SECT. I. Of Vertue and Honor.

IT hath been the Practice of all well-govern'd Kingdoms and States,Vertue is en­couraged by Reward. to encourage Merit by Reward. Merit consists in the perfor­mance of some vertuous Action, directed to the Publick good. As Vertue is either Military or Civil; so Reward is differently distributed, either by Honor or Profit: to the end, each sort of Vertue may have its proper and suitable Reward.

And though in a moral and strict sence, Vertue is to be accounted its own Reward; yet in regard there are very many, who not so much from a vertuous Principle, as to ob­tain Wealth or Honor, are drawn oft­times to act meritoriously; therefore it was provided, by the wisest Founders of Empires, and Common-wealths, to take special care, no less for the encou­ragement of well-doing (by setting up Reward as a Prize, for brave endea­vours to aim at, prosecute and carry; and consequently to exalt men ac­cording to their merit) then for the punishment of vitious and ignoble actions: insomuch that Socrates justly concluded that City to be best governed, where­in, Br [...]s. in Plat [...]em, l. [...] ▪ c. [...]. the good are cherisht, and the bad chastis'd.

[Page 2]Nor doth it a little concern the interest of a Nation, that noble incitements to Vertue be proposed to valiant minds, wherewith being inflamed, they may al­ways shine forth, in some action, worthy themselves: since Rewards are powerful (even to wonder) to excite and stir up the force and vigour of gallant Spirits, to very high degrees of performance; and from the example of our Ancestors, every one is apt to perswade himself, that there is nothing which may not be attempted, and effected by endeavour and manly courage.

As touching civil Vertues or Faculties (to wit, Iustice, Gravity, knowledge in the Laws, and the like) they being Qualifications in order to Magistracy, and Offices of Trust and Credit, and rewardable by the advantages, estimation, and authority accruing thereby; come not directly within the limits of our present discourse.

Honor the re­ward of mill­tary Vertue. Vertue (in the opinion of Epist. 120. Phaleris,) is alone excellent, and all other things but meerly Fortune. Its reward and end (saith Ethic. l. 1. Aristotle) is something excellently good, divine and blessed, according to that of De situ Orbis. Dionys [...]us Aser, Vertue immortal honor ever gains. But the proper Reward of military Vertue (which com­prehends both Fortitude and Conduct, and of which we only treat) is Honor: Arist. Ethi­ca. l. 4. Honor is the greatest of exterior goods, and being the object of a nobler ambition, than Wealth or Profit, is therefore the aim of that Vertue, to wit Valour, which springs from a more generous Spirit. For all men of Courage (nay even the Pusillanimous themselves) are in some sort, toucht with a sense and desire of Glory and Fame.

So that (as is already intimated) of all vertuous Acts, military Prowess, and va­liant Atchievements, have rendred men capable of the highest Honors and Ad­vancements: they being principally invited, by the allurements of such Re­wards, to make the greater discoveries of their Vertue and Fortitude, in the per­formance of noble Exploits.

But that Fame might not lose it self, in a general and unbounded Notion, therefore at length it was thought fit, to reduce Honor into Form and Order, by investing the Person meriting with some particular term, title, or appellation of Excellence; and this is the very source and original of all Nobility, and of all those Dignities and honourable Titles, which being transmitted from the first Atchievers to their Successors, through several Ages, remain at this day in their posterity, as lasting Monuments of the glory of their Ancestors. Among which, Knighthood, as it hath been esteemed the Reward most suitable to worthy and great Vertue, so hath it been accounted the chief and primary Honor among many Nations.

Vertue and Honor deified by the Ro­mans, who built them Temples.The Romans had so great an esteem of Honor and Vertue, that they deified them, and dedicated Temples to their Worship; the chief and principal was that which Liv. l. 27. c. 27. edit. Prancof. ad Moen. 1628. Vide etiam Plutarch. in vita ipsius Marcelli. Marcellus vowed to erect, when he was at Clastidium, in the Gaulick War: (and afterwards built, with the Idem Plutarch. in vita praef. Marcei. spoils he got in the Wars of Sicilie) but the Dedication thereof was hindered by the Priests, who affirmed that one Temple could not be rightly dedicated unto two Dei­ties; and thereupon there was another Chapel built for Vertue, and joyned to the fore-end thereof: and albeit Marcellus hastned the erection, yet he lived not to de­dicate the same, nevertheless that was afterwards done by his Gui­do Panciroll. de 14 Reg. Vrbis Romae. Son.

This Temple stood neer to the Gate To­pograph. Romae, ex Maliano. c. 73. & 133. Vide p [...]rr [...] Ioh. Rosin. Antiq. Rom. cap. 18. Capena, upon the Appian way, and was rather according to Vides Virtutis Templum, vides Honoris, à Marco Marcello renovatum, quod multi [...] ante annis erat bello Lig [...]stico à Quinto Maximo dedicatum. De Nat. Deor. l. 2. p. 192. edit. Basil. 1534. Cicero, but renewed or re-edified by Marcellus (as his was by the Emperour Pinu [...] & Actius Priscus, qui Honoris & Virtutis aedes Imperatori Vespa­siano Augusto restituenti pinxerunt. Plin. l. 35. c. 10. sub fine. Vespasian) for that many years before, it had been dedicated by Q. Maximus.

In this structure, the Temple of Vertue was contiguous to that of Honor, and so situate, that there was no other passage thereunto, but through the Temple of Vertue; thereby mystically shewing and admonishing, That Honor was not to be attained by any other ways then by Vertue; That Vertue was as the Guardian [Page 3] of Honor; and those that undertook any notable Action, Neminem ho­norius Tem [...]lum ingredi [...], nisi pri [...] Virtu­tis esset [...]ngres­sus. A [...]gust. de civit. Dei. unless they carried themselves valiantly, and squared their actions by the Rule of Vertue, could make no entrance into future Honor.

And because the Structure of this Temple, and the order of the Buildings may be beheld, we shall here exhibit a Prospect thereof, as it is set forth by Antiq. Vibi [...] Splendor. Iacobus Laurus.

There was another Temple built to Honor, without the Gate Cic. l. [...]. de Legib. p. 288. Collina (which according to T [...]p. Rom. Marlian cap. 130. & Alex. Donat. de Vrb [...] Roma, lib. 3. p. 67. some was called also Salaria) and the reason of its Dedication there, was (as Cicero tells us) the finding of a Plate of Metall in that place, bearing this Inscription, DOMINA HONORIS.

About an hundred years after the death of Marcellus, C. Marius consecrated a little Chappel to Honor and Vertue, as appears by this following Inscription, Videsis In­script. 3 apud Ian. Grut. p. 436. C. MARIVS C. F. COS. VII.
PR. TR. PL. Q AVGVR, &c.
DE MANVBIEIS CIMBRICEIS ET TEVTONICEIS AEDEM
HONORI ET VIRTVTI VICTOR FECIT VESTE
TRIVMPHALI CALCEIS PVNICIEIS........

The Symmetry and Proportion of the Columes, and what they supported, were perfected by C. Mucius, as Lib. 7. Vitruvius informs us, and that according to the exact Rules of Architecture; Moreover it was adorned within and without with Images, most artificial for Sculpture, and beautiful for Painting; Alex. Donat. de Vrbe Roma, l. 3. p. 256. but the place where this Chappel was erected, is not now certainly known.

How Honor and Vertue were represented by the Romans, Their Images variously re­presented. and after what manner their Images (set up in their Temples) were designed and fashioned, may be seen in some of their Coyns, the Ectyps of a few we have placed here, from that large and choice Collection, now in the Cabinet of His Majesty, the present Soveraign of the most noble Order of the Garter: the first represents the heads of Honor and Ver­tue: [Page 4] where Honor is set forth with a youthful face, crowned with Laurel, having long and curled hair: Vertue, wearing an Helmet, but without any attire, or other ornament.

The Face of Honor so shadoweth that of Vertue, that but a little of it appears; and this is observed to have been, not without good reason so designed, inasmuch as Ant. August. Antiq. Roman. Dialog. 11. p. 36. Edit. Ant­uerp. anno 1653. Honor is the more illustrious of the two, and where we behold any person outward­ly adorned with Honor, we are to judge him inwardly indued with Vertue: forasmuch as Honor is his due, and justly bestowed upon him.

Such another representation of the heads of these Deities, may be found in Tom. 1. p. 221. num. 3. Hubertus Goltzius; and not unlike, but it was upon this account, that Postumus, [II] one of the Tyrants in Gallienus his Reign, placed her head behind his own.

In the Reverse of the first of these, we see the figures of Italy and Rome drawn at full length; that which represents Italy, seems to deliver a Co [...]opiae (the Emblem of her Wealth) into the hands of Rome, in acknowledgment of the Peace she thence enjoyed; and Rome, setting her right foot on the Globe of the World, which she had, or hoped to overcome.

In a Coyn, relating to the Emperour Galba, [III] Honor is exhibited with an Hasta pura (which was a Teste Servio ad [...] Aeneid. Spear-staff not armed with Iron) in one hand, and in the other a Cornucopiae; and is in the same manner set forth by the Emperour Tab. 45. Nummi Ducis Croyia [...]i & Arschot, num. 14. edit. Ant­uerp. anno 1654. Aurelius Antoninus.

But because the Romans placed their chiefest glory in military Vertue; Vertue is designed in the Reverse like an Amazon, wearing an Virtus forti­tudinem ro­bor (que) designet. Helmet, and her Vest Solet virtu­ [...]is simulacrum depingi succin­ctum Lucat. ad 10 The baid. gird­ed about her; having an Hasta pura in her left hand, a Parazone, or short Sword in her right, and booted according to the military manner; in which posture and habit, she is likewise represented in some Coyns of Cro [...]iac. Nu­mis. Tab. 37. num. 22. Hadrianus, Antoninus Pius, and Severus.

In a Coyn referring to Idem Tab 28. num. 5. Titus, Honor is set forth after the manner in that of Galba; yet not with a youthful, but a bearded face. How at other times repre­sented, appears among the Coyns of Antoninus Pius [IV] being there vested, both in a Toga and Tunica, and holding a Laurel-branch: but in those ofCroyiaca Nu­mis. Tab. 45. num. 13. & 14. Aurelius Antoninus, exhibited sometimes with an Hasta pura, at other times with a Laurel.

Galba, we see, joyned Honor and Vertue together in one Reverse; to shew that by Comment su­per Tab. Num. Duc.-Croyiaci. p. 38. Vertue he gained his Honors and Imperial Command; the like didAe [...]. Vic. in [...] Vitell. 11. Vitel­lius. [Page 5] So Croyiaca Nu­mis. Tab. 64. num. 20. Galerius Maximianus seems to express the attaining of his greatness, by a compact and agreement (as it were) with Vertue, which he signified by joyn­ing his hands with hers.

Some other difference hath been now and then put in the representation of Vertue, as may be observed in the Ectyps above; for in one of Galba's Coyns [V] she is found standing, holding a Parazone, and a little Victory. The same is done in a Coyn of Videsi [...] Hi­stor. August. i [...] ­l [...]str. per Fr. Angelon. p. 243. Severus, where she is only differenced by a sitting posture.

But Commodus [VI] thought fit to arm her compleatly, bearing a little Victory in her right hand, and holding a Spear and Shield in her left; the like did Severus, Caracalla, and Valerianus. Yet sometimes the Shield was omitted [VII] and the little Victory changed for a Laurel-branch: for so she appears in the Coyns of Gordianus tertius [IX] Philippus Arabs, Trajanus Decius, Tetricus, and Claudius Go­thicus.

In the last place, Vertue is now and then seen armed, as before, holding only a Spear and a Shield; as in the Coyns of Alexander Severus, [VIII] and many others. And all of them by these Symbolical devices, pointing at the military Vertue, not only of that most accomplisht and famous Roman Nation, but of the Emperours themselves.

SECT. II. Of the Antiquity of Knighthood.

IN tracing out the beginning and original of Knighthood, Knighthood among the Greeks. though we are not so vain, as to offer at the deriving this degree or order from before the Crea­tion, and say, that Saint Michael the Archangel is primier Chevalier, being so styled in the Preamble to the Statutes of the Order of Monsieur Saint Michael; or Primier Chevalier de l'ordre de Paradis, as he is called in the Penes Came­rar. Scacca [...]. Instrument of Election of our King Henry the Eighth, into the said Order of Saint Michael, by the French King Francis the first: Yet may we very well affirm, Knighthood to be neer as an­cient as Valour and Heroick Vertue; albeit the Ceremonies and Circumstances thereof, have been much varied and transformed in several Ages, and among the several Nations, where this Dignity hath at any time flourished. And therefore with much probability, and some justice, may we derive the Original of military Honor, whence most of our Europeans account it their greatest honor to derive their Original, namely, from Troy.

For of how great renown its Knights were of old, namely, Hector, Troilus, Aeneas, Antenor, with many others, for their Knightly deeds; and how great glory they acquired by their military Vertue, may be sufficiently learnt from those things, which are recorded in the Histories of them.

So among the Greeks, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Peleus, Hercules, Diomedes, Tela­mon, Vlysses, Patroclus, and several others, were such, as left behind them, an ever­lasting Memorial of their Knightly actions; to inflame the young Nobility that was growing up, by the examples of Achilles, and themselves, to the imitation and pursuit of their vertues and valiant enterprises.

But lest this may be thought too much to be granted, we shall endeavour to strengthen our conjecture, with some observations out of Homer, by whom we often find the word [...], used in the same sense, as Fques was afterwards among the Latins, as will appear in these following Verses of his,

[Page 6]And in many other places of the Iliads (almost all, where he speaks of Nestor) he mentions him by the same Title; which is as much as if he had said, Chevalier Nestor, as in the 108. Verse of the Catalogue of the second Book of the Iliads, and Iliad η ver. 170.181. θ 112.151. [...] 52.163. γ 128.157. &c.

And that this Title of Knight seems to be of more ancient date among the Grecians, then the Trojan War, may be collected from the same Homer, who be­stows it on other brave Heroes, that lived some time before these Wars began: For in the 135. Verse of the aforesaid Catalogue, Phyleus, among the rest of the Greek Commanders (whom he there reckons up) is thus mentioned,

Likewise to the famous Tydeus, King of AEtolia, Father of Diomedes, he attri­butes the same Title.

In after-times the Grecians had among them this Degree and Title, considera­ble both for reputation and dignity.

In Gen. Dier. l. 2. c. 29. The Knightly Honor (saith Alexander ab Alexandro) always excelled among the Achaians, as being the chiefest charge. Those of Ibid. Crete also had it in great esteem, as the most principal among them, for its antiquity and dignity. Herod. in Terpsichore. Herodotus tells us, that among the Chalcedonians (as after among the Romans) Wealth was so much regarded, that those who were rich, bore the title of [...], i.e. Equites. And as a testimony, that the ambition of the Equestrian Name was very ancient, De Milit. E­questri, lib. 5. c. 1. in princi­pio. Hermannus Hugo saith, the Lacedemonians constituted a second Order of Knights, and that the same Lacedemonians had an Ex Strabone, lib. 10. Order of Knights, who had no Horses. Not much unlike some of the Equestrian Order, in succeeding times, among the Ro­mans, who were only honor'd with gold Rings, but not with a publick Horse, until they actually entred into military Service.

SECT. III. Of the Foundation of the Equestrian Order among the Romans.

Institution of the Celeres, whence sprung the Equestrian Order.BUt to raise the Structure of Knighthood upon a more substantial Foundation, we shall with greater certainty descend to the Romans; among whom we find, there was from the very infancy of their military glory, an instituted Body and Society of Knights, consisting of a select number; and this is recorded by Lib. 1. edit. Franc. ad Maenum. 1628. Livy, who (speaking of the time immediately after the Romans and Sabins were united under one Common-wealth) saith, that then there were inrolled Centuriae tres Equitum, three Centuries of Knights.

This inrollment was ordained by Romulus, and did follow soon after his divi­sion of the City into three Tribes; and the Institution consisted of three hundred in number; for each Tribe was divided into Claud Sal­mas. de re mi­lit Rom. c. 20. p. 230. Videsis Rosin. Antiq. Rom. l. 10. c. [...]. ten parts, which were called Curiae, and every Decuria set forth ten Knights; so that in every Tribe there were ten De­curiae, or one hundred Knights. Moreover, each of these Centuries were particu­larly distinguished by several Titles; one being called Livy loco ci­cato. Ramnenses, another Ta­tienses, and the third Luceres.

A little after, Livy (speaking of Romulus) tells us, Idem, lib. 1. c. 15. that he appointed these three hundred to attend him as a Life-guard, both in Peace and War, and called them Ce­leres; [Page 7] and so called (as some write) Pl [...]tarch. in vita Romuli. Videsis Dion. Halicarnass. l. 2. p. 86. Edit. Frances. ann [...] 1586. à celeritate, from their active and dextrous dispatch in martial affairs. But Claudius Salmasius derives Celeres from the Greek word [...], which (saith he) among the Aeolians signifies a Horse; and from a Horse, did the ancient Romans derive the Title of Eques; of which more anon. Hereupon not only those of Romulus his institution are by Livy called Equites (as is before noted) but when he speaks of the addition which Tarquinius Pris [...]ns made to those three Centuries, he again calls them Livy l. 1. c. 36 Centuriae Equitum; and to the twelve Centuries, listed afterwards by Servins Tullus, doth he afford the Ibid. c. 44. same Title, making frequent use of it, in divers other places, as their common appellation.

And because the Celeres or Equites were at first appointed Halicarnass. eod. lib. & lo­co cit. to attend Romulus through the City (in the quality aforesaid) armed with Javelins and Spears, are therefore (in the esteem of Th [...]. Godwin, Romanae Histo­riae Anthologia, p. 28. some) placed within the degree of service, and con­sequently thought inferiour to the Equestrian Order; we shall here (to remove this mistake) note, That in their Election, not only Courage and personal Va­lour was required, but Nobleness of Extraction no less regarded; they being also such as were descended from the best Families in Rome: and this is fully te­stified by Dionysius Halicarnasseus. Lib. 2 p. 86. Romulus (saith he) chose three hundred stout and personable men out of the chiefest Families, or (in the words of Lib. 1. c. 43. Livy) ex pri­moribus Civitatis.

Within a short time after the Institution of the Celere [...], Servius Tullus ordain­ed, that those who did succeed in that Body, should be elected ex Censu; to wit, from a considerable and certain valuation of their Estates, entred in the Censors Book, called the Equestrian Cense.

This is confirmed by Dionysius (ex Pisone in primo Annalium) Lib. 4. p. 222. Servius (saith he) chose the number of Knights out of the Citizens who had the greatest Cense, and were of the most noble Families.

Wherefore it cannot be denied, that Eques was at this time (which was even in the infancy of the City) a Title, not only of Dignity, but also that the Equites were then chosen from among those Romans, eminent both for Nobleness of Ex­traction and Estate; Neither were more considerable Qualifications required of any, who were admitted into the Equestrian Order, in the following times.

The Roman State was at first constituted (as at this day is the Venetian) of Rosin. Antiq. Roin. l. 1. c. 17. two degrees only, namely, Patritians and Plebians: For neither the three Centuries, instituted by Romulus, nor their increased number, appointed by Tarquinius [...]ris­cus, nor those chosen by Servius Tullus from the Cense, and added to the former, were moulded into a peculiar degree, while Rome was governed by Kings; but soon after the Equestrian Order began to be formed, and constituted one of the three Orders in the Common-wealth: the Celeres then in being, were the very per­sons of whom was composed and made up the Body of that Society, which then, & thenceforward, was called Ordo Equester or Equestris, (for both words are found to be indifferently used among the Ancients) from whence it appears, that the Ori­ginal and Foundation of the Equestrian Order, is plainly deducible from (if not the same with) the Celeres, since all the alteration lay, not in dissolving and taking away, but in making them known by a new Title. Nay so little, or no difference, is put by Salmasius between those of Romulus his Institution, and the Equestrian Order, that speaking of the Celeres, he faith, De Re Mil. Rom. c. 20. p. 236. The whole Equestrian Order did then consist in them: and Rosinus having shewn, that the Ordo Equestris was ranked in the second of the three degrees, positively affirms, Antiq. Rom. l. 1. c. 17. That in this division those three hundred are to be understood, who had been elected by Romulus, and whom he called Celeres.

And now, to the end the Reader may take a short prospect into the Glory of this Equestrian Order, (indeed the flower of the Roman Chivalry) together with some other Dignities annexed unto that Degree, we shall first observe,

That the Roman Citizens, The Equestri­an Order was the middle Degree. being thus distributed into three degrees, are ranked by Lib. 26. c. 36. Livy in this Order, Senatus, Equester Ordo, & Plebs: Alexander ab Alexandro (from Lib▪ 2. Bell. Civil. Appianus) placeth also the Equites in the Gen. Dier. l. 2. c. 2 [...]. middle, between the Senators and [Page 8] Plebeians: and this is further confirmed by that most noted Elogie, R [...]sinus, l. 1. c. 17. Consensu Se­natûs, & Equestris Ordinis, Populi (que) Romani, which among the Roman literal Notes by De Interpret. R [...]m. Literis. Valerius Probus, is set down after this manner, CON. SEN. E. ORD. P. Q. R. Agreeable hereunto is that of Cicero, Pr [...] Cluent. The Knights are next in dignity to the Sena­torian Order: The same is affirmed by Lib. 33. c. 1. in sine. Pliny, and divers Tiraquel de Nobilit. c. 37. num. 16 [...]. Sal­muth. noth Guid. Panci­rol. l 1. p. 271. others.

And forasmuch as this degree was placed between the Patritians or Senators, and the Plebeians or Common-people, therein it is resembled by the Knightly degree at this day with us, which is ranked between the Nobility and Commonalty.

But though the Equestrian Order (ranked as before) was somewhat inferiour to that of the Senate, Alex ab Alex. Gen. Dier. l. 2. c. 29. yet had it the esteem of great authority and power, forasmuch as it was invested with most ample Honors, and almost equal to the Senatorian de­gree. And Salm [...]s. de Re mil. Rom. c. 20 p. 227. from this Order to the height of Nobility (which resided in the Senators) was the way prepared: Hence, being the usual removal, to the Ordo Senatorius, (Livy l. 2. c. 1. Iunius Brutus being the first who supplied the Senate from the Equestrian Order) and upon this ground, the Emperour Alexander Severus (as In vita ipsius Severi, c. 20 Lampridius reports) did call this Degree, The Seminary or Nursery of Senators, so did Equites enim illis Principes Iuventutis, E­quiter Semina­rium Senatum, inde lecto [...] in Patrum nume­rum Consule [...], inde Imperato­res creant, Liv. l. 42. c. 61. Perseus King of Macedon long before; and for the very same reason, may we further parallel it with that of Knighthood among us in England, which is the next in dignity to the Baronage, and generally persons of their rank and quality are made choice of to ascend unto that Honor.

It was a Constitution as ancient as the Reign of Tiberius the Emperour, that no man should be admitted into the Equestrian Order, nor have given unto him the right of a Gold Ring, Alex. ab Alex­andro loc. cit. Plin. lib. 33. c. 2. in princ. unless he was free-born, or a Gentleman, and his Father and Grandfather had been so: and indeed for a long time none were elected Knights, but the best sort of Gentlemen, and Persons of noble, nay sometimes Kingly Ex­traction, as was the illustrious Mecaenas at avis regibus ortus Eques, Matt. lib. 12. Epgr. 4. Mecaenas, concerning whom Lib. 2. c. 88. Vell. Paterculus gives this Character; That he aspired no higher than the Equestrian Order, not out of an incapacity of attaining greater matters, but that he desired them not.

Yet at length, through the corruption of times, Plebeians and Freed-men were too frequently received into this De­gree; the Equestrian Cense alone,Mecaenas Equ [...] Hetrusco de sanguine Regum, Propert. lib. 3. Eleg. 8. to wit, their attaining to such a degree of Wealth, as reached the valuation of a Knight, was that which gained them this Honor, which Salma [...]ius thus affirms (in his Exposition of a piece of Polybius) De Re Mil. Rom c. 21. p. 240. Whomsoever the Censor did elect into the Equestrian Order, he considered nothing in him but the Equestrian Cense; which for the general, will likewise find but too near a parallel among the Knights of this Age.

The Knights were Judges at Rome, and Presidents a­broad.To add to the lustre of the Equestrian Order, let us next consider, that the civil affairs of the Roman Common-wealth were sometimes put under their management, and the chiefest of the Knights made Iudges: which Cicero thus confirms: Secund [...] de Oratore. Before the Knights, Judges at Rome, the Causes were pleaded and debated. And what esteem was generally set upon their uprightness and justice, Turnebus sets forth, who explicating some Pieces of Cicero (wherein several of their excellent Judg­ments are reported) saith, Turneb. in Comment. in O [...]ati [...]nem Ci­cer. pro Caio Rabirio, p. 11. There was then a great opinion of the Vertue of the Ro­man Knights, from the integrity of their Iudgments. Nor was there any other cause (as Budaeus notes) wherefore they were called Iudges, Ad L. ult. F. de Se [...]toribus. Then that the Decu­riae of the Iudges were chosen from amongst those of the Equestrian Order.

And though (by assuming this additional dignity) they bore the Title of Iudges, and not of Knights; (for in those times, Plin. lib. 33. [...]. 1. sub finem. The Title of Knights continued appropriate to the Troops of those who served with Publick Horses) yet nevertheless, without all doubt (saith Alexander ab Alexandro) Gen. Dier. l. 2. c. 29. The Iudges continued still of the Equestrian Order, and were reckoned among the Knights: for that they used the Gold Ring as Knights, and had the same Ensigns of Honor, and executed the said Offices: Though it was otherwise, where a Knight was elected into the Senate, Ambr. Cale­pin. verbo E­ques. for then (having assumed the Name of the more noble Order) the Title of his former degree was extinguished, albeit he still retained the Ensigns thereof.

Fl [...]r. Epitom. Gracchus, (Brother to Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus) being Tribune of the Commons, and studying how to curry favour with the People, concluded it [Page 9] would best be brought about, by abating or clipping the authority of the S [...]nate: He thereupon preferred (amongst others) a Law ▪ that [...] [...] sh [...]uld be chosen out of the Equestrian Order, into the Senate (which then [...] but o [...] three hundred) [...] out of design to make the [...]otes of the Knights double to thos [...] of the Senators; by which means, he [...] took away from the Senate their authority of [...]it­ting in judgment, and appropriated it to the Equestrian Order. But In Cap. [...]. [...] notes withal, that this proved a means to corrupt the Knights; between who [...] and the Senate, there was at that time a good correspondence.

For it seems, those who were hereupon chosen into the Senate, did so misbe­have themselves in the execution of their powers, at least, so kept under the Senators authority, that they gave very great distast unto them; insomuch▪ as not long after by the Flor. [...] l. 70. assistance of M. Lucius Drusus, then Tribune of the P [...]opl [...] their former prerogative was again translated, from the [...]questrian Order, to them­selves; for he made Legem Iudiciariam, whereby not only an God [...]in. An­thol p. 237. ex C [...]ce [...]o. de O [...]at. 71. equal number of Judges should be elected, out of both Orders, but that Flor. Epit. lib. 71. all Judgments, should pass, indifferently and equally, by the Senate and Equestrian Order. Hereupon the power of the Knights grew less and less, until it shrunk to nothing; so that at length, the Iudges places which they before had executed, became conferrable upon the Publicans.

But half a Century of years pass'd not, e're Plin. l 33. c. 2. M. Cicero when Consul (which was Anno ab Vrbe Condit [...] [...]. Rom. l [...]. 690) re-established the Equestrian Order, and recon­ciled the Senate to it. And [...] from hence Idem Plin. the Knights were (a second time) est [...] ­blished the third degree in Rome, and all Acts p [...]ssed in the n [...]me of the Senate, [...] People of Rome, and the Equestrian Order; the same Pliny giving the reason why the Knights were then so placed after the People, in all publick instruments, [...]. be­cause they were last of all incorporated into the body of the Common-wealth.

As to the Dignities and Honors the Ordo [...]quesiris enjoyed abroad, we find, that many Provinces were governed Alex. ab A­lex Gen. Die [...] l 2. c. 29. by some of the Equestrian Order [...]lone, in­st [...]ad of Presidents; for in Cappadocia, Egypt, and other Countries, those of the Eque­strians Order did for a long time rule; among whom Egypt had this peculiar, and proper to it self, that none of the Senators were admitted to be her Presidents, Ibid. but only those of the Equestrian Order. Whose Decrees Augustus commanded to be had in like esteem, Ib. as if the Magistrates of Rome, or Kings, or Consuls, or Praetors, had pronounced them.

As a note of Eminence,They were cal­led [...] and [...]. to their Names and Honors, they had the Titles of Splendidi and Illustres, bestowed upon them; both which are equivalent to that of Nobiles. For De Bell [...] Ci­vil Oppius calls them Splendidi, & Illustres. Tacitus describing the affairs of Claudius, stiles them also Illustres. Pliny gives them the Title of Lib. Epis [...]ol [...]. [...]. Epist. 1. & 1. Epist. 6. Epist. 25. Splendi­di, and so doth L. 2. D [...] Fini­bus. Cicero. There is an inscription neer Praeneste which puts it in the superlative, for so Scalig [...]r reads it, in his Index to Ianus Gruterus Ins [...]riptions. Vid [...] 440. num. 1. A. MUNIO. A. F.
MIN. EVARISTO.
SPL. E Q. R. PAT. COL.
OMNIBUS. HONOR.
NITIDE. FUNCTO. &c.

And in the Oration of Caius Claudius the Consul, touching a Sedition raised by Caeso Quintius, they are called [...] Dion. Halica [...]. nas. l 10 p. 63 [...] And had sea [...] in the Theatr [...] most sacred Knights.

But besides other priviledges belonging to the Equestrian Or [...]er, whereby it was advanced above the [...]lebeian, there is yet this one to be here remembred, to wit, that of their Se [...]ts in the Theatre.

Of this priviledge, the chiefest Author is thought to be Iulius Caesar, or Au [...]u­stus; that Law being called Iulia. But it is more probably affirmed by others, that long before them, Flo [...]. Epit. l. 99. L. Roseius, being Tribune of the People, brought in a law, that the fourteen next seats (i. e. next to those of the Senators) should be assigned to the Roman Knights; which is further confirmed by Philipp. 2. Cicero who calls it Roscian Law. And yet far more ancient is it (even in the reign of Tarquinius Pr [...]seus) that L. 1 c. 35. Livy assigns them Seats with the Senators, in the Circus M [...]ximus, and [Page 10] for the very same use and end; namely, to sit and view the Plays and Shews there exhibited.

They had a Colledge.As an Honor to their Society, the Roman Knights had a Colledge belonging to them, called Collegium Equitum; as it appears by an Altar of Stone at Coloigne in Germany, which one of their Order, who bore the title of Moderator of that Colledge (as Scaliger reads it) had dedicated to Hercules, and thus inscribed. Ian. Gruter. Inscr. Rom. p. 44. num. 1. HERCULI
IANVARINIVS
MODERAT. COL.
EQVITVM. D. D.

And Temples dedicated to the Equestrian Fortune.We find that in several places there were Temples dedicated to the Goddess Fortune, under the Title of this Order, viz. Equestri Fortunae.

That anciently at Rome, was erected Alex. ab Alex. Gen. Dier. l. 1. c. 13. neer the Marble Theatre: but it seems to have been decayed, or at least not visited, in Tiberius his days: for Tacitus ta­king notice of a Present, which the Roman Knights had vowed to the Equestrian Fortune, for the health of the Empress, saith, Annal. l. 3. sub finem. Although there were many Temples dedicated to that Goddess in Rome, nevertheless there was none which bore that Name; but there was one found at Antium so called, where she was worshipped under that Title.

Lib. 42. c. 3. Anno V. c. 578. Livy also makes mention of another Temple, consecrated to the Equestrian For­tune by Fulvius Flaccus, Proconsul in Spain: because through the extraordinary Valor of some of the Equestrian Order, under his command, he had obtain'd a memorable Victory over the Celtiberians.

Their Title preserved by Inscriptions and Coins.In the last place let us observe, that as it was the great ambition of the Romans to make use of all means they could invent, to eternize the glory of their Re­nown: so in particular did the Equites among them, account the Honor of their Order worthy remembrance in their publick Marbles; as is most apparent from sundry Inscriptions thereupon, to the end that the Honor of their Dignity might not only spread, but happily be transmitted and revived to future Ages, when themselves should be forgotten, or all other Writings perish.

One of which Marbles (though defective in the name of the Person to whom it related, yet compleat enough in the memorial of his Dignities) remaineth in a private House at Picenum, or in modern language Sinigaglia, in la Marca dell'Ancona, bearing this Inscription. Videsis Num: 9. apud Gruter. Inscrip. p. 493. P.F.—A. PRIMOPILO.
SPECTATAE. VIRTVTIS.
EQVESTRIS. ORDINIS. V.
PATRIBVS ET PLEBI GRATO.
OB GRATAM ADOLESCENTIS INDOLEM.
BENE MERITAM SAXVM DEDIT.

By this Inscription it further appears, that this Noble Person was not only of the Equestrian Order, but also an Officer of principal credit, namely the Primopi­lus, or Vide Rosin. Antiq. Rom. l. 10. c. 7. first Centurion or Captain of the ten Ensigns among the Triarii (who were the chiefest of the four divisions that composed a Legion) and indeed, the very last reserve, and refuge of the whole Army; and consequently, that this Person was the chief Captain of the whole Legion.

To this Officers charge was committed the principal Ensign called the Eagle: and that we may understand the greatness of his trust, he was of the Generals Council, and, as may be collected from a passage out of P. Salonius alternis prope annis & Tri­bunu [...] militum, & primus Cen­turio erat, quem nunc Primopili appellant. l. 7. c. 41. Livy, equal, if not of higher Dignity, than the Tribune, though otherwise the Centurion or Captain was subordinate to him.

Another Inscription, we conceive, may not improperly be inserted here, which is to be seen at Rome, in the Flaminian way, and is as followeth. [Page 11] I [...]scri [...]. Gr [...]. p. 47 [...]. M. VALERIO. M. F. PAL.
AMERIMNIANO.
VIXIT ANNIS XVII. MENSIB.
VIII. DIEBVS DVOBVS. HOR. X
M. VALERIVS. M. F.
AMERIMNVS.
PATER INFELICISSIMVS.
FILIO SANCTISSIMO ET PIENTISSIMO FECIT.
NATVS EQVES ROMANVS IN VICO IVGARIO.

What is herein observable to our purpose, is only out of the words Natus Eques Romanus, which tells us, that this young M. Valerius, for whom the Inscription was made, was born a Roman Knight.

And to give light to this phrase, give us leave to borrow the assistance of Verbo Eq [...]. Ca­lepine (being next at hand) who notes, that the Romans did call those, who were advanced to the Equestrian Dignity, or were descended from some of the Eque­strian Order, Knights. And lest this be not cleer enough spoken by him, or that the words need further explication, he (in the same place) tells us, that the Latine Writers, in relation to the Knightly Dignity, used three kinds of speech, viz. (1.) Eques [for a Knight.] (2.) Equestris Ordo [for one of the Equestrian Or­der.] (3.) Equestri loco natus [for one born or descended from an Equestrian Fa­mily.] which, whether they do signifie the same, or whether they differ, and how far, we (saith he) must consider.

For the first, whosoever is called a Knight, the same is, and is called one of the Equestrian Order; and contrariwise, whosoever is, and is said to be of the Equestrian Order, Idem habet Manutius inter Comment. Salustii, his verbis Differunt Eques, Eque­stris Ordinis, & Equestri loco natur. Eques & Equest [...] Ordinis, idem sunt, quod si Equ [...] pa [...]e na [...] est qui nunquam Senator suit, E­qu [...]st [...] loco natus est; sin natus est Senatore; Equestri loco non recte natus dicitur. is, and is said to be a Knight. But if a Knight is born from a Father, being a Knight, and who never was a Senator, such a one is said to be of Equestrian extraction: but if the same Knight be born of a Father that is a Senator, he is a Knight indeed, but not extracted from an Equestrian Family.

And hence it is evident, that M. Valerius the Father (who caused this [...]pitaph to be inscribed) was then no Senator, but a Knight, and of the Equestrian Order, though not noted with that Title in the Inscription; and consequently, that his Son Valerius might therefore justly be said to be Natus Eques Romanus. For when once a man was admitted into the Equestrian Dignity, the appell [...]tion of Eques be­longed, and was accustomably given to all his male issue, who kept that Title, until they were advanced into the Senate, or degraded for some misdemeanour.

And as in Marbles, so in Coyns, are there memorials left us, of this ancient Order.

De Viti [...] [...]m­perat. pag▪ 25▪ Octavius Strada exhibits one of Drusus, the Son of the Emperor Tiberius, by Agrippina; on the one side is the Effigies of this Drusus, thus circumscrib'd, NERONI CLAVDIO DR VSO GERM. COS. DESIGNAT. And on the re­verse is this Inscription (which takes up all the middle of the Coyn) EQVE­STER ORDO PRINCIPI JVVENTVTIS. From whence we learn, that the body of the Equestrian Order did at this time offer their service to Drusus; he having then obtained the appellation of Princeps Iuventutis.

Imper. Rom. Numism. p. 11 [...] Adolphus Occo sets forth two Coyns, the one of Gold, the other of Silver, both which are in all particulars the same with this already discoursed of, and inserts them among those belonging to the Emperor Nero; and so doth Hubertus Goltzius in his Sub nomi [...] Ner [...]i [...]. Thesaurus.

We doubt that Strada hath misplaced that Coyn above-mentioned, in regard we meet with no Inscriptions upon Coyns, or other publick Monuments, either in Occo, Goltzius, Angelonus, or elsewhere, that gives to Drusus the Son of Tiberius, any other Name or Title, than Drusus Caesar Tiberii Augusti Filius; but to Nero (before he was made Emperor) the names of Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, are frequently attributed.

[Page 12]'Tis true, the very same names of Nero Claudius Germanicus are all stamped upon the Coyns of Drusus, Brother of Tiberius the Emperor; but there the Head is crowned with Vid. Numism. Imp. Rom. Ca­roli Ducis Croy­iaci & A [...]schot. Tab. 17. Num. 17. vide etiam Numis. ejusdem ducis Croyiaci per Hemelar. edit. Antuerp. 1627. Tab. 4. Num. 8. Laurel, which Drusus the Son of Tiberius wanted, and the Face made older in all places, than that set forth by Oct. Strada, (which indeed is a perfect juvenile Effigies) nor hath this Drusus the Brother of Tiberius, the Title of Princeps juventutis, any where given to him, but that of Imperator only, added at the end of his Names.

Imp. Rom. Numis. p. 311. Besides these, we are beholding to Occo, for the description, and to La Historia A [...]g. p. 217. Fr. An­gelonus, for the Ectyp of another Coyn, appertaining to Commodus, the Son of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ▪ on whose Reverse is to be seen the aforementioned Inscription, viz. EQVESTER ORDO PRINCIPI IVVENTVT. it being stamped when Commodus had the like address made to him from the Equestrian Or­der, he having then also attained that attribute of Princeps juventutis.

And thus have we let in a glimps of the Equestrian Order, established among the Romans, with its Dignity and Honors, which for many Ages flourished in great glory and reputation; it being the continual care of that famous Nation, to preserve, partly, the Fame of valiant men to posterity, by the memory of their noble Acts; and partly, to stir up the spirits of the younger sort, to the imitation of their Virtue; upon whom the glory of their Ancestors might have such an in­fluence, as to make them eagerly contend for the attainment of a like degree of Honor, by proportionate degrees of Virtue and Noble deeds. All which we have thought requisite to bring in by way of Introduction, to those Knightly Honors, that afterwards succeeded in the world.

What we have further to say in this Chapter, shall be to touch upon those de­grees of Knighthood, which have been personal, and obtained by Creation only, (after such time as the French Empire took beginning) and are, or may be com­prehended, under the modern Title of Equites Aurati, or Milites simpliees, (be­ing indeed all of one nature, albeit they received several denominations, from those various Ensigns of Honor, and Ceremonies of Creation, wherewith the Dignity hath been in several Ages since particularly bestowed) and as this Eque­strian Dignity is distinguished from the several Orders of Chevalry instituted in Christendom, whether they be of greater or less note, who have received their Titles as Knights, used together with that of their peculiar Orders, which differ­enceth them from those we call Milites simplices. In the circumstances of whose Creation, we confess that nothing in the Ordo Equestris among the ancient Ro­mans hath place, though that might well be the ground and original of the Dig­nity, and one common end in both; namely, the pursuit of military exploits and service in the Wars.

SECT. IV. Of the modern Degrees of Knighthood.

Knights girt with the mili­tary Belt.AND first, concerning those whom some call Monozoni, that is, Knights be­girt with the Military Girdle; a custom devolved to the Germans, and Gauls, from ancient time, and from them to later Ages.

Our learned Countryman Sir Henry Spelman notes, Glossar. Ar­ [...]haiolog. verbo Miles: That the later Emperors conferr'd the Dignity of Knighthood with the military Girdle, instead of all other Arms; because that part, more eminent amongst them, girdeth, supporteth, and adorneth the rest. Whence our learned Selden calls this girding, Titles of Ho­nor. p. 451. the most essential part of the Ceremony. Nor do we find, that among the various Ceremonies belonging to Knighthood, there have been any (to the later ages) that hath continued so con­stant and frequent in practice, as the endowing with Girdle and Sword: Orna­ments indeed most proper to the Knightly Dignity, and marks of Honor and Virtue, [Page 13] with which the Statues and Portraitures of Knights have been adorned after death; is may be seen on divers of their Monuments and Grave-Stones.

For as at this day, Knights are in some places stiled Equites Aurati, from the golden Spurs, heretofore put on at their Creation; so were they more anciently Cingulo militari donati▪ or (according to the old word used by Bracton) Ringae enim dic [...]ntur ex [...]o quod R [...]ne [...] gyran [...] & circ [...]mdant, & inde dicitur [...]ccin­gere Gladio t [...]o. Bracton de Legibus & Consu [...]tud. regni Angliae. lib. 1. cap. 8. num. 2. Ringae Gladiis; in regard that when any one was Knighted, he was not (as in this Age) only smitten with the Sword, but invested with Sword and Belt. Nor is this Ceremony wholly lost, since it is retained among those, ap­pointed to be used at the creating our Knights of the Bath; who are to be girt with a Sword and Belt, when they receive the aforesaid Honor, as the old For­mulary thus hath it. Dugdale's An­tiq. of Warw. p. [...]39. Then shall the King, of his great favour, take the Sword, and gird the Esquire therewith.

In the second place (taking leave to rank those following degrees of Knight­hood here mentioned,Knights Bat­chelor [...]. according to their antiquity, not the precedence they have since gained) the Baccalaurei or Knights Batchelors, are to be consider­ed; who are also indifferently stiled Chevaliers, Milites, Equites Aurati, and Knights.

This degree is truly accounted with us, Primus [E­ques Bacca­laurcus] apud Britanno [...] dig­nitatis omnis Mi [...]itaris gra­dus est, Hono­ [...]um omnium in Republica ba­sis. l. R. p. 143. the first of all military dignity, and the basis and foundation of all Honors in our Nation; and is certainly derived from if not the same, with that immediately preceding. For as the Ceremony of a gentle touch on the shoulder, with the flat side of the Sword, hath been since used, instead of endowing with the Sword and Belt (especially in times of War, or in haste) as an initiation into the Military Order; so on the contrary, it is not un­usual, now adays, for the Prince, at least Gladio, if not Cingulo donare; for he of­tentimes bestows the Sword upon the person whom he Knighteth.

The Equites had the Epithete of Ab ornamen­tis aureis. Mi­raeus, Origines Ord. Equestri­um, p. [...]. jux [...]a impressionem 16 [...]8. Aurati given them, from the priviledge of wearing Gold upon their Swords and Spurs; and the 265 Knights, created upon Hadrians Bridge at Rome, by Frederick the Third, Emperor of Germany, the 18. of March, Anno Dom. 1451. as he proceeded to the Cathedral Church of St. Iohn de Lateran to be crowned, are by Vitae & Gesta summ. P [...]ntif. l 2. p. 925. Ciaconius called Equites Aurati; and were in­deed no other than Knights Batchelors; such were also the Platina de vi [...]s Ponti [...]. p. 262. Italian and German Knights, created in the same place, by Sigismond the Emperour, on Whitsunday 1432. as he went to the Lateran from the Vatican, where he had received his Crown from Pope Eugenius the Fourth.

And here we have an occasion offer'd, to insert the distinction which Andrew Tiraquel puts between those Knights, who are, and who are not noble before they receive that dignity; allowing the later the Title of Equites Aurati, and to the former that of Milites. De Nobil. c. [...]. sect. 13. For (saith he) it is to be observed, that those whom we in the French Tongue call Chevaliers, were made noble assoon as they attain'd that dig­nity, even though they were not such before, yet they were not called Milites, contrary to the position of all Interpreters of the Law: but such as speak properly, have cal­led them Equites Auratos. Which appellation Lib. Epist. 24. Epist. [...]. ad Alb▪ Parisium. Franciscus Philelphius did first of all find out, and Bebellius in his Commentary De abusione linguae, brings many things against the Interpreters, who call those (that are not noble before their Creation) Milites.

Somewhat to like purpose would our learned Spelman deduce from the addi­tion of Gloss. Archai­olog. verbo Eques. Aurati, conceiving it introduced ad distinguendum Equitem ritu honorario institutum, ab inhonorato istiusmodi; and by him made applicable to the Nea­politan Gentlemen, (usually called Cavalieri) who are all stiled Equites, though they never have attained the Knightly dignity.

Thirdly,Knights B [...]ne­rets. concerning the Knights Banerets, a Title bestowed on such who had so well deserved in the Wars, that they were afterwards permitted to use the Vexillum quadratum, or a square Banner; whence they were truly called Equites Vexillarii, or Chevaliers à Baniere, from the Dutch word Ibid. verb [...] Baneret. Banerherr, Lord, or Ma­ster of the Banner.

Our learned In Brit. p. 124: Edit. Lond. 1608. Cambden derives the original of this Knightly dignity among us, not higher than the reign of King Edward the Third, and believes him to be the [Page 14] first Institutor thereof, and this honorable Title to be then first devised, in recom­pence of martial prowess; a recital of which dignity received, is mentioned in a Pat. 20. E. 3. par. 2. mem­brana 22. Patent, whereby that King grants to Iohn Coupland, for the maintenance thereof, five hundred pounds per annum out of his Exchequer, to be received by him and his Heirs; and this was for his good service performed, in taking Speeds Chron. p. 592. Da­vid the Second, King of Scots, Prisoner, at the Battel of Nevils Cross, neer Durham. But some few years before the Creation of Sir Iohn Coupland, there is mention also in the Patent Rolls of 10. E. 3. par [...] 2. m. 7. Sir Reignald Cobham, and 13. E. 3. m. 13. Sir William de la Poole, both Banerets: And doubtless the Title and Dignity was much more an­cient with us (as well as in Vide Seld. Tit. of Honor, p. 543. France) for in our perusal of the Accounts of the great Wardrobe, we find such like Robes allowed to several persons made Knights, as were appointed usually for the Creation of Banerets; and this before the reign of King Edward the Third, which implies, that there was then a Degree of Knight­hood, so called, amongst us. For instance, Ex Rotul. Compo [...]i Tho. Vseflet de an. 20. E. [...]. Gerardo de la Bret, ad apparatum suum pro Militia, tanquam pro Baneretto, à Rege suscipienda, &c. viz. ad unam Tuni­cam, &c. after which is set down the particular Robes, and other Ornaments, appointed for his Creation; and then it follows, Consimilem apparatum habuerant subscripti, viz.

• Hug. de Courtney. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Rad. de Wylington. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Rad. Daubeney. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Ioh. de Willouby. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Edw. Stradling. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Rad. Baro de Stafford. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Ioh. de Meules. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Will. de Percy. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Gerard de Insula. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Pet. Breton. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Rog. le Straunge. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Ernone de Potes. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Ioh. de Neville. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Gerard de Trassyns. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Willect de Ciply. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Mulect de Blekey. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.
• Disram de Keney. Viz. Singuli eo­rum tanquam pro Baneretto.

In like manner in the preceding year have we met with an account of Robes, given to Ex Comp. praed. Tho. de Vseflet. Iames Botiller of Ireland, ad apparatum suum, pro se novo Milite facien­do, tanquam Baneretto; as also to William Mountacute, Ebulo le Strange, and others. So also An. 18. E. 2. to Hugo de Poynts, and Hugo de Plesey; and Ex Comp. praed. Tho. de Vseflet. Ann. 16. E. 2. to Raymund Durant. And our learned Spelman (in Pellae exitus An. 8. E. 2.) doth find Gloss. Archai. verbo Baneret [...]. vide etiam 4. part. Instit. p. 6. Iohn de Crumbwell, written with the addition and Title of Baneret.

But that this Dignity was yet more ancient in England, is sufficiently apparent from a Writ of King Edward the First, under the Privy Seal, directed to the Clerk of the Wardrobe, to furnish Thomas Bardolf with Robes, such as were usually al­lowed to a Baneret; he being to receive the honor of Knighthood, at that emi­nent solemnity, when Edward of Caernarvon, the Kings eldest Son, was made Knight; which Writ runs thus.

Ex Brevi R. Ed. 1. penes Rem. Regis in Scacc. Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Dominus Hiberniae & Dux Aquitaniae, Di­lecto nobis Radulpho de Stoke, Clerico magnae Garderobae nostrae salutem, Mandae­mus vobis, quod dilecto nobis Thomae Bardolf tanquam Baneretto, decentem appa­ratum, pro se novo Milite faciendo ad festum Pentecostes proximè futurum, in Comi­tiva Edwardi filii nostri karissimi habere, de dono nostro faciatis. Et nos vobis inde in compoto vestro debitam allocationem habere faciemus. Datum sub privato Sigillo nostro apud Wolveseye tertio die Maii, Anno Regni nostri Tricesimo quarto.

This Degree of Honor is Mills Ca [...]a [...]. of Honor p. 80. esteemed the last among the greatest, viz. Nobilium majorum, or the first with those of the second rank, and Gloss. Ar­chaiol. ver­bo Baneret. is placed in the middle between the Barons and the other Knights; in which respect, the Baneret may be called Gloss. Ar­chaiol. ver­bo Baneret. Vexillarius minor, as if he were the lesser Banner-Bearer, to the end he might be so differenced from the greater, namely, the Baron, to whom properly the right of bearing a square Banner doth appertain.

But there are some remarkable differences [...]tween these Knights, and Knights Batchelors; to wit, as to the occasion and circumstances of their Creation; the Baneret being not created, unless at a time when the Kings Standard is erected and displayed; besides, Gloss. Ar­chaiol. ver­bo Baneret. he bears his own Banner in the field, while the Knight [Page 15] Batchelor follows that which is anothers, which evidently shews the Dignity to be of a higher nature; nevertheless, Sir Henry Spelman notes, this not to be dishonourable, since the Emperor Gloss. Ar­chaiol. ver­bo Baneret. Maximilian was pleased to serve in the Wars, under the Banner of our King Henry the Eighth, in the Lord Herbert [...] Hist. of Hen. 8. M S. fo. 47. quality of his Soldier, in the Camp before Terwin in France, wearing the Cross of St. George, and re­ceiving the pay of one hundred Crowns a day.

This further difference is observed between them, by Andrew Favin, to wit, In le Thea­tre d'Honeur l. 1. c. 6. Vexillarius, qui Vassa [...]o [...] su­o [...] habeba [...] el [...] ­to Vexillo; & Baccalaureus▪ qui sub alieno vexillo procede­bat. Jo. Tilius Commentar. d [...] reb. Gall. l. 2. p. 180. that the Knight Baneret was he who had so many Gentlemen, his servants, at command, as that he could raise a Banner, and make up a Company of Soldiers to be main­tained at his Table, and their wages paid out of his own Purse: But the Knight Batchelor he, who had not servants sufficient to lead to the War, at his own charge, but marched under the Banner of some other. Idem Favin. loco cit. These two degrees of Honor (saith he) were also distinguished by their Wages, in regard that a Knight Baneret had twenty Sols per diem to dispend, the Knight Batchelor ten, and the Esquire but five; proportionable hereunto is that which Mr. Selden notes out of the Ward­robe accounts, an. 4. E. 2. Titles of H [...] ­nor, p. 991. That the Banerets wages by the day was four shillings, the Knights two shillings, and the Esquires one shilling.

Next unto the Knights Banerets, we shall speak of Knights of the Bath;Knights of the Bath. which is a degree that hath the Investiture and Title of a Knight, with an additio­nal denomination, derived from part of the Ceremony of his Creation.

It is the most received opinion, that our King Henry the Fourth, first instituted these Knights; and true it is, according to Chronic. l. 2. p. 24 [...]. Sir Iohn Froisard, He at his Corona­tion (to adde to the lustre and magnificence of it) created Chronic. l. 2. p. 24 [...]. six and forty of them; making an especial choice of such as he favoured, either out of an inward affe­ction, or consideration of their service or deserts.

And as he designed them to attend him in the Ceremonies of his Coronation, then at hand, so did he retain them neerer unto his person; thereby seeming to honor them with a more familiar consociation, than he vouchsafed to the Knights Batchelors.

But if the Ceremonies and circumstances of their Creation be well considered, it will appear that this King did not institute, but rather restore, the ancient man­ner of making Knights; and consequently, that the Knights of the Bath are in truth no other than Knights Batchelors, that is to say, such as are created with those Ceremonies wherewith Knights Batchelors were formerly created by Ec­clesiasticks; but some of them having been for a long time laid aside with us, were then brought again into use, and made peculiar to the Degree of Knights of the Bath, and since continued to them, upon some solemn and great oc­casion.

At the first view, this Degree looks like a peculiar and distinct Order of Knight­hood, and may perhaps (by some) be thought more fit to be spoken of in the third Chapter rather than here: But it cannot properly and justly be so accounted, if we consider, that they have not either Statutes or Laws assigned them, nor are they in case of vacancy supplied; (which are the essentials of distinct Orders) nor do they wear their Robes beyond the time of that occasion upon which they were created; as chiefly the Coronation of Kings and Queens of England, or otherwise the Creation of a Prince of Wales, Duke of York, and the like, where­to also is to be considered, that their Number hath been uncertain, and always at the pleasure of the King.

Andrew Favin will have these Knights to be otherwise called En le Theatre d'Honeur l. 5: c. 2. Knights of the Crown, because (saith he) to distinguish them from Esquires, they wear upon their left shoulders an Escutcheon of Black Silk, with three Crowns of Gold em­broidered thereon. But this is a great mistake, for it is not found that such, or indeed any other Badge, was at any time (after that manner) used by them, save only a Silk Lace; but the Jewel worn, to be known by, is made of Gold, con­taining three Crowns, with this Motto, Tria juncta in una, and hanging down under the left arm at a Carnation Ribbon worn cross the body.

This leads us to the consideration of another Degree among us here in Eng­land, namely,Baronet [...]. Baronets, who seem to be allied to Knighthood, by having granted [Page 16] to them the addition of Sir to be set before their Names; but this Title gives not the Dignity of Knighthood, nor can any of them be properly stiled Knights, until they be actually knighted.

It is a Degree but of a late erection, to wit, in the ninth year of King Iames, and the grant thereof made only by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England, a Copy of one of which is transcribed into the Pag. 8 21. Titles of Honor. This Honor is made hereditary to them, and the Heirs males of their bodies lawfully begotten, for ever; and by a subsequent Decree of the said King, precedence is granted to them before all Banerets, Rot. Pat. an. 10. Iac. pars 10, m. 8. except such as should be made by the King, his Heirs, and Successors, under his or their Standard displaid in an Army royal, in open War, and the King personally present; and next unto and immediately af­ter the younger Sons of Viscounts and Barons.

The ground for erecting this Degree (as appears by the Instructions given to the Commissioners appointed to treat about this affair) was partly Mar­tial; for though themselves were not enjoined personal service in the Wars, yet the motive of this Honor was a certain contribution from each Baronet, Seld Tit. of Hon. p. 827. to main­tain thirty Foot Soldiers, for three years in Ireland (after the rate of eight pence a day) for the defence of that Kingdom; and chiefly to secure the Plantation in the Province of Vlster.

Their Qualifications were, that at least they should be descended from a Grandfather, on the Fathers side, that bore Arms, and had a Revenue of one thou­sand pounds per annum, of Lands of inheritance in possession, or Lands of old Rents, as good as one thousand pounds a year of improved Lands; or at least two parts of three, to the said value in possession, and the other third part in rever­sion expectant, upon one life only held in Jointure.

The year after the first Patent past, King Iames was pleased to adde some new Priviledges and Ornaments to this Degree, namely, Rot. Pat. 10. Iac. pars 10. m. 8. to Knight those Baronets already made, that were no Knights, as also such as should be afterwards crea­ted, and the Heirs males of their bodies, when they attained the age of one and twenty years; that the Baronets and their Descendants might bear either in Can­ton, or in an Inescutcheon the Arms of Vlster, and further, to have place in the Armies of the King, and his Heirs and Successors, in the gross, neer about the Royal Standard, for defence of the same.

Since the Institution of Baronets in England, there have been made divers in [...]itles of Ho [...] ­nor p. 842. Ireland, after the like form. And the Knights of Heylins Cos­ [...]ogr. printed 1652. l. 1. p. 306. Nova Scotia in the West-Indies, were ordained, in imitation of Baronets in England, by the said King Iames, anno Dom. 1622. and upon a like design; to wit, the planting of that Country by Scotch Colonies, and the Degree made likewise hereditary.

These later have the priviledge to wear an Orange-tawny Ribbon, as a Badge of Honor, to distinguish them from other Knights: and it appears by a Ex MS. in Of­fic. Armor. [L. 2.] fol. 23. Letter from Henry Earl of Holland, dated the 29. of Iune 1627. and directed to the Officers of Arms, that there was some intention to move his then Majesty to de­clare his pleasure, that all Baronets and Knights Batchelors might wear in Ribbons of several colours, some Badge or Iewel, to distinguish the one from the other, and both from persons of inferiour quality, in such sort as did the Knights of the Baeth; to which end, he desired their opinion, touching the fitness and conveni­ency thereof.

Which Officers, from precedents of the differences and marks set upon Robes belonging to several Degrees of Nobility and Honor, and from the Ensigns and Ornaments of Knighthood, used for distinctions sake, both at home and abroad, being esteemed as peculiar marks of Soveraignty in the Giver, and eminent tokens of Honor in the Receiver; grounded their opinion, that such Ornaments for di­stinction of those two Degrees, namely of Baronets and Knights Batchelors, were no way unfit or inconvenient, either to his said Majesty, or to his Subjects: But it seems, there was nothing further done in this matter.

We shall conclude this Section with a general observation, which relates to the conferring of Knightly Honor; That Kings and Princes have in no Age li­mited themselves, or confin'd their bestowing of this Dignity to Martialists [Page 17] alone, who profess Arms, and give themselves to the exercise of Military Virtue, as it was in its original Institution, viz. a Military Employment; inasmuch as men of the long Robe, and such as have dedicated themselves to the managery of Ci­vil Affairs, through their great worth and desert in that kind, have so well merit­ed of their Prince and Country, as to be thought worthy to share with those of the short Robe, in having this Honor conferr'd on them.

SECT. V. The Etymologie of Eques, Miles, Chevalier, Ritter, and Sir.

WE have observed before,1. Equi [...]. that the Grecian Captains had a Title of Ho­nor in their Language, equivalent to the signification of Eques in the La­tin, to which a Horse gave the denomination; we shall here further add (it be­ing testified by Lib. 33. c. 1. sub finem. Pliny) that the Title of Eques, given and appropriate to the Ordo Equestris among the ancient Romans, as a name of Title and Dignity, was at first likewise derived from Equus a Horse; and indeed it is a proper and significant term since among them, they were esteemed Equites, Demster in Rosin. p. 94. who having a publick Horse, did receive the stipend of a Horseman to serve in the Wars: because one part of the Ceremony, whereby this Honor became conferred, was the giving of a Horse, bestowed on them at the Publick Charge; of which more anon. In the ancient times (saith Turneb. ani­madv. in Rul­lum: Petri Ra­mi Comment. p. 76. Turnebus) they who received pay, upon the account of a publick Horse, were called Equites. And the Legionary Soldiers, which L. 33. c. 2. Pliny saith were sometimes called Fluxumines, De re mil. Rom. p. 231. Salmasius calls Fluxutes, and derives the word à fle­ctendis Equisin Gyrum.

It is also to be noted, that the word used to denote the Degree of Knighthood, in the several Dialects of other Nations, hath the same derivation, to wit, from a Horse; for in the French, a Knight is called Chevalier; in the German, Ridder; in the Italian, Cavagliero; nay even in the ancient British, Morchog; concerning some of which, hear also one of Geoffry Chaucer's Scholars.

And albeit the Latin word Miles, and the English word Knight, had not their derivation from a Horse, as have those before enumerated; nevertheless they are now restrained to a Title of Honor (though heretofore they had other signi­fications) and ordinarily used to express a dubbed Knight.

According to the opinion of our learned Spelman, [...]. Miles. Miles (in a general sense) is he Gloss. Archa [...] verbo Mile [...]. who is legally inrolled for the War: which Inrollment he also saith was two-fold, Honoraria, & Vulgaris. This pertaining to the Foot, or common Soldiers; that to persons more renowned and famous. To the admittance of a Foot Sol­dier, the bare entrance of his Name upon the Military Tables sufficed; but at the creating of the other, some solemnity was used, for he was adorned with Arms; not of his own choice, but given and granted, upon the account of Honor, from the Prince, and that after a certain kind of ceremonious Pomp. Thus he.

But though the word Miles anciently among the Romans, and hitherto in a strict sense, is allowed by all to signifie a Foot Soldier, whence Miles, à Militia; [Page 18] yet how this word became usurped, continued in use, and in tract of time natu­ralized, to signifie the same which Eques did, we could no where receive so clear satisfaction, as from the learned Pen of Claudius Salmasius, who in his Treatise De Re Militari Romanorum gives this following account.

‘Pag. 2. It is manifest (saith he) that there was one kind of Military Discipline among the Romans, when their publick Affairs were first setled by Kings; ano­ther, when in the flower of their Government Liberty was established; ano­ther, when the Caesars and Augustus's were Masters of the Empire; and lastly, another, under the Successors of Constantine, when upon the translation of part of the Empire to Constantinople, the Militia was changed from Foot to Horse. For the new Romans of that time being continually engaged against Nations power­ful and abounding in Horse, and reposing no further confidence in the Legionary Militia, the rigour of the ancient Discipline being wholly lost, began to exer­cise and train up only the Horse Militia, deserting that of the Foot, whereof there was hardly any advantage to be made against the innumerable Forces of the Alani, Gothes, Vandals, Persians, Saracens, and Sarmatians, which consisted in Horse.’

‘In those times the Greeks, who writ ought concerning that part of Military Discipline, which relates to Tacticks, taking all things from the Ancients, ex­press'd the Affairs of their own Age (by reason of the alteration of the Militia) in words proper to the ancient Militia. What the former had said of the Foot Soldiery, these later applyed the same things in their writings to the Cavalry. And what is more to be admired, the names whereby the ancient Greeks and Latins called the Foot, these transferr'd to the Horse of their time. Hence [...], which before was said of the Foot Soldier, was by these later Greeks and Constantinopolitans, properly attributed to the Horseman. So also among the Romans of the same Age, the word Miles was no longer said of him that serv'd afoot in the Wars, but began to be properly spoken of the Horse­man.’

‘Whence it came into vogue (as the same Author concludes) that among the Titles of Nobility, he who had that of Miles bestowed on him (whether in pub­lick Monuments and Archives of Courts, or in the private Instruments and Tombs of illustrious Families) was understood to be a Horseman, or Eques, that is of the Equestrian Dignity, or descended from it.’

Our learned Tit. of Ho­nor p. 436. Selden also notes the word Miles to be equivocal, and that in the old Feodal Laws of the Empire it signifies a Gentleman, as the word Gentle­man is signified in Nobilis: and with us the word hath been frequently and indiffe­rently used, to denote both a Gentleman and a Knight: as for instance, Milites signifieth Tit. of Ho­nor p. 436. Gentlemen, or great Freeholders of a County, and not dubbed Knights, viz. such who hold by Knights-service from a Lord of a Mannor, they being also called Vide Tit. Hon. cad. pag. Milites or Knights in our Laws, that concern either choice of Coroners, or who are chosen from the several Counties of this Kingdom, to serve in the High Court of Parliament; although they be not advanced into the Degree of Knighthood.

That Miles with us hath denoted the dignity of Knighthood (which is indeed the chiefest of Military professions) even in the Saxons times, Ibid. p. 770. Mr. Selden not only believes, but fortifies his opinion from the authority of several Charters of that Age, wherein this Title is given to sundry persons, as may be Idem, pag. 771. there seen to satisfaction; observing withal, that the Et pag. 934. ancientest use of it, in the German Empire, as a Title of Honor, that he finds it had, was about the Year of our Lord 1064. but Aubertus Miraeus (in Apud Iu­risprud. Heroic. p. 69. Cod. donat. pier.) exhibits an ancient diploma, in which the Title Miles is mentioned, in chartâ Gerardi Cameracensium Episcopi, de anno 1046. since which it is become more frequently used, in all publick In­struments written in Latin, and most generally appropriate in our Law, to per­sons who have received the Order of Knighthood, and to signifie the same with Eques and Chevalier, though indeed it may seem less properly to signifie a Knight, than that of Eques; in regard Knighthood is by Ferns Glory of Generosity, p. 108. some called the dignity of Horse­manship, and the tenure of Lands by Knights Fees here in England, is in truth a [Page 19] Horse-service, and the Tenants such as served the King on Horseback in Wars, and Gentlemen at least, if not persons of noble extraction: besides, to note the dignity of this Tenure, it is anciently called Cokes pre­face ad lib. 3. fo. 3. a. Regale Servicium, because due to and for the King and the Realm.

As the Greeks and Romans derived a Title of Honor from Horses of service,3. Chevalier. and conferr'd the same upon their men of Arms, so did the French; among whom, the word Chevalier hath the like signification and relation: For at first, it pro­perly signified a Horseman, or [...] that rides a Horse; but at length it came to be used among them, more [...] to express one, upon whom the Honor of Knighthood had been bestowed.

And this cleerly appears from Claude Fauchet, a French Writer of good account; who speaking of the original of Knighthood, and the Etymologie of the word Chevalier, saith, Origines de Chevaliers Ar­moir. & He­raux. f. 1. it is evident that the Chevaliers derive their name from Cheval [a Horse] which (to say truth) is the properest Animal that can be found for War; and which by reason of the swiftness thereof, is by the Vide Com. Servii ad Vir­gilii primum Georgicon. Poet ascribed to Neptune, at the contention he had with Pallas for the invention of profitable things.

The skilful management of a Horse, hath been heretofore accounted one of the principal marks and properties of a Knight; and so greatly delighted were the active and warlike youths, among the old Gauls (to wit, the ancient Inhabi­tants of France) with gallant Horses, that no Present could be more acceptable to them.

It is evident, that with the nobler sort among us, the Title of Eques or Cheva­lier hath been esteemed more honorable than Miles (though Miles had before much prevailed in England, even to a general Title and Appellation) which may be proved out of those Records, instanced in the fourth part of the Pag. [...] Institutes, by which it appears that the Barons in Parliament, who had been Knighted, liked to be called Chevaliers, rather than Milites. And in Writs of Summons they were more usually stiled Chevaliers, than by the Titles of their Baronies; or if these were used, nevertheless, that of Chevalier followed at the end of the style. Anno 7. E. 4. all the Barons in Parliament have the addition of Chevaliers, and there­fore they subscribed thus—Equites aurati omnes. And about Seldens Tit. of Honor. p. 746 King Henry the Eighths Reign, the Custom began, to stile all the temporal Barons in their Writs of Summons, Chevaliers; whether they were Knighted or not, which is hither­to continued in practice; all which are considerable proofs of the estimation they had of the Title of Chevalier, above that of Miles.

Among the modern Germans, 4. Ridder. the Title of Knight is understood by the word Corn. Kilian. Dict. Teutonico-Lat. lit. R. Ver­steg. Antiq. p. 314. Ridder, which in English is the same with Rider or Horseman, and equivalent both to the ancient Title Eques, and the modern Chevalier; and the Order of Knighthood or Equestrian Dignity, is in high Dutch called Frisius Dict. Latino-Germ. lit. R. Ritterschafft, in low Dutch, Iurispruden­tia Heroica. p. 389. a. Riderschap.

As the German Ridder or Ritter, is observed by our learned Tit. Hon. p. 436. Selden, to be the same with Miles (viz. a Gentleman) so the Ghe-slagen Ridder, is interpreted by Kilianus in lit. R. Eques Auratus, viz. Miles factus, or the dubbed Knight, he being created by the Ceremony of a gentle stroke, or light touch with a naked Sword, upon the shoulder (Ghe-slaeghen, signifying but as percussus) for albeit The Estate of the Empire, Dialog. 8. in prin [...]. Lewis du May tells us, that in Germany the Gentlemen to this day, writing in Latin, stile them­selves Equites; yet no man among them is accounted a Tit. of Honor▪ loco cit. Ritter or Ridder, in the same sence as Eques Auratus, or Cingulo Militae donatus, denotes it, unless he be actually Knighted.

And besides, the said Eod. Dialog. Lewis du May notes down these manifest differences, be­tween them and the dubbed Knight: as first, that the Knight hath been always more priviledged than the Gentleman. 2. That the chance of Birth makes the Gentleman, without his contributing any thing to it; but Worth and Valour raises the Knight to that degree of Honor. 3. Princes and Lords do not seek for the Title of a Gentleman, as they do very earnestly for that of a Knight: And 4. The Gentleman is born so, the Knight comes to be so; that is, a Gentleman be­gets a Gentleman, but a Knight begets not a Knight.

The Saxon word 5. Knight. Cniht (from whence our Knight) is by our learned Country­men, [Page 20] men, Gloss. Archa [...]. verbo Knight. Spelman, Titles of Ho­nor. p. 769. Selden, and Dict. Saxon. verbo [...]niht. Somner, rendred a Boy, a Servant, or an Attendant, and also a Soldier. We shall not meddle with the word, as it ba [...]ely signifies Puer, Puerilis, Iuvenis, or Puber, as making nought to our purpose; but as it hath signified Servus or Famulus, a Servant or Attendant (being not otherwise used at this day among the Dutch) and also, as it imports the dignity of Knighthood (to which purpose we now commonly use it) it will deserve observation; and this chiefly in the words of Mr. Somner, that painful Inquisitor into the so much neg­lected, and almost forgotten Saxon Tongue Saxon. dict. loco cit. [...] (saith he) that use of it remaining in our Knights of the Shire; which [...] Knights by dignity or place as indeed but few of them are, or need to be, yet are so called, but why? under fa­vour, in regard of that service which is required and performed of them in Parlia­ment, for their several Countries, whose servants for the time they are.

But that we may know it was used with us, as an honorary Title and Appel­lation, shortly after the Conquest, there is an [...]ter Cod. MS. a Guil. Archiep. Cant. Bibl Oxon. do­natos [E. 80. fo. 64. b.] old Manuscript yet extant in Bibli­otheca Bodliana, in which the Annals are continued down to King Stephens Reign, wherein the Annalist having told us, that King William the Conqueror accusto­mably wore his Crown at the Feasts of Easter, Whitsontide, and Christmas, he further noteth [...]ter Cod. MS. a Guil. Archiep. Cant. Bibl Oxon. do­natos [E. 80. fo. 64. b.] [...] Then were with him all the wealthy (or potent) men throughout England, viz. Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, and Knights.

Antiq. p. 314. Impr. London. 1629. Verstegan is of opinion, that this word began to be made use of among our An­cestors, as a Title of Honor, from such as were admitted for their merit to be Knights to the King; viz. his own Servants and Reteyners, and such as were ap­pointed to ride with or attend on him; to whom our industrious Minshew agrees, the Verbo Knight. Equites (saith he) which heretofore followed and accompanied the Emperor, are in the German Tongue called Knechtes, that is, Servitors or Ministers. But our learned Cambden is of opinion, that the word Knercht, Brit. p. 125. was in far more ancient times used and accepted as an honorary Title, and among the old Germans, sig­nified a person armed with Spear and Launce (the Ensigns of their Knighthood) as in after times such were among other Nations, adorned with a Girdle and Belt, who are since called Equites Aurati, and sometimes simply Milites.

6. Sir. In the last place, we think it not amiss to say something here, touching the usual and accustomed English word, with us added to the names of Knights, viz. Sir: We note then, that since Titles and honorary Appellations have been in use, (for anciently no other Appellations were used, but only the persons names) the word Sire in old French was taken to signifie Seignieur or Lord; and though in Latin the word Dominus hath been indifferently attributed to all Degrees of Nobility, yet in the Registries of the most noble Order of the Garter, it is us'd with a di­stinction. For wherever the Names of any of the Knights Companions are re­corded, if he be a Baron of the Kingdom, it is exprest by Dominus, and his Sur­name only, added thereunto; as for instance, the Lord Cameux is termed Lib. N p. 58. Do­minus de Cameux, and so others; whereas a Knight Baneret or Batchelor hath his Christian Name adjoined, as Sir Iohn Chandos (who was one of the first Foun­ders of this most noble Order) is stiled Idem p. 30. Dominus Iohannes Chandos, Sir Walter Pa [...]ely, another of those Founders, is written, Dominus Gualter [...]s Pa [...]ely, and so of others.

Now this addition Sir, is properly attributed to the Names of all Knights Ba­nerets, Knights of the Bath, and Batchelor Knights; the words sometimes pro­nounced at the time when they are dubbed being with this compellation to their Christian Names, Arise Sir Iohn, or Sir Thomas, or whatsoever else is his Chri­stian Name, and therefore is accounted parcel of their stile, as among the French Messire is used in the same nature. But to Knights Baronets the addition of Sir is Pat. 9. Iac. pars 45. granted by a peculiar clause in their Patents of Creation, to be prefixt to their Christian Names, albeit they be not dubbed Knights.

How it came to be first given we cannot find, but Custom from former times hath continued it to ours, upon the Degrees before mentioned, and divers of our old English Writers have bestowed it upon the major Nobility, after they had [Page 21] been received into the Order of Knighthood. Nevertheless, though it be wholly uncertain when it first began to be used with us, yet our learned Selden hath ob­served it in an Additions and Amendments t [...] the Titles of Honor. p. 939. Hebrew Star, of King Edward the First's time. And in the life of Saint Thomas Becket, written also about that Age, we meet with the Title prefixt to the Names of the four Knights (there called Luther Knigths) who slew the said Saint Thomas.

SECT. VI. The Ensigns of the Equestrian Order among the Romans.

THE Equestrian Order among the ancient Romans was conferr'd by parti­cular Ceremonies, 1. A Publick [...]orse. to wit, the donation of a Horse, or giving of a Ring; and these were accounted the two chief and principal Ensigns and Ornaments of that Order, as appears out of Lib. 33. c. [...]. sub finem. Ro­sin. de Antiq. Rom. l. 1. c. 17. Pliny and other Writers; and both bestowed upon the publick account.

The giving of the publick or military Horse was a far more ancient Ceremony, than that of bestowing the Ring: there being a time when only those who receiv­ed the publick Horse, we [...] of the Equestrian Order, and none other; and this was long before the Gold Ring was used, as a mark of this Honor.

For it appears out of Livy, that upon Servius his Institution of the Cense, and his inrolling the Knights by it, he forthwith took care to pay them out of the publick Treasure, Livy. l. 1. c. 43. Ten thousand pieces of Brass Money to buy them Horses: and certain Widows were assigned to pay two thousand pieces of like money annually, Livy. l. 1. c. 43. towards the keeping of them. De re mil. Rom. p. 239. circa medium. Therefore (saith the learned Salmasius) no other were then enrolled in the Equestrian Order, but such as had the Equestrian Cense, and to whom a publick Horse was assigned. And this is further evident from this passage in Pliny; Quod ante [...] militares Equi nomen dede­rant, hoc nunc Pecun [...]ae Iudi­ces tribuunt. l. 33. c. 1. That the Name (to wit Equites) which was heretofore (saith he) derived from the [...]ilitary Horses, now the Iudges upon the account of money (viz. the Censors) bestow.

But here instead of the word Iudices, the learned Critick Iustus Lipsius is ra­ther willing to read De militia Romana. p. 3 [...] ▪ Dialog. 5. Indices (and we find the Letters n and u are frequently mi­staken by Transcribers, the one for the other) which indeed seems as well sutable to the meaning, which the whole sentence aims at; for the former part thereof de­clares, that the Rings were the Notes or Ensigns of the middle (viz. Equestrian) Degree; and then according to Lipsius his correction of the word, the latter part runs thus; that the Name which formerly the military Horses gave, the Notes and Indices of wealth did afterwards (to wit in Pliny's time) bestow.

And as the donation of a Horse was the ancienter badge of Knighthood, so were those to whom it was given, Lips. loc [...] citato. saith Iustus Lipsius, most anciently, properly, and alone in times past called Equites. The same Lipsius (reflecting on the twofold Ensigns of Knighthood among the Romans) makes a dichotomy of the Equestrian Order, into Lips. loc [...] citato. those who had a publick Horse, and others who had none; but only the honor of wearing of a Gold Ring.

In succeeding times, when the Custom was received of electing Knights, as well by bestowing of a Gold Ring, as formerly had been used by the single Ce­remony of giving a publick Horse (yet still to those who had the Equestrian Cense) then was the number of these Knights very much increased; whereupon no pub­lick Horses were afterwards assigned, but unto such as were ready to enter into [Page 22] the military service, and to fight in the Legions; and then also to such persons only, who were chosen Salmas. de [...]e mil. Rom. p. 239. out of the Body, Number, and Order of the Knights, to wit, Ib. p. 240. such as to whom there had not yet any publick Horse been assigned, but were only known to be of that Order, by wearing of a Gold Ring. Those therefore to whom the publick Horse was then assigned, were thenceforth called Legionary Knights, from being Et. p. 231. annexed and joined to the Legions by such donation; and likewise to distinguish them from the rest of the Equestrian Order, who had only received the honor of a Gold Ring; though they had not as yet taken upon them any mar­tial employment.

Hence we may observe, that all those who were of the Equestrian Order, were not employed in military service, or rather very few, in respect of the whole Body; but only such of them to whom a publick Horse was assigned, and had the peculiar Title given them of Legionary Knights, as aforesaid; being chosen from the entire body of the Ordo Equestris, to the end they might forthwith serve in the Legions.

Nor was every Citizen, whose wealth could entitle him to the Equestrian Cense, received into the Equestrian Order, for doubtless many concealed the just value of their Estates from the Censor, and so escaped the admission and inroll­ment; but whosoever were found possess'd of such a proportion of Riches and Substance, as would reach the Equestrian Cense, were constrain'd (if debauchery and vitiousness hindred not) to enroll themselves within that Order, and thereby become capable of receiving a publick Horse; as is evident from Lib. 39. cap. 19. Livy, in that which he relateth concerning P. Aebutius, the Son of a Roman Knight, where in favour to him, and recompence of his service, by whose (together with Lib. 39. cap. 19. His­palo Fessenia's) means, the abominable Ceremonies, used in the nocturnal Feasts of Bacchus, were first discovered, the Senate decreed, Lib. 39. cap. 19. that the Consul should mind the Tribunes of the Commons, to prefer a Bill to the people for his exempti­on from all military service, and notwithstanding to a [...]ow him his Pension, as if the time of service which the Law required, had been accomplished; and more­over Lib. 39. cap. 19. to prohibit the Censor from assigning to him a publick Horse, or compelling him to serve in the Wars, against his will. By which it is manifest, that the Censor might force any man (in that time) who had the Equestrian Cense, to accept of a Horse, and constrain him to serve out (in the Legions) the time appointed by the Law; otherwise what needed so great endeavour to obtain such a prohibition? Howbeit Salmasius adds, De re mil. Rom. p. 238. that in the more ancient method of Election, constrain [...] was not used.

This Horse (which first gave name to the Knights, as hath been before noted out of Pliny) was in relation to his service called Godw. Anthol. Rom. Hist. p. 29 Equus Milita [...]s, and from the annu­al allowance to keep him, Equus publicus. And after such time as the Office of Censor was instituted (which was in the Fastorum Rom. l. 1. vide Liv. l. 4. c. 7. & Rosin. Antiq. Rom. l. 7. c. 10. 310. year after the foundation of the City) this Horse Idem Rosin. l. 1. c. 10. was bestowed by the Censor (which also is apparent from the case of P. Aebutius, cited by Livy, and mentioned a little before) and not as yet by the Emperors, who (it is true) in succeeding times gave the same, (which ought nevertheless to be distinguished from the Horse that the said Emperors gave among the Praemia militaria, and by and by touched upon) And it was so assigned by the Censors, as they were Judges of manners (as is well observed by De mil. Rom. p. 33. dial. 5. Lipsius,) for it was part of the Censors duty, Rosin. l. 7. c. 10. vide e­tiam Dion. Halicar. l. 4. to observe the lives and manners of every man, even of those who were of the Senatorian and Equestrian Order; and to brand (if they saw cause) any Citizen whatsoever with infamy. And therefore were neither all persons, or those unadvisedly, inrolled for a publick Horse, but such only as could endure the test and examination of their reputation and good behaviour, and whose fair conversation and carriage, had given proof of their good and commen­dable life.

Wherefore, as the aforesaid Salmasius observes, Polybius useth in this kind of Election, the word [...] which comes from [...], signifying to be in good repute and esteem, and [...], which signifies to prove, to examine, to enquire, &c. De re mil. R. [...]. p. 238. because they chose from the Equestrian Order, and from all the number of Knights, those of known virtue and of approved life, who might take Horsemans pay, and serve with publick Horses, and be inrolled in the Legions.

[Page 23]And as this power in judging of mens manners and behaviour in general,For what cause withdrawn. was placed in the Censors, so also did they of censuring, in particular, the Knights de­baucheries and miscarriages, if they were chargeable with any such, after their Election into the Ord [...] Equestris; for if they observed any thing in their lives, Rosin. l. 7. c. 10. contrary to ho [...]esty and good report, they took away from them both Horse and Ring, than which a greater disgrace and dishonor could not befall them.

The Knights were not only to be circumspect, as to their own demeanour, but also obliged to be careful of their Horses; for if upon the Censors review of the publick Horses, any were found poor and lean, or that the Knight kept him not well drest, and in good order, he who owned him A. Gell. Noc [...]es Attica. l. 4. c. 12. was noted for negligence and carelesness; Lips. de re mil. Rom p. 33. Dial. 5. and if the Censors saw any blemish or impediment in them, they forth­with took them away.

But such might be their Crime, that withdrawing the Horse was not thought an agreeable punishment, for we read in Livy, that the Censors did not only take away the publick Horses from the Knights who came off safe, after the defeat at Cannae, but Lib 4. c. 18. they removed them all from their own Tribes, and wholly dis-franchis­ed them. The like did the Emperors, when, in succeeding times, they took upon them to bestow the publick Horses, in such manner as the Censors had formerly used; among whom we find, that Augustus (after he had obtained his ten Coad­jutors) exercised at one time, several of the powers belonging to the Censors, for Sueton. in [...]l­ [...]a Aug. c. 39. be compelled every Knight to give an account of his life, and of those whose manners be approved not, be punished some, and noted others with reproach and infamy, and many with admonition, but after various kinds. So also Caius Caligula, who not only reviewed with some severity, the Musters of the Equestrian Order, but Idem in vita Caii Cal. c. [...]6. openly took from them their Horses, in whom was found any foul reproach or infamy. And those who were less guilty, and culpable but of smaller faults, lost also their dignity, to­gether with their Horses, albeit they avoided that publick note of disgrace, which the former underwent, from whom (as it is shewn) he openly, and in the face of all took away their Horses; for concerning these, the said Suetonius adds, Ibid. He only passed over their Names in reading the Roll. Now Rosinus, in laying down the manner and order used in ejecting such Knights, saith it was thus: A Lib. [...]. cap. 1 [...]. recital being made by the Censor of all the Knights, that were inrolled in the Ordo Eque­stris, those whose names he omitted, Lib. [...]. cap. 1 [...]. were thereby understood to be deprived of that dignity.

In the last place, where any of this Order had consumed their Patrimony, and had not an Estate left answerable to the Equestrian Cense, they were reduced to the same condition with those, who (for some great mis-behaviour) were de­prived of the publick Horse, and Gold Ring, Rosin. l. [...]. c. 17. and cast into the lowest rank and Order, being thenceforth reckon'd among the Plebeians.

When the Legionary Knights had accomplished the full time of service in the Wars, appointed by the Law, and that the publick Horse had not for any crime or mis-demeanour of the Owner (all that while) been taken away from him, then was he delivered back to the Censor; the manner whereof is thus taken notice of by In vita Pompeit. Plutarch. It was the custom (saith he) with the Knights of Rome, when they had served in the Wars the time appointed by the Law, to bring their Horses into the Forum, before the Duumvirs (who were called Censors) and giving an ac­count under whom, and what Generals, or Captains, they had served, thereupon to be dismissed from further service in the Wars: an example whereof, the same Plutarch relates to have been given by Pompey himself, which was briefly thus.

In vita Pompeit. When the two Censors Gellius and Lentulus had placed themselves in the Fo­rum, to view the Knights that were to appear before them, Pompey came from the farther end thereof, leading his Horse in his hand by the Bridle (all the Ensigns of a Consul being carried before him) and pass [...]d by the Bars where the Censors sat, who seeing him so obedient in the observation of the Law, gave him great respect, after which the senior Censor thus examined him. Pompey the Great, I de­sire you to tell me, whether you have served so long in the Wars as the Law doth enjoin? To which he answered, that he had, and under no other Captain tha [...] himself; whereupon the Censors rose up from their Seats, and accompanied him home to his House.

[Page 24] Iustus Lipsius De mil. Rom. p. 35. Dial. 5. exhibits the Reverse of a Coyn, which he refers to the Emperor Claudius, as made upon his reviewing of the Legionary Knights, whereon is drawn the Censor sitting in the Forum, and a Knight leading his Horse up to him, and underneath is this word CENSOR inscribed; which since I have not met with in any other Author, who writes concerning the Roman Coyns, I though ne­cessary to mention in this place; together with another Roman Coyn given us by Rom. & G [...]aec. Monumenta p. 165. Hubertus Goltzius. This latter might possibly be stamped by M. Tullius Decula, who was Consul with Cneus Cornelius Dolabella, in the Fastorum Rom. l. 1. sub finem. 672. year after the foun­dation of the City.

And although on the Reverse the Censor is not to be seen sitting in the Forum, as in the former, yet there is a Figure representing a Knight leading his Horse, and in the very same posture as before, which doubtless was design'd by Tullius Decula, to represent the manner of bringing a publick Horse to a review before the Censors; and to strengthen this conjecture, there is insculped on the other side, the Effigies of Servius Tullus, the Sixth King of Rome. For in regard the Tullian Family is said to be descended from Servius Tullus, in remembrance there­of, his head was stamped thereupon. Yet certainly this was not all, but that as well the Reverse was designed, to perpetuate the memory of the same King's in­stituting the Cense, and ordaining a publick Horse to be given to the Roman Knights, whereon to serve in the Wars. Albeit I am not ignorant that the learn­ed Commentator upon the Duke of Croy's Coyns (among which is set forth the very same piece) likes rather to have it represent a Consular Horse, led by a Groom; but he gives neither remarque nor observation of the use, custom, or occasion for a Consular Horse to be soled.

We shall close our discourse concerning the publick Horse, as it was the princi­pal Ensign of the Equestrian Degree, with this observation; That amongst the Ro­man Inscriptions, collected by the great industry of Inscript. An­tiq. orbis Rom. Ianus Gruterus, there are several written thus, Equo publico honoratus, Equo publico donatus, ornatus, exor­natus, which at first sight may seem to infer, that this publick Horse was bestowed as an Ensign of Knighthood, and the person thereby admitted into the Equestrian Dignity.

But these expressions ought more rightly to be referr'd to the praemia milita­ria, with which the Emperors used to recompense some particular service done, by the honor of such a gift; and therefore we conceive it necessary here to insert that cautionary note, which Salmasius gives in this very case. De re mil. Rom. p. 240. Wheresoever we read of any that have been honor'd or adorn'd with a Publick Horse, it must be un­derstood not of him who served with a publick Horse, and really took Horsemans pay, but of him on whom this honor had been bestowed by the Emperor.

From this learned Author we shall add a further observation; that Equus publi­cus (which doth often occur in old Monuments and Inscriptions) is by a won­drous, but nevertheless an accustomed speech among the Romans, taken for the person himself, Ibid. qui Equo publico meret, that is, for one of the Equestrian Order, or that served with a publick Horse; but qui Equo publico donatus, for one, to whom a publick Horse had been given by the Emperor, as an honorary reward.

Another Ensign of the Equestrian Order was a Ring: a Ring in Latin is called Annulus, à Circuitu, from the roundness of its figure, whereby the Finger, as with a Crown is incircled; It is also taken diminutively from Annus the year, from its circulating within it self: but the Graecians have derived its name from the Finger, viz. that part of the body whereon it is worn, and called it [...].

That it hath been very anciently used, is undeniable, seeing the Author of the Book of C. 41. v. 42. Genesis hath noted Pharaoh to have taken off his Ring (then esteemed one of his Kingly Ensigns) and put it upon Iosephs hand.

We shall not need here to exhibit the (even almost innumerable) forms and fashions of Rings, or other their various uses, as little relating to our present purpose: But for asmuch as the Gold Ring hath been used and taken as an Ensign of the Equestrian Order, and consequently reputed as a Symbol of Honor, among the Romans; as such, it falls within what we design, and therefore we shall here note a few things in relation thereunto.

[Page 25]When the custom of wearing Rings began first to be taken up at Rome, [...]liny affirms, that the ancient Romans wore only the Iron Ring, Lib 33. c. 1. in princ. it being accounted by them the Ensign of Military Virtue. Nor were then Rings worn by any other, but by those Lib 33. c. 1. in princ. who had received them upon a publick account. This use of Iron Rings continued a great while amongst them, as is manifest from the same Author, who also saith, Lib 33. c. 1. in princ. that it was a long time e're the Roman Senators did wear any of Gold. And therefore all the while the Senate wore only Iron Rings, it cannot be supposed, that any of the Equestrian Order should wear those of Gold; and consequently in those elder Ages, the Gold Ring was not received, or reputed as an Ensign of their Knightly Degree.

Howbeit in process of time, we find Gold Rings were also drawn into use among the Romans; yet when they were so, we observe it was not lawful for men of any Degree to wear them, but only those to whom their use was restrained; as appears from Dion the Historian, who alledgeth, Vide C [...]l. Rhod Lect. Antiq. 16. c. 12 [...] prope finem, ex Dione. That none of the ancient Ro­mans, except the Senators and Knights, were permitted to wear Gold Rings. And now was it that the Gold Ring became enobled among them, when assumed by these two Orders, which included all the Roman Nobility.

These Rings (saith Isidore) were given at the publick charge, In Origini­bus. l 19. c. 32. but not without manifest distinction; In Origini­bus. l 19. c. 32. for to the Senators Rings were given, set with precious stones to others (to wit the Knights) those made of massie Gold: which were so called (saith Licetus) De Annul. Antiq. c. 137. because they were not made hollow to receive Gems into them.

But more particularly, the Gold Ring was another Ensign of the Equestrian Or­der; Plin. l. 33. c. 1. in finem. Annuli planè medium ordinem Plebi & Patribus inseruere. Here Pli [...]y notes it for the Symbol of the middle Degree, inserted between the Senators and Plebeians, which was that of the Appian l. 2. de [...] Ci­vilibus. Equites, as hath been befor [...] shewed.

The Learned Salmasius interpreting a place in Pl [...]ny, immediately following that before cited, to wit, L 33. c. 1. sub finem. Quod antea militares Equi nomen dederunt, hoc nunc pecuniae Iudices tribuunt, saith, that his meaning can be only this, Salm. de re milit. Rom. p. 239. That all per­sons who had an Equestrian Cense, that is, an Estate of Equestrian value, did comport themselves as Knights, and (when afterwards they) were elected into that Order (it was) from and by virtue of the Cense alone, Idem, in fine; & in proxima pag. qui desig­nabuntur An­nuli aurei ge­stamine. whose Ensign was a Gold Ring. Hereupon the Ordo Equestris became conferr'd by the publick Do­nation and acceptation of a Gold Ring, as formerly was wont to be done by the giving of a Horse.

And we also observe, that Tacitus doth use the phrase promiscuously, Equestri dignitate donare, and Annulo honorare, to give the Dignity of Knighthood, and to bestow honor with the gift of a Gold Ring: as where he tells us, Hist. l. 2. c. 20. that when the Army intreated Vitellius to make Astaticus, his Freedman, a Knight, he represt their unbeseeming flattery; but soon after (such was the fickleness of his mind) at a private Banquet (which In vit [...] Vi­tel. c. 12. Suetonius saith was in Supper-time, on the first day of his Empire) he gave him what before he had deny'd, and honor'd him with Gold Rings.

Thus we see that at length Slaves were created Knights, and the Ius Annulorum, to wit, the right of wearing a Gold Ring, was given to Freedmen, no less than to Freeborn men.

But if it be inquired, why Tacitus here useth the word Annuli [...] in the plural, Turnebus will give the reason, viz. Advers. l. 20. c. 2. That some of the Ancients who were more sumptuous and gallant, had two kinds of Rings; to wit, one for Summer, and another for Winter; and I (saith he) should judge those for Winter to have been of greater weight, the other for Summer more light; and he groundeth his opinion upon the first and seventh Satyrs of Iuvenal, who in the one calls such Rings Aestivos, or Summer Rings, and in the other Semestres, or six Months Rings.

Statius shewing that mean extraction hindred no man from attaining to Honor, and that Freedmen and Servants (known by wearing of an Iron Ring) had as­sumed at their manumission the Gold Ring and Equestrian Dignity (whereby they became equal to others of high birth) and left off the use of the Iron Ring, hath these elegant Verses.

Whereupon, one of his learned Domitius. Commentators gives an instance in Claudius Etruscus, (whom Vespasian had advanced from the condition of a Freedman, to the Equestrian Order) and notes, that the said Emperor caused him to put off the Iron Ring, which Servants and Freedmen used to wear, and to put on a Gold Ring, the note or mark of Knightly Dignity.

Salmasiu [...] upon the words of Aurelius Victor, cited by Iulius Capitolinus in the life of Macrinus, viz. donatum Annulis aureis, saith thus, Hist. Aug. S [...]riptores. p. 4 [...]3. Freedmen (and such a one was Macrinus) upon whom Gold Rings were bestowed, were thereby made Knights: besides he there cites the above-mentioned Verses of Statius, and thence infers, that Claudius Etruscus, the person of whom the Poet spake, was a Freed­man, whose condition the Emperor had so changed, that of a Freedman he be­came a Knight, and for Ibid. Iron Rings, such as Freedmen did wear, he gave those of Gold, which were the proper Ensigns of Knights. At length he positively con­cludes; Ibid. That whereas Knights were high-born, nevertheless he, who having laid aside his Iron Rings, and put on those of Gold bestowed on him by the Emperor, was equal to them in honor. Agreeable hereunto is that of Freinshemius, Notis in L. Flor. l. 1. c. 5. the Gold Ring was the proper Ornament of Knights, to the end they that were honored there­with from the Emperor, should be understood to be taken and received into the Eque­strian Order.

For the donation of the Gold Ring did bestow upon slaves such Priviledges and Immunities, as if they had been free-born; who being now freed from service, Salmuth. in Pancirol. Tit. 58. p. 313. in­genuitatis jura consequebantur, did thereby not only obtain the rights of Freeborn men, but encrease of Honors; Alex. ab A­lex. in Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 19. in fine. living in such sort, that they were to bear Magi­stracy and Honors, and to sustain all Offices of freeborn Citizens, like other Free­men. And more particularly, Salmuth. Loco cit. were also esteemed to have attained unto the Eque­strian Order, or enjoyed the Priviledges equal thereunto. And all this meerly from the donation and permission of the use of the Gold Ring, upon receiving of which they Salmuth. Loco cit. left off wearing the Iron Ring, that being then (though not anci­ently) Isidor. in O­rig l. 19. c. 32. a badge of servitude and slavery; and Alex. ab A­lex loco cit. rejecting their old name also, they assumed that of Knight.

It distinguish­ed the Knights from the Se­nators and Plebeians.But as this noble Symbol, the Gold Ring, was an Ensign of the Equestrian Or­der, so was it also one of the notes or signs of distinction, to difference them from the two other Degrees, namely, Senatorian and Plebeian.

And first, though anciently while the Senators wore plain Gold Rings, we confess the Knights Rings being plain also, carried not a sufficient distinction; ne­vertheless after such time as the Senators began to adorn their Rings with Gems and precious Stones, (as is before noted) was the difference evident enough.

Secondly, they were also worn to distinguish the Equestrian Order from the Plebeian; and that the Knights used them to that end, is evident from Plin. l. 33. c. 1. sub fine, Ro­sin. de Anti (que) Rom. c. 17. Salmuth. in Pancirol. Tit. 58. Salmas. de re mil. Rom. p. 240. Cl. Fau­chet. Crigines des Cheval. Ar­mairies & He­paux. p. 2. many Au­thors, in regard the Plebeians had permission to wear no other than Rings of Iron. The difference among the Rings of these three Orders is thus observed by Licetus, De Annulis Antiq. p. 136. Gold Rings set with precious stones were given to the Senators only, plain Rings without stones to the Knights, and Iron Rings to the Plebeians, which the said Au­thor here calls Ferrei Militares, because the aforesaid Degrees at first used the Iron Ring, Ibid. to shew themselves good Soldiers and expert in Arms. But after such time as the Gold Ring was appropriate to the Equestrian Order, the people conti­nued the custom of wearing the Iron Ring only; for albeit they enjoy'd the pri­viledge of free birth, yet because they wanted Nobility they might not wear Gold Rings, but rest contented with those of Iron.

But at length grew into common use.We are informed by Appian, that one of the Ornaments of a Tribune, was likewise a Gold Ring; the Tribunes (saith he) wore Gold Rings, among the Sol­diers, when other inferiors wore those of Iron; and lest it should be doubted that the [Page 27] word [...] might refer to those of the Equestrian Order; Iustus Lip [...]us clears this place, saying,De mil. Rom. l. 2. p. 87. that the words of Appian were meant only of the Infantry, in regard the Knights were of equal rank and dignity with the Tribunes.

At length, in the middle times of the Empire, it appears that the Foot Soldiers were also allowed the honor of wearing Gold Rings, no less than Knights; for L. 3 c 25▪ Herodian affirms, that Severus (among other Priviledges granted by him to his Soldiers) was the first, of all the Roman Emperors, who permitted them the use of Gold Rings. And afterwards, in times of greater liberty, the use of them grew far more frequent and promiscuous; insomuch (as In Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 19. Alexander ab Alexandro noteth) that not only the Roman Soldiers without distinction, but at length the Freedmen, as also Women, and the meanest Slaves, were allowed to wear Gold Rings, which formerly was not lawful.

Among the Interpreters of Lucius Florus, we find that Zevecotius upon these words Lib. 2. c. [...] ▪ Modii duo Annulorum Carthaginem missi, dignitas (que) Equestris taxata men­surâ, whereby Florus observes, that from these two measures of Rings, the Car­thaginians did judge how many Roman Knights were slain at the Battel of Cannae; we say the said Zevecotius hath this observation; for the dishonor received at this overthrow, unto the time of Severus the Emperor, the use of Gold Rings was not granted in warlike Expeditions, but only to the Tribunes; and to others those of Iron, which exclusion of the Roman Knights, he conceives included in the word caeteris; but what ground he hath for this opinion we know not, since we find no such remark in any ancient Author.

For had the Equestrian Order, after the said Battel, been prohibited the use of Gold Rings abroad, until the time of Severus, doubtless Herodian had then men­tioned them to have received, not a donation, but restauration of this priviledge from Severus; besides, those he speaks of were [...] only the Foot Sol­diers, not Knights; moreover it was the donation of a thing [...] which they never before enjoyed. And therefore most certain it is, he could not intend the Knights here; since they from ancient time had enjoy'd, and (for ought we can find to the contrary) did to this time, and beyond, continue the wearing of Gold Rings abroad, no less than at home.

To conclude, that which seems very much to perswade, that the use of Gold Rings was grown promiscuous, long e're these times, to wit, before the Battel of Cannae, is this following passage of Pliny; Lib. 33▪ cap. 1. That there was a promiscuous use of Gold Rings in the second Punick War; and his reason is this, Lib. 33▪ cap. 1. If they had not been at that time worn by others, as well as Knights, Hannibal could not have sent those three Measures of Rings to Carthage.

But L. Florus, an ancienter Author than Pliny, is clear (in the place above cited) that it was only they of the Equestrian Order, who (by those Measures of Rings) were known to be slain neer Cannae, and not any other; and that there were but two Measures of them, not three, as Pliny reporteth; so that Pliny grounding his opinion for the confused or indifferent use of Gold Rings, upon the number of those Measures they are said to fill, which number by an Author more ancient is affirmed to be less; we conceive, this deduction of his hath not weight enough to be relyed on.

SECT. VII. The Ensigns and Ornaments of Knighthood among other Nations.

FRom the Romans we shall pass to other Nations,1. Shield and Launce. and first to the Germans; among whom, as Tacitus affirms, the Shield and Launce were accounted the grand Badges of Military Honor, or Knighthood, and accordingly given their young Gentlemen that were to be admitted to so honorable a Dignity: Tacit. de mo­rib. Germ. c. 2. for it was not the custom (saith he) for any one among them to take Arms, before the State [Page 28] had approved him able to manage them; but then in their publick Ass [...]mblies, some Prince, or the Father, or else a Kinsman of the young man, adorn'd him with a Shield and Launce (and whom they termed in their Language Camb. Brit. p. 125.Knecht) to which Taci­tus also adds, Loco cit. That this Investiture was the Gown among them; and the first honor bestowed upon their youth.

This also saith Loco [...]uper relat. Cambden, was the first and most simple manner of creating a Knight. This the Lombards, this the Franks, and this our Country-men, all de­scending out of Germany, in old time used: and was to us (in the opinion of the learned G [...]ossar. ver­bo Miles. Sir Henry Spelman) the Foundation of the Knightly Order.

Much like that of the ancient Germans, was the custom of making Knights among the old Irish: for either theFroissard. Hist l. 3. c 63. King, or Father of the young man created him a Knight; and if his Father were dead, then the next of Kin did it; and the manner of creation was thus: Froissard. Hist l. 3. c 63. A Shield was hung upon a Pole or Stake, fixt in the ground, and a small Launce or Spear (such as the Youth design'd to this honor could weild) was given to him, and therewith he ran a Tilt at the Shield, and the more he broke of these Launces, the greater reputation he gain'd.

In le Thea­tre d' Hon. l. 1. c. 2. Andrew Favin notes, that the Shield and Launce were the proper Arms ap­pertaining heretofore to a French Knight, and therefore in their Capitularies, called Arma Patria; these, Esquires carried always after their Masters, wheresoe­ver they went, and what occasion soever they were engaged in.

And it is an Observation of Cl. Salmasius, in relation to the Nobility and Gen­try of France, De re milit. Rom p. 227. in pri [...]c. that at this day all the Ensigns and Marks of Honor, appertaining to persons of highest extraction, are [...]questrian, and take denomination from the Equestrian Militia: and that the Shields and Scutes (as they are vulgarly called) in which the Arms of the Nobility are exprest, are Ibid. Equestrian Targets, not Shields or Bucklers of Foot Soldiers.

The form of the Equestrian Targets among the Romans, were inclining to an Oval, as may be seen by those cut upon Trajans Column at Rome; after which Figure, divers of our Nobility and Gentry have of late times also fashioned the Escotcheons, whereon their Arms are born: but the figure of our more ancient Escotcheons, came neerer that description which Lib 9. circa finem. Livy gives us of the Samnites shields, whose upper parts were broader, and the head of an even height, for defence of the breast and shoulders, but growing narrower and narrower, towards the bottom, finished in a point.

2. Belt.Another Ensign and Ornament of Knightly Honor is the Cingulum militare, or Military Belt, called also Balteus, or Baltheus, which Varro saith is a L. 18. Rer. hum. Tus [...]an word, and signifies a Military Girdle. That which the Roman Soldiers wore, was made of Varro l. 4. de Lingua Lat. Leather, and adorn'd with Studs or Bosses (from whom it devolv'd to the Germans and Franks) and is in like manner described by Theat d' Hon. l. 1. c. 6. Favin, to be made of a large Thong of white Leather, having the ends pure Gold, covered and fastened with Studs of the same metall, to which the Sword was made fast on the left side.

With him doth another French Writer concur, saying, that theClaude Fau­chet, en les O­rigines des Che­valiers, &c. fo 2. Incincture was made of a large Thong of Leather, and was termed Balteus, and by the French a Baudrier, which Favin affirms to be so called of the old French also.

Apud Io. Iac. Chisterium in Anast. Childeri­ci Regi [...]. p. 197. Rudolphus Abbot of St. Trudon in Germany, speaking concerning the finding of the Body of St. Gereon Knight and Martyr, at Colen, in the Monastery of St. Pantaleon, saith that his Military Girdle was found to that time whole and entire, and that it was of black Leather, almost an Ell long: But his Sword was consum­ed, and only the pomel (of the form of an Egg) almost eaten up with rust, was likewise found at his left side nigh to his Belt.

This Ensign of Honor came in time to be richly adorned both with Gold and precious Stones, as Favin also notesL. 3. c. 1.in another place of his Theatre of Honor, out of St. Gregory Victor Arch-Bishop of Tours: as also that it was not the common wearing Girdle, inasmuch as the French in general used golden Girdles; but that the Knights wore such as were garnished with great Buckles, Studs, and Rings of pure Gold, being of great price and value; to shew their dignity and power in Military Commands: and with such a Belt Mal [...]sb. de gest Reg. l. 2. c. 6. set with Pearls and precious Stones, was young Athelstan (afterwards one of our Saxon Kings) girded, when he received Knighthood from his Grandfather Alfred.

[Page 29]It is to be f [...]rther noted, that by this Badge of Knighthood, were our Knights anciently known, no less than by their gilt Swords, Spurs, and golden Collars of S [...]. howbeit it hath not for a long time been used with us, at the creation of a Knight, save only of the Bath; but instead thereof, the dubbing with a naked Sword sufficeth.

To this Belt was also added a Sword, 3. Sword. and such a one, as in the esteem of some, was different from the ordinary use, and therefore is by Favin termed Theat. d'Hon­neur. l. 1. [...]. 6. the Sword of a Knight. In time of Christianity this Sword came to be hallowed with great Ceremony, either by some great Prelate, or other Ecclesiastical Person: the form of the Benediction is to be found in thePag. 781. Titles of Honor, and in Favins Loco ci [...]. Thea­tre of Honor.

This among the Ensigns of Knightly Honor hath obtained the principal place and regard; for it is chiefly the Sword with which Knights are now created; and hath become so far ennobled, that the Red Cross assumed by theFrancise, de Rades y An­drada en Chro­nic. Sanctia­go. c. 1. p. 1. b. &c. 4. p. 6. b. videsis Histo­ria de los Or­dimes Militares per Fr. Car [...] de Torres. l. 1. p. 9. b. Knights of St. Iames in Spain for their Badge of Honor, is drawn in the fashion of a Sword. And the Collar of the Order of the Sword and Belt in Sweden is com­posed of Swords bloody at the point, and encompassed about with Leathern Belts; the manner and order whereof may be seen in the Plate prefixt to the third Chapter ensuing.

Another eminent Badge of Knighthood (which succeeded in the place of the Gold Ring) is the Golden Spurs, 4. Spurs. wherewith at the time of their Crea­tion Knights were wont to be adorn'd; and Fr. Menen. Delic. Equest. Edit. Colon. Agrip. p. 13. these (a little after the Conquest) were added to the other Ensigns, for more and greater Ornament, and are usually carried by a Nobleman at the Coronation of our Kings, to signifie their Knighthood.

Those Spurs appointed to be made against Christmas, Anno Domini 1252. and sent to York, to be used there, at the Knighthood of Alexander the Third, King of Scots, were of Silver, Claus. an. 36. H. 3. m. 30. gilt over, and the Straps curiously wrought of Silk, in­stead of Leather.

They were usually put on after the person had been conducted and presented to the King or Prince, who gave the Honor, beginning with the right Heel; and given to signifie, Theat. d'Hon­neur. l. 1. c. 6. that the new made Knight should not only declare his valour by his Sword, but also by the management of his Horse; which he should encourage and excite with his Spurs to the carrying on of his valiant designs.

Of so great an esteem hath the Knightly Spurs been, that from thence, Seld. Tit. of Honor. p. 437. Knights Batchellors are generally called in Latin Equites Aur [...]ti, among the Germans Ritterdess Gulden Sporns, and with us heretofore Rot. Parl. 3. E. 4. Knights of the Spur. Nay one of the Military Orders was instituted under this Title: and the Delic. E­quest. p. 150 Collar of the Order of the Elephant in Denmark, is (according toDelic. E­quest. p. 150 Franciscus Mennenius) composed of Elephants and Spurs. It was conceived so proper and sutable a Badge of Knighthood, that it has been thought fit to be given for Coat Ar­mour, to some Families here in England, who bear the Sur-name of Knight: as namely to Registrum Armor. partiam borealium Angliae, tempore Regis Hen 8. penes Thom. nuper Com. Arundell. & Sur. Knight of Shrewsbury [I.] Inter Collect. Concess. Knight of Charwelton in the County of Northampton [II.] and Ibid. Knight of St. Dennis in Hampshire [III].

[Page 30]We further have it certified by the Kings and Heralds of Arms, Anno 10. Iac. Regis, among other rights belonging to the Degree of a Knight Baneret, that he MS. in Offic. Armor. upon the account of his Knighthood, might wear gilt Spurs, as well as a gilt sword: and that they have been accounted an Essential Badge of Knighthood, may be col­lected from the Ceremony of the degradation of a Knight, where his gilt Spurs are See the de­gradation of Sir Andr. Har­clay in Seldens Titles of Ho­nor, p. 788. first cut off with a Hatchet.

5. Collar.In the last place, although the use of wearing Collars of Gold hath been most ancient, and one of the usual causes for which they were bestowed, was to honor Military Virtue; and though among the Romans, the Collar gave a Sur-name to one of their chiefest Families, and consequently became of much esteem among them: yet do we no where find it reckoned among the Ensigns of their Equestri­an Order: But among some other Nations it was accounted a Badge and Mark of Knighthood.

De Antiqu [...] ­rum Torquibu [...] p. 37. Iohn Schefser, from a passage out of [...]. varior. c. 10. Pancirollus, which tells us that Golden Collars were reckon'd among the Ornaments, worn by the Roman Presidents of Provinces, would likewise have it an Ensign of Scheffer de Antiq. Torq. p. 38. Knightly Dignity among the Ger­mans, affirming withall, Scheffer de Antiq. Torq. p. 38. that the more ancient Statues and Images of their Knights, were adorned with Collars.

He also notes, as a thing observable, Ibid. p. 42. that this custom of bestowing Collars upon Martialists, was very much practised by the Germans, especially as to their Knights; and that in ancient times, such as were in repute for their gallantry and valour, were adorned therewith.

It may be safely presumed, that Collars were Badges of Knighthood among the ancient Gauls, since they were bestowed upon valiant men, and such as had rendred themselves conspicuous by acts of Prowess and Chivalry, as a worthy recompence of their Virtue: and from Pliny it appears, that the an­cient Gauls were wont to wear them in Fight, for as the said Schefser notes upon Gallos cum auro pugnare solitos, Torqua­tus indicio est. Plin. l. 33. c. 1. his words, no other thing can be understood by the word Auro than Tor­ques.

The like may be said of the ancient Scheff. Syn­tag. p. 56, 57, & 5 [...]. Britans, Danes, and Goths, among whom it was customary to wear them, as denoting such as were remarkable for their valour.

But in later times, it was the peculiar Fashion of Knights among us, to wear Golden Collars, composed of SS, or other various works; so that those Monu­ments are known to belong to Knights, on whose Portraictures such Ornaments are now found.

To conclude, we must acknowledge that this noble Ensign hath been likewise honored with a particular and high estimation among the Founders of Military Orders, since it is manifest from Catalogue des Cheva­liers de l'Or­dre du Collier de Savoy dict. de l'anonciade. Francis Capre, that the Order of Savoy was at first called, The Order of the Collar, and not by the Title of the Catalogue des Cheva­liers de l'Or­dre du Collier de Savoy dict. de l'anonciade. Anunciade, until the year 1518. as will more amply appear by and by.

So that if we sum up the principal Ensigns of Knighthood, ancient, and modern, we shall find them to have been, or are, a Horse, Gold Ring, Shield, and Launce, a Belt and Sword, gilt spurs, and a Gold Chain or Collar.

But from these have later Ages, more especially, selected the Belt, or golden Girdle, Sword, Collar, Spurs, and Rings; [...] which we find innumerated, and particularly called the Ornaments and Ensigns appertaining to Knighthood, in some Imperial Diplomas, and wherewith the Emperor is therein said to have adorn­ed and invested his new created Knight, according to Custom; as for instance, that of Rodolph the Second, granted to Sir Robert Sherley, and dated at Prague, the second of Iune 1610. of which a fuller account may be taken in Pa [...]t. 2. l. 10. p. 1806. Purchas his Pilgrimage, where the Imperial Instrument (containing also the creating of him an Earl Palatine of the Empire, and bestowing sundry Priviledges and Preroga­tives therewith, worthy of knowing) is translated verbatim.

The Author of the Iurisprudentia Heroica has afforded an Example in this kind, in another Diploma of the same Emperors, made toPag. 403.Sir Charles Rillehe, dated at Vienna the eleventh of February, anno 1594. And there is a priviledge usually granted in these Diplomas, that the Knights shall in all Exercises, Actions, [Page 31] and Enterprises, use and wear Chains, Swords, Spurs, Robes, Trappings, and what­soever Furniture else belonging to Horses, either all Gold or gilt.

The Trappings here mentioned put us in mind of a passage in Lib. 33. c. 1. circa medium. Pliny, whence it may be conjectured, that Horse-Trappings were sometime heretofore accounted part of the Ensigns of a Roman Knight; for, having told us that one Flavius a man of mean birth, had ingratiated himself with the Commons, by publishing the My­stery of the whole course of days, pleadable and not pleadable, which his Ma­ster Appius Claudius Caecus had discovered to him; he adds, that a Bill passed by general consent, to create him Aedilis Curulis, together with Q. Anicius, without any regard had to those other, who, being nobly born, had l [...]kewise stood for that Dignity: And that at the same time he was also made Tribunus Plebis, at which the whole Senate took such offence, that they laid aside their Rings, and some thought (but were mistaken) that the Knights did the like, nay believed further, that they left off their Horse-Trappings, as if from them the name of Knight had been bestowed; and consequently the Phalerae, no less than the Annuli, or Equi, were accounted Badges of the Equestrian Order, after they were drawn into fashion and use.

However we may suppose, that the publick Horse, if at first, was not afterwards given naked; but with such accoutrements and furniture, as were both for use and ornament in War: the fashion whereof may be observed among those Sculptures upon Trajans Column at Rome, a Draught whereof was first made by Iulio Ro­mano, then set forth by Franciscus Villamena; and last of all, after a long and retchless neglect (these Plates being thrown by, and welnigh spoil'd with rust and carelesness) were happily brought to light and repaired, by the care and ex­pence of my noble Friend, accomplished with great variety of useful and inge­nious knowledge, Iohn Evelyn Esquire, during his residence at Rome.

SECT. VIII. Qualifications for Knighthood.

AS touching the Qualifications which formerly made persons capable of this Honor of Knighthood, the principal and most remarkable were these three, Merit, Birth, and Estate.

In the right distribution of this Honor and Dignity,1. Merit▪ Merit has been by all al­lowed to challenge a principal share; and the deserving judged fittest to be preferr'd, before those who wanted that Qualification.

Among the Romans, no Soldier was denyed or envyed his part in the Prizes of Honor or Recompence, to wit, that sort of Crown, or such other of the Milita­ry Rewards which their valour had deserved; and not only their Emperors, but all other Princes found the advantage of conferring benefits on the meritorious, in being thereby best served: For those who have shewed themselves inclined to noble and valiant Actions, having once tasted the sweet of Reward, are gene­rally so encouraged, as no danger hath seem'd too great to attempt, no enterprise so difficult but might be made feasible. But of this subject there is so much spoke, and to be met with almost every where, that we need not add more.

As to the second Qualification,2. Birth. namely, Birth; there was so great c [...]re taken, that (saith In le Theatre d' Hon. l. 1. c. 1. Andrew Favin) to prevent the admittance of any, not of eminent and generous Extraction, into this Dignity; of the Ordinances made concerning the Order of Knighthood, the first Article is, That the parties who enter thereinto, ought first to make it appear they be Gentlemen of three paternal descents; and that the Arms they bear have been born by their Fathers, Grandfathers, and great-Grandfathers.

It was also the Law of the Empire, That no man should be capable of this Dignity, [Page 32] but he that was descended from one, who was Miles (which Mr. Selden interprets not by Knight, but Gentleman, or Nobilis) as appears by the Constitution of Frede­rick the Second, elected Emperor anno 1212. and mentioned in thePag. 436. Titles of Ho­nor; and perhaps there was an Eye had to this Law, in the Sentences upon the following Cases.

Nor hath it been (by some) accounted sufficient, that the person Knighted should be a Gentleman by the Fathers side, unless he were so also by the Mothers, at least she was to be a Free-woman, and not a Servant: Io. Tilius Comment. de Rebus Gallicis l. 2. p. 181. vide Mennen. Delic. Equest. p. 23. for if she were a Servant or Bond-woman, though the Father were a Gentleman, the Children were still ranked within the Degree of Servitude, andIn Servum autem non ca­dit Equestris Diguitas. Ib.counted incapable of the Knightly Dignity.

Heretofore the conferring of Knighthood was not restrained to the Soveraign power, as now it is; but that the greater Subjects did sometime make Knights: But where the honor hath been given by such, to those who were Vassals to ano­ther, the bestowing thereof was accounted illegal, and they that took upon them to give it, were liable to censure; because by this action they took anothers Villain or Bondman from him, which was a manifest wrong, and ought not to be done. As in the case of the two Sons ofIo. Tilius Comment. p. 182. Philip de Bourbon, one whereof was Knighted by the Earl of Flanders, the other by the Earl of Nevers: Whereupon by an Order dated on All-Saints day, Anno Domini 1279. and another at Whit­sontide following, both the said Earls were fined, and the two Brethren con­demned to pay one thousand pounds apiece; though by the Kings grace and fa­vour they kept their Knighthoods.

And to shew that this Law was elsewhere observed more strictly, and the breach thereof liable to more severe sentences, those among the Mennen. Delic. E­questr. p. 25. Aragonians that de­scended from Knights in a direct line by the Fathers side (which were called In­fançones, and accounted Gentlemen, whether legitimate or illegitimate) were capable of being Knights, and no other: Mennen. Delic. E­questr. p. 25. So that if one, not an Infançon, were promoted to Knighthood, by a Rico Hombre (which seems to be a higher Degree of Nobility) both the Rico Hombre was to lose the Honor he had, and the person whom he pretended to promote, remained still a Villain or Plebeian.

But it was otherwise where a Nobleman Knighted his own Vassal, as in the case reported by Io. Tilius Comment. de Reb. Galli­cis. l. 2. p. 181. Philip de Beau-manoir in his Customary of the Year 1283. where the Son of a Gentleman and a Woman-Servant, was Knighted by him, whose Servant the Woman was: and his condition being afterwards discovered, the Nobleman would have challenged him for his Slave, but in regard his Knightly Dignity had vindicated him from servitude and vassallage (though his Lord was deceived in conferring the Honor) he was adjudged to remain free and a Knight; which he could not have done, if any other but his Lord had Knighted him: for which this reason is there given, Io. Tilius Comment. de Reb. Galli­cis. l. 2. p. 181. because no other person had sufficient power to infranchise him.

3. Estate.The third and last of those Qualifications, which we have thought fit to take notice of here, is that of Estate or Wealth, which serves to support the Dignity of Knighthood: for we find that in all Times and Countries, when men were grown wealthy, they thereby (as by Merit or Birth) became capable of Honors.

Thus Wealth was so much regarded among the Chalcedonians, asLib. 5. Herodotus tells us, that those who were rich, bore the name of Knights. It was Arnobius, ad­versus Gentes. lib. 4. Estate that in­titled a man to this Honor among the Romans: for the Censor (as hath been before observed out ofL. 9. c. 19. Livy) might compel any Citizen, who had an Estate equal to the Equestrian Cense, to enter into the Equestrian Order, and this old Roman Cense consisted of Plin. l. 33. c. 1. vide porro Ber­negger in Sue­ton. in Caesar. c. 33. 400000 Sesterces, which according to our learned Seldens computa­tion amounts to Titles of Ho­nor. p. 438. 3025. l. of our Money.

And as anciently in old Rome, so not long after the Conquest here in England (asBrit. p. 126. Cambden observes) were Knights dignified for their wealth, and state of liv­ing. For they who had a Knights Fee, to wit (saith he) six hundred and four­score Acres of Land, might claim as their right the Ornaments and Badges of Knighthood.

But by the way it appears from Tit. of Honor. p. 691. Mr. Selden, that not any certain number, or [Page 33] extent of Acres made a Knights Fee: and by several Writs directed to the Sh [...] ­riffs of all Counties in England, to make Proclamation for receiving the Honor of Knighthood, in the Reigns of Hen. 3. & Ed. 1. as also by the Act de Militibus, anno 1. Ed. 2. it appears that the Census Militis, or valuation of the Estate of a Knight, was measured by Twenty Pounds Land by the year (and sometimes more) and this was counted the most reasonable way of Estimation, because one Acre might be more or less in value th [...]n another.

And the Parallel yet held as to the matter of enforcement and compulsion, to take this Honor; for by an ancient Prerogative, several of our Kings, have at their pleasures compell'd such persons who held a whole Knights Fee, or so much Land, whose annual value, as aforesaid, answered thereto, to take this Digni­ty upon them; and to that purpose sent forth their Mandates in Writs, directed to the Sheriffs of each County, to make Proclamation, Claus. de an­no 9. H. 3. membr. 24. dor­s [...], & Claus. 1. E. 2. membr. 25. dorso. That all those, within their several Bailiwicks, who were of full age, and had one whole Knights Fee, and were not Knighted, should appear before the King (on a certain day, in the Writ set down) ready fitted and prepared to receive the Honor of Knighthood.

Sometimes these Writs included, both such as were pos­sest of Lands worth Qui habeant 20 l. librata [...] terra, vel Feo­dum unius militis integrum valens 20 l. per annum. Claus. 37. H. 3. in. 25. dorso. Twenty pounds per annum, and such as held a whole Knights Fee, valued at that annual sum: but the yearly value set by the King was not always certain, for sometimes we find it to be Stows Abr. p. 290. an. 40. H. 3. Camb. Brit. p. 126. fifteen pounds, then Claus. 28. H. 3. m. 12. dorso. twenty pounds, at other times Claus. 5. E. 3. pars 1. m. 12. thirty pounds, then Rot. Parl. 20. E. 1. Claus. 17. E. 2. m. 8. & 19 E 2. m. 16. dorso. Claus. 7. E. 3 pars 1. m. 22. dorso. Brevia R [...]gis an. 2. R. 2. pars 1. & par. 2. Pat. 15. E. 3. pars 1. m. 15. dorso. & Claus. 12. H. 4. m. 10. dorso. forty pounds, and sometimes Claus. 9. E. 2. m. 13 dorso. de decreto Parl. fifty pounds.

Anno 40. Hen. 3. Speeds Chron. p. 533. The Sheriffs in England were amerced, because they had not distrained all those who had such Estates in Land, as the Law limited to take the Order of Knighthood, or otherwise to pay their Fines; and we observe the Command in the Kings Writ to be now and then accompanied with much severity, in case the Sheriff should be negligent in the discharge of his duty, or connive with any for lucre of a Bribe; as appears in that directed to the Sheriff of Northamptonshire, the words whereof are.

Where, upon appearance, after such Proclamation, a reasonable or lawful ex­cuse hath been alledged, as Pat. an. 20. E. 3. pars 2. m. 29. old age, Pat. 15. E. 3. p. 1. m. 16. irrecoverable weakness, Pat. 7. E. 3. pars 2. m. 30. loss of Limbs, being Claus. 25. H. 3. pars 1. m. 7. dorso. in holy Orders, or the like, whereby the Body was wholly disabled to perform personal service; there, the allegations have been admitted by the King, the per­sons acquitted, and by Letters Patents exempted from taking this Military Order during life.

But there were many other causes and reasons which usually obtained a suspen­sion for some certain time, (besides those set down in the Act of Parliament An­no 1. E. 2.) as where a man was at present greatly Claus. an. 36. H. 3. m 23. indebted, or bound to attend some necessary employment, as a Communia de Term. Mich. 9. H. 6. Ro [...]. 14. dorso. Serjeant at Law in the Common Pleas Court, for which nevertheless, the party suing for such favour, paid a Fine, and therefore in some Writs we have seen a clause added, to give intimation, that (where any rea­sonable cause could be made appear, at the time of Knighthood, to impede the receiving of the Order) the person might be admitted to make Quod sin [...] ad Nos, &c. para­ti, ad capien­dum Arma mi­litaria, vel ad sinem nobiscum faciendum pro respectu haben­do de milicia sua. Fine for the respite thereof.

Yet was not this Fine constant or certain, but estimated and set according to the nature of the excuse, or length of time given: for instance, Robert de Menevil of Northumberland, having obtained respite for two years, was set at Orig. 51. H 3. m. 6. five Marks, and Peter Founden at Ib. m. [...]. forty eight Shillings and eight Pence, for three years respite; but Iohn de Drokensford paid Orig. 7. E. 3▪ ten Pounds for a suspension of his Knighthood, only [Page 34] for the same time. And in these cases the Kings Writ usually issued to the She­riff, with command to Claus 35. H. 3. m 2. dorso, & Claus. 36. H. 3. m 23. permit the person to have that respite, and to forbear taking any distress, till the time compounded for should be expired, and if, ne­vertheless, the person happened to be impleaded for not having received Knight­hood, the Kings Letters Patents (granting him the time of respite being produced) have been Placita coro­na in Com. Derb. coram I. de Vallibus, &c. anno 9. E. 1. allowed.

If any person had been distrained by the Sheriff, and a retorn thereof made to the King, and did not appear at the time and place, in the Writ nominated, to re­ceive the Honor of Knighthood; in such case we sometimes find that a Writ hath issued, giving command to the Sheriff, forthwith toOrig. de anno 51. H 3. m. 4.seize all his Lands and Tene­ments into the Kings hands, and answer the profits thereof into the Exchequer.

The Fines and Amerciaments set upon such contempt, seem to have been arbi­trary, and the Court swayed, according as the nature of the default appeared: William the Son of Gilbert de Alton, paid Communia Fines, &c. Term. Mich. 9. E. 3.20.2. Ebor. twenty shillings for not appearing and receiving Knighthood, according to the command of the Kings Proclamation; Thomas Pauncefoot paid Com. de Term. Hill. 14. H. 4. Somerset. four Nobles, Iohn de Lodbroke Communia de Term. Mich. 56. H. 3. incipi­ente 57. Warr. forty shillings, the Commun. de Term. Mich 33. E. 3.23.3 dorso. like Fine was set upon Simon de Bradeney and Thomas Trivet, both of Somersetshire, and Iohn de Neirvote in the County of Bucks; and lastly, William Lassels paid Communia de Term. Pasch. 31. E. 3. fines, & Rot. 2. Ebor. four pounds, for that he had not received Knighthood before Michaelmas, Anno 30. E. 3. and for obtaining respite for three years from thence.

But albeit in the promiscuous course of bestowing of Knighthood, where the men of Wealth and Estate (whether otherwise worthy or not) became dignified, yet was not the gate of Honor then shut against those, who wanting Riches sought her out, by the paths of Virtue and Merit: For where men of low Fortunes deserved well of their Country, and that for their good services the King had judged them wor­thy of Honor; He was accordingly pleas'd to bestow such annual Pension, or Lands upon them, as He esteemed sufficient to maintain that degree of Dignity (whatsoever it was) so conferr'd. And this is agreeable to the judgment of the Author of the Division du Monde, who saith, That the Honor of Knighthood is not to be given to any person who hath not a considerable Estate; unless sufficient means to support the Honor of that Order be also given with it.

Hence it is, that the Kings of England have allowed Pensions (and frequent men­tion of them is made in the Rolls) sometimes during pleasure, and then again during the lives of those on whom they have thought fit to confer the Honor, for their better support: as for instance, King Edward the Third granted by Let­ters Patents Pat. 33. E. 3. pars prima. m. 22. forty Pounds per annum, out of his Exchequer, to Iohn atte Lee, Queen Isabel's Steward; in auxilium status sui manutenendi, first during pleasure, and afterwards for his life.

But the case is more remarkable of Sir Nele Loring (who afterwards attain­ed the Honor to be one of the first Founders of the most noble Order of the Gar­ter) for whose valiant performances, in the Naval Fight against the French at Sluce, the King conferr'd the Dignity of Knighthood upon him, and immediately after granted to him and his Heirs Males Communia de Term. Tri [...]. 15. E. 3. twenty Pounds per annum, that he might better maintain that Honor, until he could settle on him and them, so much in va­lue of Lands, or yearly Rents in Fee.

And here the following Grant made by King Richard the Second to Sir Iohn Walssh, of forty Marks per annum for life, to support that Dignity of Knighthood he had given him, may very well be inserted.

[Page 35]The Kings of England, upon the same account, did usually bestow like annual rewards on such whose merit raised them to the Degree of Baneret; and in the Letters Patents, whereby such Pensions are granted, we observe it usually exprest, ad manutenendum statum Baneretti, or words to the like effect.

Hereupon King Edward the Third gave to Sir Reginald Cobb [...]m Pat. 10. E 3. part. 2. m. 9. four hun­dred Marks per annum, during his life, to be paid him out of the Exchequer; afterwards the Pat. 11. E 3. pars 1. Mannor of Tippenham, in Buckinghamshire, for life; and a Pat. 14. E. 3. p. 1. m. 23. Mill under Oxford Castle, with a Meadow there, called Kings Meade.

We find moreover, that Thomas de Rokeley, who in the service of this King had received the Degree of Baneret, had Claus. 20. [...]. 3. pars 2. two hundred Marks per annum granted unto him, pro sustentatione sua, during life. To Sir Iohn Lysle (one other of the Foun­ders of the said most noble Order) Pat. 29. E. 3. pars prima m. 29. ut ipse statum Baneretti (which the King had before conferr'd on him) melius manutenere possit, he gave two hundred pounds a year during life; and upon Roger de Swynerton Baneret, He bestowed for life pro statu suo manutenendo, all thePat. 8. E. 3. pars prima. m. [...] Mannors, Lands, &c. which, lying in the Counties of Stafford and Chester, came to the Kings hands, by the forfeiture of Hugh le Despenser, as likewise the Mannor of Barew in the County Palatine of Chester, to him and his Heirs.

And it is worthy of note, that some times such like Grants have been made by the consent of Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament; for so were theClaus. 30. H. 6. m 21.two hundred Marks per annum given to Geoffry le Scroop Baneret, in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth.

Thus far we have spoken of the Qualifications, which capacitate him, who re­ceives the Degree of Knighthood; it will not now be amiss to touch upon one particular relating to the Person, who confers this Honor, before we leave this Section.

It hath been thought by divers, that no man can make a Knight unless himself be first Knighted, and because that some have not given this Honor before they received it, they thence would imply, that no man ought: for soMath. West­minst. anno 1306.Prince Ed­ward of Carnarvan, having been first Knighted by his Father, King Edward the First, forthwith Knighted a great number more in Westminster Abbey. So Anno 20. E. 3. the King being landed at Hoggs in Normandy, KnightedStows Chron. fo. 377. Edward his eldest Son, and immediately the said Prince made Mortimer, Monteacute, Ros, and others, Knights. AndIbid. fo. 1000.King Edward the Sixth, being Knighted by the [...]arl of Hertford, in the Tower of London, assoon as the Ceremony was over, Knighted Henry Hoble­thorn Lord Mayor of London, with the same Sword, wherewith himself receiv­ed this Military Honor.

But it is apparent enough, that they who never were, and others who never could be Knights, have conferr'd this Dignity; and we are to understand that ne­cessity and custom hath in this case the force of a Law; for anciently Bishops and Priests made Knights, so also do the Popes, and some Common-wealths, nay Women, in whom the supream Power is vested, may, and have done the like, witness our Queens, Mary and Elizabeth, and we find it to be the ancient Law in Spain, L. 11. tit. 2 [...]. partida 2. That the King or his Son and Heir, though they be no Knights, may nevertheless make Knights, by reason that they possess the Kingdom, and are therefore the Head and Chief of Chivalry, and consequently all the power thereof, is closed up and contained in the Kings command.

To conclude, in all the instances and examples, where the creation of a Knight hath been performed, either with Ceremony, or by Diploma (of which we shall speak in the next Section) it may be observed, that the Dignity was always given by, and received from the hands of another Person, except only the Kings of Spain, who Io Iac. Chif­flet. in suis lu­minibus novi [...] praerogativis, ad vindicias Hispanias, Lu­mine 13. p. 395.time out of mind have made themselves Knights, and this by virtue of an oldLex Suprar­briensis. Law written in the Aragonian Tongue, as Ambrosius Morales reports, which saith thus: In Chron Hi­span. l. 13. c. 2. The whole night preceding the Ceremony (viz. of Knighting) the King shall watch in the Church, in the morning he shall hear Mass, and offer both Pur­ple, and some of his Money, and after he shall receive the Sacrament: And when they are going to raise him, he shall ascend upon his Shield, the Noblemen holding and sup­porting him: Then shall all cry with a loud voice three times, Real, Real, Real: This [Page 36] done, he shall command to scatter more of his Money, to the quantity of one hundred shillings among the People; and to shew that no man upon earth hath any power over him, he shall gird himself with the Sword, made after the form of a Cross, and that day can no other man be Knighted.

One Example of this ancient Rite is remembred by the said In suis Lu­min. p. 397. Chiffletius, at the Coronation of King Ferdinando the Third, who took from the high Altar the re­gal Sword, and with his own hand girt himself therewith; to the end being so girded, he might shew himself openly to the People, and declare, that he recei­ved the power of Governing and making War from none but God alone, and that he owed not his Kingdoms to the gift of any mortal man.

And it seems this manner of Knighting was a thing of such remarque, that it was sometime taken notice of and entred for a memorable note of time; as for instance in the Teste of a Anno 1220 facta Charta apud Segoviam quinto Kal. Febr. Era 1258. anno regni mei tertio, quo ego memoratus Rex Ferdinandus, in Monasterio Sanctae Mariae Regalis de Bur­gos, manu propriâ me accinxi cingulo mi­litari. Charter, which this Don Fer­dinando made to the Monastery of De solos alvos, in the third year of his Reign, and is reported by the said Chiffletius, out of Colmenars History of Segovia, c. 20. as also by another Char­ter, wherein the Seldens Tit. of Honor. p. 577. Knighting Prince Edward eldest Son to our King Henry the Third, by Alphonso King of Castile, at Bruges anno Domini 1255. is remembred after the same manner.

SECT. IX. The various Ceremonies used at the conferring of Knighthood.

BEsides the donation of the before-mentioned honorary Ensigns, there were several Ceremonies and Formalities, begun to be used in the middle Ages, at the investiture of Knights; some of which we shall here set down by way of In­stance.

1. Girding with the Sword and Belt.The most ancient of these, is the investing of the Knight with a Belt and Sword; and this was performed, either by putting the Belt loose over the shoul­der, or girding it close about the waste: the Bend in Armory represents the one, and the Fess the other. Of this kind of Honor we have spoken Sect. 4. before.

The first Christian Kings and Princes (saith Theatre d' Honneur l. 1. c. 6. Favin) at the giving of the Cin­gulum militare, kissed the new Knight on the left cheek, and used these words, In the honor of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I make you a Knight. And this was called Osculum pacis, the kiss of Favour or Brotherhood.

Some think this to be the same with the Accollade, or Ceremony of imbracing, which was performed by Charles the Great,Aym [...]nius de ges [...]is Francor. l. 5. c. 17. who (before his expedition against the Hungarians) Knighted his Son Lewis the debonair, at the City of Ratisbone; for upon the girding him with the Military Belt and Sword, he gave him the Accol­lade, that is, he imbraced him, (though it be rendred for kissing by the L. 1. c. 6. p. 51. Transla­tor of Favin) and this was the first time we observe the Ceremony of the Accol­lade to have been used.

It was in the time of the same Emperor that the way of Knighting by the Cola­phum, or giving a blow on the Ear was used, in sign of sustaining future hard­ships and indurances; which is thought to have been derived from the manner of manumission of a Slave among the Romans, where Rosin. Antiq. l 1. c. 20. first the Praetor gently struck him on the head with the Vindicta, a Rod so called, after which the Lictor did the like, and moreover struck him on the Face and Back with his hand, in to­ken of full liberty and freedom.

This Custom was retained long after both in Theat. d'Hon­neur, l. 1. c. 6. Germany and France (much like the Seld. Tit. of Honor. p. 577. Pescosada, or blow on the neck, given in Spain at the Creation of the Caval­leros de Espuela d' orada, or Knights of the Golden Spur) as appears from a clause, [Page 37] in the Instrument of the Frizons Infranchisment to this effect. Mennerius de Deliciis Eque­stribus. p. 7.That the [...]otestate or Governor of the Country should gird the Sword about him, who was to be Knighted, and then give him a Box on the Ear with his hand, with which Cere­mony he was made a Knight, he also gave him special charge and command, that thenceforth he should go armed after the manner of Knights of the sacred Empire, or of the Kingdom of France.

It is also said this Emperor ordain'd, Ios. Micheli, Marquez en le Tesoro militar. fo. 16. [...].that no King should succeed to the Em­pire, if he were not Knighted, as aforesaid, before his Coronation. And there is an eminent example of this formality inDelic. E­quest. p. 8. William Earl of Holland, who when he came to be chosen King of the Romans, Anno Domini 1247. preparation was first made to create him Knight, Delic. E­quest. p. 8. according to the custom of other Christian Empe­rors (before they were admitted to take upon them the Imperial Diadem) to which purpose he was presented by Iohn King of Bohemia before Petrus Capucius Cardinal of St. George, the Popes Legate, whom the King besought on the be­half of this elected Esquire (for so Earl William was yet called) that he might have the Oath of his profession administred unto him, and be inscribed into the Mili­tary Colledge: which he having taken, the King of Bohemia gave him the blow on the Ea [...], and then pronounced the words of signification, Tesoro Mili­tar. fo. 17.after which [...] girt with the Sword.

The Ceremony at large is to be found in Seldens Titles of Honor. pag. 442▪ 443. and 444. as also in Iurisprudentia Heroica. p. 400.401.

In the time of the Saxons here in England, 2. Watching and Bathing. Knights received their Institution at the hands of great Prelats or Abbots; it being the opinion of our Ancestors, that nothing so happily succeeded, as that which was performed by religious persons; in the accomplishing of which solemnity they were very punctual, by adding di­vers religious Ceremonies, as Watching, Fasting, Bathing, Cons [...]crating of the Sword, and the like: and how solemnly these things were observed, will appear in that famous Constitution, mentioned by Ingulp [...]. Hist. inter Rerum Anglic. Scrip­to [...]es. London. excus. anno 1 [...]96 fo. 512. [...]. Ingulphus (speaking of Heward Lord of Brune, in Lincolnshire, who coming into England from [...]landers (where he had lived in exile) with a considerable assistance, and force of his Friends and Fol­lowers to recover his Fathers possessions; received the Honor of Knighthood from Brand, Abbot of Saint Edmunds-bury) which being thence transcribed by our learned Ti [...]les of Hon. p. 780. Selden, Brit. 125. Cambden, and Antiq. of War [...]. p. 531. Mr. Dugdale, upon a like occasion, we here omit it.

Shortly after the Conquest, the Custom of receiving Knighthood from religi­ous persons began to be restrained here in England, insomuch that at a Synod held at Westminster in the year of our Lord 1102. viz. anno tertio Hen. primi it was among other things ordained, Concil. Brit. Tom. 2. p. 22. Ne Abbates [...]aciunt Milites; by which word Abbates, we suppose is understood all sorts of spiritual persons.

However, the religious Ceremonies for the most part continued, especially the Vigils and Bathings; an eminent example whereof, we have not long after in the time of King Edward the First, who to adorn the splendor of his Court, and augment the glory of his intended Expedition into Scotland, di [...] at Whitsontide in the four and thirtieth year of his Reign, begirt Edward of Carnarvan his eld­est Son, with the Military Belt, and this young Prince, immediately, at the high Altar in Westminster Abbey, conferr'd the same Honor upon neer three hundred Gentlemen, the Sons of Earls, Barons, and Knights. The Habit, Equipage, Atten­dants, and Ceremonies of which grand solemnity, being already transcribed at large, out of Matthew of Westminster, both by Tit. of Honor. p. 776.Mr. Selden and Mr. Brit. p. 127. Cambden, we shall thereunto refer our Reader.

But in regard their Author tells us, that the number of these Knights were about Pag. 458. ed. Lond. anno 1570. three hundred, and the old Annals of Ireland, cited by Loco cit. Mr. Selden, add one hundred [...]ore, which was further wide of the mark; we will here out of a re­spect to truth, and the memory of those Noble persons, with such as are descended from them, take occasion to give a perfect Catalogue of their Names, which amount to no more than 267.

Only first, we shall take notice, because that part of the Ceremony, namely, Bathing, is not remembred by Matthew of Westminster, that it is not only imply'd [Page 38] in the solemnity of the Vigils then held, but we find in the Accounts of the great Wardrobe, for the aforesaid year, among the Robes and other Ornaments ap­pointed to be prepared for the young Prince, that there were six Ell [...] of Cloth de­livered out for the covering of his Bath.

The religious Ceremonies of Bathing, Watching, and offering up the Sword at the high Altar, are retained amongst us at this day, but restrained only to that peculiar Degree of Knighthood, which from hence hath the denomination of Knights of the Bath.

These Religious Ceremonies were not alone observed here in England, by the Saxons and Normans; but also by the Favin. Theat. d' Honn. l. 6. c. 14. French, Spaniards, and other Nations abroad.

Concerning the first of these Iean du Tillet, a French Writer in his Memoirs saith, Lib. 2. f. 277. a vide Io. Tili [...] Comment. de reb. Gall. l. [...]. p. 180. That the old French, being observers of Forms and Ceremonies, in most of their acti­ons, brought in many Customs to be observed at the making of Knights, enjoin­ing them before the Solemnities, to Watch, Bath, and do other things, to [Page 40] teach them, that upon their taking of this Order, it did behove them to be pure of heart and mind, and of virtuous inclinations, valiantly to suffer for virtues sake, all manner of pains and necessities, to be circumspect in word and deed, and above all to observe Faith and Truth.

And much to the same effect, but more particularly to the Ceremonies used, In le Thea­tre d' Hon. l. 1. c. 6. Favin tells us, That the proof of Nobility being made (after the manner which a little before he sets down) the Esquire prepared himself to receive the Order of Knight­hood, watching the night before in the Church or Chappel, with devout Prayers and Meditation: When morning came, he entred into his Bath, to wash and make clean his whole Body, whereby he was given to know and understand, that in all his following life time, he ought to be neat and clean, as well of Body as Soul, honest in his Man­ners, and behaviour of life, wholly disposed to imbrace Virtue, and to use in all his actions, Modesty, Providence, and Wisdom.

And that the like religious Ceremonies were heretofore (about the time of Alphonsus the Tenth) observed in Spain at the Creation of Knights, whether they were Cavelleros de Espuela d' Orada, or Armados (which are no other than our Equites Aurati, or Knights Batchellors) may be seen in the Pag. 576. Titles of Honor, our learned Selden having collected and transcribed thither the manner of such Crea­tion, from the Spanish Partidas; and is briefly thus.

The Person that was to be Knighted was Bathed on the Evening, and presently laid in Bed, then clothed in rich Robes, and led to the Church, to perform his Vigils; that being over, and Mass heard, his Spurs were put on, and his Sword girt unto him, then drawn out, and put into his right hand; whereupon the Oath was forthwith administred to him, which taken, he that bestowed the Dignity, gave him una Pescoçade, a blow or stroke on the neck, saying, God assist you in the performance of that which you have promised.

3. Taking an Oath.To the aforesaid Ceremonies of creating a Knight, an Oath was for the most part adjoined, which drew its original from the Military Oath, imposed anciently upon the Roman Soldiers, several particulars of which are collected by Honor Mili­tary and Civil. l. 1. c. 5. Sir Wil­liam Segar, sometime Garter, principal King of Arms.

This Oath or vow of Profession Theat. d'Hon. neur. l. 1. c. 6. Favin observes to have been at all times, and in all places, continually uniform and alike; and to the same purpose cites a passage out of Saint Hierom, relating to Nepotianus, who had the Military Belt bestowed upon him, to the end, That he should relieve and protect Widows, Fatherless, the op­pressed and miserable, and these particulars, together with the defence of the Church of God, made up afterwards the substance of the general Vow, which for a Knight to observe and keep, and to perform all that belongs to the Order of Knight­hood, was (as Ti [...]les of Ho­nor. p. 851. Mr. Selden observes) esteemed as meritorious, as to do all that a Monk, Frier, or Canon regular should.

In the aforesaid Example of William Earl of Holland, it is particularly mention­ed, that at the request of the King of Bohemia, he might have the Vow of his profession administred; whereupon the Cardinal Petrus Capucius, gave him ad­monition, what a Knight ought to be, in an Acrostick, according to the Etymo­logy of his name Miles, thus,

Among the religious Ceremonies of making a Knight (called sometimes conse­crare Militem) set down by Mr. Selden, Favin, and Petrus Blessensis, there is par­ticular mention made of consecrating the Sword, offering it at the Altar, and re­ceiving it again from thence; which manner of reception from the Altar, was an implicite kind of taking an Oath, as may be deduced from the said Petrus Blessensis, who saith, Epist. 94. That Candidates in his time received their Swords from the Altar, that they might profess themselves the Sons of the Church, and that they received the Sword, to [Page 41] the honor of the Priesthood, defence of the poor, punishment of Malefactors, and de­liverance of their Country.

Lastly, at the institution of those Christian Orders of Knighthood, erected for the defence of the Holy-Land (which we shall in the next Chapter discourse of) the Knights entred into a solemn Vow and Oath, chiefly to propagate, and sight in defence of the Christian Faith, and to repel the violence and cruelties of Pagans and Saracens.

In fine, among the various Ceremonies performed at the admission of Knights, in all the several Orders and Societies of Knighthood, whether Religious or Secu­lar, which have been erected; there are none esteemed greater, or ought more solemnly to be observed, than the taking of an Oath.

It was in the times of Peace and great leisure,4. Dubbing with a Sword. that the before-mentioned solemn and tedious Ceremonies, used at the making of Knights, were observed; whe­ther by great Princes in their own Courts, or by Ecclesiasticks in the Church: but much otherwise in times of War, or on a day of Battel, where the hurry and throng of Affairs, gave not time for so long and troublesome Ceremonies: And therefore, aswellInstances in both are to be found in Iuris­prudentia He­roica. p. 391.392.393 & 394before the joining of Battel, as after Victory obtain'd (theIo. Tilius Commentar. de Rebus Gall. l. 2. p. 181.one to encourage and stir up the Valor and Virtue of gallant men to overcome, or if they dyed in fight, to give their bodies the Honor of Knightly Enterment: the other to reward the eminent prowess, and valiant performances of those that hap­ned to survive) it was usual for the Prince or General, in the Field and sight of the whole Army, to give those whom he thought fit to advance to the Honor of Knighthood (they humbly kneeling before him) a Flecti genu ante Principem Candidatu [...], ab [...]oque leniter nudo Ense in humero percu­titur; addit. [...] verbis solenni more concep [...]is. Aub. Miraeus, Orig. Ord. E­quest. p. 1. Vide Sander. in Fland. illustrat. Tom. 1. p. 12. stroke with a naked Sword, flat-wise upon their shoulders, or else to touch their heads or shoulders lightly as aforesaid, without any other Ceremony, except pronouncing the Si [...] Eques in nomine Dei, & postea addit, Surge Eques, or as in French Su [...] vel soi [...] Chevalier a [...] nom de Dieu. words of Creation, which latter kind of Ceremony is used in Europe at this day, it supply­ing all the rest: and this we commonly call Dubbing, the old English word used for creating of a Knight.