The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

Of the beginning of Militarie Orders.

❧ THE BEGINNING OF [ B] MILITARIE ORDERS, AS WELL [ C] Regular, which haue beene allowed by the bolie See, vnder any rule and discipline, as Secular, instituted by Emperours, Kings, and Christian Princes, with their Blazons, and other deuises.

HAuing discoursed in the former treatie of the religious order of the knights of Malta, it is now fit to speake something of the orders of knighthood, as well Regular as Secular; who like vnto other [ D] Machabees haue laboured to fight the Lords fight, and who by their true valour, haue by the strength of their armes & great cou∣rage, most commonly terrified the enemies of their Redeemer, and of his holie religion, how powerful and fearefull soeuer they were; to the end that if the others did fight against inuisible enemies in their Cloisters, these defeated and did cut in peeces the visible in open field, both ten∣ding to one end, that is to say, to giue peace to the Church, and to make the Sauiour of the world to be acknowledged.

He then, to whom all power was giuen both in heauen and earth, meaning to haue the effects of his triumphant victories seene, as well of spirituall as corporall things, presently [ E] after the birth of his Church, and that the bloud of Martyrs had cimented a good part of the building, he not onely made peacefull and quiet spirits to vow their whole liues to holinesse; but also, the most warlike dispositions to consecrat their valour and armes to the encrease, protection, and defence of the Catholique religion: so as the monarchs, and most mightiest potentats of the world, marcht vnder his standard, against whom a little before they had made cruell and bloudie warres: witnesse Constantin the Great, Va∣lentinian the Theodosy, with many other Emperours, who began to carrie the Crosse in their Blazons and Armories, yet all of diuers colours, some white, some greene, some red, and in a manner of the same forme that it appeared to Constantin the Great. And for that there are few realmes or commonwealths, but had some order of knighthood, it [ F] was fit there should be some companie which should take the order of the king of kings, and vow it selfe particularly to his seruice. It is therefore held, That in the time Constan∣tin the Great, the order of the knights of the holie sepulchre of our Sauiour began: for S. Hellen his mother going to Hierusalem to find out the holie Crosse, and Sepulchre, and

[ A] hauing found them by a diuine reuelation, she caused a stately temple to be built, in the honour of the glorious resurrection of Iesus Christ, the which in time was made a mo∣nasterie of regular Chanoins of S. Augustine. But at that time the guard of the holie Se∣puchre was committed to certaine gentlemen of her traine, who were the first knights of this order, which was continued in that place; so as, euen when the Sarazins and Turkes had seised vpon all the East, and particularly of Palestina, tyrannising the Chri∣stians in Ierusalem, against whom they vsed all sorts of crueltie: these were tollerated, paying a yearely tribute; yet feeling of the common miseries of the faithfull, these Bar∣barians crossing them all they could. Their chiefe charge was to guard the holie Sepul∣chre, [ B] to make warre against Infidells, to redeeme captiues, to heare masse dayly, hauing op∣portunitie, to recite the houres of the Crosse, and to weare fiue red crosses in remem∣brance of the fiue woundes of our Sauiour. Some refer their beginning and institution to the Apostle S. Iames Bishop of Ierusalem, who suffered death for the faith, in the yeare 63: and it seemes that in consideration thereof, the knights of this order are vnder the obedience of the patriarch of that citie.

¶ The order of the knights of S. Maurice, and S. Lazare among the Sauoyards.

[ C] SOme hold that the order of S. Lazare began in the time of the great S. Basill, by the report of Gregorie of Nazianzene, which S. Basill built an hospitall vnder the title of S. Lazare, which afterwards gaue name vnto this order: whereof so many lazar houses dispersed into all parts of Christendome serue to beare witnesse. But this first institution hauing beene as it were smothered in the cradle by the incursions of Barbarians and other iniuries of those former times, it seemed to reuiue and spring vp againe in that happie age, whenas Christian princes vnited into one holie league, tooke from the Sara∣zins the citie of Ierusalem, and other places of the holie Land. The knights of this or∣der receiuing charitably into their hospitalls the faithfull which did run from all parts of Europe to so glorious a conquest, yea furnishing them towards the charge of this happy [ D] enterprise, which good office was the cause that Christian princes gaue them many hou∣ses and possessions, in the yeare 1154, which donations were confirmed by the bulls of Pope Alexander the fourth, Nicholas the fift, Clement the fourth, Iohn the two and twen∣tieth, and Gregor••e the tenth.

They make profession of the rule of S. Augustin, and beare for the blazons of their order a greene Crosse, which Emanuell Philibert duke of Sauoy being confirmed their great Maister by Gregorie the thirteenth, and ioining this order with that of Saint Mau∣rice, he enuironed it about with a white border, in the midst of the which, that of S. Mau∣rice was inclosed.

As for the order of S. Maurice, the auncient Aunalists of Sauoy say, that this was the beginning: Amedee duke of Sauoy (who, after his promotion to be Pope, tooke vpon [ E] him the name of Felix the fift) hauing abandoned the world, he confined himselfe to Ri∣palle neere to the lake Leman, being accompanied by ten knights of noble families, where he imbraced a Hermites life in a monasterie built by his auncestors in honour of S. Maurice, being attired in a long roabe of an ashie colour, hauing a girdle imbroithered with gold, with a cloake vpon it of the colour of his roabe; vpon the which was sewed a crosse imbroithered with gold. Francis Modius in his Pandectes, affirmes that these Her∣mites, whom he calls knights of S. Maurice, assisted in this habite at the consecration of Felix the fift, their founder, in the yeare 1440, shewing thereby what their religion had beene, and what ordinarie apparell this new bishop had worne in former times.

[ F] ¶ The order of the dogge and the cocke in France.

AVthors haue written nothing certaine touching the institution of these two orders; yet they do attribute them to the house of Montmorencie, both for that they of this

house carrie a dogge vpon their crest, as also for that Philip Morcus in his tables of the ar∣mories [ A] of France, writes that Bouchard of Montmorency came to the court to Philip the first, king of France, being followed by many other knights, euery one of which did weare a coller full of stags heads, whereat did hang the image of a dog, to signifie the fi∣delitie and sincere affection which they had, and would alwaies carrie to the seruice, pro∣tection, and defence of the Christian commonweale, and especially of France, and also to note thereby their auncient nobilitie, the dog hauing beene the Symbole with all na∣tions, as Lipsius hath obserued in his foure and fortieth Epist. of the first Centurie.

As for the order of the knights of the Cocke, all that can be said is, that they which haue written the genealogie of that famous house report, that one Peter of Montmoren∣cy [ B] was a knight of this order: whatsoeuer it be, it is very like that this order tooke a cocke for their Blazon, for that it is the most martiall of all other soule; and the auncients call it Mars his bird: it hath beene sometimes taken for an Hieroglyfike of victorie and vigi∣lance; these knights inferring thereby that they were warlike, vigilent, and victorious.

¶ The order of the knights of the Genette in France.

HE who made the vse of rings most common in France, was Charles Martell that great and valiant prince, who in his time raised the languishing scepter of our kings, ma∣king both Rebells and Infidells to feele his redoubted valour. As this prince was natural∣ly [ C] inclined to armes, so he instituted an order of knighthood, which he called Genette, by reason of his wife, as du Haillan writes, for that her name being Ieanne, he commonly called her Iannette, commaunding they should all carrie a figure of a Genette or Wesell grauen vpon their armes: but du Bellay is of another opinion, and holds that this inuin∣cible prince hauing defeated the Sarazins in that memorable battaile, neere to the citie of Tours, in the yeare 738, to eternize the memorie, and to let future ages know the va∣lour and courage of the French nobilitie, by whome he was particularly assisted, institu∣ted this order, and gaue it the surname of Genette, for that he had ruined that nation which did inhabite that part of Spaine, which was so called, by reason of the multitude of such like beasts, the which is a kind of wesell, or rather fox, hauing the skinne pied, [ D] white, and ashe colour, with a goodly mixture of white and blacke spots. This order was maintained vnto the raigne of S. Lewis.

¶ The order of the knights of the Lillie in the realme of Nauarre.

DVring the raigne of Garcias the sixth, king of Nauarre, surnamed Nauarre, a place memorable for the birth, breeding, ordinarie aboad, and buriall of this prince. The auncient Historians of Spaine write, that the image of our Ladie which is in the Church of the royall monasterie of that towne was miraculously found, and that in honor ther∣of, this good king, and Tiennette his wife, issued from the houses of Foix and Candelle built [ E] a monasterie to S. Bennet; but that Garcias alone instituted the order of the knights of the Lillie, carrying for their Blazon a pot of lillies, vpon the which was painted the image of our Ladie, ordaining that the roabs of these knights should be very rich and stately. The infants of the royall bloud entred into this order, with many great noblemen, both French, Nauarrois, and strangers.

The knights of this order are bound by the ordinance of Garcias their first founder, to maintaine and defend the faith against all the enimies thereof, and to encrease it with all their power, and they must repeat dayly certaine prayers, with a certaine number of Pa∣ter nosters, and Aue Maries. Ferdinand of Arragon, who was called the Infant of Anti∣quera, [ F] in the yeare 1403, entred into this knighthood with some others, who were not so commendable for their noble extractions, as for their vertues, and tooke the order so∣lemnely in our Ladies Church in the towne of Metymne. This deuise was a lillie pot, and a griffin.

¶ The order of the Knights of S. Iohn of Hierusalem, called of Malta. [ A]

THe beginning and first institution of this order is attributed to diuers, but chiefely and more likely to one Gerrard, who, before the time of Godfrey of Boulloin, being come to visit the holie places of Hierusalem, moued with an extraordinarie deuotion, and assisted by some other gentlemen who had the like dessigne, they began to build the Hospitall of S. Iohn of Hierusalem, and so gaue beginning to this order of knights, who were called by the name of their first aboad Hospitaliers. Pope Gelacius the second did [ B] first allow of this institution: Their garment was a robe, vpon the which was sewed a white Crosse, with eight points, for a marke of their puritie, and of the eight beatitudes whereunto they did aspire, by the concession of Pope Henorius the second. The dutie of their profession was, to receiue with all charitie such as came from any part of the world to visit the holie places, to assist them vpon the way, and to secure them against the Ara∣bians and all other Infidells, against the which, with the assistance and succour of Christian princes, they haue raised whole armies, and incountered them happily. They conquered from them the Island and towne of Rhodes, the which they held aboue two hundred yeares, during the which, they were called knights of Rhodes; but in the end, Solyman the second, Emperour of the Turkes, dispossessed them. Since, the Emperour Charles the [ C] fift gaue them the Island of Malta, the which they haue alwaies valiantly defended, espe∣cially during two sieges which the Turkes haue laied before it, the one vnder Solyman the second, and the other vnder Selymus the second, both Monarchs of the Turkes, and haue forced their enemies to rise with much losse and dishonour. They are at this day called knights of Malta, of the name of the Island No man may come to this degree vnlesse he be of a noble extraction. Their first great maister was Raymond de Podio, who afterwards composed and published the constitutions by the which the knights are now gouerned. They obserue the rule of S. Augustin, and say certaine numbers of Pater Nosters in stead of the Canonicall houres, and they promise faith, obedience, and chastitie. They carrie armes in the honour of God, and of S. Iohn Baptist (whom they hold for their patron) for [ D] the defence of the Christian faith.

¶ The order of Knights called Templers.

THe expedition of the holie warre, hauing beene as happily performed, as it was reli∣giously vndertaken vnder the victorious conduct of Godfrey of Bouillon, the order of the knights of the Temple, or Templers (whose institution is referred to the time of Ga∣lacius the second) was erected by the princes of France, to preserue that which they had conquered in the Holie Land, from the Sarazins. The two first Authors of this institution were Hugon of Payennes, and Godfrey of S. Aumard, knights. And for that king Baldwin [ E] appointed them a certaine place neere vnto the Temple for their aboad, the knights of this order were called the brethren of the warfare of the Temple, and most commonly Templers. Afterwards, the king, and the chiefe of the realme, with the Patriarch Grand∣mont, who did then gouerne the Church of Hierusalem, assigned them certaine lands and reuenues for their entertainement. They were bound by the Patriarch and the Bi∣shops, that for the remission of their sinnes, they must keep the wayes free from theeues, for the safetie of Pilgrims, whom they were to guard. After this first institution, they con∣tinued nine yeares in a secular habit, the which the people gaue them of cha••i••ie and almes. But afterwards, in a Councell held at Troyes in Champagne, there was a rule giuen them, which some hold was set downe by S. Bernard, without any Crosse, by the [ F] ordinance of Pope Honorius, and of Stephen Patriarch of Ierusalem. They continued some yeres in this habit, after which they began to multiplie, as they grew rich. In the time of Pope Eugenius the third, and by his authoritie, they began to weare a red Crosse on their cloakes, to be knowne from others, and to shew that they haue consecrated their bloud for the protection of the Holie Land, and other places of Christendome against infidel••••.

This Crosse had eight points, like vnto that of the knights of S. Iohn; but Ierosme Ro∣main, [ A] a Spaniard, maintaines that it was double, such as the Hungarians did carrie in their armes. This order in the end grew so powerfull, as they did equall great kings in wealth. And whenas Hierusalem was taken by the Infidells, in the yeare of our Lord God 1187; yet the Templers did still fight valiantly for the religion. Notwithstanding, in the yeare of our Redemption 1311, it pleased Pope Clement the fift to abolish this order of Templers for the foule crimes, and great offences which they said they had com∣mitted: Their possessions were distributed to diuers orders of knights, as to them of Rhodes, of S. Iames, of Calatraua, and Alcantara in Spaine.

¶ The order of the Teuton Knights, of the Hospitall of S. Marie in Hierusa∣lem, [ B] otherwise called Porte-Croix, or Marianes.

ABout the same time, Frederick the second, at the instance of Pope Gregory the seuenth, hauing conducted an armie into Syria, to aduaunce the progresse of the holie warre, he was the meanes to institute this order, and to install it in the Hospitall and Church of S. Marie in Hierusalem; the which was confirmed by Pope Celestin the third, vnder the rule of S. Augustin. These, with the Knights of the Temple, and S. Iohn, aspired to one end and intent, being as it were associated in one profession, differing in nothing but their blacke Crosse, which they weare vpon their cloakes, being white. Henrie Walpot was their first maister: Afterwards, they added the Rosarie, or our Ladies Psalter, to [ C] their scutchions, the which did enuiron the Crosse. Thereupon, they were called Mari∣anes, and Porte-Croix. After the taking of Hierusalem, being retired to Ptolemaide, the Emperour Frederick transported them into Germanie, and placed them in the Pro∣uince of Prussia, being at that time enemie to our religion, to the end they might conquer it, and make it subiect to Christianisme, the which was done by the authoritie of Grego∣rie the ninth. In the yeare of our Saluation 1279, this prouince hauing beene subdued, they were called Teutoniks and Prussians. This conquest was made vnder the conduct of Herman Saltza, who first planted the ensigne of the Crosse in this prouince, the which purchased them the loue and fauour of all Christian princes. Afterwards, they had great [ D] warres against the Lituanians, Polonians, and Tartarians. The priests, and knights of this order, weare vpon their cloakes a blacke Crosse, imbroydered with siluer. Maximi∣lian of Austria is now their great maister, who carries the armes of Austria, quartered with them of the order. And although that Prussia be now subject to the king of Poland, yet they chuse a great maister, who with his knights enioyes the reuenues which they haue in Germanie.

¶ The order of the knights of S. Iohn of Accon, and of S. Thomas.

IN imitation of the aforesaid orders, they haue instituted many others, amongst the [ E] which was that of the knights of Accon, and of S. Thomas, of whose beginning and in∣stitution although we find nothing certaine, yet we find that in the beginning they im∣ployed themselues to assist them charitably with all needfull things that came to visit the holie places: but in time they added armes in imitation of the knights of S. Iohn: for which cause they haue beene inserted among militarie orders. Ierosme Romain saith, That they flourished in Spaine during the raigne of Alphonso, surnamed the Wise, and that this King bequeathed vnto him all his moueables, with a certaine summe of money. But To∣stat vpon Iosua saith, That there is scarce any memorie left of them. As for the order of S. Thomas, which marched vnder the rule of S. Augustin, it was vnited with the former by Pope Alexander the fourth. [ F]

Palestina hath also giuen vs some other orders, as that of S. Bleise, of S. Marie, and that of the Repentance of holie Martyrs. Ierosme Romain affirmes, That he had seene brethren of this last order, who carried a red Crosse, and held the rule of S. Augustin.

[ A] ¶ The order of the knights of S. Sauiour in Arragon.

ABout the yere 1118, Alphonso king of Spaine, Nauarre, Arragon, Castile, and Tole∣do by his wife Vrraca, desiring to root out the Moores of Sarragossa & Arragon, and seeing how well the neighbour prouinces had preuailed by the militarie orders which they had made, he instituted the order of the knights of S. Sauiour, in the towne of Mont∣real, after the taking of Calatraua, promising to fauour, and be a support to those that should carrie themselues most valiantly in the war, which he pretended to make against the Infidels: which succeeded so happily, as in the yere 1120, he forced them to leaue the [ B] countries which they held, whereupon the king gaue vnto this order rich possessions.

¶ The order of the knights of Mont-Ioy in Syria, which in Castile they call of Monfiac, and in Cattelonia of Mongoia.

WHenas the Christian princes conquered Syria, the order of the knights of Mont∣Ioy was instituted, who tooke their name of a mountaine so called neere to the citie of Ierusalem, as the Bull of their approbation, giuen by Pope Alexander the third, in the yere 1180, and kept in the records of Calatraua, doth witnesse. This order receiued great fauours and aduancements from Christian princes, in regard of the assistance which [ C] they had gi••en them in the recouerie of the holie Land.

Ierosme Romain makes mention of another order of knights, which he calls of Truxil∣lo, hauing taken this name of the towne where they began this order, the which was in∣richt with many great gifts by king Alphonso, who in the yere 1233, gaue vnto them the townes of S. Croix, Zuforle, Cabime, Albate, and some others.

¶ The order of knights called Port-Glaiue, or men at armes of Christ in Liuonia.

[ D] BEtwixt Prussia, Lituania, Russia, and Muscouie, lies the prouince of Liuonia, the po∣tentates whereof hauing allied themselues with the Teuton knights, of whom men∣tion hath beene made, in their imitation they ma••e an order of knighthood, confirmed by Innocent the third, taking for their blazon two swords of a red colour, in forme of a S. Andrews crosse, the which they did sew vpon their cloakes. Their first great maister was called Vniuus, with whom they did great exploits, and conquered many places in Russia. Afterwards they ioined themselues vnto the Teutons: but there falling great quarrells betwixt them, they seperated themselues againe in consideration of a good summe of money which they paied, about the yere 1348. In the end, the profession of Luther com∣ming into this prouince, this order was quite extinct, hauing flourished three hundred fif∣tie [ E] and seuen yeares.

¶ The order of the knights of S. Iames in Spaine.

THe Sepulchre of the Apostle S. Iames, hauing, as they write, beene discouered in Spaine, and the same of the miracles which were done dayly in that place, spread ouer all, it caused great deuotion not onely in the people of Spaine, but in others of re∣mote prouinces. But for that the way by reason of the rockes and barrennesse of the soile was very difficult, and that the Moores did robbe and spoile the Pilgrimes, the feare of daunger kept many from vndertaking the voiage. This was the cause that made the re∣gular [ F] Chanoins of Saint Eloy, whose aboad was neere vnto Compostella, to build many lodgings vpon the way comming from France, for the lodging of Pilgrimes, and to defend them from daungers: the principall and most excellent was that which was built in the suburbes of the towne of Leon, vnder the name and title of Saint Marke, the which did purchase them such loue generally, as many kings and princes sent them

great presents in requitall of that good deed. Soone after, in imitation of these Chan∣oins, [ A] many gentlemen of Castile desired to doe the like: and the better to effect their desseignes, they made a stocke of all their wealth, that they might vse it in common.

These gentlemen then by the care and diligence of Cardinall Iacinth, hauing taken a resolution to ioine with the said Chanoins, they propounded to set downe a course of life, such as they desired to obserue afterwards, according to the rule of S. Augustine, the which these Chanoins followed, and they sent it to Pope Alexander the third, making Peter Fernandez of Pont Eucalate, chiefe of this Embassage, who obtained a Bull from the Pope, dated the fift of Iulie 1175, with a rule of life which they should obserue. Their first great Maister was this Fernandes, and the house of S. Marke at Lyon was giuen to [ B] these knights for their ordinarie aboad. Their badge or marke of honour, is a red Crosse, made in forme of a sword. This is according to the opinion of Iohn Mariana, in the second booke of his historie of Spaine: but others hold this order to be more auncient, drawing the beginning from the time of king Alphonso the Chast: others referre it to the yeare 848, whenas D. Ramire king of Castile, defeated sixtie thousand Moores neere vnto Cla∣uige, for that in this battaile the souldiers cryed, God and S. Iames helpe vs, whom they saw on horsebacke, carrying a white banner charged with a red crosse. But the Bull whereon they ground, the which was giuen to the Nunnes of the cloister of the holie Ghost in Salamanca, is not autenticke, as the said Mariana hath obserued: and Francis Rados Dan∣drada, who hath written the Chronicle of the three orders of S. Iames, Calatraua, and [ C] Alcantara in Spanish, saith, that this order was instituted in the yere 1170, in the realmes of Leon, & Galacia by D. Fernand king of the said countries: and that long before, there had beene a companie or brotherhood of knights of S. Iames without any forme of reli∣gion. He saith moreouer, that this order was brought into Castile by king D. Alphonso the ninth, and approued in the yeare 1175; so as the founders of this militarie order, are this king D. Fernand, and D. Peter Fernandez the first great maister. Onufrius Pauuinus in his Chronicle refers this beginning to the yeare 1170. The statutes of this order are newly printed by Plantin at Antuerpe.

¶ The order of the knights of Calatraua in Spaine.

CAlatraua hauing beene taken from the Moores by king Sancio the third, surnamed [ D] the Desired, in the yeare 1158; it was deliuered into the hands of the Templers, that by their fortifications it might be made as it were a bulwarke against the Infidells; but the Templers being aduertised that an infinit number of Moores were comming against them, they deliuered vp the place into the kings hands, and left it, holding it too weake to endure a siege; and there being no nobleman in the realme, that would vndertake the defence thereof, two monkes of Cisteaux making then their aboad at Toledo, one called Raymond Pilterius Abbot of Pisorius, & the other Didacus Velesons, both valiant, hauing left the profession of armes; yet for the seruice of God, they resolued to enter into this place, and to defend it with all their power: the which being imparted to king Sancio, he was well satisfied, as also Iohn Archbishop of Toledo, who furnished them with men and [ E] meanes, persuading by his authoritie & intreatie both noblemen and others, to vndertake the defence of this place, with these two religious men, for the good of Christendome: whereupon men of all conditions came to succour them; so as the town was so wel forti∣fied, as the enemie durst not besiege it: this was the happie beginning of this order; for the king gaue this place in recompence to these two men, and to their companions, in the name of the Virgin Mary, patronesse of the order of Cisteaux. The Abbot gaue to his companions the habit & rule of Cisteaux. The Blazon of this order was first a red crosse, adn two shakles vnder it, wherto in time were added 4 flowers de Luce by Benet 13. Alex∣ander 3, in the yere 1164, approued this institution by his Bull, and their first great maister was called Garsia. When these knights are in any assemblie they weare a white roab, and [ F] on it, as also on their breasts, a red crosse, as hath bin said. The Pope in the yere 1396, gaue them leaue to marrie once, but they might not take a second wife, for in old time they were bound to liue like religious men in perpetuall chastitie; so as you may see that the first institutors of this order, were Sancho king of Gastile, & Raymond Abbot of Filtere.

[ A] ¶ The order of the Gensd'armes of Iesus Christ, instituted by S. Do∣minick, against the Albigots.

THe counties of of Tolousa and Lumbardie being in a manner all infected with the opinion of the Albigois, S. Dominick preached against them, where he profited in such sort, as they say he conuerted one hundred thousand persons, chusing certaine de∣uout men to root out them by the materiall sword, that would not belieue his spirituall doctrine: To these he ordained a certaine rule to liue by, more spirituall than the com∣mon [ B] sort of secular men, but not so strictly as Monkes. They were called in those times the brethren of the warfare of S. Dominick.

The Albigois being rooted out, they which had dedicated themselues to that end, con∣tinued this course of life vnto their death; and their wiues suruiuing them, they liued con∣tinently, and the men did the like if they suruiued their wiues. Some time afterwards, people, married or not married, imbraced this order, and in the end, they were called the brethren or sistren of the repentance of S. Dominick. Innocent the sixt approued their rule, in the yeare 1360.

¶ The order of the Knights of Alcantara, in the kingdome of Lyon.

[ C] GOmesius Ferdinand, a knight, and great lord among them of Lyon, vnder the raigne of Ferdinand king of that realme, and of Galicia, instituted this order against the Moores; which in the beginning had the name of S. Iulian of Pirario, for that the first house they had, was in a bourough of that name. The king declared himselfe protector of this order, by his letters patents, in the yeare 1176; and Pope Alexander the third ap∣proued it; and, in the yeare 1183, Pope Lucius the third exempted it from the jurisdicti∣on of the Diocesains. Their armes were a greene Peare tree in a field Or, vntill that Al∣phonso the eighth gaue vnto the knights of this order, Alcantara, a place scituated vpon the bankes of the riuer of Tagus, (remarkable for the artificiall structure of the bridge) by the incorporation which he made with them of the order of Calatraua, to whom this [ D] place had beene first giuen: but by reasons of State, it was left vnto these last; yet vpon condition, that they should be subject vnto the other, in signe whereof, by the ordinance of their great Maister, were added two schakles, which were in the others deuice; and they were afterwards called knights of Alcantara. Finally, in the yere 1411, the knights of this order obtained of Pope Bennet the thirteenth, who called himselfe Pope in Spain, to carrie vpon their brest, towards the left side, a greene crosse made like a lillie. They liue vnder the rule of S. Bennet, and promise in their profession, obedience to their Supe∣riors, conjugall chastitie, and to liue as holie as they can all the daies of their liues. Pope Adrian the sixt did afterwards, in fauour of Charles the fift, who had beene his scholler, an∣nex [ E] these three orders of S. Iames, Calatraua, and Alcantara, to the crowne of Castile, and Lyon foreuer.

¶ The order of the knights of the glorious Virgin Marie in Italie.

IN the yeare 1233, Bartholomew of Viceney, of the order of the Preaching Friers, was the Author of these knight, the which he instituted to purchase a peace in the townes of Italie, and to root out all discord and diuision. Pope Vrbain the fourth, in the yere 1262, approued it. Their habit was a white robe, and a russet cloake, and they carried for their deuice a purple Crosse in a field Argent, with certaine starres ouer it. Their dutie was to [ F] take widowes and orphans into their protection, and to procure peace and concord a∣mong others. They were called the joyfull brethren, for that they liued quietly and con∣tentedly in their houses, with their wiues and children, as Sigonius and others reports.

¶ The order of the Knights of Montese, in the realme [ A] of Valencia.

THe knights of Montese were so called of the chiefe place of their aboad, hauing been instituted at the same time that the Templers were supprest; so as all the possessions which they held in the realme of Valencia, were giuen to them of Montese, vpon condi∣tion, to defend and keepe the frontiers of Valencia against the Moores. Their order was approued by Bennet the thirteenth, and Martin the fift. They ware a white habit, and vpon it a plaine red Crosse.

¶ The order of the Knights of Iesus Christ in Portugal. [ B]

DEny••, surnamed Perioca, king of Portugal, nephew to Alphonso the tenth, king of Castile and Lyon, instituted this order, commonly called of Portugal, or of Christ. He ordained, That their Blazons should be a blacke robe, and a blacke Crosse cut vpon one of white. Pope Iohn the two and twentieth, in the yeare of our Redemption 1321, prescribed them the rule of S. Bennet. Their duetie was to make warre against the Moores which did inhabit Betica. By their vertue, the Portugals empire hath extended it selfe farre into the East, into Africke, Brasil, and other parts of the West. [ C]

¶ The order of the Knights of la Banca, and la Scama in Spaine, and of la Calza at Venice.

IN the yeare of our Lord God 1332, Alphonso the eleuenth, king of Castile, before he came to the crowne instituted the order of the Knights of the Band, in the towne of Vi∣ctoria, so called, for that vpon the day of their creation by the king, as great Maister, he hung about them a red Band foure fingers broad, baudricke wife, from the top of the right shoulder vnder the left arme. The children of noble men, except the eldest, were admitted into this order, hauing serued at the least ten yeares in the warre. It was some∣times much esteemed, but in the end, to shew the inconstancie and alteration of humane [ D] things, it is decayed. As for that of la Scama, Iohn the second, king of Castile, was the Author, and it was much honoured during his raigne, by the report of Ierosme Romain, who saith, That he could neuer truely vnderstand what la Scama was, notwithstanding any search which he had made.

In imitation of the Knights of the Band, the Venetians instituted at the same time them of la Calza, in a manner with the same lawes. No man might be receiued by the Duke, or Senat, vnlesse he were of a noble extraction. This order was renewed, in the yeare of our Saluation 1562, and was fauoured with new priuiledges. Andrew Etten, excellent in an Annotomie and physicke, and well studied in all sciences, doth not find [ E] that they had any other armes, but a collar of Gold, at which did hang the image of S. Marke, or a winged Lyon, with this Motto, Pax tibi Marce, and this he speakes but by conjecture, grounding it, for that the Duke and Senat of Venice, desiring to giue some worthie recompence to many great personages among them, which had bound the com∣mon weale by some notable seruices, they made them Knights, and gaue them this collar of Gold, with this deuice.

¶ The orders of the Knights Auesiens, commonly called of Auis, in Portugal.

THe Christians being maisters of the towne of Ebora, famous in Portugal for the or∣••••••arie [ F] aboad of their kings. King Alphonso finding that both for the scituation and strength it was fit to make warre against the Moores, he made it the chiefe aboad of the Knights which in the realme of Castile are called of Calatraua, and in Portugal of Auis,

[ A] who in the beginning were called Eboriaces, of the name of Ebora, a towne which some hold had beene giuen them by Ferdinand Monteyro, their first great maister, in the honour of the virgin Mary, patronesse of the order of Cisteaux, to the end that by their continuall incursions vpon the Barbarians, they should force them in the end to leaue the countrie.

The third great maister, who was called Alphonso Auensis, hauing conquered the ca∣stle of Auisin; he gaue it to the companie which he transported thither, to the end they might be neerer to their enemies, and annoy them more, since which time they haue retained the name of this castle. This order was confirmed by Pope Innocent the third, [ B] in the yeare 1204. Finally, Roderigo Garzia the eight, great maister of Calatraua, hauing inricht these knights Auisins with many great reuenues, they submitted themselues to the lawes and reformations of this order, vnder the gouernment whereof they continued vnto the time of Iohn their great maister, who was base sonne to Peter the eight, king of Portugall: for this king at the instance (as it is credible) of his sonne, diuided this order of the Auesiens from that of Calatraua, ordaining that they should carrie in their Bla∣zons a greene crosse vpon a long stocke, hauing taken away the Peare tree to distinguish them from the knights of Alcantara; yet before they carried a red crosse like the knights of Alcantara, as may be seene in the auncient seale of the order, where, at the foot of the crosse (as Francis Radosius saith) were two little birds. They follow the rule of Cisteaux: [ C] but howsoeuer, Radosius confounds these two orders of Auesiens and Calatraua; for that in tract of time they are made but one: whereas contrariwise, Volateranus is decei∣ued, who ioines them with the knights of Alcantara, as Ierosme Romain, and Gonsalue Ar∣gotes of Melina in the first Booke, chap. thirtie and two, of the nobilitie of Spaine haue obserued.

¶ The order of the knights of the round Table.

THey say, that Arthure king of England hauing chosen foure and twentie of the most warlicke gentlemen he could find, and best experienced in armes, he made them [ D] knights, and as being equall in vertue, he loued them equally: and to take away all subiect of enuie, meaning to fauour one as much as another, he caused a round table to be made, whereas they did commonly eat, there being no difference of places; so as no man could say, he was first or last, nor more or lesse honoured than his companion: wher∣upon they were called knights of the round table. The common people of England be∣leeue that this table is kept in the Castle of Winsor, and that the names of those that were of this knighthood are grauen thereon. Maister Camden holds this institution to be of a latter time, and refers it to a custome which they had to make tourneys, and to exer∣cise themselues in armes; for to the end the first or last places should giue no occasion of quarrell to great men which did assist, they vsed round tables, where they did sit indiffe∣rently, [ E] not obseruing who was first or last.

¶ The Order of the knights of the Garter in England.

EDward the third, king of England, instituted this order of the gartar, in the yere 1350, to purge the supition which some had of the countesse of Salisburie, whom he loued honorably, hauing taken vp a blew garter which fell from her in dauncing, and he added for his motto, Hony soit qui mal y peuse, for that the gentlemen which were present be∣gan to laugh, saying, that he would make that garter honour them that should weare it; the which happened by the institution of this order of knights, to whom he gaue the [ F] name. Others say that this order tooke the name of a band or garter which Edward the third gaue vnto his knights for a perpetuall memorie of the victorie which he had got∣ten at Poictiers against the French king. They weare this band or garter vnder the left knee, the which is fastned with a buckle, in signe of the loue and concord which should be in this societie, whereon was grauen his motto: vpon their cloakes they weare a S.

Georges crosse in a scutchion. The great coller of their order which they vse to weare vp∣on [ A] the day of their creation, and of all other festiuall daies, is nothing but the garter dou∣bled many times together, with the which are intermixt white and red roses, whereat doth hang the image of S. George, whom he would haue their patron, in whose honour he had built a stately Church in the castle of Winsor. Vpon ordinarie daies these knights weare a blew ribon aboue their necks, with the image of S. George hanging theron. Others referre the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this order to Richard the first, and say, that Edward did but renew it; but this 〈…〉〈…〉 vncertaine. The solemnities of this order are celebrated yearely vpon S. George 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the king being head and president.

¶ The order of the knights of the Bath in England.

WE haue nothing certaine of these knights, but that Henry the fourth, king of En∣gland, vpon the day of his coronation in the towne of London, created six and fortie 〈◊〉〈◊〉, knights hauing watched the night before and bathed themselues, giuing to 〈…〉〈…〉 a greene coat with long sleeues hanging downe to the ground, and a furred mantle the which was fastened vpon their left shoulder with a double cord of white silke.

In former times two of the nobilitie, who had not receiued knighthood, were chosen to be admitted into this order with much ceremonie. These knights were made vpon the [ C] day of their coronation, or at the marriage of kings and queenes, or whenas any of their children were inuested in some duchie or earledome: for the day before, they were atti∣red in gray gownes, almost like Hermites, with a hood, hauing linnen caps, and they were booted; in this equipage they heard Masse deuoutly: night being come, they supped all together, euery one hauing two esquires, and a footman to attend him. After supper they retired themselues to their chamber, whereas euery one had his bed prepared with red curtaines, whereon were set the armes of their houses, and neere vnto euery one was a bathing vessell couered with sheets, where hauing recommended themselues to God, they bathed, to put them in mind, that they should for euer afterwards keepe their bodies and minds cleane. The next day earely in the morning, they were saluted by many musi∣call [ D] instruments, and they attired themselues as the day before. Then the constable of England, a marshall, and others deputed by the king, came vnto them, and calling them in order, by their names, they propounded vnto them the oath which they should take, which was, To serue God aboue all, to defend the church, to honour the king, and defend his rights, to take into their protection, widowes, virgins, and orphants, and to maine∣taine them with all their power. Hauing sworne to these articles, they were conducted to morning prayer, the kings musitians and heralds going before them. Seruice being ended, they were carried backe vnto their chambers, whereas they disroabed themselues, and tooke a skie coloured mantle of veluet or satin, to shew that their martiall heat should be all coelestiall, and they weare a white hat with white feathers, and gloues [ E] which they fastned to their mantle with a little white string: then they went to horse∣backe, their saddles being of blacke leather mixt with white, and a white crosse fastened vpon the horses forehead. Their footmen marched before them, carring their swords, and spurs hanging thereon all gilt, and their esquires were on horsebacke of either side: and in this pompe, they came before the king, the trumpets sounding before them. Being come after this manner into his presence, they were conducted by two auncient knights, then their footmen gaue their swords with their hangers to the lord chamberlaine, who presented them to the king with great reuerence to gird the new knights, the which he did: then he commaunded the auncient knights to put on their spurres; and these were wont in old time (the ceremonie being ended) to kisse their knees, wishing them all [ F] happinesse.

These new knights being thus made, they were accustomed in old time to couer the kings table, and to dine there altogether being set of one side. The houre of Euensong be∣ing come, they went vnto the chappell, and there offered their swords vpon the altar, the

[ A] which they redeemed for a certaine summe of mony; returning, the kings maister cooke met them, and presenting his knife vnto them, threatned to cut off their spurs ignomini∣ously, if they did not shew themselues faithfull and good souldiers. Vpon the day of the kings coronation, they did accompanie him in pompe in their rankes, wearing their swords and spurs, with their blew mantles, fastened before with a ribon of white silke, tied like a Crosse, hauing a hood hanging vpon the left shoulder. Thus much Maister Cam∣den sets downe particularly touching these knights. The Blazon of this order, is three crownes Or, in a circle of gold, with this deuice, Tria in vnum, hanging at a carnati∣on ribon.

[ B] ¶ The order of the Knights of the Starre in France.

IOhn of Valois, the French king, in the moneth of October, in the yere of our Lord God 1352, instituted an order of Knights, in remembrance of the Starre which conducted the Kings of the East to Bethelem, to worship the Sauiour of the world newly borne, who were called the brethren of our Ladie of S. Audoen, for that that the place of their resi∣dence was so called, which was a league from Paris, and was in former times called the palace of Cheley, and was giuen them with all the dependances. In the beginning, they did not admit any into this order but the greatest of the realme. Their Blazon was a [ C] Starre, hanging at a collar of gold, or fastened to the hood of their robe, or vpon some other apparant place, with this deuice, Monstrant regibus astra viam. But whenas many base and vnworthie persons had crept into this societie vpon false suggestions, it soone lost her beautie; so as Charles the sonne of Iohn, ordained, That his guards should weare the ensignes to make it more contemptible. At this day, the archers of the watch of the citie of Paris, haue a Starre vpon their cassockes.

¶ The order of the Annonciado in Sauoy.

AMedee the sixt, Earle of Sauoy, hauing instituted this order, he made it famous by the [ D] great and rich reuenues wherewith he endowed it. He would haue this order com∣posed of foure thin plates of gold, fastened to little chaines of gold, being tied one vnto another with little knots, which they call the snares of loue, and on either of the plates was grauen these foure letters, F.E.R.T. The image of the Virgin Marie, and the hi∣storie of the Annunciation hanging in the middest, of which this order tooke the name. As for the foure letters, they signified, Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit, the which was spo∣ken in honour of Amedee, who as the Annales of Sauoy say, tooke this towne from the Turkes, and conquered it to Iesus Christ, or rather defended it against their forces: so as after that time, the Knights of Rhodes tooke the armes of Sauoy, the which were quartered with them of the dukes of Saxonie, for that the first princes of this duchie are descended from that house, the which they added to the Crosse Argent of their order, [ E] in a field Gules, that is to say, whenas the Island of Rhodes was giuen them by the Emperour of Constantinople: And this deuice, F.E.R.T. remained to Amedee, and his successours, in remembrance of his valour. The ceremonies of this order are reiterated yearely vpon the day of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Marie, and those were made Knights whom the prince did chuse. As for Count Amedee, he was not content to institute this order, but he would be also himselfe enrolled with foureteene of the chiefe noblemen of his countries, with the which he made fifteene, in honour of the fif∣teene mysteries of the holie Virgin.

[ F] ¶ The order of the Knights of the Golden Fleece, in the houses of Bourgondie, and Austria.

PHilip, surnamed the Good, Duke of Bourgondie, for the loue he bare to nobilitie, in the moneth of Ianuarie, in the yeare of our Lord God 1430, erected this order vpon

the day of his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter to Iohn king of Portugal, to the glorie [ A] of God, and of his holie mother, and of S. Andrew the Apostle; and the more to stir vp their hearts to vertue, and to the aduauncement of the holie faith: He gaue to this or∣der, the title of the Golden Fleece, making an allusion to Gedeons fleece which was found in the aire, which was full of dew on the one side, and drie on the other, as we may see in the tapestries of his time, which are hung vp at the feast of S. Andrew, a day ded••cated to the solemnities of this order. It is true, that some say these Knights had their beginning from the Thebain Legion: but that is too obscure to ground any good foundation. Duke Philip hauing erected this order, he declared himselfe great Maister, and gaue vn∣to these new Knights, a robe of scarlet, the which his sonne Charles the Hardie chaunged [ B] into silke, at a Chapter held at Valenciennes, and a collar of gold, where was interlaced an yron, which seemed to strike fire out of a flint, the Embleme of his deceased father; at the end of which collar hung the Golden Fleece, they being bound to restore it a∣gaine to the order when they died, to be giuen to them that should deserue it. Paradin, in his Symboles, interprets the Blazon after this manner, to the yron, he giues this deuice, Ante ferit quam flamma miscet: And to the fleece, Pretium non vile laboris. The first dig∣nities of this institution, are the Chancellor, the Treasurer, the King at armes, and Regi∣ster, who judge without appeale of all controuersies that fall out among them, and of crimes, if there happen any. Philip, in the beginning, made but fiue and twentie, but three yeares after, he added six, so as they were one and thirtie. Afterwards, Charles the [ C] fist by reason of many prouinces where he commaunded, augmented the number to one and fiftie: and since, in a Chapter held at Gant, by the authoritie of Gregorie the thir∣teenth, it was graunted to Philip the second, king of Spaine, and confirmed since to Phi∣lip the third, by Pope Clement the eighth, that they might create Knights out of Chapter when they lift. These Knights must bee of such houses as in Spaine they doe call Grandes.

Richard of Vuassebourg, in his Antiquities of Belgia, makes mention of the auncient Knights of the Swan, instituted by one Suluius Brabon, of whom (as some hold opinion) Brabant tooke the name; giuing them this bird for an Hieroglifike, of the loue and con∣cord he would haue among them. [ D]

¶ The order of the Knights of the Porcupine, in the house of Orleans.

CHarles, Duke of Orleans, in imitation of Philip Duke of Bourgondie, erected the or∣der of the Knights of the Porcupine, carrying vpon their baudricks or belts, the fi∣gure of this beast, with this Symbole, Cominus & Eminus, as Paulus Iouius saith. No man was inrolled into this companie, vnlesse he were of a verie noble extraction, and of great perfection in armes. Afterwards, Lewis the twelfth, the French king, duke of Orleans, and Earle of Bloys, as his heire, tooke the deuice of a Porcupine crowned, with this in∣scription, Vitus Auos Troiae: He also caused that figure to be grauen vpon his coyne, the which, with that of the Wolfe, were the auncient armes of the Earles of Bloys. Charles [ E] tooke this for his deuice, for that the Porcupin defends himselfe neere and far off against dogges, darting forth his prickes like arrows; and to shew that he was resolute against all the crosses of fortune, and alwaies readie to defend himselfe against any that should wrong him, he gaue it for a blazon to the knights.

¶ The order of the Knights of the Thistle, of the Virgin Marie, in the house of Bourbon.

LEwis the second, Duke of Bourbon, surnamed the Good, sonne to Peter the first, who [ F] was slaine at the battaile of Poictiers, which king Iohn lost against the enemies. Ha∣uing serued king Charles the fift, and Charles the fixt, against that nation, and being retur∣ned from Africke, whither he had conducted an armie against the Infidells, whenas by the factions of the houses of Orleans and Bourgondie, the realme seemed to be in a man∣ner

[ A] ruined; the Bourgondian hauing instituted the order of the golden Fleece, and the duke of Orleans, that of the Porcupin: he erected the order of the knights of the Thistle of the Virgin, the better to countenance his authoritie and power, which he imploied wholy to assist and protect Charles duke of Orleans, Philip Earle of Eureux, and Iohn Earle of Angolesme, pupils to Lewis duke of Orleans his nephew, against the Bourgon∣dian, who had miserably slaine him. The colour of this order was of gold, wouen with flowers de Luces, with the which were interlaced the leaues of thistles by equall distan∣ces, at which did hang a crosse, and about it this deuise, Esperance. This prince honoured those gentlemen with this order, which had done some notable seruice to the house of [ B] Bourbon, and he declared himselfe great maister. In signe whereof, he added the coller vn∣to his armes, which was all pouldered with flower de Luces in a field Argent, and Gules on a scutchion Azure, with this inscription Esperence. As for this Embleme composed of lillies and thistles, duke Lewis would thereby signifie his constancie against all crosses that might happen, and that he did hope for better fortune: the thistle by his pricking leaues, signifying affliction; and the lillie whose leaues are alwaies greene, hope, whereof it hath beene euer the Hierogliphicke among the ancients.

¶ The order of the knights of S. Andrew, of the Thistle, and of the Rue, in the realme of Scotland.

[ C] HVngus king of Scotland, being readie to giue battaile to Athelstan king of the En∣glish, there appeared vnto him in the firmament a bright shining crosse, in forme like vnto that whereon S. Andrew died a Martyr for the faith of Christ: the which he hauing taken for a good signe, he charged his enemie, vanquished him, and cut in a manner all his armie in peeces. In memorie of which victorie, the king would that this crosse should be grauen vpon his armes, and painted in the ensignes which they vsed in their armies, the which the kings of Scotland obserue to this day. Hence the order of the knights of S. Andrew (famous in that realme) tooke his beginning, being comonly called the knights of the Thistle. The kings armes and coine are enuironed with the coller of this order, be∣ing [ D] full of thistles, with this motto, Nemo me impune lacessit: for that no man can handle a thistle, but he shall pricke himselfe. This coller is made of gold with many knots, in the which are grafted the flowers of thistles, whereat doth hang the image of S. Andrew hol∣ding before him the crosse of his Martyrdome. The armes enuironed with the coller, are a Lyon Gules, the auncient and first Blazon of king Fergus, in a mantle Azure, fringed at the borders with two lines red, and two rankes of lillies one opposite to another vpon a fillet of gold, which Charlemaigne ioined to those armes, in testimonie of the allyance which he had treated with king Achaius, and the Scottish men, as they beare it at this day, for that if the Lyon be the armes of that realme, the lillie is of France, whereof this Em∣peror was king, who not content therewith, the better to confirme the league and friend∣ship [ E] which he had sworne, he added to the circle of the crowne of Scotland foure lillies of gold, with foure crosses of the same equalitie distant one from another; yet the lillies were somewhat more eleuated, to the end that all the world might know that this nati∣on did at that time excell in the obseruation of Christian religion and integritie of faith. Some referre the institution of these knights to Charles the seuenth, the French king, who renewed the ancient league with them of Scotland; and that in recompence of the suc∣cours which they had giuen him in his most desperate affaires, he encreased their armes with those of France: but the first opinion is more certaine.

Among the Scottish men, hath also flourished the order of the knights of the Rue: their marke was a coller made of two branches of rue or of thistle, whereon did hang [ F] the Image of S. Andrew with his crosse: but there is nothing found certaine of their be∣ginning.

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¶ The order of the knights of S. Marie, or of the Elephant.

IN Denmarke hath flourished the order, which they say had beene instituted by the father of Christiern, king of that realme, their blazon is a coller pouldred with ele∣phants, hauing their towers and castles vpon their backes, with spurres interlaced, ha∣uing hanging at it, the image of the Virgin Marie, enuironed with Sunne beames, and to it is ioined a little medal of gold, whereon are grauen three nailes, representing those wherewith our Sauiour was fastened to the crosse. The armes of these kings which are [ B] three Lyons Verte in a field Or, pouldred with reares of bloud, or the hearts of men, are enuironed with this coller.

The kings of Denmarke haue giuen the title of Elephant to this knighthood, and haue adorned their armes, for that these beasts seeme to approach neerest vnto the na∣ture of man, and to shine in a manner in all vertues, as militarie force, prouidence, re∣ligion, pietie, and royall clemencie; to the end that they which should be honoured with this order, should labour as much to exceed those beasts in the perfection of these vertues, as the nature of man is more excellent than theirs.

¶ The order of the knights of Cypres. [ C]

THe house of Lusignan, which hath furnished Christendome with so many kings and princes, especially Ierusalem, Armenia, and Cypres, gaue beginning to this order, but the certaine time is not knowne. The ensignes was a coller made of a cord of gold interlaced with S, in great characters, and beneath did hang a sword, hauing the blade sil∣uer, and the handle gold, with this deuise about it, Pour loyautè maintenir, to teach them that were of this order, that they should neuer loose any occasion to shew themselues generouse and valiant, carrying the sword to that end, and that they should maintaine concord and friendship among themselues for the defence of their countrie, the letter S signifying silence, among the auncient Romans. The armes of the house of Lusignan [ D] are compassed about with this coller.

¶ The order of the knights of the Doue, and of the Reason in Castile.

IOhn the first, king of Castile, to encourage his courtiers and gentlemen to vndertake something worthie of the ranke which they held, inuented this order in the yeare 1390, their Blazon was the figure of a Doue, enuironed with Sunne beames, the which did hang vpon a coller of gold, which coller (being at Segobia, whenas they did celebrate [ E] the feast of Saint Iames) he distributed many of them in the Cathedrall Church, taking them away from the Altar with great solemnitie, and giuing them vnto those which he would make of that order, with a booke of the constitutions which he desired should be obserued.

This king instituted another order which he called of the Reason, lesse noble than the first, to the which he admitted gentlemen of meaner qualitie, but yet such as carried themselues valiantly in militarie exercises.

¶ The order of the Dragon among the Germanes and Hongarians, of the Tusin in Bohemia, and of the Discipline in [ F] Austria.

THe Emperor Sygismond did shew so great zeale to the aduancement of Christian re∣ligion, as he not only gaue many battailes to the Turkes, and woon great victories;

[ A] But also by this meanes there were two generall ••ouncels held; the one at Constance; the other at Basile, for the rooting out of heresies and schismes, which at that time did much afflict Christendome, as he thought, especially in Bohemia and Hungarie. And to make shew of this his deuotion, ••e erected the Militarie order of the Dragon, so called for that the Knights carried for their deuice, a Dragon cast downe headlong, to witnesse that by this meanes schisme and heresie (the deuouring Dragons of religion) had beene vanquished and supplanted.

Ierosme Romain faith, That in the time of king Iohn, and of the Emperours Sigismond and Albert, there were three famous orders in Germanie, and that one called Moyses Dida∣co, [ B] of Valero, a Spaniard, for his force and valour obtained all three, that is to say, that of the Dragon, of Albert, as King of Hungarie, that of the Tusin, as King of Bohemia, and the collar of the order of the Disciplines, enricht with a white Eagle (which are the armes of the Kings of Poland, in a field Gules) as Duke of Austria. In the Historie of Hungarie, mention is made of those Hungarian Knights, whose badge was a greene Crosse set vpon a cloake of scarlet. Ierosme Megyserus, Historiographer to the Archduke of Austria, in the treatie which he hath made of the three kinds of Knights, saith, That this order was instituted two hundred yeares since in Hungarie, to oppose them against the Turkes, who sought to inuade it.

[ C] ¶ Militarie orders in the realme of Suethland.

THe care which the Kings and Princes of the Gothes had in former times to eternize the honour and glorie which they had gotten by armes, is obserued in their armes, ensignes, blazons, and targets, which they haue left grauen in many places of South Flan∣ders, in the stately Port of Angoa, a towne, whereas the kings of Suethland held their consultations both of peace, and warre. There are also to be seene vpon rockes grauen by Alphabeticall order, the auncient armes of the worthiest men which haue liued among them. These Kings had in old time for their deuice, two Virgins crowned, attired in cloth of gold, and imbracing one another mutually in a greene forest, as glorying at the faire nymphs and goddesses which frequented that prouince: yet after some ages, the [ D] Princes of Suethland tooke for their armes three Crownes in a field Azure, by reason of the great extent of their dominion, their worthie expeditions in warre, and the aboun∣dance of mettalls which are found in those countries. Being conuerted to the faith, they instituted Militarie orders in imitation of other Christian Princes, whereof the one had for blazon, a collar of Gold made of many Cherubins, and Seraphins, fastened one vnto another, and intermixed with Patriarchall Crosses, at the which did hang the image of our Sauiour.

¶ The order of the Knights of the Sword and Baudricke [ E] in Suethland.

THere was another order in Suethland, called Porte-Espees, or Carrie-swords, for that their collar was made of swords of gold, joyning together with a belt or bau∣dricke, the which did seeme to shocke one against another with their bloudie points, as a Symbole of justice and armes, the two pillars of an Estate. Their blazon was a shield of gold, which had a reddish Bosse, whereon was painted a yellow Lyon rampant, and about it three royall Crownes, with as many red Bells: vpon this shield was a Helmet, with a murall Crowne Argent, couered with a greene feather, out of the which came two en∣signes Argent, whereon were painted two red Cockes: but since this countrie changed [ F] their religion, this order hath beene wholly extinct.

¶ The order of the Knights of the Eare of Corne in Britanie. [ A]

FRancis, first of that name, Duke of Britanie, sonne to Iohn the fift, and grandchild to Iohn the fourth, surnamed the Conquerour, who first transported this Duchie to the house of Montfort, descended from that great Euerard of Montmorency; in the yeare 1450, instituted the order of the Eare of Corne, as well to honour the memorie of his grandfather as to grace the Nobilitie. He gaue to them which he admitted a collar of gold made of Eares of Corne, and tied together with loue knots, being in a manner like to Co••es Crowne. At this collar did hang by two little chaines, an Ermine vpon a greene [ B] hill with this deuice of Iohn the Conquerour, Amaire: a symbole of a pure and generous soule. This beast, as Plinie writes, doth so delight in cleannesse, as if he be pursued by huntsmen, seeking to ••aue himselfe in his clapper, if he finds the entry foule and beastly, he had rather be taken, than to enter and defile himsele. Anne, daughter to Francis the se∣cond, king of Britanie, and to Marguerite of Foix, daughter to Gast••n of Foix, and to Elli∣••or Queene of Nauarre, tooke in a manner the like deuice, which was, Plustost mourir, as you may see in the castle of Bloise. This order of the knights of the Eare ended whenas the duchie of Britanie was vnited to the crowne of France by the marriage of the said Anne to king Charles the eighth, and after his decease, to Lewis the twelfth, French kings.

¶ The order of the Knights of the Cressant, or halfe Moone, among the [ C] Angeuins and Sicilians.

REne, Duke of Apiou, and King of Sicile, Naples, and Ierusalem, instituted this order, in the Cathedrall Church of S. M••urice at Angers, and gaue to them he admitted, a collar of gold, at the which did hang a Cressant with this deuice, Los en croissant. No man was admitted into thi•• order, if he had not first giuen some notable proofe of his valour. It was well knowne at how many combats he had assisted, by certaine little stickes which wer•• bound together with a ring, and did hang about his necke by a riband.

The first that were honoured with this order, were Iohn eldest brother to the said king, [ D] who was Duke of Lorrain and C••labria; the Vicont of Ballora, Estagi Bertrand Lord of ••••••a••ois, and others, whose names are recorded in the said Church of S. Maurice at An∣••••••. These knights were bound to participat equally one with anothers fortune, were it good or bad, and charitably to aid and assist in all necessities, & not to wrong one another by armes. The familie of Anjou being extinct by the death of this king, this order ended.

¶ The order of the Knights of the Ship, or of the Cockle.

THe French were in old time verie expert in armes, as Pacatus, Apollinaris, and S. Re∣nè report, giuing themselues with such affection to nauigation, as they resolued that [ E] in what countrie soeuer they should build a towne for their aboad, they should giue the ship for their armes. These men say▪ That they might well haue learned this experience from the ••epide••, who in former times held all the Germain Ocean; so as in the end they grew so expert, as they exceeded all other nations in gallant expeditions beyond 〈◊〉〈◊〉. In witnesse whereof, S. Lewis caused a certaine kind of mony to be coyned with a sh•••• and cockle shells. And there was a certaine order in France, whose knights carried for their deuice two ships ••ables in a shield Or, made of cockle shells, in the which were two Cressants Gules, in remembrance of so many victories which the kings of France. had gotten of the Barbarians of the East, and of their ensignes which they had taken from them, marked with the figure of this ••ight Stat, which is the Turkes ensigne, as the Eagle [ F] was of the Romains, hauing taken it from the ancient Bizantium, whose blazon it was, as L••psius faith he had obserued in Busbec, and in certaine auncient Medalls, vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereof there was a halfe Moone, with this inscription; Bizantium.

[ A] ¶ The order of S. Michael in France.

LEwis the eleuenth, transported from the Romanes to the French, faith Gaguin, the custome which great men had to weare a coller of gold; whenas vpon the first of Au∣gust, in the yeare 1469, he instituted the order of S. Michael at Amboyse, the which he augmented with new constitutions at Plessis neere Tours, giuing for deuise to those which should be admitted to this knighthood, a coller of gold wouen with cockle shells, fastened one vnto another like vnto those which the Romane Senators did vse to weare [ B] vpon their armes, with this deuise: Immensitremor Oceani, being moued thereunto by the example of his father Charles the seuenth, who had in his ensignes the image of this Archangell, whenas he made his entrie into Rouen, for that as they say by a speciall my∣racle he had beene seene vpon the bridge at Orleans, defending that towne against the English at an assault which they gaue. In the beginning, the number of those knights were but thirtie of the noblest and most vertuous of the whole realme, whereof the king would be great Maister. They that were admitted to this companie, were bound by spe∣cial promise•• to obey the king, and might not be degraded but for heresie or treason, or when they had left their rankes in battaile, and fled for feare. Whenas any of them died, they were to chuse another in his place, the which was not done by voices and suffrages, [ C] but with little notes signed, putting them into a basyn, which being numbred by the Chancellor, he that had most was receiued by the prince in his place that was dead, with these words: The order holds thee for a brother and companion, & therefore I giue thee this coller; God grant thou maist weare it long. After this in signe of loue he kisseth all the knights. This order hath a Chauncellor, a Treasuror, a King at armes, called S. Mi∣chael, and a Register, who inrolls the names and braue exploits of the knights. The French kings did also honour forraine princes with this order, in testimonie of their loue, who if they would declare themselues their enemies, sent backe their order to be free from their oath.

[ D] ¶ The order of the knights of S. George of Carynthia.

ROdulphus of Habfpurg, who was the first of the house of Austria which came vnto the Empire, instituted the order of S. George to defend Hongarie, Stiria, and Caryn∣thia against the inuasions of the Turkes, who seemed to threaten them with ruine, gi∣uing to the great Maister and Generall therof the towne of Carynthia, of a goodlie sci∣tuation, there to make his ordinarie aboad, and he honoured him with the dignitie of prince. He would also that the bishop of the citie, being come from Austria, should de∣pend of him touching the temporaltie, with his Chanoins, who for that cause were trans∣ported into the fort, and they did weare a red crosse in the armes of their houses. And to [ E] the end there should want nothing for the honouring of this new order, the Emperor transferred vnto them the castles and demesnes of the Toparchs of Cranichberg, newly slaine with their families, that is to say, the lands of Trautmansdorf, Scharfenech, and S. Petronilla.

Bernard of Luxembourg, in his booke of militarie orders saith, that the order of S. George was instituted by Pope Alexander the sixt, and the Emperor Maximillian, against the Turkes, whose Blazon was a crosse Or, with a crowne in a ring of gold.

¶ The order of the Bourgondian Crosse in the realme of Thunes.

[ F] CHarles the fift, Emperour and king of Spaine, hauing restored Muleasses king of Thunes to his realme, from whence he had beene expelled by that notable Pirate Barbarousse, he entred in pompe like a conqueror into Thunes, wearing a cloake whereon there was a Bourgondian crosse, the which he had beene accustomed to weare in the war. As he was of a noble and generous courage, so he desired to purchase the loue of all men,

wherefore to acknowledge the valour of such as had assisted him in this conquest, and [ A] in memorie of that famous victorie, he instituted the order of the Bourgondian Crosse vpon Mary Magdalens day, in the yeare 1535; to which crosse he added an yron which stroke fire out of a flint, with this inscription, Barbaria.

¶ The Order of the knights of S. Stephen in Tuscanie.

COsmo de Medicis, first duke of Florence, in the yeare 1561, instituted the order of S. Stephen, Pope and Martyr, on the sixt of August, vpon which day he had woon the battaile of Marciano: and the same yeare Pope Pius the fourth confirmed it, granting [ B] them all the priuiledges which they of Malta enioy vnder the rule of S. Bennet, vpon con∣dition that all that would be of this order should make a vow of charitie, coniugall cha∣stitie, and obedience, not admitting any one vnlesse he were noble, and borne in lawfull marriage, a Catholicke, and without note of infamie. They weare a white chamlet roabe with a red crosse vpon the left side, as well vpon their cloakes, as their ordi∣narie garments, and they are bound to carrie armes for the defence of the Christian faith both by sea and land, redeeme Christian prisoners, and helpe the poore, and to say dayly one hundred Pater nosters, and as many Auie Maries for their ordinarie seruice, and vpon certaine solemne daies, double the number: and whenas any of the companie dies, euery one is bound to say one hundred Pater nosters, and as many Auie Maries for his [ C] sake, or else the office of the dead. The duke of Florence is their great Maister: the forme of their crosse is like vnto that of Malta; they haue also Priests, and brothers seruants among them.

¶ The order of the knights of the Holie Ghost in France.

HEnry, the third of that name, king of France and Poland, for a marke of eternall pie∣tie, and to acknowledge the benefits which he had receiued from God, vpon the day of the sending downe of the holie Ghost, hauing beene that day chosen king of Polonia, succeeded to the crowne of France, by the death of king Charles the ninth, his brother; [ D] and hauing beene also borne the same day, instituted the order of knights of the holie Ghost, in the yeare 1579, the first of Ianuarie at Paris, in the church of the Hermites of S. Augustin. This order being instituted for the rooting out of heresies, and for the en∣crease of the Romish religion: he would that at the ceremonie, euerie knight should haue a mantle of blacke veluet pouldred and imbroidered with lil•••••• and flames of gold and siluer, and weare a coller of gold interlaced with lillies and flames, whereon doth hang a crosse of Malta, hauing a doue in the middest of it. There is a particular booke written of this institution.

¶ The order of the knights of the sacred bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ at Mantous. [ E]

VIncent of G••••zague the fourth duke of Mantoua, and second of Montserrat, insti∣tuted this order in the yeare 1608, at the marriage of Francis his sonne with Margue∣ri••e of Souoy, for the defence and encrease of Christian religion, making to the number of twentie knights: which order hath been ••onfirmed by Pope Paul the fift. And for that they of S. Andrewes Church in Mantoua hold, that they haue a part of the spunge of our Sauiour, and three drops of his bloud, which they say, had beene gathered vp by S. Lungis a Centenier and Martyr: he therefore erected his order vpon that subiect, with this inscription, Nihilisto triste recepto. He caused the coller to be made of little rods of [ F] gold bound together, and fire on the top of them, yet intermixed with others, where these words were written, Domine proba••ti me, teaching them of his order by this Cymbole, that in their greatest aduersities they should keepe their faith, and liue in perpetuall loue and concord together.

[ A] ¶ The order of the Knights of our Ladie of Mont Carmel, and of S. Lazare in France.

IN the beginning of this treatie, mention hath beene made of the reunion of the two or∣ders of S. Maurice, and S. Lazare in Sauoy, but the Knights of S. Iohn had also obtained from Pope Innocent the eighth, that it should be vnited vnto their order, in regard of France: the which they held vnto the time of Amarus the Chast: who being a knight of S. Iohn, and maister of the order of S. Lazare, laboured to haue the lands which did be∣long [ B] vnto his brethren, restored vnto them. His death hindered the effect of his dessigne: but in our time, Philibert of Nerestan, endowed with as great pietie and courage, as force and modestie, tooke his predecessors course, although he were no Knight of S. Iohn; and to this end he went to Rome to Pope Paule the fist, where he obtained what he desired; and moreouer, that from that time the French Knights of S. Lazare, should call them∣selues Knights of our Ladie of Mont Carmel, and of S. Lazare, and for their blazon they should weare about their necks a violet Crosse, whereon should be the image of our La∣die, and another should be sewed vpon their cloake, of the same colour and forme.

¶ Knights instituted by Popes.

[ C] THe Bishops of Rome haue instituted many orders of knighthood, as the Knights of Iesus Christ, of the Holie Ghost, of S. Peter, of S. Paule, of S. George, of Pope Pius, of Lorette, of S. Anthonie, of Iulio, and of the Lillie. Of which knights some are secular men, and some of the Clergie, all pentioners to the Pope, distinguished one from another by their Crosses of diuers colours. The knights of Iesus Christ carrie a red Crosse, in a manner like to that of the Knights of the same name in Portugal, hauing a border about it of gold. They were instituted by Pope Iohn the two and twentieth, as Francis Tarafe af∣firmes, and Iohn Confettius, in his collection of the priuiledges of begging Friers.

The knights of the Holie Ghost, called at Rome the brethren of the Hospitall of the [ D] Holie Ghost, carrie a white Crosse vpon their robes or cloakes. Iohn Azores saith, That in Saxonie there is also an order of the knights of the Holie Ghost. Leo the tenth institu∣ted the order of S. Peter against the Turkes, as Alphonso Ciaconius writes, in the Historie of Popes and Cardinalls, the which Pope Paule the third confirmed. They of S. George were made by Alexander the fourth, and Pope Pius the fourth, in the yeare of our Lord God 1560, erected th•• which carrie his name, whom he would haue precede all other or∣ders made by E••••••••••ors and other Princes, yea the knights of Malta themselues, for that they were of his houshold, and did eat at his Table. Sixtus the fift, in the yeare 1586, insti∣tuted them of Lorette. This is briefely all that can be spoken of the orders of knighthood which haue beene of any note in Christendome. As for their statutes and particular con∣stitutions, [ E] the Reader may receiue more ample instruction in those Authors which haue beene quoted in this little treatie, the which would not allow of a larger discourse.