desiring both to honour her and please himselfe with her presence conuited all noble Ladies to behold a triumph at London to be there performed by the Nobles and Gentlemen of his Court This intention his Maiestie did command to be proclaimed in Fraunce Henault Flanders Brabant and other places giuing Passeport and secure abode to all noble strangers that would resort into England That done he sent vnto al Princes Lords and Esquiers of the Realme requiring that they with their wiues daughters and cosins should at the day appointed appeare at his Court. To this feast came William Earle of Henault and Iohn his brother with many Barons and Gentlemen The triumph continued 15. dayes and euery thing succeeded well had not Iohn the sonne and heire of Vicount Beaumount bene there slaine In this triumph also appeared the Earle of Lancaster and Henry his son The Earle of Darby The Lord Robert of Artoys The Erle of Richmount The Earle of Northampton The Earle of Glocester The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury The Earle of Pembroke The Earle of Hartford The Earle of Arundel The Earle of Cornewall The Earle of Norffolke The Earle of Suffolke The Baron of Stafford with others In the raigne of the same King Edward a Royall Iust was holden at Lincolnâ— by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certaine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Lady Ioane daughter to the King who should haue bene married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died 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 de Valoys 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 Thither came also noble persons of other Nations and Spaniards Cipriots Armenians who at that time humbly desired aide against Pagans An. 1361. A triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthony Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgundie Anno 1444. A triumph before King Henry the sixt ONe other notable Action of Armes was personally performed in Smithfield betweene a Gentleman of Spaine called Sir Francis le Arogonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honour 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 Triumphs before King Henry the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Vaughan was hurt and died 1494. One other triumph was in the same Kings daies performed in the Tower of London Anno 1502. Triumphs before King Henry the eight BVt farre exceeding all these was that magnificent Iust and Tournament at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henry the eight of England and Francis the French King who chusing vnto them fourteen others did challenge to run at the Tilt and fight both at the Tourney and Barrier with all commers The Challengers were the King of England the French King the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Ierningham Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capel with these were so many other French Gentlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thither came Mounsieur Vandosme the Earle of Deâ—onshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euery of them bringing in a faire band of Knights well armed This most noble challenge of these two mighty Kings accompanied with fourteene other Knights of either nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King at Armes in England France and Germanie Anno 12 Henrici 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 and Edward Neuel Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Caeur Loyal the Lord William Bon Voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Valiant desire and Edward Neuil Ioyâ—us Pensier The Defenders were THe Lord Gray Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blunt Thomas Cheyney Thomas Terrel Christopher Willoughby the Lord Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquesse Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshirâ— 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 Caeur Loyal and among the Defenders to Edmond Howard Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights viz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seimor Sir Francis Poynings Sir George Carew Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel Anno 1540. Another action of Armes published in the Chamber of Presence at VVestminster by a King of Armes 25. of Nouember in the 1. and 2. of P. and M. FOrasmuch as euer it hath bene a custome that to the Courts of Kings and great Princes Knights and Gentlemen of diuers Nations haue made their repaire for the triall of Knighthood and exercise of Armes And knowing this Royall Court of England to bee replenished with as many noble Knights as any kingdome in the world at this day It seemeth good to Don Fredericke de Toledo the Lord Strange Don Ferdinando de Toledo Don Francisco de Mendoca and Garsulace de la Vega That seeing here in this place better then in any other they may shew the great desire that they haue to serue their Ladies by the honorable aduentures of their persons They say that they will maintaine a fight on foot at the Barriers with footmens harnesse three pushes with a pike seuen strokes with a sword in the place appointed before the Court gate on Tuesday the 4. day of December from the twelfth houre of the day vntill fiue at night against all commers Praying the Lords the Earle of Arundell the Lord Clinton Gartilapez de Padilla and Don Pedro de Cordoua that they would be Iudges of this Triumph for the better performance of the conditions following First that he which commeth forth most gallantly without wearing on himselfe or furniture any golde or siluer fine or counterfeit wouen embroidered or of goldsmiths worke shall haue a rich Brooch He that striketh best with a Pike shall haue a Ring with a Rubie He that fighteth best with a Sword shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that fighteth most valiantly when they ioyntly fight together shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that giueth a stroke with a Pike from the girdle downeward or vnder the Barrier shall winne no prize Hee that shall haue a close gantlet or any thing to fasten his Sword to his hand shall winne no
triumphant and euer memorable victory ouer the Spanish Fleet proudly by them called Inuincible The Sermon beeing done her Maiestie went to the Bishops Palace and there dined and towards euening returned vnto Somerset place by torchlight Against her Highnes cōming in the morning the streets were railed and hung with Blew broad clothes for the seueral Companies in their Liueries to stand euery Company distinguished by Banners Standards and Penons of their Armes richly painted and illumined The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court likewise being placed nere Temple Bar stood orderly within their railes All the fronts of houses were couered with rich Arras and Tapistry and the windowes and streets replenished with all sorts of people innumerable who with great applause and ioyful acclamations both graced and honoured her Maiesties most Royall proceeding The Lord Mayor which was Alderman Calthrope deliuered his Sword to her Maiestie at Temple Barre who receiuing it gaue him a Mace or Scepter to beare and deliuered the Sword to the L. Marquesse of Winchester who bare it before her Highnesse all that day ¶ Here followeth the List or Roll of all Estates that were in this Princely proceeding according as they were then marshalled Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen Harbingers Seruants to Ambassadors Gentlemen Her Maiestics seruants Esquires Trumpets Sewers of the Chamber Gentlemen Huishers The sixe Clerkes of the Chancery Clerkes of Starre chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the Priuie Seale Clerkes of the Councel Chaplens hauing dignities as Deanes c. Masters of the Chancery Aldermen of London Knights Batchelers Knights Officers of the Admiralty The Iudge of the Admiraltie The Deane of the Arches The Soliciter and Attourney Generall Serieants at the Law The Queenes Serieants Barons of the Exchequer A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Common Pleas. A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Kings Bench. The L. chief Baron the L. chief Iustice of the Common pleas The Master of the Rols and the L. chiefe Iustice of the K. Bench. The Queenes Doctors of Physicke The Master of the Tents and the Master of the Reuels The Lieutenant of the Ordinance The Lieutenant of the Tower The Master of the Armorie Knights that had bene Ambassadors Knights that had beene Deputies of Ireland The Master of the great Wardrobe A Pursuy of Armes The Master of the lewel house A Pursuy of Armes Esquires for the Bodie and Gentlemen of the Priuie chamber Trumpets The Queenes Cloake Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquire Barons yonger sonnes Knights of the Bath Knights Bannerets Lancaster Vicounts yonger sonnes Yorke Barons eldest sonnes Earles yonger sonnes Vicounts eldest sonnes Secretaries of her Maiestie Knights of the Priuie Councel Sommerset Richmond Knights of the Garter Principal Secretarie Vicechamberlaine Comptroller and Treasurer of the houshold Barons of the Parliament Chester Bishops 〈◊〉 The Lord Chamberlaine of the house being Barons The Lord Admiral of England Marquesses yonger sonnes Earles eldest sonnes Vicounts Dukes yonger sonnes Marquesses eldest sonnes Norroy King of Armes Earles Dukes eldest sonnes Marquesses Dukes Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord high Treasurer of England The Archbishop of Yorke The Lord Chanceller of England The Archbishop of Canterbury The French Embassadour Garter King of Armes The Maior of London A Gent. Huisher of the Priuie Chamber The Queenes Maiestie in her Chariot Her Highnesse traine borne by the Marchionesse of Winchester The Palfrey of Honour led by the Master of the Horse The chiefe Lady of Honour All other Ladies of Honour The Captaine of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard CHAP. 26. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition BArtholus in his discourse de re Militari Duello diuideth men into three degrees viz. great personages aduanced to dignitie men of reputation without dignitie and common or ignoble persons Of whom Iac. Faber in his discourse vpon Aristotles politickes maketh nine sorts The first are husbandmen whose endeuor is employed about the fruits of the earth Secondly artificers occupied Arts either necessarie honest or pleasing Thirdly victualers retailers of wares and chapmen Fourthly Marriners and sea souldiers Fiftly Fishermen Sixtly Watermen and Ferrymen Seuenthly Masons and labourers in stone Eightly workemen of little substance and Labourers Lastly Bondmen and slaues Among common persons in euery Prouince or Towne the Gouernor or Captaine is of most reputation notwithstanding hee be of a common birth yet in some Cities the Maior or chiefe Iudge hath that chiefe honour and is superior to the military Officer but generally men in Office are of more reputation then others without office and Officers for life are preferred before Officers annuall or time certaine Data paritate in alijs Raynutius Note also that euery man during the time he beareth office is to be respected and honoured as Purpuratus writeth And to say summarily all wisemen hauing place of rule in any Prouince Citie or Towne must be preferred before others albeit they are aduanced aboue the measure of their vertue For no man is so euill but sometimes he doth well Laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt Pli. Men married are euer to precede men vnmaried in pari dignitate And he who hath most children or lost the greater number in the warre of his Countrey is to be most honored Lex Iuli◠The like order ought be obserued among women maried in pari dignitate and in Rome maydens did anciently go before widdowes and wiues also and sonnes before their Fathers Men hauing land of inheritance are to precede other hauing none and Citizens that are housholders must be preferred before others hauing no habitation chiefly in such Cities and Townes where their Ancestors and families haue bene of continuance in reputation of marchandise or other possessions For next after Gentlemen and Magistrates they are to take place in pari dignitate Yet here is to be noted that if any Burgesse Marchant or other man of wealth doe happen to purchase a Barony yet ought he not be a Baron nor haue place among Barons Iac. Rabuff A father whose sonne beareth any Office shall giue place to his sonne in all publike meetings and seruices but in priuate affaires the order of nature ought be obserued and in domesticall conuersation the father shal goe and sit before the sonne Likewise a Bishop must doe reuerence vnto his father at home but being in the Church the father shal follow him So for diuers respects the one and the other is honoured Betwene two equals he that is in his owne iurisdiction shal precede as if an Archbishop or Cardinall doe come into the Diocesse of a Bishop notwithstanding they be persons of more dignity yet ought they giue honour vnto the Bishop because their presence doth not cancell his authority A Citizen or dweller of any chiefe City shall take place of other Inhabitants of meaner townes or cities when soeuer they meet in any place indifferent
honor and habit a Peere of the Realme and companion of Princes and therefore no disparagement vnto his wife albeit a Dukes daughter to take her place according to her husbands condition All Dukes yonger sonnes be borne as Earles and shall weare as many powdrings as an Earle sauing they shall goe beneath all Earles and Marquesses eldest sonnes and aboue all Vicounts And their wiues shall goe beneath all Countesses and Marquesses daughters and aboue all Vicountesses and next to Marquesses daughters Also all Dukes daughters shall goe one with another so that alwayes the eldest Dukes Daughter go vppermost vnlesse the Princes pleasure be to the contrary A Marquesse A Marquesse must go after the ancienty of his Ancesters creation And the Marchionesse his wife according to the same He is to haue a cloth of Estate in his owne house so that it hang a yard aboue the ground and in euery other place sauing in a Dukes house or in his Souereignes presence He may haue no assayes in a Dukes presence but only his cups couered Neither may a Marchionesse haue her gowne borne in a Dutchesse presence but by a Gentleman for it is accompted a higher degree to bee borne by a woman then by a man But in her owne house she may haue her gowne borne vp by a Knights wife Also there ought no Vicount or Vicountesse to wash with a Marquesse or a Marchionesse but at their pleasures A Marquesse eldest sonne is borne in the degree as an Earle and shal go as an Earle and haue his Assaies in an Earles presence and weare as many powdrings as an Earle sauing that he shall goe beneath an Earle and aboue all Dukes yonger sonnes and his wife shal go beneath all Countesses and aboue all Marquesses daughters But if the Marquesses daughter be his heire and she the elder Marquesses daughter then she shall go aboue the yonger Marquesses eldest sonnes wife Item a Marquesses daughter is by birth equall to a Countesse and shall weare as many powdrings as a Countesse sauing she shall goe beneath all Countesses and Marquesses eldest sonnes wiues But they shall haue none assaies in any Countesses presence And if they be maried to a Baron then they shal go according to their husbands degree vt supra And if they be maried to a Knight or vnder the degree of a Knight then they shall take place after their birth Item Marquesses yonger sonnes be borne as Vicounts and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Vicount sauing onely hee shall goe beneath all Vicounts and Earles eldest sonnes and aboue all Barons and his wife shal goe beneath all Vicountesses and Earles daughters and aboue all Baronesses Item all Marquesses daughters are to goe one with another so that alwayes the eldest Marquesse daughter goe vppermost vnlesse the pleasure of the Prince be to the contrary An Earle AN Earle shall goe after the ancientie of his Ancesters creation so that he be of the same kinred and stocke And the Countesse his wife shall goe according to the same He may haue none Assayes in a Marquesse presence but onely his Cup couered Neither may any Countesse haue her gowne borne in a Marchionesses presence by a Gentlewoman but by a Gentleman Also an Earle may haue in his owne house a cloath of Estate which shall be fringed round without any pendant And a Baron ought not to wash with an Earle but at his pleasure Item an Earles eldest sonne is borne equal to a Vicount and shall goe as a Vicount and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Vicount But he shall go beneath all Vicounts and his wife beneath all Vicountesses and aboue all Earles daughters But if she be the Earles daughter and heire and the elder Earles daughter then shee shall goe aboue the yonger Earles eldest sonnes wife Item all Earles daughters be borne as Vicountesses and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Viscountesse yet shall she goe beneath all Viscountesses and Earles eldest sonnes wiues And if they be married to a Baron or to any other aboue a Baron then they shall goe after the degree of their husband And if they be married to a Knight or vnder the degree of a Knight then they are to goe and haue place according to their birth Item all Earles yonger sonnes be borne as Barons and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Baron sauing they shall goe beneath all Barons and Viscounts eldest sonnes and aboue all Baronnets And their wiues shal go beneath all Baronnesses and Viscountesse daughters and aboue all Baronets wiues Item all Earles daughters to goe one with an other the elder Earles daughter to goe vppermost vnlesse the pleasure of the Prince be to the contrary A Viscount A Viscount must goe after the ancientie of his owne Ancestors creation and the Viscountesse must haue place according to the same He may haue in his owne house the Cup of Assay holden vnder his Cup while he drinketh but none Assay taken He may haue a Caruer and Shewer with their Towels when they set their seruice on the Table The Viscount being there present and all Viscountesses may haue their gownes borne vp by a man in the presence of a Countesse Also they may haue a Trauerse in their owne houses Item Viscounts eldest sonnes be borne as Barons and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Baron sauing he shall goe beneath all Barons and aboue all Barons yong sonnes And his wife shall goe beneath all Baronesses and aboue all Viscounts daughters Item Vicounts daughters be borne as Baronesses and shall weare as many Powdrings as a Baronnesse sauing she shall goe beneath all Baronesses and Viscounts eldest sonnes wiues and if they be married to a Baron they shall goe after the degree of their Husbands And if they be married to a Knight or an Esquier they are to take place according to their birth Item Viscounts yonger sonnes shall go as Bannerets and weare as many Powdrings as a Banneret sauing they shall goe beneath all Baronets A Baron A Baron must goe after the ancientie of his Ancesters creation so that the eldest Baron goe vppermost and the Baronnesse his wife must goe after the same she may haue her gowne borne vp with a man in presence of a Vicountesse and the Baron may haue the couer of his cup holden vnderneath when he drinketh Item a Barons eldest sonne shall goe and haue place as a Banneret and take the vpper hand of a Banneret because his father is a Peere of the Realme and by the same reason all Barons yonger sonnes shal precede all Batcheler Knights Item all Barons daughters shall goe aboue all Bannerets wiues that is to say she shall haue the vpper hand of Bannerets wiues Knights wiues Item all Barons daughters to goe one with another so that the eldest Barons daughter goe alwayes vppermost vnlesse the Princes pleasure be to the contrary Note that if any of all the degrees aboue written be descended of the blood Royall they ought to
stand aboue and precede all others that are in pari dignitate of themselues as a Duke of the Bloud aboue all Dukes not of the Bloud and so the like in all other degrees except the Princes knowen pleasure be to the contrary A Dukes eldest sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall haue place before a Marquesse and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue an Earle An Earles sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall precede a Vicount and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue a Baron CHAP. 23. The proceeding of Parliament to Westminster from her Maiesties Royall Pallace of VVhite Hall FIrst Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen two and two Esquiers two and two The sixe Clerkes of the Chancerie Clerkes of the Starre-chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the priuie Counsell The Masters of the Chancery Esquiers of the Body The Trumpets The Queenes Attorney and Soliciter Sergeants of the Law The Queenes Sergeant alone The Barons of the Exchequer two and two Iudges of the Common Pleas. Iudges of the Kings Bench. Pursuyuants Pursuyuants The Lord chiefe Baron and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. The Master of the Roules and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench. Batcheler Knights Knights of the Bathe Knights Bannerets Knights of the Priuie Counsell two and two Knights of the Garter The Queenes Maiesties Cloake and Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquier Noblemens yonger sonnes Heralds Heralds and heires apparant two and two The principall Secretary being no Baron The Vice-chamberlaine The Treasourer and Comptroller of the Houshold Barons in their Robes two and two The yongest form ost Bishops in their Robes two and two The Lord Admirall and the Lord Chamberlaine of Household together if they be Barons and In pari dignitate Norroy King of Armes Viscounts in their Robes two and two the yongest formost Earles in their Robes two and two they yongest formost Marquesses in their Robes Dukes in their Robes The Lord President of the Counsell and the Lord Priuie Seale Lord Steward of the Queenes house and the Lord great Chamberlaine Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord Chanceler and the Lord Tresurer of England together The Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke together Sergeants at Armes Sergeants at Armes Garter chiefe King of Armes barehead The Cap of Estate borne by the Marques of Winchester and with him on the left hand the Earle Marshall of England with his gilt rod. The Sword borne by an Earle THE Queenes Maiestie on horsebacke or in her Chariot with her Robes of Estate her Traine borne by a Duchesse or Marchionesse The Pensioners on ech side of her Maiestie bearing Poleaxes The Lord Chamberlaine and the Vize-chamberlaine on eche side of the Queene if they attend out of their ranke but somewhat behinde her The Master of the Horse leading a spare Horse next behinde her Maiestie Ladies and Gentlewomen according to their Estates two and two The Captaine of the Guard with all the Guard folowing two two CHAP. 24. The placing of great Officers according to the Acte of Parliament made An. 31. H. 8. THe Lord Vicegerent shal be placed on the Bishops side aboue them all Then the Lord Chauncellour The Lord Treasorer The Lord President of the priuie Counsell The Lord Priuie seale These foure being of the degree of a Baron or aboue shall sit in the Parliament in all assemblies of Councell aboue Dukes not being of the blood Royall viz. The Kings brother Vncle or Nephewes c. And these sixe The Lord great Chamberlaine of England The Lord High Constable of England The Earle Marshall of England The Lord Admirall of England The Lord great Master of Steward of the Kings house The Lord Chamberlaine of the Kings houshold These sixe are placed in all assemblies of Councell after Lord priuie Seale according to their degrees and estates So that if he be a Baron to sit aboue all Barons and if he be an Earle aboue all Earles And so likewise the Kings principall Secretary being a Baron of the Parliament hath place aboue all Barons and if he be of higher degree he shall sit and be placed according thereunto Note If any of the Officers aboue mentioned be not of the degree of a Baron whereby he hath not power to assent or dissent in the high Court of Parliament then he or they are to sit on the vppermost Wolsacke in the Parliament chamber the one aboue the other in like order as is specified The Nobilitie Temporall are placed according to the auncientie of their seuerall creations and so are the Lords Spirituall sauing The Archbishop of Canterburie So placed of dignitie The Archbishop of Yorke Bishop of London So placed by Acte of Parliament Bishop of Durham Bishop of Winhcester The rest of the Bishops haue their places according to the senioritie of their seuerall consecrations And this for their placing in the Parliament house Howbeit when the Archbishop of Canterburie sitteth in his Prouinciall assembly he hath on his right hand the Archbishop of Yorke and next vnto him the Bishop of Winchester and on the left hand the Bishop of London But if it fall out that the Archbishop of Canterburie be not there by the vacation of his See then the Archbishop of Yorke is to take his place who admitteth the Bishop of London to his right hand and the Prelate of Winchester to his left the rest sitting as is before said as they are elders by consecration CHAP. 25. The Queenes Maiesties most royall proceeding in State from Somerset place to Pauls Church Ann. 1588. ON Sunday the 24. day of Nouember Anno 1588. our Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth rode with great solemnitie in her open chariot from Somerset house in the Strond to the Cathedrâ—l Church of S. Paul in London where at the West doore before her Maiesties entrance in there was prouided a rich Chaire of Estate and the ground being spred likewise with tapits her Maiestie kneeled downe against a deske couered with very Princely furniture and said the Lords prayer and then the Bishop of London in his Cope deliuered her a booke containing all the Orders Charters and Priuiledges belonging to the said Church which her Maiesty receiuing did confirme and redeliuer vnto the Bishop in the presence of all the Prebends and Churchmen who attended her Highnesse in very rich Copes and so with the whole Quire singing before her she proceeded vp into the Chancell where within a Trauers she rested vntill the Procession and other diuine Anthems were sung After which her Maiesty entred into the place ordained for the Duchie of Lancaster which at that time was newly reedified with faire and large glasse windowes in which she stayed during the Sermon preached at the Crosse by Doctor Perce then Bish. of Salisbury where with the whole assembly of the people she gaue God publicke thankes for that
bene likewise capable of Temporal dignities as Baronies and Earledomes Some of them be accounted Counts Palatine in their proper iurisdiction Barons by writ are summoned by their proper surnames as A. B. Cheualier although indeede he be no Knight And all those Barons so called by writ the dignitie is inuested in their owne sirname and so in their owne persons and not in their Castles Houses Manors or Lordships Barons by creation are either solemnely created by another name then their owne as in the right of their wiues or mothers Or els by the names of some Castle House Manor or Lordship In which diuersities although Barons be diuersly made yet are they all alike in their callings and though in shew some of their dignities be of a place certaine yet is the right dignitie in the person of the Baron For admit a Baron should â—ell or exchange the place whereof he is called yet shal he still holde the name and be written and reputed thereby and haue his place and voyce in Parliament by the same name hee was first called or created Of Knights and Knighthood we haue at large discoursed in the second Booke only this is to be remeÌ„bred that the forme of dubbing of Knights both in warre and peace is not now obserued as it hath bene Nam Milites tunica suorum armorum torque indui gladio cingt calcaribus auratis ornarisolebant and the Prince in the action thereof pronounced these words Soyez loyal Chlr. en nom de Dieu S. George Miles dicitur quasi vnus electus ex mille olim inter Romanos mille homines strenui maximè bellicosi electiinter caeteros fuerunt quilibet eorum dictus fuit miles quasi vnus ex mille CHAP. 14. Of Esquiers AN Esquier or Escuier commonly called Squier is he that was antiently called Scutiger and to this day in the latine is named Armiger These men as sir Thomas Smith in his booke de Rcip Anglorum doth describe them are Gentlemen bearing armes or armories as the French do call it in testimony of the Nobilitie or race from whence they are come Esquiers be taken for no distinct order of the common weale but goe with the residue of Gentlemen saue that as hee thinketh they be those men who beare Armes in signe as I haue said of the race and familie whereof they are descended In respect whereof they haue neither creation nor dubbing vnlesse it be such as hold office by the Princes gift and receiue a collar of SS Or els they were at the first costrels or bearers of the Armâ— of Lords or Knights and by that had their name for a dignitie and honour giuen to distinguish them from common Souldiers called in Latine Gregarij milites So is euery Esquier a Gentleman but euery Gentleman not an Esquier vnlesse he be such a one as beareth Armes which Armes are giuen either by the Prince as a testimonie of fauour or a signe of his vertue that receiued them or both either else by donation of the Kings of Armes who by the Princes Commandement or Commission haue authoritie at their discretion to bestow such honour with consent of the Earle Marshall Somerset Glouer that learned Herauld maketh foure definitions or seuerall sorts of Esquiers according to the custome of England The first of them and the most ancient are the eldest sonnes of Knights and eldest sonnes of them successiuely The second sort are the eldest sonnes of the younger sonnes of Barons and Noble men of higher degree which take end are determined when the chiefe Masles of such elder sonnes doe faile and that the inheritance goeth away with the heires females The third sort are those that by the King are created Esquiets by the gift of a Collar of SS and such bearing Armes are the principall of that coat Armour and of their whole race out of whose families although diuers other houses doe spring and issue yet the eldest of that coat Armour onely is an Esquier and the residue are but Gentlemen The fourth and last sort of Esquiers are such as bearing office in the common weale or in the Kings house are therefore called and reputed to be Esquiers as the Serieants at the Lawe the Escheators in euery shire and in the Kings house the Serieant of euery Office but hauing no Armes that degree dieth with them and their issue is not ennobled thereby Mounsieur P. Pithou in his memories of the Earles of Champagne and Brie saith further that among the Fiefes of Normandy the Fiefe called Fiefe de Haubert was that which in Latine is Feuda Loricae or Feuda Scutiferorum the very originall of the name of our Esquiers comming of the Armes and seruice which they ought to Knights for they helde their land of a Knight by Scutage as a Knight helde his land of the King by Knights seruice And such Fiefes were called Vray Vassaulx being bound alwayes to serue their Lorde by reason of their Fiefe without pay There are also in England other sorts of Esquiers which courtesie and custome haue made among which they are reputed Esquiers that are able at the Musters to present a Launce or light horse for the Princes seruice not vnlike the manner of the Spaniardes where all freehoulders are called Caualieros that doe keepe horse for the Kings impolyments CHAP. 15. Of Gentlemen GEntlemen are they who in the Greeke are called Eugeneis in Latine Nobiles or Ingenui in the French Nobles in the English Gentlemen Gens in Latine betokeneth a race a sirname or family as the Romans had Traquinij Valerij Quintij Claudij Cincinnati Fabij Cossi and such like so haue we in England certaine names which for their continuance in reputation vertue and riches may be in Latine called Agnati or Gentiles that is men knowen or Gentlemen of this or that name and family But let vs consider how this Nobility is defined and by how many meanes men doe thereunto aspire Iudocus Clicthouius defineth Nobilitie thus Nobilitas est generis velalterius rei excellentia ac dignitas Tract Nobil Cap. 1. Nobility is the excellencie of gentle race or of some other good quality And Bartholus discoursing long whether Nobilitie and Dignity be but one concludeth they are not yet said he the one resembleth the other Lib. 1. Cap. de Dig. adding That as he to whome God hath vouchsafed his grace is before his diuine Maiesty noble so before men who so is fauoured by his Prince or the Lawes ought be receiued for noble This Nobilitie therefore is thus defined Nobilitas est qualitas illata per Principatum tenentem qua quis vltra acceptos plebeios honestus ostenditur Nobility is a title bestowed by him that holdeth place of the Prince and maketh him that receiueth it to be of better reputation then other men Of Nobilitie or as we call it Gentilitie diuers diuisions by diuers men haue bene Bartholus sayth That of Nobility there are three kinds viz.
followeth it behooueth to know That the first places of dignity doe appertaine to those that are attendant and administrant in office illustrious The second is due to them that haue heretofore borne office of dignity and are now vacant The third belongeth to those that haue obtained an office of dignity in reuersion These diuers degrees were in the Emperiall Court called Administrantes Vacantes and Honorarij The officers Administrant are to precede next to them the Vacants and then the Honorarij or officers extraordinarie in which order they are euer to take place In simili dignitate non in dignitate dispari But to begin with Administrants and their order among themselues thus it is He that was first placed or sworne ought euer to precede and so in order from the first to the last In paridignitate As for example a Gentleman of the Kings Chamber in ordinary attendance shall take place before all other Gentlemen in part dignitate The like order ought be obserued by the Vacants for he that hath bene longest vacant may take place before him that is lesse ancient in vacancie As for example He that was a Viceroy or an Embassador ten yeeres past shall sit before him that serued since in pari dignitate The same course is to be kept among the number of Honorantes or seruants extraordinary As for example Hee to whome any office or other place of dignity is granted in reuersion being first therin placed or sworne shall goe before all others of his ranke in pari dignitate As for example A Master of Requests extraordinary must precede all others that haue since obtained that dignity yet true it is that an officer extraordinary may be by birth or otherwise so priuiledged as he shall take place of a Vacant and sometimes also of an Administrant Note also that euery office or dignity granted by the Prince in his own presence shall be of greater reputation then if the same were giuen in absence or sent vnto him that receiueth it data paritate in reliquis The same law also commandeth that a Vacant shal be preferred before an officer extraordinary and men of Armes seruing in any Emperiall or Royall Court shal be priuiledged before others in pari dignitate Iohan. de Platea Note likewise that these officers whome we call Vacants are of two sorts The one are they that haue absolutely quitted their offices or consented their places may be supplied by others the other are they who had office in some City Court or Countrey where now no such office is as the Counsellors of Milain when that State was subiect to the French king are now no more officers in that City being subiect to the King of Spaine yet doe they hold place of other Vacants in pari dignitate Likewise an Officer Administrant may sometime precede an Officer Extraordinary etiam in dignitate dispari But otherwise it is with a Vacant or extraordinary officer for he is neuer preferred in pari dignitate We call him Extraordinary that hath onely the name of an Officer without administration or fee yet shall he goe before all others of that place being his punies or men of no place As for example A Gentleman waiter Extraordinary shall not onely precede all other Gentlemen of lesse ancientie but also sit before all other Gentlemen not the Kings seruants in pari dignitate And consequently euery man Extraordinary in the Princes seruice shall take place before all other men without office and in pari dignitate It is also to be remembred that in euery office neere the person of the King or in his Royall house there is euer one supreme and superlatiue officer aboue the rest and after him other Honorable officers of diuers degrees The rest are equall yet with respect that he who was first preferred shall take place first As for example The chiefe Officer of the Emperors house was called Praefectus sacri Palatij and vnder him were certaine Comites as in the Court of England her Maiesties supreme Officer of houshold is the Lord Steward and next to him the Treasurer Comptroller Cofferer in France Le Grand Maistre in Spaine El Maggior domo c. Likewise those Emperors had one Praefectus sacri Cubiculi another Stabuli with their Comites as our Souereigne hath a Lord Chamberlaine a Master of the horse and diuers officers inferiour to them The rest of her seruants in euery particular office are to proceede as equals hauing respect to ancienty For he that was first aduanced ought alwayes to take place first in pari dignitate Which rule may direct euery man to goe as becommeth his qualitie and consequently eschewe all occasions of offence or presumption Whereunto we will adde one thing perhaps by euery one not obserued or to all men not knowen which is that all men seruing neere vnto the Princes person in what office or place soeuer are thereby priuiledged and honoured The words of the Law are these Adhaerentes lateri Principis eidem in officio seruientes nobilitantur nobiles efficiuntur Omnes famulantes principi sunt in dignitate ideo nobiles cum dignitas nobilitas idem sunt Bart. Cap. de dignitatibus CHAP. 22. Of Honourable places due to great Estates their wiues and children A Duke A Duke must goe after the auncienty of his Ancestors creation so that he be of the same blood and stocke And the Dutchesse his wife to goe according to the same But if he be a Duke of new creation then he is to proceede as a new Duke He is to haue in his owne house a cloth of Estate and in euery other place out of the Princes presence so that the same come not to the ground by halfe a yard A Dutchesse likewise may haue her cloth of Estate and a Barronesse to beare vp her traine in her owne house And no Earle ought to wash with a Duke but at the Dukes pleasure A Dukes eldest sonne is borne in the degree of a Marquesse and shall go as a Marquesse and weare as many powdrings as a Marquesse and haue his assayes the Marquesse being present sauing he shall goe beneath a Marquesse and his wife beneath a Marchionesse and aboue all Dukes daughters But if so be a Duke hath a daughter which is his sole heire if she be the eldest Dukes daughter then she shall goe before and aboue the Dukes eldest sonnes wife Also a Dukes daughter is borne equiualent to a Marchionesse and shall weare as many powdrings as a Marchionesse sauing she shal goe beneath all Marchionesse and all Dukes eldest sonnes wiues They shall haue none assayes in the Marchionesses presence And if they be married to a Baron they shall goe according to the degree of their husbands And if they be married to a Knight or to one vnder the degree of a Knight they are to haue place according to their birth Note that a Baron is an Estate of great dignitie in blood