[illustration]

The Creation Robe of the Prince of Wales

Page  59 The Prince.

THe next, and first, immediately subordi∣nate to the Crown, amongst these radi∣ant Stars is, The Prince, who in England one∣ly is the Prince of Wales, the first-born of the King.

These in the Saxons time were called Cli∣tons, and clitunculi, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Illu∣strious.

But, since it hath been a title of creation for honor to the rising sun, there were none crea∣ted in the Nation, but the King's eldest son; who are in all Nations honored above all other subjects, and amongst some, as in Spain, have been called King's during the life of their Fa∣thers, * because of his so neer a relation to the Crown, that if the Father dye, he is ipso 〈◊〉 Rex, there being no interregnum, though he be not crowned.

In a Statute of the second, of Henry the fourth, it is provided, that the Prince may give his honorable Liveries of signes, to the Lords, or to his meniall Gentry; and that the said Lords, may wear the same, as they wear the Kings Livery; and that the Menials of the Prince, may wear the same as the King's meni∣als; but this hath been since abridged.

So likewise by a Statute of the 25. of Ed∣ward Page  60 the third, chap. 2. it is declared, that to compasse, or imagine the death of the Kings eldest son, and heir, is, Crimen laesae Majestatis, high Treason, as also to violate the wife of the King's eldest son.

And again, see Coke, 8. part. 28. The Prince shineth with the beams of his Father, and is holden to be one person with him.

Yet doth he acknowledge a reverence, not only as to a Father, but Soveraign, and to that * purpose continues that Motto, which the Black Prince took up, (Ick dien) I serve.

He is called Princeps, quia principalis in stre∣nuitate post regem, saith Sir William Segar.

The first, that we read of in England, was Edward, eldest son of Henry the third, and af∣ter him, the eldest son of the King hath been ever by Patent, and Ceremonies of Instalment, created Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, and Flint, being born Duke of Cornwall.

The Prince, or first born of the King in France, is called the Dauphin; in Spain, l' In∣fanta.

There are, in other Countries, Princes by Creation, as the Prince of Piemont, the Prince of Orange, and many others, but these are also now become hereditary, and in some Countries, all the Royall line are styled Princes.

When he is created, he is presented before the King in Princely Robes, who putteth a∣bout his neck a Sword bend-wise, a Cap and Coronet over his head, a Ring on his Page  61 middle finger, a Verge of gold in his hand, and his Letters Patents after they are read.

His Mantle is once more doubled then the Dukes, and his Coronet of Crosses, and Flow∣ers de Luce, and his Cap of State doubled in∣dented.