The theater of honour and knight-hood. Or A compendious chronicle and historie of the whole Christian vvorld Containing the originall of all monarchies, kingdomes, and estates, with their emperours, kings, princes, and gouernours; their beginnings, continuance, and successions, to this present time. The first institution of armes, emblazons, kings, heralds, and pursuiuants of armes: with all the ancient and moderne military orders of knight-hood in euery kingdome. Of duelloes or single combates ... Likewise of ioustes, tourneyes, and tournaments, and orders belonging to them. Lastly of funerall pompe, for emperours, kings, princes, and meaner persons, with all the rites and ceremonies fitting for them. VVritten in French, by Andrew Fauine, Parisian: and aduocate in the High Court of Parliament. M.DC.XX.

CHAP. VI. Homages done and rendred to the most Christian Kings of France▪ by the Counts of Flanders, of Henault, &c.

THose Predecessors, which were Counts of Flanders, Henault▪ Artois, &c. haue euermore beene Liege-men to the Crown•• of France: which was continued by the descendant Heyr•••• to Mary of Bourgongne, as well in quality of the said Lord•• Counts, as the Peeres of France.

In the Registers of the Court of Parliament, the Homag•• is yeelded to King Philip Augustus, called the Conquero•••• Second of the name,* 1.1 by Bauldwine, Count of Flanders, H••¦nault, &c. In the City of Compeigne, the Moneth of Iu•••• 1196. In the presence of William de Champaigne, Cardinall and Archbishop o•• Rheimes; Madame Mary of France, Countesse of Champaigne, Sister to the said King

Phillip; and other Princes and Lords, Peeres of France. According as it written by Rigordus, and William the Bretone in the life of the said Phillip Augustus.

Ferrand of Portugall, Successour to the said Baldwine in the Counties before named, by the mean••s of his wife: did Homage as a Liege-man to the same King Phillip Au∣gustus, at Bois de Vincennes, in the moneth of Ianuarie, the yeare of Grace, One Thou∣sand two hundred and eleuen. As heere you may behold the Tenure.

Ego Ferrandus, Comes Flandriae et Hannoniae, Notum facio vniuersis ad quos hae presen∣tes litterae peruenerint; Quod Ego sum Homo Ligius Domini mei Illustrissimi Franco∣rum Regis Philippi contra omnes Homines et Foeminas qui possunt viuere et mori. Et iu∣taui eidem quod ego faciam ei bonum seruitium, et fidele; neque ab eo deficiam quandiu mihi voluerit facere rectum in Curia Sua. Si autem de bono et fideli seruitio ei deficiam; volo, et concedo, quod omnes Homines mei tam Barones, quam Milites, et omnes Commu∣n••a, et Communitates Villarum, et Burgorum Terrae meae contra me sint eidem Domino meo Reg•• in auxilium, et mihi sint innocumentum ad posse suum, vsque dum sit Domino meo Regi emendatum ad gratum suum. Et volo et praecipio, quod praedicti tam Barones, quam Miletes, et alij hanc Domino meo Regi iurent, et faciant securitatem. Si autem aliquis es∣set qui nollet hoc iurare, omne malum quod possem faciam ei nec Pacem, nec Treugam cum illo nunquam haberem, nisi per voluntatem, et beneplacitum Domini mei Regis esset. Quod vt non possit obl••uione deleri, et vt Praed••cta perpetuam obtineant firmitatem et securita∣tem, praesentes litteras, Sigilli nostri munimine, et testimonio corroborari fecemus Actum Vincennis, An. Domini Millesimo Ducentesimo Vndecimo, M••nse Ianuarij die Quinta.

In the same Registers of Court, is the sentence of the Throne of Iustice, helde by Le∣wes Hu••n King of France & Nauarre Tenth and First of this name, against the Count of Flanders Robert; and he, and his Dutchmen Fauourers and adherers, declared guil∣t•••• ••f high treason, and for their Fellonie condemned to loose their liues, and their goods seized and confiscated to the King. This sentence of Iustice, the King then sitting in his Parlement at Paris, is dated the fourteenth of Iuly, and in the yeare of Grace, One Thousand three hundred and Thirteene.

The most remarkable of all the Homag••s rendered to our Kings, by the said Count of Flanders; is that of Phillip, Archduke of Austria, Sonne to Maximillian, elected King of the Romaines, and M••dame Mary of Bourgongne, Father of Charles the Fift, and of Ferdinand, Emperours, Kings of Spaine, Bohemia and Hungaria, in the said Court of Parlement at Paris, where (in cases Royall) it was Iustifiable, that the said Countes of Flanders, Henault, Artois, and others Lands; were their Vassailes and Subiects. Heere is the Verball Processe of the sayd Homage.

The Processe of Homage.

IOhn Amy, Notarie and Secretarie to our Lord the King. Seeing it hath pleased the noble and puissant Lord Guy de Rochefort, Knight, Lord of Pluuot and of Labergement Lord Chancellor of France, so much of his Grace to preferre me, as to ordaine and command the Letters, for receiuing the Homage made to our Lord the King from his hand: By the most high and mightie Prince Monsieur Philip, Son to the King of the Romaines, Archduke of Austria, Count of Flanders, Artois and Charolois, the fift day of this instant moneth of Iuly, 1499. My said Lord the Chancellour being in the Cittie of Arras, and in the Bishops house; such worthy actions and great Cere∣monies, as were there then obserued and done, to the exaltation, honor and benefit of the King, And of his Crowne, deseruing to liue in perpetuall memorie: I am so bold as to set downe in writing, concerning what I both heard and saw, touching the pre∣sent acte and matter; especially, from the last day of Iune now past, vntill the fift day of Iuly. And for our entrance into the matter, it is most certaine and an vndoubted trueth;

That my Lord the Chancellor, departed the said last day of Iune (after dinner) from the Towne of Dourlents in Picardie, to iourney for the Citty of Arras,* 1.2 where he arriued the s••me day. Being alwayes accompanied with the Lords of Rauesteine and of Gruture▪ the Lord Charles de la Vernade, Knight and Lord of the same place, as also Sir Christopher de Cremona, Councellers and Maisters of the Requests in the Kings House•• Messire R••oull de Launoy Bayliffe of Amiens; Messire Frances d'Estain; Hugh de

Meghe; Amaury de Quinquiuille; Nicholas de Foix; Phillip d'Estas; Richard Neph••e••, and Peter de la Vernade, Councellers in Ordinarie, Macè Toustaene, Atturney Gene∣rall to the said Lord in his Great Councell, Iohn Burdelot, Atturney Generall in the Court of Parlement at Paris; Anthony le Viste, Speaker in the Chancerie of France, Dreux Bude, Iohn de Ville-Bresme, Raoull Guiot, Phillip Maillart, Notaries and Secreta∣ries to our said Lord the King; and my selfe.

As the Lord Chancellour and all his Companie were riding in god order, within a mile and an halfe of the City of Arras, hauing the Vsher of the Great Councell be∣fore him, bearing his Mace openly discouered, Armed with the King Armes, and fol∣lowing after the said Vsher the Chafe-wax,* 1.3 sided by two Kings of Armes to our Lord the King, clothed in their Coates of Armes: as namely, Mon-Ioye, Principall King of Armes of France, and the King of Armes, Normandie: there arriued and came before the said Lord Chancellour, the Bishop of Cambray, the Lord Thomas de Pleures, Knight Chancellour to the Lord Archduke Monsieur the Count of Nassau, the Lord of Flen∣nes, with other, as well Knights as Squires, yet addmitted of Councell to the said Archduke. The Lord Thomas de Pleures preparing to salute the Lord Chancellour, came vnto him, saying, that the Lords in his company and himselfe, were sent from their Lord and Maister the Archduke,* 1.4 to tell him: That the Archduke was very ioyfull for his arriuall, and the others Lords which were with him, affirming them all to be most hartily welcome. With much other faire and gentle language, euery one in the traine did the like (on behalfe of the Archduke) doing great reuerences and honor to the Lord Chancellour, not any of the Lords fayling in the like. For which kindnesses, the Lord Chancellour vsed them very honorably, embracing the Lords, euen as if this fauour had bin done to the Archduke himselfe, personally there present.

Soone after, they ordered them on either side, for their more formall ryding into the Citie, and when the whole Companie was neere entring into the Suburbes: the Lord Chancellour was met by the Lord Archduke, who to receiue and welcome him, had purposely come on horsseback from the Abbey of Saint Vaast in the Cittie of Arras, and ridden quite thorow the Cittie to see him come, and meete him.

Thus the Lord Archduke, accompanied with a great number, as well Knights of his Order,* 1.5 as Squires, and other Officers of his House, being rancked on either side, to make way and giue place to the Lord Chancellour: he was no sooner come neere, but both the Archduke and they put off their Bonnets, shewing themselues submissiue∣ly bare, and he put on his Mule, to be close to the Chancellor. Him he embraced very humbly, being alwayes bare-headed before him, bidding him most heartely welcome; speaking further to him in this manner. How fareth my Lord the King? Whereto the Lord Chancellour answered; That he was well and in good health, with more ample speeches in honor of his Maiesty. The Archduke gaue gracious welcome to the Lords of Rauestein and Gruture, saluting also honourably the Maisters of the Re∣quests, and other Councellers to the King. After many gracious passages in spee∣ches, and amiable countenances of the Archduke, to the Chancellour and Rauestein: he all this while hold his hart in his hand, and would neuer be couered, but when the Lord Chancellour did the like.

The Archduke and the Chancellour rode on together, to make their entrance into the Cittie,* 1.6 the Chancellour alwayes keeping the right hand; and before them rode the Vsher of the Great Councell, bearing his Mace alofte and open. The Chafe-waxe carying the Kings Seale on his backe, As it is the custome there, when the Lord Chancellour rideth thorow the Kingdome; and the two Kings of Armes in their Order, neuer any other comming betweene the Archduke and the Chancellour. A thing which was well noated and obserued, as heedfully by the Archdukes people and Offi∣cers, as by the common people: whereof there was a mighty assembly, both without the Cittie and within, comming purposely to see this Entrance.

Still all along (in conference) did the Archduke guide and conduct the Lord Chan∣cellour, being alwayes vncouered to him; except when the Chancellour put on, then did he so likewise:* 1.7 euen to the entrance of the Cloyster of the Great Church, the Archduke still striuing to bring the Chancellour to the Bishops Place (where he al∣wayes vsed to be lodged) but that he was hindred therin, by the earnest intreates and

importunities of the Chancellour, who shewed himselfe sufficiently satisfied with that which he had then done in honour of the King. Wherupon, in kind language he departed from the Lord Chancelour, returning into the Cittie of Arras, to his owne lodging at Saint Vaast, the Chancellour remayning in the Bishops House, accompani∣ed with the Counte of Nassau, and other great persons belonging to the said Lord Archduke. Afterward, the Lords and Gentlemen on either side, repaired to such lodgings, were in due order appointed for them.

After diuers entercourses of courtesie, performed by the said Lords, Thomas de Pleures, the Counte of Nassau, the Lord of Molembais, and other Officers attending on the Archduke, during Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday following, being the first, second, third and fourth of this instant moneth Iuly; many treaties pas∣sed before the Lord Chancellour in his Lodging, for concluding on matters, points and articles propounded by the Kings Atturney Generall, in his Parlement at Paris.

And those matters being ended, vpon Thursday, requests was made by the Arch-Dukes Officers to the Lord Chancellour; that he would dispose himselfe,* 1.8 for receiuing the Homage, which the said Archduke was to performe to the King, in regard of his Peerdome and Counties of Flanders, and likewise for the Counties of Artois, Charo∣lous, with other Lands helde by him, belonging to our Lord the King and his Crowne. For the doing whereof, day and houre was to be assigned to the Archduke, to the end he might come and Doe his Duety.

Whereto the Lord Chancellour made answere, that the morrow, being Friday,* 1.9 and fifte of the said Moneth; betweene the houres of nine and ten in the morning, he would be ready to receiue it, which day and time was accepted by the Officers to the Archduke.

For this purpose, the Lord Chancellour appointed, that the place should be the se∣cond Haule of his Lodging, which was hanged with rich T••p••strie, and a State exal∣ted two or three degrees, and thereon placed A sumptuous Chaire, couered all ouer with Floures de Luces, wherein himselfe was to sit during the reception, and such words as should be deliuered, concerning the Homage that was done.

Friday b••ing come, about ten a clocke in the morning, the Lord Chancellour benig in his Chamber, accompanied with Lords, Maisters of the Requests, and other of the Councell before named, as also the Bayliffe of Amions:* 1.10 worde was brought him by Thomas de Pleures, and other Officers, that the Archduke was departed from his Lodging: and co••ing towards him, to performe the Homage, if he would dispose himselfe to receiue it. Wherto the Chancellour made answere, that So soone as his Lord should be come into the place appointed for Homage; he would be readie there in person.

Officers came two other seuerall times, as well Gentlemen of the Chamber, as also the Secretaries to the Archduke, signifying to the Lord Chancellour; that the Arch∣duke was entred the first Haule, which ioyned to the second: And yet the Chancel∣lour would not stirre.

At the third time, because the Officers affirmed, that the Archduke was entred the second Haule (as indeed it was true) and likewise that the Lord de la Gruture, Robert Framezelles, Chamberlaine to the King, and the Lord of Rauesteine (who had accom∣panied the Archduke from his Lodging, into the second Haule) came also to tell the de Chancellour, that the Archduke was in the second Haule, and in the very place ap∣pointed for the Homage.

Then the Lord Chancellour, attired in a rich Roabe of Crimosine veluet, and his Ha•• on his head; came from his Chamber, which ioyned to the said Haule, in man∣ner following.

Before him went the Vsher of the Great Councell, bearing his Mace open and a∣lofte, who with aloude voyce cried and said,* 1.11 so soone as he was come forth of the Chamber, and entring into the second Haule (because there were assembled a great multitude of people, as well Gentlemen and Officers to the Archduke, as others, so that hardly a man could turne himselfe) these words three or foure times: On before there, make way and, giue roome. After the said Vsher followed the two Kings of Armes; then came the Lord Chancellour, and after him the Lords of the Requests,

being of the Great Councell, and the Kings Notaries and Secretaries, with whom I my selfe went. And because the Lord Chancellour had appointed me (before his de∣parting from his Chamber) to take such a conuenient place, where I might be present at the Homage, to heare both his owne wordes, the answeres of the Archduke, and what else should be past betweene them, according as his Letters formerly had direct∣ed me; I endeauoured my selfe not to faile therein.

Heere is to be obserued, that as the Lord Chancellour approched neare the Chaire, wherein he was to sit, the Lord Archduke, who all this while had attended there his comming: immediately tooke off his Hat, and spake to the Chancellour these words;* 1.12 My Lord, God giue you a good day, in speaking which words, he humbled his head very low. But the Lord Chancellour, without vsing any action of courtesie, or vttering one word, only lifted his hand to his Hatt on his head, touching it, but not otherwise stirring it; sat down in the Chaire. When presently one of the Kings of Armes, according as formerly the Chancellour had directed him, cried there times with a loud voyce; Keepe Silence.

Which being done, the Archduke presented himselfe bare headed before the Lord Chancellour to doe his Homage, saying. My Lord, I am come hither before you, to performe the Homage which I owe to the King, concerning my Peerdome, and Counties of Flanders,* 1.13 Artois and Charolois, which I holde of My Lord the King, and of his Crowne

Then the Lord Chancellour, sitting so in his Chaire, and couered both with his Hat and hoode, demanded: If he had either Girdle, Dagger, or any other Weapon about him?* 1.14 Whereto the Archduke (Lifting vp his Garment, which was without a Girdle) Answered No. Heerevpon the Lord Chancellour Tooke his two hands betweene his owne, and holding them so ioyned, the Lord Archduke began to bow, shewing apparance of falling on his knee. But the Lord Chancellour would not suffer it, but raising him vp with his hands as he held him, he vsed these words to him: your good will is sufficient, and wee are pleased. Then the Lord Chancellour proceeded in this manner, holding still the Archdukes hands betweene his owne,* 1.15 and he bare headed, off••ring alwayes his knee to the ground. You shall continue a man to your Soueraigne Lord, bearing him Faith and Liege Hommage, in regard of the Peeredome and Counties of Flanders, as also the Counties of Artois, Charolois, and all others Lands which you hold of the King and his Crowne. You shall promise to serue him till death inclusiuely, to and against all that can liue and dye, without reseruing any: To procure his good, and preuent his harme, and to acquit and c••y your selfe towards him, as to your Soueraigne Lord and King.

Whereunto the Archduke answered: By my Faith so I promise, and so I will die. When he had so spoken, the Chancellour vsed these words. And I receiue you, (the Kings right reserued in other things,* 1.16 and of others in all concerning them.) Then holding forth his checke the Lord Chancellour kissed it. Afterward, the Archduke demanded of the Chancellour, Letters for receiuing the said Homage: which he commanded me to make, for his more speedy dispatch.

Now arose the Chancellour out of the Chaire, and putting off his Hat and Hood, made low reuerence to the Archduke, and vttered these words. My Lord, I perfor∣med yet-while the Office of a King, by representation of his person. But now I am Guy de Rochefort,* 1.17 your most humble seruant, alwayes ready to doe you any seruice, to the King my Soueraigne Lord and Maister, in whatsoeuer it shall please you to command me. For which the Lord Archduke thanked him, returning these speeches. I thanke you my Lord Chancellour, & desire you in all my affaires to my Lord the King, that I may haue your helpe and furtherance.

Witnesse my Seale manuell set heereunto, the first day of August, An. 1499.

This Liedge Homage was made to King Lewes the Twelfth, to whom was giuen that excellent Elogium and Title of honor; Father of his People. After whom succee∣ded King Frances the first:* 1.18 who was graced with the stile of The Father of good Letters. At his comming to the Crowne of France, Charles of Spayne, Sonne to the Archduke Phillip of Austria, whose Homage we haue so lately reported, sent as Ambassadour to his Sacred Maiesty, the Counte of Nassau, who (in the name of his Maister) gaue Faith and Liedge Homage, for the Counties of Flanders, Henault, Artois, Charolou••, and other Lands held of the Crowne of France, in the yeare One Thousand Fiue Hun∣dred and Fifteene.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ba••ldwine Count of F••an••••rs and Hena••••▪ &c.
• * 1.2

  The departure of the Lord Chancellor to goe for Arra••.
• * 1.3

  The Chancel∣lor 〈…〉〈…〉 concerning to ••apan••
• * 1.4

  ••alut•• de∣liuered to the Chancellor.
• * 1.5

  The meet••ng of the Arch-Duke and the Chancell••.
• * 1.6

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••to the Cit••ie of Arras
• * 1.7

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.8

  Request made for Receiuing the Homage
• * 1.9

  Appointment for the doing 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  The Chancel∣lors answere to ••ed Tho∣mas de Pleures.
• * 1.11

  The manner of the Chancel∣lors comming to receiue the Homage.
• * 1.12

  The A••••h∣•• wordes to the Lord Chancellour.
• * 1.13

  〈…〉〈…〉 the Homage and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to performe it.
• * 1.14

  The passage•• which 〈…〉〈…〉 them.
• * 1.15

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 Chancel∣•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Arch Duke.
• * 1.16

  The Arch-Dukes 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Homage.
• * 1.17

  The Chancel∣lours court••sie to the Arch-Duke.
• * 1.18

  King L••wes the ••welfth, Father of his People.