FAedus is properly a league made betwene princes, and a truce after battell. Some men thincke the etymologie of this word ori∣ginally to be deriued of this word Faeciales, whiche signifieth an Ambassadour of armes, whiche denounceth warre or peace.
Other do thincke it to come of Fides, because in makyng the treatie of peace, faith was promised.
Certayne other do thincke it to come of Faede caedendo, that is to kill cruelly, for two Heraldes of armes were set on either side, & a sowe be∣twene them, whē they should confirme any league, and with a flint stone did kill the sowe, praying that lyke ende might happen vnto hym that first did breake the treatie made.