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 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
Marshall desiring they would bee pleased to deliuer and discharge his pledges Wherevpon the said Conestable and Marshal did humblie desire the King to release them because the Defender is alreadie come and presented before his Maiestie there to performe his duetie But in case the Defender did not come at time conuenient in the day appointed then did the King deliuer his pleasure vnto the Conestable and he report the same vnto the Marshall who forthwith did giue order vnto his Liutenant that the Defender should be presentlie called to appeare by the Marshall of Herehaults in the South called Clarentieux and in case the Marshall of Herehaults of the King in the South were not present then was the proclamation made by some other Herehault of King Clarentieux But if the Combat were performed in the North on the other side of the Riuer of Trent in the circuite of the King Norre then was his Marshall to make proclamation The words of the Proclamation was to this effect Oiez G. D. Defendant in this Combat appeare now for in this day thou hast taken vppon thee to acquite thy pledges in presence of the Lords Conestable and Marshall and also defend thy person against A.G. who challenged thee to mainteine the cause of this Combat This Proclamation was made thrice at euerie corner of the Lists but if at the second time the partie appeared not then the Herehault did add these words The day passeth and therefore come without delay And if in case the said Defendant appeared not before noone but staied vntill the third houre after then did the Herehault by commandement of the Conestable and Marshall in the beginning of the Proclamation say A.G. appeare in hast saue thine honor for the day is well neere spent wherein thou diddest promise to performe thine enterprize It was also vsed that the Conestable his Clarke should in a booke record the houre of the fighters appearing within the Listes either on foote or on horsebacke in what sort they were armed of what colour the horses were how they were in all poynts furnished It was also auncientlie vsed that the Conestable moued the King in fauour of the Fighters and knowe whether his Maiestie were pleased to appoynt any of his Nobilitie or other seruants of reputation to assist them in Combat The Conestable and Marshall did suruay the Launces and other weapons wherewith the Combat should bee performed making them equall and of euen measure The Conestable also appoynted two Knights or Squires vnto the Challenger to keepe the place free from impediments the like was also done for the Defender The Conestable did also mooue the King to knowe whether his Maiestie in person would take the othes of the Fighters or giue him and the Marshall authoritie to doo it out of his presence The Conestable also did send the Marshall vnto the Challenger and his councell to make readie his oath declaring that after that ceremonie all protestations should be voyd After these preparations the Conestable caused his Clarke to bring foorth the booke wherevpon the Combatters were solemnelie sworne The first Oath THe Conestable hauing caused his Clarke to reade the Challengers bill calling him by his name and said Dooest thou conceiue the effect of this bill Here is also thine owne Gauntlet of defiance Thou shalt sweare by the holie Euangelistes that all things therein conteined be true and that thou mainteine it so to be vpon the person of thine aduersarie as God shall helpe thee and the holie Euangelists The oath thus taken he was led back vnto his former place and the Conestable did cause the Marshall to produce the Defender who tooke the like oath This oth was euer takē the parties kneeling vnlesse it pleased the Conestable and Marshall to pardon that duetie The second Oath THe second Oath was also indifferentlie propounded to either of them viz. That they had not brought into the Listes other Armour or weapon than was allowed neither any engen instrument herbe charme or inchantment and that neither of them should put affiance or trust in any thing other than God and their owne valours as God and the holie Euangelistes should helpe them That done they were both sent backe to their places of entrie The third Oath was thus THe Combatters being againe called were commanded by the Conestable to take one the other by the hand and lay their left hands vpon the booke which done the Conestable said I charge thee A.B. Challenger vpon thy faith that thou doo thine vttermost endeuour and force to proue thine affirmation either by death or deniall of thine aduersarie before he departeth these Lists and before the Sunne goeth downe this day as God and the holie Euangelists shal helpe thee The verie same oath in like manner vsed was offered vnto the Defender and that done the Fighters returned vnto their places friends and councellers These ceremonies ended an Herehault by commandement of the Conestable and Marshall did make proclamation at foure corners of the Lists thus Oiez Oiez We charge and commande in the name of the King the Conestable and Marshal that no man of what state title or degree soeuer shall approach the Listes neerer than foure foote in distance nor shall vtter any speach word voyce or countenance whereby either the Challenger or Defender may take aduantage vppon paine of losse of life liuing and goods to be taken at the Kings good pleasure Then the Conestable and Marshall assigned a place cōuenient within the Lists where the King of Herehaults and their officers should stand and bee readie if they were called for afterwards al things were committed to their charge aswell on the behalfe of the Defender as the Challenger as if any thing were forgotten in their confessions either touching their lands or consciences or that any of them desired to eate or drinke All those lacks were supplied by the Herehaults and none other But here is to bee noted that no meate or drinke might bee giuen vnto the Challenger without leaue first asked of the aduersarie who did not denie the request And after the Herehault ought goe vnto the Conestable and Marshall and make them priuie to desire their fauour that the Fighters might eate drinke or ease their bodies After these orders taken the Conestable and Marshall did auoyd the Listes of all sorts of persons saue onlie one Knight and two Esquires armed to attend on the Conestable and the like number to await on the Marshall either of them hauing in his hand a Launce without head readie to depart the Fighters if the King did command Of more auncient time the Conestable and Marshall were vsed to haue certeine Liutenants and seruants within the Listes Also the one part to keepe order on one side the others to looke vnto the other side And if the Queene happened to behold the Combat then the Conestable and Marshall awaited on the Kings side and their Liutenants attended on the Queene Then did the Conestable
giue them in almes to the poore That in walking either in the Court or Citie his pace should not be swift or hastie vpon paine to bee reproued of his fellowe Knights and punished at the great Masters discretion That he should not speake any thing vnfit or offensiue to his fellowes in Armes vpon paine to aske him forgiuenes and to bee banished the Court for three moneths That he should not commence or enter suite of lawe against the daughter of any Knight vpon paine neuer to haue Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court to his mistris or wife That if he happened to meete with any Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court he should foorth with alight from his horse and offer her his seruice vpon paine to lose one moneths wages and the fauour of all Ladies That if any Ladie of Honor required seruice at his hand he refusing to doo it hauing power should be called for euer the discourteous Knight That he should not eate alone nor at any time feed vpon grosse meates That he should not enter quarrell with any of his fellowe Knights or if any such disagreement did happen that he nor any other Knight should make partie but by all good meanes seeke to reconcile them vpon paine to pay a marke towards the charge of the next Iusts That if any man not being of this Order should presume to weare the Band that then he should bee forced to fight with two Knights but vanquishing them should be also a Knight himselfe being vanquished should bee banished the Court and neuer to weare the Band. That if at any Iusts or Turnaments in the Court a Gentleman being not of the Order should winne the prize then the King was bound forthwith to make him a Knight of the Band. That if any Knight of the Band did offer to draw his sword against any of his fellowes for so dooing should absent himselfe two moneths and two other moneths weare but halfe his Band. And if a Knight did hurt his fellowe in Armes he should be imprisoned one halfe yeare and the next halfe yeare be banished the Court. That no Knight for any offence should bee punished or iudged before he were brought to the King and his pleasure signified That he should bee euer furnished to attend on the King whensoeuer he went to the warre and if any battell were striken then ought these Knights ioyntlie to giue the charge and if in any such seruice a Knight performed not his part he should lose one yeares pay and one other yeare weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight should be inforced to serue in any warre saue onlie against the Infidels Or attending on the King to any other warre to weare no Band and if he serued any other Prince in his warre he should lose the Band. That all the Knights should assemble three times a yeare to consult vpon matters perteining to the Order The assemblie was at such place as the King pleased to appoynt and there they awaited with their Horse and Armour the first meeting was in Aprill the second in September and the last in Christmas That all the Knights of this Order should fight at the Turney at the least twise euerie yeare Iust foure times a yeare play at the Canes sixe times a yeare and manage horses euerie weeke And who so failed to performe all or any of these Knightly exercises should attend on the King one moneth without a Sword and one other moneth without a Band. That if the King did come to any citie or towne that then the Knights within eight daies after should prepare a place for the Iusts and Turniaments they should also exercise all other warlike weapons and if any Knight were negligent in these things hee should bee confined to his lodging and weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight might remaine in Court without a Mistris with intent to marrie her and not dishonor her and whensoeuer she pleased to walke he was to attend on her on foote or horsebacke to doo her all honor and seruice That if any Iusts were holden within ten mile of the Court euerie Knight to bee there vnder paine to go without his Sword for one moneth and without his Band another moneth That if any of these Knights were married within twentie miles of the Court all the rest should accompanie him to the King to receiue a gift and from thence to the place of wedding to exercise feates of Armes there and euerie Knight to present the Bride with some gift That the first Sonday of euerie moneth all the Knights should shewe themselues armed before the King readie to performe any action of Armes at the Kings pleasure for the King would not haue them be onlie Knights in name but in deed also That in no Turniament there should bee more Knights than thirtie on one partie and so many on the other partie that no Sword should be brought into the place but such as were rabbated both of edge and poynt And that vpon the sound of Trompet the fight should begin and at the sound of the Clarions euerie man to cease from fight and retire vpon paine that who so failed should neuer more enter into that Combat and be banished the Court for one moneth That at euerie day of Iusts each Knight should passe foure Carieraes before foure Knights appoynted for Iudges they who brake no staues in those courses should pay the charge of the Iusts That if any Knight were sicke and in perrill of death all other his fellowe Knights should visite him and exhort him to godlines And if indeed he did dye to accompanie his corse to the graue Also to mourne in blacke one whole moneth and absent themselues from the exercise of Armes for the space of three moneths except the King should otherwise command That within two daies after such funerall all the Knights should assemble and present the Band of the dead Knight vnto the King making humble suite for some of his sonnes to succeed if any of them were meete praying it would please his Maiestie to be good to the mother that she might liue according to her honorable calling Knights of San Iago CAP. 13. NExt vnto the Knights aforesaid for honor and estimation are these Knights of S. Iames in Spaine by the Spaniards called Caualieri di San Iago The originall of which Order was this At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered that Countrie the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the lawes of that barbarous Nation retired themselues vnto the mounteines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeares of their abode there certeine Gentlemen consulting together determined to make an assotiation and begin a warre vppon the Infidells These Gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certeine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of marriage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare
them the great Antiochia before which they begun the siege the 20. of October and tooke it the last of May following where they found Corbona King of Persia and Cassiano Lord of Antiochia Neere vnto that place in one other conflict were slaine more then an hundred thousand Turkes with the losse of foure thousand of ours The cause of this victorie was in that time of Superstition imputed to the vertue of a bloudie Launce found in Antiochia which they supposed to bee a Speare wherewith Christ was wounded on the Crosse. It was also said that the Turks did see or imagine to see as they reported another great Armie comming against them from the Mounteines conducted by three Capteines mounted vppon three white horses the beholding whereof occasioned their flight This victorie being had a Nauie ariued frō Genoa and from Venice Also with them came certeine ships conducted by one Vymer of Bullein in Picardie a notable Pirate who repenting his former life determined to followe that honorable action The Christian forces thus increased they marched towards Ierusalem and besieged it And notwithstanding the Citie was of great force yet by Gods helpe and the valorous aduenture of the Christians it was assaulted and in the end yeelded Anno 1099. This Citie thus conquered the said Peter as the chiefe procurer of the enterprise was highlie honored and Godfrey Duke of Lorayn elected King of the Holy land But to returne vnto the originall of these Knights I say that somewhat before the Christians conquered the Citie of Ierusalem they had obteined of the Saracens leaue to dwell neere vnto the Sepulcher of Christ and there builded an house calling it the Hospitall of Christians whether all other Christians dailie resorted After that the number of Christians increasing they builded another house for women calling it S. Mary Magdalens And at length they made a third house and called it S. Iohn Baptists where for the keeping of good order they appoynted an Officer whom they called Rector Sometime after was elected vnto that Rectorship a Gentleman called Gherardus who commaunded that he with all others of that house should weare a white Crosse vpon a blacke garment which was the originall of the Order and euer since hath been vsed Afterwards one other Rector or great Master was elected whose name was Raimondus to whom authoritie was giuen that he should gouerne and commaund all the Knights of this Order wheresoeuer they were dispersed Many yeares after these Knights conquered the I le of Rhodi holden by the Turkes Anno 1308. which was the cause they were called Knights of Rhodi And diuers Princes seeing them Martiallie enclined gaue vnto them great lands and possessions they became greatlie esteemed for their seruice chieflie against the said Turkes and the Soldan King of Egipt and Ierusalem The said I le of Rhodi during those Knights inhabited there was foure times assaulted yet by Gods helpe with the valiancie of the Knights it was defended Then Mahomet Ottoman Emperour of Turkie Anno 1480. with an excessiue force of men and an hundred sailes of Gallies conducted by a Bassa borne in Greece discended of the rase of Paleologhi sometime Emperours of Constantinople did besiege it but after 89. daies of continuall batterie they were forced to abandon the enterprise and for their farewell in the last assault the Knights slewe more then fortie thousand Turkes But in the yeare 1523. in the moneth of Ianuarie the Turkes againe inuaded that Iland and after three moneths siege preuailed for the rest of Christendom neuer vouchsafed them either aide or reliefe Since the losse of Rhodi these Knights haue remained in the Iland of Malta and often defended it against the enemies of Christendome but chieflie in the yeare 1565. The first erector of Statutes and rules for the gouernment of these Knights was the said Raimondus calling himselfe Raimondo di Poggio seruo di poueri di Christo è custode dello spidale de San Giouanni Battista di Hierusalemme No man might be receiued into this Knighthood vntill he had prooued his gentilitie in presence of the great Master and other Knights Nor no man discended of a Moore a Iew or Mahometan might bee admitted although he were the sonne of a Prince And euerie Knight of this Order was sworne to fight for the Christian faith doo iustice defend the oppressed relieue the poore persecute the Mahometans vse vertue and protect widdowes and orphants Diuers other Articles there bee but for that they are full of Superstition I omit them The originall of the Knights Teutonici CAP. 19. THese Knights do not much varie from the former for their custome is to intertein Pilgrimes and at occasions to serue in warre The beginning of this Knighthood was a certeine Almaine who after the taking of Ierusalem by the Christians together with diuers others of that Nation remained there This Almaine being exceeding rich and married kept a franke and liberall house relieuing all passengers and Pilgrimes that trauailed to Ierusalem in so much as his house became as an Hospitall or place of ordinarie accesse At length he builded neere vnto it a faire Church which according to the vse of that time he did dedicate to our Ladie Not long after many Christians resorting thether as well for loue of the Christian religion as to visite the sicke they resolued to erect a fraternitie and hauing chosen a great Master to bee Gouernour ordeined that euerie man of that assotiation should bee apparelled in white and vpon their vppermost garment weare a blacke Crosse. It was also agreed that no man should bee admitted into that Order saue onelie Gentlemen of the Dutch Nation and they to protest at all occasions to aduenture their liues in defence of Christes Gospell About 88. yeares after Ierusalem had remained in the Christians hands it was taken againe from them by the Saracens in the yeare 1184. since which time it neuer was recouered For which cause these Knights retired to Tolemaida where they remained At length Tolemaida being also taken by the Saracens they returned into Germanie their naturall countrie Where after some short abode as loathing rest and idlenes they went vnto Frederigo the second then Emperour in the yeare 1220. to let his Maiestie vnderstand that the people of Prussia vsed incursions vpon the confines of Saxonie adding that those people were barbarous Idolaters without the knowledge of God and therefore besought his Maiestie to grant them leaue to make warre vpon them at their owne charges yet with condition that whatsoeuer they gained his Maiestie would giue the same to the maintenance of that Order and they the Knights to be the Lords thereof for euer The Emperour allowing of that suite presentlie granted them the Countrie and vnder his seale confirmed the gift These Knights by this donation much incouraged forthwith tooke Armes and within short space subdued al that Prouince and then passed the riuer of Vistola and conquered other people who became their subiects