Analogia honorum, or, A treatise of honour and nobility, according to the laws and customes of England collected out of the most authentick authors, both ancient and modern : in two parts : the first containing honour military, and relateth to war, the second, honour civil, and relateth

By the King. THE INSTRUCTIONS Within mentioned to be observed by Our COMMISSIONERS WITHIN NAMED.

FOrasmuch as We have been pleased to authorize you to treat and conclude with a certain number of Knights and Esquires, as they shall present themselves unto you with such offers of assistance for the service of Ireland, and un∣der such Conditions as are contained in these Presents, wherein We do repose great trust and confidence in your discretions and integrities, knowing well, that in such cases there are so many circumstances incident, as require a choice care and consideration: We do hereby require you to take such course as may make known abroad both Our purpose, and the autho∣rity given unto you, That by the more publick notice thereof, those persons who are disposed to advance so good a Work, may in time understand where and to whom to address themselves for the same; For which purpose We require you to appoint some certain place and times for their Access: which We think fittest to be at the Coun∣cil Chamber at Whitehall, upon Wednesdays and Fridays in the Afternoon, where you shall make known to them (as they come) that those who desire to be admitted into the Dignity of Baro∣nets, must maintain the number of thirty foot Souldiers in Ireland, for three years, after the rate of eight pence sterling money of England by the day; And the wages of one whole year to be paid into Our Receipt, upon the passing of the Patent.

Provided always, that you proceed with none, except it shall appear unto you upon good proof, that they are men for quality, state of li∣ving, and good reputation, worthy of the same; And that they are at the least descended of a Grandfather by the Father's side that bare Arms; and have also of certain yearly revenue in Lands of inheritance in possession, One thou∣sand pounds per Annum de claro; or Lands of the old Rent, as good (in accompt) as One thou∣sand pounds per Annum of improved Rents, or at the least two parts in three parts to be divi∣ded of Lands, to the said values in possession, and the other third part in reversion, expectant upon one life only, holding by Dower or in Ioynture.

And for the Order to be observed in ranking those that shall receive the Dignity of a Baro∣net, although it is to be wished, that those Knights which have now place before other Knights (in respect of the time of their Crea∣tion) may be ranked before others (Caeteris paribus) yet because this is a Dignity which

shall be Hereditary, wherein divers circum∣stances are more considerable, than such a Mark as is but Temporary (that is to say of being now a Knight, in time before another) Our pleasure is, you shall not be so precise, in placing those that shall receive this Dignity, but that an Esquire of great Antiquity and ex∣traordinary Living, may be ranked in this choice before some Knights. And so (of Knights) a man of greater living, more remarkable for his house, years, or calling in the Common∣wealth, may be now preferred in this Degree, before one that was made a Knight before him.

Next, because there is nothing of Honour, or of Value, which is known to be sought or desi∣red (be the Motives never so good) but may receive scandal from some, who (wanting the same good affection to the Publick) or being in other considerations incapable, can be content∣ed out of envy to those that are so preferred, to cast aspersions and imputations upon them; As if they came by this Dignity for any other con∣sideration, but that which concerneth this so publick and memorable a work, you shall take order, That the party who shall receive this Dignity, may take his Oath, that neither he (nor any for him) hath directly or indirectly given any more for attaining the Degree, or any Precedency in it, than that which is neces∣sary for the maintenance of the number of Soul∣diers, in such sort as aforesaid, saving the charges of passing his Patent.

And because We are not Ignorant, that in the distribution of all Honours, most men will be desirous to attain to so high a place as they may, in the Iudgment whereof (being matter of dig∣nity) there cannot be too great caution used to avoid the interruption that private partiali∣ties may breed in so worthy a Competition.

Forasmnch as it is well known, that it can concern no other person so much to prevent all such Inconveniencies, as it must do our self, from whom all Honour and Dignity (either Temporary or Hereditary) hath his only root and beginning, You shall publish and declare to all whom it may concern, That for the better warrant of your own Actions, in this matter of Precedency (wherein We find you so desi∣rous to avoid all just Exceptions) We are de∣termined upon view of all those Patents, which shall be subscribed by you, before the same pass Our Great Seal, to take the especial care upon Vs, to order and rank every man in his due place; And therein always to use the particu∣lar counsel and advice that you our Commissi∣oners shall give Vs, of whose integrity and circumspection We have so good experience, and are so well perswaded, as We assure Our self, you will use all the best means you may to inform your own Iudgments in cases doubt∣ful, before you deliver Vs any such opinion as may lead Vs in a case of this Nature, where∣in our intention is (by due consideration of all necessary circumstances) to give every man that satisfaction which standeth with Honour and Reason.

Lastly, having now directed you, how and with what caution you are to entertain the Of∣fers of such as shall present themselves for this Dignity, We do also require you to observe these two things. The one, That every such person as shall be admitted, do enter into suffici∣ent Bond or Recognizance to Our use, for the payment of that portion which shall be remain∣ing after the first payment is made, which you are to see paid upon delivery of the Letters Patents: The other, That seeing this Contri∣bution for so publick an Action is the motive of this Dignity, and that the greatest good which may be expected upon this Plantation, will depend upon the certain payment of those Forces which shall be fit to be maintained in that Kingdom, until the same be well established, the charge whereof will be born with the greater difficulty, if We be not eased by some such extraordinary means; we require you Our Treasurer of England, so to order this Receipt, as no part thereof be mixed with Our other Treasure, but kept apart by it self, to be wholly converted to that use to which it is given and intended; And in regard thereof, that you assign it to be received, and the Bonds to be kept by some such particular person as you shall think good to appoint, who upon the payment of every several portion, shall both deliver out the Bonds, and give his Acquit∣tance for the same. For which this shall be yours and his the said Receiver's sufficient Warrant in that behalf.