Of the Order of the Lilly.

THis Order was erected in 〈◊〉 by Garcia the sixth, of the name surnamed Naiera, in honor of the Virgin Mary; and upon a miracle so great as might make this Lilly one of the primest flowers in her little garden. * The substance of it this: The King having been ve∣ry sick; in the extremity of his disease sent to St. Saviour de Leyra, and other places of devotion, that prayers and interercessions might be made for his recovery; In which time was discovered in the City of Naiera, (where or∣dinarily he kept Court) the Image of the Virgin Mary issuing out of a Lilly, holding her Son berwixt her arms. And suddenly af∣ter the discovery of this, the King recovered his health; and many other miracles were done on diseased people in that place, as sup∣posed by vertue of the Virgin Mother; whom * they tearmed the Lilly of the Vallyes. In ho∣nor whereof the said King erected this Order, and made himself Soveraign of it, and his Sucessors after him. These Knights did wear Page  197 on their breasts a Lilly embroydered in silver; and on festivall dayes a double chain of gold in∣terlaced with letters M, after the manner of the Gotish letter; with an Oval meddal hanging at it with a Lilly enamelled.

Knights of San Jago, or St. James.

THis was erected by the resolution of Gen∣tlemen, being either Barons, or men of * great quality, that (jupon the conquering of their Country by the Arabians) retired into the Mountains of Asturia; and residing there made an engagement of War against the Moors; agreeing upon religious Rules of Knighthood, yet reserving to themselves li∣berty of marriage: but this Order Favin speaks to be erected by Alphonso the ninth, an. 1158. * and that it was confirmed in 1175, by Pope Alexander the third,

Their Governor is called great Master, their feast is on All-Saints day; when they meet in very great magnificence, having very great re∣venues: their Ensign a red Crosse shaped like a Sword, with an Escollop's shell on it, in imita∣tion * of the badge of the Pilgrims that go to Jerusalem, and to the Sepulchre of St. James the Apostle.

Page  198 Now the great Master of this Order hath alwayes neer him thirteen Knights where ever he goes for his aid, and Councill; and so all the other Orders in Spain.

Of the Order of Calatrava.

THis was begun an. 1158. in imitation of * that of St. Jago, by Don Sanctio the third, King of Toledo, and it takes it name from the place of its establishment: their habit is a black garment, and on the breast thereof a red Crosse; they have many great priviledges, and possessi∣ons in Spain, the form of their Crosse is set down in the end of this discourse; which if we will believe Monsieur Favin, and Aubertus Maereus, is quite another then that which Sir William Segar describes.

Knights of Alcantara.

THese also derive their denomination from the place of their institution, and * living under the same orders with those of Ca∣latrava, doe wear the same fashioned Crosse, only the Colour is green

They have a very glorious Church at Alcan∣tara in Castiglia upon the river Tago, endowed Page  199 with rich possessions, where their great meet∣ings are.

These were first of the order of St. Julian, * called the order of the Pear-tree, Ferainando the second King of 〈◊〉, and Gallicia, being the first great Master. 1176.

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.

D' Avis in Portugal.

THere was an Order in Portugal, erected in the year 1147. called D' Avis, by Alphon∣so * the first, who were seatrd in the City Ebora, and so called from the Virgin Mary, being Pa∣tronesse of the City. They had a great Master, and were called Fratres, and the place of their convention was called Frieria. Their Ensign is the same Crosse with Calatrava vert, and in the centre of it a Pear-tree.

Of the Order of Jesus Christ.

SInce, in the year 1320. was erected another Order of more esteem amongst the Portu∣gals called of Jesus Christ, by Dionysius King of that Country, and nephew to Alphonso the tenth of Castile; to which Order was given much of the revenue of the Knights Templars, that lay in that Countrey, the Kings of Portu∣gal are ever the Soveraigns of the Order to this day: The Ensign of the Order is a red crosse surmounted or intersected with another white, on a black vestment; and they have many privi∣ledges, and Articles amongst them.

Page  201 Of this order was Don Pantaleon, (Brother to the Portugal Embassadour) who was beheaded at Tower-Hill, July 10. 1654.

Knights of Montesia.

THis order was much about the time of those of Calatrava and received their * name from the place of their residence in Va∣lentia, and do wear for their Ensign a plain crosse Gules.

This order was established in the year 1317. * and had much of the revenue of the Knights Templars also, setled on them.

Knights of Redemption:

THese Knights called of Redemption, were erected by James King of Aragon, upon the conquering the Islands of Majorica, in the year 1212. Their Articles are many, but the chief is, they are to redeem prisoners; from whence their title is derived: their habit is a white garment, with a black crosse; and their Governour is alwayes resident at Barcco, na.

D'Espuella D' Orada, or, Of the Goldeu Spnr.

THere is another Order in Spain, of far more honor called 〈◊〉 D' Espuella D' Orada. Which was created with much cere∣mony; as bathing (like our Knights of the Bath), then being laid on a rich bed, after brought to the Chappel or Church, where he performs his Vigils, confesses, and supplicates for power to observe the duty belonging to the order; then his gold spurs are put on, and a * sword girt about him, and the sword being drawn, is delivered into his right hand; in which posture standing, he takes an Oath, never to refuse to dye in defence of his Law, King, and Country. And then receiving a kisse from all the rest of the order, in testimony of the amity betwixt them, he is compleat.

Other orders there are there, as that of Ca∣valeri Armadi, Cavaleri 〈◊〉 Alarde, and some more antient; as the Order os the Dove or Ho∣ly Ghost in Castile; of St. Saviour of Mont Re∣al in Aragon; but these are either out of date, or of low reputation.