Knights of the Band.

SIR William Segar attributes the originall of this Ordsr to Alphonso King of Spain, an. 1268. But Favin sets it down in an. 1330. * from the testimony of Don Antonio de Gueva∣ra, Bishop of Mondognedo; But by the same person Alphonso the eleventh, of which Order (that it might receive the more reputation) he enrolled himselfe and his Son. And yet (as Fa∣vin sayes) None were to be admitted but younger brothers, and mean Gentlemen of poor and slender sufficiency, who must have been ten years followers of the Court; or at the least had fought three times against the Moors.

They wear a red Scarfe or Ribon, crosse the left shoulder, like our Knights of the Bath, the breadth of three inches. Their articles are too many to be inserted here. Sir William Segar and Favin have them at large.