The Defenders were The Earle of Oxford the Lord Windsor Philip Sidney Edward Norris Henrie Knowles Robert Knowles Fulke Greuill Thomas Kneuet Thomas Kellaway Rafe Bowes George Goring George Gifford Anthonie Cooke Henrie Bronkerd Edward Denie Richard Ward Sir Thomas Parrot The Prize was giuen to the Earle of Oxford TO these actions of Armes may be added the notable Turniament on horsebacke within her Maiesties Pallace at Westminster which became the more rare and memorable for that it was performed in the night The manner whereof in briefe was thus It pleased her Maiestie according to her Princelie custome in receiuing of noble strangers to conuite vnto supper the Duke Momorancie chiefe Marshall of France at that time come hether to take the honourable Order of the Garter This magnificent supper ended it pleased her Highnesse the weather being warme to walke out of her Chamber into the open Tarrace whether also awaiting on her went the said Duke and all others of the French Nobilitie with the Ambassadours Lords and Ladies of this Court. At her Maiesties comming to the North side of the Tarrace there were prepared and set rich Chaires Cushions and Carpets In which place it pleased her to stay intertaining most gratiouslie the said Duke other noble strangers Next vnto them were placed the Ladies Lords Counsellors and other persons of reputation according to their degrees and conueniencie of the roume So as the said Tarrace was on all sides beset with Lords Ladies and persons of qualitie sumptuouslie apparelled and richlie furnished and among them both aboue and vnder stood manie of the Guard in their rich coates holding an infinite number of Torches and so in the preaching place by which meane to those that beheld the Tarrace in this sort furnished they deemed it rather a Theater celestiall than a Pallace of earthlie building The place with this royall presence replenished sodeinlie entered the Earle of Essex and with him twelue Gentlemen armed at al peeces and wel mounted The Earle and his horse was furnished with white cloath of siluer and the rest in white sattin who after reuerence done to her Maiestie marched to the East side of the Court there in troope stood firme Forthwith entred the Earle of Rutland with a like number in like sort armed and apparelled all in blewe and hauing presented his reuerence staied on the West end Before either of these Bands one Chariot was drawne and therein a faire Damsell conducted by an armed Knight who presented certeine speeches in the French tung vnto her Maiestie These Ceremonies past the Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight which was performed with great courage commendation chiefly in the Earle of Essex a noble personage valerous in Armes and all other waies of great vertue Trulie this action was meruailouslie magnificēt appeared a sight exceeding glorious to those that wer below looking vpward to the Tarrace wher her Maiestie the Lords and Ladies stood so pompously apparailed Iewelled and furnished as hardly can bee seen the like in anie Christian Court as my selfe and other the Actors at occasions staying from fight with great admiration did behold and thinke Of the Actors names in this Combat it seemeth no note is kept yet are manie of them liuing NOt inferiour but farre exceeding in princelie pompe and qualitie of Actors was that royall Combat and fight on foote before her Maiestie the 1. of Ianuarie Anno 1581. where Monsieur of France the Prince d' Aufine the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Leicester the Count S. Aignon Monsieur Chanuallon and Monsieur Barqueuille were Challengers The Defenders were The L. Thomas Howard Sir William Russell Monsieur Brunys Monsieur S. Vincent Sir Thomas Cicill Henry Grey Iohn Borough Lord Windsor Walter Windsor Le Boylere Le Cheualier Ambrose Willoughbie Sir William Drurie Thomas Radcliffe Lord Sheffeld Robert Cary George Carew Fulk Greuill William Knowles Francis Knowles Thomas Kneuet Lord Darcie Anthony Mildmay Rafe Stauerton Lancelot Bostock George Beeston William Worthington Thomas Kellaway Sir George Carey Rafe Bowes Henrie Windsor Iohn Wotton George Goring Edward Moore George Giffard Thomas Borough Anthonie Cooke Hercules Newtas Richard Skipwith Henrie Bronkard Iohn Parker Francis Darcie Iohn Tyrrell They are not here placed according to their degrees but as they were called to fight AFter so manie royall and statelie Triumphs it may be thought superfluous to insert the ordinarie exercises in Armes almost yearely vsed on the 17. of Nouember in memorie of the applause of all subiects at her Maiesties comming to the Crowne of England as euen this last yeare was vsed by the right noble and valerous Earle of Essex a Gentleman of great hope or rather vertuous proofe and singular perfection In liew whereof or rather to auoide iteration of names we haue here set down those Lords and Gentlemen that haue been Actors in publique exercises of Armes on horsebacke sith her Maiesties raigne as chieflie by Master Clarentieux notes doth appeare By consideration of which persons as well in qualitie as number it may easilie bee conceiued that the magnificence of her Maiesties Court is equall or exceeding the Courts of other Kings her noble predecessors They are not here placed in order of their degrees but according to the time of the Actions wherein it pleased them to be and with such titles as they since had or now haue The Duke of Norffolke The Earle of Sussex The Earle of Warwick The Earle of Leicester The Earle of Ormond The L. Honsdon The L. Scroope The L. Darcie The L. North. The L. Norris The L. Charles Howard The L. Grey The L. Stafford The L. Henrie Seymor The Earle of Oxenford The Earle of Essex The Earle of Rutland The Earle of Arundel The L. Windsor The L. Thomas Howard The L. Sheffeld The L. Borough The Earle of Essex The L. Willoughbie The L. Strange The Earle of Comberland The L. Brough of Ireland Knights and Gentlemen Sir Christopher Hatton Knight of the Order Sir George Howard Edward Fitzgarret Sir Robert Constable Sir Henrie Lee. Anthonie Digbie Thomas Warcop Thomas Markham Sir George Beeston Sir William Gorge Henrie Haruie Edward Hongarford Thomas Cornwallis Iohn Iernegan Robert Colsel Robert Wiseman Francis Haruie Sir Thomas Layton William Howard Sir Edward Harbert Sir Henrie Cobham Walter Windsor Sir Henrie Kneuet Sir George Carey Henrie Knowles William Norris Rafe Lane Sir Iohn Dauers George Delues Sir Henrie Grey Lancelot Bostock Brian Ansley Sir Ierome Bowes Sir Thomas Cicill Henrie Mackwilliam Thomas Bedingfield Sir Richard Bulkeley Thomas Kneuet Sir William Knowles William Worthington Edward Cary. Sir Thomas Gorge Richard Blunt Thomas Moore Thomas Coningesbie Robert Alexander Roger Clopton William Hyfeld Thomas Cotton Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Philip Sidney Sir William Russell Sir Thomas West Robert Knowles Iohn Carey Fulke Greuill Rafe Bowes Iohn Zouch Sir William Drurie Thomas Kellaway George Goring Iohn Ludcot Edward Greuill William Tressam Edward Moore Iohn Tyrrell Henrie Bronkard Sir Thomas Parrot
other Herehaults cried aloud saying This is the Helmet of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thether a Bason of gold or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Herehaults with a loud voyce sayd What is this Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the King of Armes sayd That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitor and such a one as hath broken the ordinance of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplins Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trompets What shall be done with him To which words the King answered Let him bee with dishonor and shame banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath done offence against the honor of Knighthood When the King had so said the King of Armes and other Herehaults cast the warme water on the disgraded Knights face as though he were a new baptized saying Hencefoorth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitor Then the King together with twelue other Knights put vppon them mourning garments declaring sorowe and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the stage not by the staiers he mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignomie he was brought vnto the Altar and there laied groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses These were the Ceremonies vsed at the degradatiō of Knights in the time of Sir Tristram Sir Lancelot and other famous Knights who were no doubt men very valiant in Armes but by meanes of writers that haue added vnto their acts many vntruths their prowesse and enterprises are holden as fables How many orders and degrees of Knighthood haue been and of them how many yet extant CAP. 6. 1 THe first and most noble order both for antiquitie and honor is that of the GARTER 2 The next to it is that of the TOSON 3 The third is that of S. MICHAEL 4 The fourth is that of the NVNTIATA 5 There is also one newe order of Knighthood in France called the Order of S. ESPRIT whereof I am not fullie enformed All these Knights be called Knights of the Coller in signe they excell others in Honor and reputation as those Orders whereinto Emperours Kings and Princes doo enter Next to these in dignitie are 1 The Knights of the BAND 2 The Knights of S. IAGO 3 The Knights of CALATRAVA 4 The Knights of ALCANTARA 5 The Knights of MONTESIO 6 The Knights of REDEMPTION 7 The Knights of MALTA 8 The Knights TEVTONICI The third sort of Knights are 1 The Knights of the SEPVLCHER 2 The Knights of SANTA MARIA 3 The Knights of S. LAZARO 4 The Knights of S. STEFFANO These may bee called rather Knights of Superstition than persons of Honor. Among these wee make no mention of Knights of the Round Table neither haue wee set downe the Knights of Amadis de Gaule nor of Orlando Furioso Yet doo I suppose some part of those stories to bee matters of trueth although writers haue added vnto them things incredible By which meane the histories themselues are holden fabulous Wee haue not here spoken of the Knights of the Starre nor of them which were called Knights of the Spurre which orders are extinct or not regarded The Knights Templers were also long since cleerelie suppressed Of the Order of the Garter CAP. 7. EDWARD the third King of England after he had obteined many great victories King Iohn of France King Iames of Scotland being both prisoners in the Tower of London at one time and King Henrie of Castile the bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this Order in his Kingdome Anno 1350. vppon no weightie occasion as is reported Notwithstāding the same is and long hath been in so great honor as Emperours Kings and Princes haue desired to bee of that companie accompting it great Honor. The number of this Colledge or fellowship is 26. Knights and when any of them dye another is chosen by consent of the companie The Soueraine of the Order is the King of England his heires and successors This Order was dedicated to S. George as the Aduocate of those Knights The custome was long that these Knights yeerely held a feast at the Castle of Winsor where is also the Church founded by the same King Edward who likewise gaue great stipends to certeine Priestes to serue there It is not commonlie knowne what was the occasion that mooued the King to make this Order but thus haue I heard it vulgarlie reported That King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court tooke vp a Garter that happened to fall from one of them whereat some of the Lords smiling the King said vnto them that or it were long he would make that Garter to bee of high reputation Vpon this ground it is sayd the Order tooke beginning Euerie yeare all the Knights on the feast day of S. George are bound to resort vnto Windsor or such other place as by the Soueraine shall be appoynted The principall Officers apperteining to this most honorable Order are these The Prelate The Chancellor The Register The King of Armes named Garter and the Vsher called the Blacke Rod. Which places are presentlie furnished with these persons viz. Doctor Cooper Bishop of Winchster Prelate Master Iohn Wolly Esquire one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell Chauncellor Doctor Day Deane of Winsor Register Master W. Dethicke chiefe King of Armes Garter Master William Norris Esquire Vsher. The Statutes of this great Order are remaining with the sayd Master Garter a Gentleman verie studious in his facultie and carefull to preserue the Records belonging vnto the Nobilitie of England From him I receiued the names of these Knights of the first institution of the GARTER which I found in an auncient booke of his written in the French tongue The first Knights of the Order King Edward Soueraine The Prince of Wales his sonne The Duke of Lancaster The Earle of Warwicke The Capteine de Buch. The Earle of Stafford The Earle of Salisburie The Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholmew de Bourchesh Sir Iohn Bewchamp The Lord of Mahun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas de Holland Sir Iohn de Grey Sir Richard Fitzsimond Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh Wortesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Dandely Sir 〈◊〉 de Holang Sir Henrie Eme. Sir Fauchet de Prichcourt Sir Walter Pauelly The names of those that are presentlie of the same most noble Order The Queene of England Soueraine The King of Spaine The Duke Casemirus The Vice Conte Montacute The Earle of Shrewsburie Earle Marshall of England The Lord of Honsdon Lord Chamberlein The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Hontingdon The Lord Bourleigh Lord Threasurer of England The Lord Grey The Earle of Darbie The Earle of Pembrooke The L. Howard of Effingham L. Admirall of England The Lord Cobham
he confessed The King gaue sentence he should bee drawne and hanged Anno. 1384. Regni Rich. 2. A Combat was fought betweene Sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the third blowe giuen the King staied the fight Anno 1441. Regni Henr. 6. A Combat was graunted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cipres and Thomas de la Marshe bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of King Edward the 3. at Westminster Certaine Combats for Triumph Honor and Loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England CAP. 11. IN the former Chapter wee made mention of the Ceremonies appertaining to Combats for life as they were ancientlie vsed Nowe I thinke fit for the furniture of this worke brieflie to remember some speciall exercises of Armes brought before the Princes of this realme for Honor and loue of Ladies onlie and among the rest as actions most worthie memorie wee will touch certeine particular Combats or as they are commonlie called Triumphs Iusts and Turniaments performed before our present Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth a Prince of so great magnanimitie and wisedome as by imitation of her most noble and princelie vertues the Court of England both for Armes and learning hath in her raigne excelled all others Triumphs before King Edward the third IN the raigne of King Edward the third a royall Iust was holden at Lincoln by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certeine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Ladie Ioane daughter to the King who should haue been married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died Anno. 1348. A Triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles Valloys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno. 1349. IN Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thether came also noble persons of other Nations as Spaniards Ciâ—riots and Armenians humblie desiring aide against the Pagans Anno 1361. A Triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthonie Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgondie Anno. 1444. A Triumph before King Henrie the sixt ONe other notable action of Armes was persosonallie performed in Smithfield betweene a Knight of Spaine called Sir Francis le Aragonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honor from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall Challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him The memorie of which action remaineth with Master Garter principall King of Armes Triumphs before King Henrie the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne Triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Váughan was hurt and died 1494. ONe other Triumph was in the same Kings dayes performed in the Tower of London Anno. 1502. Triumphes before King Henrie the eight BVt farre exceeding al these was that magnificent Iusts Turniments at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henrie the eight of England K. Frances the French King who choosing vnto them xiiij others did challenge to runne at the Tylt and fight at the Turney and Barrier with all commers The Chalengers were The King of England the King of France the Duke of Suffolke the Marquis Dorcet Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Iernegan Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland Sir Giles Capell with these were so manie other French GeÌ„tlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thether came Monsieur de Vandosme the Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euerie of theÌ„ bringing in a faire Band of Knights well armed This most noble Challenge of these two mightie Kings accompanied with xiiij other Knights of either Nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King of Armes in England France Germanie Anno 12 Hen. 8. ONe other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet Edward Neuell Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Cuer loyal the Lord William Bon voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Vailliant desir and Edward Neuill Ioyous penser Defenders were The Lord Grey Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blont Thomas Cheyney Thomas Tyrrell Sir Rowland Christopher Willoughby the L. Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquis Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshire Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Cuer Loyall among the Defenders to Edmond Howard ANother solempne Challenge was proclaimed and performed by certaine English Knights vz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seymour Sir Francis Poinings Sir George Carew Anthonie Kingston and Richard Cromwell Anno. 1540. Of like Actions in Armes sith her Maiesties Raigne these doo seeme most notable as appeareth by the memorialls of M. Clarentieux a Gentleman verie diligent in her Maiesties seruice and carefull to obserue things to the Honor of her Maiesties Court. ONE solempne Iust Turniment and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scrope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers and with great honour answered all Commers The Defenders names are not extant A Royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard Sir Henrie Lee and Christopher Hatton The Defenders were The Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seymour Edward Harbart Sir George Carie Thomas Cicill Henrie Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henrie Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkelcy Thomas Kneuet William Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Lancelot Bostocke Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliams Thomas Bedingfield Thomas Moore William Worthington Richard Blunt Thomas Conyngesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three daies The first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barriers On euerie of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a Prize for the receiuing whereof they were particularlie led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The Prize at the Tilt on the Defenders partie was giuen vnto Henrie Grey At the Turney vnto the L. Henrie Seymor at the Barriers vnto Thomas Cicill Before them went Clarentieux king of armes in his rich coate of Armes This magnificent Combat was performed Anno 1571. AN honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his Assistant Sir William Drewrie challenged all commers Anno 1580
THE BOOKE OF HONOR and Armes AT LONDON Printed by Richard Ihones dwelling at the signe of the Rose and Crowne neere Holburne Conduit 1590. THE BOOKE OF HONOR and Armes VVherein is discoursed the causes of Quarrell and the nature of Iniuries with their repulses Also the meanes of satisfaction and pacification with diuers other things necessarie to be knowne of all Gentlemen and others professing Armes and Honor. Fortes magnanimi sunt habendi non qui faciunt sed qui propulsant iniuriam TO THE RIGHT HOnorable Sir Christopher Hatton Knight of the most noble Order and Lord Chancellor of England Richard Ihones Printer wisheth long life with encrease of happinesse RIght Honorable the manifold testimonies of your loue both vnto Honor and Armes haue induced me to think the first sight of this small booke doth of right belong vnto your Lordship being by the due degrees of vertue ascended to that place which among others in this Realme is and long hath been reputed most honorable To your L. therefore I humblie dedicate the same as vnto him that by censure of our Soueraigne with the applause of people hath in hand the consideration of actions apperteining to equitie Honor and Iustice. The propertie of which vertue as Cicero saith is to foresee that no violence be offered but onlie by him that with iniurie is thereunto prouoked and that things common should bee commonlie vsed and priuate things priuatlie enioyed By which rule appeareth that vertue alloweth iust reuenge and admitteth the defence of propertie and right But for that your Lordship hath been as well an actor in Armes as a knower of what is due to Honor I omit to say more either of the one or the other beseeching your good Lordship to pardon my boldnesse and take in acceptable wise the entent of the Author who both by election and obligation acknowledgeth himself yours Your Lordships euer to commaund Richard Ihones To the Reader THE cause of all Quarrell is Iniurie and reproach but the matter of content is Iustice and Honor. For loue whereof we shun no care of minde losse of wealth nor aduenture of life Hereof proceedeth all disputation in Schooles pleading in lawe warre and all worldlie wrangling For who so is either in deede or opinion perswaded to haue truth and reason on his side doth not onlie constantlie beleeue that so it is but also being thereof denied holdeth himselfe iniured and consequently burthened True it is that the Christian lawe willeth men to be of so perfect patience as not onlie to indure iniurious words but also quietlie to suffer euerie force and violence Notwithstanding forsomuch as none or verie fewe men haue attained such perfection the lawes of all Nations for auoyding further inconueniences and the manifestation of truth haue among many other trials permitted that such questions as could not bee ciuilie prooued by confession witnesse or other circumstances should receiue iudgement by fight and Combat supposing that GOD who onelie knoweth the secret thoughts of all men would giue victorie to him that iustlie aduentured his life for truth Honor and Iustice Seeing then that al humaine lawes haue permitted the triall of Armes and that euerie iniurious action not repulsed is by common consent of all Martiall mindes holden a thing dishonorable infamous and reproachfull it cannot be but at some times and occasions such questions and quarrels shall arise as necessarilie must receiue triall by the Sword And Cicero saith that hee who repulseth not an iniurie being able offendeth no lesse than if he had abandoned his friends parents and countrie By these reasons appeareth that the triall by Armes is not onlie naturall but also necessarie and allowable Notwithstanding for that the vulgar sort and many right noble also be ignorant what are the true causes requiring triall of Armes and what words or deedes are of such qualitie as ought bee repulsed or reuenged I haue at the earnest requests and often desires of verie honorable friends by way of abreuiation reduced into this small volume all causes of Quarrell or Combat the nature of Iniuries and repulses the equalitie and disequalitie of men who may bee challenged and for what respects Challenges ought bee refused with many other things in matter of Honor and Armes worthie to be knowne and considered And albeit I am not ignorant that publique Combats are in this age either rarelie or neuer graunted yet for that as is before said no prouidence can preuent the questions and quarrels that daylie happen among Gentlemen and others professing Armes it shall not be amisse but rather behouefull that all men should be fullie informed what iniurie is and how to repulse it when to fight when to rest satisfied what is Honor and good reputation how it is gained and by what meanes the same is kept preserued which was the respect that the Earle Balthazar Castilio in his booke of the Courtier doth among other qualities requireable in a gentleman specially aduise he should bee skilfull in the knowing of Honor and causes of quarrell This booke doth not incite men to vnaduised fight or needles reuenge as some simple wit may surmize but enformeth the true meanes how to shunne all offences or being offended sheweth the order of reuenge and repulse according vnto Christian knowledge and due respect of Honor. And for that the dignitie of Knighthood apperteineth chieflie to Martiall merite I haue thought fit brieflie to touch the original thereof declaring how many Orders or degrees of Knights were in times past and of them how many yet extant We haue not in this worke medled with Armorie or blazing of Badges but chieflie touched matters offenciue to reputation and Honor whereof Combat or particular triall of Armes ought to ensue If ought els is looked for it may bee taken from the learned Tractant Fabrilia fabri FINIS The Contents of this worke diuided into fiue Bookes The first Booke WHat a Combat is and the originall thereof cap. 1. Of the order of challenging and defending cap. 2. For what cause the partie belied ought to challenge and of the nature of the Lie cap. 3. Of the nature and diuersitie of Lies cap. 4. Of Lies certeine cap. 5. Of Lies conditionall cap. 6. Of Lies generall cap. 7. Of Lies speciall cap. 8. Of vaine Lies cap. 9. Whether a man iniured in presence of a Prince it sufficeth of answer in presence of priuate Gentlemen cap. 10. Of the returne of Lies cap. 11. How vpon euerie Lie the triall of Armes is not necessarie cap. 12. Of the forme of a Cartel or letter of Defiance cap. 13. The second Booke OF Iniurie and Burden cap. 1. How shamefull and dishonorable it is to offer iniurie with aduantage and cowardlie cap. 2. That euerie Lie giuen ought not occasion Combat cap. 3. For what causes the Combat is to be granted cap. 4. How betweene Padrines no fight or quarrell ought be cap. 5. Of Armes both offenciue and defenciue cap. 6. Of the election
The Lord Scroope The Earle of Essex The Earle of Ormond Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chauncelor of England The Earle of Sussex The Lord Buckhurst Other degrees of Knighthood in England CAP. 8. THree other sorts of Knights there are in England but because they weare no garment badge or signe to shewe the difference of their degree from other Gentlemen they are not noted or known to strangers for Knights Yet among our selues wee knowe them right well for euerie man hauing that dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William c. But here is to be noted that Knights are not borne but made either before a Battaile to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre they are made for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that doo appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royall authoritie giuen for that purpose or by his Liutenant in the wars who hath his royall absolute power for that time And this order may be resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doth agree with it for seldome in all poynts one Common wealth doth agree with an other nor long any State accordeth with it selfe Equites Romani were chosen ex Censu which is according to their substance and riches Euen so be Knights in England for the most part according to the yearely reuenew of their lands being able to mainteine that estate yet all they that had Equestrem Censum were not in Rome Equites no more are all Knights in England that may dispend a Knights land or fee but they onlie to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honor In Rome the number of Equites was vncerteine and so is it of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum publicum but the Knights of England find horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers valewe but in England who so euer may dispend of his free lands fortie pounds starling of yearely reuenew by an old lawe either at the Coronation of the King or mariage of his daughter or at the dubbing of the Prince Knight or some such great occasion may bee by the King compelled to take that order and honor or to pay a fine which many rich men not so desirous of honor as of riches had rather disburse Some also who for good respect are not thought worthie that title and yet haue abilitie neither bee made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fortie pounds starling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant monie Wherof this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more but that which Miles doth in Latin which is Soldier I know not Some hold opiniō that the word Soldier doth betoken a waged or hiered man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Soldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Capteine which order if the Almaines did followe it may bee that they who were not hiered but being of the Nation vppon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did followe the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almaines some are called Lance-Knights as Soldiers not hiered although they bee well neere all hiered Or it may bee that they which were next about the Prince as his Gard and seruants picked and choyse men out of the rest being called in the Almaine tung Knighten which is as much to say as Seruants these men being found of good seruice the word afterward was taken for an Honor for a man that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is wee in our English doo call him Knight whom the French doo call Cheualier and the Latin Equitem or Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the manner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is striken by the Prince with a Sword drawne vpon his backe or shoulder the Prince saying Soys Cheualier and in times past was added S. George And when the Knight riseth the Prince saith Auancé This is the manner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this poynt and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Herehaults called Knights Batchelers Of Knights of the Bath AT the Coronation of a King or Queene there are made Knights of the Bath with long and curious Ceremonies whereof I am not perfectly enformed Of Knights Bannerets THese Knights are made in the field onlie with the Ceremonie of cutting away the point of his Standerd and making it as it were a Banner he being before a Batcheler Knight shall then become of greater degree allowed to display his Armes in a Banner as Barons do and the wiues of all these three degrees of Knights shall be called Ladies as Barons wiues are The Order of the Toson and the originall thereof CAP. 9. THe number of Knights that were at the first admitted into this Order was 31. who ought bee of noble bloud men of good merite and without reproach The chiefe or head of this companie is he vnto whom the succession of the Dukedome of Burgondy doth lawfullie discend Whosoeuer entereth into this Order shall renounce all other Orders of Knighthood of euerie Prince Companie or Religion Yet out of that lawe are excepted all Emperours Kings and Dukes vnto whom is dispensed that they may weare the Badge of this Order if they bee chiefe and Soueraines of their owne Order But to the end the truth may appeare a generall Counsell of Knights shall bee called to consent vnto that dispensation The Soueraine of this Order hath authoritie himselfe alone to giue and bestowe the Ensigne of the Order which is a Coller of gold wherein are the Armes of Burgondie hauing the Toson of gold hanging thereat This Coller the Soueraine and euerie of the Knights is bound to weare daylie and failing thereof shall incurre a penaltie But in time of warre or great affaires to weare the Toson onlie shall suffice Or if by mishap the Cheine doo breake it is lawfull for mending thereof it may be carried to the Goldsmith Or if any Knight trauailing by the way shall doubt to be robbed he may without offence lay by or hide his Cheine Yet is it not lawfull to encrease the quantitie of the said Cheine nor adde thereunto any other stones or workmanship and most of all it is vnlawfull to sell it engage it or exchange it These and many other Statutes and ordinances the Knights of this noble Order are sworne to obserue and keepe And many of them haue been sith the first institution enlarged altered or