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
Beaumont Lord of the Forrest and of Plessis Mace Iohn of Tutuille Lord of Castiglione Lewis Bastard of Burbon Conte of Rossiglione Admirall of France Anthony of Chiabanes Conte of Dammartin Grand master of the Kings house Iohn Bastard of Armignac Conte of Cominges Marshall of France and Gouernour of the Delfinato George of Trimouille Lord of Craon Gilbert of Gabanes Lord of Croton Seneschall of Vienna Lewis Lord of Cursol Seneschall of Poilou Tanequi of Castello Gouernour of the Prouince of Rossiglion and of Sardena The rest of Knights to be chosen into this Order was deferred vntill the next meeting The place of assemblie of these Knights where their Armes and other Ensignes of Knighthood should be preserued was appointed to be the Church on Mount S. Michael Vnto this Order were appoynted a Threasurer a Chauncellor a Register and one Herehault named Monsanmichaele The Feast ordeined for these Knights was on Michaelmas day yearely to be kept The Statutes apperteining vnto this honorable Order are to be seene in the booke intituled The Ordinances of France Of the Order called the Nuntiata CAP. 11. THis Order was also about the same time begun by Amedeo Conte of Sauoy sirnamed il Verde in memorie of Amedeo the first Earle who hauing valerouslie defended the Iland of Rhody against the Turkes wanne those Armes which deseruinglie is now borne by the Dukes of Sauoya which is a white Crosse in a red field The Coller apperteining to this Order is made of gold and on it these foure letters ingraued in this wise F.E.R.T. which signifieth Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit At the said Coller hangeth a Brooch wherein is the figure of our Ladie and the Angell sent vnto her The Church appoynted for Ceremonies apperteining vnto this Order is called Pietra a Castell within the Diocesse of Belleis whereunto was giuen at the foundation of this Order certeine lands for the sustentation of fifteene Chaplins For continuance of this Order at the time of the constitution were made many honorable ordinances to be kept by the Knights presentlie elected and after to be elected which are to bee found written in the works of Francisco Sansouino These foure Orders aforesaid bee reputed most honorable and are adorned with great Collers in token that for state and dignitie they excell the rest Knights of the Band. CAP. 12. THis Order was first erected by Alfonso King of Spaine sonne to Ferdinando and Queene Constanza in the yeare 1268. And to giue the sayd Knighthood reputation honor the King himselfe with his sonnes and brethren vouchsafed to enter thereinto with them were also admitted diuers other Gentlemen of best qualitie and greatest estimation The cause that mooued the King to name them Knights of the Band was for that he commanded euerie man elected into the Order should weare a certeine red scarffe or lace of silke the breadth of three inches which hung on their left shoulder and was tyed vnder the right arme No man might enter into this Knighthood but such as the King did speciallie admit neither was anie person capable of that dignitie vnlesse he were the sonne of a Knight or some Gentleman of great accompt or at the least such a one as had serued the King by the space of tenne yeares in his Court or in the warre against the Moores Into this Order no Gentleman could bee receiued being an elder brother or an heire in possession or apparance but onelie such as were yonger without land and liueload because the Kings intention was to aduance the Gentlemen of his Court that had not of their owne At such time as any Gentleman was admitted a Knight he promised to obserue these Articles following which I haue thought good particularlie to expresse the rather because they tend onlie to enterteine the minds of men in the offices of Courage and Courtesie without any mixture of superstition whereof almost al other Orders in those daies tasted First that he should speake vnto the King for the commoditie of the Common wealth the defence thereof so often as he were thereunto required And refusing so to doo shall forfeit all his patrimonie and be banished his Countrie That he should aboue all things speake the truth vnto the King and at euerie occasion bee faithfull to his Maiestie That he should not be silent when so euer any person should speake against the Kings honor vppon paine of being banished the Court and depriued of his Band for euer That he should bee no great speaker and in speaking to vtter the truth But if he should affirme or say any vntruth then for a punishment to walke in the streetes without his sword for one whole moneth That he should endeuour himselfe to keepe companie with wise men and persons experienced in the warre For being found to conuerse with Marchants Artificers or base people he should bee therefore greatlie reprooued by the Great Master and for one moneth be commanded to keepe his house That he should mainteine his owne word and faithfullie keepe promise with his friends And being found to doo otherwise to be enioyned to walke and goe alone vnaccompanied of any other of the Kings Court and should not presume to speake or come neere vnto any other Knight That he should alwaies haue good Armour in his Chamber good horses in his stable good Launces in his Hall and a good Sword by his side or otherwise to be called Page and no Knight for one whole moneth That he should not bee seen mounted vppon any Mule or other vnseemelie Hackney neither walke abroad without his Band nor enter into the Kings Pallace without his Sword nor eate alone at home vppon paine to forfeit for euerie such offence one marke towards the mainteining of the Tilt. That he should bee no flatterer of the King or any other person neither take delight in scoffing vpon paine to walke on foote for one moneth and be confined to his house another moneth That he should not complaine of any hurt nor boast of his owne acts nor in curing his wounds crie oh for if in vaunting wise he vttered any ostentacious speach he should bee reprooued by the great Master and let alone vnuisited of all his companions That he should bee no common gamester chieflie at the Dice nor consent that others should play in his house vpon paine to forfeit for euerie such offence one moneths pay and for one moneth and halfe not to be seene in the Court. That he should not in any sort lay to pawne his Armour or weapons nor play away his garments vppon paine to bee imprisoned in his owne house a whole moneth and for two moneths following to go without the Band. That he should be daylie apparelled in fine cloath and on holie daies in silke and on high Feasts weare gold in his garments if he pleased without being compelled so to doo But if he did weare Buskins vpon netherstocks of cloath the great Master should take them from him and
and were made Christians Within short space after these Knights builded diuers Churches and among them some Cathedrall Temples making them places of residence for Bishops who were also inioyned to weare the habit of the Order Neere vnto the riuer Vistola was a great Oake where these Knights builded the first Castle and Towne which with time was encreased and called Borgo di Santa Maria where is now the chiefe Church apperteining to this Order thereunto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and monie compare with diuers Princes This Countrie of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massageti and Polonia These Knights are also Lords of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie and is with Christians now inhabited Knights of the Sepulcher CAP. 20. THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two red Crosses Knights of S. Mary CAP. 21. IN the life of Pope Vrban the fourth at which time was great warre among the Princes of Italie certeine rich Gentlemen of Bolognia and Modona desiring to eschue the present troubles and bee exempt from publique charges desired of that Pope to permit them to liue in contemplation and erect a newe Order of religious Knighthood which for money they obteined calling themselues Knights of Sainct Mary The habit of this Order was verie pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were speciallie inhibited to weare gold in their spurres and horse harnesse They made profession to fight against the Infidels and all others that offended Iustice Notwithstanding they liued euer at home in rest with their wiues and children They were commonlie called Caualieri di Madonna but because they liued continuallie in ease and pleasure men termed them Frati gaudenti as much in our language as Goodfellowe brethren It may bee some of them are yet extant Knights of S. Lazaro CAP. 22. THese Knights of this Order doo pleade great antiquitie saying they were in the time of S. Basil and their profession hath been confirmed by sondrie Popes They also affirme that Fredericke the Emperour sirnamed Barbarossa gaue them great possessiōs in Sicilia Calabria Puglia and Terra di Lauoro And to those lands diuers Popes did adde much Notwithstanding time that weareth all things away did also consume these riches and the Order well neere extinct till of late yeares Pius quartus the Pope did reuiue it who made Gianotto Castiglione a noble Gentelman of Milan great Master These Knights doo professe to bee obedient vnto their great Master and other Officers of the Order They promise also to liue chast or at the least continent and content with one wife Also to bee charitable and liberall chieflie to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euerie Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to bee borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is discended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200. Crownes therewith to mainteine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mecanical occupation That he hath not been suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widdowe or hath had more than one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so manie Aue marias with other Superstitious things not worthie the writing This Order haue of late time been much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy Knights of S. Steffano CAP. 23. IN the yeare 1561. Cossimo Duke of Florence and Siena hauing setled his gouernment and liuing in peaceable estate erected this religious Order of Knighthood calling those that entered thereunto Caualieri di San Steffano To these Knights he gaue a red Crosse bordered about with gold The Statutes annexed vnto this Order are not vnlike to those apperteining to the Order of Malta sauing that these haue libertie to marrie The chiefe place of their resiance is the Citie of Pisa where the Duke prepared them a Church and builded for them a Pallace wherein to lodge And because neere to that Citie is a Hauen fit to receiue the Gallies wherein these Knights should serue it seemed good to that Prince to settle them there The Duke himselfe and his successors is great Master of this Order and vnder him are diuers other Officers of reputation This is the last Order or degree of Knights that I haue seene or read of saue onelie the great Knighthood of S. Esprit whereof as is before said I am not enformed The Ceremonies in the degradation of Knights CAP. 24. IT seemeth that the degradation of Knights hath been vsed onelie for offences of greatest reproach and dishonour which I conceiue partlie by the rarenes of such actions and partlie for that the men bereft of that dignitie were not onelie degraded but also by lawe executed As in the raigne of King Edward the 4. it appeared a Knight was degraded in this sort First after the publication of his offence his gilt spurres were beaten from his heeles then his sword taken from him and broken That being done euerie peece of his Armour was brused beaten and cast aside After all which disgraces he was beheadded In like manner Andrew of Hekela Knight and Earle of Cardoyl was in this sort disgraded He being apprehended was by the Kings commandement brought before Sir Anthony Lucy Anno. 1322. apparelled in all the robes of his estate as an Earle and a Knight and so led vnto the place of Iudgement Being thether come Sir Anthony Lucy said vnto him these words First thou shall lose the Order of Knighthood by which thou hadst all thine honour and further all worship vppon thy bodie bee brought to nought Those wordes pronounced Sir Anthony Lucy commanded a knaue to hewe the Knights spurres from his heeles and after caused his sword to bee broken ouer his head That done hee was dispoyled of his furred Tabord of his Hood of his furred Cotts and of his Girdle Then Sir Anthony saide vnto him these wordes Andrew now art thou no Knight but a knaue and for thy treason the King doth will thou shalt bee hanged This manner of proceeding in the degradation of these two Knights I found recorded in an auncient booke of Master Garters written in the selfe same words that are here expressed The Authors Intention CAP. 25. ALbeit the whole scope and intent of this booke is to discourse the poynts of Honor and dignities apperteining vnto Armes yet for not being mistaken in my meaning I haue thought good to say that the commendation due vnto learning is of no lesse desart thā