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DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN POLAND.
THIS Order was instituted by Albert Bishop of Livonia, a∣bout the Year of our Lord 1200. for the propagation of the Christian Religion in those Parts, in imitation of the Knights Teutonicks in Prusia, to which Order they were united about the Year 1237. and submitted them∣selves to their Rule and Habit; by whose assistance they subdued the Idolatrous Livo∣nians, and brought them to embrace the Christian Faith. But in the Year 1561. Go∣thard de Ketler, then Great Master in the Castle of Riga, surrendred to the use of Si∣gismond the Second, King of Poland, Sur∣named Augustus, all the Lands belonging to this Order; together with the Seal of the Order, his Cross, the Keys of the City and Castle of Riga, the Charters and Grants of the several Popes and Emperors which con∣cerned the same; the priviledge of Coynage, and all other matters concerning the same; up∣on which the said Great Master received back from the said King's Commissioners the Dukedom of Curland, to be enjoyed by him and his Heirs for ever; upon which this Order became extinguished.
THIS Order was erected by Ladislaus the Fifth, King of Poland, for the fur∣ther honouring the Marriage of his Son Ca∣simire the Great with Anne Daughter of Gerdimir Duke of Lithuania, in Anno 1325. and for their Ensign had a white Eagle crowned.