imbroidered with the Letter A upon one Arm of the Cross, and Ω on the other. The Sides are wrought with Gold and Silk, but the Labarum is all Gold. Amongst these Knights are three Degrees; the first call’d Collered or Grand Crosses, wearing a Collar form’d of Labarums, whereat hangs the Cross and St. George. The second are the Knights, and these wear the Cross above describ’d. The third are Servants, and they bear the Cross only, without the Labarum. The many Grand Priorates or Commanderies belonging to this Order, shew the Power they were formerly endow’d with.
14. Knights of St. James in Galicia or Sanctiago.
This is the principal Order in Spain, and had its Title of Don Raniro, King of Leon, who about the Year 826. at Clavigio, by the Assistance of St. James (said to appear upon a white Horse, bearing a Banner with a red Cross) and gain’d a mighty Victory over a great Army of the Moors. Some place the Institution about the Year 1160. others 1175. whereas it was only then confirm’d, and their Rule of Living prescrib’d by Pope Alexander III. there being a Fraternity of Knights in Spain, A. D. 1030. under a Master and Governor, with Revenues.
And altho’ this Order at first were dispos’d to vertuous Courses, and valiantly to encounter the Moors, Enemies to the Cross of Christ, yet in time they became scandalously perverted, but were afterwards reduc’d to a better Life, and approv’d on by the said Pope Alexander, who receiv’d them into the Protection of the Papal See, and gave them the Rule of St. Augustin, the Form of holding Chapters, of electing their Masters, of Treves, and thirteen Commendadores of Houses, and of the Visitors; and in short very large Privileges, together with the Monastery of St. Lorjo, situate in Galicia near Sanctiago; and the Prior and Canons thereof were incorporated into this Order.
Their Ensign is a red Cross, which the Knights wear upon their Breast, terminating like the Blade of a Sword, the Hilt crosletted and fashion’d after the ancient Manner; whereupon it was call’d La Order de Sanctiago de la Espada.
Their Habit is a white Mantle close before, on the Breast whereon is placed the said Cross, made of Silk or Cloth, and they are obliged to wear it upon their Garments, Coats or Cloaks, tho’ they use Crosses of Gold likewise.
When the Moors were driven out of Spain, and the principal Branch of this Order expir’d, upon a Contest for the Place of Great Master, the Crown of Castile stepp’d in between, and by consent of the Knights, obtain’d it under the Title of Administrator, which was granted to King Ferdinand; and his Son Charles V. annex’d it with all its Rights, &c. to his Successors in the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon. Since which, the Kings of Spain now enjoy the Administration of this Order, and carry that Title and Stile in the Inscription upon the Great Seal thereof, which holds the Royal Arms of Spain, upon a Cross that filleth all the Shield, with a Sword at each of the four Corners.
15. Knights of St. Saviour in Arragon.
These were instituted A. D. 1118. by Don Alphonso, call’d Emperor of Spain, King of Navarre, Arragon, &c. chosen out of the Spanish and French Nobility that assisted in his Wars. He form’d them into a Society, the better to enable him to drive the Moors out of Saragossa, and the whole Territory of Arragon. Their Rule of living was the Cistercian, and somewhat conformable to the Knights Templars. When the Moors were driven out of Spain, their rich Commanderies were at length united to the Crown.
Their Habit was a white Mantle, on the Breast whereof was a red Cross Anchre; but some say it was the Figure of our Saviour.