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KNIGHTS OF Saint Anthony IN AETHIOPIA.
ABout the Year of our Lord 370. Iohn Emperor of AEthiopia (vulgarly cal∣led Prester Iohn) erected into a Religious Order of Knighthood cer∣tain Monks, who lived an austere and solita∣ry Life in the Desert, after the Example of St. Anthony the Hermit, and Patron of this Empire, and bestowed upon these Knights great Revenues and many Priviledges. And thus being instituted, they received the Rule of St. Basil, submitted to his Constitutions, wore a black Garment, and for their En∣sign a blew Cross in form of the Letter T.
Their chief Seat was in the Isle of Meroe, where the Abbots both Spiritual and Tem∣poral resided; but in many other parts of AEthiopia they have or had great store of Monasteries and Convents, with about two Millions of yearly Revenue.
These Knights vow to defend the Christian Religion; to yield Obedience to their Supe∣riors; to observe Conjugal Chastity; not to Marry, or receive any other holy Orders without licence first obtained from the Abbot; to guard the Confines of the Empire; and to go to War when and where they are commanded.
Into this Order the eldest Sons of No∣blemen or Gentlemen cannot be admitted, but the second Sons may: And if a man of any degree whatsoever (except a Physician) have three Sons, he is bound to enter one of them into this Order.
MVlleasses King of Tunis, who was dri∣ven out of his Kingdom by Barbaros∣sa, that noted Pirate, was again (in Anno 1535.) restored thereunto by the assistance of Charles the Fifth, Emperor of Germany, and King of Spain. And being desirous to gain the love of all those that had served in that War, did (as a reward) confer this honour of Knighood upon all those Com∣manders that valiantly behaved themselves in his Service. The Ensign that he assign∣ed them was the Burgundian Cross, to which was added a Steel striking Sparks of Fire out of Flint, with this Inscription, BARBARIA; which third Badge hung to a Collar of Gold.