shall any way offend It is called the Green Cloth of a Green Cloth whereat they sit over whom are the Arms of the Compting House bearing Vert a Key and a Rod Or a Staffe Argent Saultier signifying their Power to reward and correct as Persons for their great wisdom and experience thought fit by His Majesty to exercise both these Functions in his Royal House The Treasurer of the Kings House is alwayes of the Privy Council and in absence of the Lord Steward hath power with the Comptroller and Steward of the Marshalsea to hear and determine Treasons Felonies and other inferiour Crimes committed within the Kings Palace and that by Verdict of the Kings Houshold Houshold Servants within the Check Roll if any be found guilty of Felony no benefit of Glergy is to be allowed him Antiently this Court might have held Pleas of Freehold also His yearly Fee 124 l. 14 s. 8 d. and a Table of 16 Dishes each Meal He bears a white Staffe and is at present Sir Thomas Clifford The Comptrollers Office is to controul the Accounts and Reckonings of the Green Cloth His yearly Fee is 107 l. 12 s. 4 d. a Table of 16 Dishes each Meal He bears a white Staffe and is at present the Lord Newport The Cofferer is also a Principal Officer hath a special charge and oversight of other Officers of the House for their good Demeanour and Carriage in their Offices and is to pay the Wages to the Kings Servants below Stairs His yearly Fee is 100 l. a Table of 7 Dishes daily and is now Colonel Will. Ashburnbam The next is the Master of the Houshold whose Office is to survey the Accounts of the House His Fee 100 Marks and 7 Dishes daily enjoyed by Sir Herbert Price The Two Clerks of the Green Cloth are Sir Henry Wood and Sir Stephen Fox and the two Clerks Comptrollers Sir William Boreman and Sir Winston Churchill The yearly Fee to each of these four is 48 l. 13 s. 4 d. and between them 2 Tables of 7 Dishes to each Table The rest of the Compting-House being less considerable shall for brevity be past over and for other Officers below stairs onely their Names and Number shall be noted their Fees being not considerable except the Sergeants Fee of each Office In the Bake-House A Sergeant a Clerk divers Yeomen a Garnitor divers Purveyors Grooms and Conducts in all 17 Persons In the Pantry A Sergeant Yeomen Grooms Pages c. in all 11. In the Cellar A Sergeant a Gentleman Yeomen Grooms Purveyors Pages in all 12. In the Buttry A Gentleman Yeoman Grooms Pages Purveyors in all 11. In the Pitcher-House A Yeoman Grooms Page and Clerk in all 5 persons In the Spicery Three Clerks and a Grocer In the Chandlery A Sergeant 2 Yeomen 2 Grooms and a Page in all 6 persons In the Wafery A Yeoman and a Groom In the Confectionary A Sergeant 2 Yeomen a Groom and a Page In the Ewry A Sergeant a Gentleman 2 Yeomen a Groom and 2 Pages In the Landry A Yeoman a Groom 3 Pages and a Draper In the Kitchin Six Clerks a Master Cook to the King a Master Cook to the Houshold 6 Yeomen 7 Grooms 5 Children in all 26 persons In the Larder A Sergeant a Clerk 3 Yeomen 3 Grooms 2 Pages In the 〈◊〉 or the Caterers Office a Sergeant a Clerk Purveyors for Flesh and Fish Yeomen in all 12 persons In the Boyling-House a Yeoman 2 Grooms In the Poultry A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms Purveyors in all 10 persons In the Scalding-House Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all 6. In the Pastry A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Children in all 11 persons In the Scullery A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all 12 persons In the Wood-Yard A Sergeant a Clerk Yeomen Groom and Pages in all 8 persons Harbingers 2 Gentlemen 6 Yeomen In the Almonry Sub-Almoner 2 Yeomen Grooms Porters at Gate A Sergeant Sir Edward Bret 2 Yeomen 4 Grooms Cart-Takers 6 in number Surveyors of the Dresser 2 persons Marshals of the Hall 4. Sewers of the Hall 5. Wayters of the Hall 12. Messenger of the Compting-House 1. Bell-Ringer 1. Long-Cart-Takers 4. Wine-Porters 8. Wood-Bearer 1. The Cock 1. Supernumerary Servants to the last King viz. In the Poultry 2 in the Almonry 1 and in the Pastry 1. Besides the fore-named Officers below Stairs there are also under the said Lord Steward all the Officers belonging to the Queens Kitchin Cellar Pantry c. and to the Kings Privy Kitchin and to the Lords Kitchin together with Children Scowrers Turn-broaches c. in all 68. A List of His Majesties Servants in Ordinary above Stairs GEntlemen of the Bed Chamber whereof the first is called Groom of the Stole that is according to the signification of the word in Greek from whence first the Latines and thence the Italian French derive it Groom or Servant of the Robe or Vestment He having the Office and Honour to present and put on His Majesties first Garment or Shirt every morning and to order the things of the Bed-Chamber The Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber consist usually of the Prime Nobility of England Their Office in general is each one in his turn to wait a Week in every Quarter in the Kings Bed-Chamber there to lie by the King on a Pallet-Bed all Night and in the absence of the Groom of the Stole to supply his place The yearly Fee to each is 1000 l. Their Names follow according to their Order John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole and first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber George Duke of Buckingham Charles Duke of Richmond William Duke of Newcastle George Duke of Albemarle James Duke of Ormond Earl of Suffolk The Earl of Newport Earl of Ossory Earl of Ogle Lord Gerrard Lord Crofts Lord Lauderdale Lord Mandevil Mr. May Privy Purse Sir George Carteret Vice-Chamberlain George Lord Viscount Grandison Captain of the Guard Sir Edward Griffin Knight Treasurer of the Chamber Sir John Denham Knight of the Bath Surveyor to His Majesty Grooms of the Bed-Chamber Henry Seymour Esquire John Ashburnham Esquire Thomas Elliot Esquire David Walter Esquire William Legg Esquire Sylvius Tytus Esquire Thomas Killegrew Esquire Robert Philips Esquire Edward Progers Esquire Richard Lane Esquire Henry Coventry Esquire These are not to be above the degree of Gentlemen Their Office is to attend in the Kings Bed-Chamber to dress and undress the King in private c. The yearly Fee to each is 500 l. Pages of the Bed-Chamber 6 in number whereof one is Keeper of his Majesties Closet Gentlemen Vshers of the Privy-Chamber Sir William Flemming Marmaduke Darcy Sir Paul Neale Sir Robert Stapleton These wait one at a time in the Privy Lodgings Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber in Ordinary Sir Edward Griffin Sir Francis Cobb Sir John Boys Sir John Talbot Sir Robert Bindlos Sir Thomas Sandys c. in number forty eight all Knights or Esquires of note Their Office is 12 every
c. In the Kings Court not only striking is forbidden but also all occasions of Striking and therefore the Law saith Nullas Citationes aut summonitiones licet facere infra Palatium Regis apud Westm vel alibi ubi Rex residet The Court of the King of England for Magnificence for Order for Number and Quality of Officers for rich Furniture for Entertainment and Civility to Strangers for plentiful Tables might compare with the best Court of Christendom and far excel the most Courts abroad of one whereof see the Description made by an ingenious Person beyond Sea writing to a Friend of his at Court there Annon in Inferno es Amice qui es in Aula ubi Daemonum habitatio est qui illic suis artibus humanâ licet effigie regnant atque ubi Scelerum Schola est Animarum jactura ingens ac quicquid uspiam est perfidiae ac doli quicquid crudelitatis ac inclementiae quicquid effraenatae superbiae rapacis avaritiae quicquid obscaenae libidinis ac faedissimae impudicitiae quicquid nefandae impietatis morum pessimorum totum illic acervatur cumulatissimè ubi stupra raptus incestus adulteria ubi inebriari jurare pejerare Atheismum profiteri palam principum nobilium ludi sunt ubi fastus tumor ira Liver faedaque cupido cum sociis suis imperare videtur ubi criminum omnium procellae virtutumque omnium inerrabile naufragium c. But the Court of England on the contrary hath been and is hoped ever will be accounted as King James adviseth in his Basilicon Doron a Pattern of Godliness and all Honesty and Vertue and the properest School of Prowess and Heroick Demeanour and the fittest Place of Education for the Nobility and Centry The Court of England hath for a long time been a Pattern of Hospitality to the Nobility and Gentry of England All Noblemen or Gentlemen Subjects or Strangers that came accidently to Court were freely entertained at the plentiful Tables of His Majesties Officers Divers Services or Messes of Meat were every day provided Extraordinary for the Kings honour Two hundred and forty Gallons a day were at the Buttry Barr allowed for the Poor besides all the broken Meat Bread c. gathered into Baskets and given to the Poor at the Court Gates by 2 Grooms and 2 Yeomen of the Almonry who have Salaries of His Majesty for that Service Moreover the Court is an eminent Pattern of Charity and Humility to all that shall see the performance of that Antient Custom by the King and the Queen on the Thursday before Easter called Maundy Thursday wherein the King in a solemn manner doth wash the Feet cloth and feed as many poor Old Men as His Majesty is years old bestowing on every one Cloth for a Gown Linnen for a Shirt Shooes and Stockings a Joul of Salmon a Pol of Ling 30 Red and 30 White Herrings all in clean Wooden Dishes 4 Six Penny Loaves of Bread and a Purse with a 20 s. Piece of Gold The Magnificence and abundant plenty of the Kings Tables hath caused amazement in all Forreigners when they have been informed that yearly was spent of gross Meat 1500 Oxen 7000 Sheep 1200 Veals 300 Porkers 400 Sturks or young Biefes 6800 Lambs 300 Flitches of Bacon and 26 Boares Also 140 Dozen of Geese 250 Dozen of Capons 470 Dozen of Hens 750 Dozen of Pullets 1470 Dozen of Chicken For Bread 36400 Bushels of Wheat and for Drink 600 Tun of Wine and 1700 Tun of Beer Moreover of Butter 46640 Pounds together with Fish and Fowl Venison Fruit Spice proportionable This prodigious plenty caused Forreigners to put a higher value upon the King and caused the Natives who were there freely welcome to encrease their affection to the King it being found as necessary for the King of England this way to endear the English who ever delighted in Feasting as for the Italian Princes by Sights and Shews to endear their subjects who as much delight therein The Court of the Queen Consort of England THe Queens Court sutable to the Consort of so great a King is Splendid and Magnificent Her Majesty hath all Officers and a Houshold apart from the King for the maintenance whereof there is settled 40000 l. per annum For the Ecclesiastique Government of her Court there is first the Grand Almoner Father Howard Brother to the Duke of Norfolk He hath the superintendency over all the Ecclesiastiques belonging to the Queen The next is the Dean of the Chappel Doctor Goodwin The Third is the Treasurer of the Chappel Besides there are 4 Almoners and 4 Preachers 11 Franciscan Monks all Portuguez 6 Benedictins all English divers Persons belonging to the Musick of the Chappel to serve at the Altars Porters c. For the Civil Government of Her Majesties Court she hath a Council consisting of Persons of High Worth and Dignity whereof there are 12. 1. The Lord Vicount Cornbury her Lord Chamberlain 2. The Earl of Manchester 3. Earl of Sandwich 4. Lord Brunkard her Chancellour 5. Sir Richard Beclin her Secretary 6. Mr. Harvey Treasurer of her Houshold 7. Sir William Killigrew her Vice-Chamberlain 8. Mr. Montague her Atturney-General 9. Mr. Montague Brother to the Earl of Manchester her Sollicitor General 10. Mr. Montague Son to Lord Montague of Boughton 11. Sir Charles Harbord 12. Sir Henry Wood. Of Her Majesties Bed-Chamber are six Ladies of high rank first the Countess of Suffolk is her Groom of the Stole next are the Dutchess of Buckingham the Countesses of Castlemaine Bath Mairshal and Falmouth Her Majesty hath six Maids of Honour to wait at other times these must be all Gentlewomen unmarried over whom there is placed a Governess called The Mother of the Maids of Honour who is at present the Lady Sanderson The Maids are Mrs Cary Mrs Boynton Mrs Wells Mrs Price c. There are also 4 Dressers viz. the Ladies Scroop Freyser Killegrew and Mrs Le Guard moreover one Laundress Mrs Nun one Seamstress Mrs Chivens There are five Gentlemen Ushers of the Privy Chamber Sir William Courtney c. Five Gentlemen Ushers Daily Waiters Six Pages of the Back Stairs Eight Grooms of the Privy Chamber Two Carvers two Sewers two Cupbearers all Persons of quality Seven Gentlemen Ushers Quarter Waiters Four Pages of the Presence Master of Her Majesties Horse is Mr. Montague Son to the Lord Montague of Boughton To her Stable belong 4 Queries Persons of worth and 13 Grooms and 3 Messengers c. Of the Court of the Queen Mother THe highest Office in Her Majesties Court is that of Lord Chamberlain and Steward of Her Majesties Revenue enjoyed at present by Henry Lord Germin Earl of St. Albans whose Salary is and a Table of Dishes Monsieur Vantelet Vice-Chamberlain whose Salary is 200 l. per annum The third place is Her Majesties Chancellour enjoyed at present by Sir J. Winter Sir Henry Wood and Sir Robert Long whose Salary is and a Table of Dishes The
Custom was taken up by some of the Nobility and Gentry of eating a more plentiful Dinner but little or no Supper as on the contrary the Romans and Jews anciently and the hotter Climats at this day have little or no Dinners but set Suppers The English are not now so much addicted to Gluttony and Drunkenness as heretofore nor unto Tobacco which perhaps within a few years may be expelled by Coffee Feasting also is not now so â—ommon and profuse as antiâ—ntly for although the Feasts â—t Coronations at the Installations of Knights of the Garter â—onsecrations of Bishops Entertainments of Ambassadors â—he Feasts of the Lord Mayor of London the Sergeants at Law â—nd Readers Feasts in the Innes of Court are all very sumptuous â—nd magnificent in these times â—et compared to the Feasts of â—ur Ancestors seem to be but â—iggardly and sparing for Richard Earl of Cornwall Brother â—o Henry 3 had at his Marriâ—ge Feast as is recorded Thirâ—y thousand Dishes of Meat â—nd King Richard the 2d at a Christmass spent daily 26 Oxen â—oo Sheep besides Fowl and â—ll other Provision proportionably so antiently at a Call 〈◊〉 Sergeants each Sergeant saitâ— Fortescue spent sixteen hundred Crowns which in thosâ— dayes was more than 1600â— now The English that feed not over liberally whereto the greâ—â— plenty and variety of Vianâ—â— entice them nor drink mucâ— Wine but content themselvâ—â— with Small Ale or Sider bâ— especially the later are observed to be much more health and far longer lived than any 〈◊〉 our Neighbour Nations For Apparel or Clothing the French Mode hath been genâ—rally used in England of laâ—â— years In the time of Queen Elizabeth sometimes the Hiâ—â— Dutch sometimes the Spanisâ— and sometimes the Turkish and Morisco Habits were by the English worn in England when the Women wore Doublets with Pendant Codpieces on the Breast full of Tags and Cuts moreover Gallygascons Fardingales and Stockings of divers Colours but since the Restauration of the King now raigning England never saw for matter of wearing Apparel less prodigality and more modesty in Clothes more plainness and comeliness than amongst her Nobility Gentry and Superiour Clergy onely â—he Citizens the Countrey People and the Servants appear clothed for the most part above and beyond their Qualities Estates or Conditions Since our late breach with France the English Men though not the Women have quitted the French Mode and taken a grave Wear much according with the Oriental Nations Churches thorowout all England and all Publick Edifices are generally of Solid Stone covered with Lead Cathedral and Collegiate Churches every where ample and magnificent and the Churches in Market Towns and Opulent Villages spatious and solid enough Houses in Cities that were heretofore usually of Wood are now built of good Stone oâ— Brick and covered with Slatâ— or Tile the Rooms within formerly wainscotted are now hung with Tapistry or other convenient Stuffe and all cieled with Plaister excellent against the rage of Fire against the Cold and Sluttishness The Modern Buildings have been far more slight and of less continuance than the Antient. The Houses of the Nobles and Rich are abundantly furnisht with Pewter Brass Fine Linnen and Plate The mean Mechanicks and ordinary Husbandmen want not Silver â—poons or some Silver Plate in â—heir Houses The Windowes every where â—lased not made of Paper or Wood as is usual in Italy and â—pain Chimnies in most places no â—toves although the far more â—outhern parts of Germany can â—ardly subsist in the Winter â—ithout them England contains 9725 Parishes now allowing to each Parish one with another 80 Families there will be 778000 Families and to each Family 7 persons there will be found in all Five Millions four hundred forty six thousand souls and amongst them about one Million of Fighting Men. As some years before the late Troubles no people of any Kingdom in the World enjoyed more freedom from Slavery and Taxes so generally none were freer from evil tempers and humours none more devoutly religious willingly obedient to the Laws truly loyal to the King lovingly hospitable to Neighbours ambitiosly civil to Strangers or more liberally charitable to the Needy No Kingdom could shew a more knowing prudent Nobility a more valiant Gentry a more learned and pious Clergy or a more contented loyal Commonalty The Men were generall honest the Wives and Women chast and modest Parents loving Children obedient Husbands kind Masters gentle and Servants faithful In a word the English were then according to their Native Temper the best Neighbors best Friends best Subjects and the best Christians in the World Amongst these excellent Tempers amongst this goodly Wheat whilst men slept the Enemy came and sowed Tares there sprang up of later years a sort of people sowre reserved narrow-hearted close-fisted self-conceited ignorant stiff-necked Children of Belial according to the genuine signification of the word ever prone to despise Dominion to speak evil of Dignities to gain-say Order Rule and Authority who have accounted it their honour to contend with Kings and Governours and to disquiet the Peace of Kingdoms whom no deserts nor clemency could ever oblige neither Oaths or Promises bind breathing nothing but sedition and calumnies against the Establisht Government aspiring without measure railing without reason and making their own wild fancies the square rule of their consciences hating despising or disrespecting the Nobility Gentry and Superiour Clergy c. These lurking in all quarters of England have at length with their pestilential breath infected some of the worse natured and worse nurtured Gentry divers of the inferiour Clergy most of the Tradesmen and very many of the Peasantry and prevailed so far as not onely to spoil the best governed State and ruine the purest and most flourishing Church in Christendome but also to corrupt the minds the humours and very natures of so many English insomuch that notwithstanding the late happy restauration of the King and Bishops the incessant joynt endeavours and studies of all our Governours to reduce this people to their pristine happiness yet no man now living can reasonably hope to see in his time the like blessed dayes again without a transplantation of all those sons of Belial as King James in his grave Testament to his Son did intimate without an utter extirpation of those Tares which yet the Clemency and Meekness of the Protestant Religion seems to forbid The Nobility and chief Gentry of England have been even by Strangers compared to the finest Flowre but the lower sort of common People to the coursest bran the innate good nature joyned with the liberal education and converse with Strangers in forreign Countries render those exceeding civil whereas â—he wealth insolence and pride â—f these and the rare converse â—ith strangers have rendred â—hem so distastful not onely to â—he few strangers who frequent England but even to their own Gentry that they could sometimes wish that either the Countrey were less plentiful or â—hat
Cure of Souls To abolish irregularity gotten without a mans own default as by defect of body or birth or by accidental killing of a man c. To abolish the guilt of Simony To allow a Beneficed Clerk for some certain Causes to be Non-Resident for some time To allow a Lay-man to hold a Prebend c. whilst by study he is preparing himself for the Service of the Church To grant Dispensations to sick to Old People to Women with Child to eat flesh on dayes whereon it was forbidden To constitute Publick Notaries whose single Testimony is as good as the Testimonies of any two other Persons He hath the Power to grant Literns Tuitorias whereby any one that brings his Appeal may prosecute the same without any molestation To bestow one Dignity or Prebend in any Cathedral Church within his Province upon every Creation there of a new Bishop who is also to provide a sufficient Benefice for one of the Chaplains of the Archbishop or to maintain him till it be effected By the Stat. Primo Eliz. it is provided that the Queen by the Advice of the Archbishop might ordain and publish such Rites and Ceremonies as may be for Gods glory for edifying the Church and due reverence of the Sacraments He hath the Prerogative to Consecrate a Bishop though it must be done in the presence and with the assistance of two other Bishops as every Bishop gives Ordination but with the assistance of Presbyters to assign Co-adjutors to infirm Bishops to confirm the Elections of Bishops within his Province to call Provincial Synods according to the Kings Writ alwayes directed to him to be Moderator in the Synods or Convocations to give his Suffrage there last of all to visit the whole Province to appoint a Guardian of the Spiritualties during the Vacancy of any Bishoprick within his Province whereby all the Episcopal Rights of that Diocess belong to him all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as Visitation Institutions c. The Archbishop may retain and qualifie 8 Chaplains which is 2 more than any Duke by Statute is allowed to do The Archbishop of Canterbury hath moreover the Power to hold divers Courts of Judicature for deciding of Differences in Ecclesiastical Affairs as his Court of Arches his Court of Audience his Prerogative Court and his Court of Peculiars of all which shall be handled particularly and apart in the Second Part of the Present State of England These and other Prerogatives and Priviledges the Wisdom of our first Reformers thought fit to be retained and added to the Chief Person under the King of the Church of England The next Person in the Church of England is the Archbishop of York who was antiently also of very high repute in this Nation and had under his Province not only divers Bishopricks in the North of England but all the Bishopricks of Scotland for a long time until the year 1470 when Pope Sixtus the 4th created the Bishop of St. Andrews Archbishop and Metropolitan of all Scotland He was also Legatus Natus and had the Legantine Office and Authority annext to that Archbishoprick He hath still the place and precedence of all Dukes not of the Royal Blood and of all Great Officers of State except only the Lord Chancellour hath the Title of Grace and Most Reverend Father hath the Honour to Crown the Queen and to be her perpetual Chaplain He is stiled Metropolitan of England and hath under his Province the Bishopricks of York Durham Carlile Chester and that of the Isle of Man Hath the Rights of a Count Palatine over a certain Territory near York erected by King Rich. 2. into a County Palatine May qualifie also 8 Chaplains and hath within his Province divers other Prerogatives and Priviledges which the Archbishop of Canterbury hath within his own Province The next in place amongst the Clergy of England are the Bishops so called from the Saxon word Biscop and that from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Speculator Explorator vel Superintendens an Officer amongst the Heathen so called quia praeerat pani victui quotidiano Episcopus enim apud Christionos praeest pani victui spirituali All the Bishops of England are Barons and Peers of the Realm They are Barons by a threefold manner which cannot be said of the Lay Lords they are Feodal in regard of their Lands and Baronies annext to their Bishopricks They are Barons by Writ being summoned by the Kings Writ to Parliament and they are created Barons by Patent which at their Consecration is alwayes exhibited to the Archbishop They have the Precedence of all Temporal Barons under Vicounts In the Parliament have place in the Upper House in a double capacity not only as Barons but as Bishops for before they were Barons they had in all times place in the Great Council of the Kingdome and there ever placed on the Kings right hand not only to give their Advice as the Judges do but ad tractandum ordinandum statuendum definiendum c. They have the Title of Lords and Right Reverend Fathers All Bishops in England have one or two transcendent Priviledges which seem almost Regal as In their own Courts to judge and pass Sentence alone by themselves without any Collegue or Assessor which is not done in other of the Kings Courts for the Bishops Courts though held by the Kings Authority Virtute Magistratus sui are not accounted to be properly the Kings Courts and therefore the Bishops send forth Writs in their own Names Teste the Bishop and not in the Kings Name as all the Kings Courts properly so called do Moreover Bishops have this other transcendent Priviledge To depute their Authority to another as the King doth either to their Bishops Suffragans to their Chancellours to their Commissaries or other Officers which none of the Kings Judges may do All Bishops have one Priviledge above and beyond all Lay Lords viz. That in whatsoever Christian Princes Dominions they come their Episcopal Dignity and Degree is acknowledged and they may quatenus Bishops confer Orders c. whereas no Lay Baron Vicount Marquiss nor Duke is in Law acknowledgeed such out of the Dominions of the Prince who conferred those Honours The Laws and Customs of England are so tender of the Honour Credit Reputation and Person of Bishops our Spiritual Fathers that none might without special Licence from the King first obtained be endited of any Crime before any Temporal Judge Upon severe Penalty by our Laws no man may raise reports whereby Scandal may arise to the Person of any Bishop or Debate and Discord between them and the Commons of England In Civil Trials where a Bishop is Plaintiff or Defendant the Bishop may as well as any Lay Lord challenge the Array 〈◊〉 one Knight at least be not â—eturned of the Jury and it â—hall be allowed unto him as 〈◊〉 Priviledge due to his Peerage In Criminal Trials for life all â—ishops by Magna Charta and â—tat 25 Edw. 3.
Baron was used for Vir as at this day Baron or Varon in the Spanish Tongue is used for the same so that a Baron is Vir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vir Notabilis Principalis so the Chief Burgesses of London antiently and still those of the Cinque Ports are called Barons Antiently those Barons only were accounted Peers of the Realm that held of the King per integram Baroniam which consisted of 13 Knights Fees and one third part each Knights Fee being 20 l. which make in all 400 Marks and whoever had so much was wont to be summoned to Parliament Now to hold per Baroniam is to hold per haereditatem Baronis whether greater or less Barons in the beginning of the Raign of H. 3. were not of so much repute as afterwards when that King after that great Rebellion against him was supprest called by Writ unto Parliament only such great men as had continued loyal which the succeeding Kings observing they only were accounted Peers of the Realm that were called by the Kings special Writ and the others lost their Peerage The Earls Palatines and Earls Marchers of England had antiently also their Barons under them as in Cheshire there are yet such Barons but as no Bishops but those that hold immediately of the King are Peers of the Realm for the Bishop of Man holding immediately of the Earl of Derby is no Peer so no Barons but those that hold immediately of the King are Peers of the Realm Caput Baroniae is some Castle or Chief Seat of a Nobleman which is not to be divided amongst Daughters if there be no Son but must descend to the Eldest Daughter caeteris filiabus aliunde satisfactis Lands holden by Barony doth not make the purchaser that is ignoble to be noble although the charge of such Tenure doth lie upon him in respect of the Service of the Realm no more than Lands by Villain Service doth make the Purchaser that is a Freeman a Villain though he shall thereby be bound to his Villain Service due for those Lands Barons are sometimes made by Writ being thereby called to sit in the Higher House of Parliament but most usually by Patent All the fore-mentioned Degrees have the Title of Lord from the Saxon word Laford Dominus All the Lords of England both Spiritual and Temporal are Feudataries to the King and in their Creation and also in their Succession do swear an Oath of Fealty and do Homage to the King their Soveraign and pay certain Duties as Signs and Symbols of their Subjection to their Prince All Honours in England are given by the King who is the sole Fountain of Honour The Law of England prohibiteth all Subjects of the Realm to receive any Title of Honour or Dignity of the Gift of any Forreign Prince King or Emperour Est enim jus Majestatis inter Insignia summae potestatis None of these Honours bestowed by the King on a Family can be lost but by want of Issue or else by some heinous Crime and then that Family cannot be restored to their Blood but by Parliament All Noblemen at their Creation have two Ensigns to signifie two Duties Their Heads are adorned ad consulendum Regem Patriam tempore pacis and they are girt with a Sword ad defendendum Regem Patriam tempore belli The several Degrees of the English Nobility are differenced and distinguisht one from another by their Titles and Ensigns of Honour A Duke hath the Title of Grace and being written unto may be stiled Most High Potent and Noble Prince A Marquiss Most Noble and Potent Prince An Earl Most Noble and Potent Lord. A Vicount Right Noble and Potent Lord. And A Baron Right Noble Lord. Their Coronets are all different A Baron hath a Coronet of 6 Pearls upon the Circle given to that honour by the present King A Vicount hath a Coronet with 8 Pearls without the Circle â—n â—â—arls Coronet hath the Pearls raised The Marquiss a Pearl and Strawbeâ—ry Leaf round And a Dukes Coronet only Leaves without Pearls They are more especially distinguisht by their Robes of Parliament by their several Guards on their Mantles or Short Cloaks about their Shoulders A Baron hath but 2 Guards a Vicount two and and a half an Earl 3 a Marquiss 3 and a half and a Duke 4. The Nobility of England have in all times enjoyed many considerable Priviledges All Peers of the Realm being lookt on as the Kings Hereditary constant Counsellours their Persons out of Parliament time are priviledged as others in Parliament time from all arrest unless for Treason Felony or breach of Peace Condemnation in Parliament or Contempt to the King No Supplicavit can be granted against them No Capias or Exigent sued out against them for Actions of Debt or Trespass No Essoin lies against any Peer of the Realm In Criminal Causes Treason or Felony they cannot be tried by any other Jury but by a Jury of Peers of the Realm who are not as other Juries to be put to their Oath but their Veâ—dict given in upon their Honour sufficeth In Civil Causes they are not to be empanelled upon any Jury nor upon any Enquests de facto though in a matter between two Peers In case any Peer be returned upon any such Jury there is a special Writ for his discharge Upon no case to be bound to the good behaviour nor put to swear they will not break the Peace but only to promise it upon their Honour which was ever counted so sacred as upon no terms to be violated A Peer of the Realm may not be put to the Rack or Torture to discover the truth though accused of High Treason Every Peer of the Realm called to Parliament hath the Priviledge in his lawful absence to constitute a Proxy to vote for him which none of the Commons may do Also in places of trust committed to them they are allowed to make Deputies by reason of the necessity supposed in the Law of their attendance on the Person of the King Though neither Civil Law nor Common Law allow any others Testimony to be valid but what is given upon Oath yet the Testimony of a Peer of England given in upon his Honour without any Oath is esteemed valid and they were wont to be examined upon their Allegeance and the Loyalty of their Chivalry and to put in their Answer to a Bill super honorem without taking an Oath though of later times that Priviledge by the neglect of some Lords hath been infringed sometimes A day of Grace by the favour of the Court is not to be granted to the Plaintiff in any Suit or Action wherein a Peer of the Realm is Defendant and this by Statute Law because the Law presumes that a Peer of the Realm must alwayes be ready to attend the Person of the King and the Service of the Commonwealth and therefore it is not to be delayed longer than the ordinary use of the Court
and that by reason of their Honourable Order and Employment and also to all Bannerets made under the Kings Banner or Standard displayed in an Army Royal in open War and the King personally present Note also That if any of the Degrees of Nobility above-mentioned are descended of the Blood Royal they are to have place of all those of the same Degree with them Moreover Observe that all the Nobles of the same Degree take place according to the Seniority of their Creation There are certain Marks of State that belong to each Degree amongst the Nobility which they may practise or not practise at pleasure A Duke may have in all places out of the Kings presence a Cloth of Estate hanging down within half a yard of the ground so may his Dutchess and her Train born up by a Baron and no Earl to wash with a Duke without the Dukes pleasure A Marquiss may have a Cloth of Estate reaching within a yard of the ground and that in all places out of the presence of the King or a Duke and his Marchioness to have her Train born by a Knights Wife and no Vicount to wash with a Marquiss but at his pleasure An Earl also may have a Cloth of Estate without Pendants but only Fringe and a Countess may have her Train born by a Gentlewoman out of the presence of her Superiours and in their presence by a Gentleman A Vicount may have a Cover of Assay holden under his Cup while he drinks but no Assay taken as Dukes Marquisses and Earls may have And a Vicountess may have her Gown born up by a Woman out of the presence of her Superiours and in their presence by a Man A Baron may also have the Cover of his Cup holden underneath whilst he drinketh and a Baroness may have her Gown born up by a man in the presence of a Vicountess All Dukes eldest Sons be as Earls and the younger as Lords with the addition of their Christian Names as Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Dukes eldest Son of the Blood Royal shall take place of a Marquiss that is not and of an Earl that is of the Blood Royal. A Marquisses eldest Son is called Lord of a place and the younger Sons Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Marquisses eldest Son of the Blood Royal shall go before an Earl that is not and of a Vicount that is of the Blood Royal. An Earls eldest Son is called Lord of a place and all his Daughters Ladies but his younger Sons not Lords An Earls eldest Son of the Blood Royal takes place of a Vicount that is not and of a Lord that is of the Blood Royal. A Vicounts eldest Son is no Lord nor his Daughters Ladies and therefore the eldest Son and the eldest Daughter of the first Vicount of England is said to be the first Gentleman and Gentlewoman without Title in England A Vicounts eldest Son of the Blood Royal takes place of all Barons The Princes of the Blood the Great Officers of the Realm and the Bishops are to precede according to an Act of Parliament 31 H. 8. The Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Lord President of the Kings Council Lord Privy Seal These being Barons or above shall in Parliament sit above all Dukes except the Son Brother Grand-Child or Nephew of the King The Lord High Steward of England is not here named because it was intended that he should not continue beyond the occasion for which he should be made Next hath place the Lord Great Chamberlain of England then the Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal the Lord High Admiral Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold These shall sit after the Lord Privy Seal above all of their Degree only And if the Kings Principal Secretary be a Baron he takes place of all Barons that are not of the Offices before mentioned but if he be a Vicount or higher Degree he shall take place only according to his Degree Also if the Kings Secretary be a Bishop as antiently was usual he takes place next to the Bishop of Winchester of all other Bishops that have none of the Offices aforesaid All Dukes Marquisses Earls Vicounts and Barons not having any of the said Offices shall take place according to the antiently of their Creation All Dukes eldest Sons have the Title of Earls and the eldest Son of an Earl hath the Title of the Earls Barony and sometimes of the Vicountry according to the Patent A Catalogue of the Peers of England according to their Precedence Dukes of the Royal Blood JAMES Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster Lord High Admiral of England the Kings only Brother Rupert Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holderness Edgar Duke of Cambridge The Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Privy Seal take place before all Dukes not of the Blood Royal. Dukes Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk William Seymour Duke of Somerset George Villars Duke of Buckingham Charles Stuart Duke of Richmond George Monk Duke of Albemarle James Scot Duke of Monmouth William Cavendish Duke of Newcastle Marquisses John Pawlet Marquiss of Winchester Edward Somerset Marquiss of Worcester Henry Pierrepont Marquiss of Dorchester Earls These three take place in respect of their Offices Bertue Earl of Lindsay Lord High Chamberlain of England James Butler Earl of Brecknock Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Edward Montague Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold Earls Awbrey de Vere Earl of Oxford Algernon Percy Earl of Northumberland Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent Charles Stanley Earl of Derby John Mannours Earl of Rutland Theophilus Hastings Earl of Huntingdon William Russel Earl of Bedford Philip Herbert Earl of Pembroke Theophilus Clinton Earl of Lincoln Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham James Howard Earl of Suffolk Richard Sacvile Earl of Dorset William Cecil Earl of Salisbury John Cecil Earl of Exeter John Edgerton Earl of Bridgewater Robert Sydney Earl of Leicester James Compton Earl of Northampton Charles Rich Earl of Warwick William Cavendish Earl of Devonshire Basil Fielding Earl of Denbigh George Digby Earl of Bristol Lionel Cranfield Earl of Middlesex Henry Rich Earl of Holland John Hollis Earl of Clare Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbroke Mildmay Fane Earl of Westmorland Montague Earl of Manchester Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire Thomas Wentworth Earl of Cleveland Edward Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave Thomas Savage Earl Rivers Bertue Earl of Lindsay Nicolas Knowles Earl of Banbury Henry Cary Earl of Dover Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Henry Grey Earl of Stamford Henage Finch Earl of Winchelsey Charles Dormer Earl of Caernarvon Montjoy Blunt Earl of Newport Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield John Tufton Earl of Thanet William Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spenser Earl of Sunderland James Savil Earl of Sussex George Goring Earl of Norwich Nicholas Leak Earl of Scarsdale John
Willmot Earl of Rochester Henry Jermin Earl of St. Albans Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich James Butler Earl of Brecknock Edward Hyde Earl of Clarendon Arthur Capel Earl of Essex Thomas Brudnel Earl of Cardigan Anthony Annesly Earl of Anglesey John Greenvile Earl of Bath Charles Howard Earl of Carlile John Craven Earl of Craven Thomas Bruce Earl of Alisbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Vicounts Leicester Devereux Vicount Hereford Francis Brown Vicount Montague James Fiennes Vicount Say and Seale Edward Conway Vicount Conway Baptist Noel Vicount Camden William Howard Vicount Stafford Thomas Bellasis Vicount Falconbridge John Mordant Vicount Mordant George Savil Vicount Halifax Barons John Nevil Lord Abergavenny James Touchet Lord Andley Charles West Lord de la Warre George Berkly Lord Berkly Thomas Parker Lord Morly and Monteagle Francis Lennard Lord Dacres Conyers Darcy Lord Darcy and Menil William Stourton Lord Stourton William Lord Sandys de la Vine Edward Vaux Lord Vaux Thomas Windsor Lord Windsor Thomas Wentworth Lord Wentworth Wingfield Cromwel Lord Cromwell George Evre Lord Evre Philip Wharton Lord Wharton Francis Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Paget Lord Paget Dudly North Lord North. William Bruges Lord Chandos William Petre Lord Petre. Dutton Gerard Lord Gerard. Charles Stanhop Lord Stanhop Henry Arundel Lord Arundel of Warder Christopher Rooper Lord Tenham Fulk Grevil Lord Brooke Edward Montague Lord Montague of Boughton Charles Lord Howard of Charlton William Grey Lord Grey of Wark John Robarts Lord Robarts John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlet Lord Pawlet William Mainard Lord Mainard Thomas Coventry Lord Coventry Edward Lord Howard of Escrick Warwick Mohun Lord Mohun William Butler Lord Butler Percy Herbert Lord Powis Edward Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Francis Seymour Lord Seymour Francis Newport Lord Newport Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh of Stonelty Christopher Hatton Lord Hatton Henry Hastings L. Loughborough Richard Byron Lord Byron Richard Vaughan Lord Vaughan Charles Smith Lord Carington William Widrington Lord Widrington Humble Ward Lord Ward Thomas Lord Culpeper Isaack Astley Lord Astley Richard Boyle Lord Clifford John Lucas Lord Lucas John Bellasis Lord Bellasis Lewis Watson Lord Rockingham Charles Gerard Lord Gerard of Brandon Robert Sutton Lord Sutton of Lexinton Charles Kirkhoven Lord Wotton Marmaduke Langdale Lord Langdale William Crofts Lord Crofts John Berkley Lord Berkley Denzil Hollis Lord Hollis Frederick Cornwallis Lord Cornwallis George Booth Lord de la Mere. Horatio Townsend Lord Townsend Anthony Ashley Cooper Lord Ashley John Crew Lord Crew c. Henry Bennet Lord Arlington John Freschevile Lord Fresschevile Richard Arundel Lord Arundeâ— of Trerice Of Temporal Lords or Peer of England there are at presenâ— about 170 whereof there arâ— 10 Dukes 3 Marquisses 6â— Earls 8 Vicounts and 78 Barons whereas within 60 yearâ— last past there was not onâ— Duke but one Marquiss abouâ— 20 Earls 3 or 4 Vicounts anâ— 40 Lords The Laws and Customs of England alwayes willing that Decorum and Conveniency should be every where observed and considering the Charges and Expences appertaining to the several Degrees of Honour as they belong to Men of Principal Service to the King and Realm both in time of War and Peace expected that each of them should have a convenient Estate and Value of Lands of Inheritance for the support of their Honours and the Kings Service Therefore antiently when the intrinsique value of a Pound Sterling was worth 30 l. of our Money now every Knight was to have about 800 Acres reckoned at 20 l. yearly in Land that is about 600 l. of our Money at this day A Baron to have 13 Knights Fees and one third part which amounted to 400 l. which multiplied by 30 was as much as 8000 l. a year at this day An Earl 20 Knights Fees and a Duke 40. And in case of decay of Nobility or that they had so far wasted their Revenues that their Honours could not decently be maintained as the Roman Senators were in such case removed from the Senate so sometimes some English Barons have not been admitted to sit in the Higher House of Parliament though they kept the Name and Title of Dignity still For the better support oâ— these Degrees of Honour the King doth usually upon the Creation of a Duke Marquiss Earl or Vicount grant an Annuity or yearly Rent to them and their heirs which is so annext to the Dignity that by no Grant Assurance or any manner of Alienation can be given from the same but is still â—ncident to and a support of the same Creation contrary to that Principle in Law That every Land of Feesimple may be charged with a Rent in Fee-simple by one way or other To a Duke the King grants 40 l. heretofore a considerable Pension to a Marquiss 40 Marks to an Earl 20 l. and to a Vicount 20 Marks To Barons no such Pensions is ordinarily granted onely the late King creating Mountjoy Blount the late Earl of Newport Lord Mountjoy of Thurlston granted him a Fee of 20 Marks per annum to him and his heirs for ever As the King of England hath ever had the repute of the richest in Domaines of any King in Europe so the Nobility of England have been accounted the richest in Lands of any Neighbouring Nation some having above 20000 l. yearly others 15000 and so many of them above ten that if one with another they have 10000 l. yearly it will amount to in all amongst the 160 Lords Sixteen hundred thousand pounds a year about the ninth part of the yearly Revenue of all England which upon Computation is found to be about Fourteen Millions yearly The English Nobility for Valour Wisdome Integrity â—nd Honour hath in all former Ages been equal to any in Christendom Every Lords House was a kind of a well disciplined Court insomuch that the Gentry Males and Females were wont to be sent thither for vertuous breeding and returned excellently accomplisht At home their Table Attendance Officers Exercises Recreations Garb was an Honour to the Nation Abroad they were attended with as brave numerous and uniform Train of Servants and Followers as any â—uâ—ope not thinking it consistent with their Honours to be seen walk the Streets almost in Cuerpo with one Lackey or not that much less to be found drinking in a Tavern c. If the English Nobility by â— long continued Peace excessive Luxury in Diet want oâ— Action c. were before thâ— late Wars born more feeble in body than their Ancestors anâ— by too fine and too full Dieâ— afterwards were rendred weaker in mind and then during thâ— late troubles by much licentiousness and want of fit Education were so debauched thaâ— it was lately difficult to finâ— as some are bold to affirme the Courage Wisdom Integrity Honour Sobriety and Courtesie of the Antient Nobility yet is it not to be doubted but that under a Warlike Enterprising Prince all those Vertues of their Fore-Fathers may spring afresh especially if we consider the vicissitude
Garter upon the Left Leg upon pain of paying 2 Crowns to any Officer of the Order who shall first claim it onely in taking a Journey a Blew Ribon under the Boot doth suffice Upon the Left Shoulder upon Cloak Coat or Riding Cassack in all places of Assembly when they wear not their Robes they are to wear an Escutcheon of the Arms of St. George that is a Cross with a Garter and this by an Order made April 1626. That Ornament and Embellishment about the said Escutcheon now worn and called the Star or rather the Sun in its glory was at the same time enjoyned The The greatest Monarchs of Christendome have been enrolled and have taken it for an Honour to be of this Order There have been of this Order since the Institution 8 Emperours 25 or 26 Forreign Kings besides many Soveraign Princes c. The Fellows and Companions of the Most Noble Order of St. George are at present these that follow ranked according as they are seated in their several Stalls at Windsor IN the first Stall on the right hand is the Soveraigne of the Order King Charles the Second who is Patron and Sole Disposer of the Order The Stall opposite to His Majesty is now void In the other Stalls on the Sovereign Side are thus placed these that follow 2 The Duke of York 3 Prince Rupert 4 Marquiss of Brandenbourgh 5 Earl of Salisbury 6 Earl of Northumberland 7 Duke of Buckingham 8 Earl of Bristol 9 Count Marsin 10 Earl of Sandwich 11 Duke of Richmond 12 Earl of Strafford 13th Stall is void On the other side opposite to these afore-named are placed in this Order these that follow 2 Prince Elector Palatine 3 Prince of Orenge 4 Prince of Denmark 5 Earl of Berkshire 6 Duke of Ormond 7 Duke of Newcastle 8 Prince of Tarent 9 Duke of Albemarle 10 Earl of Oxford 11 Earl of Manchester 12 Duke of Monmouth 13th Stall on this Side also is void The whole number of Fellows of this Order is not to exceed 26. In the next place are Knights Bannerets Equites Vexilliferi antiently a high Honour now obsolete there being at this time none of this Order in England These may bear Supporters of their Arms and none under this Degree Knights of the Bath so called of their Bathing used before they are created The first of this sort were made by Henry 4th Anno 1399. They are now commonly made at the Coronation of a King or Queen or Installation of 〈◊〉 Prince of VVales They weaâ— a Scarlet Ribon Belt-wise They are still made with much Ceremony too long here to be described Other Knights called Equites Aurati from the Gilt Spurs usually put upon them and Knights Batchelors quasi Baschevaliers Knights of lower Degree So Bachelors in Arts or Divinity quasi Low Knights or Servitors in Arts. These were antiently made by girding with a Sword and Gilt Spurs and was bestowed onely upon Sword men for their Military Service and was reâ—uted an excellent and glorious Degree and a Noble Reward â—or Courageous Persons but â—f late being made more common and bestowed upon â—own Men contrary to the â—ature of the thing as Degrees â—n the University are sometimes â—estowed upon Sword men it â—s become of much less reputaâ—ion Yet amongst Gown men 〈◊〉 is given only to Lawyers and â—hysitians and not to Divines â—ho may as well become that Dignity and be Spiritual Knights as well as Spiritual Lords These are now made with no other Ceremony but kneeling down the King with a drawn Sword lightly toucheth them on the Shoulder after which heretofore the King said in French Sois Chevalier au nom de Dieu and then Avances Chevalier When a Knight is to suffeâ— death for any foul Crime hiâ— Military Girdle is first to be ungirt his Sword taken away hiâ— Spurs cut off with an Hatchetâ— his Gantlet pluckt off and hiâ— Coat of Arms reversed Next amongst the Loweâ— Nobility are Esquires so called from the French word Escuyers Scutigeri because they were wont to bear before the Prince in War or before the better sort of Nobility 〈◊〉 Shield or else perhaps because they bear a Coat of Arms as Ensigns of their descent and by our Lawyers are called Armigeri Of this Title are first all Vicounts eldest Sons and all Vicounts and Barons younger Sons and by the Common Law of England all the Sons of Earls Marquisses and Dukes are Esquires and no more Next are the Esquires of the Kings Body mentioned among the Officers of the Kings Court after these are reckoned Knights eldest Sons and their eldest Sons for ever then younger Sons of the elder Sons of Barons next Esquires created by the King by putting about their Necks a Collar of Esses and bestowing on them a pair of Silver Spurs Lastly any that are in superiour Publick Office for King or State are reputed Esquires or equal to Esquires as Justices of the Peace Mayors of Towns so Councellours at Law Batchelors of Divinity Law or Physick although none of them really are so In the last place among thâ— lower Nobility are accounted the Gentry of England that have no other Title but are descended of antient Families that have alwayes born a Coaâ— of Arms. This Kind of Honour is derived from the Germans to the rest of Christendome and was never known in any Countrey where the German Customs were unknown as in Asia Africa and America The Germans antiently warring oft amongst themselves painted their Scutcheons with the Picture of some Beast Bird or other thing for distinction and put some eminent and visible Mark upon the Crest of their Helmets and this Ornament both of Arms and Crest descended by inheritance to their Children to the eldest pure and to the rest with some note of distinction such as the Old Master of Ceremonies in High Dutch Here-alt now Herald thought fit Gentlemen well descended and well qualified have alwayes been of such repute in England that none of the higher Nobility no nor the King himself have thought it unfitting to make them sometimes their Companions The Title of Gentleman in England as of Cavalier in France Italy and Spain is not disdained by any Nobleman All Noblemen are Gentlemen though all Gentlemen are not Noblemen The State of Gentry was antiently such that it was accounted an abasing of Gentry to put their Sons to get their Living by Shop-keeping and our Law did account it a disparagement of a Ward in Chivalry to be married to a Shop-keepers Daughter or to any meer Citizen for Tradesmen in all Ages and Nations have been reputed ignoble in regard of the doubleness of their Tongue without which they cannot grow rich for Nihil proficiunt nisi admodum mentiuntur as Tully observed and therefore amongst the Thebans no man was admitted to places of Honour or Trust unless he had left off trading ten years before So by the Imperial Laws a Tradesman is not capable of any
to E. Chamberlayn she writes her self Susanna Clifford Chamberlayn Notwithstanding all which their condition de facto is the best in the World for such is the good nature of Englishmen towards their Wives such is their tenderness and respect giving them the uppermost place at Table and elsewhere the right hand every where and putting them upon no drudgery and hardship that if there were a Bridge over into England as aforesaid it is thought all the Women in Europe would run thither Besides in some things the Laws of England are above other Nations so favourable to that Sex as if the Women had voted at the making of them If a Wife bring forth a Child during her Husbands absence though it be for some years within England and not beyond the Seas that Husband must father that Child If a Wife bring forth a Child begotten by any other before Marriage yet the present Husband must own the Child and that Child shall be his Heir at Law The Wife after her Husbands death may challenge the third part of his yearly Rents of Lands during her life and within the City of London a third part of all her Husbands moveables for ever As the Wife doth participate of her Husband Name so likewise of his Condition If he be a Duke she is a Dutchess if he be a night she is a Lady if he be an Alien made a Denison she is ipso facto so too If a Freeman marry a Bondwoman she is also free during the Coverture wherefore it is said as before Uocor fulget radiis Mariti All Women in England are comprised under Noble or Ignoble Noble Women are so three manner of wayes viz. by Creation by Descent and by Marriage The King the Fountain of Honour may and oft hath created Women to be Baronesses Countesses Dutchesses c. By Descent such Women are Noble to whom Lands holden by such Dignity do descend aâ— Heir for Dignities and Titles of Honour for want of Males descend to Females but to one of them onely because they are things in their own nature entire and not to be divided amongst many as the Lands and Tenements are which descend to all the Daughters equally besides by dividing Dignities the Reputation of Honour would be lost and the Strength of the Realm impaired for the Honour and Chevalry of the Realm doth chiefly consist in the Nobility thereof By Marriage all Women are Noble who take to their Husbands any Baron or Peer of the Realm but if afterwards they 〈◊〉 to Men not Noble they 〈◊〉 their former Dignity and follow the condition of their laâ—â— Husband for eodem modo distolvitur earum Nobilitas quo constituitur But Women Noble by Creation or Descent or Birthright remain Noble though they marry Husbands under their Degree for such Nobility is accounted Character indelebilis Here note that by the Courtesie of England a Woman Noble only by Marriage alwayes retaineth her Nobility but if the Kings Daughter marry a Duke or an Earl illa semper dicitur Regalis as well by Law as Courtesie Noble women in the Eye of the Law are as Peers of the Realm and are to be tried by their Peers and to enjoy most other Priviledges Honour and Respect as their Husbands Only they cannot by the opinion of some great Lawyers maintain an Action upon the Statute De Scandalo Magnatum the Makers of that Statute meaning only to provide in that Case for the Great Men and not for the Women as the words of that Statute seem to import Likewise if any of the Kings Servants within his Check Roll should conspice the death of any Noblewoman this were not Felony as it is if like Conspiracy be against a Nobleman None of the Wives Dignities can come by Marriage to their Husbands although all their Goods and Chattels do onely the Wives Lands are to descend to her next Heir yet is the Courtesie of England such that as the Wife for her Dower hath the third part of her Husbands Lands during her life so the Husband for the Dignity of his Sex and for playing the Man in begetting his Wife with Child which must appear by being born alive shall have all his Wives Lands for his Dower if it may be so called during his life By the Constitutions of England married persons are so fast joyned that they may not be wholly separated by any agreement between themselves but only by Sentence of the Judge and such separation is either a Vinculo Matrimonii and that is ob praecontractum vel ob contractum per metum effectum vel ob frigiditatem vel ob affinitatem sive Censanguinitatem vel ob Saevitiam or else such separation is a Mensa Thoro and that is ob Adulterium The Wife in England is accounted so much one with her Husband that she caunot be produced as a witness for or against her Husband Concerning Children in England The Condition of Children in England is different from those in our Neighbour Countries As Husbands have a more absolute Authority over their Wives and their Estates so Fathers have a more absolute Authority over their Children Fathers may give all their Estates from their own Children and all to any one Child and none to the rest the consideration whereof keeps the Children in great awe Children by the Common Law of England are at certain ages enabled to perform certain Acts. A Son at the age of 14 may choose his Guardian may claim his Lands holden in Socage may consent to Marriage may by Will dispose of Goods and Chattels At the age of 15 he ought to be sworn to his Allegeance to the King At 21 he is said to be of full age may then make any Contracts may pass not only Goods but Lands by Will which in other Countries may not be done till the Annus consistentiae the age of 25 when the heat of youth is somewhat abated and they begin to be staied in mind as well as in growth A Daughter at 7 years is to have aid of her Fathers Tenants to marry her for at those years she may consent to Marriage though she may afterwards dissent At 9 she is dowable as if then or soon after she could virum sustinere and thereby Dotem promereri At 12 she is enabled to ratifie and confirm her former consent given to Matrimony and if at that age she dissent not she is bound for ever she may then make a Will of Goods and Chattels At 14 she may receive her Lands into her own hands and is then out of Wardship if she be 14 at the death of her Ancestor At 16 though at the death of her Ancestor she was under 14 she shall be out of Wardship because then she may take a Husband who may be able to perform Knights-service as well as hers At 21 she is enabled to contract or alienate her Lands by Will or otherwise The Eldest Son inherits all Lands and to the younger Children are disposed Goods and Chattels and commonly the Eldest Sons Wives Portion and besides they are carefully educated in some Profession or Trade If there be no Son the Lands as well as Goods are equally divided amongst the Daughters Concerning Servants in England The Condition of Servants in England is much more favourable than it was in our Ancestors dayes when it was so bad that England was called the Purgatory of Servants as it was and is still the Paradise of Wives and the Hell for Horses Ordinary Servants are hired commonly for one year at the end whereof they may be free giving warning 3 Moneths before and may place themselves with other Masters only it is accounted discourteous and unfriendly to take another Mans Servant before leave given by his former Master and indiscreet to take a Servant without a Certificate of his diligence and of his faithfulness in his Service to his former Master All Servants are subject to be corrected by their Masters and Mistresses and resistance in a Servant is punisht with severe penalty but for a Servant to take away the life of his or her Master or Mistris is accounted a Crime next to High Treason and called Petty Treason and hath a peculiar Punishment Capital Slaves in England are none since Christianity prevailed A Slave brought into England is upon landing ipso facto free from Slavery but not from ordinary service Some Lands in England are holden in Villanage to do some particular Services to the Lord of the Mannor and such Tenants may be called the Lords Servants There is a Twofold Tenure called Villanage one where the Tenure only is servile as to plow the Lords ground sow reap and bring home his Corn dung his Land c. the other whereby both Person and Tenure is servile and bound in all respects at the disposition of the Lord such persons are called in Law pure Villans and are to do all Villanous Services to improve the Land he holds to the Lords use themselves to be wholly at the Lords Service and whatever they get is for their Lord of such there are now but few left in England The nearest to this condition are Apprentices that signifies Learuers a sort of Servants that carry the Marks of pure Villans or Bond-slaves as before in the Chapter of Gentry is intimated differing however in this that Apprentices are Slaves only for a time and by Covenant the other are so at the Will of their Masters FINIS Name Climat Dimensions Aire Soyle Comâ—odities Inhabitants Their Language Stature Dyet Attire Buildings Number of Inhabitants Dispositions and humours of the Inhabitants Recreations Weights and Measures Measures Moneys English Coâ—â—â—tation English Numbring English Names Surnamesâ— Name Title Arms. Patrimony Dominions Person Office Power and Prerogative Supremacy and Soveraignty Divinity Respect Minor â—capaâ—ty Absence â—â—me â—erogaâ—es Dignity Eldest Son Title Arms. Dignity Priviledges Revenues Cadets Name Surname Genealogy Birth Baptisme Court Education Marriage Arms. Lord Chancellour Dignity Office Oath Salary Lord Treasurer Oath Office Lord Privy Seal Dignity Admiral Office Chamberlain Constable Earl Marshal High Steward Clergy their Dignity Name Degrees Bishop Archbishop Suffragan Bishop Dean Archdeacon Priviledges of the Clergy Archbishop Canterbury York don Revenues of the Clergy Name Use Degrees Duke Marquisâ— Earl Vicount Baron Priviledges Precedence State Marquiss Earl Vicount Baron Number Revenue Baronets Knights Knights of the Garter Knights Bannerets Knights of the Bath Knights Bachelors Gentleman