Hall in their Liueries which number amounted to sixe hundred All the streets where the King passed were hanged with cloth of golde siluer or rich Arras That day and the next all the conduits were full of wine some Claret and some White The night before the Coronation the King washed his body and the next morning prayed in the presence of three Prelats The next morning the Clergie in great numbers attended the King to the Temple of Westminster and from thence all the Lords and Knights of the Order in their robes awaited vpon his Maiestie to the Pallace who all that way marched vnder the Canopy of State On either hand of the King a sword was caried the one represented the Ecclesiasticall the other Politicall iurisdiction The Ecclesiasticall sword was borne by the Prince of Wales the Kings sonne the sword of Iustice Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland and Constable of England did beare which office was lately taken from the Earle of Rutland and giuen to him The scepter was caried by the Earle of Westmerland Marshall of England In this order and thus accompanied the King came into the Church where he found a place of State prepared in the mids there he set himselfe downe being furnished with all his rich and royall ornaments the crowne excepted The Archbishop of Canterbury preached and shewed the Kings person vnto the people saying Behold him here that is to raigne ouer you for so God hath ordained Will you quoth hee consent he shall be crowned your King whereunto they answered Yea and holding vp their hands offered to be sworne Then the King went downe from his seate and kneeled before the high Altar where two Archbishops and ten Bishops did take off his royall garments and annoynt him in the presence of all the multitude viz. on the crowne of his head on the breast on the shoulders on the palmes of his hands which done they set his cap vpon his head Then the King put vpon him a garment like vnto a Deacon and girt the same as Prelates vse to doe Then they buckled vpon one of his feete a Spurre and drew forth the sword of Iustice which they deliuered into the Kings hand and he put it vp into the sheath when it was put vp the Archbishop of Canterbury girt it vnto his side Then was the Crowne of S. Edward brought thither and by that Archbishop set vpon the Kings head All these ceremonies and Diuine Seruice finished the King with the same pompe he came to the Church returned to the Pallace in the mids whereof was a fountaine which flowed with wine white and red At dinner the King did sit at the first table at the second sate the fiue chiefe Peeres of the kingdome at the third the Mayor and Aldermen at the fourth the nine new made Knights at the fifh the Knights Gentlemen of the Kings house So long as the King did sit the Prince of Wales stood on his right hand holding the Ecclesiasticall sword and on the left hand stood the Constable of England shaking the sword of Iustice vnder them stood the Marshall holding the Scepter At the Kings table besides the King two Archbishops and three other Bishops did sit In the dinner time a Knight well mounted armed at all peeces came into the Hall and before him rode an other horseman that caried his Launce his name was Dymmock This Champion hauing his sword drawen and a Mace also ready deliuered vnto the king a scroule of paper wherein was contained that if any Gentleman would denie that Henry there present were not the lawfull King of England he was ready by Armes to maintaine it where and when the King should command This Cartell was deliuered to a King of Armes and by the Kings commandement proclaimed in the palace and in sixe places of the Citie but no man found to say the contrary and so the ceremonie of this Coronation ended CHAP. 46. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes 1380. THis Charles the 6. King of France of that name being twelue yeeres olde was crowned in the presence of the Dukes of Anioy Auuernia Burgundy Burbon Brabant Berry and Lorayn the Earle of Piedmont the Earle of Marcury the Earle Eu and William Lord of Namur beeing present the Earle of Flanders and Bloys sent their deputies The King entred the citie of Rhemes with a marueilous troupe of Lords and Gentlemen hauing before them thirty trumpets sounding His Maiestie alighted at our Lady Church and thither resorted vnto him his cosins of Albert Nauarre Barry Harecourt and other yong Princes and Lords of the blood whom the next day he dubbed Knights On Sonday after the King went vnto the Church which was most sumptuously prepared There the Bishop crowned his Maiestie and anointed him with that oyle wherewith Saint Remigius had anointed Clodoueus the first Christian King of France That Oyle was miraculously as is reported sent from heauen by an Angel purposely to anoint Clodoueus And being preserued euer since a glasse although all the kings haue bene therwith anointed yet is the quantity thereof no whit decreased The King being come before the high Altar did honour all the yong men aforesayd with Knighthood and that done hee kneeled vpon rich foote Carpets that were there spred at his feete the yong Princes newly made Knights did sit and Oliuer Clisson newly also aduanced to be Constable of the kingdome performed his office and there amids the nobility with all pomp possible the King was crowned Then to the end that all men might haue cause to reioice the King was pleased to remit and forgiue all taxations subsidies and impositions by what name soeuer lately inuented The Coronation finished his Maiestie returned to the palace where his table was prepared and hereat besides the King did sit the Dukes his vncles viz. the Duke of Brabant Anioy Auuernia Burgundy and Burbon and on his right hand sate the Archbishop of Rhemes with other Lords of the Spiritualty Touching meaner Lords of the kingdome they shifted for place where it could be found The Admirals Coucy Clisson and Tremoly had their tables equally couered with Carpets of Tissue The next day the King dined according to ancient vse and the charge of the Inauguration was defrayd by the Citizens of Rhemes These ceremonies being consummate with great pomp triumph and ioy he returned to Paris CHAP. 47. At the Inauguration of King Henry the third French King three notable things obserued FIrst when he should haue bene anointed with the holy oile there was none found in the ceremonious Horne which for many yeeres had bene preserued by miracle as a relike sent from heauen Secondly when in the royall seate the Crowne was set vpon his head by certaine Bishops as is accustomed he cried out twise Oh it hurts me Thirdly when he kneeled before the Altar during Masse the Crowne fell from his head all which seemed ominous to the beholders and so it prooued both to himselfe
Collars in token they excell all other degrees of Knighthood Godfredus Adelmarâ— Institut Ordin Tem plariorum Fol. 98. CHAP. 18. Knights Templars IN the yeere 1117. nine Gentlemen who happened to meete in the Holy land of which number was Godfredus Aldemaro Alexandrino and Hugo de Planco de Paganus among themselues determined to erect an Association or brotherhood And being come vnto Ierusalem they consulted vpon the estate of that countrey beeing enformed that in Zaffo a towne anciently appertaining to the family of Contareni in Venice there remained many theeues that vsed daily to rob such Pilgrims as resorted vnto the holy Sepulchre They therefore resolued as a seruice acceptable to God to hazard their liues in the suppression of those robbers whereby the way vnto Ierusalem might become secure And because the Christian armie was then employed in recouery of the Holy land no order was taken for safe passage To encourage these Gentlemen in so praiseable an enterprise a lodging in the Temple of Ierusalem neere vnto the Sepulchre was appointed of which place they tooke the name of Knights Templars Also the King and Patriarch much liking an action so honourable furnished them with many necessarie prouisions To them also resorted many other Christians so as in short time the number became much encreased yet no habit signe or rule was agreed vpon Notwithstanding the Gentlemen persisted in their vow nine yeeres and grew to so great reputation that Pope Honorius at the suite of Steuen Patriarch of Ierusalem prescribed vnto them an order of life whereby they were enioyned to weare a white garment and Pope Eugenius added thereunto a red Crosse. After which time they elected an head or great master like vnto him that commandeth in Malta The number of these Knights daily encreased and their enterprises became famous not onely for guarding the way and passages but also they vndertooke warre against the Infidels both by Sea and land And the Christian Princes mooued with loue of their vertue in sundry prouinces assigned vnto them houses and great reuenues to be spent in Gods seruice In processe of time they became so potent as in euery Christian kingdome they were owners of Townes Fortresses and Castles and wheresoeuer the great Master did goe a mightie army did follow him It pleased God afterwards to permit that Ierusalem and other places of the Holyland through discord among the Christians and negligence of Princes not sending thither any aid was conquered about ninety yeeres CHAP. 19. Knights of San Iago At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered the Countrey the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the Lawes of that barbarous nation retired themselues vnto the mountaines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeeres of their abode there certaine gentlemen consulting together determined to make an association and begin a warre vpon the infidels and Moores These gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certaine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of mariage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare was a red Crosse in forme of a sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victory against the Moores in the prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuiledges were giuen to S. Iames of Compostella Anno 1030. This Order hath one chiefe gouernour who is called great Master he with thirteene other Knights haue authoritie to choose or remooue any Knight at their discretion Vpon the feast day of all Saints these Knights do vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is marueilous amounting to many hundred thousand duckets Many Popes haue giuen their alowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof then ten Malachini yeerely Thomas Docwra Ordinis S. Iohis Hiâ—rosolom vulgo de Malta Pras. in Anglia Eques vlt. Fol 94. CHAP. 20. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called Knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta IT is written I know not with what warrant that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certaine Gentleman who in his childhood had bene brought vp in learning and being growen to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and there in long time continued Afterwards hauing attained riper yeres he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fully resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a suddaine desire he had to visite the Sepulchre where Christ was buried which shortly after he did And to the end he might with securitie passe the Barbarous Nations he apparelled himselfe like vnto a Phisition by which meane without impediment he performed his iorney Thus hauing passed the difficulties of trauell in diuers strange Countries he arriued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarch of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and dayly vsed by the Infidels towardes the poore Christians in those Countreys Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those countreys indured great outrages yet they of Ierusalem suffered much greater and should be forced to more if God did not defend them By this conference the Patriarch conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to be a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should be committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarch determined to make him a messenger vnto the Pope vnto whom by letters he imparted the great calamitie and afflicted estate of the poore Christians inhabiting the Holy land Peter hauing receiued his instructions and letter of credence returned into the West first vnto the Pope and after sollicited other Princes in such sort and with so good successe as by his perswasions many great Kings and Potentates consented to take in hand the recouery of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with money and some did go in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorain with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Robert Earle of Flanders Hugh surnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thither went Beaumond Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honour resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarily follow him of whom with such other Captaines and souldiers of Italy as came vnto him hee assembled more then twenty thousand all choyse men and young fit for warre All things in this sort prepared for the iourney Vrban
honor and habit a Peere of the Realme and companion of Princes and therefore no disparagement vnto his wife albeit a Dukes daughter to take her place according to her husbands condition All Dukes yonger sonnes be borne as Earles and shall weare as many powdrings as an Earle sauing they shall goe beneath all Earles and Marquesses eldest sonnes and aboue all Vicounts And their wiues shall goe beneath all Countesses and Marquesses daughters and aboue all Vicountesses and next to Marquesses daughters Also all Dukes daughters shall goe one with another so that alwayes the eldest Dukes Daughter go vppermost vnlesse the Princes pleasure be to the contrary A Marquesse A Marquesse must go after the ancienty of his Ancesters creation And the Marchionesse his wife according to the same He is to haue a cloth of Estate in his owne house so that it hang a yard aboue the ground and in euery other place sauing in a Dukes house or in his Souereignes presence He may haue no assayes in a Dukes presence but only his cups couered Neither may a Marchionesse haue her gowne borne in a Dutchesse presence but by a Gentleman for it is accompted a higher degree to bee borne by a woman then by a man But in her owne house she may haue her gowne borne vp by a Knights wife Also there ought no Vicount or Vicountesse to wash with a Marquesse or a Marchionesse but at their pleasures A Marquesse eldest sonne is borne in the degree as an Earle and shal go as an Earle and haue his Assaies in an Earles presence and weare as many powdrings as an Earle sauing that he shall goe beneath an Earle and aboue all Dukes yonger sonnes and his wife shal go beneath all Countesses and aboue all Marquesses daughters But if the Marquesses daughter be his heire and she the elder Marquesses daughter then she shall go aboue the yonger Marquesses eldest sonnes wife Item a Marquesses daughter is by birth equall to a Countesse and shall weare as many powdrings as a Countesse sauing she shall goe beneath all Countesses and Marquesses eldest sonnes wiues But they shall haue none assaies in any Countesses presence And if they be maried to a Baron then they shal go according to their husbands degree vt supra And if they be maried to a Knight or vnder the degree of a Knight then they shall take place after their birth Item Marquesses yonger sonnes be borne as Vicounts and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Vicount sauing onely hee shall goe beneath all Vicounts and Earles eldest sonnes and aboue all Barons and his wife shal goe beneath all Vicountesses and Earles daughters and aboue all Baronesses Item all Marquesses daughters are to goe one with another so that alwayes the eldest Marquesse daughter goe vppermost vnlesse the pleasure of the Prince be to the contrary An Earle AN Earle shall goe after the ancientie of his Ancesters creation so that he be of the same kinred and stocke And the Countesse his wife shall goe according to the same He may haue none Assayes in a Marquesse presence but onely his Cup couered Neither may any Countesse haue her gowne borne in a Marchionesses presence by a Gentlewoman but by a Gentleman Also an Earle may haue in his owne house a cloath of Estate which shall be fringed round without any pendant And a Baron ought not to wash with an Earle but at his pleasure Item an Earles eldest sonne is borne equal to a Vicount and shall goe as a Vicount and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Vicount But he shall go beneath all Vicounts and his wife beneath all Vicountesses and aboue all Earles daughters But if she be the Earles daughter and heire and the elder Earles daughter then shee shall goe aboue the yonger Earles eldest sonnes wife Item all Earles daughters be borne as Vicountesses and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Viscountesse yet shall she goe beneath all Viscountesses and Earles eldest sonnes wiues And if they be married to a Baron or to any other aboue a Baron then they shall goe after the degree of their husband And if they be married to a Knight or vnder the degree of a Knight then they are to goe and haue place according to their birth Item all Earles yonger sonnes be borne as Barons and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Baron sauing they shall goe beneath all Barons and Viscounts eldest sonnes and aboue all Baronnets And their wiues shal go beneath all Baronnesses and Viscountesse daughters and aboue all Baronets wiues Item all Earles daughters to goe one with an other the elder Earles daughter to goe vppermost vnlesse the pleasure of the Prince be to the contrary A Viscount A Viscount must goe after the ancientie of his owne Ancestors creation and the Viscountesse must haue place according to the same He may haue in his owne house the Cup of Assay holden vnder his Cup while he drinketh but none Assay taken He may haue a Caruer and Shewer with their Towels when they set their seruice on the Table The Viscount being there present and all Viscountesses may haue their gownes borne vp by a man in the presence of a Countesse Also they may haue a Trauerse in their owne houses Item Viscounts eldest sonnes be borne as Barons and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Baron sauing he shall goe beneath all Barons and aboue all Barons yong sonnes And his wife shall goe beneath all Baronesses and aboue all Viscounts daughters Item Vicounts daughters be borne as Baronesses and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Baronnesse sauing she shall goe beneath all Baronesses and Viscounts eldest sonnes wiues and if they be married to a Baron they shall goe after the degree of their Husbands And if they be married to a Knight or an Esquier they are to take place according to their birth Item Viscounts yonger sonnes shall go as Bannerets and weare as many Powdrings as a Banneret sauing they shall goe beneath all Baronets A Baron A Baron must goe after the ancientie of his Ancesters creation so that the eldest Baron goe vppermost and the Baronnesse his wife must goe after the same she may haue her gowne borne vp with a man in presence of a Vicountesse and the Baron may haue the couer of his cup holden vnderneath when he drinketh Item a Barons eldest sonne shall goe and haue place as a Banneret and take the vpper hand of a Banneret because his father is a Peere of the Realme and by the same reason all Barons yonger sonnes shal precede all Batcheler Knights Item all Barons daughters shall goe aboue all Bannerets wiues that is to say she shall haue the vpper hand of Bannerets wiues Knights wiues Item all Barons daughters to goe one with another so that the eldest Barons daughter goe alwayes vppermost vnlesse the Princes pleasure be to the contrary Note that if any of all the degrees aboue written be descended of the blood Royall they ought to
priuiledges appertaining to old souldiers for so was it decreed by Tiberius the Emperour and Caligula as Tacitus sayth taking view of his bands dispensed with diuers Captaines before they had gray haires as one that respected rather their imbecilitie and strength decayed then the time they had serued beeing perswaded that age approching was a cause sufficient to merit honest libertie It was therefore thought fit that all souldiers that had well serued should bee left to their libertie Antoninus the Emperour commanded that such men should be dismissed with honour and extraordinarily rewarded Which fauour was granted not onely to men armed but also vnto all officers that followed the Generall and serued in place of reputation yet were they inhibited to keepe company with other men then such as made profession of Armes or to intermeddle in any affaires not appertaining vnto the warre vpon paine to forfeit ten pounds in gold These Emeriti were alwayes ancient seruitours and professours of Armes who continued in Court or Campe euer ready to perfourme the Emperours will and commandement Touching the time of their seruice it seemeth to rest chiefly in the Princes commandement and was sometimes more and sometimes lesse as hath bene formerly said yet in shorter space then ten yeeres no souldier was with grace dismissed as shall be more particularly said in the Chapter of Cassation CHAP. 10. ¶ Of crimes Militarie in generall FIrst it is to be knowen that some crimes be common and punishable in all men and some are proper to men of war onely of the first are forgeries adulterie publique and priuate violence sedition manslaughter burning of houses treason sacrilege other enormities for whosoeuer committeth any such offence whether he be a man of warre or not the punishment due is all one Crimes proper to souldiers are such only as are committed contrarie to discipline Militarie and excuseable in other men not being souldiers Now is it necessarie to vnderstand how crimes contrary to Militarie Iustice ought be punished We call that discipline Militarie whereby men are made obedient and instructed in all such qualities as are required in a souldier And for so much as the readiest way vnto vertue is first to restraine vice we must endeuour by discipline to hold men in obedience And notwithstanding al humane policie and lawes both diuine and humane some men there are so vile and malicious as without respect will commit all actes or iniuries that can be inuented yet good gouernours do forecast not onely what men doe but also what may be done which moued the Romanes to consider that some men did commit faultes beyond expectation in so much as there wanted not of those that haue slaine their owne fathers For which offence Solon in his lawes prouided no punishment and being asked why he did not inflict penaltie vpon those offendors answered he thought not that any man would haue bene so wocked We therefore thinke fit to prescribe punishments vnto all crimes for souldiers like vnto others be neither gods nor perfect creatures but men apt to erre and without restraint of law not to be gouerned Arrius Meander in his first booke Dere Militari saith Crimes properly Militarie are those which a man as a souldier doth commit And here a certaine difference betweene errour and crime is to be noted for we call that an error when any thing is done contrary to common discipline as to be slouthful disobedient and vnwilling but he is said to commit a crime when the fault is accompanied with intent to hurt for without that intent the acte may be imputed to destenie or chance and as a thing happened vnwares therefore Antoninus the Emperour did command Herculianus and other Captaines that if a souldier hauing stroken another man did prooue the act was without intent to kill that then he should not bee condemned of manslaughter as if a man be slaine when souldiers be trained or in exercise of armes then that act is not accounted criminall but casuall yet if such an act be done in any other place the doer thereof shall be reâ—uted guiltie But as the humors of men are diuers so are the crimes by them committed of diuers qualitie as hereafter shall be discoursed CHAP. 11. Of treason and Traytors ALbeit a custome most common it is that Traitors flying vnto the enemie are well entreated and greatly esteemed so long as their seruice is thought profitable yet afterwardes their condition being knowen that credit doth decay and consequently the fauour they finde becommeth euery day lesse then other The law calleth them Traytors that indeuour to betray their Prince or the libertie of their countrey they are also called Traytors that hauing a charge doe yeeld the same vp vnto the enemie of whom it is by law decreed they ought to be capitally punished or at the least discharged Likewise all Explorators or spies that bewray our secrets and enforme the enemie are accounted Traytors and worthy capitall punishment With these offendors the Aegyptians vsed to deale more mildly for in that case the offendors had their tongues cut out and so suffered to liue They were also accounted to haue committed a crime treasonable that furnished the enemie with weapon or munition whereby they might offend vs and we with more difficultie offend them The goods of such men ought be confiscate and their liues subiect vnto death The doctor Paulus iudged that who so did sell any armour vnto the enemie did thereby incurre the forfeiture of his life Edward the third king of England in a Parliament holden at Winchester caused Edmond Earle of Kent to be conuicted of Treason for perswading other Lords to rebell Yet true it is that Traitors are diuersly punished according to the qualitie of the crime the custome of the countrey and the discretion of the Prince Tullus Hostilius king of Rome caused Metius Suffetius guiltie of Treason to be beaten by the Littori and after torne in pieces with horses Antony de Leua defending Pauia discouered a souldier of his had informed the French that in that citie small store of powder remained he called him to be examined and the fault confessed the souldier was put to death and quartered Among the Athenians it was not lawfull to burie a Traitor which was the cause that the bones of Themistocles were secretly caried into his friendes house and there buried Bellesarius finding that a Citizen of Athens called Laurus had complotted treason commanded his bodie should be brought vnto a hill before the citie and there thrust thorow with a stake which maner of death is at this day vsed in Turkie Charles the Emperour making warre vpon Philip duke of Austria practized with certaine of the Captains to perswade Philip to leaue the fielde who hauing compassed so much as the Emperour required they demanded a reward of their treason which was foorthwith payed in counterfeit money and caried home But the Traytors perceiuing the money not to be good returned therewith desiring better
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
the Pope that is the French King the King of England the King of Ierusalem and the King of Sicil. All the other Kings were crowned by their owne Prelats Thus sayth Paris An Earle being a Prince absolute and not subiect vnto the Empire or any other Potentate may refuse to fight with any person being a subiect notwithstanding he hath the title of Prince Duke or Marquesse Here is to be noted that these titles of honour were at the first giuen in office as the title of Duke was proper vnto him that was a Generall of the Armie A Marquesse was he vnto whome the confine or marches of a countrey or kingdome was committed An Earle or Count was a Iudge or commander in peace and of them in the ancient Emperours seruice were diuers as the Countes Palatine were as stewards of the Emperors house of his court or stable and euery of them might challenge any Prince Duke or Marquesse being a subiect because they are in respect of subiection reputed none other then Barons A Gentleman well borne and descended from Parentage of foure degrees may fight with any Earle or Baton in case of treason to his Prince or Countrey and also murther and infidelitie because they are besides their dignity none other then Gentlemen and Gentilitie or Nobilitie is hereditary and cannot be taken away but dignitie may But in other quarrels of lesse importance the Earle in respect of his dignitie may fight by Champion but in the cases aforesaid he shall fight in person vnlesse he be aged lame or otherwise disabled A Captaine Generall of an Armie Emperiall or Royall may not be challenged by any Gentleman or Lord neither ought the gouernour of and City Towne or Castle because no publike commandement may be abandoned for priuate respect The like is to be vnderstood of Ambassadors who in regard of the place they hold may during their commission repulse the challenge of any Gentleman or other subiect whatsoeuer A Souldier basely borne hauing liued in continuall exercise of Armes by the space of ten yeeres without committing any disobedience or other reprochfull acte ought be admitted to fight with any Gentleman borne A Gentleman who either by his owne fault or his ancestor hath committed any treason against his Prince may be repulsed to fight with any other Gentleman vnlesse the said offender or his ancestors were restored in blood or is in descent three degrees froÌ„ the ancestor that was attainted A Gentleman that is knowen Spie for the enemy or bewrayeth the secrets of his owne Princes campe abandoneth his ensigne or committeth any other military offence may be repulsed to fight with euery other gentlemen of good fame and reputation And by ancient custome men blotted with such a note might not liue in any City or Towne where the Emperour or other Prince remained A Gentleman that hath made profession of Armes by the space of twenty yeeres in the Court or Campe of his Prince without infamy or reproch may not withstanding he be dismissed reâ—ired or cassed fight with any other Gentleman that liueth in present pay A Gentleman hauing aspired vnto any title or dignity and is either in respect of age or infirmitie retired to his owne house ought neuerthelesse to enioy all his honours and shall be euer vnlesse he commit some dishonourable fact reputed worthy the honour he receiued in Court or campe and fight with any other Gentleman whatsoeuer An Artificer following the campe and exercising his Artor Mysterie notwithstanding he be also in pay may be repulsed to fight with any priuate Souldier that maketh particular profession and exercise of Armes No man vnder the degree of a Gentleman ought be receiued or allowed for a man at Armes on horsebacke for by the Emperiall lawes the Regiment of Launces was called Equestris ordo and they whome we call light Horsemen were named Celeri CHAP. 11. Of Armes both offensiue and Defensine IT hath bene before sayd that by the law of Lombardie euery Combat vnlesse vpon quarell of infidelitie should bee tried with shields and staues and with no other weapon But the matter of their Combats was onely for triall of trueth without respect of honour Howsoeuer it were besides that custome must be receiued for lawe it seemeth to me that either in publique or priuate fight such weapons ought bee vsed as are commonly worne of Gentlemen and others professing Armes And touching Armes defensiue it hath beene also the vse that as they are thought allowable in warre and all generall fights so in particular trial of Armes they ought not be reiected because fortitude accompanied with prudence is much the more commendable seeing he that vnwisely or inconsiderately aduentureth himselfe is not to bee reputed valiant but furious neither is hee accompted valiant that without counsell or cause delighteth in dangers but he that neuer doth shun any generous action tending to publique benefit or his owne priuate reputation And Aristotle sayth that a valiant man doth neither feare all things nor dare doe all things For these respects it hath euer bene thought fit that in particular Combats the Fighters should be allowed Armes defensiue and not performe the same naked and vtterly disarmed with swords and daggers onely as is in this part of the world now vsed And sith the perill of life is no lesse in particular then in publique fight it seemeth very reasonable that defensiue Armes should be allowed yet so as both the challenger and defender be equally armed and weaponed which in trueth ought be at the election of the defendant as heretofore hath bene discoursed But because the custome of the land is and happily also lawe forbideth that any man should be armed saue onely in the warre I thinke no Gentleman ought to refuse to fight disarmed And here will I not omit to remember an abuse which hardly is discontinued I meane that some English gentleman are so obstinately addicted to custome as notwithstanding they doe themselues enter quarrell and be challengers yet wil they vse that sort of weapon only which please themselues An opinion contrary vnto reason and the vse of all other people as though ancient vse made that weapon onely allowable which reason will also prooue vice as good as vertue because it is no lesse ancient CHAP. 12. Of the election of Weapons FOr good and reasonable causes many aduantages are due vnto him that is chalenged because hee being accused and constrained to fight iust and true reason willeth that hee should enioy all honest fauour It hath bene therefore well determined that whosoeuer is defender doeth sufficiently acquite himselfe and ought be reputed victorious if hee be not victored But on the other side he that challengeth must not onely escape to be vanquished but also vanquish his enemie for otherwise he shall be reputed as victored and lose the quarell Which seemeth very reasonable because his office is to proue But the defender is not bound to more then defend Another fauour also
fell to the ground after the Combattants did enter into the Lists aswell from the Challenger as the Defender But all the rest appertained to the partie victorious whether he were Challenger or Defender The Barres Posts Railes and euery other part of the Lists were also the fees of the Marshall Certaine Combats granted by the Kings of England EDmund of the race of West Saxons fought in Combat with Canutus King of Denmark for the possession of the Crowne of England In which fight both the Princes being weary by consent parted the land betwixt them Anno 1016. Robert Mountfort accused Henry of Essex of treason affirming that hee in a iourney toward Wales neere vnto Colshill threw away the Kings Standerd saying the King was dead and turned backe those that went to the Kings succour Henry denied the accusation so as the matter was to bee tried by Combat The place appointed for fight was a little Isle neere vnto Reding In this Combat Henry was vaquished and fell downe dead and at the sute of friends license was obteined that his body might be buried by the Monks of Reding But it happened that the said Henry recouered and became a Monke in that Abbey Anno 1163. In the raigne of King Henry the second Henry duke of Hereford accused Thomas Mowbray duke of Norfolke of certaine words by him spoken as they rode betweene London and Braineford tending vnto the Kings dishonour Thomas duke of Norfolke denied to haue spoken any such word but Henry affirming his accusation the King granted the Combat to be performed at Couentry the seuenth of September 1398. Anno Rich. 2. but the combat was not performed for th' one and th' other party was banished the Realme A combat was fought at Westminster in the Kings presence betweene Iohn Ansley Knight and Thomas Catrington Esquier whom the said Knight had accused of treason for selling the castle of S. Sauiours which the Lord Chandos had builded in the Isle of Constantine in France In which combat the Knight was victorious Anno 1374. Rich. 2. A combat was granted vnto an Esquier borne in Nauar to fight with an English Esquier called Iohn Welsh whom the Nauarrois accused of Treason But the true cause of the Nauarrois his malice was that the said Welsh had dishonoured his wife as being vanquished he confessed The King gaue sentence he should be drawne and hanged Anno 1344. Rich. 2. A combat was fought betweene sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the thirde blow giuen the King stayed the fight Anno 1441. Henrici 6. A combat was granted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cypres and Thomas de la Marsh Bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of king Edward the third at Westminster CHAP. 18. Of Triumphs Ancient and Moderne TRiumphs haue bene commonly vsed at the Inauguration and Coronation of Emperors Kings and Princes at their Mariages Entry of cities Enteruiewes Progresses and Funerals Those pompous shewes were first inuented and practised by the Romanes whom dâ—uers other Princes haue imitated though hard it was and happily impossible for any Prince to equal them in magnificence Yet reade we may that Xerxes Darius and Alexander the great were Princes of marueilous puissance and for triumphs admirable Howsoeuer those matters were handled certein it is that albeit our Princes of Europe in respect of Christian religion doe in some sort contemne excesse of Mundane glory yet haue they euer liued royally and at occasions triumphed with princely honour and greatnes according to the measure of their Empires as shall hereafter appeare But first we haue thought good to speake of Romane Triumphs and briefly to touch in what order they triumphed for to report them at large were a labour almost infinite CHAP. 19. Of Triumphes and their originall VArro saith That Princes and great Captaines being returned to Rome with victory were allowed to passe with their armie through the citie vnto the Capitall singing Io. Triumphe Io. Triumphe The first inuentour of Triumphes was Liber Pater as Pliny saith Yet certaine it is and so by lawe prouided that no man should be admitted to Triumph vnlesse he had vanquished full fiue thousand enemies Cato and Martius Tribunes of the people by law also decreed that who so vntruely reported the enterprize he had done should incurre punishement Therefore entring into the citie euery Triumpher did first come before the Questors and deliuer his actions in writing and sweare they were true It was likewise by law prouided and by custome also obserued that only for recouery of dominion no man should bee permitted to triumph Which was the cause that neither Publius Scipio for the recouery of Spaine not Marcus Marcellus for taking of Syracusa were suffered to triumph The first that imitated Liber Pater in triumphing was Titus Tatius when he triumphed for victory of the Sabini yet was that no full triumph but as they called it Ouante because his victorie was not great and without blood For the same reason the crowne he ware was made of Myrtel which euer after was the crowne of all Captains that triumphed for victories of meane reputation In that age also it was vnlawfull for any man to triumph vnlesse he were a Dictator a Consull or a Praetor Therefore L. Lentulus being Proconful although he had performed great seruices in Spaine yet was he not admitted to enter Rome but Ouante Afterwards Scipio most instantly required to triumph hauing deserued great glory but till that time no man without office had triumphed Likewise C. Manlius by the base people elected the first Dictator by their commandement also without allowance of the Patritij did triumph And Gneus Pompeius a Gentleman Romaine before he was of age to be Consull triumphed twise Another law or custome there was that no Captaine might triumph vntill he had brough backe the armie and therewith also deliuered the country of his charge quiet into the hand of his successour For Lucius Manlius the Consull hauing effected great victories in Spaine was in the Hall of Bellona denied to triumph because the countrey where he commanded was not in peace as Liuie reporteth CHAP. 20. The maner of triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher in Rome THe Prince or Captaine that triumphed was euer drawen in a chariot as appeareth by the Arke Triumphall of Titus and Vespatian and likewise by that of L. Verus Antoninus made of marble yet extant in Rome This Arke was drawen by foure white horses Others vsed in their chariots white Buls or Elephants As Pompei triumphing of Affrica had in his chariot Elephants onely But Caesar surpassing all others in pompe was drawen by forty Elephants and in the day time conducted to the Capitoll with torches when he triumphed ouer the Galli Some writers haue said that the Emperour Aurelianus was drawen with foure Harts or Stags and being come to the Capitoll he caused them all to be slaine and sacrificed to Iupiter Optimus Maximus
Charles Lord of Hohenhuwen of Sueuia 2 George Lord of VVolffartshausen of Bauaria 3 Meinolphus Lord of Erbach of the Rheyn 4 Ernestus Grumbach Esquier The Actors in the first Triumph whose names were enrolled and presented vnto the Emperour were in all 390. Among whom These were the Emperours band The Duke of Holland The Prince of Pomeran The Prince of Saxon. The Prince of Thuringia The Burgraue of Meydburg The Prince of Witten The Prince of Russia The Prince of Delmantia The Count of Thuringia The Marques of Staden The Prince of Ascania The Earle of Aldenburg The Earle Valesius The Earle Harracortius The Earle Schuuartzburg The Earle Weissenfels The Earle Gleichen The Burgraue of Leisneck The Earle of Eberstein The Earle of Eysenburg The Earle of Rotel The Earle of Winssenburg The Earle of Wunssdorff The Earle of Vffen The Earle of Louenrode The Earle of Rochlitz The Earle of Piedmont The Earle of Alençonius The Earle of Bren. The Earle of Leisneck The Rawgraue of Cassell The Earle Woldenburg The Earle of Eskersberg The Earle of Pein The Earle of Arnsshag The Earle of Lobdiburg The Earle Nortingen The Earle of Ployssigk After the Emperour followed the Palatine of the Rheyn with his band containing 80. persons among whom were 7. Princes and 16. Earles viz. The Duke of Alsatia The Duke of Barry The Marques of Pontamonsa The Duke of Lymburg The Duke of Burbon The Duke of Limburg The Earle of Burgondy and others Next to him followed the Duke of Sueuia with his band containing 82. persons of which number 9. were Dukes and Princes Next followed the Duke of Bauaria with his band containing 69. persons of whom 8. were Dukes and Princes Next followed the Duke of Franconia with his band containing 80. persons of whom 4. were Princes Besides these Bands appertaining to the Emperour and the 4 principal Princes of Germany being the chiefe Nobility and Gentlemen yet other Princes also offered their Bands viz. Otho Duke of Thuringia the Emperours eldest sonne presented 112. persons of whom 8. were Dukes or Princes Likewise Arnoldus the Emperors second sonne presented 85. persons among whom some were also Princes To conclude the number of Princes Lords and Gentlemen that appeared in these triumphes before the fourth triumph was ended amounted vnto two thousand persons Then was there charge and commission giuen to Georgius Scuuabenlant to be the Herault and pronouncer of all Orders and Ordinances concerning those affaires He also tooke notes how euery man was mounted armed and furnished To him also appertained the publicatio◠of what honour or dishonour euery man deserued and therewith to perswade that no malice or quarrell should be among the Actors but euery one with an honourable emulation to do his best This Officer also proclaimed the priuiledges and what Armes were to be vsed and that done he assigned place where euery band should attend and in what order they should runne which were long to be rehearsed The troopes of Lances thus marshalled the beholders were permitted to enter But first of all the Princes Ladies and women of honour did take their places of whose beauty pompe and rich attire no man needeth to doubt These women thus prepared in passing to their places with due reuerence and thankes set them downe and the courses being runne desired that euery Actor might receiue the praise he deserued Therewith also that the chief prizes might be allotted to the 4. Kings appointed for the next triumph which should be celebrated at Rauensburg vpon S. Iames day Anno 941. which was 3. yeeres after this present triumph The prizes were deliuered according to the praises and pleasure of the Ladies This triumph and the ceremonies therof ended it pleased the Emperour to pronounce the first Article to be obserued in all future triumphs viz. IT should bee lawfull for all Gentlemen well borne to enter and fight in these exercises of Armes euer excepting such as in worde or deed had blasphemed God or done or said cōtrary to our Christian faith Of whom if any shall presume to enter the Lists wee will and commaund That the Armes of his ancestours with all other his furniture shal be cast out his horse confiscate and in lieu of honour which arrogantly and vnworthily was sought his person shal be expulsed with perpetuall infamy The second Article was pronounced by the Pallatin the effect whereof was THat if any Lord or Gentleman whatsoeuer hath or shall wittingly or willingly say or do any thing in preiudice of the dignitie Emperiall or profit thereof hee shal be repulsed from these exercises and suffer the punishments thereunto due I also ordaine and pronounce Meinolphus of Erbach to be King in the celebration of the next triumph and the chiefe leader of all my Nobilitie of the Rhein The third Article was pronounced by the Duke of Sueuia viz. THat if any Gentleman of what title soeuer hath by word or deed dishonored any virgin widow or other gentlewomā or hath by force taken or deteined any goods or lands to them or any of them belonging he shal be iudged vnworthy to receiue fame and honour in these triumphs hee shall also forfeit his horses and with infamy be expulsed the Lists Such is my censure irreuocable I likewise constitute Carolus Lord of Hohenheuuen to be a King in these triumphs and Leader of the Nobility of Sueuia The fourth Article was pronounced by the Duke of Bauaria viz. THat forasmuch as nothing was more agreeable to the glory of God and honour of the holy Empire then trueth I require that all men of what dignitie or title soeuer being knowen vniust in their doings and lyars should during their liues remaine infamous And if any person of such quality shall offer to enter the Lists I commaund him to be with dishonor dismounted I likewise pronounce George of Wolffarthuusen in my name to be King of the Prouince of Bauaria The fifth Article was pronounced by Conradus Duke of Franconia to this effect THat whosoeuer hath betrayed or forsaken his master in the field or in his iourney or hath procured any other man so to doe or if hee hath not defended his countrey his subiects others committed to his charge as is the duety of a good man or if wickedly he hath procured the trouble of any person or not defended him but left them as a pray to the enemy then I command that euery such person shal be for euer repulsed from the celebration of these triumphs hee shall also forfeit his horse and endure the ignominy due to men infamous I also pronounce Ernestus of Grumbach Esquier to be King of the triumph within my circuit of Franconia These Articles pronounced and written the Emperor called before him 15 men appointed to be Curatores ludorum as we may tearme them Superuisors of the Triumph to whome he said That forasmuch as he allowed and much liked the pastime his intention was to impart the same to all Kings Princes and Potentates
Christian to the ende that if any of their Nobilitie were louers of Arms and honor they might appeare in our Triumphs with all things needful on Munday next after S. Matthew the Apostle At Meydeburg THen his Maiesty was pleased with the aduise of the foure and the fifteene men aforesaid to adde diuers other Articles as followeth That If any man had either openly or secretly slaine his wife or had aided or counselled another man to kill his master he should forfeit his horse and be expulsed the Lists If any man had committed sacriledge by spoiling of Churches or Chappels or had by force taken the goods of any widow or Orphan or not defended them to his power he should forfeit his horse and be punished with infamy If any man without warning had assaulted his enemy or by indirect meanes had procured him to be robbed of corne wine or other prouision feloniously he should forfeit his horse c. If any man in the Empire or vnder the Empire rashly and without licence of the Emperour did impose new and vnaccustomed tributes wherby the people might be damnified he should forfeit his horse and be taxed of infamy If any man had beene conuinced of notorious adultery hauing himselfe a wife or being a Batcheler had by force defloured any matron virgine or religious woman he should forfeit his horse remaine infamous If any Gentleman borne being the Owner of lands and reuenue and not therewith contented did exact or oppresse his Tenants or being the Officer of a Prince or other great Lord did wrest from his subiects to enrich himselfe for so doing he should forfeit his horse and be excluded from the Lists with infamie All which Articles being publikely read and approued were by his Emperiall Maiestie confirmed as Law CHAP. 27. ¶ Of Triumphs at the interuiewe of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Foedericus Barbarossa at Venice Anno 1166. ADuertizement being giuen to Venice that the Emperor resolued to come thither Piro Zinzano the Dukes sonne was sent with sixe long Galleyes to meete him at Rauenna After them were dispatched a great number of lesse vessels The Emperour being arriued at Venice the Pope was set in a rich chaire at the Church doore and there taried his comming Before the Popes feet a carpet of purple was spread vpon the ground The Emperor being come to the sayd Carpet forthwith fel downe and from thence vpon his knees went towards the Pope to kisse his feete which done the Pope with his hand lifted him vp From thence they passed together vnto the great Altar in S. Markes Church whereon was set the Table of precious stones which at this day is reputed one of the richest treasures of Europe Some haue reported that there the Emperor did prostrate himselfe before the Altar and the Pope set his foot vpon his necke While this was in doing the Clergie sung that Psalme of Dauid which sayth Super Aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis Which the Emperour hearing sayd Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replied Et mihi Petro. After some dayes abode in Venice the Pope departed by sea to Ancona and the Emperor towards Germany by land either of them accompanied with Gentlemen Venetians in great number CHAP. 28. ¶ An admirable triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cyprus Anno. 1366. AFter thankes giuen to God for the recouery of this Island euery man endeuoured to make demonstration of gladnes wherin no cost in banquetting or other solemnization was omitted Among these shewes of triumph and iolitie two sights there were most admirable and neuer before that time seene the maner of the one was a representation of Iusting on horsebacke For certaine portratures or images of men and horses were so made of skinnes clothed in silke with Lances and Shields as the wind by a straight line forced them to runne one encountering the other like to a course of the field The other was like vnto a combat where armed men did seeme to fight both which shewes were in the streete In the first the Actors were only 24 yong Gentlemen Venetians for personage apparell and yeeres very commendable The inuentor and director of these pastimes was Thomasso Bambasio who for such deuises and action was in Venice esteemed as in old time Roscius had bene in Rome Surely it seemeth strange that so many men richly attired and so many horses brauely furnished could be managed with so great dexteritie and one hauing ended his courses another was presently ready to supply that place In the meane while the Lances did seeme broken and the splinters flie about The duke with al the Nobilitie of the city beheld this miraculous sight and so did a multitude of people Among these beholders as mine Author sayth were diuers Noble men of England who trauailed to Venice purposely to see the maner of this Triumph and the Actors CHAP. 29. A Triumph in the reigne of King Richard the second 1390. THis noble Prince being aduertised with what magnificence and pompe the Queene Isabella of France had made her entry into Paris thought good to appoint a militarie triumph at London wherin appeared sixty Knights and so many faire young Ladies of his Court sumptuously apparelled With this troope his Maiestie rode from the Tower of London vnto Smithfield and passing thorow Cheapeside a proclamation was made that on Sunday and Munday next following these Knights would attende there to challenge all commers For him that deserued best in this Iust if he were a stranger the Queene and her Ladies had prepared a crowne of golde or if he were any of the sixty English Knights he should receiue a rich bracelet The English Knights likewise promised to giue vnto the stranger of best desert a faire horse with his furniture or if he were an English man hee should receiue a Falcon. This challenge and these prizes had bene by a King of Armes formerly proclaymed in England Scotland France Flaunders Brabant Henault and Germany which mooued many persons of Honour and reputation to come hither Among whom was William of Henault Earle of Oye or as some did call him of Ostrenant a young Prince much delighting in Armes This Noble youth desirous to honour the King of England his kinsman drew into his company many Gentlemen of his Nation with whom hee passed into England Then resoluing to performe that iourney thought good to take the consent of Albert his father Count of Henault Holland and Zeland Of whom with great difficultie he obtained leaue The like desire to honour the King mooued the Earle of S. Paul who had married the Kings sister And he brought with him a great troope of gallant Knights These two Princes came first vnto Calis where they found English ships readie to transport them But the Earle of Oye passed ouer first and being come to London had accesse to the King of whom he was with great ioy embraced The like courtesie he found in Iohn Holland the Kings brother
and all other Lords of the Court. The day of triumph being come the King and the Queene attended vpon by the troopes of men at Armes and Ladies aforesaid passed through London from the Tower to Smithfield Being come thither the King the Queene the Ladies and other honourable personages setled themselues in such places as were prepared and sorted with their degrees Then were the men of Armes marshalled and set in such order as they should runne The first courses were allotted to the Earle of S. Paul and his Band who were with great courage encountred by the English Betweene them the first dayes Iusting was spent and that night his Maiestie the Queene and all the company supped and lodged in the Bishops house neere to Saint Pauls Church The chiefe honour and commendation of that first fight was among the strangers giuen vnto the Earle of S. Paul and among the English the Earle of Huntington had the praise This magnificent supper ended euery one resorted to his lodging the King and Queene onely excepted who continued their lodging in that house all the time of that triumph The next day after noone King Richard himselfe in compleat Armour appeared in the fielde being followed with the whole band of English Knights Thither also came the Queene with her traine of Ladies and was set in that roome where the day before she had bene placed The first of the strangers that offered to runne was the Earle of Oye who presented himselfe and his companie most pompously furnished And after him followed the Earle of S. Paul with his troope of Frenchmen The Knights strangers being entred and readie were foorthwith incountred by the English The conflict continued till darke night with equall honour The Iusts of that day ended the King returned to his lodging accompanied with the Noble strangers and there supped The chiefe commendation of that day on the strangers part was allotted to the Earle of Oye who by his vertue without fauour so deserued Likewise among the English a Gentleman named Hewe Spencer was highly praysed On Tuesday also the men at Armes resorted to the Tilt and continued the exercise with great admiration of the beholders On Wednesday the runners intermingled themselues and euery one did runne as he thought good On Thursday the King conuited all the men and all the women supped with the Queene On Friday the whole company was feasted by the Duke of Lancaster On Saturday the King and the Queene accompanied with the Earles of Oye and S. Paul in great state rode to Windsor where they were most honourably intertayned and the Earle of Oye receiued the Garter From thence euery one returned home CHAP. 30. The triumphall passage of Charles the fift Emperour through France Anno 1540. IN the moneth of December this Emperour arriued at Bayon where the Dolphin and Duke of Auuernia with great pompe receiued him Being in the towne he behaued himselfe as King pardoning offenders and deluering them from prison From thence with like Maiestie he passed to other cities accompanied with the sayd Dolphin and Duke where he vsed the same authority In Ianuary hee came to Castelloaldum where the King in person with much magnificence intertained him From thence he passed to Amboyse where King Charles the 8. had built two great towers the walles whereof are so large as Mules and Carts may passe vpon them The King then to the end that Caesars entrie in the night should bee the more magnificent furnished those towers with an exceeding great number of lights so as they might behold all the Countrey as if it had bene faire day But when Caesar was going vp by great mishap the tower fell on fire the flame and smoke whereof became so great as euery one feared lest the Emperour should haue bene smothered Whereupon all men there present laboured by fleeing to saue themselues Some that were suspected to haue done this fact were apprehended and the King did command they should be hanged though indeed no proofe appeared but Caesar would in no wise they should die so were they pardoned After this disaster the King conducted the Emperar to Bleas and from thence to Fountainableu where they hunted hauked and beheld certaine Iusts and Tournaments in conclusion no sport or solace was omitted From thence the Emperour attended by the Dolphin and Duke went to Paris Before he entred the citie the Burgesses and Citizens of all sorts came foorth and receiued him with no lesse ceremony then if the King had bene present there he also set at libertie all prisoners From thence he passed vnto the Constables house and was there most honourably lodged At last he went into Picardy and so to Valentia which is the first town of his iurisdiction in Belgica vnto which place the Dolphin and Duke did follow him CHAP. 31. The triumphall Entry of Philip Prince of Spaine at Milan An. 1548. THis Prince entred at the gate towards Pauia where the citizens had made a stately bridge whereupon they shewed diuers Pageants Arkes triumphal adorned with verses and sentences very markable About three of the clocke after noone he entred the citie where the most reputed citizens did attend him in Burgo della Trinitá as they call it Being passed that place hee was saluted by Caesar Gonzaga the Count Iohn Treuultio the Count Charles Belgioso and many other noble persons richly apparelled After them Mutio Sforza presented his reuerence being accompanied with a great troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey clad in white silke and bearing in their hands Pollaxes the heads of them were gilt and the staues couered with white silke Then followed the Doctors schollers accompanied with 300 horsemen apparelled in yellow coats And immediatly appeared two other troupes of men lightly armed which company garded the ancient Lords and Noblemen of the countrey among whom were some Princes Earles and Barons That troupe was so great as two houres sufficed not to see them passe They that rode next vnto the Princes person were the Duke of Alba the Duke of Sossa the Marquesse of Pescara the Admiral of Castilia the Marquesse Milo Ferdinando Gonzaga On the one side of the Prince the Cardinal of Trent on the other the Duke of Sauoy did ride Behind them followed fiue companies of men at Armes apparelled in siluer and gold conducted by Count Alexander Gonzaga Count Francisco Somaia Count Philippo Tornello two other noblemen I omit to tell of diuers shewes Arkes triumphal and other sights wherwith in euery streete the Prince was entertained by Italians onely These Complements ended the Prince came vnto the chiefe Church at the doore whereof were excellent Paintries The Prince in his entire to the Church was by the Senate and people of Milan presented with a basin of gold ful of double Duckats to the number of ten thousand as was reported The Prince thus entertained and setled in the citie Iusts and Tournaments were brought before him The Actors in that triumph were apparelled in
Counsellors besought the King that in respect the weather was exceeding hote his Maiesty would be pleased to moderate his motion and for that day cease from running adding this perswasion that it was vnfit a King should in such disports hazard his person which perswasion for the present preuailed But his Maiesty as it were drawen on by fatal force would in any wise the 3. day returne to the Tilt either to make further triall of his valour or thereby as some supposed to honour his daughter to the vttermost of his power That day his Maiestie in all princely pompe appeared his person and horse also being more richly furnished then any pen can expresse The first courses his Maiestie performed fortunately with marueilous applause of the beholders At the fourth course by marueilous misaduenture he became hurt with a splinter of the aduersaries Lance which pearced his eye so deep as thereby his braine was much bruised Thus was the Nuptiall feast disturbed and ioy conuerted to sorow Such is the state of worldly things gladnes is euer followed with sadnes and pleasure accompanied with paine The rest of the troupe there ready to runne were with that accident marueilously amazed and not knowing what to doe euery man let fâ—ll his Lance and cursed all such triumphs Some preassed to carie his person home and others as touched to the heart shut vp their eyes from seeing a spectacle so lamentable The Ladies likewise and Gentlewomen of the Court turned their faces from beholding and closed vp their eyes with teares To conclude the whole number of Courtiers were striken with sorow not explicable The Citizens likewise and generally all the subiects of that kingdome were perplexed to see the tragical euent of that disastrous triumph which was intended to congratulate a new peace and an honourable alliance The forme and face of the citie thus conuerted from exceeding ioy to vnspeakeable sorow some helde vp their hands to heauen others made haste to the Churches and euery one with abundance of sighs and sobs cried out beseeching God to grant the King recouery as if euery mans well doing had thereon depended How vnpleasing these newes were to the King of Spaine euery one can conceiue Then the Physicians and Chirurgions not onely of France but of the Low countreys also came thither to shew their skil vsing all Art and endeuour that might be but the splinters of the Lance had pearced the Kings eye so deepe as the tendernes of the place could not suffer it to bee taken out nor seene the braine also being pearced no meane there was to cure the wound The King therefore tormented with extreame paine fell into a burning Feuer whereof in the end of eleuen daies he died In all which time he did neuer weepe or speake any word that might be imputed to pusillanimity but most magnanimously tooke leaue of life Onely thus he sayd that seeing he was destined to die in Armes he would haue bene much better contented to haue lost his life in the field then in those domesticall pastimes Let this accident therefore remaine an example to all princes neuer to aduenture their owne persons vnnecessarily considering their onely liues is the welfare of infinite others CHAP. 41. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. A Fained fortresse with Trenches Baracadoes and other furniture of defence was erected On the roote wherof a sword of gold was set adorned with precious stones This Castell was inuironed with water like to an Iland and impossible it was to mount vnto the walls but by degrees and staires exceeding steepe This yland was called Insula Fortunae which is the yle of Fortune others named it Insula periculosa the perilous yland Vpon the water which inuironed the Castell a ship of gold did alwayes ride at Anker with sailes of red silke and gold Neither was any thing else wanting to illustrate the beautie thereof On the first gate was painted a roaring Lion of gold which picture shined very gloriously and neere to it was a posterne gate the name whereof was Porta terroris which is the gate of terror Betweene the water and the gate was a large Court and there hanged a large white Shield and therein was painted a blacke Eagle Neere to that place was a Turret whereinto no man could come vntill he had passed many doores it was called Transitus periculosus which is the perilous passage Not farre from thence was a Pillar of no great height yet broad and square and thereon was painted a red Griffin vnder which signe were graued the Lawes of that yland in three tongues The first passage to the Castell was kept by the Knight of the red Griffin who was indeed the Earle Aringberg The second passage was kept by the Knight of the blacke Egle that was the Erle Hoochstrat The third passage next the yland was kept by the Knight of the golden Lion which was the Earle of Egmond Within this Castell called Arxtenebrosa remained the L. Corbaron gouernour to the Prince Aurasina who had before wonne it by art Magicke and now by conuerting the letters of his name backeward named himselfe Norabroc Before euery of the foresaid gates a magnificent Pauilion was erected and therein the Earles with their troupes attended their enemies Then was there a petition presented to the Emperour against Norabroc the Magician for that hee by his diuelish art and force of the inchanted sword had surprised many noble personages and worthy Knights now prisoners in the Castell of darknesse And forsomuch as it hath bene prophesied that the glorious expugnation of this Castell is destined onely to the most vertuous and fortunate Prince liuing vnder the sunne who can be no other then the excellent Prince of Spaine sonne to the most inuincible Emperour Charles they humbly desired that he with his Knights might attempt the enterprise The Emperours license obtayned the three Knights within the darke Castle came foorth to encounter all those that durst assayle them The first that appeared called himselfe the Darke Knight followed with one onely seruant to carry his launce His armour was blacke and his apparell course Of the same colour was the attire of his seruant and the furniture of his horse But the assault no sooner was made but he retired into the Castle Norabroc had euer sixe Gentlemen apparelled in red and yellow readie to receiue such Knights as went out or in Those sixe were attired after the Hungarian fashion wearing on their heads Turbants These men had charge of the bridge to let in euery Knight that would fight This Darke Knight was the Lord Chaumont and he that encountred him was the Knight of the red Griffin otherwise called the Earle of Arenberg His armour was all gilded and ouer it hee ware an arming coate of siluer cloth very rich In his crest he also ware feathers white and vermilion The Darke Knight thus retired to the Castle three other Knights appeared in coates of blacke cloth of gold and
performed by King Henry the eight Francis the French King with their Nobility and Gentlemen of Armes at their enteruiew in Picardie where the Proclamation in forme aforesaid was pronounced in English and French It seemeth that in ages more ancient the vse was that the Prince did also giue a letter of attestation to such persons as gained any prize either in combat for life or honour for my selfe haue read such a one granted by a King of France vnto an Italian Gentleman in these words following wherunto was added an honourable ceremony NOi Filippo per gratia di Dio Re di Franza c. Notifichiammo a tutti coloro a quali perueranno queste nostre littere che lo haranno a grado in piacere e generalmente a Imperadori Re Duchi Marchesi Conti Principi Nobili Caualierie Gentilhuomini Come hauendo noi celebrato le nostre feste a honore a laude a gloria di nostro Signor Dio ad honore di tutti i Caualieri che sono venuti a combattere a tutto transito in questo honorato passo di Armi. Vogliamo che siano riconosciuti coloro che si saranno valorosamente portati senza essermai vinti pure vna volta poi che si debbe dar l' honore a chi merita ch' esenza menda Però per queste ordoniammo commandiammo e sententiammo che a gloria a honore a laude a fama del egregio e virtuoso Caualiere N. esso sia publicato in tutti quatro i cantoni delle lizze sbarre dai Re d' armi Araldi Passauanti con trombette e Sonatori con consentimento nostro delli giudici del campo rappresentanti la persona nostra per lo miglioâ—e di tutti i Caualieri de nostro regno Et commandâ—ammo che sia posto sopra vn cauallo tuito bianco e che tutti coloro che vi si truoueranno cosi donne come huomini vengono con esso not tutti a Piedi e sia fatta processione generale e N vada sotto il baldacchino fino alla chiesa Appresso commandiammo ordoniammo che vscendo della chiesa si vada per tutte le lizze sbarre e N. ne prenda la possessione e per i Re d' Armi gli siano date tutte le châ—aui delle dette lizze in segno di vittoria Et ancora commandiammo che siano celebrate feste che durino quindeci giorni a laude gloria del vittorioso N. E perche ciascuno conosca la real verita di questo fatto habbiamo segnata la presente carta con color vermiglio e suggellata col nostro Real Suggillo Data nella nostra Citta di Parigi a 4. di Luglio c. The same in English PHilip by the grace of God King of France c. Be it knowen to all men to whome these Letters shall come and to euery other person that take delight or pleasure in Arms and generally to all Emperors Kings Dukes Marquesses Earles Princes Barons and other Gentlemen That we haue celebrated a solemne triumph to the honor praise and the glory of God and the commendation of such as did fight in this honourable action of Armes And beeing desirous that they who haue valorously perfourmed their parts without receiuing blame or disgrace should be knowen to the end honour may be giuen to euery one according to his merit Therefore we haue hereby ordained commanded and iudged for the euerlasting honour praise and glory of the excellent and vertuous Gentleman N. his name shall be proclaimed in all the foure corners of the Lists or place of Iousts by the king of Armes the Heralds and Puâ—seuants and by the censure of the Iudges of the field representing our person whereby all men may knowe that the sayde N. is the most excellent and most vertuous Gentleman of Armes in all our kingdome Wee moreouer commaund that hee shall be mounted vpon a white horse and that euery person present as well women as men shall with vs follow him in procession on foot And that the said N. shall ride vnder a canopy vnto the Church We likewise ordaine and commaund that in returne from the Church hee shall passe through the place of Iousts and there take possession of the keyes which shall be deliuered vnto him by the king of Armes in signe of victory Lastly wee commaund that the celebration of the feast shall continue the space of fifteene dayes to the commendation and glory of the victorious N. And in witnes of the very troth in this matter we haue signed these Letters with red inke and thereunto set our Royall Seale Dated in our Citie of Paris the 4. of Iuly c. CHAP. 50. Of Iusts and Turneaments and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged in the Kingdome of Naples IT is written how at a triumph in the noble citie of Naples a Gentleman called the L. Peter Counte of Derise receiued so furious an encounter by the Launce of another that ran against him that therewith he became at one instant disarmed of his shield his Curats and Headpeece so as he being vtterly disarmed was left on horsebacke in his doublet onely without other harme In requital whereof the said Peter gaue vnto the other Gentleman so violent a blow as therewith the girthes of the horse were broken and the man cast headlong on the ground Whereupon a question was moued which of them had merited most honour or rather which of them deserued least reproch Whereunto was answered absolutely that he who fell from the horse was most dishonored for next vnto death to fall from the horse is most reprochfull Yet it is lesse disgrace to fall with the horse then to fal alone and therefore albeit a man doth runne neuer so well if in the end he doth fall from the horse he can by no meanes receiue honour for that day but shal rather depart with disgrace Who so fighteth on foot at Barrier or in any other exercise of Armes is by the force of his aduersary constrained with his hand to touch the ground shall thereby lose all commendation He that on horsebacke directeth his Launce at the head is more to be praised then he that toucheth lower For the higher the Launce hitteth the greater is the Runners commendation Whoso runneth low is not onely vnworthy praise but also meriteth reproch And he who so carieth his Launce comely and firme is more to be praised although he breake not then he who misgouerneth his horse or vnskilfully handleth his Launce although he doeth breake He that vseth to runne high sitteth steadily and mooueth least in his course accompanying his horse euenly and iustly is in running worthy all commendation He that falleth with the encounter of the aduersary although as is before said the same be a great disgrace yet is it more excuseable then if he remaineth on horsebacke amazed suffering his horse to wander
vllam nisi datum tibi esset desuper Ioh. 19. It appeareth also that good Princes doe deserue diuine honour as S. Austen seemeth to affirme And the Apostle in his Epistle to Timothy saith Qui bene praesunt duplici honore dignisunt Good and godly Kings therfore haue receiued from God diuine vertue aboue all other creatures As was scene in Saul who being made King by Samuel foorthwith became inspired with the gift of Prophecie and the Spirit of God did enter into him whereby he prophecied with other Prophets 1. King cap. 10. We reade likewise that Salomon being created King obtayned the excellencie of wisedome 1. King 3. If seemeth also that Kings are diuinely inspired with diuers other parttcular graces and vertues as the kings of England and France by touching only do cure an infirmity called The Kings euill the Kings of Spaine as some writers affirme haue power to cast diuels out of meÌ„s bodies CHAP. 6. Of Queenes NExt and neerest vnto the King his Queene is to take place because the weareth a Regall Crowne which no other person but a King may doe It seemeth also that a Queene ought to sit on the Kings right hand which honour the sacred Scriptures do allow Psal. 45. Astitit Regina à dextris tuis in vestitu deaurato And if she be a mayden Queene Soueraigne and absolute shee is In pari dignitate with a King may precede him also according to the dignitie of her kingdome And if she be a Queene of three entiere kingdomes as our Soueraigne is she may assume the title of an Empresse Also Officers and ministers appertaining vnto a Queene absolute are priuiledged equall with the Officers of Kings and may take place accordingly Lu de Pen. Ca. de priuilegijs Note also that albeit a Queene be the daughter of a Duke or an Earle or any other inferior degree yet shall she be called Queene by the dignitie of her husband And if she be the daughter of a King superior to her husband then may she also reteine the dignitie of her fathers daughter Iac. Rebuff alij dig lib. 12. which was the reason that the Lady Claudia daughter vnto King Lewis the 12. did take place before the Lady Loysia of Sauoy notwithstanding shee was mother to King Francis the first So did the daughter precede the mother Yet some doe hold that a Kings mother ought be preferred before all others alleaging the Text Positus est thronus matris iuxta thronum Regis the 3. of Kings We reade also in the same place that King Solomon beholding his mother comming towards him adored her and caused a Throne to be set on his right hand Which seemeth indeede to be her place in absence of the Queene not otherwise as mine Author writeth CHAP. 7. A Prince LIke as the splendent beames of the Sunne doe spread themselues in giuing light heat and comfort vnto all liuing things without any dimunition of his proper vertue either in substance course or brightnesse so from the sacred power and Regall authoritie of Emperours Kings and Queenes all earthly dignities doe proceed yet their owne Princely and soueraigne power In sua prima sublimitate doth not suffer or sustaine any blemish or detriment The first place and chiefest degree therefore after the Estates aforenamed appertaineth vnto the Prince or eldest sonne of the King in respect he is the first borne childe of his father and may claime to sit on the right hand as Baldus seemeth to affirme saying Primogenitus sedet ad dextram patris by imitation of the Christian beleefe Note that the eldest sonne of a King hath euer a title of greater dignitie then his other brethren viz. In England hee is called Prince of Wales in France the Dolphin in Spaine L' Infante c. Princeps dicitur quia est quasi prinicipalis in sâ—renuitate post Regem In Enland he is borne Duke of Cornewall and therefore needeth no ducall creation when he is made Prince he is presented before the King in Princely robes who putteth about his necke a sword bendwise a cap and Coronet ouer his head a ring ouer his middle finger a verge of gold in his hand and his Letters pattents after they be read The second place is due vnto the first sonne of the Kings eldest sonne So as the nephew seemeth to precede the vncle which hath bene a question of great difficultie and left vnto triall of the sword Yet in France it hath bene diuers times diuersly iudged but for the most part in fauour of the Nephew And in England the Nephew was preferred before the Vncle as Baldus noteth CHAP. 8. An Archduke Some hold opinion that this title of Archduke may be assumed by the eldest brother of euery Ducall family in Germany hath bene by custome so vsed as a title of greatest dignitie among brethren But Tillet saith that in France when any great Duke had the conduct of an Armie and thereby commanded other Dukes vnder him then was hee called Duke of France that is to say Duke of Dukes The which office for that it had so great a superintendencie was afterward called Meyer du Pallays This Meyer or Maior had the authoritie of a Vice-Roy and commanded in all causes both Military and Ciuil To this degree of Archduke belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a hood of Crimsin veluet wherewith he is inuested at his Creation he hath also a Chapeau or Ducal cap doubled Ermin indented with a Coronet about the same and one arch of gold with an Orbe hee also beareth a Verge or rod of gold CHAP. 9. A Duke These Dukes are ornified with a Surcoat Mantle and Hood at their Creation they weare also a Ducall cap doubled Ermin but not indented They haue also a Coronet and Verge of gold Note here that in England all Dukes of the Kings blood as his sonne brother vncle or nephew ought be reputed as Archdukes and precede all other Dukes Note also that hee who is a Duke tantùm shall take place before any Lord that is both a Marquesse and an Earle notwithstanding they be two dignities But he that is a Duke and Marquesse or a Duke and an Earle shal march before a Duke tantùm CHAP. 10. A Marquesse THe fift estate is a Marquesse called by the Saxons A Marken Reue that is to say a Ruler of the Marches This great Officer in the Kings battaile was chiefe Captaine of the Horse campe and next it authoritie vnto the Heâ—tzog or Constable so that it should seeme he was in degree as our High Marshall is in England To this estate is due a Surcoat Mantle and Hood with a Coronet of golde Fleury CHAP. 11. An Earle In the Empire at this day are sundry sorts of Earles which they call Graues as Landgraues id est regionum Comites Margraues id est certarum marcarum seu districtuum vel agri ciuitatis aut regionis alicuius finium Comites Palatins qui sunt Iudices regni
edomiti Burgraues quasi 〈◊〉 Comites Rheingraues qui praesunt rusticis In the Court Imperiall Comes was anciently the title of sundry officers as Comes Largitionum Comes laborum Comes Consistorianus Comes Palatij Comes Palaij had Iura Regalia and thereby might erect Barons vnder them as Hugh Lupus first Count Palatin of Chester made eight Barons and had that Earledome giuen vnto him by the Conqueror ita liberè ad Gladium sicut ipse Rex tenebat Angliam ad Coronam The Countie of Lancaster was made County Palatine by King Edward the third and had Barons Chancerie and Seale so had the Bishopricks of Durham and Ely The Offices of these Barons were to sit in Councell and Parliament with the Earle in his Pallace and to honor his Court with their presence Also for more magnificence these Earles kept their Grandiours and festiuall dayes as absolute Princes in their prouinces Comes Marescallus Angliae is an Earle by office and so is no other Earle of England but hee he is in the vancancie of the Constable the Kings lieutenant Generall in all marshall affaires His office is of great commandement and endued with many honourable priuiledges King Rich. the second in the 21. of his reigne granted to Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey Earle Marshal of England Quod idem Dux ratione officij sui habeat gerat deferat quendaÌ„ baculuÌ„ aureum circa vtrumque finem de nigro annulatum non obstante quod aliquis alius ante haec tempora baculum ligneum portare consueuerit To the degree of an Earle belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a Hood with a Coronet of gold with points only and no flowers CHAP. 12. A Vicount A Vicount is in degree dignity next vnto an Erle it was anciently a name of Office vnder an Earle and called Vicecomes or Subcomes and this office was to heare and determine causes of difference and to execute Iustice in the Earles County The Saxons called him the Shyre-Reue and in the Norman speech Vicount Hee is of greater dignity then a Baron as is the Vicount de Thureyn and the Vicount of Combre in Fraunce or as the Vicounts Mountacute and Vicount Howard of Bindon in England This degree hath a Surcoat a Mantle and a Hood and a Circulet without either Floures or Points as appeareth in the Margent CHAP. 13. A Baron NExt ensueth a Baron which dignity was called in the British tongue Dynast in the Saxon Thayn in Latine Baro which signifieth Vir grauis for Albertus de Rosa in his Dictionary expressing the signification of the word Baro sayth Barones dicuntur graues personae à Graeco vocabulo Baria quod idem est quod autoritas grauis Likewise Calap in his Dictionary sayth Baro est vir fortis à quo fit diminutiuum Barunculus Men in this dignity were euer of great reputation for Hortensius speaking of Barons whome Dominicus de S. Gemi calleth also Capitanius sayth Non solum militare sed prudenter atque grauiter ipsis ducibus consulere officium est Baronis Barons were also anciently accounted companions to Earls and others of higher dignity and therefore reckoned of that number called Peeres or Pares regni or Pares homines of some men pronounced Parhomines and corruptly Barones conuerting the letter P. into B. as Libard for Leopard The dignitie of a Baron is thus defined Baronia est quaedam dignitas inter nobiles habens quandam praeeminentiam inter solos simplices nobiles post principatus ex consuetudine introductam ex quodam modâ— vtendi diuer simode diuersas patrias Cass. It seemeth also that a Baron in diuers Countreys is diuersly esteemed for in England they are to proceede according to their segniority but in Burgundy they be reputed the greatest Barons that are of greatest possessions And as a Duke had anciently vnder him ten Earles or Earledomes and an Earle 10 Baronies so a Baron ought be commander of some competent company of Segniories the greater the number be the more his honour Quanto maiora quâ—â—tractat tanto ipse maior est Dauid Likewise Salustius in his Prooeme of Catelin sayd Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio In the kingdome of Naples all Gentlemen hauing iurisdiction appertaining to their lands and castels are called Barons yet in diuers places of France no Segniory is reputed a Barony vnlesse it hath belonging vnto it foure Castels one Hospital one Colledge with a Chruch hauing also a Seale autentike Which dignitie is preferred before the title of Gentlemen yet is inferiour to all Countiships such is the opinion of Cassaneus lib. 8. One other degree of great estate and titular dignity there is called Princes although in England I haue not seene or read of any such in that kind yet where that title is in vse they precede Barons Some of them haue Iuraregalia and therefore do hold that dignitie either by custome or priuiledge as the princes of Orange Piedemont and Achaia haue Iura regalia But others do hold that title by custome which is of great force as Baldus affirmeth saying Consuetudini standum erit A Baron hath not Potestatem Principis yet is he numbred among noble personages and some Barons by reason of their Baronies haue so much authority ouer their owne vassals as if they conspire against them that offence is called treason in respect whereof the title of Baron is so much the more honourable Note that a Baron hauing Iura Imperialia or Iura Regalia is reputed equal vnto an Earle notwithstanding the Earldome or Barony doe differ in dignity Note also that Barons doe participate of diuers priuiledges and Immunities proper vnto other dignities aforesayd they are Lords of the Parliament in England and of them it is called the Barons Court For the Parliament makes not Barons but Barons Parliaments The title of Barons in France was anciently generall aswel to Princes of blood as all others holding immediatly of the Crowne So do we cal the greatest estates of England by the names of Barons Lords Spiritual and Temporall Of Barons in England there hath bene also anciently diuers sorts Some were Barons in name but not noble as the Barons of the fiue Ports and Barons of London whom Bracton maketh mention of in these words Coram Baronibus London And in another place Sicut Barones London corà m me testantur The Barons of the Exchequer are of like condition Other Barons both in name and dignitie yet not called honorable were Barons created by the Earles Palatines Of Barons honourable are three degrees viz. by Tenure by Creation and by Writ Barons by Tenure are Bishops chiefly caled Lords Spiritual and euer reputed honorable not in respect of noblenes in blood but for their function and office they are Peeres and Barons of the Realme They are also first in nomination and take place on the Princes right hand in the Parliament chamber They are also called Right honourable Lords and Reuerent Fathers in God They haue
the person of the Emperor and King of Romanes two Popes for one died there fiue Patriarches three and thirty Cardinals fourtie and seuen Archbishops a hundreth forty and fiue Bishops and 83. Suffragans Thirty and nine Dukes Thirty and seuen Earles being absolute Princes An hundreth and thirtie inferior Earles Seuentie and nine free Lords or Barons Knights of all Nations fifteene hundred Gentlemen twentie thousand besides Doctors Licentiats and Scholemen infinite For the King of England appeared Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick with him were foure Bishops viz. Sarisbury Chester Bathe and Bangor Sarisbury died during that Councell and liuing tooke his place aboue all other Bishops as an Archbishop and for the time was placed last in the ranke of Archbishops The Earle of Warwicks attendants were as followeth Hurting de Clough Knight Iohn Waterton Knight Iohn Seton Knight Piers Craft Knight Iohn Roch Knight Iames Hermford Knight Beringer de Beaumont Knight Gentlemen Nicholas Serpon William Newland Geffrey Offley Walter Hungerford Hugh Holdbach Iohn Fitton Thomas Wileot Richard Dutton Oliuer Dunley Petrs Craft Iohn Lantsdon Iohn Roche Thomas Fanhes William Newland Iohn Merbory Iohn Otlinger Ralfe Rainscroft Henry Vessey William Vessey Scholemen of Cambridge Henry Abundy Iohn Wells Iohn Sheirford Doctors in Diuinitie Thomas Palton Robert Appleton Iohn Stokes Ciuilians Scholemen of Oxford The Lord Prior of Orsestry Peter Rodley Priamus Farbach CHAP. 20. Of Magistrates NExt vnder Emperors Kings and Princes Souereigne are foure degrees of Magistrates Some are called Magni and Illustres Some are Medij and Spectabiles Some are Minimi and Clarissimi And some are Infimi The first may be named Magistrates souereigne as they who acknowledge no superior but the Maiestie of the Prince The second are they that yeeld obedience to them and command other Magistrates their inferiors The latter two are such as cannot command any Magistrate but haue power only ouer particular subiects within the limits of their iurisdiction Touching the first that haue authority to commaund all other Magistrates and acknowledge no superior but the Prince they are fewer at this day then heretofore Yet certaine it seemeth that some Romane Emperours authorized one Magistrate or Lieutenant without any companion to command all other Magistrates of the Empire and to him all Gouernours and Magistrates did appeale Which Magistrate they called Praefectus Praetorio True it is that at the beginning he was of no greater quality then Captaine of the Legions Praetorian as Seius Strabo vnder Augustus and Seianus vnder Tibertus vntill other Emperors succeeding by litle and litle encreased their authority as in the end the Praefectus Praetorio became Lieutenant generall and iudge of all questions and causes whatsoeuer by which occasion that office was giuen vnto men learned in the Lawe as Martian vnder Otho Papinian vnder Seuerus and Vlpian vnder Alexander All which came to passe before Armes were diuided from lawes and Iusticers from Captaines Afterwards this great office became imparted vnto two and sometimes three persons purposely to abridge the excessiue authority of one But touching the Precedencie of Magistrates albeit they cannot aptly be ranged with those of the Empire yet may they in some sort be placed according to the dignitie and degrees of those titles which the Romanes anciently vsed And touching their authority it shal not be amisse to know that a Magistrate is an Officer hauing power to command in the common weale among whom in the Romane Empire the Praefectus Praetorio was the chiefe hauing authority aboue all other Officers to whom also euery one did appeale To this Praetor or Praefect we may compare the Grand Mayor du Pallais in France who in times past did in that kingdome beare chiefe office To him also in some sort we may resemble the high Seneschal of England vnder King William the Conqueror and other Kings his successors These Magistrates might therefore bee reasonably called Illustrissimi chiefly in the Kings absence For sure it is that in presence of the King all power of Magistrates and Commissioners also doth cease For during that time they haue no authority of commandement either ouer other subiects or other Officers their inferiors But this mighty Magistrate is no more either in England or France yet during their authoritie they were called Illustrissmi which title signified a certein preeminencie aboue all Magistrates that were Illustres either Honorarij or Administrantes Nam accidentia denominant Subiectum Next to these Illustrissimi or Maximi the chiefe place of Precedencie is due vnto those whome we called Illustres and among them the L. Chancellour is chiefe etiam in dignitate impari as one whose excellent vertue ought be preferred before all other officers Likewise the Lord high Constable or Lord Marshall is a Magistrate Illust. the Lord Treasurer Admirall of England the Lord Chamberlaine and all others of the Kings priuie Councell may assume the title of persons Illust. or as we commonly call them right Honorable So saith Cass. It seemeth also that Doctours who haue read in schoole the space of twenty yeeres may be called Illustrissimi as Purpuratus noteth To these Illust. or right Honourable personages the lawes Emperiall haue graunted many great priuiledges as the same Barthol discourseth After these the Magistrates whome we formerly called Spectabiles and may in our tongue be tearmed Honourable ought to follow as commanders in Armes Iudges Gouernours or Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces and Cities c. The fourth place appertaineth to them that anciently were named Clarissimi or Right worshipfull who are inferiour Iusticers and Ministers Colonels Captaines and meane Officers c. Lastly are they whome the Romanes intituled Infimi and in English Worshipfull as Captaines of particular Castles Iudges in Townes corporate where no action is triable aboue 3000 shillings Note here that euery Magistrate is an Officer but euery Officer is not a Magistrate and of all Magistrates the Lord Chancellor hath euer had precedence not onely in England and Fraunce but of all anciencie in euery other place for read we may that Eginardus who wrote the life of Carolus Magnus was his Chancellor Likewise Tribonianus was Chancellor vnto the Emperor Iustinian Iosaphat was Chancellor to King Dauid 2. of Kings Vlpianus to the Emperour Alexander Seneca to Nero and in France the Chancellor hath so great preheminence as he precedeth the Constable vnlesse he be the Kings brother or his sonne For the better memory of the degrees aforesaid Lucas de Penna speaking of titular dignity hath left these verses vnderwritten Illustris primus medius spectabilis imus Vt lex testatur clarissimus esse probatur Et superillustris praeponitur omnibus istis CHAP. 21. Of Officers and their Precedencie OFficers seruing Princes are of diuers sorts among which some doe attend the Princes person others haue charge of his Treasure some are ministers of Iustice and some are commanders in warre For the better conceiuing of our intention therfore and the order of that which