This Order was founded in imitation of the Knights of Malta, 1561. by Cosmo de Medicis II. Duke of Florence, afterwards first Duke of Tuscany, in honour of St. Stephen, Pope and Martyr, the Patron of the City of Florence, and in memory of the Battle on the 6th of August, (St. Stephens-day) at Marciano, where overthrowing the Assertors of Liberty, he laid the Foundation of his Grandeur. Pius IV. confirmed it under the Rule of St. Benedict, which was afterwards enlarged with many Emoluments and Privileges, by the succeeding Popes. The Knights vow’d Conjugal Chastity and Charity, in relieving the Afflicted, Obedience to their Masters the Great Dukes of Tuscany. The chief Place of their Residence was at Pisa, where the Founder erected a Church and Convent, as a Nursery for Persons skilful in Maritime Affairs, but since it is transferred to Cosmopoli in the Isle of Ilva. Their Habit is a long Mantle of White Chamlet trimmed with Red, and on the left part of their Breast a Cross (like that of Malta) of red or crimson Satin border’d with Gold; it is daily worn on their Cloaks, and on their Military Garments, and about their Necks in a Ribbon on Festival Days. This Order (like the Maltese) also consists of Knights, Priests and Servants. The Priests wear the Cross of red Taffaty without a Bordure, the Servants the Cross of St. Anthony only. The Statutes were reformed by Ferdinand Duke of Tuscany, Son to the Founder, and approv’d, 1590.
42. Knights of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus in Savoy.
Pope Gregory XIII. having, at the Request of Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, restor’d the Order of St. Lazarus, and the Order of St. Maurice, A. D. 1572. and constituted this Duke Grand Master, the same Year, for their greater Honour, he united them under the Title of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, and appointed the Dukes of Savoy Hereditaries and Masters, and oblig’d them to furnish out two Gallies for the Service of the Papal See, to be employ’d against Pyrates. Upon this Union, the Knights had assign’d them for Habit a Gown of Crimson Tabby, with wide Sleeves, a long Train, and edg’d with white Taffaty, and a Cordon with a Tassel of White and Green fix’d to the Collar. The Badge is, A green Cross ancree of St. Laurence, plac’d Saltirewise, surmounted with the white Cross pornelle of St. Maurice, which the Knights wear either in a Gold Chain, or any colour’d Ribbon. And the said Duke founded for the Knights two fair Convents, one at Nice, the other at Turin, and bestow’d on them all the Revenues within his Territories, formerly appertaining to the Order of St. Lazarus. The Dukes of Savoy, as Grand Masters, use this Title.
43. Knights of Loretto.
This Order, about the Year 1587. was instituted by Sixtus V. who erected the Church of our Lady at Loretto into a Cathedral and Bishop’s See, and gave the Knights for their Ensign, the Image of our Lady of Loretto, hung in a Gold Chain. This is not quite extinguish’d.
44. Knights of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
Tho’ the Grand Mastership of St. Lazarus, and its Commandaries in all Dominions, were confirm’d by Pope Gregory XIII. upon the House of Savoy, yet under King Henry III. some Knights in France, of that Order, refus’d to joyn with their Fellows, under the Obedience of the Duke of Savoy. King Henry IV. desirous to have a new order, bearing the Denomination of The Blessed Virgin, &c. apply’d himself to Pope Paul V. and obtain’d what he su’d for A. D. 1608. (besides other Pensions out of certain Ecclesiastical Benefices in France) the Commandaries and Hospitals of St. Lazarus in that Kingdom, and the Knights of St. Lazarus that remain’d in France, were incorporated with them under two Titles; their Seal being inscrib’d, Sigillum Ordinis & Militiæ Mariæ Virginis de Monte Carmeli, & Sancti Lazari in Hierusalem. The Order consists of One Hundred choice French Gentlemen, whose Offices are to attend on the King in every warlike Expedition. They vow Chastity and Obedience, and profess to fight against the Enemies of the Romish See. The Feast of the Patroness is the 16th of July; Philibert Nerestang, a valiant Knight of St. Lazarus, was elected their first Master 1608. Their Badge is a Cross of 8 Points of tawny Velvet or Sattin, with a white Border sow’d on the left Side of their Cloaks, and the Image of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel plac’d in the Middle, within a Rundle encompass’d with Rays of Gold. They also wear about their Necks, in a tawny Silk Ribbon, the like Cross of Gold; but the Image of the said Knights is enamel’d on both Sides. There Investiture is like that of Malta.
45. Knights of the most Glorious Virgin Mary of Rome.
A. D. 1618. Pedro, John Baptista, and Bernardo, sirnam’d Petrignaneos (three Brethren of Spelta in Italy) invented this Order: To which was added, the Rule of St. Francis d’Assise, whereof the Popes are Great Masters. Paul V. confirm’d them, and gave these Knights the Palace of St. John Lateran for their Convent, and the City and Port of Civita Vecchia to make their Arsenal; with an Island adjacent, together with the Government of his Gallies. Their Institution was for the Exaltation of the Roman Church, and to check or suppress the Turks roving in the Mediterranean. There are three Sorts of this Order, 1. Knights Gentlemen, Laicks. 2. Knights Gentlemen, Priests and benefic’d. 3. Knights Chaplains, or Servants of Arms. All of these wear on the left Side of their Mantles their Badge, which is a blew Cross floree Azure, border’d with Silver, having 4 Mullets, or Stars, at the End of each Flower, to signifie the Four Evangelists; in the Middle is a Circle (extended round underneath the Arms of the Cross) set with 12 Rays for the 12 Apostles, inscrib’d, In hoc signo vincam; and within it (taking up the Center of the Cross) is a Cypher of M. S. i. e. Sancta Maria, crown’d with Chaplets of Flowers, and Stars of Gold set over the Chaplet.