Titles of honor by Iohn Selden

Bannerets. Chiualers à Bannier. Drappeau quarrè. Ba∣ron. Of France. Bannerets in England. The forme of making Sir Iohn Chandos a Banneret. Bannerets not created by Patent. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Baronet. Baroneti for Ban∣nereti in old Monks. A Banneret discharged from be∣ing Knight of the Parlament. The new title of Ba∣ronet

created by our present Soueraign. The Decree of their precedence. Knights of the Bath. France and England. The forme of their creation with vs. The Riband they are to weare vntill some Prince or Ladie pull it off. Knights of the Collar. Torquati: Order of the Garter. S. George; speciall particulars of him. The Round Table. Della Nuntiata. Order Du Toi∣son d'Or. Of S. Michael. De Saint Esprit. De l'Es∣toille. De Croissant. Some obscure and obsolet Orders of France. De la Banda. Of S. Andrew. Of the E∣lephant. Of the Sword. Of the Burgundian Crosse. Di sangue di saluatore. Di Santo Steffano. Di S. Marco. Peetermen. Why Religious Orders are here omitted.

CHAP. XI.

OF ORDERS, some are Religious only, and de∣stinate to some particular actions, as the Tem∣plars anciently, the Hospitalars, the Ordo Teutonicorum in Prussia, and diuers other of like nature, since in∣stituted in Italy specially and in Spain, against the Turks, in such places where they are instituted, and being vnder some Religious Order, and meerly de la Croce, or of the Crosse. I reckon them rather as officiarie Knights then honorarie, and omit them, because also they occurre euery where els. Others are meerly Ci∣uill and honorarie. And, of these, some are such as haue their speciall honor in most parts of the Western Chri∣stendom, others only in the particular Countries where their first being was. The first sort of this last kind are BANNERETS, and of the BATH; and first of them Bannerets, are Chiualers à Banier, Chiualers à drappeau quarré, or Equites Vexillarij from their right of bearing a Banner, Standard, or Square Ensigne in

the warres, with their Armes on them, wheras Knights Bachelors may not do so. The Germans call them Ban∣ner-heers. In an old French Autor: t 1.1 Le Baron est in∣uesty auec vn Drappeau quarré: & le Banneret auec vn drappeau in escusson, that is, the Baron is made by gi∣uing him a square Ensigne, or Banner, but the Banneret, by an Ensigne in Scutchion fashion, or a Pennon. And the Customs of Poictou, as L'oyseau, cites: Le Comte, Vicomte ou Baron peut porter Banniere, qui est adire qu'il peut en guerre, & en armoiries, porter ses armes en quar∣ré: ce que ne peut le seigneur Chastellan, que seulement les peut porter en form d'escusson. Yet now both with them and elswhere the Square Banner is a proper and denominating Ensigne to the Banneret, which is one (saith the same L'oyseau) to whom the King hath gi∣uen power to aduance his Banner, although hee bee neither Baron, Viscont, or Chastellan, but he ought to be of good possession, and haue vnder him x. Vas∣sals, and such means as are able to maintain a troop of horse. Vntill about Edward III, they were not in England, as the learn'd Clarenceulx well coniectures. That King ereated u 1.2 Iohn Coupland a Banneret for his great seruice in taking Dauid of Bruis II. of that name King of Scots, in the battell at Durham. In the formall Creation of them in ••ater time, the vse is, that betwixt two ancient Knights vsher'd with Trumpets and Heralds, the Deseruing bee brought before the King or his Lieutenant, bearing a Pennon or Guy∣don charged with his armes, the end of which, after some honorable speeches, is commanded to be cut off, that so it may be a square Banner. Somewhat like is that in Froissart, onely but in cutting of the Pennon. Where the noble Iohn Chandos, before the successefull warre had by the Black Prince aiding Don Piedro of Castile. (Froissart corruptly, as in many other, calls him Dampietre) against the bastard Henry, brought his Ban∣ner

charged with his Armes, and wrapt vp to the Prince, with these words: Monseigneur, voies cy ma banniere; ie la vous baille par telle manniere qu'il vous plaise la desuellopper, & que au iourduy ie la puisse leuer: care (dieu mercy) i'ay bien de quoy terre & heritage pour tenir estate ainsi come appartient à ce. Then the Prince and Don Piedro tooke his Banner and gaue it him vnfolded, answering him, Iehan vees cy vostre banniere: Dieu vous en laisse vostre preu saire. Where∣upon the noble Chandos goes to his Company, and with much ioy on euery side, his Banner was aduanc'd and born by a Squire. But no Knight Banneret (saith Segar, now Garter) can bee made but in the warre, and the King present, or when his Standard Royall is display'd in in the field. Neither do the x 1.3 Patents, which speak of any created into this Dignitie, proue that by the Patent they were made, but the recitall is of the Creation, and some reuenue giuen to the main∣tenance of the Honor. So are those of Coupland, Wil∣liam de la Poole, and Reginald de Cobham vnder Edw. III. and of Sir Ralph Fane for his seruice at Mustle∣borough vnder Edward VI. where the recitall is, by ig∣norance of him that drew the Patent, Statum & Dig∣nitatem Baronetti for Baneretti, whereof more present∣ly. In some old laws y 1.4 of Stotland they are call'd Ban∣rents (which some deriue from the Banner being rent when the Pennon is took off) but there mentioned as they are among the number of Parlamentarie Lords. The name of Bannier and Banneret haue both some kinred with the old 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, whence 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for a Standard Bearer, in the Grecians of Midle times. Vexil∣lum quod Bandum appellant, saith Paul Warnfred. And Suidas: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. the Romans call their Ensigne in warre Bandum. It's deriu'd out of the Carian language, z 1.5 wherein 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifi∣ed Victorie (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) into Latin, by some affirming that

in Latine it was vsd for Victorie, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The good luck, included in the interpretation, might allow it, but I rather think, the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 applied to their Labarum (their Standard) bearing a symbole of our Sa∣uiour, was the cause that made any man think that Bandum signified Uictorie, which is comprehended in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. With this right of hauing a Banner, remem∣ber that which is alreadie spoken of touching the an∣cient giuing of Prouinces to Dukes, Counts, and Mar∣quesses, to which you may add that anon deliuerd, of the Turkish Sanzacbeglar. Although those Dignities are different, yet may they bee here well thought on. That communitie of the right of aduancing a square Ensigne charged with Arms, which both Barons and Bannerets enioy, was the cause why the name of Ban∣neret and Baronet hath been by some confounded, and the one anciently writen for the other. And therefore in a challenge to the grand Assise a 1.6 vnder Edward III. one was challenged pur ce {que} il fuit a baner (or as the Abridgment hath it, a Banneret) but it was not allowd, and the reason is giuen, car s'il soit a baner & ne tient pas per baronie, il serra en l'assise For, Barons are exempt∣ed from Iuries & Assises &, it seems, this question supposd a Banneret so neer a Baron in Dignity, that nothing should haue wanted but the tenure per Baroniam. And in another yeer b 1.7 Baronet is expressely for a Parlamentarie Baron, as, in the Annals of c 1.8 Ireland, quadraginta Baroneti are for XL. Bannerets. And the like occurring in other Monks and Storie, of that kind, is to be so vnderstood. No more of these Bannerets, after I haue transcribed a Writ of discharge of being Knight of the Parlament, because he was a Banneret, directed to the Sherife of Surry, for one Sir Thomas Camoys vnder d 1.9 Richard II. It speaks thus: Rex Vicecomiti Surriae, quia vt accepimus tu Tho∣mam Camoys Chiualer, qui Bannerettus est, sicut quam∣plures antecessorum suorum extiterunt, ad essendum vnum

Militum venientium ad proximum Parlamentum pro-com∣munitate Comitatus praedicti de assensu eiusdem Comita∣tus elegisti, Nos, aduertentes quod huiusmodi Banneretti ante haec tempora in Milites Comitatus ratione alicuius Parlamenti eligi minimè consueuerunt, ipsum de Officio Mi∣litis, ad dictum Parlamentum pro communitate Comitatus predicti venturi, exonerari volumus, and so commands him to chuse another. But that of BARONET be∣came a new erected distinct Title vnder our present Soueraigne, who, for certain disbursments toward the Plantation in Vlster, created diuers into this Dignitle, and made it hereditarie. The particulars of the Patent shall instruct you. Ordinamus (saith the King) ereximus constituimus & creauimus quendam statum, Gradum, Dig∣nitatem, nomen & Titulum Baronetti (Anglicè of a Ba∣ronet) infra hoc regnum Angliae perpetuis Temporibus du∣raturum, and then giues the title to the Created, to him and his heirs Males of his bodie. And that he shall haue precedence in all writings, Sessions, and Salutati∣ons before all Knights, as well of the Bath, as Knights Bachelors, and also before all Bannerets, created, or here∣after to be created, excepted only illis Militibus Ban∣nerettis quos sub vexillis Regijs, in exercitu Regali, in a∣perto bello, & ipso Rege personalitèr presente explicatis & non alitèr creari contigeret. And that their wiues and el∣dest sonnes respectiuely haue like precedence. That they should be impleded, and sue by the addition of Baro∣net. And that to the name of them, and the heirs males of their bodies in sermone Anglicano, & omnibus scriptis Anglicanis praeponatur haec additio, videlicet Anglicè, SIR. And thar their wiues haue the titles of Lady, Ma∣dame, and Dame: with a grant, quod nec nos nec Here∣des vel successores Nostri de caetero in posterum erigemus, ordinabimus, constituemus, aut creabimus infra hoc Regnum nostrum Angliae aliquem alium gradum, Ordinem, nomen, titulum, Dignitatem, siue statum, sub vel infra gradum, dig∣nitatem,

siue statum Baronum huius Regni nostri Angliae, qui erit vel esse possit superior vel aequalis Gradui & Dig∣nitati Baronettorum praedictorum. And further, that after the proposed number of CC. made, quod tunc nos non cre••••imus; vel praeficiemus aliquam aliam personam vel per∣sonas in Baronettum vel Baronettos Regni nostri Angliae, sed quod Numerus dictorum CC. Baronettorum ea rati∣one de tempore in tempus minuetur, & in minorem nume∣rum cedet & redigetur. Vpon point of precedence a great controuersie grew afterward between these new Baronets and the yonger sonnes of Viscounts and Ba∣rons; and after the Counsell on both parts three seue∣rall dayes at large heard by his Maiestie in person, it e 1.10 was decreed, adiudged, and established that the yonger sonnes of Viscounts and Barons shall take place and pre∣cedence before all Baronets.—And that such Ban∣nerets as shalbe made by the Kings Maiestie, his heirs and successors vnder his or their Standard displaied in an Armie Royall in open Warre, and the King personally present, for the terme of the liues of such Bannerets, and no longer (according to the most ancient and noble insti∣tution) shall for euer hereafter in all places and vpon all occasions, take place and precedence as well before all other Bannerets whatsoeuer (no respect being had to the time and prioritie of their Creation) as likewise before the yon∣ger sonnes of Viscounts and Barons, and also before all Baronets. And again that the yonger sonnes of Visconts and Barons, and also all Baronets, shall in all places and vpon all occasions take place and precedenee before all Ban∣nerets whatsoeuer, other then such as shall be made by the King himself, his heirs and successors in person, and in such speciall case manner, and forme as aforesaid.—And that the Knights of the most honorable Order of the Garter, the Priuie Counsellors of his Maiestie his heirs and suc∣cessors, the Master of the Court of Wards and Liueries, The Chancellour and vnder Treasurer of the Exchequer,

Chancellour of the Duchie, the chief Iustice of the Court commonly called the Kings bench, the Master of the Rolls, the chief Iustice of the Court of Common pleas, the chief Baron of the Exchequer, and all other the Iudges and Barons of the degree of the Coife of the said Court•• now, and, for the time being, shall, by reason of their Honorable order and employment of State and Iustice, haue place and precedencie in all places and vpon all occasions before the yonger sonnes of Visconts and Barons, and before all Ba∣ronets, any custome, vse, ordinance, or other thing to the con∣trarie notwithstanding. But, that no other person or per∣sons whatsoeuer vnder the degree of Barons of Parliament shall take place before the said Baronets, except only the eldest sonnes of Viscounts and Barons, and others of high∣er degree, whereof no question euer was or can bee made. And in the same Decree his Maiestie further granted to knight the present Baronets which were then no Knights, and that the heires males of the bodie of e∣uerie Baronet hereafter when he shall be of XXI. yeers, Vpon knowledge thereof giuen to the Lord Chamberlaine of the Houshold or Vicechamberlaine for the time being, or in their absence to any other Officer attending vpon his Maiesties person shall be Knighted by his Maiestie his heirs and successors. And that the Baronets and their de∣scendants shall and may beare either in a Canton in their Coat of Armes, or in an Inscutcheon at their election, the Armes of Vlster, that is, a field Argent, a hand Gueules. And also that the Baronets for the time being, and the heirs males of their bodies shall haue place in the Armies of the Kings Maiestie his heirs and successors in the grosse, neer about the Royall Standard of the King, his heirs and successors, for the defence of the same. And lastly, that the Baronets and the heirs males of their bodies shall haue two assistants of the Bodie to support the Pall, a Principall Mourner and foure assistants to him at their funeralls, being the meane betwixt a Baron and a Knight. I haue

transcribed this, because out of it may be collected som∣what touching other Dignities; and although a Ba∣ronet, being a descendible honor, is not properly mongst Knights, yet, because, by the Decree, a Knighthood is so due〈…〉〈…〉 it, I shall not be much subiect to error of me∣thod for putting it here, as occasion also was offerd. Those of the BATH were anciently mongst the old Franks. Prisci Franci (saith f 1.11 Du Tillet) ceremonias in∣stituendis Equitibus multas adhibuerunt; vt prius vigi∣larent diu, Balneis{que} & alijs rebus vterentur.—Quarum ce∣remoniarum vsus memoria nostra perstat in Anglia, vbi viros eiusmodi vocant Balneorum Equites. The eldest crea∣tion of them mongst vs rememberd, is at the Corona∣tion of Henrie IV. (for to talk of Iulius Caesar's knights of the Bath is the worst of what is ridiculous.) Hee then in the Tower made XLVI. and at Coronations, Royall Marriages, Christning or Knighting the Prince and such like were wont many to be made. The par∣ticulars of the more ancient forme of Creation, are at large by others g 1.12 deliuerd; and I had rather refer you to them then transcribe so much. In these times the chief ceremonies are (not much differing from the old) that such as out of the fairest flowers of Nobilitie are to be thus honord, the h 1.13 day before the creation, here∣mit-like in ashcolour robes, in a hood and a linnen cap, and booted, go to Praiers, there to offer themselues first to God; then, attended euery one by two Esquires and a Page (remember here the Trimarcisia which we speak of out of Pausanias) they sup together. Thence into a chamber. Where euerie one hath his bed furnished with red Couering, charged with his Armes, and by, his bathing Tub couerd with linnen clothes. In this, after some deuotions they wash themselues. Next morning they are raised with Musique. Then the Constable of England, the Marshall, and others hereto by the King appointed, giue euery of them his oth, binding him to

the specall honor of God, his Church, and the King, and to the defence of Widows, Virgins, Orphans. Then vsherd by the Kings Musicians and Heralds they go in their Heremit-like weeds, to Morning Prayer, whence they are in like forme brought into their ch〈…〉〈…〉er. There they change their habits, and put on a red silk robe, a white hat, with like feathers vpon a linnen cap, and white Gloues. Then they take horse, their horses bearing a Crosse on the forehead. Before euery of them, their Pages on horseback bear a Sword hatcht with gold in a Belt, and on it gilt spurres hanging. The two Esquires riding on each side. Before them, Trumpets. In this solemnitie they go to Court, where, by two an∣cient Knights, euery of them is led to the King. The Page deliuers the Sword and Belt and the Spurres to the Lord Chamberlain, he, with great reuerence, to the King. The King girds the Knight with it, and com∣mands the two ancient Knights to put on his Spurs, and they were wont, saith the learned Clarenceulx, to kisse the created's knees, with an acclamation of best wishes. Then they dine all together, sitting all on one side of the Table, euerie one vnder his Shield. They go to Euening Prayer to the Chappell, there offer their Swords, and with another Oblation redeem them. As they come back, the Kings chief Cook, shewing them his knife, warns them that they proue themselues good and faithfull Knights, which, if they doe not, he mena∣ces them to cut off their Spurs. On the Coronation day they weare a blew robe, and wait girded with their Swords and Spurr'd, hauing on their left shoulder a hood and a ribband or such like of white silk: Of this ribband, thus Segar Charter, describing the old fa∣shion. He shall be apparelled in a blew Gown, with the Manches open in the maner of a Priest, and he shal haue at his left shoulder a lace of white silk hanging, which he shall wear vppermost on his Garment, so long till hee haue

gained honor in Armes, and bee recorded by some noble Knights, Esquires, and Heralds of Armes, for som memora∣ble deeds done by him, or by some Noble Prince or No∣ble Ladie, which may cut away the lace from the knights shoulder, saying Sir, we haue heard much of your renown, and that you haue done in diuers places to the great ho∣nor of Chiualrie for your self and him that made you knight: Therefore reason would that this lace be taken from you. This Order is now speciall and in another Rank be∣fore common Knights, yet it seems that anciently none were at all knighted but thus, if you regard only the chiefest of the ceremonies. Remember what we haue before out of Iugulph. And for the Vigils, see the h 1.14 re∣lation of them kept in the Temple at the knighting of Prince Edward of Caernaruan. And I remember Nicho∣las Upton that wrote de re Militari vnder Henrie VI. speaks of that wearing the Riband as belonging gene∣rally to Knights. Most Knights then were in the more ancient daies as Knights of the Bath; for the more ancient ceremonies of creation remain in them only. And therefore, howeuer the name hold not so vniuersally, its not amisse to make them (as Banne∣rets) such as haue, or haue had their distinct honor not so much limited to any particular State.

Those two, Bachelors and of the Bath, you may com∣prehend vnder the generall name of Equites Aurati, or Caualieri di sprone, as Sansouino calls them, i. knights of the spur. And most of the other Orders, which are appropriat to their particular Countries, you may with him stile Caualieri di Collana, or Equites Torquati, i. such as for a speciall ensigne of their honor, haue som spe∣ciall Chain, Collar, or such like ornament denoting it. I iterat speciall, because also others haue the right of wearing Collars giuen them, as it seems, in that of Iohn Gower a Noble English Poet (vnder. Richard II. and Hen. IV.) buried in the North side of S. Mary Ouerie••

Church in Southwark, with his statue on him, his head circled with a Chaplet of red Roses, and about his neck a Collar of S S. But they haue them as speciall gifts of priuat fauor, and as additaments to their honor, not as a note of their Order, except only such as are cre∣ated Esquires by a i 1.15 Collar of S S. giuen. Therefore Sansouino speaking of Knights Bachelors, or of the Spur, Portano (saith he) similimente la Collana come i Prencipi, come puro dono de chi li crea, & non come Segno d'ordine alcuno di Caualeria regolata. Such kind of gifts are an∣ciently found in the stories of Pharaoh, Mordechai, and passages of the Maccabees, and in the Torques, Armillae, the like of the Romans. And after the battell of Ca∣leis Edward III. wearing a rich Chaplet k 1.16 on his head, made of gold and stones, gaue it to a worthy knight Eustace of Ribaumont, commanding him to weare it all that yeer as the Kings fauor. Mongst Knights di Col∣lana foure are of speciall and of most honor: that of the Gartier with vs, of the Anunciada in Sauoy, of the Golden Fleece in Burgundie, and of S. Michael and de Saint Esprit in France. Of them and som others briefly. That most honorable Order l 1.17 of the Gartier was (as is truly supposd) instituted here by Edward III. soon after his victories against the French at Caleis. About M. CCC. L. Some and the most part affirme, that the King dancing with the Queen, or rather the Countesse of Salisburie (whom he much affected) a Garter fell from her. The King took it vp, and ware it on his leg, and, whether vpon the Queens ielousie, or his Lords merrie obseruing it, told them Hony soit que maly pense. And that he would make it the most honorable Gar∣ter that euer was worn. Others think the Garter was vsd for some symbole before his successefull battell. Howsoeuer, he made of this an Order of XXVI. knights vnder the patronage of S. George, and the Garter to be worn on the left leg inscribd by embrodering with

those French words. The Collar of the Order being of pure gold, made of Garters and knots, and enameld with Roses white and red, weying about XXX. ounces Troy weight, with the Image of George, richly garnished with slones thereat hanging. Froissart, that hath many par∣ticulars of the Kings affection to the Countesse, and then liud, speaks of no such thing as hir Gartier, but in M. CCC. XLIV puts the institution de la Confrairie Saint George, or de les Cheualiers de bleu lartier as he calls it, and makes the number at the first Iousting, fortie. Which referre to that which we haue anon out of Walsingham touching the Round Table, vnder the same yeer, and more light will bee giuen to both autors in those passages. But in the book of the m 1.18 in∣stitution of this, its mentiond that Richard Coeur de Li∣on purposd a like, vpon som comfort receiud, in his wars against the Turks and Agarens, from S. George. Illabente (are the words) per Diui Georgij, vt opinatum est, inter∣uentum spiritu, venit in mentem vt quorundam electorum Militum cruribus coraceum subfibulum quale ad manus tunc solum habebat, induceret, quo futurae Gloriae memores ex condicto si vincerent, ad rem fortitèr ac strenuè geren∣dam expergefierent, ad Romanorum instar, apud quos illa Coronarum varietas. The Kings of England are Soue∣raigns of the Order, and Henrie V. ordaind the King of Heralds, Garter, for it. Many suprem Princes haue been honord with it. Why this was dedicated to S. George, may easily be known if you remember how vniuersall a Patron he is in Christianitie. For although hee be n 1.19 now with vs as particular as S. Denis in France, S Iames in Spain, S. Andrew in Scotland, S. Mark in Ve∣nice, S. Patrike in Ireland, S. Antonie in Italy, yet not on∣ly the Emperor Frederique III. Pope Alexander VI. and the State of Genoa of later time ordaind certain Col∣ledges of Knights de la Croce vnder S. George against the profest enemies of Christ, and the Armes of the

great Duke of Moscouie are iust as our S. George; but also this very name of the Saint is vsually taken for Christ himselfe, and his Serpent for the Diuell. Its true that our Edward III. made his inuocation at the bat∣tell of Caleis Ha Saint Edward, Ha Saint George, and that Rama, or, as others, o 1.20 Ramel (where, in the Holy Warres about M. XCV. a Bishop in honor of him was constituted, because in an p 1.21 apparition Celestial, and of the Albati Milites he was affirmd to be the Stan∣dard-bearer, or Antesignanus) is the place famous for his Martyrdome and Shrine, and other particulars in the Legend occurre to this purpose, yet Georgij (saith Pope q 1.22 Gelasius) aliorum{que} huiusmodi passiones quae ab haereti∣cis perhibentur conscriptae, propter quod, ne vel leuis ordire∣tur subsannandi occasio, in sancta Romana ecclesia non legun∣tur. In the Greek Menologie hee is cal'd Tropelopho∣rus, which is so cited by that great Cardinal Baronius. But I wonder hee mended it not. Plainly it should be Tropaeophorus. And an Eastern s 1.23 Bishop writing to Constantin Monomachus, calls S. George

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

And in another place hee calls him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by which name to the Greeks he was known. Of him you haue enough in the Martyrologies in the XXIII. of Aprill (on which the feast of these Knights is cele∣brated with great solemnitie at Windsor, where the Chap∣pell is dedicated to our Ladie and S. George; the Dean being Register of the Order) and you may see also Erhard Celly in his late description of Frederique Duke of Witemberg his installation into it by fauour * 1.24 of our present Soueraign. The Mahumedans honor t 1.25 him, as we. They call him Chederle, which one ex∣presses by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Som talk of S. George born by

King Arthur in one of his Banners. But what is deli∣uerd of that Prince is so vncertain, that euen the truth of his honord deeds, is by incredible reports of him, ob∣scur'd. Yet by the way, his Order of the Round Ta∣ble must not here bee forgotten. Some make his first celebration of it at Caerleon in Monmouth, others at Winchester (where the Table is supposd yet to be; but that seems of later date) and Camelot in Somerset is famous u 1.26 by it. Of Winchester, and the marriage of I∣gerne to Vter Pendragon, father to Arthur, Harding speaks as if Vter had begun it for Knights, and Ioseph of Arimathia for religious persons.

And at the Day he wedded here and cround And she ferforth with child was then begonne, To comfort her, he set the Table round At Winchester of worthiest Knights alone, Approued best, in Knighthood, of their foone, Which table round Ioseph o•• Arimathie, For Brother made of the Saint x 1.27 Gral only.

In which he made the sige perilous Where none should sit, without great mischief, But one that should be most religious Of Knights all; and of the Round table chief The Saint Gral that should recouer and acheue By aduenture of his fortunitie.

Its like enough some such thing as Arthurs Order of this kind might be. For out of Heger Earl of Mans∣feild his being of it, the antiquitie of y 1.28 that Earldom in Saxonie is deriud; and in Denbighshire, as Stow tells vs, in the Parish of Lansannan on the side of a stonie hill, is a circular plain, cut out of a main rock, with some XXIV. seats vnequall, which they call Arthur's Round Table. But many particulars of it, as the names of the

Knights, the certain number, their Coat Armor, and such more, whereof too largely are testimonies, such as they be, extant, I beleeu as much as a 1.29 him that saies Sir Lancelot du lac fleas horses in hell, and that all these Arthurian Knights are poor Watermen vpon Styx, A∣cheron and other Riuers there, to ferrie Spirits, and Diuels vp and Down, and that their fare is a fillip on the nose, and at night a peece of mouldie bread. But, for the Round Table; it seems it was in vse for Knights to sit at mongst the old Gaules, as Posidonius b 1.30 remembers; and that to auoid controuersie about precedence. A forme much commended by a late c 1.31 Writer, for the like distance of All from the S••lt, being Center, first, and last of the Ta∣ble furniture. Its certain that it hath been in vse since the Normans mongst our Kings and in France. Mat∣thew Paris speaks of it in Hen. III. and Mortimer's vn∣der Edward I. at Kelingworth, is famous in storie. But what Thomas of Walsingham hath of Edward the third's at Windsor (before the Garter) and of Philip of Ua∣lois his in France, receiue out of his own words. Anno M. CCC. XLIV. qui est annus regni Regis Edwardi à conquestu terty XVIII. Rex Edwardus fecit conuocari plu∣res artifices ad Castrum de Windsore (remember that before out of Froissart) & caepit aedificare domum quae Rotunda Tabula vocaretur: habuit aut em eius area à centro ad circumferentiam per semidiametrum c. pedes, & sic diametrum c c. pedum erat. Expensae per hebdomadam erant primo centum librae. Sed expost, propter noua quae Rex suscepit de Francia, resecabantur ad XX. libras eò quod cen∣suit pro alijs negotijs thesaurum plurimum comportandum. Eodem tempore Philippus de Valoys Rex Franciae hoc facto Regis Angliae prouocatus caepit & ipse Rotundam ae∣dificare Tabulam in terra sua, vt sic sibi attraheret mili∣tiam Alemanniae & Italiae, ne ad Regis Angliae Tabulam properarent.

In the yeer M. CD. IX. Amades Count of Sauoy, of

that name the VI. (for vntill Amades VIII. it was no * 1.32 Dukedom) began the Order of the Anunciada. It was in memorie and honor of a victorie had by Amades surnamd le Verd, one of his Ancestors against the Turks, in winning of Rhodes, whereby also the Arms of that Countie and now Dukedom became the Crosse argent in a field Gueules, being the Crosse of the Hospitalars or Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem, or of Rhodes. Their Collar is of plates tied together with litle chains of gold, interwouen in the form of true-loues knots, vp∣on euery plate is the word or letters FERT. Which is interpreted to stand for Fortitudo Eius Rhodum Te∣nuit. And to the Collar hangs a m••dda••l of the Sa∣lutation. Their number is XIV. Their place of solem∣nity's kept annually on our Ladie day, in Pietro Ca∣stella. The Charter of the institution is at large in Sansouino.

At the marriage of Elizabeth daughter to Iohn K. of * 1.33 Portugall, in M. CD. XXX. to Philip surnamd the Good, Duke of Burgundie, celebrated at Bruges, the same Duke instituted that of the Golden Fleece. The Collar giuen is made as of Flints and Steels to strike fire, and to it is the Fleece pendant. The number was at first XXV. with the Duke. He afterward made it XXXI. and Charles the V. in M. D. XVI. at Bruxells increast it to 11. What was truly alluded to in the Collar I vnderstand not, nor can see that any els sufficiently doth. They talk of Gideon's fleece, and Iason's, and some of the Philosophers stone forsooth as conceald in the Golden F••eece. But all sa∣tisfies not enough.

Lewes XI. in M. CD. LXIX. began the Order of S. * 1.34 Michael, at Ambois. The Collar is shells tied together, gold. S. Michael conquering the Diuell is annext to it. The word is Immensi tremor Oceani. The z 1.35 institution is that euery one of the Order (appointed of XXXVI.) should haue vn Coll••er d'Or fait à Coquilles lacees l'un au••c l'au∣tre

d'un double laz, assisses sur chainettes au maille d'Or, au milieu du quel sur vn roch, aura vn image d'Or de Monsei∣gneur S. Michael qui reuiendra pendant sur la poitrine, which they should bee bound to weare continually. Some think the allusion was to the X. of Daniel. Others say he took S. Michael in regard of an apparition of him to his father Charles VII. vpon Orleans bridge in the warres against the English.

Since this, Henrie III. instituted the Order of the * 1.36 Holy Ghost: (the reason is made, because on a Whit∣sunday he was chosen King of Poland) and gaue Col∣lars of Fleurs de lis, and flames, gold, with a Crosse and a Doue on it pendant. He made some mixture of it, and that of S. Michael, yet so that both Orders remain. And by his institution (saith Mennenius) the next day af∣ter the Collar of the Holy Ghost is giuen, that of S. Mi∣chael should be added, if the honor'd were not before of the Order. Another reason of this new one was be∣cause that of S. Michael aboue became too common mongst the vndeseruing. And what he did was somewhat like that of Charles VII. his correcting the Order of the Star. That of the Star was begun by their King Iohn (about the time of our Garter) which when the same Charles VII. * 1.37 saw communicated to many of base condition, he a 1.38 com∣manded euery Yeoman of the Gard to wear in his cap a Golden Starre. So was the forme of the Knights wea∣ring. Whereupon presently the Knights left it off. For no greater dishonor can be to vertue, then when her desert is so prostituted. That both perswaded the King and also the Knights, to do what they did. The King did it to take away the pretended Ensigne of honor, without direct compulsion. The Knights, because they would not be like the Yeomen of the Guard. There was also in M. CD. LXIV. the Order of the Croissant ordain'd by Renee Dake of Aniou and King of Si∣cily. * 1.39 To the Collar was pendant a Croissant; the word

inscrib'd, Los en Croissant, familiar afterward to Charles VIII. This with the house of Aniou ended, but is in some sort renewed by the Marquesse of Tyras mongst the Sicilians, as a fraternitie against the Turk. And in the Aremorique Bretagne, Francis Duke there in M. CD. L. began the order of the Corn-eare, and gaue * 1.40 Collars compos'd of Corn-ears gold, tied together with true Louers knots. Hereto hang'd an Ermine. The Symbole Ama vie; which was the word of his Grand∣father Duke Iohn, surnamed the Conqueror. This Or∣der ceas'd when the Dukedom was vnited to the Crown of France by Lewes XII. his marriage with Anne daughter and heire to Duke Francis. The Order of the b 1.41 Porcupine in imitation, perhaps, of the Golden Fleece, was about the same time begun by Charles Duke of Orleans, and King of France, the VI. of that name, the word was Comminùs & Eminùs, and the Porcupine hence became a symbole of some French Kings. And then also Lewes Duke of Bourbon made the Order of the Thistle of our Lady, with a Collar of Fleurs de lis, and leaues of Thistles, inscrib'd with * 1.42 Esperance. But these with that of the Montmorencys Dog, and the Cock, now are not. But the Armes of the Lusignans are often in a Coller made of Capitall SS. with a sword pendant with the point vpward, crost ouer with a winding scrol, inscrib'd with Pour Loya••∣tè maintenir. This was the note of the Knighthood of Cyprus begun by that Familie, but when it's vncer∣tain. * 1.43

In Castile, by Alfonso XI. or, as others reckon, XII. the Order de la Banda was instituted in the Citie Vi∣ctoria, * 1.44 in the year M. CCC. XXXII. The Banda was as it were a Girdle, red, some foure fingers bredth, worn from ouer the right shoulder vnder the left arme. None was admitted to it, but such as seru'd ten years at least in the warrs or at Court. It was long in great honor

mongst them, but consequentium Regum ignauia (saith Mariana) rerúm{que} humanarum inconstantia in desuetu∣dinem abijt, vt ne vestigium quidem extet.

The Order, of S. Andrew in Scotland, hath a suppo∣sed * 1.45 originall very ancient. Some refer it to the victo∣rie had by Hungus King of the Picts, against our A∣thelstan after an apparition of the Apostle and his Crosse to Hungus, who with his souldiers went barefoot, af∣ter the battell, to S. Andrew's, and there all vowd se su∣ám{que} (saith Hector) posteritatem signo Crucis Diui Andreae, quoties ad praelium fuerit proficiscendum, vt tam insignis victoria parta diuinitùs gratâ recordatione semper habere∣tur pro insigni deinceps vsuros. Mansit Pictis & post eos deletos Scotis exinde hoc institutum perpetuum. The Col∣lar of it expresses Thistles, with S. Andrew pendant to it. Certaintie enough of its beginning as an order of Knighthood I haue not yet learned. That Apostle hath been their Saint euer since Regulus Albatus a Monk (about CCC. LXXVIII. of Christ) brought his reliques thither out of Constantinople, whence they were trans∣lated from Patrae (now called Patra) where he suffred Martyrdom. Andrew was born also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Collar or Garland of Rue, as Francis Mennens specially remem∣bers. The word applied to the Thistles, Nullus me im∣pune lacessit.

The Armes of Danmark, in Henninges and elswhere, are inscribd in a Collar made of Elephants, chargd * 1.46 with Castles; thereto hanging our Ladie in a radiant Circle, and to that a litle round with three nails. This is the Collar of their Order of the Elephant, begun ve∣rie lately by one of their Kings. By whom certainly I know not. Some say by Frederique, father to the present Christiern IV. In some of his monies the Ele∣phant is a note Royall.

Mennen describes also the Collar of the Order of * 1.47 the sword in Suethland, made in form of foure swords

tied one at the end of another, and so lets it about Armes proper to the Order. He tells no time of it, nor I know none. Another there he remembers, and puts the Col∣lar about the Kings armes, of Seraphins and Cherubins * 1.48 and Patriarchall crosses.

In what State to place that the Burgundian Crosse giuen by Charles V. to diuers that had well performd * 1.49 with him against Hariaden for Muleasses in the Afri∣can warres, I know not. On S. Magdale••s day in M. D. XXXV. the tenth Planetarie houre he gaue it to bee worn hanging to a Collar. On the one side of the plate, because the X. houre was Mercurie's, hee was picturd, on the other the Burgundian (like S. Andrews) Crosse, with a Steel to strike fire (referd perhaps to the Toy∣son d'Or) and circumscribd Barbaria. But it was not any certain Order, but meerly personall to them who were first honord with it.

Of late in Italy was erected the Order of the Bloud of the Redeemer. Vincent Gonzaga Duke of Mantoua * 1.50 when the marriage was twixt his sonne Francis now Duke, and the Ladie Margaret daughter to Charles E∣manuel Duke of Sauoy, in the yeer M. DC. VIII. insti∣tuted it in a number of XX. with consent of Pope Paule V. Vnderstand, that in S. Andrews at Mantoua (accor∣ding to other tales of that part) are kept as a most precious a 1.51 relique certain drops of our Sauiours bloud, with part of the Sponge. The Collar hath in it threds of gold laid on fire, and, twixt those plates, as it were, interwouen these words, Domine probasti. The LX. Psalm is aimd at. To the Collar is annext two Angels supporting three drops of the bloud, and circumscribd with Nihil isto triste recepto. The Duke himself is chief of it, and diuers other Princes were then ioind with him.

Neither, because also A••bert Mir•••• puts them mongst * 1.52 his honorarie Orders, will we omit here that of S. Ste∣phan

in Florence. In the yeer M. D. LXI. Cosmo di Me∣dici Duke of Florence with confirmation of Pope Plus IV. instituted this of S. Stephan, as vnder Stephan, Pope, Martyr, and Patron of that State. But it was vnder the rule of S. Bennet; only they haue liberty to marrie. They were purposd against the Turks. Their Note, a Red Crosse edgd with gold. The Suprem or Master, the great Duke of Tuscanie or Florence. And so are as partly ho∣norarie, partly religious.

About M. CCC XXX. the Order of S. Mark began in * 1.53 Venice, and was renewd in M. D. LXII. and honord with priuiledges. None but Gentlemen of speciall worth in note and discent were to be admitted of it. The Col∣lar hath S. Marks Image with Pax tibi Marce. Men∣nens is my autor.

Its not amisse to reckon the Peetermen of Louain, or Homines de Familia S. Petri, mongst these Orders. * 1.54 Their Originall is from the warre twixt Hen. I. Duke of Lorraine and Count of Louaine in M. CC. XIII. a∣gainst Hugh Bishop of Liege, and som neighbor Prines, wherein the Duke was through the valour of those of Louain (their Ensign being S. Peeter's Banner) rescu'd from most imminent perill, not without the losse of M. M. Louanians. In reward whereof he honord them all with large priuiledges, and called them Peetermen. Homines B. Petri Louaniensis (saith an old b 1.55 testimonie) liberi & priuilegiati esse debent, & sunt prae alijs homini∣bus. And Lipsius saies he saw a Charter of the Patri∣ces or Senat there, dated M. CCC. XXX III. wherein one was exempted out of common iurisdiction, that pleaded se esse Hominem S. Petri & ad familiam liberam Domi∣ni Ducis pertinere. But now the name remains, the rights of libertie extinct, or as out of vse, although in the oth of the heirs and successors of the Earls of Lo∣nain their priuiledges be yet contained.

Here may bee thought of those Tecuytles in some

parts of America, which are there a kind of Knights made with solemnitie by the chief Priest, and boaring them through the Nostrells with a Tygers bone and the bill of an Eagle. Nor are, I think, any other of note, and not Religious extant, or worth remembrance. More particulars of the habits of some of them, and of their statuts you haue in Sansouino, our Segar Garter his Ho∣nor Militarie. Of Calatraua, Alcantara, S. Iames, and ma∣ny such like more, I cannot think they are any way so fitly put amongst Titles Honorarie. For, what they are, is for what they doe in a certain place, as for a stipend; and the name of their Knighthood adds not any degree to them like those Orders of the Collar, or of the Spur, which are meer honorarie notes of va∣lour, and worth. Why then should we not as wel make a distinct Order and honorarie, of those which in the holy wars did suscipere Crucem, anciently, and were buried crosselegd? They had their c 1.56 Ordinances and statuts also. But that was only for one kind of ser∣uice, as the Religious Orders all are, and not truly honorarie. And how could the Templars bee accounted mongst Knights (such as fit this place) be∣ing not allowd by their statuts d 1.57 so much as at all to kisse any woman? Honorarie Knighthood and the fa∣uours of Ladies euen by ancient institution run toge∣ther somtimes as Virtue and Reward.

Notes

• t 1.1

  Anthonie de la salle chez L'oyseau des Grandes seig. cap. 5. §. 50. & des Cheuale••s à Bannier, vois Pasquier Recerch. du France Liu. 2. cap. 9.
• u 1.2

  Pat. 15. Ed. 3. part. 2. memb. 22. & 23.
• x 1.3

  Rot. Vascon. 13. Ed. 3. memb. 13. pro W. de la Pool. memb. 1. pro R. de Cobham, & Rot. Pat. 4. Ed. 6. pro Radul∣pho Fane.
• y 1.4

  Parl. 7. Iacob. 1. cap. 101. & vide Skene de Verb. significa∣tiene.
• z 1.5

  Steph. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• a 1.6

  22. Ed. 3. sol. 18. a. tit. Chal∣lenge 119.
• b 1.7

  35. Hen. 6. sol. 46.
• c 1.8

  Sub A. 1302
• d 1.9

  Claus. 7. Rich. 2. memb. 32. in dorso.
• e 1.10

  28. Maij. 10. Iacobi Regis.
• f 1.11

  Idem mos in Hispanis olim Hieronym. Ro∣man. apud Me∣nen. in Equest. Ord. vbi de Banda. Ad e∣quest••em dig∣nitatem vete∣res ritus & so∣lennes reuo∣casse Francis∣cum 1. Gallia∣rum Regem scribit Hadr. Iunius in Bata∣uiae cap. 19.
• g 1.12

  Segar, Ho∣nor Milit. lib. 2. cap. 11.
• h 1.13

  Camd. in Ord.
• h 1.14

  Florilegus sub A. 1306.
• i 1.15

  Torquium da∣tor dictus A∣thelstanus Anti∣quiss. cuidam scriptori apud Henric. Hun∣tingdon. lib. 6. & de Torquibus a Romanorum Impp. datis non est vt quid hic quis expectet.
• k 1.16

  Froissart. vol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• l 1.17

  Periscelidis siue Garterij Ordo.
• m 1.18

  Camd. in A. tr••batijs. videsis Leland. ad Cygn. Cant••onem.
• n 1.19

  v. 10. Hen. 7. cap. 20. Statut. Hiberniae.
• o 1.20

  Anna Com∣nena Alexiad. n. & Malmesb. lib. 4. alij.
• p 1.21

  Robert. Mo∣nach. hist. Hiero∣solym. lib. 8.
• q 1.22

  Dist. 15. c. 3. § item gesta.
• s 1.23

  Ioann. Eu∣chait. in Hypom∣neum. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. & pag. 51
• * 1.24

  Of the Round Table.
• t 1.25

  Cantacuzen. Apolog. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• u 1.26

  v. Leland. As∣sert. Arturij a∣lios.
• x 1.27

  Sang Real i. Sangue Royal or, Christs Bloud, see, if you will, the storie of Ar∣thur.
• y 1.28

  Spangb. apud. Ortelium in Mansfeild.
• a 1.29

  Rablais liure 2. chap. 30.
• b 1.30

  Athenaeus Dipnos. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.31

  Gemos. Halo∣graph. lib. 3. cap. 9.
• * 1.32

  Della Nuntiata ••n Sa••o••a.
• * 1.33

  Du Toison d••or.
• * 1.34

  De S. Michael.
• z 1.35

  Ordinances du France tum. 3. ••ilt. 4.
• * 1.36

  De Saint E∣sprit.
• * 1.37

  De L'estoille.
• a 1.38

  Bodin. lib. 5. de Repub. cap. 4. Atqui ad lo∣annem R. ip∣sum qui primo instituit refe∣runt alij. Vide Girard. Haill. lib. 2.
• * 1.39

  De Croissant en Aniou.
• * 1.40

  Ord•• Spicae in Britannia Are∣morica.
• b 1.41

  Ordo Hystri∣cis. Vide Para∣din. Symb. He∣roicis.
• * 1.42

  Ordo Cardui. S. Mariae.
• * 1.43

  Ordo Cypri.
• * 1.44

  Los Caualleros de la Banda, ••n Castella.
• * 1.45

  Of S. Andrew in Scotland.
• * 1.46

  Of the Ele∣phant in Dan∣mark.
• * 1.47

  Of the sword in Suethland.
• * 1.48

  Of the Sera∣phins there.
• * 1.49

  Crucis Bur∣gundiae.
• * 1.50

  Di sangue di Saluatore, in Mantoua.
• a 1.51

  Quod ha∣bent Martyro∣logia de S. Longino Mart. 15. si placet, vide & Aimoin. de gest. Franc. 4. cap. 92.
• * 1.52

  Di santo Stef∣fano en Fio∣renza.
• * 1.53

  Di S. Marco.
• * 1.54

  Petermanni Louanienses.
• b 1.55

  Apud Lips. Louan. lib. 2. cap. 4.
• c 1.56

  Quae habes apud G. Nouo∣burgens. lib. 3. cap. 22.
• d 1.57

  Statut. Tem∣plar. cap. 72.