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
man naming him Caualiero which signifieth Horseman though we improperly english it Knight Thus much is said in generall concerning Gentlemen that make profession of Armes whom the Romanes as it seemeth sometimes called Milites and some other times Equites The Italians and Spaniards Caualieri the French Cheualiers But in our language as is now vsed none are called Knights but onelie they that haue that title giuen by the Prince or his Lieutenant with a ceremonie thereunto belonging And of Knights made according to the vse of England are diuers degrees as shall hereafter be declared The originall of Knighthood giuen as dignitie and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights CAP. 3. IT is affirmed by some writers that Alexander the great with the aduise of his learned tutor Aristotle resolued to bestowe vppon such persons as had done any notable seruice in the warre some honor and degree in token of extraordinarie vertue and notable merite and therefore gaue vnto some Badges to some Cheines to some Priuileges and other such like demonstrations of honor The Romane Emperours in like manner sometimes before the beginning of a seruice and sometimes after bestowed not onlie commendation but also dignities on those whose vertue they thought so worthie as Crownets of Bayes of Gold of Myrtill or some other thing as was thought fit to the giuers They gaue also Horses Swords Armours arming Garments such like and they that receiued them in token of Honor kept them carefullie in perpetuall memorie of their owne valour and the honor of that Prince who gaue them By this meane also they became much admired and esteemed of all other Soldiers Afterwards for more incouragement of vertuous minds other Princes thought meete that the memorable acts of Soldiers should be in perpetual memorie written and such Priuileges as were giuen to bee recorded calling them in those writings valiant men companions in Armes victorious Soldiers and Knights Which manner of proceeding did animate the men of warr no lesse than the great pourtraitures which the old Romanes were wont to make for those that had performed egregious acts Touching the making of Knights we say that euerie Prince soueraine hath power to giue that dignitie to what person it pleaseth him as well in peace as warre But here is to be noted that the Knights made are of more or lesse reputation according to the qualitie of that Prince that maketh them for he that is made Knight by a King shall bee preferred before a Knight made by a Prince of meaner title Wherefore to conclude wee say that an Emperour Kings Dukes and other Princes acknowledging no superiour may make Knights and so may Common weales as the Venetian and Genoa States The Popes also doo take vppon them to make Knights for monie calling them commonlie after their owne names Cauallieri di San Petro San Paulo Giuliani Pij c. The manner of making Knights about the yere of our Lord. 1020. CAP. 4. IN that age a Prince determining to make a Knight caused a high scaffold to bee built in some Cathedrall Church of his kingdome or other spacious place neere vnto it Thether the Gentleman was brought to receiue that honor Being come he was foorthwith set vpon a Chaire of siluer couered with greene silke Then was demanded of him if he were healthie in bodie and able to endure the exercises required in a Soldier Also whether he were a man of honest conuersation and what witnesses worthie credite he could produce to answere for him This being done the Bishop or chiefe officer of that Church tooke the Bible and holding it open before the newe Knight in the presence of the King and all others spake these words saying Sir you that desire to receiue the order of Knighthood sweare before God and by this holie Bible that ye shall neuer fight against this mightie and excellent Prince that bestoweth the order of Knighthood vpon you vnlesse ye shall be occasioned so to doo in the seruice of your owne King and naturall Prince for in that case hauing first yeelded vp the Coller deuise and other Ensignes of Honor now receiued it shall bee lawfull for you to serue against him without reproach or offence to all other companions in Armes but otherwise dooing you shall incurre infamie and being taken in warre shall bee subiect to the paines of death Ye shall also sweare with all your force power to mainteine and defend al Ladies Gentlewomen Orfants widowes women distressed and abandoned The like ye must doo for wiues being desired and shunne no aduenture of your person in euerie good warre wherein ye happen to be This oath taken two of the chiefe Lords led him vnto the King who presentlie drew forth his Sword and laied the same vpon his head and said God and S. George or what other Saincts the King pleased to name make thee a good Knight Then came vnto the Knight seuen noble maidens attired in white and girt his Sword vnto his side That being done foure Knights of the most honorable in that presence put on his Spurres These ceremonies past the Queene tooke him by the right arme and a Dutchesse by the left and led him vnto a rich seate made on high and thereupon set him the King sitting downe on the one hand and the Queene on the other After the King and Queene were thus set and the newe Knight betweene them al the rest of the Lords and Ladies set them downe also vppon other seates prepared for them three dissents vnder the Kings seate Euerie Lord and Ladie being in this sort placed thether was brought a solemne Collation or Banquet of delicate meates whereof the Knight the King the Queene and the whole companie did eate And so the Ceremonie ended The order of disgrading of Knights in those daies CAP. 5. IF any Knight had in that time been corrupted with monie by his Princes enemie or committed any other notable fault against loyaltie and honor the other Knights forthwith made humble suite vnto the King that he might bee punished Which request being granted they apprehended the offender and caused him to bee armed from head to foote in such sort as if he should go to the field Which done they led him vp to an high stage made in a Church for that purpose where were thirteene Priestes saying those praiers ordinarily vsed at Burials as though that Knight had lien dead at their feete At the end of euerie Psalme they tooke from him one peece of his Armour First they tooke off his Helmet as that which defended his traiterous eyes then his Gauntlet on the right side as that which couered a corrupt hand then the Gauntlet of the left hand as from a member consenting And so by peecemeale dispoyled him of all his Armes as well offensiue as defensiue which one after another were throwne to the ground and at the instant when euery part of Armour was cast downe the King of Armes first and after him all the
of the weapon cap. 7. How manie waies victorie is gained cap. 8. What was ancientlie due vnto such as were victorious in publique Combat cap. 9. The third Booke WHat sortes of men ought not bee admitted in triall of Armes cap. 1. Whether a Bastard may challenge a Gentleman to Combat cap. 2. Of restitution of Honor. cap. 3. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen cap. 4. Of Iniurie done with aduantage cap. 5. Of Iniuries euill offered cap. 6. Of Satisfaction cap. 7. What satisfaction is to bee giuen vppon an Iniurie by deedes cap. 8. Other meanes of Pacification and composition cap. 9. Of satisfaction to be giuen vpon words cap. 10. How the giuing of satisfaction is a thing not reproachfull cap. 11. The fourth Booke OF Nobilitie accompanied with great dignitie cap. 1. Whether a King may challenge an Emperour to Combat cap. 2. Whether a quarrell betweene two Emperours may be decided by particular Combat cap. 3. Of the equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due vnto all men professing Armes cap. 4. Certeine Questions Opinions and Iudgements vpon accidents happening in trialls and exercises of Armes cap. 5. Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundrie places and of sundrie peeces cap. 6. Of honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in Triumph cap. 7. Of Iusts and Turniamens and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged cap. 8. The manner of Combats as they were auncientlie tried in England cap. 9. Certeine Combats for life graunted by the Kings of England cap. 10. Certaine Combats for Triumph and Honor performed before the Kings of England cap. 11. The ceremonie appertaining to deliuerie of Prizes at Iusts Turniaments before the King cap. 12. The fifth Booke OF what qualitie a Gentleman professing Armes ought to be cap. 1. Of Knighthood cap. 2. Of the originall of Knighthood giuen as dignitie and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights cap. 3. The Ceremonie at the making Knights about the yere of our Lord 1020. cap. 4. The Ceremonies at the disgrading Knights in those dayes cap. 5. How manie degrees of Knighthood haue been of them how manie are yet extant cap. 6. Of the Order of the Garter cap. 7. Other degrees of Knighthood in England cap. 8. The order of the Toson and originall thereof cap. 9. The order of S. Michael cap. 10. The Order of the Anunciata cap. 11. Knights of the Band. cap. 12. Knights of S. Iago cap. 13. Knights of Calatraua cap. 14. Knights of Alcantara cap. 15. Knights of Montesio cap. 16. Knights of Redemption cap. 17. Knights of S. Iohn in Ierusalem of some called Knights of the Rhodes and now Knights of Malta cap. 18. Knights Teutonici cap. 19. Knights of the Sepulcher cap. 20. Knights of S. Marie cap. 21. Knights of S. Lazaro cap. 22. Knights of S. Steuen cap. 23. Ceremonies in degradation of Knights cap. 24. The Authors Intention cap. 25. The Authors Conclusion cap. 26. FINIS THE BOOKE OF Honor and Armes VVhat a Combat is and the originall thereof CAP. 1. A COMBAT is a single fight of one man against another for trial of truth either els of diuers men as two foure sixe tenne or more equallie and indifferentlie agreed vppon to fight on horsbacke or foot without aduantage in number of persons or disequalitie of weapons These kind of fights seeme to be first vsed of great Princes who desiring to end publique Contention and warre did mutuallie consent to determine the same by their owne priuate vertue and aduenture of life as did Golias and Dauid the Horatij and Curiatij with diuers other who fighting onlie in person for the publique cause therby saued the effusion of much bloud and the liues of many most worthie Captaines and valiant Soldiers And albeit the cause and occasion of these Combats was publique respect yet each particular Gentleman or other person professing Honor and Armes ought sufficientlie bee moued therevnto for defence of his owne particular reputation which respect and haplie also some publique occasion mooued the Combat of Aeneas with Turnus of Menelaus with Alexander of Pulfius with Varenus of Robert Mountfort with Henrie Earle of Essex in England yea Kings and Princes haue of late time done the like as Charles the third King of France with the King of Hungarie Alfonso King of Spaine with Richard Earle of of Cornwall and King Alfonso with King Ranier These particular fights were first vsed among the people called Lombardes as appeareth by the lawes written by Aliprandus one of the Kings that gouerned that Nation yet true it is that the Combats of those People and in that Age were tried with no other weapons but onelie certeine shields and staues of wood vnlesse it were for cause of infidelitie Neither seemeth it that the chiefe occasion of their fight was respect of Honor nor that the vanquished should become dishonored or Prisoner vnto the vanquisher as since hath been vsed Of the order of challenging and defending CAP. 2. FIrst is to bee considered that all Iniuries are either by words or by deeds and that in euerie Iniurie by words the Iniurer ought bee the Challenger but in an Iniurie by deedes the Iniured ought to challenge as for example Simon saith to Austen thou art a Traitor Austen answereth Thou liest then doth it behooue Simon to mainteine his words and consequentlie to challenge Austen to the Combat An Iniurie by deedes is thus Simon giueth a hurt a cut or other violence vnto Austen whereat offended he saith Thou hast done me offence violence iniurie or such like speach Simon answereth Thou liest Then behoueth it that Austen do challenge Simon and force him by fight to mainteine the hurt he offred Wherfore as a rule or maxime in matter of Honor it is speciallie to be noted that whosoeuer is truelie and lawfullie belied must of force become Challenger to mainteine that he spake or did and wherevppon the Lie is giuen him And although some men rather to shewe the dexteritie of their wits than the valour of their mindes will at such occasion vse many superfluous words whereby further speach of offence doth followe and so take opportunitie to giue the Lie vnto whom the hurt by hand was giuen yet the true and precise reason of Honor is that he who gaue the blowe hurt should without further dispute be challenged vnlesse he denie the doing thereof with offer of satisfaction Thus appeareth brieflie that whosoeuer is lawfullie belied ought by Armes to challenge mainteine and proue that which he affirmed or did in preiudice of the honor or person of the Iniured For what cause the partie belied ought to challenge and of the nature of the Lie CAP. 3. FOr so much as in ordinarie triall by lawe and ciuill Iudgements whosoeuer standeth accused by deniall of such accusation is free from condemning vntill further proofe be made euen so in euerie imposition by speach contrarie to
knowledge and experience of Armes and Honor apperteined Such was the opinion of that Duke a Prince in his life and place reputed no lesse skilfull in poynts of Honor than all other waies vertuous Whereunto may be added that in matter of Armes al Emperours King and Princes haue euer vouchsafed to be called by the name of Gentlemen and Soldiers And therefore it standeth with good reason that an answere made in the presence of Gentlemen and Soldiers should be of vertue sufficient to repulse an Iniurie offered before a Prince of what title so euer Of the Returne of Lies CAP. 11. HEretofore wee haue said that hee vnto whom the Lie is giuen for a repulse of iniurie ought be the Challenger yet for more certeintie of that saying wee are diligentlie to examine what sort of Lies are lawfull It is therefore to be vnderstood that the true and proper nature of the Lie is to repulse Iniurie and whensoeuer it worketh not that effect it becommeth Iniurie and by another Lie may bee returned Also it is to bee noted that in one selfesame quarrell aswell vnto a Deniall as an Affirmation the Lie may bee giuen The Lie lawfullie giuen vnto an affirmation is that whereof we haue before spoken as thus One man saith vnto another He is a Rebell to his Prince He answereth Thou liest and this kind of Lie cannot bee auoyded because it is giuen for repulse vnto an infamie directly offered But if I speaking of other do say He is an honest man and one standing by doth giue mee the Lie in that case the Lie shall not be reputed a repulse but an Iniurie and it is lawfull for me to say that gainsaying the commendation I gaue he lieth because he encountereth my affirmation and seemeth to denie that all men are holden honest til profe be made of the contrarie Wherfore it behoueth him that denied the man to bee honest to prooue such deniall in the meane time he is burthened and bound to challenge me But let vs now speake of Lies giuen vpon the negatiue which are either lawfull or may lawfullie bee returned as if any man doth say of me That in such a seruice of Armes I had not done my duetie and I should answere with the Lie that shall be a lawfull answere Yet if a man shall say That he hath not failed of fidelitie vnto his Prince and I say he lieth then is it lawful for him to answere Thou liest in saying I lie and consequentlie force me to challenge because in affirming his owne fidelitie he doth not iniurie to any man but I denying thereof doo greatlie wrong him and therfore reasonablie the Lie to be returned vpon me Now it resteth to produce some example how in one selfesame quarrell both vpon the affirmatiue and negatiue the Lie may be giuen so as neither the one nor the other partie hath apparant place of repulse as in this case Two Gentlemen being in the field prepared to fight do there fall into disputation whether the weapons be lawfull or not by meane whereof the day is spent in speach and nothing done Herevpon a question grewe whether the weapons were reasonablie refused or not the one by affirming them to be lawfull doth burthen the other and he by denying them to be lawful doth burthen him so as it resteth doubtfull who ought to challenge Thus much touching the nature of Lies how they are to be offered repulsed or returned A matter of some difficultie to be vnderstood yet necessarie to be knowne of all Gentlemen How vpon euerie Lie the triall of Armes is not necessarie CAP. 12. ALbeit heretofore hath been said that he who receiueth the Lie ought to bee Challenger yet is not our meaning that vpon euery Lie giuen the triall of the sword should forthwith followe For seeing the triall by Armes is incerteine and the ciuill trial assured therefore it behoueth euerie Gentleman to be iustified rather by this than the other triall And indeed it is no lesse expedient for Gentlemen and all others professing Armes to knowe when to put vp than when to drawe their weapons Who so therefore vpon any affirmation shall bee lawfullie and orderlie offered the Lie hauing meanes to make such proofe ought by ciuill and reasonable triall make iustification and not take sword in hand till necessitie so enforceth and he who findeth himselfe offered anie vniust or vnlawfull Lie may either trauerse it or vtterlie disdaine it Of the forme of a Cartell or Letter of Defiance CAP. 13. IN such places as publique Combats were permitted by Princes the custome was that the parties agreed to fight should challenge one the other by some instrument in writing which they commonlie called a Cartel but that custome being now discontinued he who challengeth doth send some Letter to that effect which ought bee framed in briefe termes and thereby to expresse in short and proper words the effect of the quarrell and iniurie bee it in words or deeeds Also to set downe expreslie the particularities of the matter the persons the times places which for the true expressing of the cause are required to the end the aduerse partie may the better determine of his answere And for that Combat is a kinde of Iudgement it behoueth no lesse therein than in ciuill triall that particular prooues circumstances should be expressed that he who challengeth should summon his aduersarie and he that is Defender produce the Lie In this writing it also behooueth to vse al plainnes of words phrases leauing aside eloquence and ambiguitie of speach for it sufficeth a man being offred any iniurious speach doo say Thou liest without adding any word thereunto It is also to bee knowne that the Defender ought haue the electiō of the place and weapon For no reason were it that I should both challenge another man and also appoynt him to fight with what weapon pleaseth me One thing I thinke good more to aduertise that it seemeth vnto mee a thing verie honest and worthie a Gentleman that all speaches and writings of or to an Enemie should bee in good and honorable termes for thereby the speaker or writer shal honor himselfe and declare he hath to doo with a person of reputation for otherwise he shall disgrace his owne iudgement in medling with men vnworthie and such as are vnfit to be regarded THE SECOND BOOKE Of Iniurie and Burthen CAP. 1. WE haue alreadie discoursed what Iniurie is and how the same ought be repulsed now is to be informed in what cases Princes and supreme Gouernours may graunt or denie the triall of Combat I say therefore that the office of euerie Prince moued to graunt Combat is first to consider the nature and qualitie of the quarrell to the end he may assuredlie know whether it be of such importance as requireth the triall of the sword and cannot otherwise be determined For it is a rule certeine that euerie question or quarrell that may be decided by ciuil authoritie and
his offices with any other fauour yet cā he not vndo that is done nor bring to passe that to be well done which is alreadie euill done nor that a mind infected with Infamie should bee cleane and voyd of dishonor consequently notwithstanding restitution the Prince hath still iust cause to bee suspicious of such a mans fidelitie as is apt to be drawne to dishonest actions and euerie other Gentleman should hold him in euill conceipt Moreouer touching the power and authoritie of Princes in this case it seemeth that as they cannot bereaue the good men of their goodnes so can they not take from the euill their euill thoughts seeing their iurisdiction extendeth vnto the wealth and persons of Subiects but ouer the minds of men they haue no power My Prince can make me at his pleasure rich or poore but to make me good or bad is not in his power for that apperteineth onlie to Gods grace and mine owne endeuour It may therefore be inferred that if a man restored after the committing of any notorious euill fact shall challenge another Gentleman to triall of Armes he may bee reasonablie repulsed Yet am I of opinion that the restitution should be of force in the children and posteritie of the person infamed and condemned as they that ought not suffer the punishment due to the offences of another chieflie in respect of Baptisme whereby all the sinne of forefathers is clensed Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen CAP. 4. BEfore wee enter into consideration of this matter I thinke good to aduertise that as there be diuers sorts of men that may not challenge others so are there some that ought not be challenged of anie The first of them is Clarkes or Ecclesiastical persons professing religion The other sort is Doctors with all Students and such men as are onlie giuen to literature and knowledge But to returne vnto disequalitie of noble persons I say that the true nobilitie of men is Vertue and that he is truelie noble that is vertuous bee he borne of high or of lowe Parents And the more highlie he be borne the worse reputation he meriteth if he cannot continue the honor left him by his Ancestors Chrisostome saith what honor is it to bee well borne being defiled with vile conditions or what hurteth base parentage to him that is with gentle manners adorned Who so vaunteth of his Ancestors seemeth without any good thing of his own Seneca saith that who so will trulie iudge what worthines is in man must consider of him naked laying aside his liuings and titles of honor with all other fauours of fortune He must also imagine him without bodie and then weigh of what value or excellencie he is in minde because nobilitie is placed in the minde and in the minde it appeareth Now to speake of disequalitie I say that albeit Emperours Kings Princes great Lords and meane also are comprised within the name of Gentlemen and Soldiers yet is there among them such inequalitie as no Gentleman of what title soeuer may bee cōpared vnto a King nor any Soldier vnto an Emperour whereof we wil speake hereafter more at large Touching the disequalitie of priuate nobilitie thus is it to bee discoursed All Gentlemen are either without office either els they haue office or dignitie as the gouernment of Townes Countries Ambassages or commandements in warre Who euer of them hath any office or employment either it is giuen him for time or life If he bee an officer for time and is occasioned to answere in Armes he may defer the Cōbat till the expiration of his time in office If the office be for life the qualitie thereof such as maketh him Superiour to the aduersarie he may fight by Champion If such an officer be not Superiour to the enemie he ought aske leaue of his Prince and not obteining it shall without license go vnto the place of Combat and with Armes answere the Enemie for the obligation of honor is to bee preferred before all other Whosoeuer is borne noble vnder which word is comprised all sorts of nobilitie and gentilitie is equal to any other Gentleman of priuate condition Note here that in saying a Gentleman borne we meane he must be descended from three degrees of gentry both on the mothers and fathers side such is the opinion of Paris A Gentleman descended of the most noble house not hauing iurisdiction or commandement may be challenged of any priuate or particular Gentleman Also in respect that the profession of Armes is honorable a Soldier that hath long serued without reproach ought be accompted a Gentleman Also a Scholler hauing continued the studie of good learning is aspired to the degrees of schooles cannot be denied the title of gentrie A simple Soldier of honest fame may fight with any other Soldier Corporall Sergeant or other officer the Capteine excepted and he also may bee challenged to answere by Champion Euerie Capteine may challenge another Capteine vnlesse their charges bee such as the one can command the other and this rule must serue through all degrees of Soldiers both on horseback and foot yet is it to bee vnderstood that men at Armes being the most honorable sort of Soldiers and in continuall pay being for the most part Gentlemen may not be refused to fight with any priuate Capteine of footmen It may be also that a Capteine of footmen should fight with a Capteine of horsemen were it not that those charges are giuen to Noble men the charge of men at Armes to the most Noble yet is consideration to be had aswell of their birth as their charges For the Capteine in meaner place may bee so honorablie borne as he ought not be repulsed which respect is also to bee had among Capteines both on horsebacke and foote and likewise among all horsemen and Soldiers on foote in particular Of Iniurie done with aduantage CAP. 5. HEretofore hath been said that no Iniurie offered with aduantage ought to burthen him in reputation vnto whom the same was offered and that such Iniuries may in like sort bee reuenged which being a thing verie naturall and reasonable needeth no further proofe Notwithstanding to the intent each man may bee fullie enformed what Aduauntage is wee thinke fit somewhat to say thereof Aduantage in general is when one man doth iniurie vnto another so and in such time and place as the Iniured cannot be reuenged but to speake thereof in particular thus may it be said for example If one man being armed doth assault another disarmed or that he be better armed that we call aduantage If a man in office or place of dignitie hauing about him friends or seruants doth offer iniurie to another of meaner estate that is likewise Aduantage If two or more men doo hurt or strike another so as the man hurt is not able to make present reuenge that is also Iniurie with aduantage By these fewe examples may all other aduantagious Iniuries be conceiued but therewith is to
say with the Poet. Tota licet veteres exornent vndique cerae Atria nobilitas sola est atque vnica virtus Paulus aut Cossus aut Drusus moribus esto Hos ante effigies maiorum pone tuorum Praecedant ipsas illi te consule virgas Dic mihi Teucrorum proles animalia muta Quis generosa putet nisi fortia nempe volucrem Sic laudamus aequum facili cui plurima palma Feruet exultat rauco victoria circo Nobilis hic quocunque venit de gramine cuius Clara fuga ante alios primus in aequore puluis VVhether a quarrell betweene two Emperours may be decided by particular Combat CAP. 2. IT happened the Emperiall seate being voyd the Electors named vnto that dignitie two Princes not by general cōsent but by deuisiō of voyces the one partie chosing Alfonso king of Spaine the other Richard Duke of Cornwal brother to the King of England These Princes claiming the Empire the one challenged the other to trie the right by Combat wherevpon grewe a question whether persons of so high calling ought be admitted to fight in Combat Therevnto is said that forsomuch as the Empire in the beginning was gotten by Armes and vertue and that the execution of all iustice resteth in Armes it seemeth an Empire in that sort gained to be more honorable than if it were giuen by election Besides that in such triall the victorious enioyeth it by diuine iudgement And for example that Empires haue been so iudged we reade that the Romanes being in warre with the Albanois it was by consent of the one and the other people agreed that three brethren of the one partie called Horatij should fight with three of the enemies who were also brethren called Curiatij These men being brought together after long and doubtfull fight the victorie fell vnto the Romanes and the Albanois according vnto agreement willinglie yeelded their Countrie vnto the Romanes gouernment On the contrarie may be alleadged that forsomuch as the weldooing of the whole Empire consisteth vpon the life of the Emperour he ought not to fight in person But this is to bee vnderstood of an Emperour alreadie possessed and inuested for if the election be doubtfull then to auoyd a publique warre and effusion of bloud it seemeth verie reasonable that two Princes making claime ought be admitted to triall of Armes so long as no other title or interest appeareth VVhether a King may challenge an Emperour to Combat CAP. 3. THe auncient Emperours of Roome were of so great puissance and had vnder them so manie Monarchies and Kingdomes as well neere the chiefest part of the world was vnto them subiect and the Princes of those ages were reputed either Subiects Vassals or Tributaries vnto the Emperours In which respect it was thought vnfit that the Emperour should vouchsafe to fight with any King or Prince of what state or qualitie soeuer It appeareth also that the honor and respect borne towards them was excessiue because the ciuill lawe doth call the Emperour Lord of the world affirming he hath iurisdiction ouer Kings and all Princes yea there wanteth not of those that haue named him GOD vpon the earth and consequently reasonable that he should refuse to fight in Combat with any King or other Potentate On the contrarie side may be alleadged that the dignitie and title of Kings is more auncient than that of Emperours and that they haue the like soueraigntie ouer men For well we knowe that Aeneas Romulus Numa gouerned in Roome many and many yeares before that Iulius Caesar vsurped the title of Emperour Neuertheles Lancislao King of Hungarie challenging the Emperour was repulsed as vnworthie It happened also that another King contending with the Emperour for the Kingdome of Polonia the said King did challenge the Emperour to Combat as before that time Carlo Martello the sonne of Carlo the second had done for triall of the title of Hungarie which he claimed by discent from his mother The said King of Hungarie who was then possessed being of person puissant did condiscend to fight with Carlo Martello a young man of twentie yeares and vnexpert in Armes yet indeede rightfull heire These Princes resolued to make triall by Armes vppon a day certeine appoynted the King of England to be their Iudge and they to performe the fight in a certeine Iland of his which was done Carlo Martello became victorious and tooke from the Hungarian King his helmet which had a cheine hanging at the same which helmet Carlo Martello and all his successors vsed as a badge But for resolution of this matter thus wee conclude that Princes or Kings hauing dependance of the Empire may bee repulsed to fight with the Emperour but a King soueraigne acknowledging no Superiour and holding his Dominion of GOD and his owne sword onelie may challenge and fight with any Emperour Of the Equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes CAP. 4. A King vncrowned may lawfullie challenge a King crowned vnlesse the King vncrowned be vnlawfullie aspired or a Tyrant The number of Christian Kings are 14 of whom onelie foure were auncientlie crowned by the Pope that is the French King the King of England the King of Ierusalem and the King of Sisil All the other Kings were crowned by their owne Prelates Thus saith 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 hee hath the title of Prince Duke or Marquize Here is to bee noted that these titles of honor were at the first giuen in office as the title of Duke was proper vnto him that was a Generall of the Armie A Marquize was he vnto whom the confine or Marches of a Countrie or Kingdome was committed An Earle or Count was a Iudge or Commander in Peace and of them in the auncient Emperours seruice were diuers as the Countes Palantine were as stewards of the Emperours house of his Court or Stable euerie of them might challenge any Prince Duke or Marquize being a subiect because they are in respect of subiection reputed none other than Barons A Gentleman well borne and descended from Parentage of foure degrees may fight with any Earle or Baron in case of treason to his Prince or Countrie and also murther and infidelitie because they are besides their dignitie none other than Gentlemen and Gentilitie or Nobilitie is hereditarie and cannot bee taken away but Dignitie may But in other quarrells 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 bee aged lame or otherwise disabled A Capteine Generall of an Armie Emperiall or Royall may not be challenged by any Gentleman or Lord neither ought the Gouernour of any Citie Towne or Castle because no publique commandement may be abandoned for priuate respect The like is to be
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
Thomas Radcliffe Sir Edward Norris Anthonie Cooke Sir Iohn Packington George Giffard Richard Ward Euerard Digbie Sir Edward Denie Sir William Hatton Thomas Vauisor Henrie Nowell Sir Iohn Borrowe Sir George Carew Anthonie Mildmay Thomas Gerrard Edward Winter Sir Charles Blont William Gressam Iohn Wotton Iohn Parker Francis Darcie Robert Carie. Sir Edward Wingfield Iohn Chidley Sir Philip Butler Richard Skipwith Pecksall Brocas William Haruie Thomas Sidney Iarues Clifton Richard Acton MY meaning was here to haue inserted all the Speaches Emblemes Deuises Posies and other Complements vsed in all Challenges other publique exercises of Armes since her Maiesties Raigne but for want of obseruation or rather lacke of some sufficient man to haue set them presently downe those things cannot be recouered Henceforth that defect is like to bee supplied by the dextrous hand of Master W. Seagar now called Somerset one of her Maiesties-Herehaults a Gentleman both learned and languaged and therewith also by his own hand able to expresse in demonstration with great art and excellencie Whose minde is whollie bent to her Maiesties seruice and the honour of her Court The Ceremonies apperteining to the deliuerie of Prizes at Iusts and Turniments CAP. 12. AT anie publique Triumph before the King it seemeth the vse hath heretofore been that the Prizes of best desert should bee giuen by the hand of the Queene notwithstanding it were in the Kings presence but first a solempne proclamation to be made by the Herehaults to this effect O Yes O yes O yes Be it knowen to all men by these presents that by the authoritie of the most high most excellent and most puissant Prince H. by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland c. That of those which haue Iusted on the Challengers side A.B. hath deserued the Prize and to him let the same be giuen as due by the censure of the Queene with the assent of her Ladies Gentlewomen and all others of her Highnes Court heere present Likewise on the partie of Defenders C.D. hath Iusted well E.F. better but G.H. best of all vnto whome the Prize is iudged by the most mightie most excellent and vertuous Princesse with consent aforesaid This was the forme of deliuering the Prizes at the most noble and triumphant Iusts performed by King Henrie the eight and Francis the French King with their Nobilitie and Gentlemen of Armes at their interviewe in Picardie where the Proclamation in forme aforesaid was pronounced in English and French which by fauour of Master Garter I haue seene recorded IT seemeth in elder times the vse was that the Prince did giue a letter of attestation to such persons as wan anie Prize either in Combat for life or Honor for my selfe haue read such a one granted by a King of France vnto an Italian Gentl. in these words following wherevnto as it seemeth was added a great and honorable Ceremonie NO I Filippo per gratia di dio Re di Franza c. notifichiammo a tutti coloro a quali peruerranno queste nostre littere et che lo haranno a grado et 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 esser mai vinti pure vna volta poi che si debbe dar l'honore a chi merita ch'e senza menda Pero 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 da i Re d' armi Araldi Passauanti con trombette e sonatori con consitimento nostro delli giudici del campo rappresentanti la persona nostra per lo migliore di tutti i Caualieri de nostro regno Et commandiammo che sia posto sopra vn cauallo tutto bianco e che tutti coloro che vi si truoueranno cosi donne come huomini vengono con esso noi tutti a piedi e sia fatta processione generale e. N. vada sotto il baldacchino fino alla chiesa Appresso commandiammo ordoniammo che vscendo della chieâ—â— si vada per tutte le lizze sbarre e. N. ne prenda la possessione e per i Re d' Armi gli siano date tutte le chiaui delle dette lizze insegno 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 verità di questo fatto habbiamo segnata la presente carta con color vermiglio èsuggellata co'l 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 vnto whom these letters shall come and to euerie other person that take delight or pleasure in Armes and generally to all Emperors Kings Dukes Marquises Earles Princes Barons other Gentlemen that wee haue celebrated a solempne Triumph to the honour praise and glorie of God and the commendation of such as did fight in this honourable action of Armes And being desirous that they who haue valorouslie performed their parts without receiuing blame or disgrace should be knowen to the end honour may be giuen to euerie one according to his merit Therefore we haue hereby ordeined commaunded and iudged for the euerlasting honour praise and glorie of the excellent and vertuous Gentleman N. his name shal be proclaimed in euerie of the foure corners of the Lists or place of Iusts by the King of Armes the Herehaults and Pursiuants with our allowance and by the censure of the Iudges of the field representing our person letting all men thereby to knowe that the said N. is the most excellent and most vertuous Gentleman of Armes in all our kingdome We moreouer commaund that he shall be mounted vpon a white horse and that euery person present aswell women as men shall with vs follow him in Procession on fâ—ote that the said N. shall ride vnder a Canopie vnto the Church Wee likewise ordaine and commaund that in returne from the Church we shall passe through the place of Iusts and there the said N. to take possession and the keyes of the said Lists to be deliuered him by the King of Armes in signe of victorie Lastly we commaund that the celebration of the feast shall continue the space of xv 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 haue set our Royall seale Dated in our Citie of Paris the 4. of Iuly c. What the vse at this time in like cases is may appeare by the Prizes aforesaide bestowed by her Maiestie THE FIFT BOOKE Of what qualitie a Gentleman professing Armes ought to be CAP. 1. BY consideration of things conteined in these bookes a Gentleman may bee enformed what are the true causes of quarrell or offence vnto Honor what repulses are due vnto Iniuries of all sorts what iudgement is to be giuen vpon accidents in the exercises of Armes Whereunto wee added some particular examples of certeine Combats for life performed by persons of honor within this land and likewise haue noted the actions most glorious in Triumphs brought before the Princes of this realme And forsomuch as these actions of Armes chieflie on horsebacke are and euer haue been vsed of noble personages and Gentlemen of the best sort whom the Romanes in their florishing time by a generall terme called Equites and are presentlie both of the Italians and Spaniards named Cauallieri without respect to priuate dignitie or other distinction wee will therefore for this time yet with respect to each mans title aduenture to english the word Eques a Gentleman that professeth Honor Vertue Armes or any of them particularly reciting with what condition and qualities he should bee endued which in briefe are these 1 First he ought be of good constitution in bodie and conuenient strength to suffer trauell and performe the actions apperteining to a man of Armes 2 Secondly he should be well fauoured of face and comelie for commonlie GOD and Nature giueth beautie to such persons as are destined to command and from others borne to obay they haue withholden that fauour Which mooued some writers to affirme that the princelie presence of Priamus did shewe him to bee worthie of gouernment and command other men 3 Thirdly he should be of bold aspect rather inclined to seueritie than softnesse which countenance the Swisses and Turkes doo much affect 4 Fourthly he must be sober and discreet not inclined to vaine delights or effeminate pleasures 5 Fiftlie that he be obedient For of obedience proceedeth that the meaner are content to bee commanded by the better and the ignorant by those that know This vertue was greatlie imbraced of the Romanes and occasioned their often victories and at this day is well obserued among the Turkes And of the punishment for disobedience towards the militarie Magistrates the Romanes haue left two most notable examples the one of Manlius Torquatus who caused his owne sonne for that fault to be slaine notwithstanding he had vanquished the enemie The other of Papirius the Dictator who for the like offence was punished by Fabius Rutilius Generall of the horsmen in the Romane Armie 6 Sixtly he ought bee vigilant and patient for in the one consisteth the execution of warlike actions by the other all trauailes paines and misfortunes are indured 7 Seuenthly he must be faithfull and loyall which qualitie is required in all sorts of subiects but chiefly in Soldiers for thereupon dependeth his Princes securitie and state also which mooued Vigetius to say that the safetie of a Prince consisted in well choosing his Soldiers Which is the cause that men professing Armes doo commonlie sweare by the faith of a Soldier the French man a foy de Soldat the Italian a fe di Soldato c. Yea the Kings of France do commonlie vse this phrase a foy de gentil home a foy du chiualier 8 Eightly he ought bee constant and resolute because resolution maketh al difficulties easie and constancie or perseuerance bringeth perfection in that he professeth 9 Ninthly that hee should bee charitable because warres are not taken in hand for the destruction of Countries and townes but the defence of the lawes and people Lastly that he should be fortunate sith Fortune is the Ladie of Armies because she sheweth her vertue in nothing more than in the aduentures of warre Of Knighthood CAP. 2. FOrsomuch as in these former bookes wee haue discoursed the poynts of Honor and in what sort the exercises of Armes haue been vsed in England it shall not be amisse but rather necessarie to speake of Knighthood which dignitie was at the beginning giuen chieflie for seruice in Armes and valiant enterprises Our meaning therefore is to examine the originall occasion of the name of Knight and how many orders and degrees of Knighthood there are or haue been in Christendome For performance whereof it behoueth to knowe that the Romanes among whom Martiall Discipline was first knowne and names giuen to men for valerous merite diuided their people into Patritij and Plebei After that time another diuisiō was made as Senatores Equites and Plebs As the French haue at this day Les nobles la populaire or gentils homes villains And wee in England diuide our men into foure sorts Gentilmen Citizens Yeomen Artificers and Labourers Of Gentlemen the first and principall is the King the Prince Dukes Marquises Earles Viconts and Barons These are the Nobilitie and be called Lords or Noblemen Next to these bee Knights Esquires and simple Gentlemen which last number may be called Nobilitas minor for they in Parliament haue no place among the Lords Therefore the Barons or degree of Lords doo resemble the dignitie of Senators in Rome and the title of our Nobilitie is like vnto the Patritij when the Patritij did signifie Senatores aut Senatorum filij But that degree which we doo now call Knighthood is most like vnto the title in Rome named Equestris ordo yet other opinions there are both of the beginning and name of Knight as wel among the Italians as the Spaniards But howsoeuer it was most certeine it seemeth that vntil Equestris ordo was erected in Rome there was no such degree of men as we call Knights neither was that name giuen with such ceremonie and shewe of dignitie as since hath been vsed Yet some there are that faile not to affirme that Knighthood had the originall from Romulus in this sort That King hauing setled his Gouernment in Rome partlie for securitie partlie for magnificence erected three Bands of Horsemen the first called Romence after his owne name the next Titience after Tito Tatio and the third Luceria whereof only I thinke Liuie maketh mention Hereupon they will inferre that Knighthood begun vnder Romulus The Spaniards doo hold opinion that when faith and plaine dealing decaied those men that made profession of warre euerie thousand did choose but one man whom they thought to bee of greatest wisedome courage and curtesie among the rest That being done they made choise of such an horse as was reputed to excell the rest for beautie force and other perfections and forthwith gaue that beast vnto that man whom they had chosen as though their intention were to conioyne that singular beast vnto that notable
The Lord Scroope The Earle of Essex The Earle of Ormond Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chauncelor of England The Earle of Sussex The Lord Buckhurst Other degrees of Knighthood in England CAP. 8. THree other sorts of Knights there are in England but because they weare no garment badge or signe to shewe the difference of their degree from other Gentlemen they are not noted or known to strangers for Knights Yet among our selues wee knowe them right well for euerie man hauing that dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William c. But here is to be noted that Knights are not borne but made either before a Battaile to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre they are made for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that doo appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royall authoritie giuen for that purpose or by his Liutenant in the wars who hath his royall absolute power for that time And this order may be resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doth agree with it for seldome in all poynts one Common wealth doth agree with an other nor long any State accordeth with it selfe Equites Romani were chosen ex Censu which is according to their substance and riches Euen so be Knights in England for the most part according to the yearely reuenew of their lands being able to mainteine that estate yet all they that had Equestrem Censum were not in Rome Equites no more are all Knights in England that may dispend a Knights land or fee but they onlie to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honor In Rome the number of Equites was vncerteine and so is it of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum publicum but the Knights of England find horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers valewe but in England who so euer may dispend of his free lands fortie pounds starling of yearely reuenew by an old lawe either at the Coronation of the King or mariage of his daughter or at the dubbing of the Prince Knight or some such great occasion may bee by the King compelled to take that order and honor or to pay a fine which many rich men not so desirous of honor as of riches had rather disburse Some also who for good respect are not thought worthie that title and yet haue abilitie neither bee made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fortie pounds starling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant monie Wherof this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more but that which Miles doth in Latin which is Soldier I know not Some hold opiniō that the word Soldier doth betoken a waged or hiered man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Soldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Capteine which order if the Almaines did followe it may bee that they who were not hiered but being of the Nation vppon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did followe the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almaines some are called Lance-Knights as Soldiers not hiered although they bee well neere all hiered Or it may bee that they which were next about the Prince as his Gard and seruants picked and choyse men out of the rest being called in the Almaine tung Knighten which is as much to say as Seruants these men being found of good seruice the word afterward was taken for an Honor for a man that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is wee in our English doo call him Knight whom the French doo call Cheualier and the Latin Equitem or Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the manner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is striken by the Prince with a Sword drawne vpon his backe or shoulder the Prince saying Soys Cheualier and in times past was added S. George And when the Knight riseth the Prince saith Auancé This is the manner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this poynt and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Herehaults called Knights Batchelers Of Knights of the Bath AT the Coronation of a King or Queene there are made Knights of the Bath with long and curious Ceremonies whereof I am not perfectly enformed Of Knights Bannerets THese Knights are made in the field onlie with the Ceremonie of cutting away the point of his Standerd and making it as it were a Banner he being before a Batcheler Knight shall then become of greater degree allowed to display his Armes in a Banner as Barons do and the wiues of all these three degrees of Knights shall be called Ladies as Barons wiues are The Order of the Toson and the originall thereof CAP. 9. THe number of Knights that were at the first admitted into this Order was 31. who ought bee of noble bloud men of good merite and without reproach The chiefe or head of this companie is he vnto whom the succession of the Dukedome of Burgondy doth lawfullie discend Whosoeuer entereth into this Order shall renounce all other Orders of Knighthood of euerie Prince Companie or Religion Yet out of that lawe are excepted all Emperours Kings and Dukes vnto whom is dispensed that they may weare the Badge of this Order if they bee chiefe and Soueraines of their owne Order But to the end the truth may appeare a generall Counsell of Knights shall bee called to consent vnto that dispensation The Soueraine of this Order hath authoritie himselfe alone to giue and bestowe the Ensigne of the Order which is a Coller of gold wherein are the Armes of Burgondie hauing the Toson of gold hanging thereat This Coller the Soueraine and euerie of the Knights is bound to weare daylie and failing thereof shall incurre a penaltie But in time of warre or great affaires to weare the Toson onlie shall suffice Or if by mishap the Cheine doo breake it is lawfull for mending thereof it may be carried to the Goldsmith Or if any Knight trauailing by the way shall doubt to be robbed he may without offence lay by or hide his Cheine Yet is it not lawfull to encrease the quantitie of the said Cheine nor adde thereunto any other stones or workmanship and most of all it is vnlawfull to sell it engage it or exchange it These and many other Statutes and ordinances the Knights of this noble Order are sworne to obserue and keepe And many of them haue been sith the first institution enlarged altered or
giue them in almes to the poore That in walking either in the Court or Citie his pace should not be swift or hastie vpon paine to bee reproued of his fellowe Knights and punished at the great Masters discretion That he should not speake any thing vnfit or offensiue to his fellowes in Armes vpon paine to aske him forgiuenes and to bee banished the Court for three moneths That he should not commence or enter suite of lawe against the daughter of any Knight vpon paine neuer to haue Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court to his mistris or wife That if he happened to meete with any Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court he should foorth with alight from his horse and offer her his seruice vpon paine to lose one moneths wages and the fauour of all Ladies That if any Ladie of Honor required seruice at his hand he refusing to doo it hauing power should be called for euer the discourteous Knight That he should not eate alone nor at any time feed vpon grosse meates That he should not enter quarrell with any of his fellowe Knights or if any such disagreement did happen that he nor any other Knight should make partie but by all good meanes seeke to reconcile them vpon paine to pay a marke towards the charge of the next Iusts That if any man not being of this Order should presume to weare the Band that then he should bee forced to fight with two Knights but vanquishing them should be also a Knight himselfe being vanquished should bee banished the Court and neuer to weare the Band. That if at any Iusts or Turnaments in the Court a Gentleman being not of the Order should winne the prize then the King was bound forthwith to make him a Knight of the Band. That if any Knight of the Band did offer to draw his sword against any of his fellowes for so dooing should absent himselfe two moneths and two other moneths weare but halfe his Band. And if a Knight did hurt his fellowe in Armes he should be imprisoned one halfe yeare and the next halfe yeare be banished the Court. That no Knight for any offence should bee punished or iudged before he were brought to the King and his pleasure signified That he should bee euer furnished to attend on the King whensoeuer he went to the warre and if any battell were striken then ought these Knights ioyntlie to giue the charge and if in any such seruice a Knight performed not his part he should lose one yeares pay and one other yeare weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight should be inforced to serue in any warre saue onlie against the Infidels Or attending on the King to any other warre to weare no Band and if he serued any other Prince in his warre he should lose the Band. That all the Knights should assemble three times a yeare to consult vpon matters perteining to the Order The assemblie was at such place as the King pleased to appoynt and there they awaited with their Horse and Armour the first meeting was in Aprill the second in September and the last in Christmas That all the Knights of this Order should fight at the Turney at the least twise euerie yeare Iust foure times a yeare play at the Canes sixe times a yeare and manage horses euerie weeke And who so failed to performe all or any of these Knightly exercises should attend on the King one moneth without a Sword and one other moneth without a Band. That if the King did come to any citie or towne that then the Knights within eight daies after should prepare a place for the Iusts and Turniaments they should also exercise all other warlike weapons and if any Knight were negligent in these things hee should bee confined to his lodging and weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight might remaine in Court without a Mistris with intent to marrie her and not dishonor her and whensoeuer she pleased to walke he was to attend on her on foote or horsebacke to doo her all honor and seruice That if any Iusts were holden within ten mile of the Court euerie Knight to bee there vnder paine to go without his Sword for one moneth and without his Band another moneth That if any of these Knights were married within twentie miles of the Court all the rest should accompanie him to the King to receiue a gift and from thence to the place of wedding to exercise feates of Armes there and euerie Knight to present the Bride with some gift That the first Sonday of euerie moneth all the Knights should shewe themselues armed before the King readie to performe any action of Armes at the Kings pleasure for the King would not haue them be onlie Knights in name but in deed also That in no Turniament there should bee more Knights than thirtie on one partie and so many on the other partie that no Sword should be brought into the place but such as were rabbated both of edge and poynt And that vpon the sound of Trompet the fight should begin and at the sound of the Clarions euerie man to cease from fight and retire vpon paine that who so failed should neuer more enter into that Combat and be banished the Court for one moneth That at euerie day of Iusts each Knight should passe foure Carieraes before foure Knights appoynted for Iudges they who brake no staues in those courses should pay the charge of the Iusts That if any Knight were sicke and in perrill of death all other his fellowe Knights should visite him and exhort him to godlines And if indeed he did dye to accompanie his corse to the graue Also to mourne in blacke one whole moneth and absent themselues from the exercise of Armes for the space of three moneths except the King should otherwise command That within two daies after such funerall all the Knights should assemble and present the Band of the dead Knight vnto the King making humble suite for some of his sonnes to succeed if any of them were meete praying it would please his Maiestie to be good to the mother that she might liue according to her honorable calling Knights of San Iago CAP. 13. NExt vnto the Knights aforesaid for honor and estimation are these Knights of S. Iames in Spaine by the Spaniards called Caualieri di San Iago The originall of which Order was this At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered that Countrie the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the lawes of that barbarous Nation retired themselues vnto the mounteines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeares of their abode there certeine Gentlemen consulting together determined to make an assotiation and begin a warre vppon the Infidells These Gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certeine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of marriage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare
was a red Crosse in the forme of a Sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victorie against the Moores in the Prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuileges 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 Saincts these Knights doo vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is merueilous amounting to many hundred thousand Duckets Many Popes haue giuen their allowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof than ten Malachini yearely Knights of Calatraua CAP. 14. BY imitation of the Order aforesaid was this Knighthood of Calatraua begun in the yeare 1130. The inuenter thereof was Don Santio King of Toledo They were called Knights of Calatraua of the Prouince and place where they were made and setled which was where ancientlie the chiefe Church of Templers had been who not being of power sufficient to resist the Saracens were forced to yeeld the place vnto these Knights The habit of these Knights is a blacke garment and vpon it in the breast is set a red Crosse. These Knights haue also exceeding great possessions and many Commandries in diuers places of Spaine Knights of Alcantara CAP. 15. THese Knights liuing in effect vnder the ordinances and rules of the former doo weare a greene Crosse. Neere vnto the Citie of Alcantara in Castiglia vpon the riuer of Tago they haue a Church of great beautie indowed with rich possessions Knights of Montesio CAP. 16. IN Valentia are the Cauallieri di Montesio a place also seated in that Prouince These Knights doo weare a red Crosse and their Order begun about the same time that the Knighthood of Calatraua tooke beginning Knights of Redemption CAP. 17. THese Knights were erected in the Kingdome of Aragon by King Iames who conquered the Ilands Maiorica and Minorica in the yeare 1212. Their garments are white and thereon a blacke Crosse. The office of these Knights is to redeeme prisoners wherevpon they are called Caualieri della Redentione The chiefe Gouernour of them remaineth at Bercellona Knights of S. Iohn in Ierusalem of some called Knights of the Rhodes and now Knights of Malta CAP. 18. IT is written with what warrant I know not that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certein Gentleman who in his childhood had been brought vp in learning and being growne to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and therein long time continued Afterwards hauing atteined riper yeares he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fullie resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a sodeine desire he had to visite the Sepulcher where Christ was buried which shortlie 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 straunge Countries he ariued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarke of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and daylie vsed by the Infidels towards the poore Christians Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those Countries 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 Patriarke conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to bee a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should bee committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarke 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 solicited 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 recouerie of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with monie and some did goe in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorayn with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Hugh sirnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thether went Beomondo Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honor resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarilie followe him of whom with such other Capteines and Soldiers of Italie as came vnto him he assembled more than twentie thousand all choyce men yong fit for the warre All things in this sort prepared for the iorney Vrban the second then Pope sent vnto these Capteines a white Crosse with commandement that al the Soldiers should weare the like calling that enterprise la Cruciata It is said that the Christians at such time as this warre was proclaimed in Chiaramont a Citie of Auernia indeuoured themselues vniuersallie to animate the Soldiers and ioyned in generall praier for their good successe giuing them meate apparell and furniture vnasked or required Moreouer those that were indebted were forgiuen and such as had been banished were pardoned The women also contrarie to their custome willinglie and with much ioy consented their husbands and sonnes should passe in this enterprise and for their furniture gaue them their Iewels Cheines and monie The French King likewise sent them great treasure and gaue priuileges to the Soldiers lands and wiues in their husbands absence And many great Princes and other Lords sold and impawned their patrimonies to further this action So as the Armie assembled for this holie enterprise amounted vnto three hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horse who presentlie marched towards Constantinople where they passed the straight called Bosphoro Tracio and landed at Calcedonia For the first enterprise they besieged Nicea in Bithinia which within fiftie daies was yeelded and the fourth of Iuly at the foote of certeine Mounteines neere vnto that Citie the Christians fought a battell with a Turkish Armie which in number exceeded ours and thereat was present Soliman the Emperour of Turkie and Persia but the Christians had victorie with the losse of two thousand men but of the enemies were slaine fortie thousand This victorie gained the Christians following their enterprise within short time wonne an hundred Cities and Townes of accompt among