Part 2

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._