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.

The Articles of the new Order of the Ʋirgin Mary.

••. THis Order, called The Order of the Virgin Mary, is Instituted for defence of the Christian Faith, exaltation of the Catholique and Apostolique Church:* 1.1 ••nd (perticularly) to represse the audacious boldnesse of the Turkes, who run orde∣narily

roauing on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, carrying away an vnspeake∣able number of poore Christians, whom they kill cruelly, or keepe them in perpe∣tuall slauery, and in a condition, more miserable a thousand times then death, to the disgrace and shame of Christendome.

II. There is contained in it three kindes of Knights. The first is of Knights Gen∣tlemen Layicks,* 1.2 who are called, Knights of Iustice. Because, before their admission and receiuing into the said Order, it is expedient for them, to make an exact search, and good proofe of their Nobilitie. In the second place

Knights Gentlemen Priests, and Beneficed.

Next, Knights Chaplaines. For succour and seruice of which three Orders of Knights, are

* 1.3Seruants of Armes

III. The Knights Laye Gentlemen, are to make proofe of their Father and Mo∣ther, Grandfather and Grandmother, both Paternall and Maternall; that they are issued and descended of Noble Houses, capable and worthy to beare the charge and degree of Nobilitie:* 1.4 and in proceeding to the information of their life and man∣ners, as also their extraction; to make mention, what dignities and degrees haue bin held by the Grandfathers and Fathers, as well by knowledge as authenticall Ti∣tles. Likewise, that they are bred and borne in lawfull Mariage: that they are not Bastards to Princes and Great Lords, in which case, they are to be priuiledged.

IIII. That their Predecessours haue alwayes liued Nobly, without vsing or ex∣ercising any Mechanicall Trade or Occupation, vnworthy the title of Nobilitie. And concerning such Noble men, that meddle in Trafficke and Merchandise, as doe the Gentlemen of Florence, Genewaye, Sienna and Luca: the Sonnes of such Gen∣tlemen may be receiued among the Knights Gentlemen of Iustice; prouided, that they themselues haue not exercised the Trafficke of their Fathers, and can make publique appearance,* 1.5 of their good life and behauiour, and that they and their Ancestours are cleare from any noate of infamie, and were neuer called in question before any Seate of Iustice.

Moreouer, to iustifie the Nobilitie of their extraction, they stand obliged to make apparant proofe, concerning the Armes of their Houses, both by Father and Mo∣ther, which they are to emblazon by their Mettals and Colours, in the Booke and Register of Genealogies, approued by Knights of the Order, to be kept and remaine in the Treasurie of the Order. Whereinto shall none be admitted, that are issued or descended of Iewes, Moores or Sarrazens. The same proues, and in the same nature, is to be made by them that are Knights Gentlemen Priests and Beneficed persons.

* 1.6V. And as for Knights Gentlemen Chaplaines, and Bretheren Seruants of Armes; they are to make proofe, that their Father and Mother are Noble by extraction, and haue liued Nobly, without the least infamous taxation.

VI. The Knights of Iustice and Seruants of Armes may be admitted and receiued into the Order, at what age soeuer: alwayes before hand prouided, that they be•• actiuely able, well formed of body, for managing Armes in the defence of Religi∣on, and haue such meanes to maintaine them, according as the dignitie of a Knight•• requireth.

* 1.7VII. Knights of Iustice, and Knights Priests and Beneficed, are bound to weare abo•••• their necks a Riband of Blew Silke, and a Crosse of Gold enamelled with Blew; i•• memory & respect of the Garment, worne by the most glorious Virgin Mary, which was of Blew Celestiall colour. And vpon the Cloake (on the left side) a Crosse o•• Blew Sattin, embrodered and curiously wrought with Siluer.

* 1.8VIII. Knights Priests Chaplaines, and the Bretheren Seruants of Armes: are t•• weare the Crosse of Blew Sattin (formerly spoken of) on the left side of their Cloak•• but may not weare it about their necke.

IX. Knights of Iustice shall weare the Roabe of White double Taffatie, trayli••g along vpon the ground, with great sleeues, a long traine, Cordons, decked and gar∣nished with Blew Silke; & on the Breast the Crosse of Blew Sattin before described.

X. Knights Priests and Beneficed, shall weare the like Roabe; onely it must b••

shorter then that of the other Knights of the great Crosse.

XI. And as for those Knights Chaplaines, and the Bretheren Seruants of Armes: they must weare Roabes of White Serge, with strait sleeues and long, hanging downe to the ground. And the Crosse on the left side, with deckings, Cordons and garnishments of Blew Silke.

XII. The Knights of Iustice, who after the proofe of their Nobilitie,* 1.9 haue obtai∣ned the great Crosse: shall stand bound each man, to pay to the Religion a thousand Crownes for their entrance, and fiue and twenty Crownes for the expedition of their Letters.

XIII. Each Knight of the great Crosse, entring into the Foundation of this Or∣der; may freely grant the habite of a Knight of Iustice (and as freely also) to such a person as he shall name: Prouided, that he be a man of such qualitie, as is ••it to enter the said Order, and can, or hath made proofe of his Nobilitie, in the manner before declared, of his foure Predecessors inclusiuely. In the doing whereof, he shall not pay any right for entrance; but onely fiue and twenty Crownes for the expedition of his Letters, and shall enioy all the Priuiledges, giuen and granted to the Order.

XIV. The Knights of Iustice, and Knights Priests Beneficed,* 1.10 shall pay to the Reli∣gion for their entrance, each man two hundred Crowns, and fiue and twenty Crowns for the expedition of their Letters.

XV. Knights Priests Chaplaines, and Bretheren Seruants of Armes, shall pay each man for his entrance an hundred Crownes, and twenty Crownes for the expedition of his Letters.

XVI. All these Knights of the Order (the Priests excepted) shall stand bound to pay to the Religion, each man twelue Crownes, for buying a paire of Armes, which shall be placed in the Arsenall of the said Religion.

XVII. All Knights of the Order, hauing receiued the habite,* 1.11 shall be bound to make their Carauenes, that is to say; to abide eighteene Moneths in the Gallies be∣longing to the Religion, and as many more in the Conuent thereof, which must be established in Rome. From which (neuerthelesse) Priests and Clearkes stand exemp∣••ed, by making foure Moneths residence at Rome, during which time, they shall be ••odged and maintained in the Conuent, at the expences of the Religion.

XVIII. Knights of Iustice, and Bretheren Seruants of Armes, being desirous to learne the Exercises, as managing Armes, riding great Horses, and vnderstanding the Mathematicks▪ shall learne them in the Conuent, at charge of the Religion,* 1.12 where (for the same purpose) shall be maintained good and skilfull Maisters. And they may continue in the Conuent, during the space of eighteene Moneths, for the apprehen∣sion of the said Exercises, being there lodged and nourished in the Conuent.

XIX. Knights Layicks of this Order, may be married men, and may likewise mar∣rie Widdowes, as well as Maides. And by the death of their first wiues,* 1.13 may be admitted to ioyne againe in second mariage, according as the holy Church hath or∣dained.

XX. Which Knights, although they be married, yea, twise married; may yet haue and hold pensions on all kindes of Benefices, without being bound and restrained, from wearing the Clearkes habite, or any other, but that belonging to the Religion.

XXI. These Knights and their Seruants may weare all kindes of Armes;* 1.14 as Knights and Bretheren Seruants, of other Religions and Militarie Orders doe.

XXII. All sorts of Nations may enter into the Foundation of this Order; accor∣ding to the Rules and conditions, which are formerly inserted.

XXIII. Knights Layicks are to make three vowes;* 1.15 as namely of Charitie to his neighbour, coniugall Chastity: and obedience to the Great Maister and his Suc∣cessours.

XXIV. Priests shall vowe Charitie to Neighbours, and obedience to the Great Maister: And all them of the Order, shall liue conformably to the Statutes and Or∣denances of the Religion.

XXV. Euery Knight shall stand obliged, to pay to the Priest Knight, that hath giuen him the habite of the Religion, two Crownes of Gold, three pounds of white Waxe, and a pound of Incense to serue in the Church.

XXVI. The election of the fi••st Great Maister, shall depend on the will of our holy Father the Pope.

XXVII. And for proceeding (afterward) to the election of the Great Maister; his Holinesse, and his Successours in the Holy Seate, shall nominate Three Knights of each Nation, whereof there are Knights in the Order, Knights of the Great Crosse, or of Iustice; and the Councell shall make choyce of one among them three.

XXVIII. All the Great Maisters, beginning with the very First, shall be bound (immediatly after their Election) to take the Oathe of Obedience, and of Fidelitie to the Holy Father then sitting, and to the Apostolike Seate.

* 1.16XXIX. The Great Maister of the said Order, priuatiuely, and before all other Iudges else, shall haue the knowledge of all causes ciuile, criminall, reall, personall and mixed, concerning all the Knights of the Order, of what nature or condition so∣euer they be.

XXX. There shall be in euery Prouince, a Knight of the Great Crosse deputed, for administration of Iustice in all the foresaid cases, vpon the first instance: whose Office and Authority shall last but three yeares.

* 1.17XXXI. The Generall of the Armie of the said Religion, shall be nominated and elected by our Holy Father the Pope, and his Successours in the Holy Seate, and taken from among the number of Knights of the Great Crosse: who shall haue and beare the Title of Marshall of the Religion.

XXXII. The charges and Offices of the said Religion, and of the Gallies ther∣to belonging, are to bee giuen and deuided to Knights of the Order, according to the rancke of their receiuing thereinto, as also their experience and capacitie in the Exercises.

XXXIII. The Obligations of such as would enter into the said Religion, for assurance of their rights of entrance,* 1.18 and Armes and Learning belonging to the Or∣der: shall be set downe in authenticall tearmes, and according to the forme, stile and custome of the place where they are to be placed And the future Knights must be bound, by an expresse and perticuler clause, promising and couenanting on their behalfe, to make tender and payment of their dues, vpon commaund of one of the Lords Petrignanoes, Inuenters of the said Order.

XXXIV. Such summes of money, as shall arise by entrances of Knights and Ser∣uants of the Order, shall be imployed in the acquisition of immoueable good, which shall serue in the Prouinces,* 1.19 whence the monies doe come for such entrances, and not elsewhe••e, to serue as a foundation and endownment for Commanderies of the Order, whereto shall arriue Knights of the same Prouinces, according to the ranck of their reception. The Thirdes of the said Commanderies, Reuennues, reserued to the Religion.

XXXV. With the said moneys shall likewise be founded other Commaunde∣ries, of lesser reuennues then those of the Great Crosse; for the Knights of Iustice, Priests Beneficed, Chaplaines, and Brethren Seruants of Armes, according to the ranck of their entertainement.

XXXVI. After deposte is made of the summes of money, promised by such as are nominated and retained, for entring into the said Order: the Knights shall re∣ceiue their habites at Rome,* 1.20 from the hands of him, as shall be thereto deputed and allowed by our Holy Father the Pope. And in the Principall Cities of euery Pro∣uince, shall be deputed from the Holy Seate, some person (famous for dignitie) who shall deliuer the Habites to the new Knights: and who (vpon good and lawfull excuses) shall be dispenced withall from going to Rome, paying (for the Knight) to him that deliuereth the Habite, according as before is expressed.

* 1.21XXXVII. All which Knights, hauing receiued the habite of the Religion: the first Generall Chapter thereof shall be held in the Citty of Rome, by appoint∣ment of the Great Maister. At which Chapter, the Knights Layicks, Priests Benefi∣ced, Chaplaines, & Brethren Seruants of Armes, shall stand bound to be personally pre∣sent, vpon penalty of their Habites priuation. Except such as are vnder Eight yeares of age, or detayned by some lawfull cause or excuse; which must be made known to the Great Maister, and signed by such testimonie, as may be without reproofe.

At this First Chapter shall be made and published, all the ordinances, Rules and Statutes, concernig the said Order.

Of Knights of the Order, there shal alwaies remaine resident at Rome in the Court of the holy Father, fiue and twenty, hauing twenty Ducates by the Moneth,* 1.22 and the like number at our Lady of Loretto.

Our Holy Father Pa••l, fift of the name, of the Familie of the Bourgheses, Soue∣raigne Great Maister, and Protectour of this Order:* 1.23 Porte d'Azur au Dragon ou Ser∣pent aile d'Or, au Chef d'Or, chargee d'vne Aigle, simple de Sable.

The Bretheren Petrignanoes, Institutours of this Order: Portent d'Azur au Lyon d'Argent esl••ue de dessus Trois Monts, ou Montagn••tes d'Or,* 1.24 au Mezail Tarre de front, sans Cimier, & Supposts: Et sous le Tout de ces Armes, les beuts de la Croix dudit Ordre.

Which (as we haue already said) is of

[illustration]

Blew Celestiall colored Sattin,* 1.25 whol∣ly couered and embrodered with Sil∣uer, and without a Border of Gold. In the middest is a round Circle, wherein is composed like Cyphers, the Letters M. and S. Crowned with a Chapter of Floures, and a Starre of Gold ouer the Cypher, as seeming to say Sancta Maria. Round about which is writ∣ten this Deuise. In hoc Signo Vincam, and all that is releuated vpon the Sat∣tin, is of Siluer Imbrodery. About the which Roundure, beside the foure Branches, which make the Crosse (as we will shew hereafter) are twelue Rayes or beames of Siluer, three ten∣ding to each side, as representing the twelue Apostles. Each Branch of the Crosse is composed of nine Tracts, which denoate or demonstrate the nine Orders of Angels. The finishing of the Branches▪ are fashioned as if they were Floures de Luces; yet not after the French, but in a strange manner, as testefying, that this Order is Instituted in the honor and inuocation on The Sacred Virgin, the true Lillie of the Vallies. At the ends of the Crosse, in Flourets are foure Starres, round engirt with beames, as figuring the foure Euangelists, who (with one hand) guided by the spirit of truth, haue d••scribed the Misteries of our Saluation, and the Genealogie of the Queene of Angels.

For our better vnderstanding the ninth Article, it is to be obserued, that the Cloaks of honor, which we call of the Order, are tied vpon one of the sholders,* 1.26 as we see in France, and the other befo••e, as in Italie and elsewhere. The Cordons being fastned before by diuers and sundry strings, are throwne vp afterward vpon the Knights shoulders; to the end that they may traine farre enough off behinde them, like to the Dalmaticks and Coapes of our Priests, which serue for Deacons & Subdeacons, without comparing any diuine things with humaine, Absit miscere Sacra Prophanis. And the Cordons of this Order are composed of white Silke, hauing the knots and Tassels of White and Blew Silke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The causes of this Orders Institution▪
• * 1.2

  Knights of Iu∣stice Laye-men
• * 1.3

  Seruants of Armes.
• * 1.4

  Of Nobilitie by descent.
• * 1.5

  medling in Trafācke and Merchandise, and Sons des∣cended of thē.
• * 1.6

  Knight Priests Knights Chap¦lains and Ser∣uants of Armes
• * 1.7

  The Ribard and Crosse.
• * 1.8

  Varietie of wearing the Crosse.
• * 1.9

  Knights of Iu∣stice their pai∣ment at en∣trance.
• * 1.10

  Other pay∣ments at en∣trance.
• * 1.11

  Duties to be performed by the Knights.
• * 1.12

  Exercises en∣structed by the Religion.
• * 1.13

  Liberty of Marriage.
• * 1.14

  Wearing of Armes.
• * 1.15

  Of Vowes.
• * 1.16

  Power & au∣thority of the Great Maister
• * 1.17

  Concerning the Generall of the Army and his Title.
• * 1.18

  Bondes and assurances due to the Order.
• * 1.19

  Imployment of moneys for entrances.
• * 1.20

  For receiuing the Orders Habite at Rome.
• * 1.21

  The first Ge∣nerall Chap∣ter to be helde at Rome.
• * 1.22

  Number of Knights at Rome and Lo∣retto.
• * 1.23

  The Popes Armes.
• * 1.24

  The ••uenters Armes.
• * 1.25

  The mo••all me••l in of the Orders Crosse according to the pert••culers described.
• * 1.26

  A further re∣lation of the ninth Article.