Parthenopoeia, or, The history of the most noble and renowned kingdom of Naples with the dominions therunto annexed and the lives of all their kings : the first part / by that famous antiquary Scipio Mazzella ; made English by Mr. Samson Lennard ... ; the second part compil'd by James Howell, Esq., who, besides som [sic] supplements to the first part, drawes on the threed [sic] of the story to these present times, 1654 ; illustrated with the figures of the kings and arms of all the provinces.

A Discourse of the order and the fashion or form of the Crowns of the Nobility of the Kingdom of Naples.

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FIrst of all, before I declare how many, and who be the intituled Lords of this famous kingdom, I esteem it a thing very convenient briefly to set down (forasmuch as the quality of the matter so requireth) the differences of the Crowns which they use: And although many excellent Lawyers have written thereon, nevertheless (as I have said) the subject thereof so re∣quiring, I think it fit to discourse something thereof, the better to satisfie the Rea∣der, and to leave nothing unperfect. Athenaeo then writeth that the Crown was in∣vented by our Ancestors as a badge of honor for the ornament of the head, wherein the beginning and foundation of the senses being placed, nature hath put as it were in a rock and fortresse of the whole body, that power of the soul which we call Rea∣son or Understanding. Aristotle was of opinion that the Crown was first invented by quaffers and drinkers, to repress the force and inflammation of wine; which ascending with the fume into the head, moveth some pain in that part; the which thing being found to be true, it might be then (because it gave also ornament and comeliness) the means to increase the wonderfull estimation thereof: whereupon by some were added certain little birds, because pinching another mans forehead suffe∣red him not to sleep, it was also in great use among Lovers. The Greeks in the so∣lemnity of their sports, used a crown of the Pine tree, the Achaians Smallage, the Cappadocians Mugwort. Pliny affirmeth, that the first that was crowned was Li∣bero, after whom the use of that ceremony so much increased among the Greeks and the Romans, that in the end it was brought upon the Altars in sacrifice in victory, and in their sacred contentions; whereupon ambition always increasing, men used to sit with crowns on their heads in their feasts and Bankets. At last crowns entring in among Souldiers and men of war, Armies began to give it to their Captains to honor them, and very often Generals were crowned therewith, which carried them∣selves valiantly in any honorable act, either by valor or manhood; and the like ho∣nor was also done to others by the people and the Senate. Whereupon the Law∣yers reasoning to this purpose of the crown, have written, that it was granted some∣times in token of Empire and honor, sometimes for industry and military reward, and sometimes in sign of spirituall victory. Theophrastus describeth three sorts of

Crowns, one of sweet odoriferous flowers, another of flowers that have no scent, the third of leaves and green boughs of trees, the fourth which was added by the rich Crassus, was made of gold & silver by the imitation of leaves, which he did expose to the view of other men in his sports and games. But passing over this ancient bar∣barous rudeness, and resting in the now last use of Crowns, which are made of massie gold and silver, intermixed with beautifull ornaments of pearls and pretious stones, transforming the leaves into sharp poynts, and other curious work, which yeild a pleasant and beautiful object to the eye. The custome of the Athenians was to crown their worthy and vertuous Citizens with a wreath of two Olive boughs: But we speaking again of the first crowns, which take their names of the effects for which they are imployed; for that of Bayes is given to him which goeth in triumph, and is called the Triumphale, for the Bayes is a token of Joy and Victory. Posthu∣mio Tuberto in his triumph for overcoming the Sabins, with little blood, wore a crown of Mirtle. Likewise the Ovale crown was given to him which had got a Citie not by force but by friendship and covenant. Moreover, he that had delive∣red a Citie from siege, had given him a crown of the grass growing in the territory wherein they were besieged, and this crown of grass was called Ossidionale. Who first mounted upon the walls of the enemy, to him was consecrated a crown of gold, with the form of battlements of the wall; and this kind of crown was called Murale, and the Emperour did give it with his owns hands. Who first entred into the enemies camp, to him was given the crown Vallare, which was also called Castrense, which was of gold in the form of a Bulwark. Who first in battell at sea boarded the enemy, to him was presented the crown Navale, which was of gold in the fashion of a ship: The first that had this crown was M. Varro, for overcoming the navy of Pi∣rats and Rovers, and this En. Pompeius gave him. The crown which was given to those which had preserved any Citizen in battel, received in token of safety from him, a crown called Civica, which was first of Oke, and afterward of Holm. Finally, those which were accustomed to be made of metall in recompence of worthy deeds, were the Vallari, or Castrensi, the Murali, and the Navali, These were of gold, as were also those in process of time of Bayes, whereupon it was called crown gold, which was given to those who had the crown made them for triumph. But none a∣mong the aforesaid crowns was ever more noble or more glorious with the Romans then that of grass, after which the Civiche, the Tirumphale, and those of gold were the next in estimation, because that all the other crowns Captains did give to Soul∣diers; but this of grass was presented by the whole Army, as to the preserver there∣of. And sometimes the Senate did give it, and the people of Rome to some particular person, as to Fabius Maximus when Hannibal departed Italy, and which was also given to Augustus when he shut the Temple of Ianus, and made peace both by sea and land.

Now concerning the Royall crown according to the use in these days, was by the Ancients in no such sort observed, athough the Priests of Persia, and the Kings did wear a round wreath of Linnen, and the Meonii, the Syrians, the Phrygians and the Lydians the Miter, the which is now used by our Bishops as an ornament over the Scutchions of their Arms, signifying thereby the Nobility of their House, and their divine profession: But in exchange of the crown the King had the Scepter, the Chair of State, the purple Robe wrought with gold, and carried a Diadem, upon their heads, which was a roll of white linnen, which the Kings were wont to wear upon their heads, an invention (as I think) of the Egyptians and the Hebrews, who using to anoint their Kings upon the Temples or sides of the head, did roll a veil round a∣bout, that the sacred oyntment might not be wip'd away. Whereupon to this pur∣pose we find, that Alexander the Great took from his head the Diadem, to put it upon Lysimacus, who whas therewith wounded in the forehead, the which accident was prognosticated by the future reign of Lysimacus. And that Pompey surnamed the Great, was envied because he did wear a wreath upon his knee, for a certain hurt that did much offend him, as though he would aspire to the kingdom of Rome.

Now concerning the use of this crown according to the modern custome, the Em∣perours and Kings which descended from the Romans, were wont to send to those whom they exalted to any Royall dignity, a crown in token of honor. And more∣over

the invention came from them; for it is not long since this ceremony was exer∣cised by the chief Bishops & Emperours, forsomuch as it was not honor enough for the Pope, as election should be made of that supream degree, to sit in St. Peters Chair. But this ceremony gathering daily greater force, was introduced, that between the solemnity of the Masse he should be crowned by the hand of the Bishop of Ostia. And likewise the coronation of the Emperours was unknown in the first Ages of the Empire; for the first of the Roman Emperours that put a golden crown upon his head, was (as Aurelius Victor declares) the Emperour Aurelianus, who ru∣led the Empire in the year of Christ 271. and used apparrell embrodered with gold and pearl, and full of pretious stones. Afterward Dioclesian (as Eutropias writeth) begun the fashion of the Royall state of a King, because that not onely in his ap∣parell, but even in his shooes had pretious stones embrodered, causing others to do him honor and reverence, and was the first that would be adored. But the first of all the Emperoers which received the crown of the Roman Empire from the Pope, was Charls the Great, who having setled the affairs of Italy, of France and Germany, came to Rome, & with all the honor that might be, was placed in the seat of Pope Leo the third, which through the envy of some men was deposed from the Papacy. Charls the Great was crowned in the year of our Lord 801. The Pope having celebrated the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon the Reliques of St. Peter, by the consent and desire of the p••••ple of Rome, declared Charls Emperour of the Romans, and put an Imperiall crown upon his head, the people making great applause and acclamation, and proclaiming with a loud and high voyce three times, To Charls August crowned by God, the great and peaceable Emperour, Life and Victory. And the Pope anointed him with oyl and balm consecrated to this effect, together with Pepin his son, whom he pronounced King of Italy; the which things were all done in the year of our Lord 801. And so Charles began to Occi∣dentall Empire of Germany, which to this present hath continued with great honor and glory. Whereupon the Emperours which succeeded him, imitating Charls, either because that action seemed unto them worthy observation, or perhaps because they desired by that means to maintain the title of the Empire, which Leo gave to Charles, as is said, they followed from time to time the custome to be crowned. In this manner also were together with the power annexed the demonstrations of Regall or Princely fortune, of the which demonstrations of honor they participating more or lesse, the which did participate more or lesse of Kingly fortune, from thence proceeded the use of Crowns and Chaplets, signifying Royall or Princely dignity, or the honor of a Duke, or Lordly power & autho∣rity, because that the Roman Empire being fallen from the greatness therof, and Barbarians coming into Italy, who like the inundation of a mighty river, carrieth with it infinite damage, replenished unfortunate Italy with their bru∣tish manners; whereupon miserably fell to the earth, not onely the beauty of the Roman tongue, and the perfection and propriety thereof, but all that semblance and similitude of the ancient customes, and new titles, new fashions, and new lawes were intruded: the word Prince was taken for a new kind of dignity, which being inferior to a King, and Imperiall preheminence, taketh the precedence of Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls. The first which used this name in Italy, was, as we have de∣clared (and according as Leone Cardinall and Bishop of Ostia saith in his History Casinense) about the year of our Lord 755, Arechi the second, 14. Duke of Bene∣vento, who having inlarged his Dukedom, would have his said State no longer called a Dukedom, but a Principality, and caused himself to be anointed and crowned by his Bishops; and in the end of his Letters and Charters of Priviledge, caused them to to be thus dated, Scriptum in nostro sacratissimo Palatio. Afterward his successors continuing, used to do the like. Whereupon by their example the Princes of Capoa, of Taranto, and of Salerno being allured thereunto, caused themselves also to be an∣nointed and crowned by their Bishops. These titles at the 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Kings, were given unto their children, nor any except the blood Royall 〈…〉〈…〉 partakers of these

titles. Whereupon of the children of Ruggiero, the first King of the kingdom of Naples and Sicilia, Ainulfo was Prince of Capoa, and Gulielmo which afterward suc∣ceeded in the kingdom, was Prince of Taranto. Charls of Aujou the first of this name, King of Naples, ordained, that his eldest son should be named Prince of Saler∣no; whereupon Charls the second in the time of his father was intituled Prince of Salerno, and Charls the son of Charls the second, before he came to the kingdom of Hungary, was also called Prince of Salerno. But because his brother Ruberto, and not he, succeeded in the kingdom of Naples, which was then called Duke of Calau∣ria, from thence it so came to pass, that from that time forward they were no more Princes of Salerno, but the Kings first begotten son was called Duke of Calauria. So was Charls called his father living, the worthy son of Ruberto; so was Ferdinando the son of Alfonsus King of Arragon, who first conquered Naples; and so was Alfon∣sus the squint-eyed the son of Ferdinando; but it so falling out, that old Ferdinando alo living, to Alfonsus his son was born a son whom he also named Ferdinando, to him (because his father Duke of Calauria lived) was given the title of the Principa∣lity of Capoa. The first which was called Prince of Taranto, not descending of the blood Royall, was Iacobo del Balzo the son of Francisco, which was also the first that of no Princely family was called Duke of Andri. And so much concerning the title of a Prince, which signifying the Dignity, Signiory and Jurisdiction which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holdeth, so it is lawfull for them to place over their Scutchion, or Coat, Armour, o•• ••heir Fa∣mily, a crown made after this fashion,

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In this kingdom after the dignity of a Prince, the next is the state of a Duke, which taketh place before a Marquess and an Earl. These Dukes have above their Arms a round hoop without any points or work above: But in place of the points there are certain pearls, and round about are certain pretious stones, after the manner which here underneath appears.

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The which fashion, although it be now decayed, I have thought good to declare, to the end the truth thereof may be known, The first title of a Duke in this kingdom, was that of Benevento, instituted in the year 573. But after they came under the ju∣risdiction of the King, the first being not descended of Princely blood, was Francis∣co del Balzo (as hath been said) made Duke of Andri, by Queen Ione the first. Not long after was Iacobo Marzano, made Duke of Sessa by King Ladislaus, and so others from time to time, whereof the number at this present is very great. This dignity of a Duke increased to a very high and eminent degree, the which chanced not to any of the other aforesaid dignities, because Charls the 8. King of France being possest of this kingdom, created Giliberto of Borbona Earl of Montpensier his Lieutenant Ge∣nerall of the kingdom Archduke of Sessa, and so the said Borbana afterward caused to be set upon his Arms a great purple cap, garnished with a golden hoop, set full of pretious stones, with certain points without pearls in the top, but onely put in the sides thereof, to the end the dignity of a Prince might have its place, and that he also might be known for an Archduke.

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The which crowns as well of the Archdukes as the Dukes, are to be used in the man∣ner abovesaid, that whosoever ascendeth to that dignity, ought not to augment it with flourishing, or otherwise with the ornament of Jewels or pretious stones, for in so doing, they seem to usurp a greater dignity then belongs unto them, for which as the Lawyers say, they ought to be punished. And here it is to be noted, that they are not pointed in that manner as some of them have formerly used, that is to say, after that fashion, as their ancestors have had them, because they as they were free Lords, and acknowledged not any superior, (as before hath been declared in the dis∣course of the principality on this side) might lawfully do it; the which is now other∣wise, the kingdom being under the dominion and jurisdiction of Kings.

After these the next in degree are the Marquesses, the which are adorned with a hoop set with pretious stones, without any thing above, and with a very small appea∣rance thereof above the Arms, after this manner.

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Bi••ndo and Pietro Razzano say, that the word Marquess signifieth in the Lombard tongue a perpetuall Magistrate, or a perpetuall Lordship; but according as Mario E∣quicola saith in his Commentaries of the Marquesses of Mantua, signifieth in the I∣••alian tongue, a President. Alciato that excellent Lawyer, saith that the word Mar∣quess is a Dutch name, and that it signifieth a Master of the Horse, forasmuch as the Germans call a horse Marca, and in the French tongue Marcare is as much as to say, to ride. In this kingdom as the name of a Duke and an Earl came the soonest, and that of a Prince first, before in any other place, so that of a Marquess appeared long after; for the first was Cecco dal Bargo that was made Marquess of Pescara by King Ladi∣slaus.

Then follow the Earls, called in Latine Comiti, because they were sent from the train and followers of the Emperours to rule and govern some province, or some part thereof. Also an Earle, according to Luca de Penna, may put upon his Arms, in place of a crown, a plain hoop, differing nothing from that of a Marquess, save onely the want of Jewels and pretious stones, as the Earls of Altavilla, of Aquino, of Con∣za, of Marsico, of Nola, of Isernia, of Milito, of Potenza, of Troja, and others anciently have used.

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The Earls had their precedence in the Parliaments of all the other Lords and Ba∣rons which had no title; being created by the ancient Kings with great state and so∣lemnity, as appears in Vgone Falcando, where he speaketh of the promotion of Ric∣cardo di Mandra, Constable of the County of Molise, Comes creatus tubis, tympanis, cimbalis{que} de more solenniter prae untibus.

Notes

• Athenaeo of the invention of the crown.
• Aristotle of the crown.
• Libero accord∣ing to Pliny, was the first which was crowned.
• Three sorts of crowns accor∣ding to Theo∣phrastus.

  The crown of Crassus.
• Of the distin∣ction of the crowns of herbs.
• Posthumio Tu∣berto used a crown of Mirtle.
• The crown Ci∣vica was of Oke.

  The crown Vallare.

  The crown Murale.

  The crown Navale.
• The crown of grass among the Romans was held most glorious. Fabius Maxi∣mus.
• The Royall crown not used in old time. What the Kingly orna∣ments were in old time.

  The purple robe as Martial de∣clareth, was the ornament of a Magistrate, whereupon he thus saith, Di∣visit nostras purpura vestra togas. And in another place saith, Purpura∣te foelix te colit ••••nis honos.
• From whom the use of the crown descen∣ded.
• The Bishop of Ostia crowneth the Pope.
• Aurelianus was the first that wore a c••own of gold.
• Lamp••idio a grave Author writeth, that the first of the Roman Empe∣rours, which wore apparell of Silk, was Heliogabalus.
• Charls the Great the first that was crowned by the hand of the Pope.

  Three crowns belong to the Roman Emperours, the first is of silver, which is taken of the kingdom of Germany in the Ci∣ty of Aquisgrain. The second is Iron, of the kingdom of Lom∣bartly in Medina neer Millan, the which crown is of ancient workmanship without flowers, or points, made within as a plain hoop of Iron, which binds in the temple; but with∣out is beautified with gold, and pretious stones, the which sheweth that the Roman Em∣pire hath the strength of Iron by military power. The third Crown is then of gold, of the Empire of Rome, which the Pope giveth in the Church of St. Peter.
• Arechi Duke of Benevento, was the first that was cal∣led Prince
• The dignity of the principali∣ty of Salerno.
• How the kings elde•••• son was intitled Duke of Cal••••ria.
• The first Prince of Capoa.
• The crown belonging to a Prince.
• The crown of a Duke.
• See Luca di Penna in l. 1. c. de auro corona∣rio, lib. 10. & in l. 1. c. de Authle.

  Cassaneus in ca∣talogo gloriae mundi, in 1. par. Concl. 9.
• Archduke of Sessa.
• The crown of an Archduke.
• The crown of a Marquess.
• Luca de Penna in Rub. c. de Co∣mitibus, lib. 12.
• This dignity was by Charls the Great, & his son, bestowed on those which were their Deputies. Afterward under the German Empire that title was of a proper power and authority.
• Marino Frezza in 2. lib. de suf∣fendi in the chap. Quis di∣catur Comes, nu. 54.