Vrsus of the Theban Legion who was martyr'd before the Temple of the Sun at Soleurre in Switzerland as also of St. Gall from the name of the Patron of the place where it received Institution This Order continued among the Switzers till they became a Common-wealth and then the Castles and strong holds of the Noblemen and Gentry of the Country being dismantled the use thereof was wholly laid aside The Order of the Broom Flower in France 11. Saint Lewis King of France saith Favin instituted this Order to honor the Coronation of Margaret his Queen eldest Daughter of Berengâ—rius Count of Provence anno Dom. 1234. The Habit appointed for the Knights were Cassocks of White Damask and Violet Chaperons the Collar was composed of Broom Flowers of the native colours interlaced with Flowers de Lis hanging thereat a Cross Florence Gold to which was added this Inscription Exaltat humiles the Founder accounting it the Symbol of humility As to the number of the Knights it was not made certain by the Founder but wholly depended on the will of the Sovereign This Order continued to the death of King Charles the Fifth Notwithstanding all that Favin thus relates the Saincte Marthe's are of opinion for the reason before noted that neither this St. Lewis nor the before mentioned King Robert nor King Charlemain did ever institute any Military Order of Chevalry And Mennenius reports that Charles the Sixth is said to have been the Founder of the Knights of the Broom Flower if this be true the Order will want many years of that antiquity which Favin bestows upon it Peter Bellay rather thinks this later Institution not to have been any Order of Knighthood but a Company of young Esquires the Sons of Noblemen who attended King Charle's person as a Life-Guard or as Esquires of the Body and were oftentimes imployed to interpret the messages of Embassadors from foreign parts The Order of the Ship and double Crescent in France 12. Mennenius acknowledgeth that of old there was such an Order in France erected in honor of the great atchievements that Nation did by Sea but by whom it was founded or at what time doth not appear from him Yet Favin is full in both for he affirms that the before mentioned St. Lewis after the Institution of the Broom Flower erected this likewise for animating the Nobility of France by this new prize of honor to accompany him in his Voyage into Africa 1269. The Collar was interlaced with double Escallops of Gold and double Crescents of Silver interwoven and fastned together with double Gold Chains at which the Figure of a Ship was pendent in an Oval of Gold This Order continued in France after the death of St. Lewis no longer than those Knights lived who were admitted thereinto by him but it was retained by Charles Brother of the said St. Lewis and by him setled in Sicily where it remained in request with his Successors until the Kings of Aragon gained that Kingdom Knights of St. James in Holland 13. Albertus Miraeus from an old Dutch Register called Register der Ridderscap or the Register of the Order of Knighthood informs us That Florentius Earl of Holland and Zeland and Lord of Friseland in the year 1290. bestowed the Ensigns of his Order of St. Iames in the Hall of his Palace at the Hague upon twelve of his principal Nobility whose names he sets down among whom the second in rank is Lancelot Lord Hamilton then Embassador from the King of Scots The Knights of this Order were invested with a Collar of Gold or military Belt of Silver and gilt adorned with six Escallops whereat was appended the Picture of St. Iames the Apostle All the Knights Shields whereon were painted their proper Arms were delivered to Iohn Paypaert Herald of Holland and by him hung up in the great Hall of the Palace at the Hague in perpetual memory and testimony of this Institution Order of the Swan in Cleveland 14. If ever there was an Order there under that Title it hath been very ancient and long since laid aside yet Favin says the Princes of Cleve have born the Swan for their Order Devise Crest and Supporters to preserve the memory of the Knight of the Swan the Romance of whose Adventures he also sets down and further reports that Charles Gonzaga of Cleve Duke of Nivers and Retelois had it in design to re-establish this Order peculiar to the House of Cleve The Knights of Jesus at Rome 15. The Popes of Rome as they are Lords Paramount of St. Peters Patrimony are Temporal Princes upon which account to honor the Nobles principally of that Territory and others they have erected and established certain Orders of Knighthood as well Religious as Military but all of them Stipendaries to the Papal See Of the former sort we have spoken before in the last Chapter but this being esteemed a Military Order we therefore place it here It was instituted by Pope Iohn the 22. at Avignon in France anno 1320. and much augmented by Paul the Fifth The Knights wear for the Badge of this Order a plain Cross gules inclosed within a Cross Patee Or hanging at a Gold Chain In the Month of Ianuary 1668 9. Pope Clement the Ninth created three of the Ambassadors from the Catholick Cantons in Switzerland with the accustomed Ceremony himself putting on their Gold Chains with the Ensigns appendant and the Captain of his Guards girding their Swords about them Order of the White Eagle in Poland 16. The information we have of this Order is from Favin also who saith that Ladislaùs the Fifth King of Poland instituted the same to honor the marriage of his Son Casimire the Great with Anne Daughter of Gedimir Duke of Lithuania in the Month of February in the year of our Lord 1325. The Ensign hereof was a White Eagle crowned The Order of Knights de la Banda in Castile 17. This Order of Knights called de la Banda was erected by Alphonsus the Eleventh King of Leon and Castile in the City of Victoria anno 1332. but Favin from Antonio de Guevara saith it was in the City of Palencia anno 1330. and Sansovin in Burgos anno 1368. For this King considering that he had to do with many Enemies could find no better way to secure himself than by erecting this Order and constituting himself Master thereof which he did a little before his Coronation Shortly after saith Mennenius to wit anno 1332. the Solemnity of this Order was celebrated in the City of Burgos where on the Eve thereof in the Monastery of St. Mary Royal each of the Candidates was conducted by the King to the Altar and having there laid down his Arms spent the whole night in watching and Prayer The next day after Mass he was invested with a Red military Belt or a Ribband of four fingers broad
Charles R. CHarles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Our loving Subjects of what degree condition or quality soever within Our Kingdoms and Dominions Greeting Whereas it hath been manifested unto Vs that Our trusty and well-beloved Elias Ashmole Esq Windesor Herald at Arms hath for fifteen years past applyed himself to the search and study of things relating to the Honor of Our most Noble Order of the Garter and hath at his great charge and expence of time now compleated a Book Entituled The Institution Laws and Ceremonies of the said most Noble Order collected and digested into one Body and adorned with variety of Sculpture whose pains therein as it is greatly to Our satisfaction so can We no less for his past industry and future incouragement in his further progress of these Studies but express Our good liking and approbation thereof Know ye therefore That it is Our Royal Pleasure and We do by these presents upon the humble request of the said Elias Ashmole not only give him leave and license to Print the said Book but strictly charge prohibit and forbid all our Subjects to reprint within this Our Kingdom the said Book in any Volume or any part thereof or any Abridgment of the Laws or Ceremonies therein contained or to copy or counterfeit any the Sculptures or Ingravements belonging thereunto or to import buy vend utter or distribute any Copies or Exemplaries of the same reprinted beyond the Seas within the term of fifteen years next ensuing the publishing thereof without the consent and approbation of the said Elias Ashmole his Heirs Executors or Assigns as they and every of them so offending will answer the contrary at their utmost perils Whereof aswell the Wardens and Company of Stationers of our City of London the Farmers Commissioners and Officers of Our Customs as all other Our Officers and Ministers whom it may concern are to take particular notice that due obedience be given to this Our Royal Command herein declared Given under Our Signet and Sign Manual at Our Court at Whitehall the 31. day of March in the 22. Year of Our Reign 1670. By his Majesty's Command Arlington The most High most Excellent and most Mighty Monarch Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Greate Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraigne of the most Noble Order of the Garter 〈◊〉 Sherwin sculpsit THE INSTITUTION Laws Ceremonies Of the most NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER Collected and digested into one Body BY ELIAS ASHMOLE of the Middle-Temple Esq WINDESOR Herald at Arms. A Work furnished with variety of matter relating to HONOR and NOBLESSE LONDON Printed by I. Macock for Nathanael Brooke at the Angel in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange MDCLXXII AUGUSTISSIMO POTENTISSIMOQUE MONARCHAE CAROLO II D. G. MAGNAE BRITANNIAE FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE REGI FIDEI DEFENSORI ET SUPREMO NOBILISSIMI MILITARIS ORDINIS GARTERII HOS ORDINIS COMMENTARIOS HUMILLIME D. D. ELIAS ASHMOLE FECIALIS WINDESOR PREFACE IT is not to be attributed only to Custom but sometimes it 's necessary in order to the Readers greater convenience that Books are commonly recommended to their perusal by somewhat prefatory as Epistles c. the use of them being chiefly to render an account of what they contain and by a short Antipast to represent to them what they are likely to find in the Entertainment of the whole Work This consideration hath obliged me to a compliance with others and to acquaint my Reader what occasioned my engaging upon this Subject and what I have done therein As I ever had a great veneration for the most Noble Order of the Garter so must it needs be imagined that I was accordingly much concerned in the late unhappy times to see the honor of it trampled on and it self sunk into a very low esteem among us That reâ—lection put me upon thoughts not only of doing something that might inform the world of the Nobleness of its Institution and the Glory which in process of time it acquired both at home and abroad but also of drawing up in the nature of a Formulary both the Legal and Ceremonial part thereof for the better conduct of such as might be therein afterwards concerned in case the Eclipse it then waded under in our Horizon should prove of so long continuance as that many occurrences worthy of knowledge might come to be in a manner forgotten Vpon the first communication of my design to the late Reverend Doctor Christopher Wren Register of the said Order it received not only his full approbation but also his ready assistance in the use of the Annals thereof then in his custody From those and other authentick Manuscripts and Autographs particularly relating to the Order and a painful and chargeable search of our publick Records I had collected the greatest part of my Materials before the happy Restauration of his now Majesty the present Soveraign of this most Noble Order who being afterwards acquainted with what I had done was most graciously pleased to countenance it and encourage me in the prosecution thereof The Work in general contains an Historical account of the Laws and Ceremonies of the said most Noble Order but more particularly its Institution the manner and order observed in Elections Investitures and Installations of Knights the Holding of Chapters Celebration of Festivals the Formality of Proceedings the Magnificence of Embassies sent with the Habit to Stranger Kings and Princes in sum all other things relative to the Order In the illustration whereof I have inserted where they properly occur'd the most eminent and considerable Cases which have required and received discuâ—sion in Chapters the determinations thereupon becoming Rules and Laws Whence it may be observed that the Foundation and Superstructures of the Order were laid and raised upon the exactest Rules of Honor. And to supply the failer and defects of the Annals I have been forced to make use of Memorials and Relations yet such as were taken notice of and committed to writing either by some of the Officers of the Order or those of Arms during the times of their attendance on the Service of the Order and consequently of sufficient authority for me to relye on To usher in those I have given a Prospect of Knighthood in General of the several Orders of Knighthood as also of the Antiquity of the Castle and Colledge of Windesor and closed all with the Honors Martial Employments and famous Actions the Matches and Issues of the Founder and first Knights-Companions as also a perfect Catalogue of their Successors to this very present All which are adorned with variety of Sculptures properly relating to the several parts of the Work But the following Synopsis of its whole Contexture and the Heads of the Chapters will excuse a further enlargement here I shall with submiâ—sion add That this noble Subject having not been at some times
the Third who brought into use the great Mantle of Crimson Velvet his own being fur'd with Ermins but the rest of the Knights with Miniver fringed and bordered with Knots to wit of the fashion of those that adorn the Collar in fine Gold Under this Mantle is worn a Surcoat of white Damask Duke Emanuel Philibert his Son changed afterwards the colour of the Mantle to Azure and lined it with White Taffaty of which Silk he also made the Surcoats But Charles Emanuel altered the Mantle unto an Amaranthus or Purple Colour seeded with Roses and Flames in embroidery of Gold and Silver bordered throughout with the Symbols of the Order fringed with Gold and lined with Cloth of Silver tissued Blue which continues hitherto in use Under which instead of the White Taffaty Surcoat is now worn a White Satin suit embroidered with Silk the Hose gathered upwards in the fashion of Trouses Concerning the Statutes of this Order the most ancient are those of Ame the Eighth for there are none of the Founders extant made at Chastilion the 30. of May in the year of our Lord 1410. the original whereof is lodg'd in the Archives at Turin which he augmented in the year 1434. and both are printed by Sansovin Duke Charles the Third made new Statutes at Chambery the 11. of Sept. anno 1518. these were enlarged by Duke Emanuel Philibert anno 1568. and published in the year 1577. The Order of the Thistle of Bourbon in France 24. At the solemnity of the marriage of Lewis the Second Duke of Bourbon with Anne Daughter to the Count Daulphine of Auvergne celebrated in the Town of Arde on New-years day 1370. this Duke instituted the Order of Knights of our Lady otherwise called the Thistle and the first solemnities thereof were performed at Nostre Dame de Maulins in Bourbonnois where he founded a Colledge of twelve Canons in honor of the blessed Virgin The ground of the Institution was to strengthen this Dukes power and interest for the aid of Charles Duke of Orleans and of his two Brothers Philip and Iohn against the Faction of the House of Burgundy And by joining of Flowers de Lis and Thistles the Symbols of hope and courage emblematically to express the nobleness of his Spirit against all power of Fortune He ordained a set number of Knights of this Society to wit 26 therein comprehending himself and Successors Dukes of Bourbon as Chiefs and obliged these to wear daily a Belt or Girdle made of watchet colour Velvet lined with Crimson Sattin embroidered with Gold in the midst of which embroidery was curiously wrought the word ESPERANCE This Girdle was fastned with a Buckle and a Tongue of Gold bearded and checquered with green enamel in form like to the head of a Thistle On the Anniversary of the Festival namely the day of the Conception of our Lady in December the Knights wore Cassocks or Surcâ—ats of Carnation Damask with wide sleeves girded with the Girdle before described The Mantle of this Order was of Skie-coloured Damask having broad weltâ— of Gold embroidered on the Collar and lined with red Sattin but the Mantlet of green Velvet The Bonnet was also of green Velvet at the point of the band hung a saiâ— Tassel of Crimson Silk and threds of Gold the lining of Crimson Tassaty and turned up after the antique manner whereon they had embroidered the Golden Shield with the word Allen. Whoso considers in this Constitution the number of Knights the principal colours of the Mantle Surcoat and Girdle with the injunction for wearing thereof shall plainly see that this Founder took an exact pattern from the Order of the Garter which he had observed in England and acquainted himself with its Constitutions while he was Prisoner in Windsor Castle for here is little change or alteration and only a Belt or Girdle made the chief Ensign of this as the Garter was of that Order The great Collar was of Gold of the weight of ten Marks enamelled with Green opened like Network which was fill'd with Flowers de Lis of Gold and each of them together with the Letters of the Impress placed in a Lozenge of red enamel At the bottom of the Collar in an Oval of Gold the Circle whereof was enamelled with Green and Red appeared the Figure of the Patroness the blessed Virgin Mary surrounded with rays of the Sun crowned with twelve Silver Stars a Crescent of the same under her feet enamelled with Purple and Skie colour lastly at the end of the Oval depended the head of a Thistle enamelled Green but bearded White Some little difference is put by others in the fashion and composition of this Collar namely that it was made either of Gold or Silver and framed of Flowers de Lis and four leaves or Flowers of a Thistle set in the form of a Cross. The Order of the Dove in Castile 25. Was instituted by Iohn the First of that name King of Castile in the City of Segovia Anno Dom. 1390. so saith Mennenius and Miraeus but Favin placeth it 1379. and proposed to his Nobles as a reward to encourage them to prosecute the noble acts of his Grandfather King Henry the Second The Collar of this Order was linked or enchained with the resplendent beams of the Sun both waved and pointed at which hung a golden Dove enamelled White and encompassed with rays the Eyes and Beak Red. Herewith the Founder saith Favin adorned himself on Whitsonday yet Mennenius and Miraeus will have it the Feast-day of St. Iames and at the Altar of the great Church in Segovia distributed other the like Collars to his intimate Favourites together with a Book containing the Statutes of the Order But he dying the very same year before the Order had taken sufficient root it became of small continuance The Order of the Argonautes of St. Nicholas in Naples 26. Charles the Third King of Naples instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1382. and with the Ensign thereof invested several of the Nobility of that Kingdom with which as by a Bond he designed to tye them one to another in a brotherly obligation The end of its Institution was to preserve amity among the Nobles to compose enmities and suppress seditions Insomuch as if any of the Knights of this Order were at variance one with another and refused to be reconciled the Ensigns were then to be taken from him but some say the ground and cause was to advance Navigation which the Neopolitans stood in need of To which the principal Ensign of this Order seems rather to allude it being a Ship floating upon the waters in the midst of a storm having this Motto Non credo tempori In the Convent of that sumptuous Church which St. Nicholas Bishop of Smyrna caused to be built was the grand Feast held on the Anniversary of
a Copy whereof was most freely communicated to me by Monsieur Cristofle Lindenow Envoye from Christian the Fifth now King of Denmark to his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign of the most noble Order of the Garter This Letter informs him of the Institution and some other particulars relating to the Order to wit That King Christian the first being at Rome whither he had travelled upon a religious account Pope Sixtus the Fourth among other Honors invested him with this Order in memory of the Passion of our Lord and Saviour and withal ordained that the dignity of Chief and Supream should be continued as a successive right to the succeeding Kings of Denmark This King founded the magnificent Chappel of the three Kings in the Cathedral Church at Roschilt four Leagues from Copenhagen where the Knights were obliged to assemble upon the death of any of their Fraternity He also admitted thereinto divers Kings Princes and Noblemen The chief Ensign of this Order was the Figure of an Elephant on whose side within a Rundle was represented a Crown of Thorns with three Nails all bloody in honor and memory of the Passion of our blessed Saviour The Knights were obliged to the performance of acts of Piety Alms Deeds and certain Ceremonies especially upon those days on which they wore the Ensigns of the Order But King Iohn set so high a value upon it that he wore them on every solemn Festival He also advanc'd the honor of this Order to so great esteem that it became accepted by both our King Henry the Eighth and Iames the Fifth King of Scotland his Sisters Son with whom the Ensigns thereof remained as a Pledge and assurance of constant and perpetual friendship with these he likewise invested divers Ambassadors Senators and noble Danes There is one Ivarus Nicholai Hertholm a learned Dane as I am informed who hath written a particular Treatise of this Elephantine Order but not yet printed The scope whereof is to shew that the beforementioned Epistle of the Bishop of Arhusen does not sufficiently make it appear that it received its first Institution when Christian the First had those many Honors conferr'd on him by Pope Sixtus the Fourth And that the Badge was an Ensign meerly Military anciently given as a memorial and incitement to the Danish Princes who took upon them the defence of Christianity against the Moors and Africans 'T is greatly presumed that this Book which we hope may shortly be published will furnish the world with many choice things relating to the antiquity and honor of the Institution Ensigns and Ceremonies of this royal Order Heretofore the Knights wore a Collar of Gold composed of Elephants and Crosses fashioned something like Crosses Ancrees Mennenius calls them Spurs at which hung the Picture of the Virgin Mary to the middle holding Christ in her arms and surrounded with a Glory of Sun-beams but they have long since laid this Collar aside and now wear only a Blue Ribbon at which hangs an Elephant enamelled White adorned with five large Diamonds set in the middle Those Elephants worn by the Knights in the Reign of Christian the Fourth had in the same place within a Circle the Letter C and in the heart thereof the Figure of 4 made to signifie Christianus quartus This Honor hath been most commonly conferr'd by the Kings of Denmark on the day of their Coronation both upon the Nobles and Senators of the Kingdom It seems Frederick the Third brought into use in imitation of the most noble Order of the Garter an embroidered Glory of Silver Purle wrought upon the left side of their Cloak or Vest on which was embroidered two Crowns within a Rundle bearing his Motto Deus providebit for such a one did Count Guldenâ— low Ambassador hither from that King wear at his residing here in England anno 1669. But we are to note that the Motto hath changed with the King for that of the present King is Pietate Iustitia and this the Knights of his Election now wear in the middle of the Circle Nevertheless all the Knights created by his Father are obliged still to continue the former Motto The Order of the Burgundian Cross at Tunis 43. Charles the Fifth Emperor of Germany and King of Spain after he had restored Mulleasses King of Tunis to his Kingdom who had been expulsed thence by that famous Pyrate Barbarossa on the day of his victorious entrade into Tunis with solemn and magnificent Pomp was apparelled in a Coat which he used to wear in Battel whereon was embroidered the Burgundian Cross and being desirous to gain the good respect of all who had served in that War was chiefly willing to adorn the Commanders that had behaved themselves valiantly in the Victory with some Badge or token of Honor as a reward and for this reason did he institute this Order in the year 1535. on St. Magdalen's day To this Burgundian Cross he added a Steel striking sparks of fire out of Flint with this Inscription BARBARIA to be the Badge or Ensign thereof And for an additional Ornament gave a Collar of Gold whereat hung the said Badge Some say this Order was instituted at ten of the Clock that day it being also the hour of Mercury in which respect the Character of that Planet is usually enamelled on the one side of the Jewel as the Burgundian Cross is on the other But it was of short continuance for it expired long since The Order of Knights of the Holy Ghost in France 44. This Order received Institution from the French King Henry the Third the first Chapter being held on the last day of the year 1578. The design thereof was chiefly to unite and tye his Nobility and Prelates more firmly to their natural obedience as also to stir up and encourage them to persevere in the Romish Religion to illustrate and adorn the state of the Nobility and to restore its ancient splendor and dignity It had its denomination from the Holy Ghost to whose power and assistance the Founder usually ascribed all his Actions and Councils advanced with most glorious and fortunate successes in remembrance that he was born on Whitsonday in the year of our Lord 1550. elected to the Crown of Poland on Whitsonday 1573. and lastly came to the Crown of France on Whitsonday 1574. The number of Knights whereof this Order was to consist is by the Statutes ordained to be one hundred besides the Soveraign or Great Master which Office and Dignity is inseparable from the Crown of France A long Mantle of Black Velvet turned up on the left side and opened on the right was also appointed for the Habit of this Order being at first embroidered round with Gold and Silver consisting of Flowers de Lis and Knots of Gold between three sundry Cyphers of Silver and above the Flowers de Lis and Knots were thickly seeded or powdered Flames of Fire This great Mantle
and the honor they derived from it some have thought fit to transmit the memory to Posterity by Medâ—ls with Inscriptions relating thereto Such were those of Gold and Silver which Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg caused to be made having on one side his Effigies and on the other the Arms of Studtgard his chief City and over them the imperial Eagle crowned some of which were preserved and others disperst abroad for a perpetual commemoration of that solemn act of his Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order So also those made by Charles King of Sweden at his Investiture emblematically pointing out the happy concord setled between the Crowns both of this and that Kingdom being copied out and here inserted What is wanting in the course of the Solemnity on the day of Investiture may be supplied from the large account we shall give of the Ceremonies on the Eve and Feast-day of St. George from whence many things may be transferr'd to their use who shall be employed abroad upon the Like Legations Yet for their sakes whose curiosity will like a more particular account of the Solemnities in Foreign parts we have thought fit to insert here the Relations of some eminent Investitures wherein several passages may seem remarkable enough while drawn together in a continued Narrative but perhaps would not appear so if taken asunder nor indeed can divers minute things in some kind worthy of knowledge be precisely referr'd to those few heads we have chosen to discourse of without too much straining A Relation of the manner of investing the French King Henry the Third with the Habit and Ensigns of the most Noble Order of the Garter An. Dom. 1585. HEnry Earl of Derby appointed by her Majesty Ambassador to Henry the Third French King and to invest him with the Order of the Garter took his leave of the Queen's Majesty at Greenwiche the 20. of January an 27. Eliz. and with him such Gentlemen as were present were admitted to kiss her Highness hand Mr. Cook Clarenceux appointed to attend in that Voyage in place of Garter whose room was void and Robert Glover Somerset Herald likewise appointed to that Iourney On the 26. of January the Earl with his Train passed from London to Gravesend where taking Post-Horses they rid to Sittingborne and from thence to Dover where they embarqued and landed at Callis on the first of February on the third of February the Earl with his whole Train went from Callis to Boloigne to Bed where they were very well entertained On the fourth of February they rid to Monstreuil on the fifth to Abbevil where they were met with 150 shot of Hacquebusiers On the sixth they took their Iourney to Amyens being by Monsieur Crevecoeur accompanied with 100 Gentlemen and best Citizens met half a Mile without the Town that night the said Crevecoeur presented the Earl with great store of very large and good Fresh-water Fish and the Town with Wine of divers sorts and the day following being Sunday the said Crevecoeur invited the Earl to Dinner which Dinner was highly commended after Dinner the Earl with his Train went to Breteuil to Bed the next night to Cleremont where they stayed Tuesday and Wednesday the tenth of February he went to Luserche on the eleventh to St. Dennis where by the way he was met by Sir Edward Stafford her Majesties Ambassador resident with the French King who brought with him divers Gentlemen of England to the number of thirty horse and so accompanied him to St. Dennis where they kept Company all the day following being Friday On Saturday his honor made his Entry into Paris about two or three of the Clock at Afternoon there being of the Lord Ambassadors Train more than two hundred horse and mid-way between St. Dennis and Paris there met with them sent from the King the Duke of Montpensier a Prince of the blood the Lords Chauigny le Chapelle Comte de Lude de Pienne de Malicorne de la Mothefelon who had sometimes been Ambassador Leiger in England D'estree d'Abin de Fontaines de Cornusson the Marquess of Curton the Comte de Grignan all Councellors to the Council and Knights of the Holy Ghost the Duke of Iremonille the Counts of Brisac de Creance Sancerre and of Lazure with a great number of Lords and Barons Gentlemen of the Chamber these did accompany the Earl of Derby unto Hostell de Longuevill sometime called the Hostell of Anjou there was his Lordship with the other Lords and Gentlemen lodged where was three Tables very sumptuously furnished for them all of the Kings cost the one Table in the great Chamber for the Lords and Gentlemen Servants to her Majesty the other in the Hall for the Earl of Derby's Gentlemen and a third in a Gallery beneath for Gentlemens Servants besides livery into every Chamber both of Wax Wood Wine and such like in as great plenty as could be desired On Sunday the said Earl betwixt the hours of two and three in the Afternoon went from his Lodging by a Postern through the Garden accompanied with the said Lords de la Mothefelon de Curton and Grignan together with others and and found the Captains of the Regiment of the Kings Guard making two ranks on either side of the streets beginning from the Postern to the Louvre Gate who welcomed â—im in the Kings behalf without the Gate of the said Louvre he was received by the Lieutenant of the great Provost of France and his Archers at the Louvre Gate by the Sire de Montigny Captain thereof to his Majesty and his Archers which Archers together with those of the great Provost made two ranks from the said Gate of the Louvre to the foot of the Stairs from which foot his Lordship was received by the Sire de Pardillon the French Lieutenant of the Switzers of the Kings Guard which from the foot of the said Stairs to the door of the Hall made two ranks for his Lordships passage at the entrance of the Hall his Lordship was received by the Sire de Chasteau Viaux Knight of the Holy Ghost and Captain of Archers of the Kings Guard who likewise from the said door unto the door of the Antichamber made two ranks from the door of the Antichamber his Lordship was received by Sire de Combault Knight of the Holy Ghost Chief Master de Hostell to his Majesty and by his Gentlemen Waiters and there in the said Antichamber all the said Earl of Derby's Officers and Gentlemen wearing Liveries were appointed to stay and the Queens Servants that proceeded next went still forward at the Entry of the Chamber of Estate his Lordship was received by the Sire de Lenoncourt Knight of the Holy Ghost chief Escuier of the Kings â—scurie and the other Escuiers of the Escuire together with the Lieutenant of the hundred Gentlemen of his Majesty who made two ranks from that Chamber door to the Chamber of Audience every of them having Halberts in their hands
an Altar to be therein erected and dedicated to that Virgin He further granted to those Nuns and their Successors 20 l. per annum out of the Issues of the Town and County of Berwick until Lands to that value should be conferred upon them to the end that annually on the Eve and day of St. Margaret for ever they should commemorate the goodness of God for his so prosperous success On the Morrow after this great Victory the King had the Town and Castle of Berwick surrendred to him and on the 19. of Iune in the following year did Edward Baliol King of Scots make Homage and Fealty to him at Newcastle as to his Superior and Chief Lord of the Realm of Scotland who then granted to the King and annexed to the Crown of England for ever the Counties next adjoining to England namely Berwick Roxbourgh Peples and Dunfres the Towns of Hadington and Gedworth with the Castle and Fortress of Silkirke Etherick and Gedworth By the assistance which King Edward afforded to Edward Baliol he gained the most part of Scotland nevertheless divers Castles refused to surrender which occasioned the King to make another expedition thither and about Allballontide he arrived at Newcastle upon Tyne and thence marched into Scotland towards the end of November and at Christmass entred Ethrick Forest but the Scots were fled whereupon having prosecuted his design as far as he thought good he returned into England The next year he raised new Forces and himself from Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick both entred Scotland on the 12. of Iuly burning and wasting the Country on both sides beyond the Scottish Sea This Expedition brought the Earl of Atholl and divers of the Scotch Nobility to a Submission upon which the King came back into the Northern parts where he wintered and kept his Christmass at Newcastle About Twelfth-tide he was provided to pass again into Scotland when Ambassadors from the Pope and King of France found him at Berwick ready to enter that Kingdom and by their earnest sollicitation about Candlemas obtained of both Kings a Truce till Midlent following but no Peace ensuing Edward King of Scotland and divers of the English Nobility at Whitsontide entred Scotland again and finding St. Iohns Town slighted by the Scots they fortified it Shortly after this King Edward followed them thither and thence passed with his Army unto Elgen in Murrey and Innerness In his return he took Aberdeen and burnt divers Towns and destroyed the Country About which time the Earl of Cornwal entred Scotland also and destroyed the Western parts and met the King his Brother at St. Iohns Town where the King stayed not long but marched to Striveling built the Fortress called the Pile and returned home About the Feast of St. Luke he marcht again with a fresh Army into Scotland and repaired Bothuill-Castle and returned into England before Christmas leaving Edward King of Scots at St. Iohns Town setled in the Government of that Kingdom The Affairs of Scotland being thus quieted for some years gave King Edward the leisure to look towards France which Kingdom afterwards became the Scene of all his Martial Glory For Robert d' Artois Earl of Beaumont in France being discontented at the Sentence wherein Philip King of France had given the Earldom of Artois from him to Maud Countess of Burgundy let fall some dangerous words and they being laid hold on forced him to fly into England where he was kindly received by King Edward who after he had been here sometime afforded him the use of the Castles of Guilford Wallingford and Somerton whensoever he pleased to retire thither for his recreation and afterwards assigned him 800 l. per annum for his support the one moiety to be received out of the Revenues of certain Priories Alien seised into the Kings hands and the other moiety out of his Exchequer Soon after his coming over he advised the King to set on foot his claim to the Crown of Franceâ— whereto the King was willing enough to hearken and to be perswaded by him but the Affair being of so great concern his Council advised him to take the opinion of his Father-in-Law the Earl of Henault before he attempted any thing therein Hereupon a Comet with long and terrible streams ushering in this grand Affair he employed thither with all privacy Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincolne with two Banerets and two Doctors to gain him to his party with all other persons of note as they should find inclinable to assist the King who laying before the Earl King Edward's pretensions to the Crown of France he not only approved of his design but advised the King to contract other Alliances and gain to his party some of his neighbouring Princes thereabouts The PORTRAICTVRES of King EDWARD the 3. with the first 2â— KNIGHTS COMPANIOS in the HABIT of the ORDER and SVRCOATS of their ARMES In April following a like Commission was issued to Henry Bishop of Lincolne William Earl of Salisbury and William Earl of Huntingdon and they immediately dispatcht into Flanders where they found business so well prepared by the Commissioners before named that by the 24. of May ensuing they had fully engaged divers of the Nobility and others in Henault Geldres and the Marquisate of Iuliers to appear in the Kings assistance against the French and withall setled the proportion of Men and Arms each of them were to furnish the King with in that Service together with the stipends and wages to be paid them in lieu thereof This done the said Bishop went to Gaunt and there won so much upon the humour of Iaques Dartuell that he gained him also to the Kings party Within a few days after Renaut the Second Earl of Guildres and Zuitphen who had married Leonora the Kings Sister and William Marquess of Iuliers Husband to Ioane Sister to Queen Philippa entred into the Association and next Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria signed an Agreement at Frankeford whereby he obliged himself to assist the King for the recovery and maintenance of his Inheritance against all persons whatsoever except Lewis the Emperor his Uncle which several Contracts made by the foresaid Ambassadors with these Princes were confirmed by the King under the Great Seal of England the 26. of August following Between this Emperor and the King and their Heirs past also an Union and Confederacy which obliged them to use all their power particularly against Philip de Valois who carried himself as King of France and his Successors in that Kingdom for the recovery and defence of their Honors Inheritances and Possessions The 13. of Iuly was Iohn Duke of Loraine Brabant and Lemburgh retained for the King and with the assent of the Emperor was the Confederation made with Lewis his eldest Son there stiled Marquess of Brandenburgh Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria
England landing at Orewell the 21. of Febr. at 9. a Clock in the Morning and the first of March delivered it to Sir Iohn de St. Paul in a Chamber called the Cage Chamber at Westminster The old Great Seal was then delivered up to him by the said Sir Iohn which he gave to William de Kildesby to be kept in his Wardrobe But that the New Seal might be made more publick he caused Impressions thereof and of his Privy Seal to be made and sent to all the Sheriffs in England to be published in the several Counties in regard he intended at the meeting of the Parliament on the Wednesday next after Midlent Sunday to acquaint them with the cause wherefore he had added to his Stile the title of King of France That day being come he under his New Great Seal as King of France vacated all Papal Processes made at the instance of the French King against the Inhabitants of Flanders and granted to the Earl of Flanders his Heirs and Successors for ever the Towns of Lysle Doway Bethune and Orchies with the County of Artois and City of Tournay and to their Inhabitants divers Priviledges And by another Instrument of the same date under the said Seal with the consent of the Parliament he granted that the staple of Wools should be setled at Bruges A little before his return into England he wrote a Letter from Gaunt which bore Teste the 8. of Febr. in the first year of his Reign over France and 14. over England to the Prelates Peers and Commons of France thereby signifying that Charles late King of France his Mothers Brother being dead that Kingdom was fallen to him by manifest Law and that Philip de Valois Son to the Uncle of the said King had by force intruded into it in his Minority and yet detained it Lest therefore he should seem to neglect his own right he thought good to own the Title of France and take on him the defence and Government thereof and having offered the said Philip divers friendly conditions of Peace to which he refused all condiscention he was therefore necessitated to defend himself and recover his right by force of Arms and therefore all such Subjects as would submit to him as true King of France by Easter then next ensuing should be received into his grace and protection Having dispatcht his Affairs with the Parliament which had given him a great Supply to go on with this War and wherein an Act passed that he might with the assent of his Allies condescend to any reasonable terms of Peace And having created the Marquess of Iuliers Earl of Cambridge and given him 1000 l. per annum until he were provided for of so much Land of Inheritance He got in readiness an Army to go beyond Sea and prepared his Navy to transport it and on the 22. of Iune horâ diei quasi primâ set sail from Orewell The French King had laid 120. great Ships beside Genoeses Normans and Picards Manned with 40000. Men to intercept his passage But after a fierce and bloody fight on Midsummer Eve the King got the Victory before Sluce destroying most of the Enemy and taking the greatest part of their Fleet and on Midsummer day landed at Sluce and went forthwith to Gaunt Of this Signal Victory an account by Letter was sent from the King to the Bishops and Prelates by the Earl of Arundel and Sir William Trussell Not long after the King held a Council with his Allies at Villenort where it was resolved that the King should besiege Tournay before which he brought 120000. Men. Thence he sent a Letter sealed with his Great Seal to Philip de Valois signifying that he had fairly requested him to render him his lawful right to the Crown of France but perceiving he meant to persist in detaining it without returning him any answer He was therefore entred Flanders as Soveraign Lord thereof to pass through that Country for recovery of his Inheritance so detained yet to avoid the effusion of Christian blood and determine the right he challenged him to fight body to body or else 100. chosen Souldiers on each side or if both were refused then to pitch upon a day for both Armies to fight neer Tournay But the French King returned no answer to this Letter The Siege continued eleven weeks wanting three days in which time by the mediation and effectual endeavour of Iane de Valois the French Kings Sister a Treaty was set on foot Iohn King of Bohemia Adolph Bishop of Leige Reynel Duke of Loraine Am Earl of Savoy and Iohn Earl of Arminiack being Commissioners for the French King the Dukes of Brabant and Gueldres the Marquess of Iuliers and Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont for King Edward who on the 25. of September agreed upon a Truce between both Kings to endure till Midsummer following of which publication was made in England the 6. of October and thus both Armies retired But this was much against the Kings Will though not against those of his Allies who were very desirous to return home The Siege being raised the King went to Gaunt and thence returned into England where he arrived at the Tower Wharf on the Feast of St. Andrew about Midnight At this Treaty before Tournay it was among other things agreed that another Treaty should be held at Arras within that year whither both Kings and the Pope should send Commissioners but that meeting produced only another year to be added to the Truce The Kings Commissioners were the Bishops of Lincolne and Durham the Earl of Warwick Sir Robert d' Artois Sir Iohn Henault and Sir Henry of Flanders This year produced some other Overtures for the amicable composure of all Controversies and concluding a Peace between the two Kings to which purpose a Commission issued to R. Bishop of Durham Hugh Earl of Gloucester William Fitz Warren Nicholas de Flisco and William Trussell Another Commission issued to Iohn Duke of Brabant Reignold Duke of Gueldres and Zuthphen William Marquess of Iuliers and Earl of Cambridge and William Earl of Hanaw and Iohn de Hanaw Lord Beaumont to treat and agree with Philip de Valois upon a Truce to the Feast of the decollation of St. Iohn Baptist then coming on which it seems became so far hopeful as to produce a prorogation till the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and thence till Midsummer in the following year Another Commission was made forth to William Earl of Huntingdon Bernard Dominus de le Brett Bartolomew de Burglersh Iohn de Offord Archdeacon of Ely and Michael de Flisco to treat with the 〈◊〉 Philip de Valois aswell touching the Kingdom and Crown of France as divers other questions and controversies between them and to compose the differences by a full Peace or otherwise a Truce and one of these Commissions was
well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight Garter King of Arms Our said Order of the Garter the same to use as to this Election of you appertaineth wishing that God may increase you in virtue and honour as amply as any other that hath been Elected and placed in the same Yeoven under the Signet of our said Order at our Honor at Greenwich the 5. of May in the 26. year of our Reign To our right Trusty and Well-beloved the Lord Cobham Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM XX. A Letter signifying Election when the present Soveraign was beyond the Seas Ex Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. CHARLES the Second by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin and Councellor James Marquess of Ormond our Lieutenant in the Kingdom of Ireland Greeting Whereas our Royal Progenitors the Kings of England have in all times since the institution of the most Noble Order of St. George called the Garter by our most noble and victorious Auncester King Edward the Third elected and chosen into the Fellowship thereof such Princes and other eminent persons as well Strangers as of their own Subjects as have for nobility and greatness of their births accompanied with heroick virtues especially in martial actions been thought worthy of the same We therefore considering that since the late horrid Rebellion in that our Kingdom many of the Companions thereof are dead and that some others contrary to their honor and Oaths have deserted their allegiance and are no more worthy to be esteemed Companions of so noble an Order and finding how necessary it is for ouâ— service and the honor of the said Order to elect others in their places vacant who for their birth courage and fidelity may be fit to be admitted thereunto Know you therefore that we duly weighing the eminence of your birth and Family and above all the great and most extraordinary services done by you for many years past and still continued in the condition of our Lieutenant in that our Kingdom together with your singular courage and fidelity have thought it fit by our power as Soveraign of the said Order dispencing with the usual Ceremonies to elect and chuse you our said right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin James Marquess of Ormond to be Fellow and Companion of the said most Noble Order of the Garter and do herewith send unto you the George and Ribband part of the Ensigns thereof by our trusty and well-beloved Servant Henry Seymour Esq one of our Bed-Chamber in regard Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms the proper Officer is otherways employed in our service the which we do hereby will and authorise you to wear And because it is not possible at present to have all other Ceremonies and Additions incident to the same fully perfected We do further will and authorize you to wear and use the Garter or Ribband on your left Leg the Glory or Star of Silver with St. George's Cross embroidered within a Garter upon your Cloak and upper Garments as likewise the Great Collar of the Order upon such days as are accustomed to use the Garter about your arms and to style your self Knight and Companion of the said most Noble Order of the Garter in as ample manner as if you had been installed in our Castle of Windesor where when it shall please God to restore us to the possession thereof you shall formally be invested receive the habit and all other the above recited Ornaments of the said most Noble Order And We no way doubt but as you have hitherto with singular courage fidelity and ability served us so you will still continue to do the same as becomes a Knight and Companion of so Noble an Order Given at the Castle of St. Germans en laye this eighteenth day of September in the first Year of our Reign NUM XXI A Letter signifying Election sent to Sir Iohn Falstolf Registrum Chart. fol. 14. De par le Roy Souverain de l'Ordre de la Iartier NOstre ame feal nous vous saluons Et come apres le trespassement de nostre treschier feal Cousin le Conte de Westmerlande dont dieux ait l'ame que estoit un de noz Compaignons de l'Ordre de la Jartier Nous eussions ordonné que noveielle election fust fait pur avoire un autre Compaignon en son lieu come la manere si est que le contenu dez estatuz du dit Ordre le porte vons signifions que a la darrain feste de Seint George en nostre Chapitre du dit Ordre tenuz a Wyndesore le xxii jour d' Avryll darrain passé veille de la dite feste nostre Compaignie du dit Ordre esteauniz adonques au dit Chapitre Considerant tant lez hous leaux honourables services que avez de piecà faiz en service de nostre tres redounté Seigneur Pier que dieux assoille que faitez continuelement en nostre come pluseurs autres desertes d'onnour que dieux a souffert estre en vous en tollerant tousjours comme bon feal subjet lez paines travaulx de guerre pour nostre bon droit juste querelle susteiner vous a eslâ—u un de noz Compaignons du dit Ordre en lieu de nostre dit Cosin esperant que dieux vous donne tousjours grace valeur de faire toudis de bien en mâ—ulx vostre devoire pourquoy a la delivrance de cestez nouz avons chargie par noz lettres noz treschiers feaulx Cosins lez Countez de Salisbirs de Warwyke de Soulfolk qui sâ—nt noz Compaignons du dit Ordre ou l'un d'eulx de qui vous serrez plus pres quil vous monstrent delivrent lez estatuz du dit Ordre Et yceulx par vouz receux preugnent vostre serement en tel cas acoustume a faire que bien lealment tendres ferez si avaunte que Dieux vous donnera puissance tout le contenu es diz estatuz en vous baillant l'ordre de la Jartier La quelle chose faite volonz que vouz ordonnez en tout haste resonnablement possible vostre Heaulme Espee un honourable Chivalier sanz reproche en lieu de vous pour prendre vostre estalle come voz veirez que les ditz estatuz du dit Ordre le requirent Et en cas que le dit Ordre ne vondrez acceptier pour aucun cause a vouz semblant raisonable le nous certifiez dedeinz deux mois apres la doubte de cestez en ceo nais point de faute Donné a Leicestre soubz le Seall du dit Ordre
day And both these Kings after their solemn Procession presently instituted an Order naming it the Order of St. Andrew But Andr. Favin reporteth the occasion to be otherwise to wit that Achaius King of Scotland having made that famous League offensive and defensive with Charlemain King of France towards all and against all other Princes to preserve the memory of which alliance to posterity the Scotch Lyon assumed before by King Fergus became then enclosed with a Tresure of Flowers de Lis he found himself thereby so strong and mighty that he took for device the Thistle and the Rue which he composed into a Collar of his Order and for his Motto Pour ma defence giving intimation thereby that he feared not the powers of Foreign Princes seeing he leaned on the succour and alliance of the French And though hence may be inferr'd that these two Plants were the united Symbols but of one Order of Knighthood yet doth Mennenius divide them into two making one whose chief Badge was the Thistle whence the Knights were so stiled and the Motto Nemo me impune lacessit and another vulgarly called Sertum Rutae or the Garland of Rue whose Collar was composed of two Branches or Sprigs thereof or else many of its leaves Nevertheless that at both these Collars hung one and the same Jewel to wit the Figure of St. Andrew Patron of that Kingdom bearing before him the Cross of his Martyrdom But there are some saith the same Author who refer the Institution of the Order of the Thistle to later times albeit the Thistle from the Reign of Aâ—haius had been acknowledged for the Badge and Symbol of the Kingdom of Scotland in like manner as the Rose was of England the Lilly of France the Pomegranate of Spain c. to wit in the Reign of Charles the Seventh of France when as the League of amity was renewed between those two Kingdoms and especially for the succour and aid which France then received from Scotland it being in a time of so extraordinary distress and last of all others place the Foundation yet later viz. in the year of our Lord 1500. I have done with what can be said as to the Foundation of this Order and the time thereof and shall now pass on to some other particulars relating to the Order it self The chief and principal Ensign of this Order is a Gold Collar composed of Thistles interlink'd with anulets of Gold and pendant thereunto the Image of St. Andrew with his Cross and this Epigraph Nemo me impune lacessit the Figure whereof may be seen in a Picture of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland now hanging in his Majesty's Gallery at Whitehall on several great Seals of that Kingdom on some Coyns and Medals and lastly among the representations of the Military Ensigns placed at the beginning of this Chapter The time of this Societies meeting was heretofore very religiously observed and celebrated upon the Feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle annually in the Church of the Town dedicated to his name and in testimony of the high esteem and reverence they bore unto him as their titular Saint and Patron During the solemnity of the Feast the Knights of this Order were habited in rich and costly Apparel and wore their Parliament Robes having fixt on their left shoulders an azure Rundle on which was embroidered St. Andrews Cross environed in Center with a Crown composed of Flowers de Lis Or. For the ordinary and common Ensign the Knights used a Green Ribbon whereat hung a Thistle of Gold crowned with an Imperial Crown within a Circle of Gold containing also the foresaid Epigraph but for more satisfaction we have caused the Figures of these two to be here exactly represented from the draughts of them sent me from the before-mentioned Sir Charles Areskin As to the number of the Knights there is nothing remembred by any Author we have seen but herein I was supplyed by the Right Honorable the Earl of Lauderdale who assured me he had met with among his readings from good authority a memorial that this Order consisted of 13 Knights in allusion to the number of our blessed Saviour and his twelve Apostles The Order of Knights of our Lady of the Star in France 7. The Institution of this Order is by Andrew Favin derived from Robert King of France surnamed the Devout who to manifest his particular devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary and in her honor gave Being thereunto in the Month of August Anno Domini 1022. The Knights were in number thirty comprehending the King of France the Chief or Soveraign they had appointed for their Habit Mantles of White Damask their Mantlets and Lining were of light Carnation Damask their Surcoats of the same and on their Mantles as also on their Surcoats to wit upon the left side of the breast was embroidered a Star wrought in pure Gold with five rays or pointed beams The great Collar saith he was formed of three round Chains of Gold much like that of the Order of the Gennet and united at little distances with enamelled Roses interchangeably White and Red at the end whereof hung the Figure of a Star The Ceremonies of the Order began on the day of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary Patroness thereof in the year before-mentioned In the Reign of Philip de Valois this Order began to be intermitted by reason of the Wars nevertheless it was restored by King Iohn his Son the eighth of September anno 1356. But albeit Favin hath thus formally set down the Institution of this Order and assign'd it to King Robert adding moreover Habit Collar and other specious circumstances thereunto yet the Sancte Marthe's his Countrymen are not perswaded of the truth thereof but ingeniously acknowledge that there is not any thing of it mentioned by their ancient Writers and coming to speak of the Order in particular they refer its first Institution not renovation so do Mennenius Ios. Micheli and others to King Iohn Son of Philip de Valois in the Month of October anno 1352. in commemoration of that Star which directed the Wisemen who came from far to adore the Saviour of the World at his Nativity the Figure whereof crowned King Iohn caused to be embroidered on the Mantle or upper Garment of the Order as also this Motto Monstrant Regibus Astra viam The Seat of this Order thus instituted by King Iohn and where the first Ceremonies were kept was in the noble and ancient House of St. Owen called de Clichy neer St. Denys in France and by an ancient deed of Exchange of Lands situate in the Earldom of Alançon in lieu of the House of St. Owen made by King Iohn to the Countess of Alançon and dated at St. Cler de Gomets the 6. day of Iune 1356. is the King called