Transcriber's Note:
When italics were used in the original book, the corresponding text has
been surrounded by _underscores_. Text printed in blackletter has been
surrounded by #pound signs#. Superscripts have been indicated by
preceding the superscripted letters with ^. When more than one
character in a row is superscripted, the letters have been surrounded
with {}. Some corrections have been made to the text. These are listed
in a second transcriber's note at the end of the book.
[Illustration:
_His Royal Highness GEORGE AUGUSTUS
Prince of Wales, &c. And Knight of the
most Noble Order of the Garter.
M. V^{dr}. Gucht Scul._
]
THE
HISTORY
Of the most NOBLE
_Order of the GARTER_:
And the several ORDERS of _Knighthood_ extant in _EUROPE_.
Containing
I. The Antiquity of the Town, Castle, Chapel, and College of _Windsor_;
with their several _Officers_: The Foundation of the _ORDER_ by King
_EDWARD_ III. The Statutes and Annals at large, as they have been
altered and amended.
II. The HABITS, ENSIGNS, and OFFICERS of the _ORDER_. The Ceremonies of
Election, Investiture, and Instalment of Knights: The manner of their
Feasts; and the Duties and Fees payable on these Occasions. Some
Account of the _Founders_, with an exact List of all that have been
installed since the Institution, and their several Coats of Arms
emblazon’d.
_Written at the Command of King_ Charles II. _By_ ELIAS ASHMOLE, _Esq;_
Windsor _Herald. Now compared with the Author’s Corrections in his
Library at_ Oxford, _faithfully digested, and continued down to the
present Time_.
The Whole illustrated with proper Sculptures.
_LONDON_: Printed for _A. Bell_ in _Cornhill_, _E. Curll_, _J.
Pemberton_, and _A. Collins_ in _Fleet-street_; _W. Taylor_ and _J.
Baker_ in _Pater-Noster-Row_, 1715.
Price 7 _s._ 6 _d._
TO HIS
ROYAL HIGHNESS
GEORGE-AUGUST,
_Prince of_ WALES, _&c._
_KNIGHT_ and _COMPANION_ of the _MOST NOBLE ORDER_ of the _GARTER_.
PARDON me, Mighty Prince, that in the Crowd of Your Joyful and Devoted
_Britons_, one of an obscure Fame presumes to lay his _Humble Offering_
at Your Feet.
IT is the _History_ of the _MOST NOBLE ORDER of the GARTER_; which,
from its first Institution, has been constantly worn by Persons of the
highest Birth, and most illustrious Merit.
IF the _Stile_ and _Manner_, in which it is treated, were
proportionable to the Dignity of the Subject, there would need no
Apology for this Dedication. For to whom, next to the _Great Sovereign_
of the _Garter_, whose true _Heir_ You are, in all manner of _Virtue_
and _Honour_, could this Treatise have recourse for Protection, but to
Your Royal Highness, who are the Premier _Knight of this Most Noble
Order_, and the standing _Grace_ and _Ornament_ of it.
BUT far above all particular _Views_, are the unspeakable Blessings
derived to these Kingdoms, by the SUCCESSION of Your Illustrious Royal
_House_: Every _Briton_ seems new Born, and to have borrow’d fresh
influence from its Glorious Presence.
THE Godlike Virtues of Your Royal Father, are not to be excelled; and
should we venture to express an Equality, it can only be the Appearance
of Your Royal Highness’s imitating so Great a Pattern.
AS He is Wise and Good beyond Praise, so has He a Title to the Hearts
of His People beyond Question; which stands Confirmed by the highest
Instances of Divine Providence, as well as the incontestible
Authorities of Temporal Laws: On these Foundations, what glorious
Prospects may we not Build of future Happiness?
IT were easy to dwell on this Subject, were it not wasting Moments of
much more concern to Your Royal Highness, than what I am able to
Express.
MAY Your Royal Highness long Live to Adorn this _MOST NOBLE ORDER_, and
to support the Crown, by a bountiful and flourishing issue, that there
may never want one of Your Royal Line to sit on the Throne of
_Great-Britain_,
_Is the Ardent Prayer of,
ILLUSTRIOUS SIR!_
_Your Royal Highness’s
Most Faithful,
Most Obedient,
and Humbly Devoted Servant._
THE
PREFACE
_Those who are acquainted with Mr._ Ashmole’_s_ History of the most
Noble Order of the Garter, _will easily satisfy themselves; that no
Pains or Industry was wanting to Perfect and Complete so Voluminous a
Work: He had the Encouragement of a very gracious Prince, and the use
of publick Records, more particularly the several Books of the_ Order,
_with the Assistance of several MSS wrote by the Officers of Arms, who
bore Part in the Ceremonies, or went on Embassies to Stranger Kings,
Princes_, &c. _and by their constant Observations, were familiarly
versed in all its Laws and Customs_.
_These were very great helps to him, and it must be confessed his own
elaborate Study had not less owing to it. There is nothing that has
relation to this most_ Noble Order, _which he has not touched on; and
indeed it is a Work so very copious, that he does himself acknowledge
he has inserted some things of little importance; which he desires may
be considered to be done, to gratify some few who have a more immediate
concern therein_.
_The Reader will in this Treatise find little else omitted: A very
painful and exact Abridgment has been made, many Corrections of the
Author’s, which he saw before his Death, and left among his other Books
in his Library at_ Oxford, _are here carefully altered; some Additions
are made, a List continued, of the several_ Knights-Companions, _as
well as Officers of the_ Order, _for above forty Years; and the Coats
of Arms of abundance of the_ Knights-Companions _visibly corrected from
good Authorities; and every distinct Chapter treated of at large; so
that this Work has not been compleated but at great Labour as well as
Expence, which could not have been supported, but for the Encouragement
some of the_ Knights-Companions _of the_ most Noble Order _were pleased
to give it; as well in their Subscriptions, as in the good Opinion they
seemed to Express of the Design_.
[Illustration]
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Most Noble ORDER
OF THE
GARTER.
IT was, undoubtedly, a good Sentiment in the first Collector of this
Learned Work, to introduce, as well as a Discourse of _Knighthood_ in
general, a Treatise of all the several _Orders_ that have prevail’d in
other Parts of the World; for these in their Rise and Institutions,
having a relative Sense to the particular Subject he was to illustrate,
seemed to afford him a very good Opportunity of doing it, by building
on so convenient a Foundation.
I shall therefore, (tho’ much more confin’d to brevity) follow the same
Method, making it serve as a proper Introduction; there being many
Things in the voluminous Original, which I conceive may with less
Inconveniency be dispenc’d with.
IT was a constant Maxim in all well-regulated Governments, to give a
just Encouragement to Merit, and this by proportioning Rewards to the
Service done; for Merit must be suppos’d to consist in the Performance
of some Virtuous or Heroick Action, directed for the publick Good: And
as Vertue is either Military or Civil, so the Distribution of Rewards
is different; either by bestowing Degrees and Titles of Honour, or by
Donations of Wealth; so that in either Construction, Vertue may have
its proper and suitable Reward.
BUT the proper Reward of Military _Vertue_, is Honour: (to which
distinct Head this Work is confin’d.) Honour, which _Aristotle_ calls
the _Greatest of exteriour Goods_: And being an Object of a nobler
Ambition than the Accumulation of Wealth, is principally the Aim of
that _Vertue_ we understand by _Valour_; which springs from more
generous Spirits, and hath been the constant Foundation of raising Men
to the highest Eminence of Glory, and superiour Dignity.
BUT that Fame might not lose itself in an unbounded Notion, it was at
length thought fit to reduce Honour into Form and Order, by investing
the Person meriting with some particular Title or Appellation of
Excellence, (the Original of all Nobility;) of which Knighthood, as it
hath been accounted the most suitable Reward to the greatest Vertue, so
it hath been esteemed the chief and primary Honour among many Nations.
THE _Romans_ held Honour and Vertue in that Esteem, that they deify’d,
and dedicated Temples to them: They made them so contiguous in their
Situation, that there was no other Passage to that of Honour, but thro’
the Temple of Vertue, mystically admonishing, that Honour was not to be
attained by any other Way.
IN several of the _Roman_ Coins we see Honour and Vertue represented
together in one Reverse, and in one Medal; the Face of Honour so
shadows that of Vertue, that but a little of it appears, _Honour being
the more illustrious of the two; and where we behold any Person
outwardly adorned with it, we are to judge him inwardly endued with
Vertue, inasmuch as Honour is his due, and justly bestowed upon him_.
§. 2. IN tracing the Original of Knighthood, we are not so vain to say,
with the _French_, that S. _Michael_ was the _premier Chevalier_; yet
thus much we may assert, that ’tis near as ancient as Valour and Heroic
Vertue, notwithstanding the Ceremonies and Circumstances of it have
varied according to several Ages and Nations: And therefore, with much
Probability, we may derive the Original of Military Honour from the
_Trojans_ and _Greeks_; among whom, as Knights of great Renown, were
_Hector_, _Troilus_, _Æneas_, _Antenor_, _Agamemnon_, _Menelaus_,
_Peleus_, _Tydeus_, &c. And thus _Homer_ uses the Word ἱππότης, in the
same Sense as _Eques_ was afterwards among the _Latins_.
Τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,
’Mong whom thus _Nestor_ spake, that honour’d Knight.
§. 3. UPON a more substantial Basis we shall descend to the _Romans_;
among whom, in the very Infancy of their Military Glory, a Society of
Knights was instituted, immediately after their Union with the
_Sabines_. _Romulus_ inrolled _Centuriæ tres Equitum_, three Centuries
of Knights, out of the chiefest Families, whom he appointed to be his
Life-guard, and called them _Celeres_, from their Activity and Dispatch
in Martial Affairs.
_Tarquinius Priscus_ made an Addition to these Centuries; the like did
_Servius Tullius_, who ordained, that those who should succeed in that
Body, should be elected _ex censu_, _viz._ from a considerable and
certain Valuation of their Estates, who had the greatest Cense, and
were of the most Noble Families, says _Dyonys. Halicarn._ And soon
after, the Equestrian Class began to be formed and constituted one of
the three Orders of the Commonwealth, which were thus rank’d, according
to _Livy_: _Senatus, Ordo Equestris & Plebs_; which in the _Roman_
Literal Notes is set down after this Manner: CON. SEN. E. ORD. P. Q. R.
And forasmuch as this Degree is placed between the _Patricians_, or
Senators, and the _Plebeians_, it answers exactly the State of our
Knights between the Nobility and Commonalty: And from this Order, to
the Height of Nobility which resided in the Senators, was the Way
prepared; _Junius Brutus_ being the first who was raised to a Senator
from the Equestrian Order.
IT was a Constitution, as old as _Tiberius_’s Reign, that none should
be admitted, unless Free-born, or a Gentleman for three Generations;
and, indeed, for a long Time none were elected Knights but the best
Sort of Gentlemen, and Persons of Extraction, as was the illustrious
_Mœcenas_.
_Atavis regibus ortus eques_, Mart.
who aspired no higher, not out of any Incapacity of attaining greater
Honours, but that he desired them not, says _Paterculus_: Yet at
length, thro’ Corruption of Times, Plebeians and Freedmen being too
frequently received into this Degree (too near a Parallel among the
Knights of this Age) occasion’d their Power to grow less and less,
’till it shrunk to nothing; so that the Places and Offices of Judges
which they before had executed, became conferrable upon the
_Publicans_. And when _Cicero_ was Consul, _anno ab urbe conditi_ 690,
the Equestrian Order stood in need of Re-establishment, whereupon they
were then incorporated into that Commonwealth in the third Degree, all
Acts passing _in the Name of the Senate, the People of_ Rome, _and the
Equestrian Order_.
They often enjoy’d Abroad the Government of several Provinces, whereof
_Egypt_ had this peculiar to itself, that none of the Senators were
admitted, but only those of the Equestrian Order, whose Decrees
_Augustus_ commanded to be had in like Regard, as if the Magistrates of
_Rome_, or Kings, Consuls, or Prætors, had pronounced them.
As a Mark of Eminence, they had the Titles of _Splendidi_ and
_Illustres_ bestowed upon them, and sometimes have been called _most
sacred_ Knights.
AND besides other Privileges, they had Seats with the Senators in the
_Circus Maximus_; and by the _Roscian_ Law, sat next them in the
Theatres: They had likewise a College called _Collegium Equitum_; and
Temples were dedicated to the Goddess _Fortune_, under the Title of
_Equestri Fortunæ_.
HAVING shewn the Dignity and Honours of the Equestrian Order among the
_Romans_, we shall now touch upon the Degrees of Knighthood which have
been Personal, and may be comprehended under the Modern Title of
_Equites Aurati_, or _Milites Simplices_, (as distinguish’d from the
several Orders of Chivalry, instituted in Christendom.) In the
Circumstance of whose Creation we confess, nothing in the _Roman Ordo
Equestris_ hath place, tho’ that might 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.
§. 4. OF the Degrees of Knighthood. We shall first of the _Monozons_,
i. e. Knights begirt with the Military Girdle, a Custom devolved to the
_Germans_ and _Gauls_ from ancient Times, and from them to After-Ages.
SIR _Henry Spelman_ notes, _That the late Emperors conferred 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 _Selden_ calls this Girding the most
essential part of the Ceremony. Nor do we find among the various
Ceremonies of _Knighthood_ any that have continued so constant in
Practice as the endowing with Girdle and Sword, Ornaments proper to the
Dignity and Marks of _Honour_ and _Vertue_, with which the Statues and
Portraitures of _Knights_, on their Grave-stones have been adorned.
FOR as at this Day _Knights_ are styled _Equites Aurati_, from the
Golden Spurs, heretofore put on at their Creation, so were they more
anciently _Singulo Miletari donati_, in respect, when any one was
_Knighted_, he was not only smitten with the Sword, but invested with
Sword and Belt, yet retain’d at the creating our Knights of the _Bath_,
as the old Formulary thus hath it; #Then shall the King of great
Favour take the Sword, and gird the Esquire therewith.#
Secondly, The _Baccalaurei_ or Knights Batchelors, are to be
consider’d, who are indifferently styled _Chevaliers_, _Milites_,
_Equites Aurati_, and _Knights_. This Degree is truly accounted the
first of all Military Dignity, and the Foundation of all Honours in our
Nation, and is 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 girting
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 he
_Knighteth_.
_Miræus_ gives them the Epithet _Aurati_, from the Privilege of wearing
Gold upon their Swords and Spurs, omitting _Tiraquel_’s fanciful
Distinction between _Miles_ and _Eques Auratus_, who allows the former
to signify a Knight Noble before, and the other to denote one whom we
call a Knight and no Gentleman, or applicable to the _Neapolitan_
Gentlemen, (usually called _Cavalieri_) who are all styled _Equites_,
tho’ they never have attained the Knightly Dignity.
THE third Sort were _Knights Banerets_, who so well deserv’d in the
Wars, that they were afterwards permitted to use _Vexillum quadratum_,
a square Banner, whence they were called _Equites vexillarii_, or
_Chevaliers a Buniere_ from the Dutch _Banerheere_, Lord or Master of
the Banner.
_Camden_ conceives this Title first devis’d by K. _Edward_ 3. in
Recompence of Martial Prowess; a Recital of which Dignity is mention’d
in a Patent 20 _E._ 3. to _John Coupland_, for his Service, in taking
_David_ King of _Scots_ Prisoner. But it was much more ancient with us,
as well as in _France_; and they had particular Robes, and other
Ornaments given them from the Crown, _ad apparatum suum pro militia,
tanquam pro Baneretto, a Rege suscipienda_, &c. _viz._ _ad unum
Tunicam_, &c. after which is set down the particular Robes, and other
Ornaments appointed for his Creation.
TO shew this Dignity yet more ancient, there is the Evidence of a Writ
in K. _Edw._ 3d’s Time, for furnishing _Thomas Bardolf_ with the Robes
of a _Baneret_. It is an Honour esteemed the last among the Greatest,
_viz._ _Nobilitum Majorum_, or the First of the Second Rank; and is
placed in the Middle between the _Barons_ and the other _Knights_; in
which respect the _Baneret_ may be called _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 the Right of bearing a
square Banner doth belong.
BUT there are some remarkable differences between these Knights and
Knights-Batchelors; as in the Occasions and Circumstances of their
Creations, the _Baneret_ being not Created, unless at a Time when the
King’s Standard is erected, and that he bears his own Banner in the
Field; whilst the _Knight-Batchelor_ follows that which is anothers.
THIS farther difference is observed between them, that the
_Knight-Baneret_ 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 with his own Pay: But the
_Knight-Batchelor_ had not sufficient for this, and therefore
marched under the Banner of another; and the Wages of the _Baneret_
were double.
NEXT to these, we are to mention Knights of the _Bath_, which is a
Degree that hath the Investiture and Title of Knight, with an
additional Denomination, derived from Part of the Ceremony of his
Creation. It is the general receiv’d Opinion, that our K. _Hen._ 4.
first instituted these Knights, which is justify’d by Sir _John
Froisard_, who says he created 46 of them at his Coronation, chusing
them from such, as were either his Favorites, or had pretensions to it
from their personal Merits, or Services.
BUT if the Ceremonies and Circumstances of their Creation be well
consider’d, it may be inferr’d, that he rather restor’d the ancient way
of making Knights, than Instituted them; and consequently that the
Knights of the _Bath_, are really no other than _Knights-Batchelors_;
that is, such as are created with those Ceremonies, wherewith
_Knights-Batchelors_ were formerly created by Ecclesiasticks: But some
of them having been laid aside, were then brought again into Use, and
made peculiar to this Degree, and since continued to them upon some
solemn and great Occasion.
AT the first View they look like a distinct Order of Knighthood; but
cannot be so accounted, because they have no Statutes assigned them,
nor are in Case of Vacancy, supply’d, (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 a King or
Queen, the Creation of a Prince of _Wales_, Duke of _York_, and the
like; whereas also their Number is uncertain, and always at the
Pleasure of the King.
_Favine_ calls them Knights of the Crown, because, to distinguish them
from Esquires, they wore upon their Left Shoulder an Escutcheon of
Black Silk embroider’d with three Crowns of Gold; but therein he
mistakes, for they never used only a Silk Lace, and the Jewel they wore
was made of Gold, containing three Crowns, with this Motto _Tria juncta
in una_, hanging down under the left Arm at a Carnation Ribbon worn
cross the Body.
THIS leads us to the Degree of Baronets, who seem allied to Knighthood,
by having granted them the Addition of _Sir_ to be set before their
Names: But this gives them not the Dignity of Knighthood; nor can they
properly be styled Knights, until they be actually Knighted.
IT is a Degree erected _Anno_ 9. _Jac._ 1. and the Grant made by
Letters Patents under the Great Seal of _England_. It is Hereditary to
them, and the Heirs Male of their Bodies lawfully begotten, for ever;
and by a subsequent Decree of the said King, Precedence is granted to
them before all Banerets, except such as should be made by the King
under his Standard, display’d in an Army Royal in open War, and the
King personally present, and next to and immediately after the younger
Sons of Viscount and Barons.
THE Ground for erecting this Degree was partly Martial; for tho’
themselves were not enjoined personal Service in the Wars, yet each
Baronet was to maintain thirty Foot Soldiers for three Years in
_Ireland_, after the rate of Eight Pence _per_ Day, for the Defence of
that Kingdom, and chiefly to secure the Plantation of _Ulster_.
THEY were at least to be descended from a Grand-father, on the Father’s
Side, that bore Arms, and had a Revenue of 1000 _l. per Ann._ or Lands
of old Rents of equal Value with 1000 _l. per Ann._ of improv’d Lands,
or at least two Parts of three of such Estate in Possession; the other
third in Reversion Expectant upon one Life held only in Jointure.
THE Year after, King _James_ I. added some new Privileges and
Ornaments, _viz._ to Knight those already made that were no Knights;
and the Heirs hereafter of every Baronet should, at the Age of One and
Twenty Years, receive Knighthood; likewise that all Baronets might bear
in Canton, or in an Inescutcheon, the Arms of _Ulster_; and farther, to
have place in the Armies of the King in the Gross, near about the Royal
Standard.
SINCE the Institution of Baronets in _England_, there have been made
divers in _Ireland_ after the like Form: And the Knights of _Nova
Scotia_ in the _West-Indies_ were ordained in Imitation of Baronets in
_England_ by the said King _James_, _A. D._ 1622. for the Planting that
Country by _Scotch_ Colonies, and the Degree made likewise Hereditary.
THESE latter wear an Orange Tawny Ribbon as their Badge, to distinguish
them from other Knights; and it appears, there was an Intention, 1627.
to move his then Majesty, that all Baronets and Knights Bachelors might
wear Ribbons of several Colours, some Badge or Jewel, in such Sort as
did the Knights of the _Bath_, to distinguish the one from the other:
But that Matter dropt.
§. 5. WE shall now observe the Etymology of _Eques_, _Miles_,
_Chevalier_, _Ritter_, and _Sir_. The _Grecians_ had a Title of Honour
equivalent to the Signification of _Eques_ in the _Latin_, from
_Equus_, an Horse, because one Part of the Ceremony, whereby this
Honour became conferred, was the giving of an Horse; or because having
an Horse at the Publick Charge, they received the Stipend of an
Horseman to serve in the Wars, Horses being Symbols of War, _Bello
armantur equi_. It is to be noted, That the Degree of Knighthood in the
Dialects of other Nations hath the same Derivation: For in the
_French_, a Knight is called _Chevalier_; in the _German_, _Ridder_, or
_Ritter_, _q. d._ _Rider_; so the _Gheslagen Ridder_ is interpreted,
_The dubbed Knight_; in the _Italian_, it is _Cavagliero_; in the old
_British_, _Morchog_; concerning which, hear one of _Jeffery Chaucer_’s
Scholars.
Eques ab Equo #is said of very right,
And# Chevalier #is said of Chevalrie,
In which a# Rider #called is a# Knight;
Arragoners #done also specifie#
Caballiero #through all that Partie,
Is Name of Worship, and so took his ’ginning
Of Spurs of Gold, and chiefly Riding#.
AND tho’ the Word _Miles_ signified at first any legally inrolled for
the War, which Inrolment was twofold, _Honoraria_ and _Vulgaris_; yet
upon the Decay of the _Roman_ Empire, upon the Irruption of the
innumerable Forces of the _Alani, Goths, Vandals, &c._ which consisted
in Horse, their Foot was rendred useless. _Miles_ was no longer said of
him that served on Foot in the Wars, but began to be properly spoken of
the Horseman; whence it came into Vogue, That among the Titles of
Nobility, he who had that of _Miles_ bestowed on him, was understood to
be Horseman, or _Eques_, that is, of the Equestrian Dignity.
_Selden_ observes _Miles_ to be equivocal: and that in the old feodal
Laws of the Empire it signify’d a Gentleman, as the Word Gentleman is
signify’d in _Nobilis_; and with us it hath been frequently used to
denote both Gentlemen, and Knights; for _Milites_ denotes Gentlemen, or
great Freeholders, and not dubbed Knights, _viz._ such who hold by
Knights Service from a Lord of a Mannour, and such who are chosen from
the several Counties to serve in the High Courts of Parliament.
_Miles_, even in the _Saxon_ Times, denoted sometimes a Dignity. But
about the Year 1046, becoming a Title of Honour, it is since most
generally appropriated to Persons who have received Knighthood
correspondent to _Eques_ and _Chevalier_, tho’ indeed less proper; in
regard Knighthood is the Dignity of Horsemanship, and the Tenure of
Lands by Knights Fees here in _England_, anciently called _Regale
Servitium_, is in truth Horse Service; and the Tenants such as served
the King on Horseback in Wars, are Gentlemen at least (if not of Noble
Extraction.)
_Minshew_ says, the _Equites_, which heretofore followed and
accompanied the Emperor, are, in the _German_ Tongue, called
_Knechtes_, that is, Servitors, or Ministers; but _Camden_ says,
_Knecht_, in _Saxon_ _Cniht_, was in far more ancient Times accepted as
an honorary Title; and, among the old _Germans_, signify’d a Person
arm’d with Spear and Lance, (the Ensigns of their Knighthood) as in
After-Times such were, among other Nations, adorned with a Girdle and
Belt, since called _Equites aurati_, and sometimes simply _Milites_.
THE Addition _Sir_ to the Names of all Knights Banerets, Knights of the
_Bath_, and Batchelor Knights, pronounced at the Time when they are
created, with this Compellation: _Arise, Sir John_, or _Sir Thomas,
&c._ is accounted Parcel of their Style, which the Banerets enjoy by
virtue of a Clause in their Patent. It is a Contraction of the Old
_French_ Sire, taken for Seigneur, or Lord, from the _Greek_ Κύριος.
But how it came to be first given, we cannot find; nevertheless, our
_English_ Writers have bestowed it upon the major Part of the Nobility,
after they had been received into the Order of Knighthood; and in the
Life of St. _Thomas Becket_, written about the Time of King _Edw._ 1.
we meet with the Title prefix’d to the Names of the four Knights, who
slew the said St. _Thomas_.
§. 6. THE Ensigns of the Equestrian Order among the _Romans_, by which
they were made, was a Publick Horse, or a Gold Ring; yet still, to
those who had Equestrian Cense, the Horse was the ancienter Badge of
the two; but when thro’ the Multitude of these Knights no Publick
Horses were assigned, but to such who were ready to enter upon Military
Service, and to fight in the Legions, such were called _Legionary
Knights_, to distinguish them from the rest, who had only receiv’d the
Honour of a Gold-Ring; for they were not all employ’d in Wars.
THE Censor (after the Institution of that Office _ab urbe condita_,
310.) and afterwards the Emperor, were the Persons who bestowed this
_Equus Militaris_, or _Publicus_, as it was called from the Annual
Allowance, to keep him, which they gave unto those of known Vertue and
approv’d Life, compelling him to serve in the Wars, tho’ against his
Will; (but in the more ancient Method of Election, Constraint was not
used.) And upon Negligence in the Care of these Horses, or any Blemish,
Reproach, or Infamy, or Loss of Patrimony in the Knights, the Horses
were not only taken away, but the Knights wholly disfranchis’d.
_Rosinus_ laying down the Manner and Order used in ejecting such
Knights, adds, _A Recital being made of all the Knights that were
inrolled, those whose Names he omitted, were thereby understood to be
depriv’d of that Dignity_.
WHEN they had served in the Wars the Time appointed by Law, it was the
Custom to lead their Horses by the Bridle into the Forum, before the
_Duumvirs_ [Censors,] and giving an Account under whom and what
Generals or Captains they had served; they were thereupon dismissed
from farther Service in the Wars: An Example whereof _Plutarch_ relates
to have been given by _Pompey_ himself.
BUT whereas among the _Roman_ Inscriptions we find _Equo publico
honoratus donatus_, _ornatus_, and _exornatus_, such is not to be
construed to be of Equestrian Dignity, but only to have received the
_præmia militaria_, with which the Emperors used to recompense some
particular Exploit, by the Honour of such a Gift, according to
_Salmasius_. _Equus Publicus_, by a wondrous, nevertheless an
accustom’d Speech, among the _Romans_, is the Knight, _qui equo publico
meret_. And _qui equo publico donatus_, the other deserving Person.
AS to the Ring: In _Genesis_ we read of _Pharoah_’s taking off his
Ring, and putting it upon _Joseph_’s Hand. When they came in Fashion
with the _Romans_, the Senators at first wore Iron ones, which were
accounted the Ensign of Military Vertue, received upon a Publick
Account. Howbeit, in Process of Time, when Gold Rings were drawn into
Use, none but Senators and Knights had them. The Difference among the
Rings of the three Orders in the State were, as _Licetus_ observes,
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_, or Free-born-men; insomuch that _Equestri dignitate
donare_ and _annulo honorare_, is a promiscuous Phrase in _Tacitus_, to
give the Dignity of Knighthood; and at the Battle of _Cannæ_, by the
two Measures or Bushels of Gold Rings sent to _Carthage_, the Number of
the _Roman_ Knights there slain was computed.
§. 7. AT length Freed-Men being created Knights, the _Jus annulorum_,
the Right of wearing Gold Rings, became promiscuous.
AMONG the _Germans_, the Shield and Lance were accounted the grand
Badges of Military Honour, or Knighthood. This the _Lombards_, the
_Franks_, and our Country-men, all descending out of _Germany_, used,
and was to us (in the Opinion of Sir _Hen. Spelman_) the Foundation of
the Knightly Order. Much like the ancient _Germans_ was the Custom of
making Knights among the _Irish_: And _Favine_ notes the Shield and
Lance were the proper Arms appertaining to a _French_ Knight, which
Esquires, _Armigers_, carried always after their Masters, Shields and
Scutes (as they are vulgarly called) _i. e._ Equestrian Targets,
inclining to an Oval, not Shields or Bucklers of Foot Soldiers.
ANOTHER Ensign and Ornament of Knightly Honour is, the _Cingulum
militare_, or _Balteus_, which, _Varro_ says, is _Tuscan_, signifying a
military Girdle, which were garnished with great Buckles, Studs, and
Rings of pure Gold, to shew their Dignity and Power in military
Commands; and with such a Belt, set with Pearls and precious Stones,
young _Athelstan_ was girded, when he receiv’d _Knighthood_ from his
Grandfather King _Alfred_. Our Knights were no less anciently known by
these Belts, than by their gilt Swords, Spurs, _&c._ Howbeit the Use
now only appears in Knights of the _Bath_.
TO this Belt was also added a Sword, not of Ordinary Use; and therefore
termed the Sword of a _Knight_, which was hallowed with great Ceremony.
ANOTHER eminent Badge is the Golden Spurs, wherewith, at the Time of
their Creation, Knights Spurs were wont to be adorned; and to these, a
little after the Conquest, were added far more and greater Ornaments.
They were usually put on after the Person had been presented to the
Prince who gave the Honour, to signify, 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 his valiant Designs. These Spurs have been of that Esteem,
that Knight Batchelors are latinized _Equites aurati_; among the
_Germans_, _Ritter dess Gulden Sporns_; and with us heretofore,
_Knights of the Spurs_: And several Families by the Name of _Knight_,
bear for their Arms the Spurs on a Canton.
IT is farther certify’d among the Rights of a Knight Baneret, that upon
the Account of his Knighthood he may wear gilt Spurs, as well as a gilt
Sword; and that the Spurs are essential, may be collected from the
Degradation of a Knight, where his gilt Spurs are first cut off with an
Hatchet, the Case of Sir _Andra Harcla_. In the last Place is the
Collar, an Ensign of Knightly Dignity among the _Germans_, _Gauls_,
_Britons_, _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 _S S._ or other various Devices; so that
those _Monuments_ are known to be erected for _Knights_ on whose
Portraitures such Ornaments are found.
§. 8. THE Qualifications for Knighthood are principally three. 1.
Merit, the bare mentioning whereof shall suffice here. 2. Birth, _viz._
that the Parties who enter thereinto ought first to make appear they be
Gentlemen of three Paternal Descents, bearing Coat Armour; and much the
same was the Law of the Empire under _Frederick_ 2. _A. D._ 1212. Some
think it also insufficient, unless descended so by the Mother’s Side;
at least she must be a freed Woman. And, 3. Estate, which also serves
to support the Dignity.
THUS Wealth was so much regarded among the _Chaledonians_, that those
who were rich, bore the Name of Knights. It was Estate that entitled a
Man to this Honour among the _Romans_; for the Censor might compel any
Citizen equal to the Equestrian Cense, whom he thought fit to take that
Order: And this consisted of 400000 Sesterces, _i. e._ 3025 _l._ of our
Money.
AND as in _Old Rome_, so here in _England_, not long after the
Conquest, they who held a Knights Fee, _viz._ 680 Acres of Land might
claim it, says _Camden_. But it appears from _Selden_, that no certain
Number, or Extent of Acres, made a Knight’s Fee; and _Temp. Hen._ 3.
and _Edw._ 1. and 1 _Edw._ 2. the _Census militis_ was measured by 20
_l._ by the Year, or more; and by the Royal Prerogative, some who held
15, then 20, at other times 30, then 40, and sometimes 50 _l._ Lands,
were required to accept this Honour by Writs directed to the Sheriffs
of the Counties, and were excused only by Reason of old Age,
irrecoverable Weakness, Loss of Limbs, or being in Holy Orders; and
upon all other Causes (if exempted) they paid a Fine, estimated
according to the Nature of the Excuse, or length of Time given.
BUT in the promiscuous Course of Knighthood, where the Men of Wealth
and Estate (whether otherwise worthy or not) became dignify’d; yet the
Gate of Honour was not then shut against those, who wanting Riches,
deserved well of their Country; for when Princes conferr’d such
Dignities upon Men of narrow Fortunes, they usually bestowed with them
annual Pensions, or Lands, agreeable to the Judgment of the Author of
the _Division du monde_, who saith that the Honour of Knighthood is not
to be given any Person who hath not a considerable Estate, unless
sufficient Means to support the Honour of the Order be also given with
it.
THESE Pensions are frequently mention’d in our Rolls, sometimes during
Pleasure, and sometimes during the Life of the Knight, or till better
Provision should be made for their Supports: Examples whereof are, Sir
_John Atte Lee_, Sir _Nele Loring_, Sir _John Walsh_, Knights. The like
Rewards our Kings gave to such whose Merit raised them to the Degree of
a _Baneret_, express’d in their Patents, _ad manutenendum statum
Baneretti_, _Pro sustentatione sua_, _ut ipse statum Baneretti melius
manutenere possit_, _Pro statu suo manutenendo_; or Words to the like
Effect: Examples where of are, Sir _Reginald Cobham_, Sir _Thomas de
Rokeley_, Sir _John Lysle_, and Sir _Roger de Swynerton_, Banerets.
IT may be next consider’d who can make _Knights_; wherein it is
apparent, that they who never were, and others who never could be
_Knights_, have conferr’d this Dignity; yet ’tis to be understood, 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 Commonwealths; likewise our _Queens_. For the
_Sovereign_, or the _Heir apparent_, tho’ they be no _Knights_, may
nevertheless do it, by reason they possess the _Kingdom_; and are
therefore the Head and Chief of _Chevalry_, and consequent all the
Power thereof is contained in their Command. To conclude this Point,
_Knighthood_ was always received from the Hands of another Person,
either by Ceremony, or Diploma, except only the Kings of _Spain_, who
Time out of Mind made themselves _Knights_; and this by Vertue of an
old Law written in the _Arragonian_ Tongue, as _Ambrosias Morales_
reports. _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._
§. 9. Of the Ceremonies and Formalities used at the Conferring of
Knighthood, the most ancient was perform’d by putting the Belt loose
over the Shoulder, or girding it close about the Waste. The _Bend_ in
_Armoury_ represents the one, and the _Fess_ the other. The first
Christian Kings at giving this Belt kissed the new Knight on the Left
Cheek, saying, _In the Honour of the Father, and the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost, I make you a Knight_. It was called _Osculum pacis_, the
Kiss of Favour, or Brotherhood, and is presumed to be the Accollade, or
Ceremony of Imbracing, which _Charles_ the Great used when he Knighted
his Son _Lewis_ the _Debonair_. It was in the Time of the same Emperor,
the Way of Knighting by the _Colaphum_, or Blow on the Ear, used in
Sign of sustaining future Hardships, which is thought to have been
deriv’d from the Manner of Manumission of a Slave among the _Romans_; a
Custom long after retained in _Germany_ and _France_. Thus _William_
Earl of _Holland_, who was to be Knighted before he could be _Emperor_,
at his being elected King of the _Romans_, received Knighthood by the
Box of the Ear, _&c._ from _John_ King of _Bohemia_, _A. D._ 1247.
IN the Time of the _Saxons_ here in _England_, Knights received their
Institutions at the Hands of Great _Prelates_ or _Abbots_; which,
according to their Opinion, render’d them more auspicious. In the
accomplishing of which Solemnity, they added many religious Ceremonies,
as Watching, Fasting, Bathing, and Consecrating the Sword; an Instance
of which we have in _Heward_ Lord of _Brune_, in _Lincolnshire_, who
received this Honour from _Brand, Abbot_ of St. _Edmundsbury_. But not
long after the Conquest, this Custom was restrained by a Synod at
_Westminster_, _A. D._ 1102. 3 _H._ 1. which among other Things
ordained _Ne Abbates_ [_i. e._ all Spiritual Persons] _faciunt
milites_. However the religious Ceremonies for the most part continued,
especially Vigils and Bathings, as appears by that grand Solemnity at
the Creation of 267 Knights, Sons of Earls, Barons, and Knights, upon
_Whitsontide_, _anno_ 34 _Edw._ 1. cited by _Selden_ and _Camden_. And
these Formalities the _Saxons_ and _Normans_, not only here in
_England_, but the _French_, _Spaniards_, and other Nations, observ’d,
concluding from it, that decency of Habit was as well expected from
them, as Integrity of Life, and purity of Manners. And the like
religious Ceremony was heretofore observ’d in _Spain_ at the Creation
of Knights, whether _Cavelleros de Espuela d’Orada_, or _Amados_ [our
Knights Batchelors,] In this Form, the Person to be Knighted was bathed
in the Evening, and presently laid in Bed; then cloathed 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 about 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 Pesconade_, a Blow, or Stroke on the Neck, saying, God assist you
in the Performance of your Promise.
THE Oath or Vow the Knights professed, was in general, to relieve and
protect Widows, the Fatherless, Oppressed and Miserable, and to defend
the Church of God; which to keep and perform was esteem’d as
meritorious, as to do all that a Monk, Frier, or Canon Regular should.
THERE is also mention (by Mr. _Selden_) of consecrating the Sword,
offering it at the Altar, and receiving it again from thence, as an
implicit Kind of taking an Oath. But as in Peace and great Leisure
these tedious Ceremonies were used, yet it was otherwise in Times of
War, or on a Day of Battle, where Hurry and Throng of Affairs would not
permit; and therefore, as well before the joining of Battle, as after
Victory obtained, it was usual for the Prince or General in the Field,
on Sight of the Army, to give those whom he thought fit to advance to
that Honour (they humbly kneeling before him) a Stroke with a naked
Sword flatwise upon their Shoulders, or else to touch their Heads or
Shoulders lightly, without any other Ceremony, except pronouncing _Sis
Eques in nomine Dei_; to which he adds, _Rise, Sir —— Knight_, or in
the _French_, _Sus_, or _Sois, Chevalier, au nom de Dieu_, which we
commonly call Dubbing, the old _English_ Word used for Creating
[Consecrating] a Knight, from _doopen_ to dip, by Bathing.
ANOTHER Manner of creating Knights Abroad was, by Royal Codicils, or
Letters Patents (these the _Spaniards_ call _Privilegios de
Cavelleria_) whereupon such Knights are intitled _Equites
Codicellares_; and these were sent to such as dwelt in remote
Countries, and sometimes, but rarely, extended so as to make the Degree
hereditary. There is one Example, that by the bare signification of
Letter, without any Ceremonies or Patents under Seal; _Philip_ IV. of
_Spain_, _Jan._ 15. 1633. conferr’d upon all the Captains that behav’d
themselves valiantly in Defence of _Mastricht_ (then lately besieg’d by
the _Hollanders_) to those that were Gentlemen, the Title of Knights;
and to others, that of Gentlemen.
HAVING thus briefly shew’d the various Forms of Creation of _Knights
Batchelors_, I shall remark what _Selden_ has observ’d of _Knights
Bannerets_ in later Times, wherein he that was advanc’d to that Honour
in the Field, was inducted between two Senior Knights with Trumpets
before them, and the Heralds carrying a long Banner of his Arms, call’d
a _Penon_; in which Manner being brought to the King or Lieutenant, who
bidding him good Success, the Tip of the Banner is cut off, that of an
Oblong it might become a Square, like the Banner of a Baron: This done,
he returns to his Tent, conducted as before. As for the many and
various Formularies at the Creation of a Knight of the _Bath_, see Sir
_Edward Byshe_ among his Notes upon _Upton_ and Sir _William Dugdale_’s
_Warwicksh._ The Knights of the _Bath_, at the Coronation of King
_Charles_ II. watched and bathed; they took an Oath; they were girded
with a Sword and Belt; and lastly, dubbed by the King with the Sword of
State.
§ 10. IN the Dignity, Honour and Renown of Knighthood, is included
somewhat of Magnificence more excellent than Nobility it self; which
mounting the Royal Throne, becomes the Assertor of Civil Nobility, and
sits as Judge at the Tribunal therefore. _Knight_ is noted by _Camden_
as a Name of Dignity, but _Baron_ is not so. For if heretofore a Baron
had not receiv’d Knighthood, he was written plainly by his Christian
Name, and that of his Family, without any Addition but that of
_Dominus_, a Term attributed to a _Knight_; and in ancient Charters,
the Titles and Names of _Knights_ may be seen set before _Barons_. It
bestows Gentility not only upon the meanly Born, but upon his
Descendants, and encreaseth the Honour of those well-descended.
Hereunto agrees the Common-Law: If a Villain be made a Knight, he is
thereby immediately enfranchised, and consequently accounted a
Gentleman; agreeable to the _Roman_ Law, where the Donation of a
Gold-Ring ennobled a Slave. _Mœcenas_ dy’d a Companion of that Order;
even Kings and Princes look upon it as an Accession to their Honour,
their other Titles shewing Dominion and Power, this their Valour and
Courage. _Geysa_, King of _Hungary_, _Leopold_, Marquis of _Austria_,
_Ottacher_, Duke of _Stiria_, and _Frederick_, Duke of _Austria_ and
_Stiria_; _Godfry_, Duke of _Brabant_, with _Henry_ his Son, _Peter_,
King of _Arragon_, the Emperor _Henry_ III. our _William Rufus_, King
_Edward_ III. _Henry_ VI. _Henry_ VII. _Edward_ VI. _Lewis_ XI.
_Francis_ I. Kings of _France_, and others, received this Dignity at
the Time they enjoy’d their other Titles. And tho’ it is said the Sons
of the _French_ King are Knights as soon as they receive Baptism, yet
are they not judg’d worthy the Kingdom, unless first solemnly created.
And we elsewhere find, that the Royal Heirs of _Arragon_ were suspended
from that Crown, until they had received the Honour of Knighthood. And
after the _Norman_ Conquest, our young Princes were sent over to the
neighbouring Kings to receive this Honour. Thus our King _Henry_ II.
was sent to _David_, King of _Scots_, and Knighted by him in
_Carlisle_; and _Edward_ I. at the Age of Fifteen Years, to _Alphonsus_
XI. King of _Castile_, for the same Dignity. In like manner did foreign
Princes repair hither, to receive the Honour from our Kings. As
_Malcolme_, King of _Scotland_, and _Alexander_, Son of _William_, King
of _Scotland_, Knighted by our King _John_, _Anno_ 1212. So was
_Alexander_ III. by our King _Henry_ III. at _York_, _Anno_ 1252. and
_Magnus_, King of the _Isle of Man_, by the same King. All which
sufficiently demonstrate the great Renown of Knighthood, and the Honour
and Esteem which was ever had for that Order.
CAP. II.
_Of the Religious Orders of Knighthood in Christendom._
§ 1. THE Grounds and Causes of founding _Societies_ or _Knightly
Orders_, were several and different, tho’ all terminated in one End.
Among which, principally were these, _First_, A sincere Love to
_Honour_, and therein chiefly to excite and promote _Vertue_ by
suitable Rewards; such was the Design of King _Arthur_, when he formed
himself and other Martial Men into a Fellowship, which he stiled
_Knights of the Round Table_. _Secondly_, To repress the Incursions and
Robberies of the _Saracens_ and _Barbarians_, to vindicate the
Oppressed, redeem the Enslaved, and to entertain and relieve Pilgrims
and Strangers, which were Part of the Duties the _Knights Hospitallers_
and _Templars_, &c. stood engag’d in. A _third_ Reason was, To Fight in
Defence of the Christian Faith, against Pagans and Infidels; to enlarge
the Christian Territories, and promote the Service of the Catholick
Church: And indeed their Zeal very much advanced Christianity.
_Lastly_, When Sovereign Princes perceived themselves embroiled in Wars
or dangerous Factions, the erecting such an Order or Society was, that
they might by such a Tye restore Peace, quiet all Jealousies, unite
Affections, and secure a lasting Friendship and powerful Assistance,
both for their own and their Country’s Safety. And to this End were
Badges of several Orders devised, as Pledges of Remembrance to quicken
and establish their Friendship.
§ 2. THESE Orders are of Two Kinds, 1. _Religious_, or
_Ecclesiastical_; and, 2. _Military_, or _Secular_.