The Holy State, Book 4 · Chapter 12
CHAP. 12. The true Nobleman.
HE is a Gentleman in a Text Letter, because bred, and living in an higher and larger way. Conceive him when young brought up at School, in ludo literario, where he did not take ludus to himself, and leave literarius to others, but seriously applyed himself to learning, and afterwards coming to his estate, thus behaves himself.
Maxime 1Goodnesse sanctifies his Greatnesse, and Greatnesse supports his Goodnesse. He improves the upper ground whereon he stands, thereby to do God the more glory.
2He counts not care for his Countreys good to be beneath his state. Because he is a great pillar, shall he therefore bear the lesse weight? never meddling with matters of Justice. Can this be counted too low for a Lord, which is high enough for a King? our Nobleman freely serves his Countrey, counting his very work a sufficient reward. (As by our *Statute 14. of Ric. 2. c. 11.Laws no Duke, Earl, Baron, or Baronet, though Justices of Peace, may take any wages at the Sessions.) Yea he detesteth all gainfull wayes, which have the least blush of dishonour: For the Merchant Nobility of Florence and Venice (how highly soever valued by themselves) passe in other countreys with losse and abatement of repute; as if the scarlet robes of their honour had a stain of the stamell die in them.
3He is carefull in the thrifty managing of his estate. Gold, though the most solid and heavy of metalls, yet may be beaten out so thin, as to be the lightest and slightest of all things. Thus Nobility, though in it self most honourable, may be so attenuated through the smalnesse of means as thereby to grow neglected. Which makes our Nobleman to practice Solomons precept, *Prov. 27.23.Be diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thine herds; for the Crown doth not endure to every generation. If not the Crown much lesse the Coronet; and good husbandry may as well stand with great honour, as breadth may consist with height.
If a weak estate be left him by his Ancesters, 4he seeks to repair it, by wayes thrifty, yet noble: as by travelling, sparing abroad, till his state at home may outgrow debts and pensions: Hereby he gains experience, and saves expence, sometimes living private, sometimes shewing himself at an half light, and sometimes appearing like himself as occasion requires; or else by betaking himself to the warres: Warre cannot but in thankfulnesse grace him with an Office, which graceth her with his person; or else by warlike sea-adventures wisely undertaken, and providently managed: otherwise, this course hath emptied more full, then filled empty purses, and many thereby have brought a Galeon to a Gally; or lastly by match with wealthy Heirs, wherein he is never so attentive to his profit, but he listens also to his honour.
In proportion to his means, 5he keeps a liberall house. This much takes the affections of countrey people, whose love is much warmed in a good kitchin, and turneth much on the hinges of a buttery-doore often open. Francis Russell, second Earl of Bedford of that sirname, was so bountifull to the poore, that Queen Elizabeth would merrily complain of him, that he made all the beggers: sure 'tis more honourable for Noblemen to make beggers by their liberality, then by their oppression. But our Nobleman is especially carefull to see all things discharged which he taketh up. When the corps of Thomas Howard second Duke of Norfolk were carried to be interred in the Abbey of Thetford, Anno 1524. no person could demand of him one *Weat…ers fun. Mon. p. 839.groat for debt, or restitution for any injury done by him.
6His servants are best known by the coat and cognizance of their civill behaviour. He will not entertain such ruffian-like men, who know so well who is their Master, that they know not who they are themselves, and think their Lords reference is their innocence, to bear them out in all unlawfull actions. But our Lords house is the Colledge wherein the children of the neighbouring Gentry and Yeomanry are bred, and there taught by serving of him to rule themselves.
7He hateth all oppression of his tenants and neighbours; disdaining to crush a mean Gentleman for a meaner offense; and counts it no conquest but an execution from him, who on his side hath the oddes of height of place, strength of arme, and length of weapon. But as the Proverb saith, No grasse grows where the grand Seignieurs horse sets his feet; so too often nothing but grasse grows where some Great men set their footing, no towns or tillage, for all must be turn'd into depopulating pastures, and commons into enclosures. Nigh the city of Lunenberg in Germany flowed a plentifull salt spring, till such time as the rich men, engrossing all the profit to themselves, would not suffer the poore to make any salt thereof; whereupon God and Nature being offended at their covetousnesse, the spring *Morisons Travells, chap. 1. Part. 1. pag. 5. Yet afterward upon readmission of the poore to it it ran again.ceased, and ran no more for a time. Thus hath Gods punishment overtaken many great men, and stopp'd his blessing towards them, which formerly flowed plentifully unto them, for that they have wronged poore people of their commonage, which of right belonged unto them.
8In his own pleasures he is carefull of his neighbours profit. Though his horses cannot have wings like his hawks to spoil no grasse or grain as he passeth, yet he is very carefull to make as little waste as possible may be: his horses shall not trample on loaves of bread as he hunteth, so that whilest he seeks to gather a twig for himself he breaks the staff of the commonwealth.
All the countrey are his Retainers in love and observance. 9When they come to wait on him, they leave not their hearts at home behind them, but come willingly to tender their respects. The holding up of his hand is as good as the displaying of a banner; thousands will flock to him, but it must be for the Kings and Countreys service. For he knows that he who is more then a Lord, if his cause be loyall, is lesse then a private man, if it be otherwise: with S. *2. Cor. 13.8.Paul, he can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. Thus Queen Elizabeth Christ…ned the youngest daughter of Gilbert Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury (now Countesse of Arundell) Aletheia, Truth, out of true *Vincents discov. of Bro…ks Errours, p. 470.consideration and judgement that the house of the Talbots was ever loyall to the Crown.
Some priviledges of Noblemen he endeavours to deserve:10 namely such priviledges as are completely Noble, that so his merits as well as the Law should allow them unto him. He conceives this word, On mine Honour, wraps up a great deal in it; which unfolded and then measured, will be found to be a large attestation, and no lesse then an eclipticall oath, calling God to witnesse, who hath bestowed that Honour upon him. And seeing the State is so tender of him, that he shall not be forced to swear in matters of moment in Courts of Justice, he is carefull not to swear of his own accord in his sports and pleasures. Other priviledges of Noblemen he labours not to have need of, namely such as presuppose a fault, are but honourable penalties, and excuse from shamefull punishments. Thus he is not to be bound to the *Lamb. Iustice of peace pag. …3.peace. And what needs he; who hath the peace alwayes bound to him, being of his own accord alwayes carefull to preserve it, and of so noble a disposition, he will never be engaged in any braules or contentions.
To give an instance of such a Nobleman seems to be needlesse, hoping that at this time in one city of this Realm, and in one room of that city, many such Noblemen are to be found together.