THUS Wealth was so much regarded among the _Chaledonians_, that those who were rich, bore the Name of Knights. It was Estate that entitled a Man to this Honour among the _Romans_; for the Censor might compel any Citizen equal to the Equestrian Cense, whom he thought fit to take that Order: And this consisted of 400000 Sesterces, _i. e._ 3025 _l._ of our Money.
AND as in _Old Rome_, so here in _England_, not long after the Conquest, they who held a Knights Fee, _viz._ 680 Acres of Land might claim it, says _Camden_. But it appears from _Selden_, that no certain Number, or Extent of Acres, made a Knight’s Fee; and _Temp. Hen._ 3. and _Edw._ 1. and 1 _Edw._ 2. the _Census militis_ was measured by 20 _l._ by the Year, or more; and by the Royal Prerogative, some who held 15, then 20, at other times 30, then 40, and sometimes 50 _l._ Lands, were required to accept this Honour by Writs directed to the Sheriffs of the Counties, and were excused only by Reason of old Age, irrecoverable Weakness, Loss of Limbs, or being in Holy Orders; and upon all other Causes (if exempted) they paid a Fine, estimated according to the Nature of the Excuse, or length of Time given.
BUT in the promiscuous Course of Knighthood, where the Men of Wealth and Estate (whether otherwise worthy or not) became dignify’d; yet the Gate of Honour was not then shut against those, who wanting Riches, deserved well of their Country; for when Princes conferr’d such Dignities upon Men of narrow Fortunes, they usually bestowed with them annual Pensions, or Lands, agreeable to the Judgment of the Author of the _Division du monde_, who saith that the Honour of Knighthood is not to be given any Person who hath not a considerable Estate, unless sufficient Means to support the Honour of the Order be also given with it.
THESE Pensions are frequently mention’d in our Rolls, sometimes during Pleasure, and sometimes during the Life of the Knight, or till better Provision should be made for their Supports: Examples whereof are, Sir _John Atte Lee_, Sir _Nele Loring_, Sir _John Walsh_, Knights. The like Rewards our Kings gave to such whose Merit raised them to the Degree of a _Baneret_, express’d in their Patents, _ad manutenendum statum Baneretti_, _Pro sustentatione sua_, _ut ipse statum Baneretti melius manutenere possit_, _Pro statu suo manutenendo_; or Words to the like Effect: Examples where of are, Sir _Reginald Cobham_, Sir _Thomas de Rokeley_, Sir _John Lysle_, and Sir _Roger de Swynerton_, Banerets.