• 4°- Knights called PiosatRome.

Pope Pm IV. erected this Order 1560. He created ofthem at firft 575. but they encreafed to 53 5. He grantedthem very confiderable Endowments, and preferr’d thembefore the Knights of the Empire, and Malta, becaufethey were his Courtiers, and had the Charge of carryinghis Chair on their Shoulders when he went abroad.

41. Knights of St. Stephen at Florence.

This Order was founded in imitation of the Knightsof Malta , 156'!. by Cofmo de Medici* II. Duke of Florence,afterwards fir It Duke of Tufcany, in honour of St. Ste-phen, Pope and Martyr, the Patron of the City ofFlorence, and in memory of the Battle on the < 5 m ofslugufl, (St. Stephens-day ) at Marciano, where over-throwing the Aflertors of L iberty, he laid the Founda-tion of his Grandeur. Puts IV. confirmed it under theRule of St. Benedifl, which was afterwards enlargedwith many Emoluments and Privileges, by the fucceed-ing Popes. The Knights vow’d Conjugal Chaftity andCharity, in relieving the Afflicted, Obedience to theirMailers the Great Dukes of Tufcany. The chief Placeof their Refidence was at Pifa, where the Founder e-refbed a Church and Convent, as a Nurfery for Perfonsskilful in Maritime Affairs, but fince it is transferred toCafmopolt in the Ifle of Ilva. Their Habit is a longMantle of White Chainlet trimmed with Red, and onthe left part of their Bread: a Crofs (like that of Malta)of red or crimfon Satin border'd 11 it I> Gold 3 it is daily wornon their Cloaks, and on their Military Garments, andabout their Necks in a Ribbon on Feftival Days. ThisOrder (like the Maltefe) alfo confifts of Knights, Prieflsand Servants. The Priefls wear the Crofs of red Tajfatywithout a Bordure, the Servants the Crofs of St. Jntho-ny only. The Statutes were reformed by Ferdinand Dukeof Tufcany, Son to the Founder, and approv’d, 1590.

41. Knights

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