The Defenders were The Earle of Oxford the Lord Windsor Philip Sidney Edward Norris Henrie Knowles Robert Knowles Fulke Greuill Thomas Kneuet Thomas Kellaway Rafe Bowes George Goring George Gifford Anthonie Cooke Henrie Bronkerd Edward Denie Richard Ward Sir Thomas Parrot The Prize was giuen to the Earle of Oxford TO these actions of Armes may be added the notable Turniament on horsebacke within her Maiesties Pallace at Westminster which became the more rare and memorable for that it was performed in the night The manner whereof in briefe was thus It pleased her Maiestie according to her Princelie custome in receiuing of noble strangers to conuite vnto supper the Duke Momorancie chiefe Marshall of France at that time come hether to take the honourable Order of the Garter This magnificent supper ended it pleased her Highnesse the weather being warme to walke out of her Chamber into the open Tarrace whether also awaiting on her went the said Duke and all others of the French Nobilitie with the Ambassadours Lords and Ladies of this Court. At her Maiesties comming to the North side of the Tarrace there were prepared and set rich Chaires Cushions and Carpets In which place it pleased her to stay intertaining most gratiouslie the said Duke other noble strangers Next vnto them were placed the Ladies Lords Counsellors and other persons of reputation according to their degrees and conueniencie of the roume So as the said Tarrace was on all sides beset with Lords Ladies and persons of qualitie sumptuouslie apparelled and richlie furnished and among them both aboue and vnder stood manie of the Guard in their rich coates holding an infinite number of Torches and so in the preaching place by which meane to those that beheld the Tarrace in this sort furnished they deemed it rather a Theater celestiall than a Pallace of earthlie building The place with this royall presence replenished sodeinlie entered the Earle of Essex and with him twelue Gentlemen armed at al peeces and wel mounted The Earle and his horse was furnished with white cloath of siluer and the rest in white sattin who after reuerence done to her Maiestie marched to the East side of the Court there in troope stood firme Forthwith entred the Earle of Rutland with a like number in like sort armed and apparelled all in blewe and hauing presented his reuerence staied on the West end Before either of these Bands one Chariot was drawne and therein a faire Damsell conducted by an armed Knight who presented certeine speeches in the French tung vnto her Maiestie These Ceremonies past the Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight which was performed with great courage commendation chiefly in the Earle of Essex a noble personage valerous in Armes and all other waies of great vertue Trulie this action was meruailouslie magnificēt appeared a sight exceeding glorious to those that wer below looking vpward to the Tarrace wher her Maiestie the Lords and Ladies stood so pompously apparailed Iewelled and furnished as hardly can bee seen the like in anie Christian Court as my selfe and other the Actors at occasions staying from fight with great admiration did behold and thinke Of the Actors names in this Combat it seemeth no note is kept yet are manie of them liuing NOt inferiour but farre exceeding in princelie pompe and qualitie of Actors was that royall Combat and fight on foote before her Maiestie the 1. of Ianuarie Anno 1581. where Monsieur of France the Prince d' Aufine the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Leicester the Count S. Aignon Monsieur Chanuallon and Monsieur Barqueuille were Challengers The Defenders were The L. Thomas Howard Sir William Russell Monsieur Brunys Monsieur S. Vincent Sir Thomas Cicill Henry Grey Iohn Borough Lord Windsor Walter Windsor Le Boylere Le Cheualier Ambrose Willoughbie Sir William Drurie Thomas Radcliffe Lord Sheffeld Robert Cary George Carew Fulk Greuill William Knowles Francis Knowles Thomas Kneuet Lord Darcie Anthony Mildmay Rafe Stauerton Lancelot Bostock George Beeston William Worthington Thomas Kellaway Sir George Carey Rafe Bowes Henrie Windsor Iohn Wotton George Goring Edward Moore George Giffard Thomas Borough Anthonie Cooke Hercules Newtas Richard Skipwith Henrie Bronkard Iohn Parker Francis Darcie Iohn Tyrrell They are not here placed according to their degrees but as they were called to fight AFter so manie royall and statelie Triumphs it may be thought superfluous to insert the ordinarie exercises in Armes almost yearely vsed on the 17. of Nouember in memorie of the applause of all subiects at her Maiesties comming to the Crowne of England as euen this last yeare was vsed by the right noble and valerous Earle of Essex a Gentleman of great hope or rather vertuous proofe and singular perfection In liew whereof or rather to auoide iteration of names we haue here set down those Lords and Gentlemen that haue been Actors in publique exercises of Armes on horsebacke sith her Maiesties raigne as chieflie by Master Clarentieux notes doth appeare By consideration of which persons as well in qualitie as number it may easilie bee conceiued that the magnificence of her Maiesties Court is equall or exceeding the Courts of other Kings her noble predecessors They are not here placed in order of their degrees but according to the time of the Actions wherein it pleased them to be and with such titles as they since had or now haue The Duke of Norffolke The Earle of Sussex The Earle of Warwick The Earle of Leicester The Earle of Ormond The L. Honsdon The L. Scroope The L. Darcie The L. North. The L. Norris The L. Charles Howard The L. Grey The L. Stafford The L. Henrie Seymor The Earle of Oxenford The Earle of Essex The Earle of Rutland The Earle of Arundel The L. Windsor The L. Thomas Howard The L. Sheffeld The L. Borough The Earle of Essex The L. Willoughbie The L. Strange The Earle of Comberland The L. Brough of Ireland Knights and Gentlemen Sir Christopher Hatton Knight of the Order Sir George Howard Edward Fitzgarret Sir Robert Constable Sir Henrie Lee. Anthonie Digbie Thomas Warcop Thomas Markham Sir George Beeston Sir William Gorge Henrie Haruie Edward Hongarford Thomas Cornwallis Iohn Iernegan Robert Colsel Robert Wiseman Francis Haruie Sir Thomas Layton William Howard Sir Edward Harbert Sir Henrie Cobham Walter Windsor Sir Henrie Kneuet Sir George Carey Henrie Knowles William Norris Rafe Lane Sir Iohn Dauers George Delues Sir Henrie Grey Lancelot Bostock Brian Ansley Sir Ierome Bowes Sir Thomas Cicill Henrie Mackwilliam Thomas Bedingfield Sir Richard Bulkeley Thomas Kneuet Sir William Knowles William Worthington Edward Cary. Sir Thomas Gorge Richard Blunt Thomas Moore Thomas Coningesbie Robert Alexander Roger Clopton William Hyfeld Thomas Cotton Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Philip Sidney Sir William Russell Sir Thomas West Robert Knowles Iohn Carey Fulke Greuill Rafe Bowes Iohn Zouch Sir William Drurie Thomas Kellaway George Goring Iohn Ludcot Edward Greuill William Tressam Edward Moore Iohn Tyrrell Henrie Bronkard Sir Thomas Parrot
he confessed The King gaue sentence he should bee drawne and hanged Anno. 1384. Regni Rich. 2. A Combat was fought betweene Sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the third blowe giuen the King staied the fight Anno 1441. Regni Henr. 6. A Combat was graunted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cipres and Thomas de la Marshe bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of King Edward the 3. at Westminster Certaine Combats for Triumph Honor and Loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England CAP. 11. IN the former Chapter wee made mention of the Ceremonies appertaining to Combats for life as they were ancientlie vsed Nowe I thinke fit for the furniture of this worke brieflie to remember some speciall exercises of Armes brought before the Princes of this realme for Honor and loue of Ladies onlie and among the rest as actions most worthie memorie wee will touch certeine particular Combats or as they are commonlie called Triumphs Iusts and Turniaments performed before our present Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth a Prince of so great magnanimitie and wisedome as by imitation of her most noble and princelie vertues the Court of England both for Armes and learning hath in her raigne excelled all others Triumphs before King Edward the third IN the raigne of King Edward the third a royall Iust was holden at Lincoln by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certeine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Ladie Ioane daughter to the King who should haue been married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died Anno. 1348. A Triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles Valloys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno. 1349. IN Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thether came also noble persons of other Nations as Spaniards Ciâ—riots and Armenians humblie desiring aide against the Pagans Anno 1361. A Triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthonie Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgondie Anno. 1444. A Triumph before King Henrie the sixt ONe other notable action of Armes was persosonallie performed in Smithfield betweene a Knight of Spaine called Sir Francis le Aragonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honor from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall Challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him The memorie of which action remaineth with Master Garter principall King of Armes Triumphs before King Henrie the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne Triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Váughan was hurt and died 1494. ONe other Triumph was in the same Kings dayes performed in the Tower of London Anno. 1502. Triumphes before King Henrie the eight BVt farre exceeding al these was that magnificent Iusts Turniments at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henrie the eight of England K. Frances the French King who choosing vnto them xiiij others did challenge to runne at the Tylt and fight at the Turney and Barrier with all commers The Chalengers were The King of England the King of France the Duke of Suffolke the Marquis Dorcet Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Iernegan Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland Sir Giles Capell with these were so manie other French GeÌ„tlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thether came Monsieur de Vandosme the Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euerie of theÌ„ bringing in a faire Band of Knights well armed This most noble Challenge of these two mightie Kings accompanied with xiiij other Knights of either Nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King of Armes in England France Germanie Anno 12 Hen. 8. ONe other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet Edward Neuell Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Cuer loyal the Lord William Bon voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Vailliant desir and Edward Neuill Ioyous penser Defenders were The Lord Grey Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blont Thomas Cheyney Thomas Tyrrell Sir Rowland Christopher Willoughby the L. Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquis Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshire Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Cuer Loyall among the Defenders to Edmond Howard ANother solempne Challenge was proclaimed and performed by certaine English Knights vz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seymour Sir Francis Poinings Sir George Carew Anthonie Kingston and Richard Cromwell Anno. 1540. Of like Actions in Armes sith her Maiesties Raigne these doo seeme most notable as appeareth by the memorialls of M. Clarentieux a Gentleman verie diligent in her Maiesties seruice and carefull to obserue things to the Honor of her Maiesties Court. ONE solempne Iust Turniment and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scrope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers and with great honour answered all Commers The Defenders names are not extant A Royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard Sir Henrie Lee and Christopher Hatton The Defenders were The Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seymour Edward Harbart Sir George Carie Thomas Cicill Henrie Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henrie Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkelcy Thomas Kneuet William Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Lancelot Bostocke Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliams Thomas Bedingfield Thomas Moore William Worthington Richard Blunt Thomas Conyngesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three daies The first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barriers On euerie of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a Prize for the receiuing whereof they were particularlie led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The Prize at the Tilt on the Defenders partie was giuen vnto Henrie Grey At the Turney vnto the L. Henrie Seymor at the Barriers vnto Thomas Cicill Before them went Clarentieux king of armes in his rich coate of Armes This magnificent Combat was performed Anno 1571. AN honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his Assistant Sir William Drewrie challenged all commers Anno 1580
taken away by the Soueraines of the said Order The day of assemblie for these Knights was at the first institution appoynted on the feast of S. Andrew but sithence altered vnto the second of May and that but once in three yeares vnlesse it shall please the Soueraine otherwise to command To this Order doo belong foure principall Officers That is a Chauncelor a Threasurer a Register a King of Armes named Toson d'oro The first inuenter of the Impresa belonging to the Order of the Toson was Charles Duke of Burgondie whose great valour brought the French King Lewis the xj into much trouble and warre as Monsier de Argenton writeth His Impresa or deuise was an Instrument made to strike fire with these words Ante ferit quam flamma micet Meaning he had power to kindle great warre as indeed he had But his warres had vnhappie euent For hauing in hand a warre against Lorayn and the Swisses after the defeate of Morat and Grauson he was vtterlie ouerthrowne and slaine before Nansi the euen of the Epiphany Wherevpon Renato Duke of Lorayn being victorious and seeing a Standerd of Duke Charles with the Impresa of the Instrument of fire said That vnhappie Prince when hee had most neede to warme him wanted leisure to strike fire Which speach was verie pithie and the more for that the earth was then couered with Snowe and by reason of the conflict full of bloud At that time was the greatest frost and cold that any liuing man could remember The Toson which these Knights doo weare hanging at their collers of the Order is the forme of a golden Fleece expounded to bee like vnto the Fleece of gold which Iason wonne at Colchos Others suppose it to bee the Fleece of Gedeon whereof is made mention in holie Scripture which signifieth Fidelitie or Iustice vncorrupted The number of these Knights was much encreased by the Emperour Charles the fift who hauing in hand the Dukedome of Burgondie elected into that Order persons of greater qualitie than were at the first and would haue that the election should bee by consent And after him King Phillip did the like Here is to bee noted that albeit Duke Charles did inuent the Impresa yet the Creation was begun after by Duke Phillip sirnamed Le bon at such time as he called a generall assemblie of the States at the Hage in Holland Anno. 1456. The names of Knights in this first Creation Phillip Duke of Burgondie Soueraine William of Vienna of S. George Rinieri Pot Lord of the Castell The Lord of Rombaix The Lord Montacute Orland of Vquerque Anthonie of Vergi Conte of Lignij Hugh of Lanoij Lord of Santes Iohn Lord of Cominges Anthonie of Tolongeon Marshall of Burgondie Peter of Lucimburg Conte of Beureuie Gilbert of Lanoij Lord of Villerual Iohn Villiers Lord of Isleadam Anthonie Lord of Croij and of Renti Florimonte of Brimeu Lord of Massincure Robert Lord of Mamimes Iames of Brimeu Lord of Grigni Baldwin Lanoij Lord of Mulambais Peter of Baufremont Lord of Cargni Phillip Lord of Teruant Iohn of Orequi Iohn of Croij Lord of Tuors super Marne The Knights elected into the Order of Toson by Phillip King of Spaine and Duke of Burgondie 1 Phillip Duke of Austria and King of Spaine Soueraine of the Order 2 Maximilian the Emperour second of that name 3 Don Beltramo della Cueua Duke of Alburqueque 4 Don Inigo Lopes di Mendoza Duke of Infantasgo 5 Cosmo di Medici Duke of Florence and of Siena 6 Don Emanuel Filibert Duke of Sauoya 7 The Admiral Conte of Egmont Prince of Gaure 8 Iohn of Ligni Conte of Arumberghe Baron of Brabanson 9 Octauio Farnese Duke of Parma and Piacenza 10 Marco Antonio Colonna Duke of Palliano and Baron of Rome 11 Ferdinando Duke of Austria 12 Don Consaluo Fernandes of Cordoua Duke of Sessa and Ferranoua Conte of Cabia 13 Don Pedro Hernandes of Velasco Duke Frius Conestable of Castiglia 14 Don Fernando Aluares of Toledo Duke of Alua. 15 Albert Duke of Bauiera 16 Henrie Duke of Branswiche Luniburg 17 Pietro Hernesto Conte di Mansfelt 18 Phillip de Croij Duke of Arscot 19 Charles Prince of Spaine 20 Phillip Montmorancy Conte of Horne 21 William of Nassau Prince of Orange and Lord of Breda 22 Iohn Conte of Ostfaie 23 Charles Baron of Barlemont Lord of Perunet 24 Charles of Brimen Conte of Megen Lord of Huuercourt 25 Iohn Marquis of Berges Conte of Walhayn 26 Antonio Doria Marquis of San Steffano Lord of Giersa 27 Don Francisco Fernandes d' Auolos Marquis of Piscara 28 Sforza Sforza S. Fiore Conte of S. Maria of Versi Lord of Castello Arquato 29 Phillip of Montmorancy Lord of Aricourt 30 William of Croij Marquis of Renty 31 Florence of Montmorancy Lord of Montegnij 32 Phillip Conte of Ligni and of Faulquembergh 33 Charles of Lanij Prince of Sulmona 34 Anthony of Salaing Conte of Hoochstrat 35 Giouachino of Mehausem great Chauncelor of Boemia 36 The Duke of Medina Celi 37 The Duke of Cordoua 38 The King of Portugall when he comes to full age Of the Order of S. Michael CAP. 10. IN the yeare 1469. Lewis the xj then French King erected an Order of Knighthood whereinto himselfe with others the most principall Peeres of France did enter It is said the occasion which mooued the King to intitle this Order with the name of S. Michael was the memorie of an apparition of that Sainct vpon the bridge of Orleance when that Citie was assailed by the English at which time liued a certeine Maiden called Ioane a woman so rare of wit and valiant in Armes as was reputed more than a mortall creature or rather some Inchantresse of singuler knowledge This I find written but in that time of Superstition easie it was to induce the people to beleeue things incredible This Order is also ornefied with a great Coller whereat hangeth the Image of S. Michael The words apperteining thereunto are these Immensi tremor Oceani The Soueraine of this Order is the French King and his successors The number of Knights that ought bee admitted into the said Order is 36. But of late yeares that ordinance hath been broken and the number so much increased as thereby the Order is become of small reputation yet is it thought that the Coller apperteining vnto the said Order is giuen onelie to the number aforesaid although the Michael is bestowed on many But sure it is that the intent of that King was to make choyse onelie of the most noble personages of his owne bloud and of others who for vertue and honor were holden worthie as by the first election appeared who were these The first Knights of the Order of S. Michael Lewis the xj Soueraine King Charles of Spaine Duke of Vienna Iohn Duke of Burbon and of Auergne Lewis of Lucimburg Conte of S. Paule and Conestable of France Andrew di Laual Lord of Loheac Marshall of France Iohn Conte of Sanserre Lord of Bueil Lewis of