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INTRODUCTION.

the First of France; * * 3 and no one, however exalted his rank,could confer Knighthood, unless he had himself received it.

With Knighthood every lofty and generous feeling wasassociated. It was the ambition of youth, the ornament of man-hood, and the pride of age; and he upon whom the honoursof Chivalry had been bestowed, was thus stimulated to obey thedictates of justice, to be a loyal subject, a brave and devotedsoldier, the defender of the unfortunate and oppressed, andabove all, to become the advocate, protector, and guardian ofwoman. “ As I am a true Knight,” was the most solemn assu-rance that could be given of fidelity and truth; and that hewas a “ loyal and valiant Knight,” was the highest complimentwhich the Commons of England could pay to Edward Duke ofYork, grandson of King Edward the Third. 4

In the character drawn by Chaucer of “ a veray parfit, genti 1,Knight,” it is a principal feature that he loved

“ —--Chivalrie,

Trouthe and honour, freedom and curtesie;”

and that in his deportment he was “meke as is a mayde.”Another writer of the same period says,

“ Hit bycometh to a Knyght to be curteys and hende,

Trewe of his tonge, tales loth to huyre,

Bote thei be of bounte, of batailes and of treueth.” 5

Of a Knight, it has been well observed by St. Palaye, that

of some other Knight; so it was judged too great a presumption for his own subject to giveit, without a warrant under the Great Seal.” History of the Reformation, An. 1547. Ed.

1829, vol. I. p. 15.

3 Ashmole, p. 44, and the authorities there cited.

4 Rotuli Parliamentorum, 9th Hen. IV. vol. III. p. 612.

5 Piers Ploughman, p. 109. The duties of a Knight were thus ingeniously expressed inan acrostic of the word “ Miles,” by Capucius, Cardinal of St. George, on the Knighthood