Until the reign of Constantine, the title of “Illustrious” was never
given but to those whose reputation was splendid in arms or in letters.
Suetonius wrote an account of those who had possessed this title. As it
was _then_ bestowed, a moderate book was sufficient to contain their
names; nor was it continued to the descendants of those on whom it had
been conferred. From the time of Constantine it became very common, and
every son of a prince was “illustrious.”
Towards the decline of the Roman empire the emperors styled themselves
“divinities!” In 404, Arcadius and Honorius issued the following
decree:--
“Let the officers of the palace be warned to abstain from frequenting
tumultuous meetings; and those who, instigated by a _sacrilegious_
temerity, dare to oppose the authority of _our divinity_, shall be
deprived of their employments, and their estates confiscated.” The
letters of these emperors were called “holy.” When their sons spoke of
them, they called them--“Their father of _divine_ memory;” or “Their
_divine_ father.” They called their own laws “oracles,” and “celestial
oracles.” Their subjects addressed them by the titles of “Your
Perpetuity, Your Eternity.” A law of Theodore the Great ordains
thus--“If any magistrate, after having concluded a public work, put his
name rather than that of _Our Perpetuity_, let him be judged guilty of
high treason.”
De Meunier observes, that the titles which some chiefs assume are not
always honourable in themselves, but it is sufficient if the people
respect them. The king of Quiterva calls himself the “Great Lion;” and
for this reason lions are there so much respected, that it is not
permitted to kill them, except at royal huntings.
The principal officers of the empire of Mexico were distinguished by the
odd titles of “Princes of unerring javelins;” “Hackers of men;” and
“Drinkers of blood.”
The king of Monomotapa, surrounded by musicians and poets, is adulated
by such refined flatteries, as “Lord of the Sun and Moon;” “Great
Magician;” and “Great Thief!”
The king of Arracan assumes the title of “Emperor of Arracan; Possessor
of the White Elephant, and the two Ear-rings, and in virtue of this
possession, legitimate heir of Pegu and Brama, Lord of the twelve
provinces of Bengal; and of the twelve Kings who place their heads under
his feet.”
His majesty of Ava, when he writes to a foreign sovereign, calls
himself--“The King of Kings, whom all others should obey; the Cause of
the Preservation of all Animals; the Regulator of the Seasons; the
Absolute Master of the Ebb and Flow of the Sea; Brother to the Sun; and
King of the Four and Twenty Umbrellas.” These umbrellas are always
carried before him as a mark of his dignity.
The titles of the king of Achem are singular and voluminous. These are a
few of the most striking:--“Sovereign of the Universe, whose body is
luminous as the sun; whom God created to be as accomplished as is the
moon at her plenitude; whose eye glitters like the northern star; a King
as spiritual as a ball is round--who when he rises shades all his
people--from under whose feet a sweet odour is wafted, &c. &c.”
Formerly (says Houssaie) the title of “Highness” was only given to
kings. It was conferred on Ferdinand, king of Arragon, and his queen
Isabella, of Castile. Charles V. was the first who took that of
“Majesty;” not in quality of king of Spain, but as emperor.
Our English kings were apostrophized by the title of “Your Grace.” Henry
VIII. was the first who assumed the title of “Highness,” and at length
“Majesty.” Francis I. began to give him this last title, in their
interview in the year 1520. Our first “_Sacred_ Majesty” was our “Most
dread Sovereign, His Highness, the Most High and Mighty Prince, James
I.”