A BRIEF TREATISE AGAINST DETRACTORS OF DIGNITIES. Published BY RAMIRES: RUGBIE Esquire. Allowed by Authority. LONDON, Printed by George Eld. 1622. AGAINST DETRACTORS OF DIGNITIES. NImium admiror vestram hanc insolentiam, Tho: Walsingham pag. 21 n. 30. eo quòd sapientium ministerium, & gradus usurpastis, sapientiae autem studium, & operam neglexistis; It was a saying of King Aelfrea's unto certain persons, which did take upon them to judge without learning, and may be well applied to those, who question Dignities, and presume to censure Statum & Dignitatem Baronettorum, thus without any true Precedent, or ground. It is showed in the book published by his Majesty touching the Creation of Baronet's: The Book published by his Majesty, touching the creation of Baronet's, pag. 19 printed 1611. That there is nothing of honour, or value, which is sought, or desired (be the motives never so good) but may receive scandal from some, who wanting the same good affection to the public, or being in other considerations incapable, can be contented out of envy to those, that are so preferred, to cast aspersions and imputations upon them: And out of which of these, or whether from them all this proceeds I know not: but certain I am, great was their error, to reach at prerogatives so transcendent, and of this high mystery: when as no democratical government could ever ascend unto it, it being an Imperial right, due only to Monarches to dispose of Dignities. Regnerus Sixtinus de jure rega: ca 2. Estius Regalium, vel ius Imperij, creandi Magistratus, dandi Insignia Nobilitatis, sive Nobiles creandi, ad famam & honores restituen di: Regnerus Sixtinus de jure Rega: And herewith agrees the Act of 31. of King H: 8. Stat: 31. H: 8. cap: 10. That it appertaineth to the King's Prerogative Royal to give such honour, reputation, See also Smiths Common wealth of England, pag. 28. & 48. accord and place as to his most excellent wisdom shall seem meet. Wherein his Majesty hath that absolute power, that if it had pleased his Highness, there might have been as well inserted the like Clause in their Letters Patents, for the Creation of this Dignity, as was formerly in a Charter made by his Royal Auncester King H: 7. sct. 2. Parte Patent: anno 1. H: 7. memb. 21. Quod Rex non vult arguendum, communicandum, aut disputandum, per quoscunque. The which followeth the opinion of Bracton, justice, Bracton f: 6. & f: 34. in the time of King H. 3. sct. De Chartis Regijs, & factis Regum, non debent, nec possunt privatae personae disputare. And that it is against the duty of a subject, to deteriorate his Highness' Prerogative. See the Mirror of justice, The Mirror of justice, cap. 5. that by the ancient Common Law of England, It was held a crime against Majesty: And that he was perjured against the oath of a Subject, See the Stat: 36. E: 3. cap: 16. The care had for preservation of the rights of the Crown. who did any way subtract, or diminish the Rights, or Prerogatives of the King: Yet that these nevertheless will impugn his Majesty's Prerogative, and disable his Highness in that power his Royal Progenitors had: This shows they did not as the wise men of the East, (in Math. 2. Math: 2. Dier f: 94. Selden Hon: pag. 208. Co: li: 7. f. 33. Ranulphus of Chester f: 387. Camden Brit: pag. 165. & 167. ) follow the right star. Did not King E: 3. create Dukes, and King R: 2. Marquis' to be hereditary Dignities, to precede, and go before Earls, and Barons, that were fare auncienter? Did not afterwards King H: Davis Report: f: 60. Co: li: 9 f: 124. 6. create Viscount's to be an hereditary Dignity likewise, and gave them the place and precedency of Barons? Was not also the Institution of the Order of the Garter, Smith's Commonwealth, pag. 25. Camden Brit. pag. 171. 172. Selden Hon. pag. 353. 359. 362. and Banneret's created by E: 3. and Knights of the Bath by H: 6. Mils pag. 24. to take place of Knights Bachelors? and yet were they subsequent Dignities unto them. And hath not the place been ever given at the Prince his pleasure, and sometimes the Precedency before them of the same degree, though they were after them created. Vide Rot: Parl; 23. Ch. a. 23. H. 6. memb. 26. n. 24. See Camden Brit. pag. 570. H: 6. where King H: 6. granted to Henry Earl of Warwick, And it appears in the Cham ab anno 27. usque 37. H. 6. n. 24. & Orig. 31. H. 6 Rot. 27. That afterwards H. 6. created Edmond Hadham Earl of Richmond, and to take his place as the first Earl of England. this Preeminence to be the first, and chief Earl of England, and to carry this Style, sct. Henricus Praecomes totius Angliae, & Comes Warwici, and afterwards created him Duke of Warwick, and by these express words of his Patent, granted that he should take his place in Parliament, and elsewhere, Camden Brit. pag. 570. next unto the Duke of Norfolk, and before the Duke of Buckingham: Ch. 25. & 26. H. 6 memb. 31. Vide 25. & 26. H: 6. Humfridus Stafford Dux Buckingham, quod sit primus Ducum in Anglia. Billae signatae anno 21. & 22. H. 8. See 21. & 22. H: 8. a grant to Anne Rochfort of the Dignity of marchioness of Penbroke, to take her place before all of her rank, excepting the King's Issue: Vide 18. Pat. 18. H. 6. parte 2. memb. 20. & 23. H. 6. This was the first honorary, and hereditary Viscount after the Conquest. H: 6. Rex 12o die Februarij concessit Iohanni Domino de Beaumond, nomen Vicecomitis de Beaumond, cum 20. marcis percipiendis annuatim sibi, & haeredibus suis masculis; & quod habeat locum ante, & supra omnes Vicecomites fiendos, sive creandos, & haeredes, & filios omnium Comitum, ac sedem, & honorem immediate, & proxime Comitibus regni Angliae, in Parliamentis: etc. Vide a: 2. Parte Pat. an. 1. E. 4. memb. 13. 1. E: 4 Robertus Botill Prior Hospitalis sancti johannis jerusalem. in Anglia, See also Selden Hon. pag. 283. primus Baro Regni Angliae, etc. Pat. anno 5. H. 3. memb. 5. Et vide a: 5. H: 3. Rex etc. salutem: Obtentu dilecti Militis nostri Domini Rogeri de Leyburne, volentes ipsum propter ipsius grata merita, & accepta servitia culmini nostro gratanter impensa benigno favore prosequi, & dilectione; universitatem vestram affectuose rogamus, quatenus ipsum ubicunque locorum, de caetero tanquam nostrum Militem ob nostram reverentiam honore debito velitis prosequi, & gratia speciali, etc. Hath not his Majesty the like power? And wherein is this creation of Baronet's more grievous, and hurtful, than those former hereditary Dignities were? Was there ever any exception taken to them? No not any. It is said only that King R: 2. Camden Brit. pag. 165. &. 217. made john of Beaufort son to john of Gaunt, Selden Hon. pag. 217. and Earl of Somerset marquis of Dorset; of which he was afterwards deprived by King H: 4. And when a Petition was in Parliament by the Commons for his restitution, he most humbly prayed the King, that in regard the name of marquis was a strange name in this Kingdom, that he would not restore him to it, neither would he willingly accept thereof: which for your better satisfaction herein, there is here exemplified the Record itself, in haec verba, sct. Rotulo Parliamenti, Parl. 4. H. 4. memb. 18. Art. 18 a: 4. H: 4. n: 18. Le lundy lo 6. jourde Novemb. les Commons viendrent devant le Roi, & les Snrs. en Parliament, & entre autres choses, et matires illonques monstrez, et parlez; Mesme les Commons humblament recomendantzes les bone, et honourable port, et governance del Conte de Somerset, prierent au Roi, que mesme le Conte, purroit estre restore a ses nosme, et honour de Marquis, queux il avoit per devant, de quel prier, le Roi, et le Snrs. enuntierent les dits Coens. Et le Roi lour desoit quill voiloit estre avise, et ent fair ceo que luy sembleroit pur le mieux touchant cel matire, Et sur ceo le dit Conte engenulant, mult humblament pria au Roi, que comme le nosme de Marquis fevist estrange nosme en cest royalme, quill ne luy voiloit ascunement donor cel nosme de Marquis; quar jammais per congee du Roi il ne voiloit porter n'accepter sur luy nul tiel nosme, en ascun manner: mais nient meins le Conte moult cordialment remercia les Snrs. et les Coens de lour bone coers, et volente en celle party. And herewithal whosoever will observe: first how the said john of Beaufort Earl of Somerset obtained this Dignity of Marquis a: 21. R: 2. Secondly, that in Parliamt a: Rot. Parl. anno 21. R. 2. 1. H: 4. He was there dishonoured, Rot. Parl. anno 1. H. 4. & deprived of this Dignity. Lastly, the King's answer to his said Petition made by the intercession of the Commons in Parliament, a: 4. H: Rot. Parl. a. 4. H. 4. 4 That he would be advised, and do that which should seem unto him the best in that behalf; he may then plainly discern, in what manner he did refuse it. Yet admit he did, what will they conclude of this, that because one hath no stomach, therefore others must fast also: I think few will like of this reason. And though in distribution of Honours, his Majesty is not limited, or tied to Precedent, but being the fountain of Honour may create what Dignities he pleaseth, and may as well confer Honours upon any man, Davis Reports f. 25. as he may give value, or worth to any mettle to make it of esteem, and current: Yet it is easy to prove (what opinions soever there are to the contrary) that the name of Baronet is no strange name in this Kingdom. Camden Brit. pag. 171. Selden Hon. pag. 354. & 355. 13 E. 3. and appeareth, clans. de anno 15. E. 4. memb. 11. pro Willon. Norreys Milite liberate. Vide temp. E. 3. Thomas de Bradeston per Regem E: 3. 15. Octobris anno regni sui 13. factus Baronettus; cui, ut ipse statum Baronetti eo decentius manutenere queat, Rex dedit 500 marcas annuas habendas sibi, etc. See also the printed Stat: of 13. R: 2. ca: 1. & 14. R: 2. ca: 11. 2. Stat. 13. R. 2. cap. 1. & 14. R. 2. cap. 11. for Baronet's, & vide anno 24. H: 6. Originale de anno 24. H. 6. Rot. 31. Aquiten. Rex 18. die Septembris concessit Raimundo de Pys Baronet Capitan: & balliagium de Sauvetere, habend' pro termino vitae suae ad valorem 4. li. per annum. See also the book case of 35. H: 6. for Baronet. 35. H. 6. f. 46. It appears also by certain Court-rols, and Evidences in E: 4. time, Temp. E. 4. These remain in the hands of one Mr. Gittins of Burntwood in Essex. that one Sir William Craiford of Mungham in Kent, had then, and therein, the title, and addition of Baronet Vide 4. & 5. H: 8. Billae signatae annis 4. & 5. H. 8. Rex Omnibus ad quos, etc. salutem. See also Holinshed Chron. pag. n. (his 3. volume for 322. 40. a. Baronet's. 331. 30 b. Baronet's. 359. 60. a. Baronet's. 373. 60 a. Baronet's. 384. 10. a. Baronet's. 865. 10. b. Baronet's. Sciatis quod nos defidelitate, providentia, strenuitate, et industria, diligentiaque, et experientia, ac integritate charissimi Consanguinei, et Consiliarij nostri Georgij Comitis Salop: Senescalli Hospitij nostri, ac Militis Ordinis nostri Garterij plurimum confidentes: cundem locum tenentem nostrum generalem, Ducemque primarium, & gubernatorem totius primae acici, et exercitus, ac Armatae nostrae, favente altissimo, ad parts exteras profecturae, ac omnium, et singulorum Capitaneorum, vicecapitaneorum, et locatenentium, Baronum, Baronettorum constituimus, Billae signatae anno 4. E. 6. & Originale de eodem anno, Rot. 20. & 9 part Paten. 4. E. 6. etc. vide 4. E. 6. Rex etc. Cum in consideratione fidelis, et acceptabilis servitij nobis per dilectum servientem nostrum Radul: Fane Militem in guerris nostris, quam aliter antehac facti, et impensi, idem Raduns ad Statum, Gradum, Honorem, et Dignitatem Baronetti per nos erectus, suscitatus, et creatus extiterit, Billae signata anno 1. Maria Reginae. etc. Et vide 1. Maria; Willielmus Howard Miles Dominus Howard de Effingham, magnus Admirallus Angliae, Wallia, Hiberniae, Normanniae, Gasconiae, et Aquitaniae fit locum-tenens generalis; Duxque primarius, et Gubernator totius Classis armatae nostrae regiae, in quibuscunque partibus super mare, ad tuitionem, et defensionem Amicorum nostrorum profecturae, ac omnium, et singulorum Navium, Capitaneorum, et locum-tenentium, Baronum, Baronettorum, etc. Yet notwithstanding the testimony of these, and others, I will not affirm, that the distinct, and hereditary Dignity of Baronet's was ever known unto us, before the Creation of them by our present Sovereign: See 2. Stat. 5. R. 2. ca 4. in the Abridgements of Stat. for Baronet, and in the Stat. at large Baneret, and ye shall also find the same person in one and the selfsame Record, sometimes written Baronet, and sometimes Baneret. For which see that of Bradeston, 13. E. 3. For I am not ignorant of the opinions of the learned concerning the former, that Baronulus, Baronettus, et Banerettus, were anciently all one, and were promiscuously used for bannerets. Touching this kind of hereditary Knighthood, See Mils pag. 24. that there are hereditary Knights at this day in Italy. which (say they) was never before heard of, see the Patents in 13. Rot. Vascon 13. E. 3. memb 13. For this also you have an Author entitled, The Treasury of Times, pag. 527. herewith concurring. And it is further proved ex claus. 7. R. 2. memb. 32. in dorso. E: 3. unto William de la Pole, and the like unto Bradeston; which showeth that bannerets were then hereditary, & that for maintenance of their Dignity, lands were given unto them and their heirs. And our ancient feodary Knights, Math. Paris pag. 1249. Stat. 1. E. 2. 7. H. 6. f. 14. 15. See Camden's Brit. pag. 174. That they fined for not being knighted. See also Selden Hon. pag. 319. 320. Vide Dorso clausarum de anno 3. H. 3. memb. 24. Quisquis Laicus plenae aetatis, qui feodum unius Militis tenet, & Miles non est, arma capiat, & se Militem fieri faciat, sicut feodum vel feoda sua diligit. here in England, were in a manner hereditary: For, if a Knight's fee which was 20. li. land per annum, had descended unto one, he was compellable to take, and it seemeth, of right might have demanded a Knighthood, and also the arms, & equipage of Knighthood, which belonged to a Knight's Fee; That is to say, His Horse, Selden Hon. pag 321. 322. Spear, Sword, and Target was to descend unto the heir, and not to go to the executors, as it is of other personal things. For this read likewise Roger Hoveden. Roger Hoveden pag 611. 614. The Constitutions under King H: 2. sct. Quicunque habet Feodun unius Militis, habeat loricam, et Cassidem, See Ranulphus f. 61. and in the end of the old Mag. Char. f. 168. and Selden Hon. pag. 278. That of these Knights fees, there were anciently in this Kingdom many thousands, and of Baronies 250. at one time. & clypeum, & lanceam, & omnis Miles habeat tot loricas, cassides, clypeos, & lanceas quot habuerit feoda Militum in Dominio suo, & si quis haec habens arma obierit, arma sua remaneant haeredi suo, & si haeres de tali aetate non sit, quod armis uti possit, si opus fuerit, ille eum qui habebit in custodia, habeat similiter custodiam armorum, & inveniat hominem, qui armis uti possit in servitio Domini Regis, si opus fuerit, donec haeres de tali aetate sit, Vide Fleta li. 9 ca 9 quod arma portare possit, tunc ea habeat. By which also, as by this that followeth out of Bracton, and others, it appeareth, Bracton fol. 5. that from our ancient Nobility arose the principal strength, and fasegard of this Land, Vide Rot. Parl. anno 21. R. 2. viz. Pur ceo que le greinder supportation de chescun Realm consist des dignes person's de state, & de honour que purront enforcer, & fortifier le Scepter du Roi, etc. See also the Preambles of Letters Patents for creation of Dignities accord. (who writeth thus of those that were in his time,) Comites, quia à Comitatu, sive societate nomen sumpserunt, qui etiam dici possunt consuls a consulendo, Reges enim tales sibi associant, ad consulendum, Vide Hotoman, li. 1. Feud. Tit. 1. §. 1. & tit. 7. Alij sunt Capitanei Regni, quo verbo Deuces, Comites, Marchiones, intelliguntur. & regendum populum Dei, ordinantes eos in magno honore, potestate, & nomine, quando accingunt eos gladijs: Gladius autem significat defensionem Regni, & Patriae: Sunt & alij Potentes sub Rege, Vide Bracton, li. 2. ca 34. f. 76. Nisi capitale Mesuagium illud sit caput Baroniae propter ius Gladij, etc. See Camden Brit. pag. 175. Knight anciently the name of charge, and function. qui dicuntur Barones, hoc est Robur belli: Sunt & sub Rege Milites, sct. ad Militiam exercendam electi, ut cum Rege, & supradictis militent, & defendant Patriam, & Populum Dei, etc. And as you have heard how by these Dignities, and Persons of Honour, this Kingdom was anciently fortified, and defended, so shall you likewise find, that by this increase of Dignity, there will be an increase of strength to the Commonwealth; and that these will be eminent, whenas others peradventure of greater ability, Vide johan. Basanum, li. 2. pag. 125. Sicut Coelum stellis, sic terra Nobilibus, & heroicis personis insignitur. will neither desire, nor deserve Honour, but rather seek obscurity to shun the charges of the Commonweal; then be discovered, upon the Act of 33. By this Act of 33. H. 8. ca 5. Certain persons nobled are to find a horse for service, & such whose wives shall wear, any silk, or Velvet, gold, pearl, or precious stone. of King H: 8. to find Arms for defence of their Country, though it were in time of greatest necessity. And that the public good is advanced by this addition of Honour, hear also the opinion of a principal Secretary to King E: 6. who holds, Smith's Commonwealth of Engl. pag. 29. that the more Dignities there are, the better it is for the Commonwealth: For saith he, the Gentleman is more charged than the Yeoman, which he beareth the gladlier, and dare not gainsay it, for to save, and keep his honour, and reputation, and in any Show, or Muster, or other particular Charge of the place wherein he is resident, as for the poor, or otherwise, he opens his purse wider, and augments his portion above others, or else he doth diminish his reputation. For this you may read him at large. To return to the matter, and to answer him who holds that this Dignity of Baronet's is against the Law, because no hereditary Dignity (as he would have it) can be entailed within the Statute of Westmr. 2. Stat. Westmr. 2 ca 1. but it must have relation to a Realty, and have lands to go therewith: I confess his opinion may well agree with the phrase in our writs; Quod injustè, Register of Writs, f. 196. et sine judicio cepit, etc. And according to this vain runs his tongue, F. na. br. f. 177. but not with the Law: For unless it were by him, See Co. li. 7. f. 33. it was never so adjudged: And he may learn thus much, that constructions of Dignities are not always taken according to the strict rules of the Common-Law: Nor if you are to try the right of a Dignity, shall it be tried by jury; Co. li 11. f. 1. Mils pag. 71. neither do the Maxims, Vide Rot. Parl. apud Westmr. anno 27. H. 6. memb. 4. Art. 18. or grounds in Law, hold in matter of Honour, for there is no copercenary of a Dignity; Bracton li. 2. cap. 34. f. 76. Mils pag. 27. See also the Customs of Normandy, f. 120. Mils pag. 76. nor have you a Tenant by the courtesy of a Dignity: neither is there Possessio fratris of a Dignity: Co. li. 3. f. 42. No more can a Dignity be transferred, though it be given to a man and to his heirs. And whereas it is objected, that Baronet's being an hereditary Dignity, if they fall into poverty, they and their heirs shall notwithstanding take the place of Knights. I answer, that this is a chance incident unto all Dignities, and to Knighthood also: yet that there is a remedy for this, and the like grievance, they may understand, that if the possessions of any persons nobled are so decayed, Smith's Commonwealth of England, pag. 21. 22. Mils pag. 29. that they have not wherewith to support their Dignity, there is a means to deprive them of it. Rot. Parl. anno 17. E. 4. See how in 17. E: 4. john Marquis Montague, and George Duke of Bedford, were by Act of Parliament degraded of all honourable Titles in these words, sct. Whereas afore this time, the King our Sovereign Lord, for the great love, and zeal he bore to john Nevil, late named Marquis Montague, and other considerations him moving, did erect and make George Nevil the eldest son of the said Marquis, to be Duke of Bedford: And at that time, for the great love, that his said Highness bare to the said john Nevil, purposed, and intended to have given to the said George for sustentation of the same Dignity sufficient livelihood: and for the great offences, unkindness, and misbehavings that the said john Nevil hath done, and committed to his said Highness (as is openly known) he hath no cause to departed any livelihood unto the said George: And forasmuch as it is openly known, that the said George hath not, nor by inheritance may have any Livelihood to support the said Name, Estate, and Dignity, or any name of Estate. And oftentimes it is seen, that when any Lord is called to high estate, and hath not livelihood conveniently to support the said Dignity, it induceth great poverty, and indigence, and causeth oftentimes great extortion, embracery, and maintenance to be had, to the great trouble of all such Countries, where such Estate shall happen to inhabit: Wherefore the King by the advice, and consent of his Lords, spiritual, & temporal, and of the Commons of this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, hath ordained, established, and enacted, that from henceforth the said erection, and making of Duke, and all the names of Dignity given to the said George, or to the said john Nevil his father, be from henceforth void, and of none effect: And that the said George, and his heirs, from henceforth be no Dukes, nor Marquesses, Earls, nor Barons, for no erection, or creation before made: But that the name of Duke, and Marquis, Earl, and Baron, in him, and his heirs, cease, and be void, and of none effect (the said Erection, or Creation notwithstanding. Ye shall also read in Nevil's Case reported of by Sir Edw: Co. li. 7. f. 33. & 34. Quinetiam si posteaquam electus esset Senator Censum labefactasset, Ordinem amittebat. Sigonius de antiquo iure Civium Rom. li. 2. ca 2. Coke, that, As in ancient times the Senators of Rome were elected à Censu, of their Revenues: so, in former times in conferring of Nobility here with us; there was respect had unto their Revenues, by which their Dignity and Nobility might be supported, and maintained; through the want whereof great mischief may ensue: Britton f. 68 29, E. 3. f. 42. 11. H. 4. f. 15. 1. H. 5. f. 14. 14. H. 6: f. 2. Co. li. 6. f. 52. For no Capias lieth against a Lord of the Parliament, Id solum privilegium habent Nobiles a regibus in gratificationem obsequiûm Reipublicae. Molin. Tract. 2. pag. 1456. in that the Law presumes he hath sufficient freehold ad sustinendum nomen, & onus, and wherewith to satisfy either debt, or trespass; the which wanting, all remedy in such case faileth: Therefore Antiquity hath set down a Competency of livelihood for these degrees following, Co. li. 9 f. 124. sct. 12. Ploughlands for a Knight's fee, as sufficient to maintain the degree of Knighthood: 13. Co. li. 7. f. 33. & 34. Knight's fees to be a convenient living for a Baron: 20. for an Earl: 26. for a Marquis: 40. for a Duke. According to which, his Majesty hath likewise been pleased to set down the revenue of a Baronet, The Book published by his Majesty touching Baronet's, pag. 17. printed 1611. to be 1000 li. land per annum de claro, of Inheritance, whereof two parts at the least to be in possession, and the third in reversion. And though true it is, that, Vtilior est sapientia cum divitijs conjuncta: Lamb. Peramb. pag. 368. Yet it is not hereby intended, Qui utiliter, & decenter Magistrate fungi debent, sint divites bonis animi, doctrinae, iustitiae, sapientiae, pietatis auro abundent. Plato li. 7. de Repub. that virtue is measured by the acre, or that it consists in riches: For strength is not always found by greatness, Fulbeck li. vlt. ca 9 f. 67. nor in multitude, no more is inward ability by outward wealth: See Stat. 18. H. 6. ca 11. 9 E. 2. 4. E. 3. 9 5. E. 3. 4. 14. E. 3. 8. 1. H. 8. 8. 3. H. 8. 2. 35. H. 8. 6. 2. E. 6. 32. & Stat. 27. Eliz. cap. 6. Nor were those Laws which require freehold in justices, Shierieves, Coroners, Escheators, jurors, Register of Writs, f. 178. 12. H. 7. f. 4. and Bailiffs of Liberties, made out of any other respects, then merely to the end, that if these transgress in their office, or duty, they should render satisfaction for it, as well by their estates, as otherwise. To conclude, seeing it is his Highness' pleasure to create this Dignity, and in that, it is lawfully granted, and is no way more preiudicious in the continuance, than any other former hereditary Dignity is, or hath been: And it so being, that his Majesty, who is the chief judge of virtue, and merit, is pleased to esteem them worthy of this Dignity, it is not for you nor any then to dispute it. See Sir Drue Duries Case, Co. li. 6. f. 73. 74. that if the King knighteth one within age: who is unable to do Knights service, Tout's sont conclude à dira le contrarie de ceo, pur ceo, quant le Roi, que est le sovereign, & supreme judge de Chivalry, ad dub luy Chivaler; il per ceo ad adjudge luy able. See likewise the ancient Laws of this Land, both before, See Ranulphus f. 61. Saxon in his description of England, cap. 71. Britton f. 49. b. Bal. l. Obser. Petrus Geral. in suis Singular. 33. and since the Conquest; and also the civil-law, against traducing of Honour, or Worship. And see 2, 2. Pet. 2.10. in the last Translation. jude 8. of Peter 2.10. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities. Camden's Remains pag. 138. See Camden's Remains, or in the Code of Theodosius; Codicis Theodos. li. 6. Tit. 5. Tit. Dignitatum ordo servetur: Si quis indebitum sibi locum usurpaverit, nulla ●e ignoratione defendat, sitque plane sacrilegij reus. FINIS.