other Herehaults cried aloud saying This is the Helmet of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thether a Bason of gold or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Herehaults with a loud voyce sayd What is this Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the King of Armes sayd That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitor and such a one as hath broken the ordinance of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplins Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trompets What shall be done with him To which words the King answered Let him bee with dishonor and shame banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath done offence against the honor of Knighthood When the King had so said the King of Armes and other Herehaults cast the warme water on the disgraded Knights face as though he were a new baptized saying Hencefoorth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitor Then the King together with twelue other Knights put vppon them mourning garments declaring sorowe and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the stage not by the staiers he mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignomie he was brought vnto the Altar and there laied groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses These were the Ceremonies vsed at the degradatiō of Knights in the time of Sir Tristram Sir Lancelot and other famous Knights who were no doubt men very valiant in Armes but by meanes of writers that haue added vnto their acts many vntruths their prowesse and enterprises are holden as fables How many orders and degrees of Knighthood haue been and of them how many yet extant CAP. 6. 1 THe first and most noble order both for antiquitie and honor is that of the GARTER 2 The next to it is that of the TOSON 3 The third is that of S. MICHAEL 4 The fourth is that of the NVNTIATA 5 There is also one newe order of Knighthood in France called the Order of S. ESPRIT whereof I am not fullie enformed All these Knights be called Knights of the Coller in signe they excell others in Honor and reputation as those Orders whereinto Emperours Kings and Princes doo enter Next to these in dignitie are 1 The Knights of the BAND 2 The Knights of S. IAGO 3 The Knights of CALATRAVA 4 The Knights of ALCANTARA 5 The Knights of MONTESIO 6 The Knights of REDEMPTION 7 The Knights of MALTA 8 The Knights TEVTONICI The third sort of Knights are 1 The Knights of the SEPVLCHER 2 The Knights of SANTA MARIA 3 The Knights of S. LAZARO 4 The Knights of S. STEFFANO These may bee called rather Knights of Superstition than persons of Honor. Among these wee make no mention of Knights of the Round Table neither haue wee set downe the Knights of Amadis de Gaule nor of Orlando Furioso Yet doo I suppose some part of those stories to bee matters of trueth although writers haue added vnto them things incredible By which meane the histories themselues are holden fabulous Wee haue not here spoken of the Knights of the Starre nor of them which were called Knights of the Spurre which orders are extinct or not regarded The Knights Templers were also long since cleerelie suppressed Of the Order of the Garter CAP. 7. EDWARD the third King of England after he had obteined many great victories King Iohn of France King Iames of Scotland being both prisoners in the Tower of London at one time and King Henrie of Castile the bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this Order in his Kingdome Anno 1350. vppon no weightie occasion as is reported Notwithstāding the same is and long hath been in so great honor as Emperours Kings and Princes haue desired to bee of that companie accompting it great Honor. The number of this Colledge or fellowship is 26. Knights and when any of them dye another is chosen by consent of the companie The Soueraine of the Order is the King of England his heires and successors This Order was dedicated to S. George as the Aduocate of those Knights The custome was long that these Knights yeerely held a feast at the Castle of Winsor where is also the Church founded by the same King Edward who likewise gaue great stipends to certeine Priestes to serue there It is not commonlie knowne what was the occasion that mooued the King to make this Order but thus haue I heard it vulgarlie reported That King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court tooke vp a Garter that happened to fall from one of them whereat some of the Lords smiling the King said vnto them that or it were long he would make that Garter to bee of high reputation Vpon this ground it is sayd the Order tooke beginning Euerie yeare all the Knights on the feast day of S. George are bound to resort vnto Windsor or such other place as by the Soueraine shall be appoynted The principall Officers apperteining to this most honorable Order are these The Prelate The Chancellor The Register The King of Armes named Garter and the Vsher called the Blacke Rod. Which places are presentlie furnished with these persons viz. Doctor Cooper Bishop of Winchster Prelate Master Iohn Wolly Esquire one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell Chauncellor Doctor Day Deane of Winsor Register Master W. Dethicke chiefe King of Armes Garter Master William Norris Esquire Vsher. The Statutes of this great Order are remaining with the sayd Master Garter a Gentleman verie studious in his facultie and carefull to preserue the Records belonging vnto the Nobilitie of England From him I receiued the names of these Knights of the first institution of the GARTER which I found in an auncient booke of his written in the French tongue The first Knights of the Order King Edward Soueraine The Prince of Wales his sonne The Duke of Lancaster The Earle of Warwicke The Capteine de Buch. The Earle of Stafford The Earle of Salisburie The Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholmew de Bourchesh Sir Iohn Bewchamp The Lord of Mahun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas de Holland Sir Iohn de Grey Sir Richard Fitzsimond Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh Wortesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Dandely Sir 〈◊〉 de Holang Sir Henrie Eme. Sir Fauchet de Prichcourt Sir Walter Pauelly The names of those that are presentlie of the same most noble Order The Queene of England Soueraine The King of Spaine The Duke Casemirus The Vice Conte Montacute The Earle of Shrewsburie Earle Marshall of England The Lord of Honsdon Lord Chamberlein The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Hontingdon The Lord Bourleigh Lord Threasurer of England The Lord Grey The Earle of Darbie The Earle of Pembrooke The L. Howard of Effingham L. Admirall of England The Lord Cobham
alone sitting downe before the King as his Vicar generall send his Liutenant to the Challenger to come vnto him and the Marshall with his Liutenant did accompanie the Defender The Conestable thus set did pronounce this speach with a loude voyce Let them go let them go let them go and doo their best Vpon which words pronounced in the Kings presence the Challenger did march towards the Defender to assaile him furiouslie and the other prepared himselfe for defence soberlie In the meane time the Conestable and Marshall with their Liutenants stood attentiue to heare and see if any words signe or voyce of yeelding were vttered by anie of the Fighters and also to bee readie if the King should command the Launces to bee let fall to depart the fight The Conestable and Marshall did also take regard that the Challenger and Defender should appeare at the day and houre appoynted whether the quarrell were for treason or otherwise The Conestable did likewise measure the weapons of the Combattors and also search whether they had about them any engin or other vnlawfull things as Charmes or Inchauntment yet was it lawfull both for the Challenger and Defender to bee aswell and surelie armed as they could And if any of them would haue his Sword shorter than the Standerd yet was not the other bound to haue his cut to that measure if he required that fauour of the Court But if either the one or the others Sword passed the Standerd then was that inequalitie to be reformed or if they were both ouerlong both ought be reformed It had been also in more ancient time vsed that the Conestable and Marshall should foresee that if the Kings pleasure was to depart the fight and suffer the Fighters to rest before the Combat ended that they should bee parted in due time when no aduauntage were Likewise that they should take heed that none of them should priuatlie speake vnto the other of yeelding or otherwise For vnto the Conestable and Marshall apperteined the witnessing and record of all things And in case the Combat were for question of treason he that was vanquished should bee foorthwith disarmed within the Lists by commandement of the Conestable and the Marshall The said Armour and weapons of the vanquished in one end of the Lists was defaced in his disgrace and after the same was drawne out together with his horse From thence also the man vanquished was drawne vnto the place of execution to bee there headed or hanged according to the custome of the Countrie The performance of all which punishment apperteined onlie to the Marshall who ought see all things done in his owne presence And in case the Challenger did not vanquish his enemie then ought he suffer the same paines that are due vnto the Defender if he were vanquished But if the quarrell were vpon a crime of lesse importance the partie vanquished should not bee drawne vnto the place of execution but onelie led thether to receiue death or other punishment according to the custome and qualitie of the matter If the Combat were onelie for triall of vertue or honor he that was vanquished therein should be disarmed and put out of the Lists without further punishment If it happened that the King would take the quarrell into his hand and make peace betweene the parties without longer fight Then did the Conestable leade the one and the Marshall the other of the fighters out of the Lists at diuers gates armed and mounted as they were hauing speciall regard that neither of them should go the one before the other For the quarrell resting in the Kings hand might not bee renued or any violence offered without preiudice vnto the Kings honor And because it is a poynt verie speciall in matters of Armes that he who leaueth the Lists first incurreth a note of dishonor therefore to depart the Lists in due time was euer preciselie obserued were the Combat for treason or other cause whatsoeuer It is also to bee remembered that without the principall Lists were euer certeine Counterlists betwixt which two the seruants of the Conestable and Marshall did stand There stood also the Kings Seriants at Armes to see and consider if any default or offence were committed contrarie to the Proclamation of the Court against the Kings royall Maiestie or the lawe of Armes Those men were euer armed at all peeces The seruants of the Conestable and Marshall had charge of the place and good order thereof The Kings Seriants tooke care to keepe the gates of the Lists and be there readie to make arest of any person when they should bee commanded by the Conestable or Marshall The fees of the Marshall were all Horses peeces of Armour or other furniture that fell to the ground after the Combattors did enter into the Lists aswell from the Challenger as the Defender But all the rest apperteined to the partie victorious whether he were Challenger or Defender The Barres Posts Railes and euerie other part of the Lists were also the fees of the Marshall Certeine Combats graunted by the Kings of England CAP. 9. EDmond of the rase of West Saxons fought in combat with Canutus King of Denmarke for the possession of the Crowne of England In which fight both the Princes being wearie by consent departed the land betwixt them Anno. 1016. RObert Mountfort accused Henrie of Essex of treason affirming that he in a iorney towards Wales neere vnto Colshil threwe away the Kings Standerd saying the King was dead and turned backe those that went to the Kings succour Henrie denied the accusation so as the matter came to be tried by Combat The place appoynted for fight was a little I le neere vnto Reading In this Combat Henrie was vanquished and fell downe as dead and at the suite of friends licence was obteined that his bodie might be buried by the Monkes of Reading But it happened that the bodie of Henrie recouered and became a Monke in that Abey Anno 1163. In the raigne of King Henrie the second HEnry Duke of Hereford accused Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norffolke of certeine words by him spoken as they rode betweene London and Brainford tending vnto the Kings dishonor Thomas Duke of Norf. denied to haue spoken any such word but Henrie affirming his accusation the King graunted the Combat to beé performed at Couentrie the 7. of September 1398. Anno Rich. 2. A Combat was fought at Westminster in the Kings presence betweene Iohn Ansley Knight and Thomas Catrington Esquire whō the said Knight had accused of treason for selling the Castle of S. Sauiours which the Lord Chandos had builded in the I le of Constantine in France In which Combat the Knight was victorious Anno 1379. regni Rich. 2. A Combat was graunted vnto an Esquire borne in Nauarra to fight with an English Esquire called Iohn Welsh whom the Nauarrois accused of treason But the true cause of the Nauarrois his malice was for that the said Welsh had forced his wife as being vanquished
he confessed The King gaue sentence he should bee drawne and hanged Anno. 1384. Regni Rich. 2. A Combat was fought betweene Sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the third blowe giuen the King staied the fight Anno 1441. Regni Henr. 6. A Combat was graunted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cipres and Thomas de la Marshe bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of King Edward the 3. at Westminster Certaine Combats for Triumph Honor and Loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England CAP. 11. IN the former Chapter wee made mention of the Ceremonies appertaining to Combats for life as they were ancientlie vsed Nowe I thinke fit for the furniture of this worke brieflie to remember some speciall exercises of Armes brought before the Princes of this realme for Honor and loue of Ladies onlie and among the rest as actions most worthie memorie wee will touch certeine particular Combats or as they are commonlie called Triumphs Iusts and Turniaments performed before our present Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth a Prince of so great magnanimitie and wisedome as by imitation of her most noble and princelie vertues the Court of England both for Armes and learning hath in her raigne excelled all others Triumphs before King Edward the third IN the raigne of King Edward the third a royall Iust was holden at Lincoln by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certeine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Ladie Ioane daughter to the King who should haue been married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died Anno. 1348. A Triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles Valloys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno. 1349. IN Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thether came also noble persons of other Nations as Spaniards Ciâ—riots and Armenians humblie desiring aide against the Pagans Anno 1361. A Triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthonie Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgondie Anno. 1444. A Triumph before King Henrie the sixt ONe other notable action of Armes was persosonallie performed in Smithfield betweene a Knight of Spaine called Sir Francis le Aragonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honor from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall Challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him The memorie of which action remaineth with Master Garter principall King of Armes Triumphs before King Henrie the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne Triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Váughan was hurt and died 1494. ONe other Triumph was in the same Kings dayes performed in the Tower of London Anno. 1502. Triumphes before King Henrie the eight BVt farre exceeding al these was that magnificent Iusts Turniments at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henrie the eight of England K. Frances the French King who choosing vnto them xiiij others did challenge to runne at the Tylt and fight at the Turney and Barrier with all commers The Chalengers were The King of England the King of France the Duke of Suffolke the Marquis Dorcet Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Iernegan Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland Sir Giles Capell with these were so manie other French GeÌ„tlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thether came Monsieur de Vandosme the Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euerie of theÌ„ bringing in a faire Band of Knights well armed This most noble Challenge of these two mightie Kings accompanied with xiiij other Knights of either Nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King of Armes in England France Germanie Anno 12 Hen. 8. ONe other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet Edward Neuell Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Cuer loyal the Lord William Bon voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Vailliant desir and Edward Neuill Ioyous penser Defenders were The Lord Grey Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blont Thomas Cheyney Thomas Tyrrell Sir Rowland Christopher Willoughby the L. Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquis Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshire Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Cuer Loyall among the Defenders to Edmond Howard ANother solempne Challenge was proclaimed and performed by certaine English Knights vz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seymour Sir Francis Poinings Sir George Carew Anthonie Kingston and Richard Cromwell Anno. 1540. Of like Actions in Armes sith her Maiesties Raigne these doo seeme most notable as appeareth by the memorialls of M. Clarentieux a Gentleman verie diligent in her Maiesties seruice and carefull to obserue things to the Honor of her Maiesties Court. ONE solempne Iust Turniment and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scrope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers and with great honour answered all Commers The Defenders names are not extant A Royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard Sir Henrie Lee and Christopher Hatton The Defenders were The Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seymour Edward Harbart Sir George Carie Thomas Cicill Henrie Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henrie Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkelcy Thomas Kneuet William Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Lancelot Bostocke Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliams Thomas Bedingfield Thomas Moore William Worthington Richard Blunt Thomas Conyngesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three daies The first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barriers On euerie of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a Prize for the receiuing whereof they were particularlie led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The Prize at the Tilt on the Defenders partie was giuen vnto Henrie Grey At the Turney vnto the L. Henrie Seymor at the Barriers vnto Thomas Cicill Before them went Clarentieux king of armes in his rich coate of Armes This magnificent Combat was performed Anno 1571. AN honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his Assistant Sir William Drewrie challenged all commers Anno 1580