Honor rediviuus [sic] or An analysis of honor and armory. by Matt: Carter Esq.

Knights of the Broomeflower; And also of the Ship.

LEwis the ninth in his time instituted two Orders of Knighthood; one called of the Broomeflower in the Cod, and the other of the Ship, called also of the Crescent, or half Moon.

The first he instituted at his Coronation, and it continued till the end of the reign of Charls the fifth, and extinguished with his life. The collar of the Order was composed of Cods of Broomeflowers intermixed with Lozanges en∣amelled with flowers-de-lysse; and at it, hung a Crosse formy flory, with this Motto; Exaltat humiles.

The other of the Ship he erected upon the occasion of the second voyage into Egypt, to encourage the Nobility that went with him. The collar of the Order was enterlaced with double Scallops, and double Crescents inter∣woven with a meddal hanging at it, with a Ship enamelled under sayl.

This King Lewis returning from his voyage * 1.1 against the Turks, an. 1554 brought home with him a Troop of Knights, called of St. Lazarus, to whom he gave large possessions: But afterwards, this Order fell again, and their revenues were given to the Knights

of Malta: untill the time of Henry the fourth who instituted that of Mount-Carmel, and re∣vived * 1.2 that of St. Lazarus.

There are many other ancient Knighthoods recorded in France, but as they were of lesse esteem, so are they also out of date; and I shall only name them, most of which were more private Orders, and had subjects for their So∣veraigns: There was of the Porcupine: Of * 1.3 the Thistle of Bourbon: of the Croissant of Anjou: of the Ermin of Britagne. Of which examin Monsieur Favin his Theatre of Honor.

There was also an order of the Dog and Cock, appropriated to the family of Monmoren∣cy, and another of de la dame blanke al' escue verd; or the order of the Fair Lady of the green Field; instituted by Jean de Boucicaut Marshal of France under Charles the sixth, who were sworn unto divers Articles, as that they should assist all Ladies, and Gentlewomen wronged in their honors or fortunes, answer challenges of Armes, supply one anothers necessary ab∣sence, that if any Lady or Gentlewoman, re∣quired aid of any of them, and after any Knight or Esquire should challenge him, he should first right the Lady; and then perform the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or if a chalenge preceded such other accident, it was at their pleasure which to undertake first; and many more such, which would be too tedious for this place. They are at large in Mauchaut Sieur de Roman ville his history of Boucicat.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Knights of St. La∣zarus.
• * 1.2

  Knights of Mount Carmel.
• * 1.3

  Porcu∣pine. Thistle. Croissant. Ermin. Cock and dog. Seld. pag. 554, 555.