ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



c. 1565. 



building is of timber, and many stones in it one above 

 the other. The strength of their townes is in the mightie 

 walles and ditches, artillerie have they none. 



The streetes in Cinceo, and in all the rest of the Cities 

 we have seene are very faire, so large and so straight, 

 that it is wonderfull to behold. Their houses are built 

 with timber, the foundations onely excepted, the which 

 are layd with stone : in ech side of the streetes are pentises 

 or continuall porches for the marchants to walke under : 

 the breadth of the streets is neverthelesse such, that in 

 them 15. men may ride commodiously side by side. As 

 they ride they must needs passe under many high arches 

 of triumph that crosse over the streetes made of timber, 

 and carved diversly, covered with tiles of fine clay : under 

 these arches the Mercers do utter their smaller wares, & 

 such as list to stand there are defended from raine and 

 the heate of the Sunne. The greater gentlemen have 

 these arches at their doores : although some of them be 

 not so mightily built as the rest. 



I shall have occasion to speake of a certaine order of 

 gentlemen that are called Louteas. 1 wil first therefore 

 Loutea. expound what this word signifieth. Loutea is as much 

 to say in our language as Sir, and when any of them 

 calleth his name, he answereth Sir : and as we do say, 

 that the king hath made some gentleman, so say they, 

 that there is made a Loutea. And for that amongst them 

 the degrees are divers both in name and office, I will tell 

 you onely of some principals, being not able to adver- 

 tise you of all. 



The maner how gentlemen are created Louteas, and 

 do come to that honour and title, is by the giving of a 

 broad girdle, not like to the rest, and a cap, at the com- 

 maundement of the king. The name Loutea is more 

 generall & common unto mo, then the equalitie of honour 

 thereby signified agreeth withall. Such Louteas as doe 

 serve their prince in weightie matters for justice, are 

 created after trial made of their learning : but the other 

 which serve in smaller affaires, as Captaines, constables, 



300 



