prize He that his Sword falleth out of his hand shall winne no prize He that striketh his hand in fight on the Barriers shall win no prize Whosoeuer shall fight and not shewe his Sword to the Iudges before shall winne no prize The Prizes giuen The Prize of the fairest and most gallant entry THe Marquesse de Valle came into the field very well appointed in armour and apparell The Kings Maiestie better then he Don Fredericke de Toledo best of all to whome the Queenes Maiestie awarded the prize of the Brooch The Prize for the Pike THe Duke of Medina Caeli performed valorously Don Pedro de la Zerda bettered him Don Diego Ortado di Mendoça did best of all to whome was giuen by the Queenes Maiestie a Ring of gold with a Rubie The Prize for the Sword SIr George Howard fought very well Don Adrian Garçias performed better Sir Iohn Parrat best of all to whome the Queenes Maiesty gaue a Ring of gold with a Diamond The Prize at the Pike in ranke THomas Percy acquited valiantly Carlo di Sanguine with greater fortune Ruygomez best of all to whome the Queene gaue a Ring of gold The Prize of all together in ranke at the foyle LOrd William Howard L. Admiral with high commendation Marquesse di Toro Mayore exceeded him the Kings Maiesty exceeded all to whome the Queene gaue in highest honour a Ring of golde with a rich Diamond In all which and other the like triumphant Gests perfourmed by the English and Spanish Nobilitie it was euer held honorable and prizeworthy to appeare within Listes most gallant and fairest armed and yet with least superstuous cost of golde siluer embrodery or curiositie of workemanship CHAP. 53. Of the like Actions in Armes since the reigne of Queene Elizabeth ONe solemne Iust Tournament and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norffolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwick the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scroope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers with great honour answered all commers The Defenders names are not extant 1558. A royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard nowe Lord Admirall Sir Henrie Lea and Sir Christopher Hatton now Knights of the Garter the one Master of her Maiesties Armorie the other at his death Lord Chancellor The Defenders were THe Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seamor Edward Harbert Sir George Carie Thomas Cecil Henry Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henry Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkley Thomas Kneuet Willliam Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Launcelot Bostock Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliam Thomas Bedding field Thomas Moore William Worthing toÌ„ Richard Blunt Thomas Connesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three dayes the first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barrier On euery of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a prize for the recieuing whereof they were particularly led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The prize at the Tilton the Defenders party was giuen vnto Henry Gray at the Tourney to the Lord Henry Seamor at the Barriers to Thomas Cecil Before them went Clarencieux King of Armes in his Rich coate of Armes This magnificent triumph was performed Anno 1571. An honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his assistant Sir William Drurie challenged all commers Anno 1580. The Defenders were THe Earle of Oxford the Lord Windsor Phillip Sidney Edward Norris Henrie Knowles Robert Knowles Fulk Griuell Thomas Kneuet Thomas Kellaway Rafe Bowes George Goring George Gifford Anthonie Cooke Henrie Bronkard Edward Denny Richard Ward Thomas Parrot The prize was giuen to the Earle of Oxford To these actions of Armes we may adde a notable Tourneament on horsebacke solemnized within her Maiesties pallace at Westminster which became the more rare and memorable because it was performed in the night The manner whereof in briefe was thus It pleased her Maiestie according to her Princely custome in the intertainement of noble strangers to conuite vnto supper the Duke Memorancie chiefe Marshall of France at that time come thither to receiue the honourable order of the Garder This magnificent supper ended it pleased her Highnesse the weather being warme to walke out of her chamber into the open Tarrace whither also awayting on her went the sayd Duke and all others of the French Nobilitie with the Ambassadours Lords and Ladies of the Court. At her Maiesties comming to the North side of the Tarrace there were prepared and set rich chaires cushions and carpets In which place it pleased her to stay entertayning most gratiously the said Duke and other Noble strangers Next vnto them were placed the Ladies Lords Counsellers and other persons of reputation according to their degrees and conuenience of the roome So as the said Tarrace was on all sides beset with Lord Ladies and persons of qualitie sumptuously apparelled and richly furnished and among them both aboue and vnder stood many of the Guard in their rich coates holding an infinite number of Torches and so in the preaching place by which meane those that beheld the Tarrace in this sort furnished deemed it rather a Theater celestiall then a pallace of earthly building The place with this Royall presence replenished suddainly entred Walter Earle of Essex and with him twelue Gentlemen armed at all peeces and well mounted The Earle and his horse was furnished with white cloth of siluer and the rest in white sattin who after reuerence done to her Maiesty marched to the East side of the Court and there in troope stood firme Forthwith entred Edward Earle of Rutland with a like number in like sort armed and apparelled all in blew and hauing presented his reuerence stayed on the West end Before either of these bands one Chariot was drawen and therein a faire Damsell conducted by an armed Knight who pronounced certaine speeches in the French tongue vnto her Maiestie These Ceremonies passed The Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight which was performed with great courage and commendation chiefly in the Earle of Essex a noble personage valorous in armes and all other wayes of great vertue Truely this Action was marueilously magnificent and appeared a sight exceeding glorious to those that were below looking vpward to the Tarrace where her Maiestie the Lords and Ladies stood so pompously apparelled iewelled and furnished as hardly can be seene the like in any Christian Court as my selfe saw and other the Actors at occasions staying from fight with great admiration did behold and thinke Of the Actors names in this Triumph it seemeth no note is kept yet are many of them liuing Not inferiour but farre exceeding in princely pompe and qualitie of Actors was that Royall combat and fight on foote before her Maiestie the first of Ianuarie Anno 1â—81 where Mounsieur brother vnto the French
gentlemen doe come after the Knight and doe bring him to the Kings presence and the Esquiers gouernours before him And when the newe Knight commeth into the Kings presence he shall kneele downe before him saying Most noble and renowned Sir I do thanke you for al the honors courtesies and goodnesse which you haue done vnto me And so he taketh leaue of the King And then the Esquiers gouernours do take leaue of their Master saying Sir we haue accomplished the coÌ„mandement of the Kings as he charged vs to the vttermost of our power wherein if we haue displeased you through negligence or deed during the time we desire pardon On the other side Sir according to the custome of the Court and ancient Kings we demaund Robes and fees for terme of life as Esquiers of the King and companions vnto Bachelors Knights and other Lords CHAP. 12. Knights Bachelors FIrst it is to be remembred that no man is brone a Knight of any title but made either before a battell to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that do appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royal authority giuen for that purpose or by his Lieutenant in the warres who hath his royal and absolute power for that time And this order may bee resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doeth agree with it for seldome in all points one Common wealth doeth agree with another 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 yeerely reuenue of their lands being able to maintaine 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 onely to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honour In Rome the number of Equites was vncertaine and so it is of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum Publicum but the Knights of England finde horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers value but in England whosoeuer may dispend of his free lands fourty pounds starling of yeerely reuenue by an old Law 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 be by the King compelled to take that order and honour 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 worthy that title and yet haue abilitie neither be made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fourtie pounds sterling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant money Where of this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more then Miles doeth in Latine which is Souldier I know not Some hold opinion that the word Souldier doeth betoken a waged or hired man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Souldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Captaine which order if the Almanes did follow it may be that they who were not hired but being of the Nation vpon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did follow the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almanes some are called Launce-Knights as Souldiers not hired although they be wel-neere all hired Or it may be that they who were next about the Prince as his Guard and seruants picked and chose men out of the rest being called in the Almane tongue Knighten which is as much to say as dayly seruants being found of good seruice the word afterwards was taken as an honour for one that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is we in our English doe call him Knight whom the French do call Cheualier and the Latine Equitem for Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the maner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is stricken by the Prince with a sword drawen 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 Auance This is the maner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this point and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Heralds called Knights Bachelers CHAP. 13. The Ceremonies in the degradation of Knights in England IT seemeth that the degradation of Knights hath bene vsed onely for offences of greatest reproch and dishonour which I conceiue partly by the rarenesse of such actions and partly for that the men bereft of that dignitie were not onely degraded but also by law executed As in the raigne of King Edward the fourth 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 euery peece of his armour was bruised beaten and cast aside After all which disgraces he was beheaded In like maner Andrew of Herklay a Knight and Erle of Carlile was in this sort disgraded He being apprehended was by the Kings commandement brought before sir Anthony Lucie 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 thither come Sir Anthony Lucie saide vnto him these words First thou shalt loose the order of Knighthood by which thou hadst all thine honour and further all worship vpon thy bodie be brought to nought Those words pronounced Sir Anthony Lucie commanded a knaue to hew the Knights spurs from his heeles after caused his sword to be broken ouer his head That done he was dispoiled of his furred Tabord of his hood of his furred coats and of his girdâ—e Then Sir Anthony said vnto him these words Andrew now art thou no Knight but a knaue and for thy treason the King doth will thou shalt be hanged Maxitmilianus de Austria Dux Burâ—undiâ— Râ—m Imâ— Ordâ—nâ— Velleris Aurei Eques 〈◊〉 Fol. 〈◊〉 CHAP. 14. Knights of the Toizon D'or or golden Fleece THE Knighthood of the Toizon was instituted by Philip surnamed the good Duke of Burgundy and Earle of Flanders in the yeere of our Lord 1429. being mooued thereunto with deuoute zeale that he had to vndertake the conquest of the holy land albeit his valerous determination tooke none effect by
daunger Hieramias with his right hand deliuered a sword vnto Iuda and in the name of God made him a Knight saying Receiue this sacred sword sent from God wherewith thou shalt vanquish the enemies of Israel It hath bene also a custome ancient that Princes did giue collars as a singular demontration of fauour and honour Plinie reporteth that the Romanes did giue vnto their confederates a collar of gold and to their owne citizens a collar of siluer When Manlius in single combat had slaine a French man hee tooke from him a collar of golde all bloodie and put the same about his owne necke in token of victorie After which time he was surnamed Torquatus because Torques in the Latine signifieth a collar or chaine The Emperours in like maner bestowed collars vpon Captaines and others that serued in the warre and deserued commendation In some Histories may be found that collars were of two sorts the first called Duplares th' other Simplices And with those collars the Emperours for the most part did giue prouision of money or vittaile to some more to some lesse For these reasons and by these examples it appeareth that among the ensignes and ornaments of Honor and Armes the great Collar is of highest reputation It is also seene that Princes soueraigne doe at this day bestow chaines or small collars vpon men of vertue or fauour and in token thereof for the most part a picture or modele of the giuer is thereat pendant which Collat the Knight or Gentleman that receiueth it ought carefully to keepe during his life The ancient custome was that Knights of meane degree and such as were not of the great Orders whereunto particular habits are assigned should in signe of honour weare a garment of scarlet because red representeth fire the most noble element and next vnto the Sunne of most brightnesse It was therefore among the olde Romanes decreed That no man should weare any habit of that colour but only Magistrates and men of dignity Red doeth also betoken boldnesse magnanimitie and ardent loue with charitie The element of fire is also assigned to Mars in respect whereof that colour is most proper to Knights Captaines and all other professours of Armes Carol D Howard Comâ— Notingham 〈…〉 CHAP. 9. Knights of the Garter EDward the third King of England after hee had obtained many great victories of Iohn the French King and Iames King of Scotland both prisoners in the Realme at one time Henry King of Castile the Bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this order in his kingdome Anno 1350. vpon no waightie occasion as is reported Notwithstanding the same is and long hath bene in so great reputation as Emperors Kings and Princes haue and doe desire to bee companions thereof for their greater honour The patron of this Order is S. George vnto whom it was first dedicated The Soueraigne of this Order is the King of England his heires and successors for euer The number of this Colledge of fellowship is 26. Knights with the Soueraigne and when any of them die another is chosen by consent of those Knights that liue The habit of these Knights is an vnder garment or gowne of Crimsin veluet of some called akâ—rtle ouer which he weareth a mantle of Purple veluet lined with white sarsnet on the left shoulder thereof is embroidred in a Garter an Eschuchion of S George and ouer his right shoulder hangeth his hood of Crimson veluet lined with white the Cordons to the mantle are purple silke and gold Aboue all which about his necke he weareth the collar of the order being of pure gold made of garters and knots and enamiled with roses white and red weying 30. ounces of Troy weight with the image of S. George richly garnished with precious stones pendant thereat About his left legge he weareth buckled a garter enriched with gold pearle and stones whereupon these French words are embrodered HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Which may be thus Englished Shame be to him that euill thinketh The custome was long that these Knights did yeerely hold a feast at the Castle Windesor where the same King Edward founded a Church and gaue vnto certaine Priests and Prebends large stipends to serue there And he ordained also that thirteene poore aged and decayed Gentlemen by the name of poore Knights were there for euer to be maintained and kept inuested in gownes and mantles of cloth onely sutable with those of the Order to pray for the prosperity of the Soueraigne and his successors and all other Knights of the said noble Order It is not publiquely knowen what mooued the King to make this order but thus it is vulgarly reported that King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court hapned to take vp a blewe garter which fell from one of them and of some said from the Countesse of Salisburie of whom the King was then enamored which garter the King afterwards wore about his left legge for a fauour The Queene taking some offence thereat it was signified vnto the King by some of the Lords the cause of her displeasure at which he smiling sayd HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE I will make of it yet it be long the most honourable Garter that euer was worne and thereupon instituted the order of the Garter Some rather thinke it was made to remunerate those Noble men and Knights that had best endeuoured and deserued in his most Royall and Martiall affaires of France Scotland and Spaine with all which Nations he then had warre and triumphed The Statutes of this great Order for that they are sufficiently knowen I here omit The names of the first Knights KIng EDWARD the third Soueraigne Edward Prince of VVales Henry Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of VVarwicke The Captaine of Bouche Ralph Earle of Stafford William de Mounteacute Earle of Sarisburie Roger Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholomew Burgwash Sir Iohn Beauchampe Sir Iohn de Mohun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas Holland Sir Iohn Grey Sir Richard Fitzsymon Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh VVrothesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames de Audley Sir Otho Holland Sir Henry Eme. Sir Zanchet d'Abrigecourt Sir VVilliam Paganel The names of those Knights that are this present yeere 1602. of the same most noble Order ELIZABETH Queene of England Soueraigne Henry the fourth the French King Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Thomas Sackuile Lord Buckhurst Gilbert Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George Clifford Earle of Cumberland Henry Percye Earle of Northumberland Edward Somerset Earle of VVorcester Edmond Sheffeild Lord Sheffeild Thomas Howard Baron of VValden George Carey Baron of Hunsdon Charles Blount Lord Montioy Sir Henry Lea Master of her Mties Armorie Robert Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Scrope Lord Scrope VVilliam Stanley Earle of Derby Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh  The Officers appertaining at this
present vnto this most Honourable Order are these Doctor Bilson Prelate B. of Winchester Sir Edward Dier Chauncellour Knight Doctor Benet Register Deane of Windsor William Dethicke Garter Principall K. of Armes Richard Conings by Esquier Vsher. Officers of Armes attendants vpon the said Order W. Camden Clarencieux Kings of Armes W. Segar Norroy Lancaster Chester Heraulds Yorke Richmond Windesor Somerset Rouge-crosse Rouge-Dragon Pursuyuants Portcullis Blewmantle CHAP. 10. Of Knights Bannerets OTher degrees of Knighthood there are in England but because they we are no garment badge or signe to distinguish them from other gentlemen they are not knowen to strangers yet among our selues we know them right wel because euery one hauing such dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William Sir Simon c. But first of Knights Bannerets A Knight that is to receiue this honour shal be led betweene two other Knights before the King or Generall bearing his Pennon of Armes in his owne hand and in presence of all the Nobilitie and other Captaines the Heraulds shal say vnto the King or his Generall these words folowing viz. May it please your grace to vnderstand that this gentleman hath shewed himselfe valiant in the field and for so doing deserueth to be aduanced vnto the degree of a Knight Banneret as worthy from hencefoorth to beare a Banner in the warre Then the King or Generall shal cause the points of his Pennon or Guydon to be rent off And the new Knight shal goe vnto his tent conducted betweene two other Knights the trumpets sounding all the way before him there to receiue sees viz. to the Heraulds three pound sixe shillings and viij pence And if he were before a Knight Bachelour then is he to pay also vnto the Trumpets twenty shillings I suppose the Scots doe call a Knight of this creation a Bannerent for hauing his Bannerrent Here is to be noted that no Knight Banneret can be made but in the warre and the king present or when his Standerd royall is displayed in the field A Banneret thus made and euery estate aboue him may beare his Banner displayed if he be a Captaine and set his Armes therein as Barons do CHAP. II. Knights of the Bath according to the ancient vse WHen an Esquier commeth to the Court to receiue this Order of Knighthood in time of peace according to the custome of England he shall be very nobly receiued by the officers of the Court as the Steward of Chamberlane if they be present or otherwise by the Marshals and Vshers and there shall be ordayned two Esquiers of honour wise and well learned in courtesie and nurture as also in feates of Chiualry and they shall be Esquiers and Gouernours of all which pertaineth to him who receiueth the order abouesaid and if the Esquier doe come before dinner hee shall serue the King of water or with a dish at the first course onely and then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade the Esquier that is to be Knighted into his chamber without any more adoe at that time and towards euening the Esquiers gouernours shall send for a Barber and hee shall prepare a Bath decked with linnen aswell within the Tubbe as without and that the tubbe be well couered with carpets and mantels for the colde of the night and then the beard of the Esquier shal be shauen and his haire rounded This done the Esquiers gouernours shall goe to the King and say Sir it is euening and the Esquier is readie at the Bathe when it shall please ye Whereupon the King shal command his Chamberlaine to conuey to the chamber of the Esquier the most gentle and wisest Knights that are then present to enforme counsell and instruct him in the order and feates of Chiualrie and likewise that the other Esquiers of that house with minstrelsie doe goe before the Knights singing playing and dancing to the chamber doore of the said Esquier And when the Esquiers gouernours doe heare the noyse of Musicke they shall vncloth the Esquier and put him naked into the Bath But at the entring of the chamber the Esquiers gouernours shall cause the musicke to cease and the Esquiers also for a time This done the Knights shall enter into the chamber still without making any noyse and then the Knights shall doe reuerence one to the other who shall be the first to counsell the Esquier in Order of the Bath and when they are agreed then the first shal go to the Bath and kneeling downe before the tubbe shal say secretly Sir great honour may this Bath be vnto you and then he sheweth him the maner of the Order that best he can and then putteth some of the water of the Bath vpon the shoulder of the Esquier and taketh leaue and the Esquiers gouernours shall attend on each side of the Bath themselues and after that same maner shall all the other Knights do one after another till they haue all done and then the Knights depart out of the chamber for a season This done the Esquiers gouernours doe take the Esquier out of the Bath lay him in his bed till he be dry which bed ought to be simple without curtens and being dry he shal rise out of his bed and apparelled somewhat warme because of the coldnes of the night and ouer all his apparell he shal weare a coat of Russet cloth with long sleeues after the manner of an Hermit with an hood The Esquier being out of the Bath and made readie the Barber shall take away the Bath and all that is about the same aswell within as without and take them for his fees and likewise the Coller if hee be an Earle Baron Banneret or Bachelor Knight according to the custome of the Court This done the Esquiers gouernours shall open the chamber doore and let the Knights enter in to leade the Esquier to the Chappell And when they are entred the Esquiers singing and dauncing shall be brought before the Esquier with their melodie to the Chappell And when they are entred into Chappell then spices and wine shall be giuen to the sayd Knights and Esquiers And the Esquiers gouernours shall lead the Knights before the Esquier to take their leaues And he shall thanke them altogether for their trauell honor and courtesies And so they depart after whom the Esquiers gournours shall shut the doore and let no man tarie in the Chappell except the Esquiers his gouernours the Priests Chandler and Watch. And so he shall remaine in the Chappell till it be almost day alwayes in prayer desiring God to blesse and increase his grace in him to giue him power and comfort to take this high temporall dâ—gnitie to the honour and prayse of him the holy Church and order of Knighthood And when day appeareth they shal cause the Priest to say prayers and communicate if he will And from the entring of the Chappell doore hee shall haue a candle of waxe borne before him Prayers being begunne one of the Gouernours
the King himselfe with his sonnes and brethren vouchsafed to enter thereinto with them were also admitted diuers other gentlemen of best quality and greatest estimation The cause that mooued the King to name them Knights of the Band was for that hee commanded euery man elected into the Order should weare a certaine red Scarfe or Lace of silke the bredâ—th of three inches which hung on their left shoulder was tied vnder the right arme No man might enter into this Knighthood but such as the king did specially admit neither was any person capable of that dignitie vnlesse hee were the sonne of a Knight or some Gentleman of great account or at the least such a one as had serued the King by space of ten yeeres in his Court or in the warre against the Moores Into this Order no Gentleman could be receiued being an elder brother or an heire in possession or apparance but only 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 particularly to expresse and the rather because they tend only to entertaine the minds of men in the offices of Courage and Curtesie without any mixture of superstition whereof almost all other Orders in those dayes tasted First that hee should speake vnto the King for commodity of the common-wealth and the defence thereof so often as he were thereunto required and refusing so to doe shall for feit all his patrimony and be banished his countrey That he should aboue all things speake the trueth vnto the King and at euery occasion be faithfull to his Maiesty That hee should not be silent whensoeuer any person should speake against the Kings honor vpon paine of being banished the Court and depriued of his Band for euer That he should be no great speaker and in speaking to vtter the trueth but if he should say or affirme an vntrueth then for a punishment to in the streets without his sword for one whole moneth That he should endeauour himselfe to keepe company with wise mâ—â— and persons experienced in the warre for being found to conuerse wiâ—â— merchants artificers or base people he should be therefore greatly reproued by the great Master and for one moneth be commanded to keepe his house That he should maintaine his owne word and faithfully keepe promise with his friends and being found to do otherwise to be enioyned to walke and goe alone vnaccompanied of any other of the Kings Court should not presume to speake or come neere vnto any other Knight That he should alwayes 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 be seene mounted vpon any Mule or other vnseemly hackney neither walke abroad without his Band nor enter into the Kings pallace without his sword nor eate alone at home vpon paine to forfeit for euery such offence one Marke toward the maintaining of the Tilt. That he should be no flatterer of the King or any other person neither take delight in skoffing 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 actes nor in curing his wounds crie Oh for if in vaunting wise hee vttered any oftentatious speeches he should be reproued by the great master and let alone vnuisited of all his companions That he should be no common gamester chiefly at the dice nor consent that others should play in his house vpon paine to forfeite for euery such offence one moneths pay and for one moneth and a 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 vpon paine to be imprisoned in his owne house a whole moneth and for two moneths following to goe without the Band. That he should be dayly apparelled in fine cloth and on Holy dayes in silke and on high feastes weare gold in his garments if he pleased without being compelled so to do But if he did weare buskins vpon nether stockes of cloth the great Master should take them from him and giue them in almes to the poore That in walking either in Court or Citie his pace should not be swift or hastie vpon paine to be reproued of his fellow Knights and punished at the great Masters discretion That he should not speake any thing vnfit or offensiue to his fellowe in Armes vpon paine to aske him forgiuenesse and to be banished the Court for three moneths That he should not commence or enter suite of Law against the daughter of any Knight vpon paine neuer to haue Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court to his mistresse or wife That if he happened to meete with any Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court he should foorthwith alight from his horse and offer her his seruice vpon paine to loose one moneths wages and the fauour of all Ladies That if any Lady of honour required seruice at his hand he refusing to doe it hauing power should be called for euer the discourteous Knight That hee should not eate alone nor at any time feede vpon grosse meates That he should not enter quarell with any of his fellow 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 be forced to fight with two Knights but vanquishing them should be also a Knight himselfe and being vanquished should be 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 drawe his sword against any of his fellowes for so doing he should absent himselfe two moneths two other moneths weare but halfe his band And if a Knight did hurt his fellow in Armes he should be imprisoned one halfe yeere and the next halfe yeere be banished the Court. That no Knight for any offence should be punished or iudged before he were brought to the King and his pleasure signified That he should be euer furnished to attend on the King whensoeuer he went to the warre and if any battel were striken then ought these Knights ioyntly to giue the charge and if in any such seruice a Knight performed not his part he should loose one yeres pay and one other yeere weare but halfe
and called Borgo di Santa Maria or Mareenburg where is now the chiefe Church appertaining to this Order there unto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and money compare with diuers Princes This countrey of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer of Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massagets and Polonia These Knights are also Lordes of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie is with Christians inhabited CHAP. 27. Knights of the Sepulchre THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two Red Crosses vnited CHAP. 28. Knights of S. Mary The habit of this Order was very pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were specially 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 commonly called Caualieri di Madona but because they liued continually in ease and pleasure men termed them Fratri gaudenti as much in our language as Good fellow brethren It may be some of them are yet extant CHAP. 29. Knights of S. Lazaro These Knights doe professe to be 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 be charitable and liberall chiefely to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euery Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse and before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to be borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is descended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200 crownes wherewith to maintaine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mechanicall occupation That he hath not bene suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widowe or hath had more then one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so many Aue Marias with other superstitious things not worthy the writing This Order hath of late time bene much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy CHAP. 30. Knights of S. Stephano The Statutes annexed to this Order are not vnlike to those appertayning 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 wherin 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 THE THIRD BOOKE Concerning Combat for life Iusts Turnements Triumphes and Inaugurations of Emperours Kings and Princes The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of particular Combats with their original Ca. 1. Whether Combats may be iustly permitted Ca. 2. When and how Combats were in vse Cap. 3. What exceptions or repulses may mooue the defendors to refuse the Combat Cap. 4. Whether a man of meane qualitie may chalenge his superior Cap. 5. What sorts of men may not be admitted to trial of Armes 6. Who was anciently accompted victorious in Combat Cap. 7. What was anciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combat Cap. 8. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen Cap. 9. Of the qualitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes Cap. 10. Of Armes offensiue and defensiue Cap. 11. Of the Election of weapons Cap. 12. Certaine questions opinions and iudgements vpon accidents in triall and exercise of Armes Cap. 13. Of honour gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and sundry peeces Cap. 14. Of honour gained or lost by hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or triumph Cap. 15. Of Combats ancient Cap. 16. The order of Combats for life in England anciently recorded in the Office of Armes Cap. 17. Of Triumphes ancient and moderne Cap. 18. Of Triumphes and their Originall Cap. 19. Of the maner of Triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher Cap. 20. Of the diuers qualitie of Triumphes in Rome Cap. 21. In what Order the Romanes triumphed Cap. 22. Of other furniture and pompe appertayning to Triumphes in Rome Cap. 23. Of the Triumphal going of Darius to meet Alexander the great Cap. 24. The Triumphal entry of Xerxes K. of Persia into Greece yet afterward forced for feare to flie into his owne kingdome Cap. 25. Of Triumphes in Germanie Cap. 26. Of Triumphes at the enteruiew of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Frederick Barbarosa at Venice Anno Dom. 1166. Cap. 27. An admirable Triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cypres Anno 1366. Cap. 28. A Triumph in the raigne of King Richard the second Anno 1590. Cap. 29. A Triumphal passage of Charles the v. Emperor through France Anno 1540. Cap. 30. A triumphal entrie of Philip Prince of Spaine at Millan Anno 1548. Cap. 31. A Military chalenge in Italy Anno 1555. Cap. 32. Of triumphal challenges in France Cap. 32. Of one other Military action betweene fiue English gentlemen and fiue French Cap. 34. An other like action Cap. 35. An other chalenge of a French gentleman in Spaine Cap. 36. An other notable challenge in France Anno 1390. Cap. 37. An other most noble challenge Cap. 38. The triumphant interuiew of the Kings of England and France Anno 1519. Cap. 39. A triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. Cap. 40. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. Cap. 41. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italie Anno 773. Cap. 42. Carolus Magnus Inauguration being made Emperour Anno 1800. Cap. 43. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie the tenth Cap. 44. The Inauguration of Henry the fourth King of England Anno 1399. Cap. 45. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes Anno 1380. Cap. 46. At the Inauguration of King Henry the thirde French King three notable things obserued Cap. 47. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Cap. 48. Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iusts and Turnements Cap. 49. Of Iusts and Turnements and how the Accidents in such exercises are iudged in the kingdome of Naples Cap. 50. Iusts and Turnements how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester high Constable of England in the Raigne of King Edward the 4. Cap. 51. Triumphes Military for honour and loue of
triumphant and euer memorable victory ouer the Spanish Fleet proudly by them called Inuincible The Sermon beeing done her Maiestie went to the Bishops Palace and there dined and towards euening returned vnto Somerset place by torchlight Against her Highnes cōming in the morning the streets were railed and hung with Blew broad clothes for the seueral Companies in their Liueries to stand euery Company distinguished by Banners Standards and Penons of their Armes richly painted and illumined The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court likewise being placed nere Temple Bar stood orderly within their railes All the fronts of houses were couered with rich Arras and Tapistry and the windowes and streets replenished with all sorts of people innumerable who with great applause and ioyful acclamations both graced and honoured her Maiesties most Royall proceeding The Lord Mayor which was Alderman Calthrope deliuered his Sword to her Maiestie at Temple Barre who receiuing it gaue him a Mace or Scepter to beare and deliuered the Sword to the L. Marquesse of Winchester who bare it before her Highnesse all that day ¶ Here followeth the List or Roll of all Estates that were in this Princely proceeding according as they were then marshalled Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen Harbingers Seruants to Ambassadors Gentlemen Her Maiestics seruants Esquires Trumpets Sewers of the Chamber Gentlemen Huishers The sixe Clerkes of the Chancery Clerkes of Starre chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the Priuie Seale Clerkes of the Councel Chaplens hauing dignities as Deanes c. Masters of the Chancery Aldermen of London Knights Batchelers Knights Officers of the Admiralty The Iudge of the Admiraltie The Deane of the Arches The Soliciter and Attourney Generall Serieants at the Law The Queenes Serieants Barons of the Exchequer A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Common Pleas. A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Kings Bench. The L. chief Baron the L. chief Iustice of the Common pleas The Master of the Rols and the L. chiefe Iustice of the K. Bench. The Queenes Doctors of Physicke The Master of the Tents and the Master of the Reuels The Lieutenant of the Ordinance The Lieutenant of the Tower The Master of the Armorie Knights that had bene Ambassadors Knights that had beene Deputies of Ireland The Master of the great Wardrobe A Pursuy of Armes The Master of the lewel house A Pursuy of Armes Esquires for the Bodie and Gentlemen of the Priuie chamber Trumpets The Queenes Cloake Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquire Barons yonger sonnes Knights of the Bath Knights Bannerets Lancaster Vicounts yonger sonnes Yorke Barons eldest sonnes Earles yonger sonnes Vicounts eldest sonnes Secretaries of her Maiestie Knights of the Priuie Councel Sommerset Richmond Knights of the Garter Principal Secretarie Vicechamberlaine Comptroller and Treasurer of the houshold Barons of the Parliament Chester Bishops 〈◊〉 The Lord Chamberlaine of the house being Barons The Lord Admiral of England Marquesses yonger sonnes Earles eldest sonnes Vicounts Dukes yonger sonnes Marquesses eldest sonnes Norroy King of Armes Earles Dukes eldest sonnes Marquesses Dukes Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord high Treasurer of England The Archbishop of Yorke The Lord Chanceller of England The Archbishop of Canterbury The French Embassadour Garter King of Armes The Maior of London A Gent. Huisher of the Priuie Chamber The Queenes Maiestie in her Chariot Her Highnesse traine borne by the Marchionesse of Winchester The Palfrey of Honour led by the Master of the Horse The chiefe Lady of Honour All other Ladies of Honour The Captaine of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard CHAP. 26. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition BArtholus in his discourse de re Militari Duello diuideth men into three degrees viz. great personages aduanced to dignitie men of reputation without dignitie and common or ignoble persons Of whom Iac. Faber in his discourse vpon Aristotles politickes maketh nine sorts The first are husbandmen whose endeuor is employed about the fruits of the earth Secondly artificers occupied Arts either necessarie honest or pleasing Thirdly victualers retailers of wares and chapmen Fourthly Marriners and sea souldiers Fiftly Fishermen Sixtly Watermen and Ferrymen Seuenthly Masons and labourers in stone Eightly workemen of little substance and Labourers Lastly Bondmen and slaues Among common persons in euery Prouince or Towne the Gouernor or Captaine is of most reputation notwithstanding hee be of a common birth yet in some Cities the Maior or chiefe Iudge hath that chiefe honour and is superior to the military Officer but generally men in Office are of more reputation then others without office and Officers for life are preferred before Officers annuall or time certaine Data paritate in alijs Raynutius Note also that euery man during the time he beareth office is to be respected and honoured as Purpuratus writeth And to say summarily all wisemen hauing place of rule in any Prouince Citie or Towne must be preferred before others albeit they are aduanced aboue the measure of their vertue For no man is so euill but sometimes he doth well Laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt Pli. Men married are euer to precede men vnmaried in pari dignitate And he who hath most children or lost the greater number in the warre of his Countrey is to be most honored Lex Iuli◠The like order ought be obserued among women maried in pari dignitate and in Rome maydens did anciently go before widdowes and wiues also and sonnes before their Fathers Men hauing land of inheritance are to precede other hauing none and Citizens that are housholders must be preferred before others hauing no habitation chiefly in such Cities and Townes where their Ancestors and families haue bene of continuance in reputation of marchandise or other possessions For next after Gentlemen and Magistrates they are to take place in pari dignitate Yet here is to be noted that if any Burgesse Marchant or other man of wealth doe happen to purchase a Barony yet ought he not be a Baron nor haue place among Barons Iac. Rabuff A father whose sonne beareth any Office shall giue place to his sonne in all publike meetings and seruices but in priuate affaires the order of nature ought be obserued and in domesticall conuersation the father shal goe and sit before the sonne Likewise a Bishop must doe reuerence vnto his father at home but being in the Church the father shal follow him So for diuers respects the one and the other is honoured Betwene two equals he that is in his owne iurisdiction shal precede as if an Archbishop or Cardinall doe come into the Diocesse of a Bishop notwithstanding they be persons of more dignity yet ought they giue honour vnto the Bishop because their presence doth not cancell his authority A Citizen or dweller of any chiefe City shall take place of other Inhabitants of meaner townes or cities when soeuer they meet in any place indifferent
shall holde the candle before the Esquier till the reading of the Gospell and then the Esquier shall hold it himselfe till the Gospel be ended and then it shall be set before him till all the Seruice be ended Then one of the gouernours shall take away the hood from the Esquier And when the Gospel is read the Esquier shall kneele downe and offer money in the honour of God and him that shall make him Knight Then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade him into his chamber and lay him in his bed till it be farre day And whilest hee resteth in his bed he shal be couered that is to say with a couerlet of gold called Sigleton and the same shall be lined with Kersie And when it seemeth good to the Gouernours they shall goe to the King and say vnto him Sir when it pleaseth your Grace our Master shall rise And then the King shall commaund the Knights Esquiers and Minstrels to goe to the chamber to cause him rise and to make him ready and to bring him before him in his Hall But before their entring and noise of musicke heard the Esquiers shall make all things ready for the apparelling of him One Knight shall giue him his shirt another his hose the third his dublet another shall apparell him in a kertle of red Tartar Two other shall lift him out of his bed two others shall put on his blacke netherstockes soled with leather two other to lace his Manches another to girde him with a girdle of white leather without any studs another shall combe his head another shall put on his coife another shall giue him a Mantle of silke and Kertle of red Tartar laced with a white silke lace But the Chandler shall haue for his fees all the garments and others wherewith he was clothed at the first entrie and also the bed and Sigleton for which fees the Chandler of his owne expences shall finde the coife gloues girdle lace Then the Knights shall mount on horsebacke and conduct him to the Hall the musicke playing before him his horse sadled with blacke leather the Arson white stirrop leathers blacke and stirrops gilt the pectorel of blacke leather with a crosse paty of gold hanging before the horse feete and without a crouper the bridle of blacke leather with a crosse paty on the forehead and then a yong Esquier to ride before him without a hood who shall beare his sword by the point with the spurres hanging at the hilts which are white studded with blacke and a white leather girdle without any studdes When they come to the Kings Hall the Gouernours and Marshals shal be ready to meete him and at his alighting the Marshall shall haue his horse or else 100. sh. for his see he shall be brought to the vppermost table in the Hall and there tarie till the Kings comming the Knights on each side of him and the young man holding his sword betweene the two Esquiers And when the King commeth into the Hall and looketh on the Esquier ready to take the high Order of temporall dignitie he shall demand the sword and the spurres and the Chamberlaine shall take the sword and the spurres from the yong man and shall shew them to the King then the King shall take the right spurre and shall deliuer it to the most noble Lord saying Put this vpon the Esquiers heele and he kneeling on that one knee shall take the Esquier by the right legge and put his foote vpon his knee and make fast the spurre to his right heele and the Lord shall make a crosse on the knee of the Esquier and kisse him This done another Lorde shall come and fasten the spurre to the left foot in the same manner And then the King of his great curtesie shall take the sword and gird it about the Esquier and then the Esquier shall lift vp his Armes on high holding the Gantlets in his hands betweene his fingers and the thumbes And the King shall put his arme about the Esquiers necke and lift his right hand vp and smite the Esquier on the shoulder saying Be a good Knight and then kisseth him And then the Knights doe leade the new Knight to the Chappell with great melody to the high Altar where he kneeleth downe and putteth his right hand vpon the Altar promising to defend the right of holy Church during his life And then he shall vngird the sword and with great deuotion pray vnto Almightie God that he may keepe the Order which he hath taken vpon him and accomplish the same to the end and taketh a drop of wine And at his going out of the Chappell the Kings master Cooke is ready to take away the spurres and to haue them for his see saying I am come from the King being his master Cooke to take the spurres from you and to shewe you that if you doe any thing against the order of Chiualrie which God forbid I will cut away the spurres from your heeles And then the Knights shall lead him backe into the Hall and he beginneth the table of Knights and the Knights shall sit about him and he shal be serued as the other are but he shall neither eate nor drinke nor mooue or looke here or there no more then one that is new married This done one of the gouernors shall haue a handkerchife in his hand which he shall hold before his face when he wil spit or such like and when the King is risen from the table and gone into his chamber then the new Knight shall be led with a great number of Knights and Minstrels before him to his chamber and at their entring the Knights and Minstrels shall take leaue and hee shall goe to dinner The Knights beeing departed the chamber shall be shut and that newe Knight shal be dispoiled of all his abillaments which shall be giuen to the Knights Heralds if they be present or els to the Minstrels with a marke in siluer if he be a Bacheler Knight and if hee be a Baron then double somuch if hee be an Earle or higher estate alwayes doubled and the Russet night-cap shall be giuen to the watch or els a noble in money And then he shal be apparelled in a blew gowne with the Manches open in the maner of a Priest and hee shall haue at his left shoulder a lace of white silke hanging which he shall weare vppermost on his garment so long till hee haue gained honour in Armes and be recorded by some noble Knights Esquiers and Heralds of Armes for some memorable deeds done by him as hath bene said before or by some noble Prince or noble Lady which may cut away the lace from the Knights shoulder saying Sir wee haue heard much of your renowne and what you haue done in diuers places to the great honor of Chiualrie for your selfe and him that made you Knight therefore reason would that this lace should be taken frō you But after dinner the Knights and