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.

Rubet Ensis Sanguine Arabum.

The Escutcheon of this Order, is D'Or a l'Espee de Gueules,* 1.1 et la Coquille au mitan de mesme. And as for the Banner of Saint Iames in Galicia, it is in like manner D'Or a la Croix Fleurdelizee de Gueules, Cantonnee de Quatre Coquilles, & d'vne au mitan de la dicte Croix, de Gueules.

Las Armas y Escudos de la misma Orden, son la misma Espada Roxa, con vna Venera in medio della, y el Campo de Oro: aunque en el Pendon las ••raen diferentes, que traen la Cruz Roia de Calatraua con cinquo Veneras in Campo de Oro. Las Veneras son insigniat del Apostol, que vsan los peregrinos en los Sombreros en el Sancto Viage, quando lloganda a su Sancto Sepulchro las cogen en las orillas de el mar en testimonio de su Romeria. Assi como quando quan a Hierusalem, trayan Palmas, de donde se Viniero a llamar Palmeros los Peregrinos.

The Armes and Escucheons of the same Order, are the same Red Sword, With a Scallop sh••ll in the midst, in a Field of Golde. It differs (neuerthelesse) from the Banner of Saint Iames, Which is D Or, a la Croix de Calatraua de Gueules a Cinq Coquilles de mesmes. Those Scallops or Cockles are the Enseignes and the markes of the Apostle Saint Iames, whereof Pilgrimes make vse, in their Holy Voyage to the S••pulchre of the said Apo∣stle. They gather them on the Sea shoares, and fasten them in their Hattes or Hoodes, as a marke of their Pilgrimage, Like vnto them, that goe the great Voyage to Ierusalem, and at their returning thence, doe bring Palmes with them. And this is the reason, why (in elder times) such Pilgrimes were called Palmers, only in regard of their Palmes.

Heere let it serue for a generall aduertisement, that all the Great Maisters of the Military Orders in Spayne, haue alwayes neere or about them,* 1.2 into any parts whereso∣euer they goe, be it in Peace or warre: Thirteene Knights Commanders, for their ayde and seruice, as also to assist them in Councell, being called Los Trezes. Which will well serue to vnderstand the Histories of Spayne, in describing the Battailes and Encounters, wherein haue bin personally present, the Great Maisters of the Orders, either of Leon, Galicia, Portugall or And••louzia, Prouinces which were long time vn∣der the Hommage and authority of the Kingdome of Leon, sending euermore those Thirteene (as occasions serued) to the said Great Maisters. In the description of the Knights of the vanguarde, conducted by Diego Lopez de Haro, in the Battaile of Mura∣dall, Dom Pedro Arias, Maister of Saint Iames, with the Knights of his Order.* 1.3 Among whom were Garcia Gonsales de Candomio, Comendador Mayor de Leon. y Treze: Dom Fernan Perez Comendador y Treze: Ruy Gonsales de Mansilla, Comendador de l'Hospital de Toledo y Treze: y Fernan Garcia de Lerma Comendador de las Tiendas y Treze: y Dom Fernan Esteuan de Villarruuia y Treze: Ruy Gutierrez de Villa Garcia Comendador de Montreall y Treze, &c. All Knights of the Order of Saint Iames: which will guide any Gentleman, reading the Histories of the Militarie Orders of Spayne, des∣cribed by Morales, and Radez d' Andrada.

The Order of the Knights of Saint Iames of the Sword, tooke beginning in the Kingdome of Galicia, vnder the Homage of Leon, to second the Monkes of Saint Helie, in the same Kingdome.

These Monkes of Saint Helie in Galicia, perceiuing the great affluence of people,* 1.4 which dayly resorted to Saint Iames of Compostella on Pilgrimage, and that the high wayes were impeached by the Moores, by which meanes, the poore Pilgrimes sustai∣ned a thousand miseries: They builded Hospitalles, which might serue for house-roome and lodgings to the said Pilgrimes of Saint Iames, to releeue, helpe and heale them, in the case of sicknesse or other distresses. The first Hospital which they builded,* 1.5 was that of S. Marke the Euangelist, in the Suburbs of the Citty of Leon. The second, in the marches and limits of Castille, sirnamed De las Tiendas: and afterward many o∣ther, on the great high way of S. Iames, which to this day is called The Frenche Way.

Thirteene Gentlemen, mooued with zeale, and in meere Charity to the Monkes of Saint Helie of Galicia, who had done so much for the poore Pilgrimes of Saint Iames (taking this Apostle of Spayne to be their Patrone:) made sollemne vowes, to guarde the passages of the said Frenche Way,* 1.6 against the Moores and Robbers of Spayne. They communicated their purpose to the Monkes of Saint Helie, and fell to agreement, to make one Corps du garde among themselues.

The Monkes and their Priour should exercise all actions of Iustice, in Spirituall oc∣casions, as well on the Knights, as Priests and Clearkes, admitted into the seruice of the said Order. But concerning the Knights, they had a Gouernour and Commander, a Great Maister, who had good knowledge in all Temporall occurrences, by whom was payed the Tenthes and other Rights, to the Monkes of Saint Marke. At the begin∣ning of this Order, these Knights were not maried: but afterward, they had such per∣mission graunted them.

The first Hospitall which these Knights of Saint Iames erected, was in the Suburbs of Leon, ioyning that there of Saint Marke, to the Monkes of Saint Helie, who gaue them the foundation whereon to build theirs. And the first Great Maister of this Or∣der,* 1.7 was Dom Pedro Fernandez de Puente-Encalada, a braue and valiant Knight. Their habit was a Gowne and Hood white, on the brest a Crosse of Red cloth, finishing like the Blade of a Sworde, the Hilte therof Crosletted, and fashioned after the Auncient manner, with a Scallop of the same, on the closing of the Sword to the hilte: And thereupon they were called the Knights of Saint Iames of the Sworde. At the begin∣ning they had their haire on their heads cut close, and their crownes shauen bare, like to the Monkes of Saint Helie: with whom they liued in common, & made their vowes of Chastity, Pouerty and Obedience; but they maried soone after, as hath bin said, and had their benefites seperate by themselues, the right of Tenths reserued for the Monks. Both the one and other kept & obserued the Rule of S. Augustine, in their profession.

* 1.8The First Great Maister of this Order Dom Pedro, accompanied with the number of his Knights, went to Rome, and presented himselfe before Pope Alexander the Third: who confirmed their Rule, in Anno 1175. the third of the Nones of Iuly, approuing also what had bin disposed by Cardinall Hyacinthe, his Legat in Spayne.

These Knights came (soone after) into bad agreement with Dom Ferdinand King of Leon: who suspected them, to fauour the King of Castille his aduersary. So that they forsooke their Conuent of Saint Marke at Leon, and withdrew into Castille, where they were well entertained. Dom Alphonso gaue them the Towne and Castell of Veles, in Latine called Vrcesia,* 1.9 where they builded a Conuent; which they made the Chiefe of the Order. And because they would not loose the possession of S. Marke at Leon; they sent thither (from Chapter to Chapter) the Brethren of their Order (after the death of the King of Leon Ferdinand) to maintaine themselues in the possession thereof. Neuerthelesse, at the charges of the Knights of Leon, and with prouiso, that they should acknowledge alwayes them of Vcles, to be the chiefe men of the Order, as accordingly it was done for some time.

But afterwarde, they of Saint Marke at Leon, would no longer acknowledge them of V••les in Castille to be their Superiours;* 1.10 but made their faction apart, encreasing greatly in goods in Extremadura, a riche Prouince, conquered from the Moores by the Kings of Leon.

This order of S. Iames, was established likewise in Portugall, where it attained to ma∣ny Commanderies, confessing Vcles to be chiefe of the Order: vntill the time of the King of Portugall Dom Denys, who would haue a Great Maister and Chiefe of the Or∣der alone in his owne Kingdome, without any subiection to that of Castill.

* 1.11These Knights of Saint Iames became wonderfull rich and plenteous: so that they could bring to the Field a Thousand compleate Launces, of Vcles and Leon.

The Great Masters were chosen by the Thirteene Knights, Commanders of the said Order, and Gouernours thereof; who deposed them likewise, if occasion serued.

This Order hath more riches alone by it selfe, then all the rest in Spayne together: An infinity of dignities, Conuents, Monasteries, Hospitalles, Commanderies and Vi∣caredges. For, First of all.

The two Heads of the Order, are they of Vcles and Leon.

Foure Hermitages, as namely

• S. Saluador des Monstiers, neere to ••••l••resca.
• S. Maria de Cagnamanes, in the field of Momiell.
• S. Maria de la Pegna, neere to the Towne of Segura, on the Mountaines: And
• S. Anthony de l'Alhambra.

Two Colledges in the Vniuersity of ••••lamanca, and rich ones.

Sixe Monasteries of Nunnes, in title of Commanderies, where the first is.

• Of the Holy-Ghost at Salamanca.
• Of S. Faith at Toledo.
• Of S. Crosse at Vailledolid.
• Of S. Iames at Granada.
• Of S. Ollalia at Merida: And
• Of S. Iames at Iunquera of Barce∣••••na.

Fiue Hospitalles.

• The First Saint Iames of Toledo, perti∣••ulerly ordained for such, as haue the di∣••ease of Naples, brought by the Spanyards ••nto Italy. They had taken it before, ••rom the Negroes of Pamphila of Narua∣••••, which brought it into Spayne, from ••he Conquest of the West Indiaes, accor∣••ing to the testimony of Spanish Authors, ••n the Indian History.
• The Second. S. Iames at Cuenca.
• Las Tiendas, in Olde Castille.
• The Hospitall of S. Marke at Leon: And
• The Great Hospitall of V••les.

The Commaunderies are a very great ••umber, Sometimes bound to furnish all ••arres, which were made against the Moores, with Three hundred Threescore ••nd Eight compleate Launces.

The Commanderies belonging to the Great Maistership of Vcles, are

• 1. The Maior Commaunderie of Castille.
• 2. Secondly, that of Paracuellos.
• 3. Monthernand.
• 4. Mora.
• 5. Los Barrios.
• 6. Montreal.
• 7. Horcaio.
• 8. El Corral de Almagner.
• 9. El Campo de Critana.
• 10. Alhambra.
• 11. Membrilla.
• 12. Montison.
• 13. Bedmar.
• 14. Vacas.
• 15. Segura de la Sierra, the best Com∣maundery in all Spaine.
• 16. Yeste.
• 17. Moratalla.
• 18. Caranaca.
• 19. Aledo.
• 20. Ricote.
• 21. Biedma.
• 22. Ciesa.
• 23. Soconos.
• 24. Torres.
• 25. Cagnamares.
• 26. Montiell.
• 27. Carrizosa.
• 28. Vilhermosa.
• 29. Villanueua de la Fuente.
• 30. Bastimens del Campo de Montiell.
• 31. Sacucellamos.
• 32. Villa-maior.
• 33. Villa-Escusa de Haro.
• 34. Bastimens de la Mancha.
• 35. The Riuer of Tayio.
• 36. Huelamo.
• 37. Oreia.
• 38. Estremera.
• 39. Sancta Croix de la Sarsa.
• 40. Villoria.
• 41. Villa Runia.
• 42. Alpages.
• 43. The Priorie of Vcles.
• 44. The Chamber of Priueledges of the Order: And
• 45. Alorqui.

Those which acknowledge the Iurisdiction of Saint Marke of Leon, are

• ...1. The Maior Commanderie.
• 2. Aquilareio.
• 3. Calcadilla.
• 4. La Puebla de Sancho Peres.
• 5. Los Santos.
• 6. Villa franca.
• 7. La fuente del Maëstre.
• 8. Almendralegio.
• 9. Lobon.
• 10. Montijo.
• 11. Meria.
• 12. Alcuescar.
• 13. Riuera.
• 14. Azebucha.
• 15. Hallame.
• 16. Ellotiua.
• 17. Palomas.
• 18. Ornachos.
• ...

• 19. Regna Hinoiosa.
• 20. Medina de las Torres.
• 21. Valentia del Ventoso.
• 22. Monasterio.
• 23. Montemolino.
• 24. Vsagra.
• 25. Azuaga.
• 26. Guadalcanal.
• 27. Mures.
• 28. Benacuza.
• 29. Estepa.
• 30. Las Casas de Corduba.
• 31. Les Bastiments de la Prouince de Leon.
• 32. The Priorie of the Conuent of Leon.
• 33. Villa-nueua d'Al••scar.
• 34. Venamext: And
• 35. La preuoste de Bienuenida.

In Olde Castile are

• 1. Pegna.
• 2. Vsenda.
• 3. Estriana: And
• 4. Castrotorana.

Beside which are the Com∣menderies

• 5. De la Torre d'Ocagne.
• 6. Sarca.
• 7. Merauall.
• 8. Castelloia de la Cuesta.
• 9. Barra: And
• 10. Castrouerde.

In the Kingdome of Valentia are the Commanders of

• 1. Museros.
• 2. Enguerra.
• 3. Orcheta.
• 4. Sagra.
• 5. Zenet: And
• 6. Tradelle.

* 1.12This Order (without accounting the Kingdome of Portugall) hath more then Sixe hundred Knights, Which weare the habite of Saint Iames; beside the Com∣manderi••s and Dignities: More then two hundred Brethren, Clearkes at Masse, and others, which haue actuall residence in the Conuents, Vicaredges and other Benefices of the said Order. There are many Great Lords of Spayne, who hold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great Honour to them, to weare the habite of Saint Iames, although without any Commaunderies. The Emperour Charles the Fift, to acknowledge the great seruices,* 1.13 which hee had receiued by the braue Knight Dom Ferdinando Cor•••••••••• M••••quesse of Val, who Conquered the great Citty of Mexico, and her rich Prince Motecumacin: Had this habite of Saint Iames presented him, which he refused, except he had a Commanderie of the said Order.

Which was instituted, to make Warres vpon the Moores, who (in those times) ouer awed Spayne: but now since they are vtterly dislodged thence, the subiect of this Institution wanteth and ceaseth. Pope Adrian the Sixt incorporated the Great Maistership of this Order to the Crowne of Castille, by the death of the last Great Maister Alphonso de Cardegna.* 1.14 This annexion was made in the yeare, One thousand foure hundred ninety and three, So that since then, the Kings of Spayne haue bin perpetuall Administratours of the said order of Saint Iames of the Sword, and so continue.

This Order encreased as well in Portugall, as in Leon and Castille. Sancio, First of the name,* 1.15 and Second King of Portugall, imparted to them the bootie, which he had conquered from the Moores, and gaue them of his owne demaines. The head boun∣tie of the Order of Knights, belonging to Saint Iames of the Sworde in Portugall, was lands giuen by the said Sancio the First, as namely, Alcazar de Sal, Palmela and Al∣mada, which neuerthelsse were but simple Commanderies, and acknowledged for Great Maister and Chiefe of the Order, him of Vcles in Castille: which was so con∣tinued, vntill the reigne of Dom Denys, the Sixt, King of Portugall (Institutour of the Order of Christus) who exempted the Knights of Saint Iames of Portugall, from obe∣dience and subiection to the Great Maister of Castille, and would needes ordaine, that Alcazar de Sal, (for alwayes after) should bee Chiefe of the Order; which yet not∣withstanding, was (since then) transferred from Alcazar to Palmela.

L••••ques de Vitry, in the sixe and twenty Chapter of his Occidentall History, w••••∣teth that the auncient Seale,* 1.16 belonging to the Counsell and Chapter of this Order, was composed with a Sword in the midst, hauing on the right side a Sunne, and a Crescent on the other, and for the Legend: Sello de la Caualeria de Sainct Iago: B••••

••hat of the Moderne, had a Crosse Fleurdlized in Sealing and counter-sealing, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neuer read in any of the Histories of Spaine. The Count of Lansarote indeede mak∣eth mention, of the Conquest of the Castell of Vilches, performed against the Moores in a day and a night, immediately after the Battaile of Vbeda, wonne by the three Kings of Nauarre, Leon and Arragon. Which place was held to be impregnable, and therefore the three Kings went thither with the Christian Armie. Although it was seated on an inaccessible Rocke, free from Scaling or vndermining;* 1.17 yet it was wonne by an Hidalgo, belonging to the Great Maister of Calatraua, Dom Roderigo de Aza, who was the first that mounted on the Wall, and fixed downe there the Standard of Castile. To whom, for hauing so valiantly besiedged the place, and for becomming Maister thereof in a night and a day: the King gaue him for Armes L••scu d'Azur a vn Soleil d Or entoure d' Estoiles de m••sine: Et dans le Rond dudict So∣••eil, de Castill••, party de Leon. Armes retained by the descendants of that Hidalgo; which yet maketh nothing to this purpose.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Escut∣cheon of the Order.
• * 1.2

  Concerning the Great M••isters of Militarie Or∣ders in Spayne.
• * 1.3

  Diego Lopez de Haro 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Battaile of Muradall.
• * 1.4

  The Monkes of Saint Helie in Galicia, and their care of poore Pil∣grimes.
• * 1.5

  Buylding of Hospitalles.
• * 1.6

  The ••oyning of thirteen Gentlemen with the Monkes.
• * 1.7

  Dom Pedro Fernandez, de Puente En••a∣lada the first Great Maister of S. Iames, & their Habite.
• * 1.8

  The Great Masters going to Rome,
• * 1.9

  Prouident care for losse of no benefits.
• * 1.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 two House, fall to fa••tion.
• * 1.11

  The ability and power of these Knight.
• * 1.12

  The Knights and other be∣side of this Order.
• * 1.13

  The Empe∣rour Charles, the Fifte ••••d weare the ha∣bite 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Order.
• * 1.14

  The Order a∣nexed to the Crowne as o∣ther were.
• * 1.15

  King Sa••c••o his ••ounty to this 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.16

  Of 〈…〉〈…〉 O••der.
• * 1.17

  A Hidalgo be∣longing to the Great Maister of Calatraua, first mounted on the Wall.