_Roderick_, Bishop of _Toledo_ in _Spain_, seeing the Country sore oppressed by the _Moors_, assembled the Noblest of the City, and proposed the Necessity of their Assistance to extirpate the _Moors_; whereunto they being unanimously inclin’d, he gave Beginning to this Order. By their Statutes, besides fighting against the _Moors_, they are obliged to say, continually, the Rosary of our Blessed Lady. Their Rule of Living was that of St. _Dominick_; and their Ensign the _Figure of our Lady of the Rosary upon a Cross flory, quarterly, argent and sable_.
28. _Knights of St._ Mary the Glorious, _in_ Italy.
Their Author was _Bartholomeo de Vincenza_, a Friar Preacher, or _Dominican_, afterwards Bishop of that City. The End he chiefly designed, was to procure Peace to _Italy_, then much disquieted by Civil Wars. It was instituted, _A. D._ 1233. called _Generalis Devotionis annus_, and approved and confirmed by Pope _Urban_ IV. _A. D._ 1262. and the Rule of St. _Dominick_ prescribed them, who are obliged to take into their Care Widows and Orphans, and endeavour to beget Concord among such as are at Variance. Their Habit is a White Tunick or Cassock, and a Mantle of Russet; some make their Badge which they wear upon their Breast _a purple Cross patee bordered with Gold_, others make it _a purple Cross patee, with Two Stars in chief_; but _Marquez_, that has writ of the Order of Knighthood, gives it an _Octogonal Cross_, like that of _Malta_. They profess Obedience and Conjugal Chastity; but are forbid to wear Spurs or Bridles of Gold: They are commonly called _Cavaleri de Madona_, and reside at _Bolonia_, _Modena_, and other _Italian_ Cities; and because they have no Monasteries, but dwell in their own Houses at Ease and Plenty, they were called _Fratres Gaudentes_ or _Hilares_.
29. _Knights of St._ James, _in_ Portugal,
WERE instituted, _A. D._ 1310. by _Denys_ VI. King of _Portugal_, in honour of St. _James_, under whose Protection he became victorious in divers Battles against the _Moors_, and at length quieted his Kingdom by the Assistance of these Knights. It was not long after its Institution ere this Order flourished, through the Privileges the Founder bestowed, and the Approbation of Pope _Nicholas_ IV. and others his Successors. The Knights profess Conjugal Chastity, Hospitality and Obedience, and none are admitted till they make proof of their Gentility by Blood. Their Ensign is a _red Sword_, formed like that of St. _James_ of _Galicia_; the Habit White, and the only difference between them lies in a little Twist of Gold which these of _Portugal_ draw about their Sword. At _Alcasar de Sul_ was their Principal Convent, which they afterwards removed to _Dalmela_, where it yet continues. Their Statutes, _&c._ are much the same with those of St. _James_ in _Galicia_, whereupon some erroneously have confounded them.