Yorkshire The Right Honourable Benjamin Lord Mildmay Baron Fitzwater The Right Honourable William Lord Sturton Baron Sturton of Sturton in Wiltshire The Right Honourable Henry Lord Sandis Baron Sandis of the Vine in Hantshire The Right Honourable Thomasâ— Lord Windsor Lord Leivetenant of Worcestersh and one of the Lords of his Ma â—â—s most honble Privy Councel for the Kingdome of Ireland The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Cromwell Baron of Oakham in Rutlandsh and Earle of Arglast Viscount Lecaile in the Kingdome of Ireland The Right honble Ralph Lord Eure Baron of Wilton in the County of Northumberland ct The Right Honourable Phillip Lâ—â—â— Wharton Baron of Wharton in The County of Westmoreland The Right Honourable Iohn Lord 〈◊〉 Baron Willoughby of Parhâ—m in Lincolnshire The Right Honourable William Lorâ— Pagâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of Beaudefert in the County of Stafford The Right Honourable Charles Loâ—◠〈◊〉 of Cartlidge in ye. County of Canâ—â—râ—â—â— and Baron Grey of Roleston The Right Honourable William Lord Bruges Baron Chandois of Sudley Castle in Glocester shire The Right Honourable Iames Lord Bertue Baron Norris of Rycott in Oxford shire brother to the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Lindsey ct The Right Honourable William Petre Baron of Writtle in Essex The Right Honourable Digby Gerard Baron of Gerardsâ— Bromley in Staffordshire The Right honble Charles Lord Stanhope Baron of Harrington in the County of Northampton c a. The Right honble Henry Lord Arundell Baron of Wardure in Wiltshire and Count of the Empire The Right Honourable Christopher Lord Roper Baron Tenham of Tenham in Kent The Right Honourable Robert Grevill Baron Brook of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire Ld. Leivtenant of Staffordshire The Right Honourable Edward Lord Montague of Boughton decended from Simon Montague of Houghton who was brother to Iohn Earle of Salisbury The Rt. honble Ralph Lord Grey Baron of Warke c â— of whose family was Sr. Iohn Grey who for his good service in France was by King Henry the 5th created Earle of Tangverville in the said Kingdome The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Roberts Baron of Truro in Cornwall and one of the Lords of his maties most Honourable Privy Councell c a. The Right Honourable Iohn Lovelace Baron of Hurley in Barkshire The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Poulet Baron of Hinton St. George in Somerset shire The Right Honourable William Maynard Baron of Estaines in Essex and Baron Maynard of Wicklow in Ireland Comptroler of his Mtys household and one of the Lords of his most Honourable privy Councell The Right Honourable George Coventry Baron of Alesborough in Worcestershire The Right Honourable Thomas Howard Baron of Escricke in Yorkshire The Right honble Charles Lord Mohun Baron Mohun of Okehampton in Devonshire the Right honble Edward Lord Herbert Baron of Cherbury in Montgomeryshire and of Castle Island in Ireland and one of the Lords of his matyâ— most honble privy Councell for the Kingdom of Irelandâ— The Right honble Thomas Lord Leigh Baron Leigh of Stoneley in Warwick-shire The Right honble Richard Lord Biron Baron of Rachdale in Lancashire The Right honble Christopher Lord Hatton Baron of Kirby in Northamptonsh Governor of the Isle of Gemsey ct The Right honble Richard Lord Vaughan Baron of Emlyn in England and Earle oâ— Carbery in Ireland and one of the Lds of his Majestys most honble Privy Councell The Right honble Francis Lord Carrington Baron of Wotton in Warwicksh Viscount Bâ—rreford in the Kingdome of Ireland The Right honble William Lord Widdrington of Widdrington Castle in Northumberland and Baron of Blackney in ye. County of Lincolne The Right Honourable Edward Lord Ward Baron of Bermingham in the County of Warwick The Right honble Thomas Lord Culpeper Baron of Thornsway in Kent The Right honble Iacob Lord Astley Baron of Reding in Berkshire The Right Honourable Charles Lord Lucas Baron of Shenfeild in the County of Essex the Right honble John Lord Belasis Baron of Worlabye in Lincolnshire the Right honble Edward Watson Baron Rockingham of Rockingham in Northamtonshire son of Lewis Lord Rockingham by the Lady Elianor sister to Iohn Earle of Rutland now living An. 1625 The Right Honourable Charles Lord Gerard Baron of Brandon in Suffolk Gentleman of his matys Bedchamber The Right honble Robert Sutton Baron Lexington of Axam in Nottingham shire The Right Honourable Charles Henry Lord Kirkhoven Baron Wotton of Wotton in Kent The Right Honourable Marmaduke Lord Langdale Baron of Holme Langdale in Westmorland The Right honble William Lord Crofts Baron of Saxham in Suffolk Oâ—e of the Gentlemen of his matys Bedchamber The Right honble Iohnâ— Lord Berhley Baron of Stratton in Somersetshire One oâ— the Lords of his Majestys most honble Privy Councell The Right honble Denzell Lord Holles Baron of Ifield in Sussex Lord high Steward of the Honors Manor s and Revenews of the Queens Custos Rotolorum of Dorset shire The Right Honourable Charles Lord Cornwallis Baron of Eye in Suffolke c a. The Rt. honble George Lord Booth Baron De la Mer of Dunham Massey in Cheshire c a. The Right Honourable Horatio Lord Townesend Baron of Linn Regis in the County of Norfolke Lord Leivetenant of the said County c a. The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Crew Baron of Stean in Northampton shire The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Frescheville Baron of Staveley in Derby shire The Right Honourable Richard Lord Arundell Baron of Trerife in Cornwall The Right honble Thomas Butler Earle of Ossâ—ry in Ireland Baron Butler of More Park in Hereford shire Eldest Son to his Grace Iames Duke of Ormond Kt of the Garter one of the Gentlemen of his matys Bedchamber and Lords of his most Honourable privy Councell c a. The Right Honorbl Hugh Lord Clifford Baron of Chudleigh
A. 1351. they came to an Agreement and shortly after with the consent of Pope Clement the Sixth the Queen and Lewis Prince of Tarentum were crowned King and Queen of that Kingdom And in commemoration of so happy a Union the Prince instituted this Order into which were enrolled Seventy of the noblest Lords in Naples together with some Strangers Their Habit appointed them was a white Garment and their Ensign was a Knot intermixed with Gold But this Order expired soon after the death of the Founder Knights of the Argonauts of St. Nicholas in Naples THIS Order was instituted in Anno 1382. by Charles the Third King of Naples for the advancement of Navigation which was much wanting amongst the Neopolitans but others say it was erected for the preserving of Amity amongst the Nobles who were the Persons that were inveâ—â—ed with the said Honour Their Ensign appointed them by the said King was a Ship toâ—â—ed in a Storm with this Motto Non credo tempori Their Habit was a white Garment and their great Feast was held in the Convent of that stately Church built by St. Nicholas Bishop of Smyrna But by reason of the King 's not settling a Revenue thereon upon his death it became disused Knights of the Ermyn in Naples FErdinand the First King of Naples having ended the War which he had against Iohn of Lorain Duke of Calabria his Brother in Law Marinus Marcianus Duke of Sessa and Prince of Rosiano had raised a Confederacy against him and intended to kill him when they were together by which means the Kingdom might be transferred to the Duke of Calabria But this Plot being discovered and the Duke apprehended instead of causing him to be executed the King elected him one of this Order and also admitted thereunto all the Nobles of his Kingdom The Collar with which they were invested was of Gold intermixed with mud or dirt to which hung an Ermyn with this Motto Malo mori quam foedari DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN SAVOY Knights of the Annunciation THIS Order was instituted in the Year 1362. by Amedeo the Sixth Earl of Savoy Surnamed Il Verde in memory of Amedeo the first Earl thereof who having valorously defended the Isle of Rhodes against the Turks won those Arms which are now born by the Dukes of Savoy viz. Gules a Cross Argent The Collar belonging to this Order is of Gold on which are these Letters Engraven F. E. R. T. which signifie Fortitudo ejus Rhodum tenuit and to this Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the figure of the Annunciation which is their daily Badge which they wear about their Shoulders This Order at first consisted of Fifteen of which the Founder was the Sovereign which number was afterwards enlarged The Church where the Ceremonies were observed and the Chapters held by the Sovereign and the Knights was first at Pierre Chastle which afterwards removed to Montmeillar and thence to the Hermitage of Camaldule seated upon the Mountain of of Turin Their Habit is now a purple Mantle seeded with Roses and Flames in embroidery of Gold and Silver bordered with the Symbols of the Order fringed with Gold and lined with Cloth of Silver and tissued blew under which instead of a Surcoat is worn a white Satin Suit embroidered with Silk and the Breeches like Trouses half way their Thighs In the said Church were entertained Fifteen Priests who were to say Fifteen Masses daily to the honour of the fifteen Joyes of the blessed Virgin to the Souls health of him his Predecessors and all who have been were or should hereafter be Knights of this Order Amongst the Orders by them observed every Knight at his death was to give to the maintenance of the Church One hundred Florins which was to be paid to the Prior for the time being That at the death of any of the Knights the rest should assemble themselves to bury the dead in an honourable order and every Knight to wear a white Gown and so make his Offering each bringing with him four Wax Torches weighing One hundred pound and afterwards for Nine days to apparel themselves in mourning And that every Knight at his burial should give unto the Church a Collar a Banner his Armour and Coat of Arms all which to be offered at the day of Entertainment at the Church in memory of the deceased Knights of St. Maurice AMadis the eighth Duke of Savoy with ten of his Court Knights retired themselves to the Desart of Ripaille near the Lake of Geneva where they led a Solitary and Hermetical Life And in the Year 1434. as well to honour St. Maurice the titular Saint and Patron of Savoy as of his Launce or Sword and Ring which as a Pledge of Dominion are delivered to them with great Solemnity at their Inauguration This Order was instituted and was made subject to the Rule of St. Augustine The Habit assigned them was an Ash-colour or grey Gown and Chaperon with Sleeves faced with red Chamlet also a Vest of the same girded about them with a golden Girdle and on the Breast of the Mantle a white Cross pommette of Cloth or Taffaty About Nine years after the Papal See being void by the Deposition of Pope Eugenius the Fourth this Duke for his devout Life was elected Pope â— which with much perswasions he accepted of But he had not been in it above Nine years but he resigned the Chair to Pope Nicholas the Fourth and retired again to a Solitary Life at Ripaille where he ended his days in Anno 1451. and was interred in the Cathedral of Lausanna Knights of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus THese two Orders were erected by Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy in Anno 1572. and at the request of the said Duke were confirmed and united into one Order by Pope Gregory the Thirteenth who constituted the said Duke and his Successors Dukes of Savoy Grand Masters thereof obliging them to set out two Gallies for the Service of the Papal See against the Turkish Pirats Their Ensign is a green Cross of St. Lazarus charged with a white Cross of St. Maurice which they wear either tied to a gold Chain or a Ribon Their Habit is a Gown of crimson Tabby with a long Train wide Sleeves and edged about with white Taffaty and a Cordon with a Tassel of white and green fixt to the Collar thereof A DEGREE OF KNIGHTHOOD IN SWITZERLAND CALLED Knights of the Bear THE Emperor Frederick the Second going in Pilgrimage to the Abbey of St. Gall in Anno 1213. gave great Priviledges in acknowledgment of their Assistance in pulling down the Emperor Otho and establishing himself and erected this Order of Knighthood which he conferred on several Noblemen which Annually met at the Abbey of St. Gall on the Sixteenth of October where all new Knights were to receive the Order from the Abbot the Patron thereof on which day such as were to be admitted into the Fraternity were girded with a Military Belt the Sword being
Bishop of Liege who died in the year of our Lord 727. As to their Habit and Ensign I have met with no account thereof Knights of the Order of St. James in Holland THIS Order received its institution in the Year 1290. from Florentius Earl of Holland and Zealand who in his Palace at the Hague in honour of St. Iames created Twelve of his principal Nobles Knights of this Order whom he invested with Collars of Gold or Military Belts of Silver and Gilt adorned with six Escallops to which hung the figure of St. Iames the Apostle DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN SWEDEN Knights of the Brician Order THIS Order was erected in the Year of our Lord 1366. by the famous Queen Bridget who for her holy Life was styled and enrolled a Saint and out of her zeal for the honour of Jesus Christ the defence of the Christian Religion the securing the Confines of her Kingdom the succouring Widows and Fatherless and the maintenance of Hospitality endowed this Order with a considerable Revenue This Order was approved of by Pope Vrban the Fifth who gave them the Rule of St. Augustine And their Ensign was a blew Cross of eight points and under it a Tongue of Fire Knights of the Seraphins THIS Order was instituted in Anno 1334. by Magnus the Fourth King of Sweden in memorial of the Siege laid to the chief City of Vpsala The Collar assigned to this Order was composed of Patriarchal Crosses of Gold and of Seraphins of Gold enameled red and at the end thereof hung the figure of our Saviour or of the Virgin Mary Knights of Amaranta THIS Order was instituted about the Year 1645. by Christiana Queen of Sweden in honour of a Lady named Amaranta celebrated for her Charity Modesty Beauty and Courage And by their Oath they were to defend and protect the person of the Queen as also the persons of their Fellow Brothers from harm To his power to advance Piety Virtue and Justice and to discountenance Injury and Vice Their Ensign is a Jewel of Gold composed of two great A A one being reversed enriched on both sides with Diamonds and set within a wreath of Laurel Leaves banded about with white whereon is this Motto Dolce nella memoria And this Badge they wear either hanging at a gold Chain or a crimson or blew Ribon which they please Here is another Order of Knighthood in this Kingdom of Sweden called of the Sword and Military Belt whose Collar consisted of Swords and Belts conjoyned but by whom and when Instituted I am ignorant of KNIGHTS OF THE Order of the Elephant IN DENMARK KING Christian the First of Denmark upon a Religious account travelled to Rome and amongst other Honours Pope Sixtus the Fourth in memory of the Passion of our Saviour invested him with this Order and ordained him and his Successors Kings of Denmark Chief and Supream of the said Order which was conferred on the Danish Princes as a memorial to incite them to defend the Christian Religion against the Moors and Aâ—ricans These Knights were obliged to perform Acts of Piety and Charity with certain Ceremonies to be observed especially upon those days on which they wore the Ensign of their Order which was the figure of an Elephant on whose side within a rundle was represented a Crown of Thorns with three bloody Nails Instead of their golden Collar formerly won by them they now wear about them a blew Ribon to which hangs an Elephant enameled white and beautified with five large Diamonds set in the midst On the day of the Coronation of the King 's of Denmark this Order hath been commonly conferred upon the Nobles and most deserving Senators of his Kingdom DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN POLAND Knights of Christ or of the Sword-bearers in Livonia THIS Order was instituted by Albert Bishop of Livonia about the Year of our Lord 1200. for the propagation of the Christian Religion in those Parts in imitation of the Knights Teutonicks in Prusia to which Order they were united about the Year 1237. and submitted themselves to their Rule and Habit by whose assistance they subdued the Idolatrous Livonians and brought them to embrace the Christian Faith But in the Year 1561. Gothard de Ketler then Great Master in the Castle of Riga surrendred to the use of Sigismond the Second King of Poland Surnamed Augustus all the Lands belonging to this Order together with the Seal of the Order his Cross the Keys of the City and Castle of Riga the Charters and Grants of the several Popes and Emperors which concerned the same the priviledge of Coynage and all other matters concerning the same upon which the said Great Master received back from the said King's Commissioners the Dukedom of Curland to be enjoyed by him and his Heirs for ever upon which this Order became extinguished Knights of the white Eagle THIS Order was erected by Ladislaus the Fifth King of Poland for the further honouring the Marriage of his Son Casimire the Great with Anne Daughter of Gerdimir Duke of Lithuania in Anno 1325. and for their Ensign had a white Eagle crowned KNIGHTS OF THE Order of the Dragon OVERTHROWN IN HUNGARY THIS Order was instituted in the Year 1418. by Sigismund the Emperor Surnamed the Glorious for the Defence of the Christian Religion and the suppressing the Schismaticks and Hereticks which he had been victorious over in many Battels Their Ensign which they daily wore was a green Cross flory on Festival days they wore a scarlet Cloak and on their Mantle of green Silk a double gold Chain or a green Ribon to which hung the figure of a Dragon dead with broken Wings and enameled with variety of colours But although this Order was of high esteem for a time yet it almost expired with the death of the Founders Knights of the Order of the Sword in Cyprus GVY of Lusignan soon after his possession as King of the Isle of Cyprus which he had bought of Richard the First King of England for One hundred thousand Crowns of Gold in Anno 1195. erected this Order in Commemoration of so good and fortunate a Plantation for Fifteen thousand Persons which he had brought thither with him The Collar of this Order was composed of round Cordons of white Silk woven in Love-knots and interlaced with the Letters S. and R. To this Collar hung an Oval of Gold wherein was enameled a Sword the Blade Silver and the Hilt Gold and about the Oval was this Motto Securitas Regni This Honour of Knighthood the said King who was Great Master conferred on his Brother Amaury Constable of Ierusalem and Cyprus and on Three hundred Barons which he had created in this his new Kingdom But when the Turks became Masters of the Isle this Order ceased KNIGHTS OF Saint Anthony IN AETHIOPIA ABout the Year of our Lord 370. Iohn Emperor of AEthiopia vulgarly called Prester Iohn erected into a Religious Order of Knighthood certain Monks who lived an austere and solitary Life in
Anno 1498. But as Micheli saith by Pope Paul the Third for the Security of the Confines of the Adriatick Sea against Pirats who for their Ensign wore a Cross of Gold entow'red with a Circle of the same in form of a Crown Knights of St. Paul at Rome THIS Order was instituted by Pope Paul the Third in Anno 1540. Their Ensign was the Figure of St. Paul which they wore hanging on a Chain of Gold Knights called Pios at Rome THIS Order was instituted by Pope Pius the Fourth in Anno 1560. which number at first was Three hundred seventy five but afterwards encreased to Five hundred thirty and odd Their Ensign is the Effigies of St. Ambrose which they wear about their Necks hanging on a Chain of Gold Knights of Loretto THIS Order was instituted in Anno 1587. by Sixtus Quintus whose Ensign was the Figure of our Lady of Loretto hanging on a golden Chain Knights of the glorious Virgin Mary of Rome THIS Order took its rise from three Brethren of Spella in Italy surnamed Petrignanoes in Anno 1618. and the cause of its institution was for the advancement of the Romish Church and the suppressing the Turkish Rovers in the Mediterranean Sea Pope Paul the Fifth approved of this Order and gave them for their Convent the Palace of St. Iohn de Laterane also the City and Port of Civita Vechia for their Arsenal of Gallies together with the government of his Gallies These Knights lived under the Rule of St. Francis d' Assise and the Pope and his Successors are Great Masters The Badge which these Knights wear on the left side of their Mantles which is white is a Cross of blew Satin embroidered with Silver and bordered with Gold having in the midst a round circle wherein is this Motto In hoc signo vincam and within the said circle is the Letters S. M. From the round circle issue forth twelve Rayes The ends of the Cross are in fashion of Flower de lis on each of which is a Star which may signifie the four Evangelists as the twelve Rayes do the twelve Apostles Knights of Iesus at Rome THIS Order was instituted in Anno 1320. by Pope Iohn the Two and Twentieth at Avignon in France and much enlarged by Pope Paul the Fifth Their Badge is a plain red Cross within a Cross Pattee Gold which hangs on a gold Chain And this Order was chiefly erected for the honouring of some of the Nobles and Persons of Quality in his Territories Knights de la Calza in Venice THIS Order was instituted about the Year 1400. in honour of the Inauguration of Duke Michele Stelo and consisted of a Society of Noblemen and Gentlemen who entred into a Society and elected a person of Eminence for their Chief and afterwards the said Order was confirmed and priviledges granted unto them On solemn days their Habit was a crimson Senator's Vest and their Ensign was a Sun on a Shield which they used as well for their Seal as painted on their Banners Knights of St. Mark in Venice THE Ceremony in creating these Knights is much the same as the Knights Batchelors being dubbed with the Sword and their Title a bare mark of Honour only They are not governed by Laws or Statutes they have no Revenue nor are they under any particular Obligation by Vow as those of other Orders are This Honour is conferred as well by the Duke of Venice as by the Senate upon Persons of eminent Quality and on such as have merited well of this Commonwealth which puts the greater esteem thereon Their Badge of Honour wherewith they are adorned is a gold Chain which hangs over their Shoulders to which depends a Medal on the one side of which is the Emblem of St. Mark viz. a Lion with Wings holding in his right Paw a drawn Sword and in his left an open Book with this Motto Pax tibi Marce Evangelista meus And upon removing the Body of St. Mark from Alexandria in Egypt where he was buried to this City which was in the Year 828. This Saint hath been taken for their titular Angel and Guardian and his Picture was anciently painted upon their Ensigns and Banners Knights of St. George at Genoa THIS Order was instituted by Frederick the Third Emperor of Germany and dedicated to the honour of St. Gâ—orge their titular Saint and Patron Their Ensign is a plain Cross Gules which is fastned to a gold Chain and wore about their Necks Knights of the Order of the precious Blood of our Saviour Iesus Christ at Mantua IN Mantua 't is reported that there is kept some of the Blood of our Saviour with a piece of the Spunge in which he received the Vinegar and Gall by which Reliques as they say great Miracles are wrought And in honour of which Blood as also for the defence and propagation of the Christian Religion and for the more noble Cosummation of the Nuptial of Francisco eldest Son to Vicentio de Gonzaga fourth Duke of Mantua this Order was instituted about the Year 1608. and consisted of twenty Knights of which the Great Master was one who was the said Duke and Founder thereof Their Collar is composed of Ovals of Gold some the length one way and some another in one of which were these words Domine probâsti and in the other flames of Fire slashing about a crucible or melting Pot full of sticks of Gold and at the same hanged another large Oval of Gold wherein were two Angels standing upright holding between them a Chalice crowned on the Table of it were enameled three drops of Blood and about the Oval this Inscription Nihil isto triste recepto Knights of St. Stephen at Florence COSMO Duke of Florence and Sienna having settled his Government and living in a peaceable Eâ—â—ate in Anno 1561. erected this Order calling those that entred into the said Society Cavalieri de san Steffano Their Statutes by him constituted are much the same with those of the Order of Malta only these have the liberty to marry Their Ensign is a red Cross bordered about with Gold Their chief place of Residence is at Pisa where they have a Church and a place of Residence built them by the Duke as being near to the Haven which receiveth the Gallies wherein these Knights should serve for the checking the Inroads of the Turkish Pirates The Duke himself and his Successors is Great Master of this Order under whom are divers other Officers of Reputation Their Habit is a long Mantle of white Chamlet and on the left part of the Breast a Cross of red crimson Satin bordered with Gold and on Festival days they wear a Ribon about their Necks Knights of the Knot in Naples IEwis K. of Hungary being resolved to revenge the death of his Brother Andrew whom Ioan Q. of Naples wife of the said Andrew had caused to be strangled undertook an Expedition to Italy and much harassed her Kingdom but after a 3 years War in