daunger Hieramias with his right hand deliuered a sword vnto Iuda and in the name of God made him a Knight saying Receiue this sacred sword sent from God wherewith thou shalt vanquish the enemies of Israel It hath bene also a custome ancient that Princes did giue collars as a singular demontration of fauour and honour Plinie reporteth that the Romanes did giue vnto their confederates a collar of gold and to their owne citizens a collar of siluer When Manlius in single combat had slaine a French man hee tooke from him a collar of golde all bloodie and put the same about his owne necke in token of victorie After which time he was surnamed Torquatus because Torques in the Latine signifieth a collar or chaine The Emperours in like maner bestowed collars vpon Captaines and others that serued in the warre and deserued commendation In some Histories may be found that collars were of two sorts the first called Duplares th' other Simplices And with those collars the Emperours for the most part did giue prouision of money or vittaile to some more to some lesse For these reasons and by these examples it appeareth that among the ensignes and ornaments of Honor and Armes the great Collar is of highest reputation It is also seene that Princes soueraigne doe at this day bestow chaines or small collars vpon men of vertue or fauour and in token thereof for the most part a picture or modele of the giuer is thereat pendant which Collat the Knight or Gentleman that receiueth it ought carefully to keepe during his life The ancient custome was that Knights of meane degree and such as were not of the great Orders whereunto particular habits are assigned should in signe of honour weare a garment of scarlet because red representeth fire the most noble element and next vnto the Sunne of most brightnesse It was therefore among the olde Romanes decreed That no man should weare any habit of that colour but only Magistrates and men of dignity Red doeth also betoken boldnesse magnanimitie and ardent loue with charitie The element of fire is also assigned to Mars in respect whereof that colour is most proper to Knights Captaines and all other professours of Armes Carol D Howard Comâ— Notingham 〈…〉 CHAP. 9. Knights of the Garter EDward the third King of England after hee had obtained many great victories of Iohn the French King and Iames King of Scotland both prisoners in the Realme at one time Henry King of Castile the Bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this order in his kingdome Anno 1350. vpon no waightie occasion as is reported Notwithstanding the same is and long hath bene in so great reputation as Emperors Kings and Princes haue and doe desire to bee companions thereof for their greater honour The patron of this Order is S. George vnto whom it was first dedicated The Soueraigne of this Order is the King of England his heires and successors for euer The number of this Colledge of fellowship is 26. Knights with the Soueraigne and when any of them die another is chosen by consent of those Knights that liue The habit of these Knights is an vnder garment or gowne of Crimsin veluet of some called akâ—rtle ouer which he weareth a mantle of Purple veluet lined with white sarsnet on the left shoulder thereof is embroidred in a Garter an Eschuchion of S George and ouer his right shoulder hangeth his hood of Crimson veluet lined with white the Cordons to the mantle are purple silke and gold Aboue all which about his necke he weareth the collar of the order being of pure gold made of garters and knots and enamiled with roses white and red weying 30. ounces of Troy weight with the image of S. George richly garnished with precious stones pendant thereat About his left legge he weareth buckled a garter enriched with gold pearle and stones whereupon these French words are embrodered HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Which may be thus Englished Shame be to him that euill thinketh The custome was long that these Knights did yeerely hold a feast at the Castle Windesor where the same King Edward founded a Church and gaue vnto certaine Priests and Prebends large stipends to serue there And he ordained also that thirteene poore aged and decayed Gentlemen by the name of poore Knights were there for euer to be maintained and kept inuested in gownes and mantles of cloth onely sutable with those of the Order to pray for the prosperity of the Soueraigne and his successors and all other Knights of the said noble Order It is not publiquely knowen what mooued the King to make this order but thus it is vulgarly reported that King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court hapned to take vp a blewe garter which fell from one of them and of some said from the Countesse of Salisburie of whom the King was then enamored which garter the King afterwards wore about his left legge for a fauour The Queene taking some offence thereat it was signified vnto the King by some of the Lords the cause of her displeasure at which he smiling sayd HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE I will make of it yet it be long the most honourable Garter that euer was worne and thereupon instituted the order of the Garter Some rather thinke it was made to remunerate those Noble men and Knights that had best endeuoured and deserued in his most Royall and Martiall affaires of France Scotland and Spaine with all which Nations he then had warre and triumphed The Statutes of this great Order for that they are sufficiently knowen I here omit The names of the first Knights KIng EDWARD the third Soueraigne Edward Prince of VVales Henry Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of VVarwicke The Captaine of Bouche Ralph Earle of Stafford William de Mounteacute Earle of Sarisburie Roger Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholomew Burgwash Sir Iohn Beauchampe Sir Iohn de Mohun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas Holland Sir Iohn Grey Sir Richard Fitzsymon Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh VVrothesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames de Audley Sir Otho Holland Sir Henry Eme. Sir Zanchet d'Abrigecourt Sir VVilliam Paganel The names of those Knights that are this present yeere 1602. of the same most noble Order ELIZABETH Queene of England Soueraigne Henry the fourth the French King Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Thomas Sackuile Lord Buckhurst Gilbert Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George Clifford Earle of Cumberland Henry Percye Earle of Northumberland Edward Somerset Earle of VVorcester Edmond Sheffeild Lord Sheffeild Thomas Howard Baron of VValden George Carey Baron of Hunsdon Charles Blount Lord Montioy Sir Henry Lea Master of her Mties Armorie Robert Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Scrope Lord Scrope VVilliam Stanley Earle of Derby Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh  The Officers appertaining at this
desiring both to honour her and please himselfe with her presence conuited all noble Ladies to behold a triumph at London to be there performed by the Nobles and Gentlemen of his Court This intention his Maiestie did command to be proclaimed in Fraunce Henault Flanders Brabant and other places giuing Passeport and secure abode to all noble strangers that would resort into England That done he sent vnto al Princes Lords and Esquiers of the Realme requiring that they with their wiues daughters and cosins should at the day appointed appeare at his Court. To this feast came William Earle of Henault and Iohn his brother with many Barons and Gentlemen The triumph continued 15. dayes and euery thing succeeded well had not Iohn the sonne and heire of Vicount Beaumount bene there slaine In this triumph also appeared the Earle of Lancaster and Henry his son The Earle of Darby The Lord Robert of Artoys The Erle of Richmount The Earle of Northampton The Earle of Glocester The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury The Earle of Pembroke The Earle of Hartford The Earle of Arundel The Earle of Cornewall The Earle of Norffolke The Earle of Suffolke The Baron of Stafford with others In the raigne of the same King Edward a Royall Iust was holden at Lincolnâ— by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certaine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Lady Ioane daughter to the King who should haue bene married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died A triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles de Valoys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno 1349. In Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thither came also noble persons of other Nations and Spaniards Cipriots Armenians who at that time humbly desired aide against Pagans An. 1361. A triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthony Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgundie Anno 1444. A triumph before King Henry the sixt ONe other notable Action of Armes was personally performed in Smithfield betweene a Gentleman of Spaine called Sir Francis le Arogonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honour from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him Triumphs before King Henry the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Vaughan was hurt and died 1494. One other triumph was in the same Kings daies performed in the Tower of London Anno 1502. Triumphs before King Henry the eight BVt farre exceeding all these was that magnificent Iust and Tournament at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henry the eight of England and Francis the French King who chusing vnto them fourteen others did challenge to run at the Tilt and fight both at the Tourney and Barrier with all commers The Challengers were the King of England the French King the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Ierningham Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capel with these were so many other French Gentlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thither came Mounsieur Vandosme the Earle of Deâ—onshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euery of them bringing in a faire band of Knights well armed This most noble challenge of these two mighty Kings accompanied with fourteene other Knights of either nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King at Armes in England France and Germanie Anno 12 Henrici 8. One other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet and Edward Neuel Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Caeur Loyal the Lord William Bon Voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Valiant desire and Edward Neuil Ioyâ—us Pensier The Defenders were THe Lord Gray Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blunt Thomas Cheyney Thomas Terrel Christopher Willoughby the Lord Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquesse Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshirâ— Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Caeur Loyal and among the Defenders to Edmond Howard Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights viz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seimor Sir Francis Poynings Sir George Carew Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel Anno 1540. Another action of Armes published in the Chamber of Presence at VVestminster by a King of Armes 25. of Nouember in the 1. and 2. of P. and M. FOrasmuch as euer it hath bene a custome that to the Courts of Kings and great Princes Knights and Gentlemen of diuers Nations haue made their repaire for the triall of Knighthood and exercise of Armes And knowing this Royall Court of England to bee replenished with as many noble Knights as any kingdome in the world at this day It seemeth good to Don Fredericke de Toledo the Lord Strange Don Ferdinando de Toledo Don Francisco de Mendoca and Garsulace de la Vega That seeing here in this place better then in any other they may shew the great desire that they haue to serue their Ladies by the honorable aduentures of their persons They say that they will maintaine a fight on foot at the Barriers with footmens harnesse three pushes with a pike seuen strokes with a sword in the place appointed before the Court gate on Tuesday the 4. day of December from the twelfth houre of the day vntill fiue at night against all commers Praying the Lords the Earle of Arundell the Lord Clinton Gartilapez de Padilla and Don Pedro de Cordoua that they would be Iudges of this Triumph for the better performance of the conditions following First that he which commeth forth most gallantly without wearing on himselfe or furniture any golde or siluer fine or counterfeit wouen embroidered or of goldsmiths worke shall haue a rich Brooch He that striketh best with a Pike shall haue a Ring with a Rubie He that fighteth best with a Sword shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that fighteth most valiantly when they ioyntly fight together shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that giueth a stroke with a Pike from the girdle downeward or vnder the Barrier shall winne no prize Hee that shall haue a close gantlet or any thing to fasten his Sword to his hand shall winne no
reason of many alterations and losses which hapned vnto the Christians in the East at that time Hee elected for Patron of this Order the Apostle S. Andrew The Soueraigne of this Order is he vnto whom the Dukedome of Burgundie doth lawfully descend The number of these Knights first elected were foure and twenty besides the Soueraigne all men of Noble blood without reproch and of vertuous merit The habit is an vnder garment of Crimson veluet with a mantle of the same lined with white it openeth on the right side and in the wearing is turned vp on the left shoulder it is richly embrodered round about with a border of flames fusils and fleeces The hood of crimson veluet the Knights we are on their heads as by the figure appeareth The Collar of this Order is of gold wrought of flames and fusils with the Toizon hanging thereat The Soueraigne hath authoritie in himselfe absolutely to giue and bestow the same at this pleasure This Collar or the Toizon euery Knight is bound to weare dayly or failing shall incurre a penaltie But in time of warre or vrgent affaires to weare the Toizon only shall suffise Or if by mishap the Collar doe breake it is permitted for mending thereof it may be carried vnto a goldsmith Or if any Knight trauelling by the way shall feare to be robbed he may lay the Collar aside Yet it is not lawfull to increase the quantitie of the Collar nor adde thereunto any stones or workemanship and most vnlawfull it is to sell it or change it Whosoeuer entreth into this Order mustrenounce all other Orders of Knighthood of euery Prince Company or Religion yet out of that law are excepted all Emperours Kings and Dukes vnto whom it is dispensed that they may weare the Ensignes of this Order if they be chiefe and Soueraignes of their owne Order Yet to the end the trueth may appeare a Councell of Knights shall be called to consent vnto that dispensation These with other Statutes and Ordinances the Knights of this great Order are sworne to obserue and keepe And many of them haue bene since the first institution enlarged altered ortaken away by the Soueraignes The day of assembly for these Knights was at the beginning appointed on the feast day of S. Andrew but since altered vnto the second of May and that but once in three yeres vnlesse it pleaseth the Soueraigne otherwise to command To this Order doe belong foure principall officers Viz. A Chancellor a Treasurer a Register and a king of Armes named Toizon D'or To this Order also appertaineth an Impreze the inuenter thereof was Charles Duke of Burgundie whose high valour brought Lewys the xj king of Fraunce vnto great trouble as Monsieur d' Argenton writeth The said Impreze or deuice was an Instrument made to strike fire called an Ansill with these words Antè ferit quam flamma micet meaning he had power to kindle great trouble before it were perceiued yet was the euent vnhappy for in the warre against Lorayne and the Suysses after the defeare of Morat and Granson his forces were vtterly ouerthrowen and his person slaine before Nancy the Euen of the Epiphany Whereupon Renato Duke of Lorayne being victorious and seeing the standerd of Duke Charles with the Impreze of the Instrument of fire sayd That vnfortunate Prince when he had most neede to warme him lacked leisure to strike fire which speech was pithie and the more because the earth was then couered with snow and by reason of the conflict full of blood At that time was the greatest frost and cold that any man liuing could remember The Toizon which these Knights doe weare hanging at their Collar of Order is the forme of a golden fleece which Iason woon at Colchos others do suppose it to be the fleece of Gedeon whereof the holy Scripture maketh mention which signifieth Fidelâ—ie or Iustice vncorrupted The number of these Knights was much encreased by the Emperour Charles the fifth who hauing the dukedome of Burgundie elected into that Order persons of greater Title then were at the beginning and commanded the election should be by consent After him King Philip of Spaine did the like The names of Knights in the first election THe Duke of Burgondie Soueraigne William de Vienna of S. George Rinieri Pot Lord of Castile The Lord of Rombaix The Lord Mountacute Orland de Vtquerque Anthony de Vergi Conte of Lignij Hugh de Lanoij Lord of Santes Iohn Lord of Cominges Anthony de Tolongion Marshal of Burgondie Peter de Luxemburg Conte of Beureine Gilbert de Lanoy Lord of Villerual Iohn de Villiers Lord of Isleadam Anthony Lord of Croy and Renti Florimont de Brimeu Lord of Massincure Robert Lord of Mamimes Iames de Brimeu Lord of Grigni Baldwin de Lanoij Lord of Mulambays Peter de Baufremont of Cargni Philip Lord of D'osteruant Iohn de Orequi Iohn de Croy Lord of Tours super Marne 〈…〉 CHAP. 15. Knights of S. Michael IN the yeere 1469. Lewis the xj 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 moued the King to intitle this Order with the name of S. Michael was the memory of an apparition of that Saint vpon the bridge of Orleance when that Citie was besieged by the English at which time liued a certaine mayden called Iohan a woman of so rare wit and valour in Armes as was reputed more then a mortall creature or rather some enchantresse of singular knowledge This Order is ornified with a great Collar whereat the Image of S. Michael hangeth The words thereon set are these Immensitremor Oceani The Soueraigne of this Order is the French King and his successors The number of Knights to be elected into this Order is 36. But of late yeeres that number hath bene much encreased and thereby the order become of small reputation yet it is said that the great Collar and Robe is bestowed onely to that number although the Michael be giuen vnto many Howsoeuer that be sure it is that th'entent of that King was to make choise onely of the most noble personages of his owne blood and others who for vertue and honour were accompted worthy as by the first election appeareth who were these KIng Lewis the 11. Soueraigne Charles of Spaine Duke of Vienna Iohn Duke of Burbon and Auerne Luys de Luxemburg Conte of S. Paul and Constable of France Andre de Laual Lord of Ioheac Marshal of France Iohn Conte de Sanserre Lord of the Forrâ—t and of Plessis Mace Iohn de Tonteuille Lord of Castiglione Lewis Bastard of Burbon Conte of Rosiglione and Admirall of France Anthony of Chiabanes Conte d'Ammartin and Grand-master of the Kings house Iohn Bastard d'Armignac Counte of Cominges Marshall of France and Gouernour of Delfinato George de Trimouille Lord of Craon Seneshal of Vienna Luys Lord de Cursol Seneshal of Poylon Gilbert de Gabanes Lord of CroitoÌ„ Seneshal of
Charles Lord of Hohenhuwen of Sueuia 2 George Lord of VVolffartshausen of Bauaria 3 Meinolphus Lord of Erbach of the Rheyn 4 Ernestus Grumbach Esquier The Actors in the first Triumph whose names were enrolled and presented vnto the Emperour were in all 390. Among whom These were the Emperours band The Duke of Holland The Prince of Pomeran The Prince of Saxon. The Prince of Thuringia The Burgraue of Meydburg The Prince of Witten The Prince of Russia The Prince of Delmantia The Count of Thuringia The Marques of Staden The Prince of Ascania The Earle of Aldenburg The Earle Valesius The Earle Harracortius The Earle Schuuartzburg The Earle Weissenfels The Earle Gleichen The Burgraue of Leisneck The Earle of Eberstein The Earle of Eysenburg The Earle of Rotel The Earle of Winssenburg The Earle of Wunssdorff The Earle of Vffen The Earle of Louenrode The Earle of Rochlitz The Earle of Piedmont The Earle of Alençonius The Earle of Bren. The Earle of Leisneck The Rawgraue of Cassell The Earle Woldenburg The Earle of Eskersberg The Earle of Pein The Earle of Arnsshag The Earle of Lobdiburg The Earle Nortingen The Earle of Ployssigk After the Emperour followed the Palatine of the Rheyn with his band containing 80. persons among whom were 7. Princes and 16. Earles viz. The Duke of Alsatia The Duke of Barry The Marques of Pontamonsa The Duke of Lymburg The Duke of Burbon The Duke of Limburg The Earle of Burgondy and others Next to him followed the Duke of Sueuia with his band containing 82. persons of which number 9. were Dukes and Princes Next followed the Duke of Bauaria with his band containing 69. persons of whom 8. were Dukes and Princes Next followed the Duke of Franconia with his band containing 80. persons of whom 4. were Princes Besides these Bands appertaining to the Emperour and the 4 principal Princes of Germany being the chiefe Nobility and Gentlemen yet other Princes also offered their Bands viz. Otho Duke of Thuringia the Emperours eldest sonne presented 112. persons of whom 8. were Dukes or Princes Likewise Arnoldus the Emperors second sonne presented 85. persons among whom some were also Princes To conclude the number of Princes Lords and Gentlemen that appeared in these triumphes before the fourth triumph was ended amounted vnto two thousand persons Then was there charge and commission giuen to Georgius Scuuabenlant to be the Herault and pronouncer of all Orders and Ordinances concerning those affaires He also tooke notes how euery man was mounted armed and furnished To him also appertained the publicatio◠of what honour or dishonour euery man deserued and therewith to perswade that no malice or quarrell should be among the Actors but euery one with an honourable emulation to do his best This Officer also proclaimed the priuiledges and what Armes were to be vsed and that done he assigned place where euery band should attend and in what order they should runne which were long to be rehearsed The troopes of Lances thus marshalled the beholders were permitted to enter But first of all the Princes Ladies and women of honour did take their places of whose beauty pompe and rich attire no man needeth to doubt These women thus prepared in passing to their places with due reuerence and thankes set them downe and the courses being runne desired that euery Actor might receiue the praise he deserued Therewith also that the chief prizes might be allotted to the 4. Kings appointed for the next triumph which should be celebrated at Rauensburg vpon S. Iames day Anno 941. which was 3. yeeres after this present triumph The prizes were deliuered according to the praises and pleasure of the Ladies This triumph and the ceremonies therof ended it pleased the Emperour to pronounce the first Article to be obserued in all future triumphs viz. IT should bee lawfull for all Gentlemen well borne to enter and fight in these exercises of Armes euer excepting such as in worde or deed had blasphemed God or done or said cōtrary to our Christian faith Of whom if any shall presume to enter the Lists wee will and commaund That the Armes of his ancestours with all other his furniture shal be cast out his horse confiscate and in lieu of honour which arrogantly and vnworthily was sought his person shal be expulsed with perpetuall infamy The second Article was pronounced by the Pallatin the effect whereof was THat if any Lord or Gentleman whatsoeuer hath or shall wittingly or willingly say or do any thing in preiudice of the dignitie Emperiall or profit thereof hee shal be repulsed from these exercises and suffer the punishments thereunto due I also ordaine and pronounce Meinolphus of Erbach to be King in the celebration of the next triumph and the chiefe leader of all my Nobilitie of the Rhein The third Article was pronounced by the Duke of Sueuia viz. THat if any Gentleman of what title soeuer hath by word or deed dishonored any virgin widow or other gentlewomā or hath by force taken or deteined any goods or lands to them or any of them belonging he shal be iudged vnworthy to receiue fame and honour in these triumphs hee shall also forfeit his horses and with infamy be expulsed the Lists Such is my censure irreuocable I likewise constitute Carolus Lord of Hohenheuuen to be a King in these triumphs and Leader of the Nobility of Sueuia The fourth Article was pronounced by the Duke of Bauaria viz. THat forasmuch as nothing was more agreeable to the glory of God and honour of the holy Empire then trueth I require that all men of what dignitie or title soeuer being knowen vniust in their doings and lyars should during their liues remaine infamous And if any person of such quality shall offer to enter the Lists I commaund him to be with dishonor dismounted I likewise pronounce George of Wolffarthuusen in my name to be King of the Prouince of Bauaria The fifth Article was pronounced by Conradus Duke of Franconia to this effect THat whosoeuer hath betrayed or forsaken his master in the field or in his iourney or hath procured any other man so to doe or if hee hath not defended his countrey his subiects others committed to his charge as is the duety of a good man or if wickedly he hath procured the trouble of any person or not defended him but left them as a pray to the enemy then I command that euery such person shal be for euer repulsed from the celebration of these triumphs hee shall also forfeit his horse and endure the ignominy due to men infamous I also pronounce Ernestus of Grumbach Esquier to be King of the triumph within my circuit of Franconia These Articles pronounced and written the Emperor called before him 15 men appointed to be Curatores ludorum as we may tearme them Superuisors of the Triumph to whome he said That forasmuch as he allowed and much liked the pastime his intention was to impart the same to all Kings Princes and Potentates
Hall in their Liueries which number amounted to sixe hundred All the streets where the King passed were hanged with cloth of golde siluer or rich Arras That day and the next all the conduits were full of wine some Claret and some White The night before the Coronation the King washed his body and the next morning prayed in the presence of three Prelats The next morning the Clergie in great numbers attended the King to the Temple of Westminster and from thence all the Lords and Knights of the Order in their robes awaited vpon his Maiestie to the Pallace who all that way marched vnder the Canopy of State On either hand of the King a sword was caried the one represented the Ecclesiasticall the other Politicall iurisdiction The Ecclesiasticall sword was borne by the Prince of Wales the Kings sonne the sword of Iustice Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland and Constable of England did beare which office was lately taken from the Earle of Rutland and giuen to him The scepter was caried by the Earle of Westmerland Marshall of England In this order and thus accompanied the King came into the Church where he found a place of State prepared in the mids there he set himselfe downe being furnished with all his rich and royall ornaments the crowne excepted The Archbishop of Canterbury preached and shewed the Kings person vnto the people saying Behold him here that is to raigne ouer you for so God hath ordained Will you quoth hee consent he shall be crowned your King whereunto they answered Yea and holding vp their hands offered to be sworne Then the King went downe from his seate and kneeled before the high Altar where two Archbishops and ten Bishops did take off his royall garments and annoynt him in the presence of all the multitude viz. on the crowne of his head on the breast on the shoulders on the palmes of his hands which done they set his cap vpon his head Then the King put vpon him a garment like vnto a Deacon and girt the same as Prelates vse to doe Then they buckled vpon one of his feete a Spurre and drew forth the sword of Iustice which they deliuered into the Kings hand and he put it vp into the sheath when it was put vp the Archbishop of Canterbury girt it vnto his side Then was the Crowne of S. Edward brought thither and by that Archbishop set vpon the Kings head All these ceremonies and Diuine Seruice finished the King with the same pompe he came to the Church returned to the Pallace in the mids whereof was a fountaine which flowed with wine white and red At dinner the King did sit at the first table at the second sate the fiue chiefe Peeres of the kingdome at the third the Mayor and Aldermen at the fourth the nine new made Knights at the fifh the Knights Gentlemen of the Kings house So long as the King did sit the Prince of Wales stood on his right hand holding the Ecclesiasticall sword and on the left hand stood the Constable of England shaking the sword of Iustice vnder them stood the Marshall holding the Scepter At the Kings table besides the King two Archbishops and three other Bishops did sit In the dinner time a Knight well mounted armed at all peeces came into the Hall and before him rode an other horseman that caried his Launce his name was Dymmock This Champion hauing his sword drawen and a Mace also ready deliuered vnto the king a scroule of paper wherein was contained that if any Gentleman would denie that Henry there present were not the lawfull King of England he was ready by Armes to maintaine it where and when the King should command This Cartell was deliuered to a King of Armes and by the Kings commandement proclaimed in the palace and in sixe places of the Citie but no man found to say the contrary and so the ceremonie of this Coronation ended CHAP. 46. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes 1380. THis Charles the 6. King of France of that name being twelue yeeres olde was crowned in the presence of the Dukes of Anioy Auuernia Burgundy Burbon Brabant Berry and Lorayn the Earle of Piedmont the Earle of Marcury the Earle Eu and William Lord of Namur beeing present the Earle of Flanders and Bloys sent their deputies The King entred the citie of Rhemes with a marueilous troupe of Lords and Gentlemen hauing before them thirty trumpets sounding His Maiestie alighted at our Lady Church and thither resorted vnto him his cosins of Albert Nauarre Barry Harecourt and other yong Princes and Lords of the blood whom the next day he dubbed Knights On Sonday after the King went vnto the Church which was most sumptuously prepared There the Bishop crowned his Maiestie and anointed him with that oyle wherewith Saint Remigius had anointed Clodoueus the first Christian King of France That Oyle was miraculously as is reported sent from heauen by an Angel purposely to anoint Clodoueus And being preserued euer since a glasse although all the kings haue bene therwith anointed yet is the quantity thereof no whit decreased The King being come before the high Altar did honour all the yong men aforesayd with Knighthood and that done hee kneeled vpon rich foote Carpets that were there spred at his feete the yong Princes newly made Knights did sit and Oliuer Clisson newly also aduanced to be Constable of the kingdome performed his office and there amids the nobility with all pomp possible the King was crowned Then to the end that all men might haue cause to reioice the King was pleased to remit and forgiue all taxations subsidies and impositions by what name soeuer lately inuented The Coronation finished his Maiestie returned to the palace where his table was prepared and hereat besides the King did sit the Dukes his vncles viz. the Duke of Brabant Anioy Auuernia Burgundy and Burbon and on his right hand sate the Archbishop of Rhemes with other Lords of the Spiritualty Touching meaner Lords of the kingdome they shifted for place where it could be found The Admirals Coucy Clisson and Tremoly had their tables equally couered with Carpets of Tissue The next day the King dined according to ancient vse and the charge of the Inauguration was defrayd by the Citizens of Rhemes These ceremonies being consummate with great pomp triumph and ioy he returned to Paris CHAP. 47. At the Inauguration of King Henry the third French King three notable things obserued FIrst when he should haue bene anointed with the holy oile there was none found in the ceremonious Horne which for many yeeres had bene preserued by miracle as a relike sent from heauen Secondly when in the royall seate the Crowne was set vpon his head by certaine Bishops as is accustomed he cried out twise Oh it hurts me Thirdly when he kneeled before the Altar during Masse the Crowne fell from his head all which seemed ominous to the beholders and so it prooued both to himselfe
prize He that his Sword falleth out of his hand shall winne no prize He that striketh his hand in fight on the Barriers shall win no prize Whosoeuer shall fight and not shewe his Sword to the Iudges before shall winne no prize The Prizes giuen The Prize of the fairest and most gallant entry THe Marquesse de Valle came into the field very well appointed in armour and apparell The Kings Maiestie better then he Don Fredericke de Toledo best of all to whome the Queenes Maiestie awarded the prize of the Brooch The Prize for the Pike THe Duke of Medina Caeli performed valorously Don Pedro de la Zerda bettered him Don Diego Ortado di Mendoça did best of all to whome was giuen by the Queenes Maiestie a Ring of gold with a Rubie The Prize for the Sword SIr George Howard fought very well Don Adrian Garçias performed better Sir Iohn Parrat best of all to whome the Queenes Maiesty gaue a Ring of gold with a Diamond The Prize at the Pike in ranke THomas Percy acquited valiantly Carlo di Sanguine with greater fortune Ruygomez best of all to whome the Queene gaue a Ring of gold The Prize of all together in ranke at the foyle LOrd William Howard L. Admiral with high commendation Marquesse di Toro Mayore exceeded him the Kings Maiesty exceeded all to whome the Queene gaue in highest honour a Ring of golde with a rich Diamond In all which and other the like triumphant Gests perfourmed by the English and Spanish Nobilitie it was euer held honorable and prizeworthy to appeare within Listes most gallant and fairest armed and yet with least superstuous cost of golde siluer embrodery or curiositie of workemanship CHAP. 53. Of the like Actions in Armes since the reigne of Queene Elizabeth ONe solemne Iust Tournament and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norffolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwick the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scroope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers with great honour answered all commers The Defenders names are not extant 1558. A royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard nowe Lord Admirall Sir Henrie Lea and Sir Christopher Hatton now Knights of the Garter the one Master of her Maiesties Armorie the other at his death Lord Chancellor The Defenders were THe Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seamor Edward Harbert Sir George Carie Thomas Cecil Henry Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henry Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkley Thomas Kneuet Willliam Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Launcelot Bostock Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliam Thomas Bedding field Thomas Moore William Worthing toÌ„ Richard Blunt Thomas Connesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three dayes the first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barrier On euery of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a prize for the recieuing whereof they were particularly led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The prize at the Tilton the Defenders party was giuen vnto Henry Gray at the Tourney to the Lord Henry Seamor at the Barriers to Thomas Cecil Before them went Clarencieux King of Armes in his Rich coate of Armes This magnificent triumph was performed Anno 1571. An honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his assistant Sir William Drurie challenged all commers Anno 1580. The Defenders were THe Earle of Oxford the Lord Windsor Phillip Sidney Edward Norris Henrie Knowles Robert Knowles Fulk Griuell Thomas Kneuet Thomas Kellaway Rafe Bowes George Goring George Gifford Anthonie Cooke Henrie Bronkard Edward Denny Richard Ward Thomas Parrot The prize was giuen to the Earle of Oxford To these actions of Armes we may adde a notable Tourneament on horsebacke solemnized within her Maiesties pallace at Westminster which became the more rare and memorable because it was performed in the night The manner whereof in briefe was thus It pleased her Maiestie according to her Princely custome in the intertainement of noble strangers to conuite vnto supper the Duke Memorancie chiefe Marshall of France at that time come thither to receiue the honourable order of the Garder This magnificent supper ended it pleased her Highnesse the weather being warme to walke out of her chamber into the open Tarrace whither also awayting on her went the sayd Duke and all others of the French Nobilitie with the Ambassadours Lords and Ladies of the Court. At her Maiesties comming to the North side of the Tarrace there were prepared and set rich chaires cushions and carpets In which place it pleased her to stay entertayning most gratiously the said Duke and other Noble strangers Next vnto them were placed the Ladies Lords Counsellers and other persons of reputation according to their degrees and conuenience of the roome So as the said Tarrace was on all sides beset with Lord Ladies and persons of qualitie sumptuously apparelled and richly furnished and among them both aboue and vnder stood many of the Guard in their rich coates holding an infinite number of Torches and so in the preaching place by which meane those that beheld the Tarrace in this sort furnished deemed it rather a Theater celestiall then a pallace of earthly building The place with this Royall presence replenished suddainly entred Walter Earle of Essex and with him twelue Gentlemen armed at all peeces and well mounted The Earle and his horse was furnished with white cloth of siluer and the rest in white sattin who after reuerence done to her Maiesty marched to the East side of the Court and there in troope stood firme Forthwith entred Edward Earle of Rutland with a like number in like sort armed and apparelled all in blew and hauing presented his reuerence stayed on the West end Before either of these bands one Chariot was drawen and therein a faire Damsell conducted by an armed Knight who pronounced certaine speeches in the French tongue vnto her Maiestie These Ceremonies passed The Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight which was performed with great courage and commendation chiefly in the Earle of Essex a noble personage valorous in armes and all other wayes of great vertue Truely this Action was marueilously magnificent and appeared a sight exceeding glorious to those that were below looking vpward to the Tarrace where her Maiestie the Lords and Ladies stood so pompously apparelled iewelled and furnished as hardly can be seene the like in any Christian Court as my selfe saw and other the Actors at occasions staying from fight with great admiration did behold and thinke Of the Actors names in this Triumph it seemeth no note is kept yet are many of them liuing Not inferiour but farre exceeding in princely pompe and qualitie of Actors was that Royall combat and fight on foote before her Maiestie the first of Ianuarie Anno 1â—81 where Mounsieur brother vnto the French
priuiledges appertaining to old souldiers for so was it decreed by Tiberius the Emperour and Caligula as Tacitus sayth taking view of his bands dispensed with diuers Captaines before they had gray haires as one that respected rather their imbecilitie and strength decayed then the time they had serued beeing perswaded that age approching was a cause sufficient to merit honest libertie It was therefore thought fit that all souldiers that had well serued should bee left to their libertie Antoninus the Emperour commanded that such men should be dismissed with honour and extraordinarily rewarded Which fauour was granted not onely to men armed but also vnto all officers that followed the Generall and serued in place of reputation yet were they inhibited to keepe company with other men then such as made profession of Armes or to intermeddle in any affaires not appertaining vnto the warre vpon paine to forfeit ten pounds in gold These Emeriti were alwayes ancient seruitours and professours of Armes who continued in Court or Campe euer ready to perfourme the Emperours will and commandement Touching the time of their seruice it seemeth to rest chiefly in the Princes commandement and was sometimes more and sometimes lesse as hath bene formerly said yet in shorter space then ten yeeres no souldier was with grace dismissed as shall be more particularly said in the Chapter of Cassation CHAP. 10. ¶ Of crimes Militarie in generall FIrst it is to be knowen that some crimes be common and punishable in all men and some are proper to men of war onely of the first are forgeries adulterie publique and priuate violence sedition manslaughter burning of houses treason sacrilege other enormities for whosoeuer committeth any such offence whether he be a man of warre or not the punishment due is all one Crimes proper to souldiers are such only as are committed contrarie to discipline Militarie and excuseable in other men not being souldiers Now is it necessarie to vnderstand how crimes contrary to Militarie Iustice ought be punished We call that discipline Militarie whereby men are made obedient and instructed in all such qualities as are required in a souldier And for so much as the readiest way vnto vertue is first to restraine vice we must endeuour by discipline to hold men in obedience And notwithstanding al humane policie and lawes both diuine and humane some men there are so vile and malicious as without respect will commit all actes or iniuries that can be inuented yet good gouernours do forecast not onely what men doe but also what may be done which moued the Romanes to consider that some men did commit faultes beyond expectation in so much as there wanted not of those that haue slaine their owne fathers For which offence Solon in his lawes prouided no punishment and being asked why he did not inflict penaltie vpon those offendors answered he thought not that any man would haue bene so wocked We therefore thinke fit to prescribe punishments vnto all crimes for souldiers like vnto others be neither gods nor perfect creatures but men apt to erre and without restraint of law not to be gouerned Arrius Meander in his first booke Dere Militari saith Crimes properly Militarie are those which a man as a souldier doth commit And here a certaine difference betweene errour and crime is to be noted for we call that an error when any thing is done contrary to common discipline as to be slouthful disobedient and vnwilling but he is said to commit a crime when the fault is accompanied with intent to hurt for without that intent the acte may be imputed to destenie or chance and as a thing happened vnwares therefore Antoninus the Emperour did command Herculianus and other Captaines that if a souldier hauing stroken another man did prooue the act was without intent to kill that then he should not bee condemned of manslaughter as if a man be slaine when souldiers be trained or in exercise of armes then that act is not accounted criminall but casuall yet if such an act be done in any other place the doer thereof shall be reâ—uted guiltie But as the humors of men are diuers so are the crimes by them committed of diuers qualitie as hereafter shall be discoursed CHAP. 11. Of treason and Traytors ALbeit a custome most common it is that Traitors flying vnto the enemie are well entreated and greatly esteemed so long as their seruice is thought profitable yet afterwardes their condition being knowen that credit doth decay and consequently the fauour they finde becommeth euery day lesse then other The law calleth them Traytors that indeuour to betray their Prince or the libertie of their countrey they are also called Traytors that hauing a charge doe yeeld the same vp vnto the enemie of whom it is by law decreed they ought to be capitally punished or at the least discharged Likewise all Explorators or spies that bewray our secrets and enforme the enemie are accounted Traytors and worthy capitall punishment With these offendors the Aegyptians vsed to deale more mildly for in that case the offendors had their tongues cut out and so suffered to liue They were also accounted to haue committed a crime treasonable that furnished the enemie with weapon or munition whereby they might offend vs and we with more difficultie offend them The goods of such men ought be confiscate and their liues subiect vnto death The doctor Paulus iudged that who so did sell any armour vnto the enemie did thereby incurre the forfeiture of his life Edward the third king of England in a Parliament holden at Winchester caused Edmond Earle of Kent to be conuicted of Treason for perswading other Lords to rebell Yet true it is that Traitors are diuersly punished according to the qualitie of the crime the custome of the countrey and the discretion of the Prince Tullus Hostilius king of Rome caused Metius Suffetius guiltie of Treason to be beaten by the Littori and after torne in pieces with horses Antony de Leua defending Pauia discouered a souldier of his had informed the French that in that citie small store of powder remained he called him to be examined and the fault confessed the souldier was put to death and quartered Among the Athenians it was not lawfull to burie a Traitor which was the cause that the bones of Themistocles were secretly caried into his friendes house and there buried Bellesarius finding that a Citizen of Athens called Laurus had complotted treason commanded his bodie should be brought vnto a hill before the citie and there thrust thorow with a stake which maner of death is at this day vsed in Turkie Charles the Emperour making warre vpon Philip duke of Austria practized with certaine of the Captains to perswade Philip to leaue the fielde who hauing compassed so much as the Emperour required they demanded a reward of their treason which was foorthwith payed in counterfeit money and caried home But the Traytors perceiuing the money not to be good returned therewith desiring better
are they to be all punished alike but the Iudge is to examine the circumstances of the cause The law willeth that who so is found a Desertor in warre is to be capitally punished whether hee were horseman or souldier on foote But if a horseman doe prooue a Desertor in peace he thereby forfeiteth his degree or if he were a footman he looseth his pay If such an offender be found in the citie he incurreth the losse of his head but being elswhere found and that the first fault hee may be restored but offending the second time shall loose his life He that to this fault shall adde any other ought be the more sharpely punished and hauing so offended he shall be in case as if he had bene twise a Desertor To this kind of offence in diuers ages and by diuers Princes diuers penalties were appointed The Spartanes repulsed such men from being capable of any office and to liue euer vnmarried also to giue place to all other men and haue the one side of their beards shauen Auidius the vsurper commanded that some should haue their hands cut off and other their legges broken Dauid King of Scottes and second of that name being forced to flee his kingdome at his returne as one mindfull of those that abandoned him in time of danger caused all Chiefetaines and Captaines to pay money and would haue disinherited Robert Stewart who was before named his heire Also for an example to posteritie he imposed a pecuniary punishment vpō al those that did abandon their king in fight Another sort of fugitiues be they that beeing taken prisoners will not returne although so they might of which number some doe onely rest with the enemie and others doe take part and fight on his side which is an offence of great importance Paulus the Ciuilian writeth That such offenders should be either burned aliue or hanged Vlpianus would haue them also burned Or rather as some report he was not executed by the King for leauing him but by the factious Lords for adhering firmely to the King Nicholas Brembre an Alderman of London at a battell in Essex or neere Oxford as others say fled from King Richard the second and after being found in Wales was brought from thence to London where hee was publikely put to death Also at the siege of Capua seuen hundred fugitiues were taken beaten with roddes and their hands cut off By these examples appeareth that no certeine punishment was inflicted for this offence To these we may adde all seditious persons who desirous of innouation doe attempt diuers enterprises to mooue mutenie or rebellion These seditions are most commonly in armies composed of diuers nations or where strangers are called for aide In Cybaris a great number of Achaians and Troezenians did dwell quietly vntill the Achei finding their number the greater tooke Armes and expulsed the Troezeni In Constantinople likewise the strangers did conspire to oppresse the Citizens but in a battell were all forced to flie Also after the suppression of the tyrants in Syracusa the strangers and hired souldiers fell into great dissention For reformation of this fault Iulius Caesar is to be followed who finding such a mischiefe to arise cleared the armie of all busie heads sware the souldiers and at the beginning repressed the sedition Modestinus the doctor did giue counsell that whosoeuer did begin any muteny should loose his life if the sedition were dangerous but beeing of lesse moment the beginner thereof should be cassed The law of Naples commandeth that souldiers or others mouing any sedition should forfeit both life and goods Trebonius a chiefe conspiratour against Caesar was put to death by Dolabella and Marinas Phalerius Duke of Venice for conspiring against that state was beheaded yet in some places and times the punishment of these offences was onely pecuniall or infamie Another crime of greater consequence it is to yeeld vp or abandon a place of strength or depart from a standing giuen in charge for by the Romane lawe those crimes were euer accounted capitall It is likewise capital for feare of an enemie to forsake the trench the wall or other place to be defended Therefore Augustus Caesar caused certaine Captaines hauing abandoned a place vpon paine of death to recouer it Modestinus saith That he who leaueth his place of watch or warde is to be reputed worse then an Emansor and consequently for such a fault to be punished or at the least be discharged his seruice and he that forsaketh the trench incurreth the same penaltie though the enemie doe make no approch but if the enemie be at hand then so to doe is capitall Euery man may reade that Appius Claudius sent certaine bands against the Volses and they abandoning their ranks were beaten with rods and after executed which proceeding seemeth extreame and therefore in like case some fewe haue bene put to death to terrifie the rest Antonius leading an armie against the Parthians executed onely euery tenth man of those that first did runne away The like was done by Appius Claudius in the warre against the Volses putting a few of those souldiers to death that first abandoned their Ensignes Caius Caesar according to the Lawes of Petreius at suite of the Legions did put to death onely twelue persons that were the chiefe moouers of sedition so great was his mercie Neuerthelesse the vse was euer to put him to death that did flee first It is sayd that Epaminondas walking the round where the watch was set hapned to finde a souldier fast asleepe whom forth with he slew with his sword saying As he found him so hee left him The like penaltie doe they incurre that sleepe or depart from their place of watch which moued Epaminondas to account a souldier sleeping like a man without life By the law Militarie it is prouided that if any Souldier doe loose his Armes or sell them hee shall for so doing be capitally punished or at the least disabled to beare Armes at the discretion of the Iudge Or if any souldier doe cast away his Armes and not defend himselfe against the enemie shall thereby incurre infamy The old Romanes reputed him worthy to receiue a bastonado that abandoned his Ensigne The like punishment they thought due to him that did forsake the Generall If any Captaine did flee from his Company or any Ensigne-bearer did let fall his Colours he was beheaded or beaten to death with cudgels Appius Claudius being sent against the Volses caused certaine Ensigne-bearers for loosing their Colours and others that fled out of their rankes to be beaten with rods Paulus the doctor holdeth it a great fault for any Souldier to sell his Armes yet seemeth hee lesse culpable then the former But that kinde of crime is thought equal vnto desertion and whether he sell all or part of his Armes the fault is one Yet that doctour maketh this difference viz. he that selleth his greaues or his powldrō s ought to be beaten But who so selleth
deserued the titles appertaining to armes and beare about them the scarres and tokens of true valour Adrianus the Emperour would not permit any man to bee a Tribune or take charge in the warre whose beard was not full growen or whose witte or yeres were vncapable of that office neither would he suffer a Captaine to take any thing from his souldier Among many other parts of commendation required in a soueraigne commander there is not any more to bee honoured then liberalitie and contrariwise auarice ought to be extreamely abhorted For hard it is to attend the affaires of warre and ouer much to affect money Great reason therefore had Nicomedes to thinke himselfe vsed with indignitie by the Bithynians when he hauing borne all the offices of warre and was wounded in many places of his body was then repulsed All which notwithstanding Antisthenes was preferred and made General when hee had neuer performed any action praise worthy or memorable nor had endeuoured more then to make himselfe mighty in mony yet is not that Captaine to be misliked that can with honour and good conscience purchase wealth for thereby he hath meane and power to supply the wants both of priuate souldiers and publique scarcitie The office of a souereigne Commander may be compared vnto the skill of him that gouerneth well a priuate house which is to command things fit to make men obedient to reward the good and punish the euill In which offices the one and the other of these commanders shall not faile to finde enemies and therefore may be called a warre Here may we also remember that the Mauritanes being confederate with Iustinianus the Emperour consented that no man should be their Generall but such a one as was a friend vnto the Romanes or had receiued the Ensignes from a commander of the Romane armie which were these A staffe of siluer gilded a cuppe of leather ornified with siluer and a white vesture of small price The Romanes called these officers Magistri militum or Praefecti when they were sent to gouerne an army against the enemy or to giue counsell in the warre or had in charge to dispose of the campe for so was it decreed by Honorius and Theodosius Sometimes also their lieutenants were called Praefecti hauing in charge the defence of a particular prouince against the enemie and were in authoritie equall to him that led the army called Dux and before the Proconsul To this dignity Cabades being restored vnto the kingdome of Persia preferred Selanem a man of great fame and reputation in the warre and therefore called him Seosen which is the title of that Magistrate who commandeth all sorts of souldiers as the Constable doeth in France and the High Marshall in England The office of the Tribunes in Rome was to hold the soldiers in order to see them trained to keepe the keyes of gates to suruey the watch to dispose of the vittaile to correct false measures to punish offenders according to the quality of their faults to behold often the order of the army to here the quarels in question betweene souldiers and to visit the sicke For in deed the office of euery commander consisteth in doing iustice and obseruation of discipline He is also to be spare in giuing licence vnto Souldiers or to permit any horses to passe out of his countrey neither should he suffer them to be employed in hunting hauking or such like exercises a matter specially inhibited by the discipline of Augustus A soueraigne Magistrate militarie ought also to remember that after his commission be expired he ought not to depart the place of his charge within the space of fiftie dayes for so doing without licence of his superior he incurreth an offence capital such was the instruction which Zeno the Emperor did giue vnto Sebastianus notwithstanding his authority was ceassed and a successor come to receiue charge of the Armie THE Second Booke OF KNIGHTHOOD ¶ The Contents of this Booke THE Prooeme Of Knighthood Cap. 1. The originall of Knighthood giuen as a dignitie and what Princes haue authority to make Knights Ca. 2. The maner of making Knights about the yeere of our Lord 500. neere which time King Arthur reigned in England Cap. 3. The order of disgrading Knights in those dayes Cap. 4. Knights of the Round table Cap. 5. Howe actions Aduenturous ought be admired not discredited Cap. 6. The office and duety of euery Knight gentleman Cap. 7. Of Honourable Ornaments giuen vnto Knights Cap. 8. Knights of the Garter Cap. 9. Knights Bannerets Cap. 10. Knights of the Bath Cap. 11. Knights Bachellers Cap. 12. Ceremonies of degrading of Knights in England Cap. 13. Knights of the Toison Cap. 14. Knights of S. Michael Cap. 15. Knights of the Annunciation Cap. 16. Knights of S t. Esprit Cap. 17. Knights Templers Cap. 18. Knights of S. Iago Cap. 19. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta Cap. 20. Knights of Calatraua Cap. 21. Knights of the Band. Cap. 22. Knights of Alcantara Cap. 23. Knights of Montesio Cap. 24. Knights of Redemption Cap. 25. The originall of the knights Teutonici Cap. 26. Knights of the Sepulchre Cap. 27. Knights of S. Mary Cap. 28. Knights of S. Lazaro Cap. 29. Knights of S. Steffano Cap. 30. The Prooeme FOrasmuch as the Actions of Armes chiefly on horsebacke are and euer haue been vsed of Noble personages and Gentlemen of best quailitie whom the Romanes in their flourishing time by a generall tearme called Equites and are presently of the Italians and Spaniards named Caualieri without respect of priuate dignitie or other distinction wee will for this time yet with respect and vnder correction aduenture to English the word Eques a Gentleman that professeth honour vertue and Armes or any of them particularly discoursing of what qualitie hee ought bee as followeth First he must be of good constitution and conuenient strength to endure trauell in Actions appertaining to Souldiers Secondly he should be well fauoured of face and comely for commonly God and Nature giueth beauty to such persons as are destined to command and from others borne to obey hee hath withholden that fauour which moued some writers to affirme that the princely presence of Priamus did shew him to be worthy of gouernement and to commaund other men Thirdly hee should be of bold aspect rather inclined to seuerity then softnesse which countenace the Swisses and Turkes do much affect Fourthly hee must be sober and discreete not inclined to vaine delights or effeminate pleasures Fiftly hee ought bee obedient for of obedience proceedeth that the meaner are content to bee commanded by the better and the ignorant by those that know This vertue was greatly imbraced of the Romanes and occasioned their often victories For the punishment of disobedience inflicted by military Magistrates the Romanes haue left two most notable examples the one of Manlius Torquatus who caused his owne sonne for that fault to be slaine notwithstanding he had
of his kingdome or other spacious place neere vnto it Thither the Gentleman was brought to receiue that honour and being come was forthwith placed in a chaire of siluer adorned with greene silke Then was demaunded of him if he were healthy of bodie and able to endure the trauell required in a souldier also whether he were a man of honest conuersation and what witnesses worthy credit he could produce so to affirme That being done the Bishop or chiefe Prelate of the Church tooke the Bible and holding it open before the Knight in presence of the King and all others spake these words Sir you that desire to receiue the order of Knighthood sweare before God and by this holy booke that ye shal not fight against this mightie and excellent Prince that now bestoweth the order of Knighthood vpon you vnlesse you shall be commanded so to do in the seruice of your owne King and naturall Prince for in that case hauing first yeelded vp the coller deuice and other ensignes of honour now receiued it shall be lawfull for you to serue against him without reproch or offence to all other companions in Armes but otherwise doing ye shall incurre infamy and being taken in warre shall be subiect to the paines of death Ye shall also sweare with all your force and power to maintaine and defend all Ladies Gentlewomen Orphans Widdowes women distressed and abandoned The like must ye doe for wiues being desired and shun no aduenture of your person in euery good warre wherein ye happen to be This oath taken two of the chiefe Lords led him vnto the King who presently drew foorth his sword and layd the same vpon the Gentlemans head and said God and Saint George or what other Saint the King pleased to name make thee a good Knight Then came vnto the Knight seuen noble Ladies attired in white and girt a sword vnto his side That done foure Knights of the most honourable in that presence put on his spurs These Ceremonies past the Queene tooke him by the right arme and a Dutchesse by the left and led him vnto a rich seat made on high and thereupon set him the King sitting downe on the right hande and the Queene on the other After the King and Queene were thus set and the new Knight between them al the rest of the Lords and Ladies sate downe also vpon other seats prepared for them three descents vnder the kings seat Euery Lord and Lady being thus placed thither was brought a solemn collation or banquet of delicate meates whereof the Knight the King the Queene and whole company did eate And so the ceremony ended CHAP. 4. The degradation of Knights in those daies IF any Knight at that time had bene corrupted with money by his Princes enemy or committed any other notable fact against loyaltie and honour the other Knights forthwith made humble suite vnto the king that he might be punished Which request being granted they apprehended the offendour and caused him to be armed from head to foot and in such sort as if he were going to the field Then they led him vp to an high stage made in a Church for that purpose where thirtie Priests soung such Psalmes as are vsed at burials as though the Knight had lien dead at their feete At the end of euery Psalme they tooke from him one piece of armour First they tooke off his Helmet as that which deâ—ended his traiterous eyes then his gauntlet on the right side as that which couered a corrupt hand then his gauntlet on the left side as from a member consenting and by peecemeale dispoiled him of all his Armes as well offensiue as defensiue which one after another were thrown to the ground and at the instant when any peece of armour was cast downe the King of Armes first and after him all other Heralds cryed aloud saying this is the head-peece of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thither a basen of golde or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Heralds with a loud voice saide What is the Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the chiefe King of Armes said That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitour and hath transgressed the ordinances of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplains Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trumpets What shall be done with him To which wordes the King answered Let him with dishonour and shame be banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath offended the honour of Knighthood So soone as the King had so said the King of Armes and other Heralds cast the warme water vpon the disgraded Knights face as though he were new baptized saying Henceforth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitour Then the King with twelue other Knights put vpon them mourning garments declaring sorow and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the Stage not by the stayers hee mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignominy hee was brought vnto the Altar and there layd groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses CHAP. 5. ¶ Of Knights of the Round Table ABout the yeere of Christ 490. there raigned in England then called Britaine a King named Arthur whose valour was so great and admirable as many men now liuing doe hold the same rather fabulous then credible Yet whoso shall consider enterprises of later time atchieued by priuate persons may be easily induced to thinke that a great part of praise written of that mighty Monarche may reasonably receiue beleefe But omitting to speake of his prowesse percase already by others ouerlargely discoursed I say that this most famous King hauing expulsed out of England the Saxons conquered Norway Scotland and the most part of France was crowned in the Citie of Paris From whence returned he erected a certaine Association or brotherhood of Knights who vowed to obserue these Articles following First that euery Knight should be well armed and furnished to vndertake any enterprise wherein he was employed by Sea or land on horsebacke or foot That he should be euer prest to assaile all Tyrants and oppressours of people That he should protect widowesâ—and maidens restore children to their right repossesse such persons as were without iust cause exiled and withall his force maintaine the Christian faith That he should be a Champion for the weale publique and as a Lion repulse the enemies of his countrey That he should aduance the reputation of honour and suppresse al vice releeue people afflicted by aduerse fortune giue aide to holy Church and protect pilgrimes That he should bury Souldiers that wanted sepulture deliuer prisoners ransome captiues and cure men hurt in seruice of their countrey That he should in all honourable actions aduenture his person yet with respect to iustice and trueth and in all enterprises proceed sincerely neuer
failing to vse his vttermost force of body and valour of minde That after the atteyning of any enterprise he should cause it to be recorded to th' end the fame of that fact might euer liue to his eternall honour and renowne of the Noble order That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of iniury or oppression then some knight of the Order whō the king should appoint ought reuenge the same That if any knight of forraine nation did come vnto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowesse that then were he single or accompanied these knights ought be ready in Armes to make answere That if any Lady Gentlewoman Widow Maiden or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring they were or had bene in this or other nation iniured or offered dishonour they should bee gratiousty heard and without delay one or more Knights should bee sent to make reuenge That euery Knight should bee willing to enforme yong Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of Arms therby not only to auoid idlenes but also to increase the honor of Knighthood and Chiualrie Diuers other Articles inciting to magnanimious Action of honour in Armes these Knights were sworne to obserue which for breuitie I omit Neuerthelesse being vsed to lose my labour I aduenture to say this little and the rather because this order of knighthood is ancient and English I doe not read of any robe or habit prescribed vnto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made Their place of meeting and conuocation was the city of Winchester where king Arthur caused a great round Table to be made and at the same the Knights at the feast of Pentecost did sit and eat The proportion thereof was such as no roome could be thought of more dignity then the rest Yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea perilous reserued for that Knight that did excell the rest in vertue That place by consent of all the Knights was allotted vnto King Arthur who for his valour surpassed other professors of Armes Of officers and ministers belonging vnto this Order I doe not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keepe records of all and euery action enterprised attempted or performed by any or all these Knights which records were read and sung publikely to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights were many or fewe I doe not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie or much prowesse For at a city called Carlion resorted vnto king Arthur at one time ten kings and thirteene Earles besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner title As the conquests of this King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that vnto his chiefe Seneschal or Steward called Kay hee gaue the prouince of Anjou on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandie and to his cousin Berell he granted the Dutchie of Burgundie and vnto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue and merit Some men haue surmised that the successe of king Arthurs prosperous proceeding in his enterprises was occasioned by counsell of one Merlin a man in that time reputed a Prophet King Arthur hauing all his youth found fortune his friend was notwithstanding at length deceiued by the treason of one Mordred his owne cousen to whome during his absence out of England he had committed the gouernment He was also at a city called Augusta encountred of the Romans and Saracens conducted by a Consul called Lucius neuerthelesse Arthur by his great valour slew Lucius and forced his Romanes to flee In that battell also were slaine fiue Saracen kings After this victorie Arthur returned into England and fought with Mordred In which conflict died Gawen a Noble Knight and cousen to king Arthur Also in landing Aquisel king of Scots was slaine But notwithstanding the losse of these valiant Knights king Arthur landed and Mordred fledde to London where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the City Then he went into Cornewall where Arthur did slea him and he himselfe was mortally wounded So great a slaughter had neuer ben before that day seene After this conflict king Arthur was neuer found aliue or dead but as some Poets haue supposed was taken vp into the firmament and remaineth there a Starre among the nine Worthies which fancie is founded vpon the prophecie of old Merlyn who many yeeres before affirmed that Arthur after a certaine time should resuscitate and come vnto Carlion to restore the round Table There he wrote this Epitaph Hic iacet Arturus rex quondam rexque futurus CHAP. 6. ¶ How enterprises aduenturous ought be admired but not discredited TRue it is as hath bene formerly said that many enterprises in times past attempted and atchieued aboue the expectation of men are now thought rather fabulous then faithfully reported either because we that now liue did not know or see them or that ignorant men cannot conceiue howe they might be done or that want of courage doth disable them to take the like actions in hand Yet most certaine it is that diuers histories commonly reputed vaine fables were at the first begun vpon occasion of matter in effect true although some writers afterwards to shew the excellencie of their inuention or make their workes more vendible haue added many fancies and fictions which are not indeede worthy to bee beleeued And who so shall well consider how difficult a thing it is to write an history of so great trueth and perfection as cannot be controlled will easily excuse these writers that haue taken in hand matter so farre from our knowledge and vnderstanding For like vnto all other men mooued with loue hate profit or other priuate passion they are either willing or ignorantly induced to encrease or extenuate the actions and merits of those men of whom their histories haue discoursed How soeuer that bee I verely thinke the Acts and enterprises of Vlysses Aeneas Hector and other famous captaines of whome Poets and profane Writers haue written so many woonders were indeed of notable men and some part of their doings such as writers haue made mention Much lesse doe I doubt that some egregious acts atchieued and written in the bookes of Amadis de Gaule Ariosto Tasso King Arthur of England and such others doe containe many things which deserue not to be discredited But omitting to meddle with time so long since past and with countreys so farre from our Climate wee will remember some few Actions which worthy men of our owne Nation or our neighbours as that of Hernando Cortez Pisarro and others haue within our knowledge to the eternizing of their fame and honour perfourmed The greater part of which enterprises haue bene atchieued in this present age and shall no doubt hereafter when men are lesse industrious be thought rather fabulous then
shall holde the candle before the Esquier till the reading of the Gospell and then the Esquier shall hold it himselfe till the Gospel be ended and then it shall be set before him till all the Seruice be ended Then one of the gouernours shall take away the hood from the Esquier And when the Gospel is read the Esquier shall kneele downe and offer money in the honour of God and him that shall make him Knight Then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade him into his chamber and lay him in his bed till it be farre day And whilest hee resteth in his bed he shal be couered that is to say with a couerlet of gold called Sigleton and the same shall be lined with Kersie And when it seemeth good to the Gouernours they shall goe to the King and say vnto him Sir when it pleaseth your Grace our Master shall rise And then the King shall commaund the Knights Esquiers and Minstrels to goe to the chamber to cause him rise and to make him ready and to bring him before him in his Hall But before their entring and noise of musicke heard the Esquiers shall make all things ready for the apparelling of him One Knight shall giue him his shirt another his hose the third his dublet another shall apparell him in a kertle of red Tartar Two other shall lift him out of his bed two others shall put on his blacke netherstockes soled with leather two other to lace his Manches another to girde him with a girdle of white leather without any studs another shall combe his head another shall put on his coife another shall giue him a Mantle of silke and Kertle of red Tartar laced with a white silke lace But the Chandler shall haue for his fees all the garments and others wherewith he was clothed at the first entrie and also the bed and Sigleton for which fees the Chandler of his owne expences shall finde the coife gloues girdle lace Then the Knights shall mount on horsebacke and conduct him to the Hall the musicke playing before him his horse sadled with blacke leather the Arson white stirrop leathers blacke and stirrops gilt the pectorel of blacke leather with a crosse paty of gold hanging before the horse feete and without a crouper the bridle of blacke leather with a crosse paty on the forehead and then a yong Esquier to ride before him without a hood who shall beare his sword by the point with the spurres hanging at the hilts which are white studded with blacke and a white leather girdle without any studdes When they come to the Kings Hall the Gouernours and Marshals shal be ready to meete him and at his alighting the Marshall shall haue his horse or else 100. sh. for his see he shall be brought to the vppermost table in the Hall and there tarie till the Kings comming the Knights on each side of him and the young man holding his sword betweene the two Esquiers And when the King commeth into the Hall and looketh on the Esquier ready to take the high Order of temporall dignitie he shall demand the sword and the spurres and the Chamberlaine shall take the sword and the spurres from the yong man and shall shew them to the King then the King shall take the right spurre and shall deliuer it to the most noble Lord saying Put this vpon the Esquiers heele and he kneeling on that one knee shall take the Esquier by the right legge and put his foote vpon his knee and make fast the spurre to his right heele and the Lord shall make a crosse on the knee of the Esquier and kisse him This done another Lorde shall come and fasten the spurre to the left foot in the same manner And then the King of his great curtesie shall take the sword and gird it about the Esquier and then the Esquier shall lift vp his Armes on high holding the Gantlets in his hands betweene his fingers and the thumbes And the King shall put his arme about the Esquiers necke and lift his right hand vp and smite the Esquier on the shoulder saying Be a good Knight and then kisseth him And then the Knights doe leade the new Knight to the Chappell with great melody to the high Altar where he kneeleth downe and putteth his right hand vpon the Altar promising to defend the right of holy Church during his life And then he shall vngird the sword and with great deuotion pray vnto Almightie God that he may keepe the Order which he hath taken vpon him and accomplish the same to the end and taketh a drop of wine And at his going out of the Chappell the Kings master Cooke is ready to take away the spurres and to haue them for his see saying I am come from the King being his master Cooke to take the spurres from you and to shewe you that if you doe any thing against the order of Chiualrie which God forbid I will cut away the spurres from your heeles And then the Knights shall lead him backe into the Hall and he beginneth the table of Knights and the Knights shall sit about him and he shal be serued as the other are but he shall neither eate nor drinke nor mooue or looke here or there no more then one that is new married This done one of the gouernors shall haue a handkerchife in his hand which he shall hold before his face when he wil spit or such like and when the King is risen from the table and gone into his chamber then the new Knight shall be led with a great number of Knights and Minstrels before him to his chamber and at their entring the Knights and Minstrels shall take leaue and hee shall goe to dinner The Knights beeing departed the chamber shall be shut and that newe Knight shal be dispoiled of all his abillaments which shall be giuen to the Knights Heralds if they be present or els to the Minstrels with a marke in siluer if he be a Bacheler Knight and if hee be a Baron then double somuch if hee be an Earle or higher estate alwayes doubled and the Russet night-cap shall be giuen to the watch or els a noble in money And then he shal be apparelled in a blew gowne with the Manches open in the maner of a Priest and hee shall haue at his left shoulder a lace of white silke hanging which he shall weare vppermost on his garment so long till hee haue gained honour in Armes and be recorded by some noble Knights Esquiers and Heralds of Armes for some memorable deeds done by him as hath bene said before or by some noble Prince or noble Lady which may cut away the lace from the Knights shoulder saying Sir wee haue heard much of your renowne and what you haue done in diuers places to the great honor of Chiualrie for your selfe and him that made you Knight therefore reason would that this lace should be taken frō you But after dinner the Knights and
Vienna Taniqui de Castello Gouernour of the Prouince of Rossiglioni and Sardenna The rest of Knights to be chosen into this Order was deferred vntill the the next meeting The place of assembly of these Knights and where their Armes with other Ensignes of Knighthood should be preserued was appointed to be the Church on Mount S. Michael To this Order belongeth a Treasurer a Chanceller a Register and an Herauld named Monsanmichaele The feast ordeined for these Knights was on Michaelmas day to bee kept yeerely The Statutes appertaining to this Order are to be seene in the booke intituled Les Ordinances de France In the raigne of Henry the second French King the habit of this Order of S. Michael was altered in maner following as to this day is continued First his dublet hose shoes scaberd with the band of his cap feather were all white His surcoat of cloth of siluer with the sleeues on Ouer that hee wore a mantle of cloth of siluer tied ouer the right shoulder and turned vp ouer the left it was bordered about with a rich embroidery of cockles and knots Ouer the right shoulder lay his hood of cloth of siluer spreading ouer his backe the tippet hanging before and ouer all the Collar of the Order of S. Michael â—mmanud Philibâ—â—tus 〈◊〉 Dux Prâ—â—â—ps Peâ—emontij Ord S. Aâ—â—un ciation Equ◠〈◊〉 Fol. 8â— CHAP. 16. ¶ Knights of the Annunciation THis Order was also about the same time begun by Amedeo Count of Sauoy sirnamed Iâ— Verde in memory of Amedeo the first Earle who hauing valorously defended the Iland of Rhodes against the Turkes wanne those Arnâ—es which deseruingly are now borne by the Dukes of Sauoy Viz. Gules a crosse Argent The Collar appertaining to this Order is made of gold and on it these foure letters engrauen F. E. R. T. which signifieth Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit At the said Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the figute of the Annunciation The Church appointed for ceremonies appertaining vnto this Order is called Pietra within a Castle in the Diocesse of Belleis whereunto was giuen at the foundation of this Order certaine lands for the sustentation of fifteene Chapleins For continuance of this Order at the time of the constitutioâ— were made many honourable ordinances to be kept by the Knights presently elected and after to be elected The chiefe of them are these following First that he the said Duke and his successour should be Lord and Soueraigne of the said Order That euery brother and companion of the said Order should at all occasions fauour loue and maintaine one the other and also defend and protect his person estate against euery other person or persons whatsoeuer That if any question or controuersie should arise betweene two Knights then they to submit the ordering thereof vnto two or more of the fraternitie and after to obserue the same vnuiolated That for auoiding of suite in Lawe whensoeuer any cause of Action was betweene the Knights then the censuring thereof should be referred vnto foure other companions of the Order to the end the matter might be determined without charge or expences And if the question depending were difficult then the Knights that were to consult there of might call vnto their assistance two Doctors mâ—n of approoued honestie and vnderstanding That euery Knight at his death should giue towards the maintaining of the said Church an hundreth Florins to be deliuered into the hand of the Pryor for the time being That at the death of euery Knight the rest of the companions should assemble at the Castle of Pietra to bury the dead in good and honourable order and euery of the said Knights to weare a white gowne and so make their offering Or if any of them could not be present then with what conuenient speed might be to come thither after That euery Knight at his buriall should giue vnto the Church a Collar a Banner his Armour and coat of Armes if he be a Banneret or not being he ought to giue a Penon of Armes a Collar and coat of Armes All which shall be offered on the day of entertainment at the Church in memory of the dead That euery Knight should at his owne charges come vnto the buriall accompanied with two seruants and bring thither foure great waxe Candles or Torches weighing one hundreth pounds ¶ After this Order of Knighthood was ordained at the Castle of Pietra the third of Februarie Anno 1434. by Amadeo first Duke of Sauoia these Statutes were added THat euery Knight after the death of any of the brethren should during certaine dayes be apparelled in blacke and not weare the Collar for nine dayes next after the Knights decease signified That the Soueraigne should at the buriall offer vp his collar That euery Knight in going to offer should proceed according to his ancientie without other respect That no Knight should be receiued into the Order that was a person noted for any dishonourable reproch or if after hee were receiued any fault should be committed then presently was forced to forgoe his collar and neuer more to weare it but returne it vnto the Soueragine within two moneths And if he failed so to doe then to abide the censure of his companions and by an Herauld be summoned to send the collar vnto the Soueraigne and be enioyned neuer after to weare it That euery Knight should be sworne to weare the Order daily and not to accept any other Some other Statutes there are which for breuitie I omit 〈…〉 Henricus Borbortius â— Rex Francia et Nauartaâ— Ordin S. Spiritus Eques Suâ—â—â—mus Fâ—l â—6 CHAP. 17. Knights of S t Esprit THE Order of S t Esprit was instituted by the right Christian King of France and Poland Henrie the third of that name containing a hundred and fiue Articles This Knighthood was instituted in the yeere of grace 1578. and in the fifth yeere of his reigne It was called the Order of the S. Esprit for that on the day and feast of Pentecost it pleased God as they say by the inspiration of the holy Ghost to vnite the hearts and wils of the Polish Nobilitie at an assembly of Estates generall of that puissant kingdome together with the great Duchie of Lituania to make choise of the said Henry for their King and afterward vpon the same day and feast to call and accept him to the rule and gouernment of that Crowne In commemotation whereof with the aduice consent of the Queene his mother the Princes of his blood and other Princes Officers of his Crowne and Lords of his Councell he instituted this Militarie Order of S. Esprit to be continued for euer with all Ordinances and Statutâ— therein mentioned irreuocable The number of persons conteined in the said Order are one hundred besides the Souereigne which is euer the King in which number are comprehended foure Cardinals fiue Prelates the Chauncelor Prouost Master of the Ceremonies great Treasurer and Scribe who are called
and all other Lords of the Court. The day of triumph being come the King and the Queene attended vpon by the troopes of men at Armes and Ladies aforesaid passed through London from the Tower to Smithfield Being come thither the King the Queene the Ladies and other honourable personages setled themselues in such places as were prepared and sorted with their degrees Then were the men of Armes marshalled and set in such order as they should runne The first courses were allotted to the Earle of S. Paul and his Band who were with great courage encountred by the English Betweene them the first dayes Iusting was spent and that night his Maiestie the Queene and all the company supped and lodged in the Bishops house neere to Saint Pauls Church The chiefe honour and commendation of that first fight was among the strangers giuen vnto the Earle of S. Paul and among the English the Earle of Huntington had the praise This magnificent supper ended euery one resorted to his lodging the King and Queene onely excepted who continued their lodging in that house all the time of that triumph The next day after noone King Richard himselfe in compleat Armour appeared in the fielde being followed with the whole band of English Knights Thither also came the Queene with her traine of Ladies and was set in that roome where the day before she had bene placed The first of the strangers that offered to runne was the Earle of Oye who presented himselfe and his companie most pompously furnished And after him followed the Earle of S. Paul with his troope of Frenchmen The Knights strangers being entred and readie were foorthwith incountred by the English The conflict continued till darke night with equall honour The Iusts of that day ended the King returned to his lodging accompanied with the Noble strangers and there supped The chiefe commendation of that day on the strangers part was allotted to the Earle of Oye who by his vertue without fauour so deserued Likewise among the English a Gentleman named Hewe Spencer was highly praysed On Tuesday also the men at Armes resorted to the Tilt and continued the exercise with great admiration of the beholders On Wednesday the runners intermingled themselues and euery one did runne as he thought good On Thursday the King conuited all the men and all the women supped with the Queene On Friday the whole company was feasted by the Duke of Lancaster On Saturday the King and the Queene accompanied with the Earles of Oye and S. Paul in great state rode to Windsor where they were most honourably intertayned and the Earle of Oye receiued the Garter From thence euery one returned home CHAP. 30. The triumphall passage of Charles the fift Emperour through France Anno 1540. IN the moneth of December this Emperour arriued at Bayon where the Dolphin and Duke of Auuernia with great pompe receiued him Being in the towne he behaued himselfe as King pardoning offenders and deluering them from prison From thence with like Maiestie he passed to other cities accompanied with the sayd Dolphin and Duke where he vsed the same authority In Ianuary hee came to Castelloaldum where the King in person with much magnificence intertained him From thence he passed to Amboyse where King Charles the 8. had built two great towers the walles whereof are so large as Mules and Carts may passe vpon them The King then to the end that Caesars entrie in the night should bee the more magnificent furnished those towers with an exceeding great number of lights so as they might behold all the Countrey as if it had bene faire day But when Caesar was going vp by great mishap the tower fell on fire the flame and smoke whereof became so great as euery one feared lest the Emperour should haue bene smothered Whereupon all men there present laboured by fleeing to saue themselues Some that were suspected to haue done this fact were apprehended and the King did command they should be hanged though indeed no proofe appeared but Caesar would in no wise they should die so were they pardoned After this disaster the King conducted the Emperar to Bleas and from thence to Fountainableu where they hunted hauked and beheld certaine Iusts and Tournaments in conclusion no sport or solace was omitted From thence the Emperour attended by the Dolphin and Duke went to Paris Before he entred the citie the Burgesses and Citizens of all sorts came foorth and receiued him with no lesse ceremony then if the King had bene present there he also set at libertie all prisoners From thence he passed vnto the Constables house and was there most honourably lodged At last he went into Picardy and so to Valentia which is the first town of his iurisdiction in Belgica vnto which place the Dolphin and Duke did follow him CHAP. 31. The triumphall Entry of Philip Prince of Spaine at Milan An. 1548. THis Prince entred at the gate towards Pauia where the citizens had made a stately bridge whereupon they shewed diuers Pageants Arkes triumphal adorned with verses and sentences very markable About three of the clocke after noone he entred the citie where the most reputed citizens did attend him in Burgo della Trinitá as they call it Being passed that place hee was saluted by Caesar Gonzaga the Count Iohn Treuultio the Count Charles Belgioso and many other noble persons richly apparelled After them Mutio Sforza presented his reuerence being accompanied with a great troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey clad in white silke and bearing in their hands Pollaxes the heads of them were gilt and the staues couered with white silke Then followed the Doctors schollers accompanied with 300 horsemen apparelled in yellow coats And immediatly appeared two other troupes of men lightly armed which company garded the ancient Lords and Noblemen of the countrey among whom were some Princes Earles and Barons That troupe was so great as two houres sufficed not to see them passe They that rode next vnto the Princes person were the Duke of Alba the Duke of Sossa the Marquesse of Pescara the Admiral of Castilia the Marquesse Milo Ferdinando Gonzaga On the one side of the Prince the Cardinal of Trent on the other the Duke of Sauoy did ride Behind them followed fiue companies of men at Armes apparelled in siluer and gold conducted by Count Alexander Gonzaga Count Francisco Somaia Count Philippo Tornello two other noblemen I omit to tell of diuers shewes Arkes triumphal and other sights wherwith in euery streete the Prince was entertained by Italians onely These Complements ended the Prince came vnto the chiefe Church at the doore whereof were excellent Paintries The Prince in his entire to the Church was by the Senate and people of Milan presented with a basin of gold ful of double Duckats to the number of ten thousand as was reported The Prince thus entertained and setled in the citie Iusts and Tournaments were brought before him The Actors in that triumph were apparelled in
silke of diuers colours garnished with gold The first of them did come vnknowen clad in white supposed to be the Prince himselfe Mutio Sforza in Ash colour The Count Philippo Tornello in skie colour The Count Francesco Beneuentano in yellow Ramando Cardona in Greene. Alessandra Gonzaga in Murry Count Caetano in White and Blacke Ferdinando Noya in gold colour The Castellan of Cremona in Blacke Nicolao Rusterla in Wax colour Il Signior della Trinita in Blew From Milaine this Prince passed into Germany followed with these Lords and Gentlemen whose names are vnder written The Duke of Alba. The Duke of Sessa The Admirall of Castilia The Marquesse of Astorgo The Prince of Ascoli The Marquesse of Pescara The Duke of Ferendina The Duke of Monteliano The Count of Lunensa The Count of Cifanta Lodouico Dauila gran Commendator Gomesio à Figureia captaine of the guard Officers of Houshold Don Francesco Astense Marchio à Naue Comes Oliuarius Don Iacobo da Azeneda Gualtero Padillano Gentlemen of the Chamber Don Antonio Rosano Rogomes a Sylua Gentleman Courtiers Don Gabriel a Cuenta Marchio Falcesio Don Barnardindi Mendoza Don Alphonso Fonario Don Iacobo di Cardona Don Iacobo di Achuna Don Henrico Erugues Don Barnardo Manriques a Lara Don Iuaro a Seiauerda Don Michael a Luna Don Lodouico a Cardona with others to the number of 97. Lords and Gentlemen twentie Pages besides Officers and Grooms Harquebuziers two hundred Lances an hundred CHAP. 38. ¶ A Militarie challenge in Italy 1555. AT such time as the French king with his armie remained at Ast the Emperiall campe not being farre from thence certaine French Lords challenged the like number of Italians to breake sharpe Lances for their mistresse loue in which action they would hazard both honour and life The Emperiall Lords accepted the challenge Thus the match was concluded yet the French fearing some subtiltie because the countrey fauoured the enemy procured Monsieur de Thermes with fiue hundred horse and 200. footemen to lye neere the place to the end he might defend his friends if need should require The first courses were performed betweene the Duke de Nemours and the Marquesse of Pescara who hauing ended their courses with honor they embraced one the other and so gaue place The next that presented himselfe was Monsieur de Classis sonne and heire of Monsieur de Vasey a Knight of the Order and Captaine of fifty men at Armes against whome came the Marquesse Malespina who in that encounter was sore hurt and dyed The third courses were betweene Monsieur de Mauns a Leader in the French Army and a Spanish captaine called Alba. In which reencounter the Frenchman was wounded in the necke and the fourth day after died The last was betweene Monsieur Monshany and the Earle Caraffa a Neapolitan whose encounter was so violent as with his Lance he pearced thorow the Armour and body of the Frenchman so farre as an Ell thereof was seene at his backe whereof hee presently dyed So was both parties partakers of misaduenture CHAP. 33. Of Triumphant chalenges in France NOw to th' end it may appeare that our Gentlemen of England haue bene no lesse desirous to honour their Nation in forraine countreys then willing to aduance the renowne of their Prince at home it shall not be as I thinke offensiue to remember some triumphal actions by them performed in forraine countreys as writers haue well obserued wishing our English Armorists and Historians were of like care to conserue al memorable actions tending to the honour of their owne Prince and countrey Of which acts it seemeth there are many worthy to be remembred For when the Duke of Buckingham or as mine Author calleth him the Erle of Buckingham remained gouernour of the Kings Armie in Bullonoys a certaine Frenchman approching the Campe with a lowd voice asked if any Gentleman there had a mistresse or other beloued Lady for whose sake and honour he would breake three Launces and aduenture three encounters of his sword This proud Challenge being heard by the English men one Ioachimus Cathorius as the Author calleth him a braue English Gentleman stepped forth which the Lord Fitzwater then Marshall seeing hee foorthwith sent word vnto the Frenchman whose name was Gauuenus Micelleus that he should be presently answered Whereof the French Gentleman very glad returned to his friends furnished with three Launces three Maces of yron three Swords and three seruants to beare them presented himselfe before the English Armie The English seeing him in this sort prepared to maintaine the challenge much marueiled thereat supposing that no Frenchman had dared to encounter the force of an English Souldier The brute of this brauado foorthwith was dispersed through the Armie and at last the Generall became thereof enformed who desirous to behold the combat mounted on horsebacke accompanied with the Earle of Stafford and the Earle or L of Deuonshire The Duke and other beholders thus assembled the Challenger and Defender begun their courses but by default of the horses their Launces missed at the first and at the next incounter very lightly th' one touched the others Armor The Duke beholding in what estate the matter stood and perceiuing night at hand commanded the conflict should cease til an other day and in the meane space required the Frenchman might be well entreated The next day of triall being come th' one and th' other appeared and with much commendation brake their Launces That done they came to the sword th' one assaulting th' other furiously till they were both hurt which the Duke perceiuing caused them to be parted and the Frenchman by an Herault was safely sent home to his friends CHAP. 34. Of one other like Militarie action betweene fiue English Gentlemen and fiue French ABout the same time and in presence of the said Duke of Buckingham one other conflict on horsebacke was performed betweene fiue French Gentlemen and the like number of ours who gained the chiefe honour I dare not for feare of mistaking set downe their names in English but thus I finde them in Latine On the French party was Nothus Clarus a Pimontesse Tristamus Iailleus Ioannes Castelmorantius Galleus Aunoeus Dom Hoyauius Ameus The Englishmen were Edwardus Bellicampus the son of Roger Iohannes Ambreticortius Ionaquinus Clitonius Gulielmus Clitonius and Gulielmus Francus CHAP. 35. Of one other like Action IT happened that certaine English Gentlemen hauing serued in the warre of France determined to returne home and obtained license of the Constable that so they might doe Their names do seeme to be Iohn Fitzwarren William Clinton Iohn Burley and Nicholas Clifford They being vpon their way one whom mine Author calleth Ioannes Boucmelius a French Gentleman did ouertake them and hauing before that time spoken with Nicholas Clifford touching matter of Honour and Armes asked him whether he could before he departed consent to make triall of his vertue by breaking of three Launces With all my heart quoth Clifford for
so haue I long desired to do and no time more fit then now when the Constable and his company may be iudge Yet such is my hap as I haue no Armor at hand For supply of that want quoth Boucmelius I will take order that two Armors shal be brought vnto vs and of them the choise shal be yours with euery other thing fit for our purpose This agreement made they imparted the same vnto the Constable and obtained his license yet with condition that they should attend vpon him the next day at which time hee would with other noble men see what should be the euent of that Action About the houre appointed these Champions did appeare and at the first course Clifford with his Launce pearced through the Armor and body of Boucmelius of which hurt he presently died This accident much grieued the French and Clifford himselfe was not a little sory which the Constable perceiuing said vnto Clifford Be not dismayed for this is the fruite of like aduentures and if my selfe had beene in thy place I should haue done the same for better euer it is to doe then suffer at the hand of an enemy The Constable hauing ended his speech conuited Clifford with his company to dinner and then caused them to be conducted to the next towne in safety CHAP. 36. ¶ An other Challenge of a French Gentleman in Spaine IN the Army of the King of Castile there was a French Gentleman young of yeeres and in Armes of great reputation men called him Tristram de Roy. He seeing the warres ended betweene the Kings of Castile and Portugal determined to returne home Yet desirous by some means to gaine honor before his arriuall in France procured an Herauld to goe vnto the English Army and proclaime That if any Gentleman there would breake three Launces he would challenge him This challenge being heard in the English campe a braue young Gentleman named Miles Windesor accepted thereof hoping by that occasion to merit the honour of Knighthood The next day according to appointment he appeared in the field accompanied with Mathew Gorney William Beuchamp Tho Simons the L. Shandos the L. Newcastle the L. Bardolf and many others The French Challenger appeared likewise honourably graced with friends and thus both parties in readinesse to runne the Lord Souldichius bestowed the dignitie of Knighthood vpon the said Windsor Which done the one charged the other and the two first courses were perfourmed with great courage yet without any hurt But in the third course the armour both of the one and the other was pearced through yet by breach of the launces both of them escaped more harme CHAP. 37. One other notable Challenge in France Anno 1390. IN the reigne of King Charles the sixth three noble young men of great hope and much affecting the warre liued in that Court viz. Mounsier de Bouciquant the younger Mounsier Reynaut de Roye and Mounsier de S. Pye all Gentlemen of that Kings chamber In the same time also there was in England a Knight for valour and militarie vertue of great fame men called him Sir Peter Courtney He hauing obtained license passed the sea and trauelled to Paris After a few daies rest in that citie he challenged Mounsieur Trimoulie a noble Gentleman in great reputation who accepting the defie obtained license to answere appointing a day and place The time being come the King accompanied with the Duke of Burgundy and many other great Estates went to behold that conflict The first course was performed exceeding well and ether partie brake his launce with commendation But the second launce being deliuered into their hands the King inhibited more should be done seeming somewhat offended with the English Knight who had made sute that he might be suffered to doe his vttermost This Action by the Kings commaundement was stayed and Sir Peter Courtney therewith grieued thought good to abandon that Countrey and so desired he might doe The King well pleased he should depart sent vnto him an honourable gift and the Duke of Burgundie did the like The King also commaunded Mounsiuer de Clary a greaâ— Lord to accompany him to Callis By the way they visited the Earle of S. Paul who married King Richards sister of England The Earle in most courteous manner welcommed Sir Peter and the rather for that his Ladie had formerly bene married to the Lord Courtney his kinsman who died young This Sir Peter Courtney being well entertained the Earle and hee with their company supped together in which time as the custome is they communed of many matters Among which the Earle asked of Sir Peter how he liked the Realme of France and what conceit he had of the Nobilitie Whereunto Sir Peter with a sowre countenance answered That hee found in France nothing to be compared with the magnificence of England though for friendly entertainment hee had no cause to complaine yet saide Sir Peter I am not well satisfied in that matter which was the chiefe cause of my comming into France For I protest in the presence of all this Honourable company that if Monsieur de Clary beeing a Noble Gentleman of France had come into England and challenged any of our Nation he should haue beene fully answered but other measure hath ben offered to me in France for when Monsieur de Tremoulie and I had engaged our honour after one Lance broken the king commanded me to stay I haue therefore sayde and wheresoeuer I shall become will say that in France I was denyed reason and leaue to doe my vttermost These words much moued Mounsieur de Clary yet for the present hee suppressed his anger hauing charge to conduct Sir Peter safely vnto Calis Notwithstanding this heate quoth the Earle let mee tell you Sir Peter that in mine opinion you depart from France with much honour because the King vouchsafed to entreate you that the fight might stay whom to obey is a certaine signe of wisedome and praise worthy I pray you therefore Sir Knight haue patience and let vs proceede in our iourney Thus Sir Peter hauing taken leaue of the Earle passed forth towards Calice accompanied with Mounsieur de Clary who so soone as they were entred into the confines of the English Dominion Sir Peter most heartily thanked him for his company and courtesie But Clary hauing made an impression of such sowre speeches as Sir Peter had vttered in the Earles house said thus Hauing now fully performed the Kings commandement conducting you safe to your friendes I must before wee part put you in minde of your inconsiderate words in contempt of the Nobility of France And to the end you being arriued in England shall haue no cause or colour to boast that you were not answered in France Loe here I my selfe though inferiour to many others am this day or to morow ready to encounter â—ou not for malice to your person or gloriously to boast of my valour but for conseruation of the fame and honor
due to our French nation where neuer wanted Gentlemen to answere in Armes when any English man should challenge Well quoth Sir Peter you say well and with good will I accept your challenge and to morow I will not faile to attend you armed with three Launces according to the custome of France This agreement being made Sir Peter went foorthwith to Calice there to furnish himselfe of Armes fit for the Combat And making the Lord Iohn Warren then Gouernour priuie to what was intended the next day hee returned to meete Mounsieur de Clary betweene Bullaine and Calice thither also went the Gouernor and other English Gentlemen to behold The courses betweene these Champions being begun at the first encounter either partie brake well but in the second encounter by default of the English Knights Armour he was hurt in the shoulder as other English Gentlemen did well see which moued the Gouernour of Calice to say vnto Mounsieur de Clary You haue dealt discourteously to hurt Courtney when his Armour was broken I am sory quoth Clary but in my power it is not to gouerne Fortune what is happened to him might likewise haue come to me The matter standing in these termes Mounsieur de Clary returned into France supposing he had deserued great commendation But being come to the Court the King the Duke of Burgundy and Trymoulie himselfe blamed him and the Counsel of France gaue sentence that his goods should be confiscate because the King hauing commanded that Sir Peter should be without offence peaceably conducted to Calice the matter was otherwise handled To be short Clary was brought to the Kings presence and by the Counsel asked what reason he had to take Armes against amy man whom the king expresly had commanded to defend These words much perplexed Clary and the kings offence did greatly amaze him Notwithstanding with a good courage he sayd that what was enioyned him to doe he had most faithfully performed But Courtney with insolent speech taxed him and all the French nation which without dishonor might not be endured He therfore thought not only to haue bene free from blame but also merit commendation yet quoth he seeing my expectation faileth me I submit my selfe to the censure of the Constable and Marshals of France I also will endure the iudgement of Courtney himselfe and all other men of Armes in the kingdomes of France and England All which excuses submissions notwithstanding he was committed to prison and his goods confiscate til at the humble and earnest suit of Mounsieur de Coucy the Duke of Burbon the Earle of S. Paul and the Englishman to whom he had done wrong hee was restored to liberty Then said the Constable Doest thou thinke Mounsieur de Clary to haue done well or honoured the French nation by taking Armes against Courtney who was recommended vnto thee If ought hath bene by Courtney spoken in preiudice of the French Nobility thou ought haue complained thereof to the king and then haue proceeded by his Maiesties direction But the matter was not so handled by thee which is cause of thy punishmēt From henceforth therfore be more aduised for thy liberty giue thanks vnto the duke of Burbon Mounsieur de Coucy the Earle S. Paul who haue exceedingly entreated to compasse this fauor Such was the end of this military Action CHAP. 38. ¶ One other most noble Challenge THe strange euent of the former conflict betweene Courtney Trimolie and Clary mooued the Ladies of the French Court to incite Bouciquant Roy and S. Pie to attempt some new feates of Armes vpon the confines of the King of Englands possessions in Picardy This generous motion proceeding from the Ladies was easily apprehended by the French Lordes and Gentlemen and chiefly those three aforesaid beeing of all others most desirous of same and military glory The King being made priuie to this intention commanded those three Gentlemen to frame a forme of Challenge in writing which should be allowed or reformed as to his Maiestie should be thought good which was done accordingly containing this in effect THe great desire wee haue to know the noble Gentlemen inhabiting neere the kingdome of France and therewith longing to make triall of their valour in Armes haue mooued vs to appeare at Ingueluert the 20. of May next and there to remaine 30. dayes We also determine to be accompanyed with other noble Gentlemen louers of Armes and Honour there to encounter all commers with Lances either sharpe blunt or both and euery man shal be permitted to run fiue courses We likewise hereby giue you to vnderstand that such order is taken as euery one of vs shall haue his shield and Empreaze hanging on the outside of the Pauilion to th' end if any of you desire to runne then the day before you may with a wandor such a Launce as you intend to run with touch the shield And who so meanetb to try his fortume both with blunt and sharpe must touch the shield with either and signifie his name to him that hath our said shields in keeping It is moreouer ordered that euery Defendor may bring with him one other Gentleman in lieu of a Padrin to encounter vs both or single as it shall please them Wherewith we pray and desire all noble and worthy Gentlemen of what Nation soeuer to beleeue that no pride or malice hath moued vs to this enterprize but rather an earnest desire to see and know all such noble Gentlemen as are willing to make proofe of their vertue and valor without fraud or couin In witnesse whereof euery one of vs haue signed these Letters with our seales and Empreaze Written and dated at Montepessolane the 20. of Nouember 1389. Subscribed Bouçequaut Roy. S. Pye THese Letters shewed to the King were imparted to his Counsell who considering their tenor deemed them to be presumptuous chiefly in respect the place appointed was neere vnto Calis which haply might call into question the truce taken for three yeeres Whereupon some of the most ancient Counsellors thought it vnmeete to permit the Challenge But others perceiuing the Kings inclination did allow thereof because the words of challenge were modest and reasonable The matter thus debated in Counsel the King called into his chamber all the three Challengers to whom he said thus Bouciquaut Roy and you S. Pye behaue your selues well and with respect both to priuate and publique comelinesse performe what you haue in hand As for charge spare not for of our bountie we wil bestow vpon you ten thousand Florins to be discreetly spent to your owne honour Then after most humble thankes giuen vnto his Maiestie they determined to send the proclamation of their Challenge into diuers countries but chiefly into England The proclamation being in al places published euery courageous Lord and Gentleman put himselfe in readinesse and first of all the English being perswaded that in respect they were neerest it behooued them to appeare soonest Therefore before all
Lea and S. Pye either of them being disarmed on the head departed The tenth encounter was betweene Aubrigcourt and Roy. This Aubrigcourt was not borne in England but brought vp in the Court of the most noble King Edward At their first course they were both violently stricken on the head and in the next on the breast and so they parted But Aubrigcourt not so contented challenged Bouciquaut who answered him two courses with equall fortune and the third course they were both disarmed on the head Such was the successe of the third dayes meeting The fourth meeting ON Thursday which was the last these noble Knights returned to the field where Godfrey Eustace made the first encounter against Bouciquaut and were both hurt on the head The next encounter was betweene Alanus Burgius and S. Pye with being both disarmed on the head The next encounter was betweene Iohannes Storpius and Bouciquaut in which courses the English mans horse was said to fall downe The next encounter was betweene Bouciquaut and an English Knight called Hercourt belonging to the Queene of England but not borne in England At the first course Bouciquaut missed and the English Knight brake crosse which is an errour in Armes and thereupon much disputation arose betweene the French and English For the French affirmed that Hercourt by law of Armes had forfeited his Horse and Armes but at request of the company that fault was remitted and he permitted to runne one course more against Roy who had not runne that day and therefore willingly consented The courses betweene these Knights were exceeding violent but the Englishman being wearied was vtterly throwen from his horse and as a dead man lay flat on the ground but afterwards he reuiued lamenting that disgrace The fifth encounter was betweene Robert Scrope and S. Pye who after three courses gaue ouer without losse or gaine The sixth encounter was betweene Iohn Morley and Reginaldus Roy for the first blow was so violent as forced their horses to stand still in the place of meeting The seuenth encounter was betweene Iohannes Moutonius and Bouciquaut both of them at the first meeting had their shields pearced and after were disarmed on the head The eight encounter was betweene Iaqueminus Stropius and S. Pye At the first course both their horses went out At the second they brake both on the head At the third both their Lances fell from them and at the last the Englishman pearced through the Aduersaries shield but was himselfe dismounted The ninth encounter was betweene Guilielmus Masqueleus and Bouciquaut These Knights with equall courage and skill perfourmed well their courses The last encounter was betweene Nicolas Lea and S. Pye the one and the other of them brake their Launces well till at the last they were both disarmed on the head The Challenge thus ended all the troupe of English Knights hauing attended that busines full foure dayes thanked the French Knights for being Authours of so honourable a triumph On the other side the French much thanked the English for their company and the King who was there secretly returned home where hee enformed the Queene what honour had bene done to all Ladies CHAP. 39. The triumphant Interuiew of the Kings of England and France An. 1519. THese most excellent Princes hauing occasion of conference appointed a meeting in Picardie The day drawing neere the king of England passed the seas and arriued at Calice from whence hauing reposed himselfe he remoued to Guynes The French King likewise being come lodged at Ardes Betweene the one and the other of those townes as it were in the mid-way a place of meeting was appointed Thither went the one and the other of those Kings most royally mounted and followed with so great magnificence as in an hundred yeeres before the like sight had not bene seene in Christendome Some writers haue in vaine laboured to set downe the royalty and exceeding pomp of those Courts which might be seene but not expressed At the place of meeting two Pauilions were erected the one for the French king the other for the King of England These Princes being come embraced one the other and that done they went together into one Pauilion The French King was accompanied with his Lord Admiral called Boniuett his Chancellor and some fewe other Counsellors The King of England had with him the Cardinall of Yorke the Duke of Norffolke and the Duke of Suffolke Then hauing set in counsel and returned to their Pauilions they bethought them of entertainement sports and princely Complements For which purpose commandement was giuen that a Tilt should bee erected where Iusts Tournaments and other triumphall exercises continued about fifteene dayes for so long those Princes remained there One day the King of England conuited the French King feasted him in his Pauilion which was a building of wood containing foure roomes exceeding large and so richly furnished as haply the like had not bene seene in Christendome That Frame was purposely made in England and after the feast taken downe to be returned One other day the French King feasted the King of England in his Pauilion wherein hanged a cloth of Estate marueilous large and so rich as cannot be expressed The ropes belonging to that Pauilion were make of yellowe silke and gold wreathed together The Kings being ready to dine there happened so great a storme of wind as fearing the Pauilion could not stand they remooued from thence to the place where the Fortresse is nowe and beareth the name of that banquet The apparell Iewels and other Ornaments of pompe vsed by Princes Lords Gentlemen awaiting on those Kings cannot be esteemed much lesse expressed for as mine Author sayth some caried on their backes the prise of whole woods others the weight of ten thousand sheepe and some the worth of a great Lordship CHAP. 40. A Triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. WHen the mariage betweene the King of Spaine and Elizabeth eldest daughter of Henry the French King was concluded in signe of congratulation and ioy a royal Triumph was proclaimed and prepared at Paris whereunto the Nobilitie of all France Spaine and the Lowe countreys repaired which done a solemne Iust and other military sports were taken in hand wherein the King in his owne person the Duke of Ferrara the Duke of Gwyze and the Duke of Nemors were Challengers The place for performance of that Action was appointed in the streete of S. Anthony in Paris and there a Tilt with euery furniture fit for such a feast was prepared To that place as at like occasions it happeneth resorted an infinite number of people to behold for whom scaffolds and stages were ready to receiue them and those places not capable of so excessiue a number many of the people bestowed themselues on the sides and roofes of the houses The first courses were performed by the French King to his great glory the rest of the Challengers also very honourably did the like Then the Lords and
speede pearced further into the Iland till in the end of three assaults he gained the place where the fatall sword was whereof hauing layd hold he flourished ouer his head and forthwith the misty cloudes of darkenes vanished so as euery man might see all places of the Castel The darkenes of the fortresse thus driuen away the Prince with his inchanted sword touched the wals and immediatly they fell downe The castel thus demolished the Inchanter Norabroc with a Turkish cap on his head came forth and kneeling on his knees desired the Princes pardon Therewith also he set at libertie all the knights whom he held in prison and they being free in triumphant wise foâ—lowed the Prince to his Court. CHAP. 42. The inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italy Anno 773. WHen Desiderio King of the Lombards was taken prisoner and the people of Lombardie yeelded to Charles he proclaimed himselfe King of all Italy which title by law of Armes he iustly claimed to be his The same was also by the decree of Pope Gregory confirmed Then was he also by the Bishop of Milan crowned at Modena The crowne he receiâ—ed was of iron for of that mettall he commanded it should be made enioyning all his successors to doe the like The order and ceremonies of that coronation remaineth recorded in the Rota at Rome and is to this day obserued at the Inauguration of all Emperours when they are elected King of Romanes The morning when this Charles was to be crowned certaine Bishops were sent to conduct him from his chamber vnto the Church and being come thither he was brought before the high Altar Then the Archbishop after he had said certaine prayers turned himselfe to the people and asked them whether they did consent to receiue that Prince for their King and whether they determined faithfully to obey his lawes and commandements So soone then as the people had pronounced their consent the Bishop with holy oyle anointed the Kings head his breast and shoulders therewith praying God to blesse him and grant him good successe in Armes with an happie succession of children These Ceremonies being ended the Archbishop deliuered into the Kings hand a sword and ornified him with a bracelet a ring and a scepter Also vpon his head he set the crown aforesaid All those things being done he kissed him as a signe of peace and so departed from the King CHAP. 43. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus being made Emperour Anno 800. WHen the people inhabiting the confines of Beneuento had much molested that Countrey and were subdued by Vinigesius the sonne of Charles then Duke of Spoleto Leo the Bishop of Rome in the time of prayers when all the people were assembled the Barons of Rome also present did consecrate and anoint Charles before the Altar Basilica where he also receiued the Ensignes of the Empire From thence he was conducted to the chiefe Altar of the Temple and there anointed when he had raigned in France 33 yeeres before which time no Emperour in three hundred and thirtie yeeres had bene seene in Italy This order of coronation hath euer since bene obserued At euery such coronation the people with one voice did cry Carolo Augusto Magno Pacifico vita victoria The same time also Pypin his sonne was anointed and by solemne decree of the Pope declared King of Italy CHAP. 44. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie x. IN the yeere 1268. Pope Clement the fourth died at Viterbo After whose death the Papacie by discord of Cardinals was voide two yeeres and nine moneths The Cardinals then present in Court were seuenteene whose disconformitie continued the seat voyd almost three yeeres yet did they assemble often but euery one ambitiously affecting the Papacie for himselfe nothing could be concluded for in those dayes the Cardinals were not shut vp in the conclaue as since hath beene the vse but euery one went at libertie and at his pleasure The creation of the Pope thus deferred Phillip the Frence King and Charles king of Sicill came vnto Viterbo to sollicite the election yet they preuailed not One day these Kings being present in the Conclaue the Cardinall of Porto seeing the frowardnesse of the other Cardinals who seemed to pray ayd of the holy Ghost in that action said vnto them My Lords let vs vntile the roofe of this chamber for it seemeth the holy Ghost cannot enter if the house be still couered And so soone as he heard that Gregory was pronounced Pope he framed these verses of that election viz. Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus vnus Quem patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum This Pope before his ascension was called Theobaldus an Archdeacon no Cardinall being also at that time beyond the sea at Ptolemaida in Syria whether he was gone with Edward the King of Englands eldest son From thence they intended among other pilgrims to go vnto Ierusalem But hearing he was pronounced Pope returned from Syria into Italy and being come to Viterbo he receiued the Ensignes of Papacie From thence he passed to Rome and was there crowned by the name of Gregory the tenth He liued Pope sixe yeeres sixe moneths and tenne dayes and finding fault with some orders of the Church chiefly in electing the Pope he framed diuers Canons of which these are part First that the assembly of Cardinals for choise of euery new Pope should be at a place fit for the purpose and where the Pope defunct with his Court did die But if the death hapened in any village or small towne then the next citie to be the place of election That no election of any new Pope should be till after ten dayes that the other Pope departed to the end the Cardinals absent might appeare That no Cardinal in his absence should be permitted to haue any suffrage or voice in the conclaue That euery Cardinal absent and euery other person of any condition should be capable of the Papacie That no Cardinal entred into the Conclaue should goe out before the new Pope were created That no Cardinal or other person should ambitiously endeauour to compasse the Papacie by money or other corruption vpon perill of the Popes curse CHAP. 45. ¶ The Inauguration of Henry the 4. King of England 1399. THis King called before Duke of Lancaster came first to Westminster and from thence he went vnto the Tower of London accompanied with the Nobilitie and the rest of his Court there he made nine Knights of the Bath and 46. other Knights The next day after dinner he returned to Westminster in great pompe he himselfe riding through London kept his head bare and about his neck he ware the collar appertaining to the Order of Fraunce Before the King went the Prince his sonne sixe Dukes sixe Earles and eighteene Barons besides other Lordes Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen to the number of 900. or thereabout By the way awaited the Lord Mayor with his brethren and officers of the City Also the companies of euery
he wotteth not whither He that with his Launce taketh away the rest of the aduersaries Armor meriteth more honour then he that taketh away any other ornament He that breaketh his Launce on the pomel or bolster of his aduersaries faddle deserueth worse then he who beareth his Launce well without breaking He that breaketh on the face or other part of the horse meriteth worse then he that breaketh not at all He that hurteth an horse shall not receiue honour although before he hath run well for he that hurteth an horse is in like predicament with him that falleth who cannot on that day receiue any honour He is worthy small estimation that cannot gouerne his owne horse or that sitteth loose in his saddle but much is he to be praised that with his force disordereth his aduersary in the saddle He that letteth his Launce fall can claime no commendation And lesse worthy praise is he that knoweth not how it should be charged He that breaketh the Launce furiously in many pieces is more reputed then he that breaketh it faintly in one onely place He that conueyeth his Lance into the Rest in due time is worthy commendation but he that carieth it shaking in his hand or vnstayedly in the Rest meriteth blame He that dexteriously carieth the Launce long on the arme and skilfully conueyeth it into the Rest nere the time of encounter is more allowed them he that suddenly and at the first setting out doth charge it To conclude he is worthy all commendation that beareth himselfe wel on horsebacke that sitteth comely that fitteth his body well with Armor that hath his person so disposed as if it were without Armor that can endure to weare it long that till the end of the day disarmeth not his head He that performeth not all his determined courses ought not receiue any prize or honor He that hurteth or toucheth an horse with his Launce shal neither haue prize nor praise for he is in case as though he had fallen He that doth fall may not run any more in that day vnlesse he falleth on his feet standing right vp and be also a Challenger for in that case he may returne to horse answere all commers because on that day hee is so bound to doe CHAP. 51. Of Iusts and Turnaments how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of VVorcester high Constable of England in the reigne of King Edward the fourth FIrst who so breaketh most speares as they ought be broken shall haue the prize Who so hitteth three times in the height of the Helme shall haue a prize Who so meeteth cronall to cronall shall haue a prize Who so beareth a man downe with the force of his Speare shall haue a prize Here followeth wherefore the prize shal be lost FIrst who so striketh an Horse shall haue no prize Who so striketh a man his backe turned or disgarnished of his speare shall haue no prize Who so hitteth the Toyle three times shall haue no prize Who so vnhelmeth himselfe two times shall haue no prize vnlesse his horse faile him Here followeth how speares shall be allowed FIrst who so breaketh a Speare betweene the Saddle and the Charnell of the Helme shal be allowed one Who so breaketh a speare from the Charnell vpward shall be allowed one Who so breaketh and putteth his aduersary downe or out of the saddle or disarmeth him in such wise as he may not runne the next course after shal be allowed three speares broken Here followeth how Speares broken shall be disallowed FIrst hee that breaketh on the Saddle shall be disallowed for a Speare breaking Who so hitteth the Toile once shal be disallowed for two Who so hitteth the Toile twise for the second shal be abated three Who so breaketh a speare within a foote of the Charnel shal be iudged as no Speare but a Taynt Of prizes to be giuen FIrst who so beareth a man downe and out of the Saddle or putteth him to earth horse and man shall haue the prize before him that striketh Curnall to Curnall He that striketh Curnall to Curnall two times shall haue the prize before him that striketh the sight three times He that striketh the sight two times shall haue the prize before him that breaketh most Speares At the Torney TWo blowes at passage and ten at the ioyning ought suffise vnlesse it be otherwise determined All gripes shockes and foule play forbidden How prizes at Turney and Barriers are to be lost HE that giueth a stroke with a Pike from girdle downeward or vnder the Barre shall haue no prize He whose sword falleth out of his hand shall haue no prize He that hath a close Gauntlet or any thing to fasten his sword to his hand shall haue no prize He that stayeth his hand on the Barre in fighting shall haue no prize He that sheweth not his sword vnto the Iudges before he fighteth shall haue no prize HAuing here spoken of forreine triumphs I thinke it not impertinent and haply my duety also to remember what honour hath bene by like Actions done vnto the Kings of England our own natural Souereigns For albeit the Romans the Persians Syrians being heretofore the most mighty Monarches of the world and consequently of greatest pompe yet in later time and chiefly within these 500. yeeres no Prince Christian hath liued more honourably then the Kings of England And as their prowesse in Armes hath bene great so their Courts for magnificence and greatnesse needed not giue place to any which may appeare by the often and excellent triumphes celebrated before Kings and Queenes of this land Yea certaine it is that neither France Spaine Germany or other Nation Christian was euer honoured with so many Militarie triumphes as England hath bene chiefly in the raigne of her Maiestie who now liueth as hereafter shal appeare For besides other excellent triumphal Actions and Militarie pastimes since her Maiesties raigne a yeerely and as it were ordinary triumph hath bene celebrated to her Highnesse honour by the noble and vertuous Gentlemen of her Court a custome neuer before vsed not knowen in any Court or Countrey And albeit as hath bene formerly remembred the Triumphes of Germany were of great pompe and notable yet because they were furnished with the whole number of Princes and Nobilitie of that Nation and the celebration rare they seeme to me lesse admirable then our owne which haue continued more then 30. yeeres yeerely without intermission and performed chiefly and in effect onely by the Princes Lords and Gentlemen dayly attendant vpon her Maiesties Royal person Whereby the honour of those Actions is indeed due to her Highnesse Court onely CHAP. 52. ¶ Triumphes Military for Honor and loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England A Triumph before King Edward the third 1343. THis King being the most warlike and vertuous Prince that liued in his dayes happened as mine Author saith to fall in loue with a noble Lady of his Kingdome and
lege perenni Deinde iterum ex alio faetu instaurata renasci Thus haue we heard the meanes of aspiring vnto honour and by what occasion the same is lost decayed But well I wot that vnto these reasons and examples produced to incite our English youth they answere That were they sure to attaine vnto the least part of that fortune these great personages and many others their inferiours haue come vnto then would they not feare to aduenture their labor and liues to the vttermost but because the paines and perils are certein the successe doubtful they thinke it more wisdome to Hunt and Hawke at home then hazard their bodies abroad or beate their braines about that which haply shall neuer turne them to profit This silly allegation compounded of sloth and pusillanimitie may easily bee refelled but rarely reformed notwithstanding for that I am vsed to loose my labour I will reply thereunto thus That seeing no reward is due before desert and that honour is the recompence of vertue it may not be looked for vntill some vertuous testimony be first shewed What Souldier is so simple as entring into pay wil at the first day looke to be made a Captaine or haue promise within fewe yeeres to become a Generall what Scholler will at his first comming to study demand the degrees due vnto Art or shortly after with little learning will challenge to be a Doctor Yet true it is that sometimes the simplest Archer doeth hit the marke which many an excellent shooter misseth yet hardly will any wise man bee brought to lay money on his side or hope of such successe Euen so in the attaining of Honor although fauour and fortune oft times preferreth the vnworthy yet the true way and most likely meane thereunto is true vertue and industrious life Wherefore concluding I say that euery noble and magnanimous mind doth not so much couet the reward of vertue as it taketh delight therein As the Poet sayth Propter se virtus petitur non propter honorem Ipsa licet propriè ac verè merâ—atur honorem THE FOVRTH BOOKE Of Precedencie and places due to great Personages Ciuil Magistrates and others of reputation The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of Honour in generall Cap. 1. Of Honour in particular And with what Complements men are honoured Cap. 2. Of Ensignes Royall and Military Cap. 3. Of Emperours Cap. 4. Of Kings Cap. 5. Of Queenes Cap. 6. A Prince Cap. 7. An Archduke Cap. 8. A Duke Cap. 9. A Marquesse Cap. 10. An Earle Cap. 11. A Vicount Cap. 12. A Baron Cap. 13. Of Esquires Cap. 14. Of Gentlemen Cap. 15. How Gentlemen are to take place Cap. 16. Priuiledges anciently appertaining to Gentlemen Cap. 17. Of diuers dispositions of Gentlemen according to the humor of the Countrey wherein they inhabit Cap. 18. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance Cap. 19. Of Magistrates Cap. 20. Of Officers and their Precedencie Cap. 21. Of Honourable places due to great Estates their wiues and children Cap. 22. The proceeding of Parliament Cap. 23. The placing of great Officers according to the Statute Anno 31. Hen. 8. Cap. 24. The Queenes Maiesties most Royall proceeding to Pawles Anno 1588. Cap. 25. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition Cap. 26. Of Funerals and Order to be therein kept Cap. 27. Of Monuments and Epitaphes Cap. 28. The Prooeme ALbeit the rankes and places appointed to honourable Subiects ought euer to bee at the Princes disposition and pleasure for so do we find in sacred Scripture Hester cap. 6. Yet the Maiesty of our present Soueraigne hath euer consented that all noble personages Magistrates and others of dignity should precede according to order anciently vsed in the reignes of her most noble predecessors Howsoeuer it be true it is that in diuers ages and vpon diuers considerations some alteration hath bene As sometimes the Prelates haue taken place before Princes and all other Lords and some other times the Temporall Lords and Officers did march next vnto the King In some other time the chiefe precedence was giuen to Dukes Marquesses and Earles without respect vnto the Kings blood his Alliance or fauour So as no absolute order or precise rule hath bene on that behalfe obserued and is the cause that questions and confusion do oft times arise at the assembly and meeting of great personages and others of dignitie and reputation For auoiding of which inconueniences it may please her royall Maiestie by princely power and sacred wisedome to signifie her pleasure on that behalfe to the end that persons of dignitie Magistrates Officers and other subiects of qualitie may be martialled and ranged accordingly For as good order is an ornament of great excellencie so confusion causeth discord and is the roote of many most dangerous questions which moued the Philosophers to say that the losse of worldly wealth is lesse grieuous to men of generous minde then the priuation of place and honorable estimation If then order in precedencie be a matter of so much consequence among persons of reputation great heede and râ—gard ought bee had thereunto to the end that Princes Prelates Magistrates Officers Ministers and all other of honourable and honest qualitie should take due places without preiudice to their superiours or equals For so great is the force of ambition as oftentimes priuate ostentation seeketh to put backe true dignitie and impudent presumption presumeth to step before vertue honour and honourable merit CHAP. 1. Of Honor in generall HOnor saith Cicero is the reward of vertue and infamie the recompense of vice whoso then desireth to aspire vnto Honor it behooueth him to come thereunto by the way of vertue which the Romanes couertly expressed in building the Temple of Honour so as no man could passe thereunto but first he was forced to goe through the Church dedicated to Vertue But because the greatest number of men are not well informed what Vertue meaneth it shall bee expedient to say that Vertue is a good habite and true perfection of reason whereunto whoso will attaine it behooueth him to consider what and how many the morall Vertues are chiefly those fewe of the which the rest haue dependance Therefore to begin with that which of all others is most necessary for preseruation of humane societie I say that Iustice is a vertue which enformeth euery man to rest contented with so much as to him appertaineth and giue to all others that which to them belongeth This is it which conserueth peace and whereof men be deseruingly called Good Next therunto we thinke Temperance or modestie ought to accompanie euery wise man and chiefly him that hath authoritie ouer others For no man there is that can rightly iudge howe to direct the maners of other men that knoweth not first how to gouerne him selfe The rule whereof is this vertue of Temperance which teacheth a moderation of hope and feare and of ioy and sorow with euery
slaues or pirats onely Corona obsidialis was giuen to a Generall leader that had saued his armie distressed That Crowne was made of grasse growing where the Armie was besieged Such a one the Senate and people of Rome bestowed vpon Fabius Maximus in the second warre against the Carthagenians Corona Ciuica was also of high estimation being giuen to him that saued a Citizen from the enemie This Crowne was made of Oaken boughes and reputed an ensigne of exceeding honor Of which opinion Antoninus Pius seemed to be saying Malo vnum ciuem seruare quà m mille hostes occidere Corona Haederalis was giuen to Poets Corona Populea was giuen to yong men industrious and disposed to vertuous endeuour Other ensignes Militarie the Romanes vsed and were bestowed in token of dignitie as chaines of gold gilt spurres launces and white rods the one a token of warre the other of peace We will also speake of Crownes of later deuice giuen to great Estates CHAP. 4. Of Emperors IMperator dicitur quasi Imperij Rator fortasse vt legislator Ita Imperij lator Id est Imperium supremamque maiestatem habens non armis solum munitam sed legibus moderatam The name of Emperour was first in vse among the Romanes and by them inuented not for Princes but chiefe Leaders and Captaines of the warre At the beginning they were yerely created in Ianuary and ended their authority in September which custome continued vntill the Battell of Pharsalia wherein Pompei was defeated by Caesar who being returnened to Rome the Romanes consented he should enioy that title of Emperour during his life the which his nephew Octauian succeding him in the Empire continued and made it hereditary to his successors with the surname of Augustus for his happy gouernment which name hath bene euer since vsed by all Emperours to this day So appeareth it that the title of Emperor began in Rome Anno mundi 3914. or as others say 3963 ab vrbe condita 706. And before the birth of Christ 47. This Emperor and his successors continued their seate at Rome vntill the reigne of Constantine the great Anno Christi 310. by whom the Emperiall Court was transferred to Constantinople So the Empire became diuided into two Empires one Emperour gouerned at Constantinople in the East the other at Rome in the West Which order continued from the reigne of Carolus magnus vntill Constantinus Paleologus In whose time Constantinople was besieged and taken by the Turkes The West Empire after the death of Charlemaine hath in diuers ages bene gouerned by Princes of diuers nations as Frenchmen Saxons Sueuians and Austrians who presently hold that dignitie In the reigne of Otho 3. with the consent of Pope Gregory 5. the election of the Emperour was taken from the Italians and granted vnto seuen Princes of Germany viz. the Archbishops of Mentz Treuer and Colein the Count Palatin of Rheine the Duke of Saxon the Marquesse of Brandenburg and the King of Bohemia then called Duke of Bohemia This order was after confirmed in the reigne of Charles the fourth about the yeere 1378. Among Princes secular an Emperor hath anciently bene reputed worthy a chiefe place and to precede all other Princes which is the cause that Baldus called an Emperour the Vicar or Vicegerent of God vpon earth and therefore when other Princes are crowned with one onely Crowne an Emperor hath euer had three The first Crowne is of iron which he receiueth at Aquisgran by the hand of the Archbishop of Colein within whose Diocesse that Citie is seated The second Crowne is of siluer which hee taketh at the hand of the Archbishop of Milan in the Citie of Modena after he is arriued in Italy Yet true it is that the Emperour Henrie receiued it at Milan in S. Ambrose Church and haply so haue some other Emperors Siluer signifieth cleannesse and brightnesse Yet some writers haue sayd the first Crowne is of siluer and the second of iron which Cass. denieth The third Crowne is of pure golde wherewith he is crowned at Rome by the Pope in the Church of S. Peter before the Altar of S. Mauriee Gold is accompted the most excellent of all mettals and of such perfection in Iustice Emperors and Princes ought be In these three mettals all Tributes and other dueties were anciently payd vnto Emperors When the Scepter and sword are deliuered into his hand it is likewise said vnto him viz. By these signes thou art admonished to correct subiects with a fatherly chastisement extending thy hand of mercie first vnto the ministers of God and next to widowes and fatherlesse children so shall the oyle of mercie neuer fall from thy head and both in this world and the world to come thou shalt be rewarded with an euerlasting crowne CHAP. 5. Of Kings REx dicitur a regendo quia dignus est regere populum suum in bello eundemque ab inimicis sua magnanimitate virtute defendere For the better conceiuing of that which followeth it shall not be impertinent to know that Kings Princes and other soueraigne Commanders did in the beginning aspire vnto greatnes by puissance and force of which number Cain was the first as Austen lib. 15. de ciuitate Dei cap. 20. writeth This Cain to the end he might with more commoditie command his people builded a citie calling it by his sonnes name Enoch and was the first citie in the world as appeareth in Genes cap. 4. After the flood the first King that raigned was Nimrod descended of the line of Cham as we find in Gen. 9. whose sonne builded the Tower of Babel intending to make the same of height equall to the heauen But the Lord offended with his ambition inspired the people to speake in diuers languages for before that time all men had onely one tongue Gen. cap. 9. These and other Princes were oppressors of people and displeasing to God for which cause they receiued vnfortunate ende The first King of Barbary exercising the arte Magike was slaine by the deuill In like manner other ancient Monarkes raigning tyrannically ended their liues by violence As Pharaoh whose heart being hardned against the Lord was drowned in the red sea Exod. 14. Also Corah Dathan and Abiram swallowed vp by the earth Numb 16. Antiochus eaten of lice 2. Mac. 9. Saul the first King of Israel disobedient to Dauid and other ministers of the Lord was wounded of the Philistims and in the end desperately stabbed himselfe to death with his owne sword 1. Kings 31. And Absalon the sonne of Dauid rebelling against his father was slaine by Ioab 1. King 14. Too long it were to tell by how many meanes the Almighty Lord hath punished the vngodly and impious oppressors of people and with what power and grace he hath protected those Kings Princes that gouerned with Iustice maintained people in peace for indeede there is no power but from God as Christ speaking to Pilat said Non haberes potestatem aduersum me
the person of the Emperor and King of Romanes two Popes for one died there fiue Patriarches three and thirty Cardinals fourtie and seuen Archbishops a hundreth forty and fiue Bishops and 83. Suffragans Thirty and nine Dukes Thirty and seuen Earles being absolute Princes An hundreth and thirtie inferior Earles Seuentie and nine free Lords or Barons Knights of all Nations fifteene hundred Gentlemen twentie thousand besides Doctors Licentiats and Scholemen infinite For the King of England appeared Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick with him were foure Bishops viz. Sarisbury Chester Bathe and Bangor Sarisbury died during that Councell and liuing tooke his place aboue all other Bishops as an Archbishop and for the time was placed last in the ranke of Archbishops The Earle of Warwicks attendants were as followeth Hurting de Clough Knight Iohn Waterton Knight Iohn Seton Knight Piers Craft Knight Iohn Roch Knight Iames Hermford Knight Beringer de Beaumont Knight Gentlemen Nicholas Serpon William Newland Geffrey Offley Walter Hungerford Hugh Holdbach Iohn Fitton Thomas Wileot Richard Dutton Oliuer Dunley Petrs Craft Iohn Lantsdon Iohn Roche Thomas Fanhes William Newland Iohn Merbory Iohn Otlinger Ralfe Rainscroft Henry Vessey William Vessey Scholemen of Cambridge Henry Abundy Iohn Wells Iohn Sheirford Doctors in Diuinitie Thomas Palton Robert Appleton Iohn Stokes Ciuilians Scholemen of Oxford The Lord Prior of Orsestry Peter Rodley Priamus Farbach CHAP. 20. Of Magistrates NExt vnder Emperors Kings and Princes Souereigne are foure degrees of Magistrates Some are called Magni and Illustres Some are Medij and Spectabiles Some are Minimi and Clarissimi And some are Infimi The first may be named Magistrates souereigne as they who acknowledge no superior but the Maiestie of the Prince The second are they that yeeld obedience to them and command other Magistrates their inferiors The latter two are such as cannot command any Magistrate but haue power only ouer particular subiects within the limits of their iurisdiction Touching the first that haue authority to commaund all other Magistrates and acknowledge no superior but the Prince they are fewer at this day then heretofore Yet certaine it seemeth that some Romane Emperours authorized one Magistrate or Lieutenant without any companion to command all other Magistrates of the Empire and to him all Gouernours and Magistrates did appeale Which Magistrate they called Praefectus Praetorio True it is that at the beginning he was of no greater quality then Captaine of the Legions Praetorian as Seius Strabo vnder Augustus and Seianus vnder Tibertus vntill other Emperors succeeding by litle and litle encreased their authority as in the end the Praefectus Praetorio became Lieutenant generall and iudge of all questions and causes whatsoeuer by which occasion that office was giuen vnto men learned in the Lawe as Martian vnder Otho Papinian vnder Seuerus and Vlpian vnder Alexander All which came to passe before Armes were diuided from lawes and Iusticers from Captaines Afterwards this great office became imparted vnto two and sometimes three persons purposely to abridge the excessiue authority of one But touching the Precedencie of Magistrates albeit they cannot aptly be ranged with those of the Empire yet may they in some sort be placed according to the dignitie and degrees of those titles which the Romanes anciently vsed And touching their authority it shal not be amisse to know that a Magistrate is an Officer hauing power to command in the common weale among whom in the Romane Empire the Praefectus Praetorio was the chiefe hauing authority aboue all other Officers to whom also euery one did appeale To this Praetor or Praefect we may compare the Grand Mayor du Pallais in France who in times past did in that kingdome beare chiefe office To him also in some sort we may resemble the high Seneschal of England vnder King William the Conqueror and other Kings his successors These Magistrates might therefore bee reasonably called Illustrissimi chiefly in the Kings absence For sure it is that in presence of the King all power of Magistrates and Commissioners also doth cease For during that time they haue no authority of commandement either ouer other subiects or other Officers their inferiors But this mighty Magistrate is no more either in England or France yet during their authoritie they were called Illustrissmi which title signified a certein preeminencie aboue all Magistrates that were Illustres either Honorarij or Administrantes Nam accidentia denominant Subiectum Next to these Illustrissimi or Maximi the chiefe place of Precedencie is due vnto those whome we called Illustres and among them the L. Chancellour is chiefe etiam in dignitate impari as one whose excellent vertue ought be preferred before all other officers Likewise the Lord high Constable or Lord Marshall is a Magistrate Illust. the Lord Treasurer Admirall of England the Lord Chamberlaine and all others of the Kings priuie Councell may assume the title of persons Illust. or as we commonly call them right Honorable So saith Cass. It seemeth also that Doctours who haue read in schoole the space of twenty yeeres may be called Illustrissimi as Purpuratus noteth To these Illust. or right Honourable personages the lawes Emperiall haue graunted many great priuiledges as the same Barthol discourseth After these the Magistrates whome we formerly called Spectabiles and may in our tongue be tearmed Honourable ought to follow as commanders in Armes Iudges Gouernours or Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces and Cities c. The fourth place appertaineth to them that anciently were named Clarissimi or Right worshipfull who are inferiour Iusticers and Ministers Colonels Captaines and meane Officers c. Lastly are they whome the Romanes intituled Infimi and in English Worshipfull as Captaines of particular Castles Iudges in Townes corporate where no action is triable aboue 3000 shillings Note here that euery Magistrate is an Officer but euery Officer is not a Magistrate and of all Magistrates the Lord Chancellor hath euer had precedence not onely in England and Fraunce but of all anciencie in euery other place for read we may that Eginardus who wrote the life of Carolus Magnus was his Chancellor Likewise Tribonianus was Chancellor vnto the Emperor Iustinian Iosaphat was Chancellor to King Dauid 2. of Kings Vlpianus to the Emperour Alexander Seneca to Nero and in France the Chancellor hath so great preheminence as he precedeth the Constable vnlesse he be the Kings brother or his sonne For the better memory of the degrees aforesaid Lucas de Penna speaking of titular dignity hath left these verses vnderwritten Illustris primus medius spectabilis imus Vt lex testatur clarissimus esse probatur Et superillustris praeponitur omnibus istis CHAP. 21. Of Officers and their Precedencie OFficers seruing Princes are of diuers sorts among which some doe attend the Princes person others haue charge of his Treasure some are ministers of Iustice and some are commanders in warre For the better conceiuing of our intention therfore and the order of that which
stand aboue and precede all others that are in pari dignitate of themselues as a Duke of the Bloud aboue all Dukes not of the Bloud and so the like in all other degrees except the Princes knowen pleasure be to the contrary A Dukes eldest sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall haue place before a Marquesse and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue an Earle An Earles sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall precede a Vicount and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue a Baron CHAP. 23. The proceeding of Parliament to Westminster from her Maiesties Royall Pallace of VVhite Hall FIrst Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen two and two Esquiers two and two The sixe Clerkes of the Chancerie Clerkes of the Starre-chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the priuie Counsell The Masters of the Chancery Esquiers of the Body The Trumpets The Queenes Attorney and Soliciter Sergeants of the Law The Queenes Sergeant alone The Barons of the Exchequer two and two Iudges of the Common Pleas. Iudges of the Kings Bench. Pursuyuants Pursuyuants The Lord chiefe Baron and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. The Master of the Roules and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench. Batcheler Knights Knights of the Bathe Knights Bannerets Knights of the Priuie Counsell two and two Knights of the Garter The Queenes Maiesties Cloake and Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquier Noblemens yonger sonnes Heralds Heralds and heires apparant two and two The principall Secretary being no Baron The Vice-chamberlaine The Treasourer and Comptroller of the Houshold Barons in their Robes two and two The yongest form ost Bishops in their Robes two and two The Lord Admirall and the Lord Chamberlaine of Household together if they be Barons and In pari dignitate Norroy King of Armes Viscounts in their Robes two and two the yongest formost Earles in their Robes two and two they yongest formost Marquesses in their Robes Dukes in their Robes The Lord President of the Counsell and the Lord Priuie Seale Lord Steward of the Queenes house and the Lord great Chamberlaine Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord Chanceler and the Lord Tresurer of England together The Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke together Sergeants at Armes Sergeants at Armes Garter chiefe King of Armes barehead The Cap of Estate borne by the Marques of Winchester and with him on the left hand the Earle Marshall of England with his gilt rod. The Sword borne by an Earle THE Queenes Maiestie on horsebacke or in her Chariot with her Robes of Estate her Traine borne by a Duchesse or Marchionesse The Pensioners on ech side of her Maiestie bearing Poleaxes The Lord Chamberlaine and the Vize-chamberlaine on eche side of the Queene if they attend out of their ranke but somewhat behinde her The Master of the Horse leading a spare Horse next behinde her Maiestie Ladies and Gentlewomen according to their Estates two and two The Captaine of the Guard with all the Guard folowing two two CHAP. 24. The placing of great Officers according to the Acte of Parliament made An. 31. H. 8. THe Lord Vicegerent shal be placed on the Bishops side aboue them all Then the Lord Chauncellour The Lord Treasorer The Lord President of the priuie Counsell The Lord Priuie seale These foure being of the degree of a Baron or aboue shall sit in the Parliament in all assemblies of Councell aboue Dukes not being of the blood Royall viz. The Kings brother Vncle or Nephewes c. And these sixe The Lord great Chamberlaine of England The Lord High Constable of England The Earle Marshall of England The Lord Admirall of England The Lord great Master of Steward of the Kings house The Lord Chamberlaine of the Kings houshold These sixe are placed in all assemblies of Councell after Lord priuie Seale according to their degrees and estates So that if he be a Baron to sit aboue all Barons and if he be an Earle aboue all Earles And so likewise the Kings principall Secretary being a Baron of the Parliament hath place aboue all Barons and if he be of higher degree he shall sit and be placed according thereunto Note If any of the Officers aboue mentioned be not of the degree of a Baron whereby he hath not power to assent or dissent in the high Court of Parliament then he or they are to sit on the vppermost Wolsacke in the Parliament chamber the one aboue the other in like order as is specified The Nobilitie Temporall are placed according to the auncientie of their seuerall creations and so are the Lords Spirituall sauing The Archbishop of Canterburie So placed of dignitie The Archbishop of Yorke Bishop of London So placed by Acte of Parliament Bishop of Durham Bishop of Winhcester The rest of the Bishops haue their places according to the senioritie of their seuerall consecrations And this for their placing in the Parliament house Howbeit when the Archbishop of Canterburie sitteth in his Prouinciall assembly he hath on his right hand the Archbishop of Yorke and next vnto him the Bishop of Winchester and on the left hand the Bishop of London But if it fall out that the Archbishop of Canterburie be not there by the vacation of his See then the Archbishop of Yorke is to take his place who admitteth the Bishop of London to his right hand and the Prelate of Winchester to his left the rest sitting as is before said as they are elders by consecration CHAP. 25. The Queenes Maiesties most royall proceeding in State from Somerset place to Pauls Church Ann. 1588. ON Sunday the 24. day of Nouember Anno 1588. our Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth rode with great solemnitie in her open chariot from Somerset house in the Strond to the Cathedrâ—l Church of S. Paul in London where at the West doore before her Maiesties entrance in there was prouided a rich Chaire of Estate and the ground being spred likewise with tapits her Maiestie kneeled downe against a deske couered with very Princely furniture and said the Lords prayer and then the Bishop of London in his Cope deliuered her a booke containing all the Orders Charters and Priuiledges belonging to the said Church which her Maiesty receiuing did confirme and redeliuer vnto the Bishop in the presence of all the Prebends and Churchmen who attended her Highnesse in very rich Copes and so with the whole Quire singing before her she proceeded vp into the Chancell where within a Trauers she rested vntill the Procession and other diuine Anthems were sung After which her Maiesty entred into the place ordained for the Duchie of Lancaster which at that time was newly reedified with faire and large glasse windowes in which she stayed during the Sermon preached at the Crosse by Doctor Perce then Bish. of Salisbury where with the whole assembly of the people she gaue God publicke thankes for that
triumphant and euer memorable victory ouer the Spanish Fleet proudly by them called Inuincible The Sermon beeing done her Maiestie went to the Bishops Palace and there dined and towards euening returned vnto Somerset place by torchlight Against her Highnes cōming in the morning the streets were railed and hung with Blew broad clothes for the seueral Companies in their Liueries to stand euery Company distinguished by Banners Standards and Penons of their Armes richly painted and illumined The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court likewise being placed nere Temple Bar stood orderly within their railes All the fronts of houses were couered with rich Arras and Tapistry and the windowes and streets replenished with all sorts of people innumerable who with great applause and ioyful acclamations both graced and honoured her Maiesties most Royall proceeding The Lord Mayor which was Alderman Calthrope deliuered his Sword to her Maiestie at Temple Barre who receiuing it gaue him a Mace or Scepter to beare and deliuered the Sword to the L. Marquesse of Winchester who bare it before her Highnesse all that day ¶ Here followeth the List or Roll of all Estates that were in this Princely proceeding according as they were then marshalled Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen Harbingers Seruants to Ambassadors Gentlemen Her Maiestics seruants Esquires Trumpets Sewers of the Chamber Gentlemen Huishers The sixe Clerkes of the Chancery Clerkes of Starre chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the Priuie Seale Clerkes of the Councel Chaplens hauing dignities as Deanes c. Masters of the Chancery Aldermen of London Knights Batchelers Knights Officers of the Admiralty The Iudge of the Admiraltie The Deane of the Arches The Soliciter and Attourney Generall Serieants at the Law The Queenes Serieants Barons of the Exchequer A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Common Pleas. A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Kings Bench. The L. chief Baron the L. chief Iustice of the Common pleas The Master of the Rols and the L. chiefe Iustice of the K. Bench. The Queenes Doctors of Physicke The Master of the Tents and the Master of the Reuels The Lieutenant of the Ordinance The Lieutenant of the Tower The Master of the Armorie Knights that had bene Ambassadors Knights that had beene Deputies of Ireland The Master of the great Wardrobe A Pursuy of Armes The Master of the lewel house A Pursuy of Armes Esquires for the Bodie and Gentlemen of the Priuie chamber Trumpets The Queenes Cloake Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquire Barons yonger sonnes Knights of the Bath Knights Bannerets Lancaster Vicounts yonger sonnes Yorke Barons eldest sonnes Earles yonger sonnes Vicounts eldest sonnes Secretaries of her Maiestie Knights of the Priuie Councel Sommerset Richmond Knights of the Garter Principal Secretarie Vicechamberlaine Comptroller and Treasurer of the houshold Barons of the Parliament Chester Bishops 〈◊〉 The Lord Chamberlaine of the house being Barons The Lord Admiral of England Marquesses yonger sonnes Earles eldest sonnes Vicounts Dukes yonger sonnes Marquesses eldest sonnes Norroy King of Armes Earles Dukes eldest sonnes Marquesses Dukes Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord high Treasurer of England The Archbishop of Yorke The Lord Chanceller of England The Archbishop of Canterbury The French Embassadour Garter King of Armes The Maior of London A Gent. Huisher of the Priuie Chamber The Queenes Maiestie in her Chariot Her Highnesse traine borne by the Marchionesse of Winchester The Palfrey of Honour led by the Master of the Horse The chiefe Lady of Honour All other Ladies of Honour The Captaine of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard CHAP. 26. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition BArtholus in his discourse de re Militari Duello diuideth men into three degrees viz. great personages aduanced to dignitie men of reputation without dignitie and common or ignoble persons Of whom Iac. Faber in his discourse vpon Aristotles politickes maketh nine sorts The first are husbandmen whose endeuor is employed about the fruits of the earth Secondly artificers occupied Arts either necessarie honest or pleasing Thirdly victualers retailers of wares and chapmen Fourthly Marriners and sea souldiers Fiftly Fishermen Sixtly Watermen and Ferrymen Seuenthly Masons and labourers in stone Eightly workemen of little substance and Labourers Lastly Bondmen and slaues Among common persons in euery Prouince or Towne the Gouernor or Captaine is of most reputation notwithstanding hee be of a common birth yet in some Cities the Maior or chiefe Iudge hath that chiefe honour and is superior to the military Officer but generally men in Office are of more reputation then others without office and Officers for life are preferred before Officers annuall or time certaine Data paritate in alijs Raynutius Note also that euery man during the time he beareth office is to be respected and honoured as Purpuratus writeth And to say summarily all wisemen hauing place of rule in any Prouince Citie or Towne must be preferred before others albeit they are aduanced aboue the measure of their vertue For no man is so euill but sometimes he doth well Laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt Pli. Men married are euer to precede men vnmaried in pari dignitate And he who hath most children or lost the greater number in the warre of his Countrey is to be most honored Lex Iuli◠The like order ought be obserued among women maried in pari dignitate and in Rome maydens did anciently go before widdowes and wiues also and sonnes before their Fathers Men hauing land of inheritance are to precede other hauing none and Citizens that are housholders must be preferred before others hauing no habitation chiefly in such Cities and Townes where their Ancestors and families haue bene of continuance in reputation of marchandise or other possessions For next after Gentlemen and Magistrates they are to take place in pari dignitate Yet here is to be noted that if any Burgesse Marchant or other man of wealth doe happen to purchase a Barony yet ought he not be a Baron nor haue place among Barons Iac. Rabuff A father whose sonne beareth any Office shall giue place to his sonne in all publike meetings and seruices but in priuate affaires the order of nature ought be obserued and in domesticall conuersation the father shal goe and sit before the sonne Likewise a Bishop must doe reuerence vnto his father at home but being in the Church the father shal follow him So for diuers respects the one and the other is honoured Betwene two equals he that is in his owne iurisdiction shal precede as if an Archbishop or Cardinall doe come into the Diocesse of a Bishop notwithstanding they be persons of more dignity yet ought they giue honour vnto the Bishop because their presence doth not cancell his authority A Citizen or dweller of any chiefe City shall take place of other Inhabitants of meaner townes or cities when soeuer they meet in any place indifferent
be a Knight of the Garter a Knight of the Priuie counsel or a Lord by office then it may be permitted Noblemen to mourne because they are reputed persons honourable and in pari dignitate for as hath bene formerly sayd Dignitas Nobilitas idem sunt Barthol de dig Nota That an Officer of Armes weareth the Kings coate at th'enterrements of Noblemen and others of dignitie and Worship not onely for the ordering of the funerals and marshalling of the degrees as aforesayd but to the intent that the defunct may be knowen to all men to haue died honourably in the Kings allegeance without spot of infamie or other disworship to his Name Blood Family And that his heire if he haue any or next of whole blood or some one for him which commonly is the chief mourner may publikely receiue in the presence of all the mourners the Coate armor Helme Creast and other Atchieuements of honour belonging to the defunct whereof the King of Armes of the Prouince is to make record with the defuncts march issue and decease for the benefit of posterity CHAP. 28. Of Monuments and Epitaphes NOw to close vp these discourses of Honour and humane glory it shall not be impertinent to wish that among other things whereby the memory of Noble Princes and other great personages is preserued that some care were also had to saue their Tombes and places of buriall from ruine and violation A matter of more consequence then euery one marketh yet necessary to be looked vnto both for publique and priuate respects Marcus Tullius in his Oration against Varro telleth how Scipio did thinke Portratures Pictures and other Monuments were deuised to ornifie Temples Cities and Princes pallaces In an other place also he saith they were made to retaine in memory the excellent Actions of such men as had liued honourably and died vertuously Another respect publique to continue Monuments in reputation is that thereby diuers Arts of good qualitie as Grauing Caruing Masonry Painting Imbossing and other commendable knowledges be exercised For by such industry many princely buildings be beautified and many Artificers doe aspire to great fame and riches as Teledius and Theodorus his brother Lysias and Mentor who framed the portraitures of Iupiter Capitolinus and Diana Ephesia for which labour the Poet Iuuenal vouchsafed him this commendation Multus vbique labor rarae sine Mentore mensae But that which perswadeth me most to allow and commend the Sciences of sculpture and worke grauen is this Wee finde in holy Scripture how Besaleel the sonne of Vri and Ooleab the sonne of Achimesech receiued from God the Spirit of knowledge how to make all manner of grauen workes in gold siluer and other mettals as appeareth in Exod cap. 35. Seeing then that these Arts of pourtraying painting and sculpture are by so great authoritie approued in vaine it seemeth to remember the praises which profane Histories haue giuen to Phidias for making the portraiture of Iupitre Olympius or Archesilaus that graued the Image of Diana workes of more excellencie then can be expressed The like praise is written of Lysippus whose hand onely was permitted to make the pourtraiture of Alexander the Great as Horace seemeth to affirme Edicto vetuit ne quis se praeter Apellem Pâ—ngeret autalius Lysippo duceret aera Fortis Alexandri vultum simulantia The Lawes Ciuil hauing regard to the preseruation of monuments did prouide that if any bondman or other seruant doe breake or deface any Tombe or other funerall monument he shal be condemned to the galley or forced to grind in a mill the fact being done by his owne election But if he were thereunto commanded then he shal be banished only And who so doeth conuey or take away a part or peece of any tombe or graue the same shal be confiscate vnto the Prince 2. of Cod. If a Iudge or other Magistrate be informed of any such fact and doeth not punish the offender he shall forseit twenty pound in gold and euery person hauing committed such a crime shall pay ten pound in golde and endure such punishments as the lawes haue prescribed Cod. 3. Note also that euery offence of this qualitie is reputed equall to periâ—rie and whoso purloyneth any thing appertaining to a graue or place â— sepulture shal be deemed guiltie both of theft and sacrilege So doth it appeare that the violation of Monuments funerall hath euâ— beene reputed a crime infamous and euery generous minde desiring eternize the memory of his owne vertue or the honour of his noble Acestors cannot endure so great indignity for as infamous persons enâ—â—uour to bury their vices in obliuion so excellent spirits doe care that â—e fame of vertue may continue euer saying with the Christian Poet Tradite me famae ne prorsus inutilis olim Vixisse videar pereamque in funere totus The Kings of Turky notwithstanding their misbeleefe and barbâ—â— me haue by law commanded that no man vpon paine of death shal breâ— the tombe of any Turke Moore Iewe Arabian Persian Gentile or Clâ—tian and that law is most strictly obserued for when Soliman Emperorâ—â—urks marched with his Army into Egypt passing through Iudaea 〈◊〉 of his Souldiers neere vnto the city of Gaza did breake open the â—aue of a certaine Physician supposing to find treasure for which fact â—the Emperors commandement they were apprehended and fourteâ— of them hanged and three others pierced through their bodies with 〈◊〉 as persons that had committed sacrilege The same Emperor also comming into a Chappell at 〈◊〉 where the monument of Godfrey of Bouillon remaineth and thereupon this inscription commanded that no stone thereof should be taken or touched Hie iacet inclytus Dux Godfrey Duc de Bouillon qui totam istam terram acquisiuit cultui cuius anima regnet cum Christo Amen And sith we are here occasioned to speake of these matters it shall not be amisse to say somewhat of Epitaphs being indeed Monuments of no lesse glory and perpetuity then the greatest Obeliskes and Pyramides of the world Of Epitaphs be diuers kindes some are praiseworthy some partiall some inuectiue some conceited some Poeticall and some Morall according to the sundry humors and passions of seuerall writers The ancient Romanes did make their Epitaphs briefe plaine and true vsing onely a few letters for wordes but in these our dayes no wordes are thought praises enough nor no praises can suffice vnlesse they do exceed My selfe haue seene Epitaphs wherein an ordinarie Orator hath beene compared to Cicero a meane Poet to Virgil and an audacious captaine to Caesar Pompey Scipio Cyrus and all the Worthies Iulius Caesar had no Epitaph at all but vnder his pourtraiture some fewe â—nscriptions as this Parenti optimè merito And on the tombe of Pompey the Great were these wordes onely Hic situs est magnus P. Of Cyrus thus Quisquis es mortalium vndecunque aduenis aduenturum enim te scio Cyrus â—um qui Persis imperium quaesiui Hoc igitur humi paululum quo meum corpus obâ—egitur mihi ne inuideas Plutarch Also of Scipio onely these few words are â—ound Deuicto Hannibale capta Carthagine aucto Imperio hoc cineres marmore tectos habes Cui non Europe non obstitit Africa quondam Respice res bominum quà m breuis vtna premit And of later time for Charles the fifth it was likewise sayd Liquisti exuuias gelido sub marmore sed non Quantùm Caesar eras marmor vrna capit Pro tumulo ponas orbem pro tegmine coelum Pro facibus stellas pro imperio empyreon Aepitaph sayth Garzon should remember the name of the defunct and progenie truely his countrey and quality briefly his life and vertues â—destly and his end Christianly exhorting rather to example then vaine 〈◊〉 And thus much concerning Epitaphs the kinds whereof being diuâ— and the examples infinite we will therefore conclude with one general Nascendo morimur vita altera morte paratur Vita haec mors mortis funera finis erunt Or thus â—uid Omnia Si Nihil cur Ominia â—â—id Omnia Nihil Nihil vt Omnia FINIS
Counsellors besought the King that in respect the weather was exceeding hote his Maiesty would be pleased to moderate his motion and for that day cease from running adding this perswasion that it was vnfit a King should in such disports hazard his person which perswasion for the present preuailed But his Maiesty as it were drawen on by fatal force would in any wise the 3. day returne to the Tilt either to make further triall of his valour or thereby as some supposed to honour his daughter to the vttermost of his power That day his Maiestie in all princely pompe appeared his person and horse also being more richly furnished then any pen can expresse The first courses his Maiestie performed fortunately with marueilous applause of the beholders At the fourth course by marueilous misaduenture he became hurt with a splinter of the aduersaries Lance which pearced his eye so deep as thereby his braine was much bruised Thus was the Nuptiall feast disturbed and ioy conuerted to sorow Such is the state of worldly things gladnes is euer followed with sadnes and pleasure accompanied with paine The rest of the troupe there ready to runne were with that accident marueilously amazed and not knowing what to doe euery man let fâ—ll his Lance and cursed all such triumphs Some preassed to carie his person home and others as touched to the heart shut vp their eyes from seeing a spectacle so lamentable The Ladies likewise and Gentlewomen of the Court turned their faces from beholding and closed vp their eyes with teares To conclude the whole number of Courtiers were striken with sorow not explicable The Citizens likewise and generally all the subiects of that kingdome were perplexed to see the tragical euent of that disastrous triumph which was intended to congratulate a new peace and an honourable alliance The forme and face of the citie thus conuerted from exceeding ioy to vnspeakeable sorow some helde vp their hands to heauen others made haste to the Churches and euery one with abundance of sighs and sobs cried out beseeching God to grant the King recouery as if euery mans well doing had thereon depended How vnpleasing these newes were to the King of Spaine euery one can conceiue Then the Physicians and Chirurgions not onely of France but of the Low countreys also came thither to shew their skil vsing all Art and endeuour that might be but the splinters of the Lance had pearced the Kings eye so deepe as the tendernes of the place could not suffer it to bee taken out nor seene the braine also being pearced no meane there was to cure the wound The King therefore tormented with extreame paine fell into a burning Feuer whereof in the end of eleuen daies he died In all which time he did neuer weepe or speake any word that might be imputed to pusillanimity but most magnanimously tooke leaue of life Onely thus he sayd that seeing he was destined to die in Armes he would haue bene much better contented to haue lost his life in the field then in those domesticall pastimes Let this accident therefore remaine an example to all princes neuer to aduenture their owne persons vnnecessarily considering their onely liues is the welfare of infinite others CHAP. 41. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. A Fained fortresse with Trenches Baracadoes and other furniture of defence was erected On the roote wherof a sword of gold was set adorned with precious stones This Castell was inuironed with water like to an Iland and impossible it was to mount vnto the walls but by degrees and staires exceeding steepe This yland was called Insula Fortunae which is the yle of Fortune others named it Insula periculosa the perilous yland Vpon the water which inuironed the Castell a ship of gold did alwayes ride at Anker with sailes of red silke and gold Neither was any thing else wanting to illustrate the beautie thereof On the first gate was painted a roaring Lion of gold which picture shined very gloriously and neere to it was a posterne gate the name whereof was Porta terroris which is the gate of terror Betweene the water and the gate was a large Court and there hanged a large white Shield and therein was painted a blacke Eagle Neere to that place was a Turret whereinto no man could come vntill he had passed many doores it was called Transitus periculosus which is the perilous passage Not farre from thence was a Pillar of no great height yet broad and square and thereon was painted a red Griffin vnder which signe were graued the Lawes of that yland in three tongues The first passage to the Castell was kept by the Knight of the red Griffin who was indeed the Earle Aringberg The second passage was kept by the Knight of the blacke Egle that was the Erle Hoochstrat The third passage next the yland was kept by the Knight of the golden Lion which was the Earle of Egmond Within this Castell called Arxtenebrosa remained the L. Corbaron gouernour to the Prince Aurasina who had before wonne it by art Magicke and now by conuerting the letters of his name backeward named himselfe Norabroc Before euery of the foresaid gates a magnificent Pauilion was erected and therein the Earles with their troupes attended their enemies Then was there a petition presented to the Emperour against Norabroc the Magician for that hee by his diuelish art and force of the inchanted sword had surprised many noble personages and worthy Knights now prisoners in the Castell of darknesse And forsomuch as it hath bene prophesied that the glorious expugnation of this Castell is destined onely to the most vertuous and fortunate Prince liuing vnder the sunne who can be no other then the excellent Prince of Spaine sonne to the most inuincible Emperour Charles they humbly desired that he with his Knights might attempt the enterprise The Emperours license obtayned the three Knights within the darke Castle came foorth to encounter all those that durst assayle them The first that appeared called himselfe the Darke Knight followed with one onely seruant to carry his launce His armour was blacke and his apparell course Of the same colour was the attire of his seruant and the furniture of his horse But the assault no sooner was made but he retired into the Castle Norabroc had euer sixe Gentlemen apparelled in red and yellow readie to receiue such Knights as went out or in Those sixe were attired after the Hungarian fashion wearing on their heads Turbants These men had charge of the bridge to let in euery Knight that would fight This Darke Knight was the Lord Chaumont and he that encountred him was the Knight of the red Griffin otherwise called the Earle of Arenberg His armour was all gilded and ouer it hee ware an arming coate of siluer cloth very rich In his crest he also ware feathers white and vermilion The Darke Knight thus retired to the Castle three other Knights appeared in coates of blacke cloth of gold and