The order of the garter therefore was devised in the time of King Edward the Third, and (as some write) upon this occasion.  The queen’s majesty then living, being departed from his presence the next way toward her lodging, he following soon after happened to find her garter, which slacked by chance and so fell from her leg, unespied in the throng by such as attended upon her.  His grooms and gentlemen also passed by it, as disdaining to stoop and take up such a trifle:  but he, knowing the owner, commanded one of them to stay and reach it up to him.  “Why, and like your grace,” saith a gentleman, “it is but some woman’s garter that hath fallen from her as she followed the queen’s majesty.”  “Whatsoever it be,” quoth the king, “take it up and give it me.”  So when he had received the garter, he said to such as stood about him:  “You, my masters, do make small account of this bule garter here,” and therewith held it out, “but, if God lend me life for a few months, I will make the proudest of you all to reverence the like.”  And even upon this slender occasion he gave himself to the devising of this order.  Certes, I have not read of anything that having had so simple a beginning hath grown in the end to so great honour and estimation.[8]...

      [8] Long details are given of Garter history, very inaccurate,
      both here and in the last omitted passage.—­W.

There is yet another order of knights In England called knights bannerets, who are made in the field with the ceremony of cutting away the point of his pennant of arms, and making it as it were a banner, so that, being before but a bachelor knight, he is now of an higher degree, and allowed to display his arms in a banner, as barons do.  Howbeit these knights are never made but in the wars, the king’s standard being unfolded.[9]...

      [9] Derivations of “Esquire” and “Gentleman” are given.—­W.

Moreover, as the king doth dub knights, and createth the barons and higher degrees, so gentlemen whose ancestors are not known to come in with William Duke of Normandy (for of the Saxon races yet remaining we now make none accounted, much less of the British issue) do take their beginning in England, after this manner in our times.

Whosoever studieth the laws of the realm, whoso abideth in the university (giving his mind to his book), or professeth physic and the liberal sciences, or beside his service in the room of a captain in the wars, or good counsel given at home, whereby his commonwealth is benefited, can live without manual labour, and thereto is able and will bear the port, charge, and countenance of a gentleman, he shall for money have a coat and arms bestowed upon him by heralds (who in the charter of the same do of custom pretend antiquity and service, and many gay things), and thereunto, being made so good cheap, be called master (which is the title that men give to esquires and gentlemen), and reputed for a gentleman ever after, which is so