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 Institution of the Order.

Moreouer, the same yeare, & in remembrance of so happie a beginning, presaging

all fortunate successe to follow; He Instituted the Order of the Sword, the Collar whereof was composed of round Cordons of White Silke, wouen and twined into Loue-knots, enterlaced with the Leters S. and R. of the finest Gold. In the mid∣dest hung a clesched Ouall of Gold, wherein was figured a Sword, the Blade all en∣amelled with Siluer, and the Hilt Crossed and Flouredeluced of Gold. About the Ouall was engrauen this Legend in Latine: Securitas Regni.

He gaue this Order with his owne hand to his Brother Amaury, Constable of Ie∣rusalem and Cyprus, and to three hundred Barons, which hee had established in his new Kingdome. And the day of Ceremony, was the Feast day of the Ascension, in the Church of Saint Sophia, the Cathedral of Nicosia, and there he made before them this remarkeable Oration in French.

Harangue de Guy de Luzignan, Roy de Hierusalem et de Cypre.

Que tout Estat & Royaume estoit comparage au corps humain, dont le Roy faict la Te∣ste, la Noblesse le Bras droict; la Iustice le Gauch; e & le Tiers Estat le reste. Qu'apres Dieu il mettoit l'asseurance & conseruation de son nouuean Royaume en la Vaillance de ceste genereuse Noblesse, qui pour acquerir gloire auoit mis soubs les Pieds, le repos & plaifirs à' vne vie otieuse en leur Maison Paternelle au doux air de la France, pour courir la fortune & perils de la Mer, & viure en tout vn autre Element, parmy des Natiōs incognues. Qui il leur donnoit le Collier de l'Ordre de l'Espee, ayant telle esperance, qu'ils employeroient la leur pour la manutention del'Eglise Catholique, Apostolique & Romaine, le Seruice du Roy, Confort de la Iustice, Protection & defence des Veufues & Orphelins, & la Trauqnilite du Peuple. C'est pourquoy il les exhortoit tous d'estre vnis & ioincts ensemble en Amour & Concorde, au nom de celuy qui est la mesme Paix, la Pere, le Fils, & le Sainct Esprit.

The Oration of Guy of Luzignan, King of Ierusalem and of Cyprus.

Eurie Estate and Kingdome, is aptly compared to the Bodie of Man; Whereof the King is the head, the Nobility the right arme; Iustice the left; & the third Estate of the people, al•• the rest. And next vnder God, I place the assurance and conseruation of this my new King∣dome, in the Valiancie of you my Generous Noblemen, who to winne glorie and renowne, haue trampled vnder your feete, the ease and pleasures of a slothfull life, in the Houses of your Fa∣thers, and the sweete ayre of France; to run the fortunes and perills of the Seas, and to liue whollie in an other Element, among vnknowne Nations. And I giue you the Collar of this Order of the Sword, as being possessed with hope, that it will be imployed for maintenance of the Catholique and Apostolique Churche, the Seruice of your King; the Comfort of Iustice, Protection and defence of Widdowes and Orphanes; as also the tranquilitie of the People. Wherefore I exhort and entreate you all, to be vnited and knit together in loue and concord; In the name of him that is the same Peace, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost.

This was the Oath of the Barons of Cyprus, Knights of the said Order, which by the appointment of the same King Guy, ought to bee giuen by the Constable of the Kingdome, or in his absence, by the most Auncient Baron Knight who soone after sent the same Oathe to the new made Knight, to bee Registred in the Treasure Chamber. At giuing the Oath, the same Ceremonies were obserued, as are in France.

King Guy reigned but 3. yeares in Cyprus, and dying without issue (because he was not re-marryed) in the yeare of Grace, One thousand, one hundred, fourescore and sixteene, he left for Successour in the Kingdome of Cyprus, his Brother Amaury of Luzignan, formerly Constable of Ierusalem and Cyprus. But before we enter into the List or Succession of the Kings of Cyprus, by the Sirname of Luzignan; let vs peruse somewhat concerning the Originall.

Notes

• The composi∣tion of the Collar.
• The first Knights made of this Order.
• How the oath of the Order should be gi∣uen.
• The death of King Guy and succeeding of his Brother.