assumption of Knighthood, temp. James I. 255 



repugnant to those, for whom the days of chivalry or feudal aspira- 

 tions could not be said to have entirely ceased. 



At the time when Charles I., for the purpose of raising money, 

 put in force the statute of Edward II., which obliged persons, who 

 had the amount of £20 a year in fee, to take the said order of 

 knighthood, the compositions or fines for not obeying the order 

 were sufficiently numerous, especially those levied at the time in 

 question, viz,, of that King's coronations in the years 1630, 1631, 

 and 1632. 



The following contemporary lines are from the Cole MSS. (vol. 

 xxi., fol. 206) in the British Museum, quoting the Crewe MS. : — 



" Verses upon the order for making Knights of such persons who 

 held 40* per an. in King James's time." 



" Come all you Ffarmers out of the countrey, 

 Carters, plowmen, Ledgers and all ; 

 Leave of gestures rusticall, 

 Bidd all your home-spun parssetts adue, 

 And sute yourselves in fashions new : 

 Honour invites you to delights : 

 Come all to court, and be made knights. 



" He that hath fortie pounds per annum, 

 Shalbe promoted from the plowe ; 

 His wife shall take the wall of her gran'am, 

 Honour is sould soe dog-cheap now, 

 Though thou hast neither birth nor breeding, 

 If thou hast money, thou art sure of speeding. 



"Knighthood in old time was counted an honour, 

 Which the best spiritts did not disdayne : 

 But now it is us'd in soe base a manner, 

 That it's noe credditt, but rather a staine. 

 Tush, it's no matter what people do say ! 

 The name of a knight a whole village will sway. 



T 2 



