De praedictis 9. gemmis.

TOpazion, The Topace. ex virenti genere est omni (que) colore resplendens, in uenta primum in Arabiae insula, in qua Trogloditae praedones fame et tempestate fessi, cum herbarum radices effoderent, erue­runt. Quae insula postea quaesita, nebulis cooperta, tandem a na­uigantibus inuenta est. Sed ob hoc locus & gemma nomen ex causa accepit. Nam Topazin Trogloditarum lingua, significati­onem habet quaerendi. Est autem amplissima gemmarum: eadem sola nobiliū limam sentit. Plinie saieth, that this Gemme is of grassie colour, although that in Germanie, it is founde like to Golde: and otherwhere, of that bygnes and quan­titie, that Philadelphus is saide to haue framed thereof and made an Image in length of foure Cubites.

MArgarita prima candidarum gemmarum, quam inde Mar­garitam aiunt vocatam, ꝙ in conculis marinis hoc genus lapidum inueniatur. Inest enim in carne Cochleae calculus natus, sicut in carne Ostrcae praeciosissima Margarita reperiri dicatur: vel sicut in cerebro piscis lapillus. Gignitur autem de celesti rore, quem certo anni tempore concule hauriunt. Ex quibus Mar­garitis quaedam Vniones vocātur, The Pearle Vnions. aptum nomen habentes, ꝙ tan­tum vnus, nunquam duo vel plures simul reperiantur. Meliores autem candidae Margaritae, quàm que flauescunt. Illas enim aut [Page] iu [...]entus, aut matutini roris conceptio reddit candidas: has se­nectus, vel vespertinus aer gignit obscuras. Pearles, were the onely meate, wherewith the Iewes liued long, hauinge nothing els to eate, when the Citie of Ierusalem was be­sieged by Tytus, as witnesseth Iosephus.

OMnium ardentium gemmarum principatum Carbunculus habet. Carbunculus autem dictus ꝙ sit ignitus vt carbo, cuius fulgor nec nocte vincitur. The Carbun­ [...]le, or Rubye. Lucet enim in tenebris adeo vt flammas ad oculos vibret. Genera eius duodecim, sed prestantio­res qui videntur fulgere, & velut ignem effundere. Carbuncu­lus autem Grece Anthrax dicitur. The Carbuncle, so war­reth with the eye sight, that it sheweth manyfolde reflex­ions. It is founde in Libia.

The Saphyre.THe Saphire, is a Gemme skye coloured or Blewe, like to the Skye in the most faire wether. Amongest all the kyndes of Gemmes, it is one of the noblest and most royall, and therefore mete to be worne onely vpon Kynges and Princes fyngers. Nothing in the worlde doth more re­create or delight the eyes then the Smaradge, & Saphire doe. It is meruelous effectuous agaynste all venyme. Wher­fore, yf thou put a Spider into a Boxe, it beyng shutt, & vpō the mouth therof thou layest the true Saphire, and do kepe the Spider within the same but a very short tyme, the Spi­der beyng vanquished and ouercome by the vertue there­of, dyeth sodenly. Isidore saieth, ꝙ Saphirus caeruleus est cum purpura, habens pulueres aureos sparsos: optimus apud Me­dos, nusquam tamen perlucidus. It is also rekned by Isidore, to be one of the kyndes of the Amathistes. Albertus Mag­nus sayeth, that he proued it twise, that with the onely touchyng of this precious Stone, the partie so diseased, hath bene ridde of the greuous sore the Carboncle. The Saphire for his soueraignetie, is called of the Lapidarie, the Gemme of Gemmes. In olde tyme it was consecrated onely to Apollo.

[Page 3] ADamus Indicus, The Diamōd. lapis paruus & indecorus, ferrugineum ha­bens colorem & splendorem Crystalli. Nunquam autem vl­tra magnitudinem nuclei avellanae repertus. Hic nulli cedit materie: nec ferro quidem nec igni, nec vnquam incalescit: vnde et nomen Greca interpretatione, ind [...]mita vis accepit. Sed dum sit inuictus ferri, ignis (que) centemptor, Hircino rumpitur sanguine, recenti & calido maceratur, sic (que) multis ictibus ferri perfringi­tur. Cuius fragmentis, sculptores, pro gemmis insigniendis per­forandis (que) vtuntur. Hic autem dissidet cum Magnete lapide, in­tantum vt iuxta positus ferrum, non patiatur abstrahi Magneti: aut si admotus Magnes comprehenderit, rapiat at (que) auferat: fer­tur quo (que) in Electri similitudine venena deprehendere, metus va­nos depellere, maleficis resistere artibus. Diascorides sayth, that it is called the Stone of reconciliacion and loue: for (sayth he) That woman that hath withdrawne her loue from her husbande, by this, is brought to loue him anewe: yea it goeth further: for it is saide to giue proofe, whether she be chaste or no. For if she be say they, she shall whilest she is in sleape embrace her husbande, through the workyng of this Stone, yf not, she shall flye, and go backe frō him. Sir Thomas Eliot in his Dictionarie, saith, that Adamas is the Diomonde, and that Magnes the lode Stone, that hath vertue to drawe Iron vnto hym, is of some vnproperlye called the Adamant.

OMnium gemmarum virentium Smaragdus principatum ha­bet. The Smarag­de, or Eme­raude. Cui veteres tertiam post Margaritas & Vniones tribu­unt dignitatem. Smaragdus a nimia viriditate dicitur. Omne enim satis viride Smaragdum dicitur. Nullis enim gemmis vel herbis maior quàm huic austeritas est. Nam herbas virentes frondes (que) exuperat, inficiens circa se viriditate repercussum ae­rem. Sculpentibns quo (que) gemmas nulla gratior oculorum refec­tio est. Cuius corpus si extentum fuerit sicut speculum, it a ima­gines reddit. Quippe Nero Cesar gladiatorum pugnas in Sma [...]ragdo spectabat. The Smaradge passeth both the leafe and boughe of anye tree or plante, his colour is so freshe and greene, and in this poyncte triumpheth alone, neyther ys [Page] the Sunne by his sunne Beames any lett or hynderance to this his shewe. There is no greater refection to the eyes, than the sight of this excellent Gemme.

the Amatiste INter purpureas gemmas principatum Amathistus Indicus te­net. Amathistus purpureus est: permixto violaceo colore: & quasi rosae nitor, & leniter quasdam stammulas fundens. The Amathiste his force or vertue auayleth agaynst dronken­nesse, it keepeth a man wakyng, and dryueth awaye ill thoughtes, and sharpeneth the vnderstanding also.

the Iacynthe. HIacynthus, ex nominis sui flore vocatur. Hic in Ethiopia in­uenitur: ceruleum colorem habens: optimus qui nec rarus est, nec dēsitate obtusus, sed ex vtro (que) temperamento lucens pur­pura (que) refulgens: hic autem non rutilat aequaliter, sed cum facie caeli mutatur. Sereno enim perspicuus est at (que) gratus: nubilo co­ram oculis euanescit at (que) marcescit. In os missus frigidus est: in sculpturis durissimus, nec tamen inuictus. Nam Adamante scribitur & signatur. The Iacinth is taken to be medecin­able, and to giue vigor or strength to the Lyms, to encrease the Synewes, and to prouoke quiet & sound sleape.

the Sardonix SArdonix appellata ꝙ habeat in se permixtum candorem in si­militudinem vnguis humanae. Graeci enim vnguem Onycem dicunt. Hanc India vel Arabia gignit. The Sardonix saieth Isidore also is three coloured, black about the botom, white in the middest, and redd at the toppe. Hec sola in signando nihil cerae avellit. The Lapidarie sayeth, it is bredd & borne of the Sardye, which is the father to him, & Onyx. Sardo­nyx ex duum nominum societate vocata est. Est enim ex Onycis candore & Sardo. In workyng it maketh a man lowlye, & shamefaste in his doinges.

Of the 9. diuerse coulours, planettes, and precious sto­nes before rehearced, which be assigned for the fielde of Cote armoure. There be moste vsually vsed in the blazon of oure English ensignes, but 6. videlicet.

• [Page 4]Or, and for mettalles.
• Argent. for mettalles.
• Gules. for Co­lours.
• Azure. for Co­lours.
• Sable. for Co­lours.
• Verte. for Co­lours.

Purpure, may bee added to make the 5. coloure, but it is rare in vse with vs. Of the 9. precious stones aforesaide, these are frequented, and most ennoblish blazon.

• The Topaze.
• Pearle.
• Rubye.
• Saphire. vj.
• Diamonde. vj.
• Emeraude. vj.

And for Purpure, the Amatiste obteineth of stones, his place also to make the seuenth.

These Planettes likewise maye cōpare with the others for theire ryghte, in the ordre of Blazon. videlicet.

• the Sunne.
• the Moone.
• Mars.
• Iupiter.
• Saturne. vij.
• Uenus. vij.
• Mercurie. vij.

¶Degrees of Rulers.

¶Gentleman. Esquyre. Knyght. Baron. Lorde. Earle. Marques. Duke, and Prynce.

¶ To theise degrees aforesayde,Cardinall Vertues. no man can worthely atteine, but by the fower Cardinall vertues, whiche are, Prudence, Iustice, Fortitude, and Temperance. For the know­ledge whereof, and what they bee, lett euery gentleman diligently reade ouer, the three bookes of Tully hys offi­ces: and in especially the firste booke, wherein hee moste excellently (as the father of all eloquence) describeth the sayde fower vertues, and the braunches that spryng oute of the same. Notwithstandyng I shal briefely declare the definition and efficacie thereof, as the gentle reader maye partely bee satisfied, at the first sighte.

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The firste therefore of the sayde foure vertues called Prudence, Prudence. Tully de­fineth to bee, rerum expe­tendarum fugiendarumque scientia, that is to saye, the knowledge of thynges, whiche ought to bee desi­red and folowed: and also of them, whiche ought to bee fled from, or eschew­ed: and it is called of the Grekes, Sophia. Also it is named of Aristotle, the mother of vertues, of o­ther Philosophers, it is called the capteine or mastresse of vertues, of some the huswyfe, for so muche as by her diligence she doth in­uestigate and prepare places apte and conuenient, where other vertues shal execute their powers or offices. Wher­fore as Salomon sayeth,Prouerb. 27. Sicut in aquis resplendent vultus prospicientium, sic corda hominum manifesta sunt prudentibus. Like as in water bee shewed the visages of them that be­holde it, so vnto men that bee prudent, the secretes of mēs hartes be openly discouered. Thys vertue then is so com­modious to man, that it is as it were the porche of the no­ble palace of mans reason, whereby all other vertues shall entre, and haue theire beynge. Prudence also (as sayth Byon the philosopher) so moche excelleth other vertues, as the sighte excelleth the other senses, for the eyes beare lighte to all the bodye, neyther is there anye vertue without wis­dome. Nam quomodo iustus reddet cui (que) suum, Apath. Eras. li. 7. apo. 23. nisi prudentia commonstret cui debeatur? Thus ye may see the force of Pru­dence, in qua in est indagatio atque inuentio veri, eius (que) virtu­tis hoc munus est proprium, Vt enim quisque maximè perspicit [Page 5] quid in re quaque verissimum sit, Cice. Offic. lib. .1. quique & acutissimè & celer­rimè potest videre & explicare rationem, is prudentissimus & sa­pientissimus rit [...] haeberi solet. Prudence, is a vertue, that is oc­cupied euermore in searching oute the truthe. Therefore, (O ye gentlemen) whiche bee desirous to beare the noble ensignes of youre auncestours, studie with toothe & nayle to bee prudente: and when ye thincke ye haue attayned the same, let it bee ioyned with Iustice, for of them two (as Tully sayeth,Offic. lib. 2. Iustice is of more power, ad fidem saciendam. Because it, without Prudence, haith sufficient aucthoritie, Prudence without Iustice is nothinge worthe to get credit. For the subtiller, and the craftier a man is, so moche the more is he hated, and suspected, whan the opinion of hys honestie is pulled away.Iustice. Wherfore Iustice ioyned with vn­derstanding, shall haue asmoche power as it liste, to pur­chase credit: Iustice withoute Prudence shalbee of moche power, Prudence without Iustice, shalbee nothing worthe.

Thus it appeareth, that the moste excellente and incomparable vertue, cal­led Iustice, is so necessarye and expedient, for the go­uernoure of a publicke weale, that without it, none other vertue maye bee commendable, ne witt or any maner of doctryne profitable. Tully sayeth. At the begynning whan the multitude of people were oppressed by thē that abounded in pos­sessions and substāce, for refuge they fledd to some one, which excelled in vertue and strengthe: who whan hee had defended the poore [Page] men from iniurie,Offic. lib. 2. From whence the name of a kyng first proceded. by ministring equitie, retayned toge­ther, and gouerned the greater persons with the lesse, in an equall and indifferent ordre of Lawe. Wherefore they called that man a Kyng, which is asmuche to say as a Ruler. And as Aristotle sayeth, Iustice is not onelye a porcion or spice of vertue, but it is entierly the same vertue. And therof onely sayeth Tully, boni viri nominantur, men bee called good men:Iustice. as who sayeth, without Iustice, all other quali­ties and vertues, can not make a good man.

Iustice what it is. Iustice is a vertue, gathered by lōge space, geuing euery one hys owne, mindyng in all things, the common profite of our Countrey, whereunto man is moste bounde, & oweth hys full obedience. The auncient Ciuilians saye, Iustice is a will perpetuall and constante, which geeueth to euerye man hys ryghte. In that it is named constante, it impor­teth Fortitude: In discerning what is right or wronge, Prudence is required. And to proporcion the sentence or iudgement in an equalitie, belongeth to Temperance. All these together conglutinate and effectually executed, ma­keth a perfecte definition of Iustice.Offic. lib. 1. And Tully differethe not moche from the same definition of Iustice, where hee saiethe, it is alwayes occupied, eyther in preseruinge the felowship of men, geeuing vnto euery bodie that which is hys owne,The excellen­cy of Iustice. or keping a faythfulnes in contractes. He saieth also, that the foundacion of perpetual prayse and renome, is Iustice, without the which nothing may bee commen­dable: whiche sentence is verefied by daily experience. For be a man neuer so gentle, bounteous, valiante, or liberal, bee hee neuer so wise, familiar, or courtaise, yf hee bee once sene to exercise Iniustice, or to do wrong, it is then well noted, and often remembred: yea, all vertues (where Iustice faileth) lacke theire commendation. I harde of late, as I traueled by the waye, a gentelman praysed for sundry vertues which were in hym, as that he was gentle and meke, pleasaunt and faire in wordes, wise, wel learned, modeste, and sobre: but I harde no remembrance made of hys Iu­stice, [Page 6] For immediately one present in the company repor­ted hym to be an vsurer, a person deceiptfull, couetous, an oppressor of the poore, and no keper of hospitalitye, yet ha­uinge fower or fiue fermes in hys handes and more, y^t hee was a decayer of houses of husbāderie, a rerer of retes, & a cruel taker of fynes. These vices did deface all hys other vertues:Offic. 2. for as Tullye saith, it is the parte of Iustice to offre men no violence, to vse them sobrely and skilfully with whom we be conuersante, not to be tempted with money, but to study by all meanes to profite euery man. Iustice de­spiseth, and noughte regardeth those thinges, whereunto most men enkendeled with gredynes be hated.Iustitia, est iniustitie prinatio. It is iuste also in euery matter of berganyng, biyng, selling, hyring, or lettyng: true in euery couenante, bergayne or promise, playne and simple in all dealynge: And that simplicitye is proprely Iustice. And where any man of a couetous or malicious mynde, will digresse purposely from that simplici­tie, taking aduantage of a sentence or worde, which might bee ambiguous or doubtefull, or in some thyng eyther su­perfluous or lackynge in the bergayne or promise, where he certainely knoweth the truth to bee otherwise, thys in my opinion is damnable fraude, beyng as playne against iustice, as it were enforced by violence: for Iustice will helpe all men,Offic. lib. 3. and wittingly offende none. She is of all vertues the Ladie and Queene: keping the sounde and ex­presse forme of the lawe: hating & abhorring all stealinge, auoutrie, poysonyng, falsheade, disceyt, briberye, gyftes, rewardes, couetousnes, false witnes, oppression, murder, extorcion, and periurie. The whiche vices and crymes, by no meanes maye bee ioyned to the perfecte vertue named Iustice, which is the cheefe of all vertues more wondreful than the bright starre Hesperus & Lucifer. And here at this tyme I leaue to speke anye more of that most Royall and necessarie vertue, called Iustice.

[Page] Fortitude.

The most propre vertue belonging to a man, is Fortitude, called Manly­nesse, whiche is well defi­ned of the Stoikes, wher they saye, it is a vertue, propugnantem pro aequitate, that fighteth in defence of equitie.Offic. 1. Wherefore no man sayethe Tully, that hath obtayned the glorye of Manlynes, euer got prayse by wylie traines & craftynes, for nothinge maye bee honest that is voyde of Iustice. A va­liante man (sayeth Aris­totle) susteaneth,Aristotle. & dothe that, whiche belongeth to fortitude, for cause of honestie. And a little before hee sayeth: a man that is valiaunte, as­well suffreth, as dothe that, which agreeth with hys wor­ship, and as reason commaundeth: So no violence or stur­die mynde, lackyng reason and honestie, is anye parte of fortitude. Wherefore hee may bee called a valiaunt man, that doth tollerate or suffre that,Who may be called a va­liaunt man. whiche is needefull, and in such wise as is nedeful, and for that which is needeful, and also whan it is nedefull. And hee that lacketh anye of thys, maye bee called hardie, but not valiant▪ It is the pro­pretie of manhode, to fighte for the common safetie of hys contrey, and not for hys owne priuate profite. And who­soeuer is forwarde to put hymselfe in danger, rather for hys owne gredynes, to opteyne spoyle, than for the safe­garde of hys owne person, what hee then dothe, maye ra­ther beare the name of lewde and folish hardynes, than of Manlynes. For (as Tully sayeth) to entre into battaile, and to fight vnaduisedly, immane quidàm & beluarum simile est, [Page 7] is a thynge wilde, and a maner of beastes: but thou shalt fighte valiantly, whan tyme requireth and also necessitie. And alway death is to bee preferred before seruitude, or any dishonestie. Wherfore, who wold bee accōpted manly men and stoute harted, those same shulde haue the prayse to bee good and playne men, louers of truth, and nothing at all deceiptefull: for bee a man neuer so myghty, haute, and of vnconquerable corage, yet what hee doth without discrecion or forecaste, defaceth al hys manhode and stout­nes. A manly corage and a greate, contemneth outwarde thinges, desireth nothing but that is honest, and will not vnsemely yelde to none, neyther man, nor affection, nor change of fortune but setteth lighte by those thynges whiche do seme precious and gorgeous to the greater nō ­bre, and also despiseth the same, with a stedfast and groun­ded iudgemente. And likewise it is a signe of a myghtye corage, and great stedfastnes, so to beare those thynges, quae videntur acerba, Offic. 1. quorum multa & varia in hominum vita fortunaque versantur, as nothing hee swarue from the ordre of nature, nor the worthynes of a wyse man.

Finally to bee shorte, that Manlynes is worthie to bee praysed, which woorketh by the strength of the mynde, & not of the bodie: and yet not to faynte in corage, but to be constante, not fearing the roughe stormes of any aduersi­tie, neyther the sharpe brontes of the warres, or the cruel­tie of bitter death.

And like as an excellent Phisicion, cureth most dange­rous diseases, and deadely woundes: so doth a man that is valiant, aduaunce hymselfe as inuincible, in thinges that do seeme most terrible, not vnaduisedly, and as it were in a beastely rage, but of a gentle courage, and with preme­ditacion, either by victorie, or by death wynning honor & perpetual memorie, the iuste rewarde of theire vertue. For as Curtius sayeth: Effugit mortem, quisquis contempserit, timi­dissimum quenque consequitur. Q. Curtius▪ lib. 4. Whosoeuer contempneth death, escapeth death, and death ouertaketh such, as do flye [Page] from death.Vir. A man is called in Latyne Vir, whereof saieth Tully, vertue is named. And the most propre vertue belon­gyng to a man, is Fortitude, whereof bee twoo excellent propreties, that is to saye, the contempte of deathe, and of grefe. Therfore he playnly declareth afterward, that ve­rye fortitude is, little to esteme all humayne thinges, not to regard death, and to thinke all labours and paynes tol­lerable.

Temperance.

Nowe remayneth to speake of the fourth ver­tue called Temperance, whyche is a firme & mo­derat gouernance of re­son agaynste sensualitie and other vicious affec­tions of the mynde.Offic. 1. Tully cōmendeth Temperance & sayth that it is ornatus vitae, an ornament of mans lyfe, omnisquè sae­datio perturbationum ani­mi, and all mittigacion of passions of the mynde. Aristotle defineth this vertue,Aris. Ethi. to bee a mediocritie in the pleasures of y^e bo­die, specially in taste and touchyng. Therefore he that is temperate flyeth voluptuous pleasures, and with the ab­sence of them is not discontented, and from the presence of them he willingly absteyneth.

Plotinus. Plotinus the Philosopher sayeth, that the propertie and office of Temperance, is to couet nothing, which may be re­pented, also not to excede the boundes of Mediocritie, and to keepe desire vnder the yoke of reason.

He that practiseth this vertue is called a temperat man, and he that doth the contrary thereto, is named intempe­rate: [Page 8] betwene whome and a person incontinent, Aristotle maketh this diuersitie, that he is intemperate, whiche by hys own election is ledde, supposing the pleasure that ys present, shoulde alway be folowed: But the person incon­tinent supposeth not so, and yet he notwythstandynge, doth folow it.

The temperate man delyteth in nothynge contrarye to reason, and will do nothing for bodely pleasure, whyche shall stande agaynst reason. Temperance, as a sadde and discrete matrone and reuerent gouernesse, awayteth dili­gently, that in no wise incontinencie or cōcupisence haue any preheminence in the soule of man. Therefore as in­temperance (being a vice moste vnpure, stynkynge and filthie) is of all estates and degrees, and in all ages, to be eschued, auoyded, and abhorred: So Temperance, at all tymes and in all thynges, is to be folowed, embraced, and loued, whych will cause vs to do nothyng for bodely plea­sure, that shalbe hurtfull or contrary to the health. It will rule all our appetites, and corrupt desires, causinge vs to desyre the thinges which we ought to desyre, and as we ought to desire, and when we ought to desyre. Temperance (as Patricius sayth) helpeth much,Patricius. li. 3 de Iusti. re. pub. and so much shyneth in all our doynges, Vt earum rerum moderatrix at (que) auriga esse videatur. Hec est quae tam diuturna laude extulit sententiam illam Solonis, quae praecipit. Ne quid nimis.

Thus I haue briefely spoken of the saide foure Cardi­nall vertues, Prudence, Iustice, Fortitude, and Temperance, (which as the same Patricius affirmeth in his 5 Booke de Institutione reipub.) are as foure sisters, Mutuis nexibus colligatae. They are neuer seperated: One of them with­out another cannot be perfecte: sed manta omnino & incho­ata esse videtur. Nam Fortitudo sine Prudentia temeritas est. Prudentia sine Iustitia calliditas est, & mala quaedam malitia. Temperantia sine Fortitudine ignauia est. Iustitia autem sine Temperantia crudelitas est. Vnde illud Ennij poetae, Summum ius summa iniuria est. Therefore these foure vertues do a­gree [Page] together, as it were in a swete songe, and consonant armonye, and are principally and especially to bee dely­ted, and inwardely embraced of all noble gentlemen, since that without them, they can not bee worthie to haue the tytle, or name of gētelmen, neither can they worthely beare the ensignes, or armes of theire auncient progeni­tours, without they specially bee endowed and adorned with these foresayde vertues, called Cardinales: whiche are so named, for that they bee cheefe or principall of all other vertues: for out of them as out of a founteine, all o­ther vertues haue theire springing, flowing, & proceding.

¶ Of Cheualrye, the vertuous preceptes.

FIrste, gyue due reuerence and seruice vnto almighty god, with all faythfulnes. Haue pitie on the poore. Bee iuste in all thy promises. Bee gracious and fauou­rable to them whiche are captiue. Kepe clennes of thy bodye and person. Kepe moderate dyete. Bee not slouth­full in the warres, but stronge and valiaunt, with desire to auenge thy princes quarrell, geuing alwayes thankes to god for the victorie. Bee wise in leading the battaile, & prudent in thy fighting. Knowe the order of the fielde, & bee perfecte therein. Studie well also to rule and gouer­ne the charge committed vnto the. Auoyde not from the fielde, ne do thou anye thyng to shame thy cote armoure. Boste not of thy manhoode. Bee courteous, lowly, and gentle, and also without rebaudrie in thy language. Haue audacitie, but not excessiuely to do such actes, as are not to bee ieoperded. Dreade infamie and reproche. Bee va­liaunte, so shall no terrible aduentures resolue the into waylinges or desperations. Wynne honor by deathe for thy countrey, the iuste rewarde of thy vertue. Use reason and honestie, and bee not violente or sturdie mynded.

¶ Preceptes of gentlenes.

BEe not ouer Lordely in thy countenaunce. Bee trea­table in language, wyse in answer geuinge, perfect in [Page 9] gouernance, and also cherefull to perfourme thy faythe and promise. Feare God, and obey his Lawes. Dreade to offende thy Soueraigne. Use fewe othes in al thy com­munication. Knowe thine owne byrth, and beare not thy selfe aboue thine estate. Shewe thy countenance gentle, so shalt thou be beloued: for hautie countenance procureth hatred.

¶ Vices, whiche are repugnant to Generositie, and not to be frequented, and vsed of any, whiche would haue the name of a Gentle­man. Videlicet.

Sluggishnesse, boastinge, cowardnesse, swearinge, le­cherie, and dronkennesse. Also to reuoke thine owne cha­lenge. To slea thy prisoner. To flee from thy Soue­raignes banner in the fielde, and to tell thy Soueraigne false tales. To be vengeable, and not to be entreated, &c.

¶ Heauenly Preceptes. Videlicet [...]

To doo right. To haue pleasure in louing kindenesse. To be lowly.Mich. cap. 6. And to walke with God.

¶ Preceptes Heroicall.

Aboue,Preceptes. and before all thinges worship God. Honour thy kinge. Obey the lawes. Be mercifull. Desire ho­nour and glorye for vertue. Be not highe minded. Re­fraine from fowle language. Perfourme what so euer thou promisest. Ensue the vertues of thy good auncetors

¶ Graces woorthy.

To be meeke in countenance. To haue manly harte in deedes, and therein longe continuance. Not to weene [Page] owne witte more excellent then others. Not to scorne, or scoffe at others deuises. That worship is in mercie, pitie, and humilitie. To be lyons in the fielde, and lambes in chamber.Boetius. Eagles at assaultes, and maydens in bowre. Foxes in counsaile, and still in their games. To folowe peace, and loue, where is hate.

¶ Giftes heauenly.

To knowe thy selfe. To abstaine from couetise. Ha­uinge no wronge, to care for those that are wronged. To keepe close secrete counsaile. To doo nothinge contrary to the Lawe. To take in good worth, aduersitie after pros­peritie. Regarde heauenly thinges, for this our Coun­trie abideth but a while. Continue in pacience. Doo no­thing in anger.

¶ Preceptes iusticiarie.

Remember, that God dothe looke alwaie vpon thee. Studie to be learned. Receiue no bribes. Let thy maners agree with thy callinge. Feare to doo euill. Auoide idle­nesse. Doo that is iuste. Be no lyer. Myxe not thy po­wer with thy will. Be discrete without spotte of vice, con­stante, and vncorrupte.Aul. Gell. Nor. Atti. lib. 14. cap. 4. Be not flattered by any meanes Be not intreated againste the obstinate. Auance the truth through the power of Iustice.

¶ Reioisings in Armes.

A Gentleman to be made knighte in the fielde at bat­taile. For his manhoode to receiue a great rewarde at his Princes handes. To doo valiantly in Chiualrie before his Soueraigne. To be an Embassadour for his wisedome. To shewe prowes, and to doo knightly before Alyantes, in the honour of his Prince. A poore Gentleman to be [Page 10] married to one of highe parentage. To haue thankes for good seruices done to his Soueraigne. To keepe his Cote armour vnshamed in triall thereof. To keepe all pointes of knighthoode, as Gesta Troianorum, doo declare.

¶ Lawe of Armes, whereof it is grounded.

It is to be knowen, that almightie God is the originall authour of honouringe Nobilitie, who, euen in the hea­uens hathe made a discrepance of his heauenly Spirites, giuinge them seuerall names, as Ensignes of honour. And these heauenly Spirites, when they are sent of God, are called, Angeli, Angels: whiche in the Greeke tongue signifieth, sent. Propterea, quod de coelis ad annuntiandum ho­minibus mittuntur. And in the Latine tongue, they be in­terpreted, Nuntij, Messengers, Ab eo quòd Domini volunta­tem populis nuntiant. Angelorum autem vocabulum, officij no men est, non naturae: semper enim Spiritus sunt: sed cùm mittun­tur, vocantur Angeli. Angeli. Nuntij. Isidorus. And howe many orders be of them, the holy Scriptures doo witnesse. Id est, Angeli, Archan­geli, Throni, Dominationes, Principatus, Potestates, virtutes, Che­rubin, & Seraphin. And wherefore they be thus called, and distinct, as it were into sundrie orders, and dignities, it maie be fully readde in the seuenth Book of Isidore, which he entituleth, Ethimologiarum, cap. 5. whiche for breuitie I omitte here, for that it dothe not appertaine to the matter, whereof in this place I doo entreate. But this is to be noted (as I finde in aunciente writers) that the Lawe of Armes was by the auncient Heraultes grounded vpon these orders of Angelles in heauen, encrowned with the pretious stones, of colours, and vertues diuerse, as in the firste parte of this Book hathe bene declared, with the co­lours compared vnto them. For as the Angels, precious stones, colours, and Planettes aforesaide are distincte in dignitie, vertue, power, preheminence, and working: So here in earthe men are also distincte, in degrees, offices, [Page] gouernance, and power, euery one seruing their heade in their vocation, and callinge.

¶ Sixe sundrie differences in Armes for brethren.

• [figure]

  Files with Lambeauxes.

• [figure]

  A Cressante.

• [figure]

  A Mollet of 5. poyntes.

• [figure]

  A Martelet.
  Differences.

• [figure]

  An Anulet,

• [figure]

  A Flowre de Luce.

Note, that if there be any moe then sixe brethren, the deuise, or assignment of further difference, onely ap­pertaineth to y^e kings at Armes, especially when they visite their seuerall Prouinces: & not to the father of y^e children, to giue them what differēce he list, as some without authoritie doo alledge.

Euery difference oughte to be placed in the moste eui­dente parte of the Cote armour: Videlicet, in that place, where the same maie soonest be seene, or perceiued.

¶ Seuen signes, or tokens whiche are figured in Armes round, and are blazed properly with seueral termes.

• [figure]

  1. Is of golde, and is called a Beausante.

• [figure]

  2. Is of siluer, and is called a Plate.

• [figure]

  3. Is of Sable, & is termed a Pellet, or an Ogresse.

• [figure]

  4. Is of Azure, and is termed an Hurte.

• [figure]

  5. Is of Gules, and is called a Torteauxe.

• [figure]

  6. Is of Uerte, and is called a Pomeis.

• [figure]

  7. Is of Purpre, and is to be termed a Wounde.

[Page 11]These most vsually are found borne in Cotes Armours.

¶ Proper termes for diuerse tokens borne in Armes.

The tokens whiche of many are called Millers pikes, some terme them Shettles, which is the chiefest instrument of the weauer: And the Frenche Heraultes terme them fusilles, Fusilles. Manche. Pheons. videlicet, Spindles: for fusus, or fusum, in Latin is a Spyndle, and so I take them to be termed most properly. Manche maltale, is taken in Armes, to be a sleue, vnsha­ped, and vnsowed. Pheons, be commonly called, broade ar­rowe heades, or darte heades.

When the heade of any beaste, or byrde, is, as it were torne of, terme the same to be rassed, or erased: and if it be, as it were, cut of plaine, call it then, Coped.

Dimie, is but when halfe of any beaste is seene in the fielde.

A Cressante in armes,Cressante. is commōly called the halfe moone. But it is the moone in her pryme, or els as wee call it the newe moone.

An Incressante, Incressante. is the moone from the pryme, till after the firste quarter, and yet lacketh of the full.

A Decressante, Decressante. is the moone from the last quarter.

A Pile in armes,Pile. is a thyng that maketh all foundacions vpon vnsure grounde, to bee very firme and sure. Leighe.

And here lerne a Rule.Woordes in Blazon to be noted. There are fower woordes, whereof you maye not name any of them twise in the bla­zon of one cote armoure, and these bee they.

• Nota of, These may not be reherced more then once, in descriuing of anye one cote ar­moure. Yf they bee, it is of the Heraul­tes accōpted a great faute. And yf one might forbeare, to name none of them it were better, as I haue rede in dyuerse Aucthours.
• Nota on, These may not be reherced more then once, in descriuing of anye one cote ar­moure. Yf they bee, it is of the Heraul­tes accōpted a great faute. And yf one might forbeare, to name none of them it were better, as I haue rede in dyuerse Aucthours.
• Nota and, These may not be reherced more then once, in descriuing of anye one cote ar­moure. Yf they bee, it is of the Heraul­tes accōpted a great faute. And yf one might forbeare, to name none of them it were better, as I haue rede in dyuerse Aucthours.
• Nota with These may not be reherced more then once, in descriuing of anye one cote ar­moure. Yf they bee, it is of the Heraul­tes accōpted a great faute. And yf one might forbeare, to name none of them it were better, as I haue rede in dyuerse Aucthours.

• Descriue,
• Displaye,
• Or blaze,
• Armes,
  Termes of Blazon.
• Ensignes, of honor, worship, & gētree.
• and Tokens,

¶ Sundrie wayes to blaze Armes.

• By mettall and coloures,
• By planettes, and sterres,
• By precious stones.

The vse of these three in blazon of armes, are as aū ­cient as from the firste be­gynning of armes bearing.

¶Three superlatiues, or degrees in Armes.

Moste ryche, is whan the felde is Or, and the thing that occupieth the fielde, Sable.

Moste faire, is whan the fielde is Argent, and that whiche occupieth the fielde is Sable.

Moste glitteringe, is whan the fielde is Or, & that whiche is conteyned in the same, is Verte.

¶Poynctes in escocheons.

¶ Dextre poyncte, Sinistre poyncte, Base poyncte, Chiefe poynct, Dextre base poyncte, Sinistre base poynct, The honour poyncte, Fesse poyncte, and the nombrill.

These poynctes may bee learned by experience, yf ye di­ligently note the sondrie particions vsed in escocheons.

¶Particions in Escocheons.

¶Partie per pale, Partie quarterly, Partie per fesse, Partie per bende dextre, Partie per bende sinistre, Par­tie per Cheuron, Partye per Saltier, Partie per Pyle in poyncte, and partie per Gyron.

Experience shall teache you these particions, takynge hede to the examples thereof, sett forth in the seconde boke of Armorye next folowing.

¶Honorable Ordinaries

Crosse.The firste, especially is the Crosse. The contente thereof is the fifte parte of the fielde, excepte it bee charged, then it must conteyne the thirde parte.

Cheife.The seconde, is a Cheife, and conteyneth the third parte of the fielde. The Cheife maye bee diminyshed, and then it must bee termed otherwise,Fillet. as a Fillet, the whiche contey­neth the fower parte of the cheefe, and standeth no where, but onely vpon the Cheife poyncte. The cheife aforesayde maye not bee emeaded or halfed.

Pale.The thirde honorable Ordinarie, is a Pale, and contey­neth [Page 12] the third parte of the fielde, and maye not bee enlar­ged, though it bee charged. But it maye be diminished, as frō a Paile,Pallet. to a Pallet, which is y^e halfe of the Paile, & may not be charged with any thing quick or dead, neyther may it bee parted,An Endorce. but it may be diminished, & thē it is called an Endorce, which is the fourth parte of the Pallet, and is not vsed but when a Pale is betwene twoo of them.

The fowerth of the nyne honorable Ordinaries afore­said, is a Bende, Bende. which conteineth in bredthe the fifthe par­te of the fielde, and when it is deuided, it is called in son­drie wise,Bendelet. as a Bendelet, whiche at the most conteyneth but the sixt parte of the field. A Gartiere, Gartier. conteyneth halfe the bende aforesayde, and maye not bee charged, but with floures or leaues.Coste. A Coste, is the fourth parte of the bende, & halfe of the Gartier,Cotise. and is called at somtime a Cotys, som­tyme a Batune, Batune. as by practise may rather be learned, when it is to bee called the one,Rybande. and when the other. A Ribande, conteyneth in bredth the eighte parte of the bende, and is also called a Fissure, Fissure. and then it parteth the fielde into two colours, & is of it selfe mettall, & so beyng it is a secret.

The fith honorable Ordinarie,Fesse is a Fesse, conteyning in bredth the thirde parte of the fielde, and may not be dimi­nished. The Fesse hath ben taken of olde, for a girdle of ho­nor, whiche standeth with good reason. For in the cote ar­moure, it is in the myddest betwene two equall partes.

The sixt,Escocheon, is whē in y^e field is an Escocheon. The same must cōteyne y^e fifth part of the fielde, & may not be diminished.

The seuenth is a Cheuron, Cheuron. whiche muste containe the firste parte of the fielde.Cheuernell. A Cheuernel containeth halfe the Cheuron, and there maie be no moe, but three in one fielde, except partition.Copleclose. A Copleclose muste containe the fourth part of the Cheuron, and is not borne but by payres, except there be a Cheuron betwene twoo of them.

The .8. honorable ordinarie,Salterye. is a Salterye, which muste cōtaine y^e firste parte of the fielde, excepte it be charged w^t any thing, thē it shal cōtaine y^e third parte of the Escocheon.

[Page]The ninth honorable ordinarie, is a Barre, and contai­neth the firste parte of the fielde.Barre. Closset. Barrulet. Barres Ge­newes. A Closset is the halfe of the Barre, and tenne of them maie be borne in one fielde, and are very good Armorie. A Barrulet is the fourth part of the Barre aforesaide. And Barrulettes (excepte they be parted with a Barre, or Fesse) muste stande alwaies by couples, and then they must be called Barres gemewes.

Touchinge the honorable ordinaries generall, the re­batinge of Armes for diuerse vngentle deedes vngentle­manly donne, the sundrie furres and doublinges, the di­uerse mes [...]es, and other worthy partitions vsed in Armes, &c ye shall haue examples sufficiente in M. G. Leighe his Booke, entituled, The Accidence of Armore.

¶Of the fiue Greeke letters Mysticall.

The first of the saide Greeke letters is Y. Ypsilon, which betokeneth mannes life, and is called Pythagoras Sameus letter. For he firste fourmed the same, Ad exemplum vitae humanae. And the saide letter hathe three pointes, twoo a­boue, and one beneath,Isidorus. li. 1. cap. 3. signifyinge sundrie ages. That whiche is vnder, sheweth the firste age, whiche age is vn­certaine, whether it will giue and apply it selfe to vertue, or vice. And the two aboue, beginne from the youth: the righte parte whereof is harde, but yet tending to a blessed life.Pithagoras Sameus letter And the lifte more easie, but leadinge to destruction. Of the whiche letter Perseus thus saithe:

The whiche verses I haue thus metrized in Englishe.

The branches of the letter first in Samea founde, of mans life doth showe the high way & ground.

Thetae.The second letter is called Theta, Θ. whiche signifieth deathe. For Iudges in olde time did note, or set the same letter on their names, or, as we nowe call it, heades, who were condemned to die.Capitaines. Likewise did Capitaines in their [Page 13] Briefes, wherein were contayned the names of theire Souldiers.Heraultes. By whiche note or marke, they, and the He­raultes, when they did looke on their said Briefes, could certainely knowe, and make true reporte vnto their So­ueraigne, howe many were slaine in the battaile. And therefore it is called Theta, à morte: that is so saie, of death. For it hathe in the middest thereof a darte (as is before fi­gured) in token of deathe. And it is thus written of the same letter:

Perseus of the same thus saithe:

The third letter is Tau, Tau. a figure of the Crosse of Christ, and in Hebrewe it is interpreted, a signe, or marke. Of the whiche it was spoken to the Angell whiche Ezechiel sawe in spirite. Goe thy waie through the Citie of Ieru­salem,Ezech. 9. and set a marke vpon the foreheades of them that mourne, & are sorie for al the abhominations that be done therein. By which marke, or token, they were preserued, and not touched in the middest of them which were slaine and destroyed for their Idolatre, in the wratheful displea­sure of the Lorde. And this letter also, Apud veteres, was vsed of the Heraultes & Capitaines, and signed on their names, who remained aliue after the battaile. So that the letter Θ, was vsed as the marke of deathe, or of them that were iudged to die, and Τ, of life, or of them that were by the Iudges quitte from deathe. This letter Τ, as well the Greekes, as the Latines, vnto our time, haue pictured, and set forthe, as the true marke, or signe of the Crosse of Christe.C. Paradi [...]us Symbol heroic Hoc igitur verum, ac proprium sub Christi ecclesia eouscriptorum, ac militantium, Symbolum, signumue est.

The other twoo of the Mystical letters, beinge the first [Page] and laste of the Greek Alphabet, onely Christe dothe cha­lenge to him selfe: for he is the beginninge, and the en­dinge, where he saithe,Alpha. Omega. Apoc. 1. cap. Ego sum Alpha, & ω. Principium, & finis, qui est, & qui erat, & qui venturus est omnipotens. No letter goeth before Alpha, for it is the firste of all letters. And so is the sonne of God: Ipse enim se principium Iudaeis interrogantibus esse respondet. And therefore S. Iohn in his Apocalyps moste properly putteth the same letters,Iohn. 22. cap. the Sonne of God to be Alpha, Nido. li. 7. ca. 2 and Omega, the firste, and the laste. Primus, quia ante eum nihil est. Nouissimus, quia nouiso simum iudicium ipse suscipiet.

¶Sentences concerning generositie, col­lected out of sundrye Aucthors, and firste cer­tayne verses, made by G. Chaucer, teaching what is gentlenes, or who is worthy to bee called gentle.

¶Scogan in his worke which hee writte vnto the Lordes and gentelmen of the kynges house.

¶Nobilitie is from God.

Birthe of all men, one.ALl the lynage of men that bene in earthe bene sembla­ble of byrthe: for certes one aloue is the father of thin­ges: and there is one alone that ministreth all thynges: he gaue to the Sunne his beames, he gaue to the Moone her hornes, he gaue to men the earth, and the sterres vnto the fir­mament, he inclosed the soule of man with membres of the bodye, whiche soule came from the hyghe seate of hea­uen, Than yssue all mortal men of noble seede or begin­nyng .i. from God. Why bable ye then, or boste your selfe of your elders birth? For, yf ye beholde God, your begyn­nynge & maker, than is there no liuyng creature of man­kynde vngentle, but yf he norishe his corage or senses vn­to vices, and so declyne from hys propre birth. These doe Boetius write, and much more touchyng the name of gent­lenes, and what it is, to whome the renowne and clerenes thereof is to be referred, and what praysing come to gent­lemen by the desertes of their auncestors &c: Whiche I woulde wishe all gentlemen to reade, as they are written in his third boke, De consolatione philosophiae. But nowe yet heare what M. G. Chaucer,Chaucer. oure noble poete of thys Real­me doth write touching gentlenes of birthe, in hys taile of the wife of Bathe. These are hys woordes.

M. G. Chaucer, lamenteth in hys second Booke (which hee entituleth the testament of loue) that Iaphetes children for pouertie in no lynage bee reckened,Cayn. Iaphet. Noes childrē. and Caines childrē for richesse bee maked Iaphetes heires. Alas (sayeth he) thys is a wonderfull change betwene these two Noes children, sithen that of Iaphetes ofspryng comen knyghtes, and of Cayne descended the lyne of seruage to hys brothers chil­dren.Seruage. Lo howe gentlenes, and seruage as Cousens, both descended out of two brethern of one bodie. Wherefore I saye soothenes, that gentlenes in kynred maken not gētle lynage in succession, without deserte of a mans own selfe. Of what kinred bene the gentles in oure dayes,Kynrede. I trowe therefore yf anye good bee in gentlenes, it is onelye that [Page 16] it seemeth a maner of necessitie to be put into Gentle­men, that they shoulde not varye from the vertue of their Auncetours.Gentle. And therfore that he will be accompted gen­tle, he must dawneten his fleshe from vices that cause vn­gentlenesse, and leaue also reignes of wicked lustes, and drawe to him vertue,Vertue. Auncetours. Gentlenes. that in al places gentlenesse Gentle­men maketh. Then gentlenes of thine Auncetours, that foraine is to thee, maketh thee not gentle, but vngentle, & reproued, if thou continuest not theire gentlenesse. And therfore a wise man once saide:Kynnes gent­lenes. Better it is, thy kinred to be by thee genteled, then thou to glory of thy kinnes gen­tlenesse, and haste no desert thereof thy selfe. Haec Chau­cerus.

A Prince that couetethe perpetuall memorie,De principe. must note fiue thinges, which he must haue in his life: that is to saie, to be pure in his conuersation, vpright in iustice, aduente­rous in feates of Armes, excellente in knowledge, and welbeloued in his Prouinces.

¶Of fiue kindes of Nobilitie, whereof the laste was added by Aristotle.

The moste noble and wise Philosopher Plato, Kyndes of nobilitie. and they that folowed him, (of whom Aristotle seemeth not to be the least) did set forthe vnto vs, foure kindes of Nobilitie.

The firste is of them, whiche of longe continuance are spronge, and borne of Noble, and righteous Auncetours.

The second is of them, whose Parentes were Princes, or men of greate power, and authoritie.

The thirde is of them, whose Progenitours did florish, and excell in Chiualrie, and prowesse, prowesse consi­stinge of valiante courage, and Martiall policie, worthy of glorye and praise, either in theire owne countrye, or a­broade.

The fourthe kynde of Nobilitie, is saide to be that, whiche of all others is moste excellente: as when anye [Page] man dothe exceede, or farre passe others in honestie, gentlenesse, or noblenesse of harte: and dothe trauaile by the puissance of his owne renoume. And he truely is to be called Noble,Noble who whom, not other mennes, but his owne vertue hathe aduanced vnto glorie.

To these foure kindes, Aristotle addeth the fifth, that is to saie, of them which did florishe in highe learninge, and knowledge of thinges wonderfull:Learning. and suche by righte ought to be called Noble men,Noble men. because they doo not on­ly ennoblish their owne Houses, whereof they descended, but also make honorable the Cities,Iuba. and Coūtries where­in they were borne, as for example. Iuba the sonne of Iu­be kinge of Numidia, beinge a childe, and also a captiue, Iulij Caesaris triumphum Africannm secutus est. And al­though he thus had loste his Kingedome, and libertie, and was spoyled of all his honour, and glorie, yet he thought not vtterly to lose all his estimation.Study of good learning. Wherefore he ear­nestly applied him selfe to the studie of good learnynge, wherein he so muche profited, that in fewe yeares he at­tained to such knowledge, as thereby he was accoumpted amongest the moste learned Writers of all Greece. So that what so euer fortune had abated of his Nobilitie, the same did the learning of good artes more abundantly re­store, to the greate augmentation of his honour. Sem­blably, Hannibal of Carthage, Hanniball. in his greate miserie, aduer­sitie, and olde age, learned the Greeke tongue, and be­came so eloquent, that he moste wisely did bothe write the actes, and deedes of certaine Emperours, and also noble Bookes of Martiall policie: whereby he deserued righte highe commendation, and aduancemente to his former Nobilitie, whiche consisted not in the ancient Linage, or dignitie of his Auncetours, but in the greate learninge, wisedome, and vertue, which in him was very Nobilitie: and that Nobilitie brought him to dignitie. Virtute decet, non sanguine niti.

The woordes of that prince of Oratours, Cicero, in his second Booke of Offices, which he writte vnto his sonne Cicero, doth admonish vs, not onely to consider the name, or fame of our parentes, or Auncetours, but that we must diligently take heede, that we commit nothinge, whereby we maie be thought vnwoorthy to beare the Ensignes of our Progenitours. These are his woordes vnto his sonne. If any from the beginninge of his youthe, hathe the title of honorable name, either receiued of his Father (which to thee my Cicero I thinke to haue happened) or by any chaunce, or fortune, on him all men caste their eyes [...] and of him there is seachinge what he doothe, and howe he liueth. And so, as thoughe he shoulde leade his life in moste open lighte, neither woorde nor deed of his can be vnknowne. Thus it is proued, that Noble men muste haue especial regarde, that they maie be thought woorthy to beare that, whiche they receiued of theire Grandsiers. For their faultes, or vices, are of all men, euen of the ba­sest sorte, bothe noted, and reported: and for theire hono­rable doinges and deseruinges, are likewise of them com­mended & praised. Wherefore it is expediente for all those of the Nobilitie, and suche as desire to beare the names of Gentlemen, especially aboue all others, to be circumspecte in their liuinge and manners, and to walke as in the day lighte.

¶What they were, who in olde time did beare tokens, or signes of Armes.

NObilitie, as Boetius in his thirde Booke De Consolatione Philo­sophiae, defineth it, Est laus quaedam, proueniens ex meritis Parentum. Definitions of Nobilitie. It is also a dignitie of Byrthe and Li­nage. Aristotle saithe in his fourth Booke Politicorum, that is, Virtus, & diuitae antiquae. The whiche de­finitions teach vnto vs the true knowledg of very Nobi­litie, which diuerse & sundrie persons haue, and doo yet at­taine vnto by the name and good fame of their parentes, other by chaunce or fortune, some for theire studies, some by feates of armes,Nobilitie for Vertue. some for their great possessiōs, or long continuance of theire bloude, and aunciente house in one name and lynage, and also many for their vertues onely, which aboue al other ought euer to haue preheminence in praise & commendation. And therfore to y^t kind or lynage of those men, were armes first giuē, as to them which ex­celled al others in vertue, prowes, & goodnes of kind: and such were called noble persons or gentle:Noble per­sons. & they did beare in their shields, & on their helmetꝭ, or other armor, certain signes or tokens to be knowne by, Vt passim videre licet a­pud Poetas.

Pallas, that mightie Goddesse of Battaile & wisedome, for because shee woulde seeme more terrible in battaile,Nobilium insignia. did beare for her Ensigne, the monstrous, and Serpen­tines [Page] heade of Gorgon.

Bacchus, the sonne of Iupiter, by Semeles daughter of Cadmus, (who wente a greate parte of the world, destroy­inge Tyrantes, and Monsters, and conquered the Coun­trie of India) did beare vpon his Helmet, the hornes of an Oxe,Creaste. whiche was his Creaste, as it is nowe termed of the Heraultes.

Lyons skins. Mars & Hercules, for that theire strengthe, power, & force shoulde be well knowne, did beare on theire Armour the skinnes of Lyons, in Latin called, Leonum exuuiae.

Iupiter also, the sonne of Saturnus, who for his prowes, & wisedome, after his death, was of all the Greekes honou­red as a God, & called Father, & kinge of Gods, did beare for his Ensigne a Swanne his heade with the necke. All whiche Ensignes,Swanne his heade. and tokens by them deliuered to theire successours, Nobilitatis, & quòd ab heroibus nati essent, speci­men dabant.

Porus, the king of the Indians, when he ordered his bat­taile against y^e greate Alexander, did beare in his standerd the Image of Hercules, Hercules his Image. for an encouragement of his soul­diers to fight well, & for a note of reproufe, and infamie to them that shoulde flye from the same: and losse of life to them, that left it in the fielde. Suche veneration, and Re­ligion the Indians conceiued of Hercules, Q. Curt. li. 8 that sommetime had bene their enimie. Thus by whom tokens of Armes in old time were borne, may partly be perceiued. But yet the goodly order, & trade in bearing, & ordering of them, was not then suche, as it is nowe. For of these before re­cited, I finde no mention made of mettall, colour, terme, or any other rule, in what fourme they did beare them.

¶ Of the fourme of Scutcheons.

To sette foorthe here the fourme of Scutcheons it nee­deth not. For of sundrie fashions thereof, & in especially mene, may plainely be seene in the booke entituled, The [Page 19] Accidence of Armorie. And therefore firste I will de­clare in howe sundrie wise Escocheon, Shieldes, &c. are termed in the Latine tongue, they be so necessarie to bee knowne of all Gentlemen.

Albosia, Shieldes, or Tergates.

Clypeus, a shield, Tergate, or buckler for a footman. Et dictus est clypeus, ab eo quod clepet .i. celet corpus, periculisque subducat.

Scutum is also a Tergate, or shield, in especially for an horseman.Isidor. Lib. 18 Ethimo. Isidore saithe, that it is called Scutum, Eò quòd à se excuti at telorum ictum. Scutum autem equitum est: Clypeus peditum.

Ancile, a Shielde without corners, suche an one in the time of Numa, seconde kinge of Rome, was seene fall out of the skie: and was kepte by the Priestes of Mars, called Salij. Vide Vitas Plutarchi.

Pelta, is a Tergate, or Buckler like an halfe Moone, of the whiche, the booke of the kinges maketh mention, that Salomon caused to be made, Ducenta Scuta de auro puro: & trecentas Peltas ex auro probato.

Cetra, is a light Tergate, whereof the Poete makethe mention: Leuam Cetra tegit.

Parma, is also a Tergate whiche footemen did vse.

Next vnto this, it is expedient for gentlemen to knowe the Latin for Standerdes, Banners, Auncientes, &c.

Signifer, is he that beareth standerd, or Banner in y^e field.

Signa infesta, Standerdes, or Banners aduaunced in battaile, in marchinge againste enimies.

Signa, be also Standerdes in warre, or Auncientes.

Vexillum, Romulus his Standerds. is likewise a Banner.

I reade, that Romulus, firste kinge of the Romaines, v­sed Fasciculos faeni, that is to saie, a grippe, or knitche of hay bounde together at the ende of a longe staffe, and so the same was borne in the fielde, in the steade of a Standerd.

The principall tokens, or signes whiche were vsed of old time in the Standerdes, or Ancientes of Emperours, and Kinges, were three.

[Page]The firste, and chiefe was the Eagle, whiche hath to diuers Emperours appeared,Eagle. as a signe or token of victo­rie, that shoulde fortune to them in theire warres. The which the Emperours of Rome doo yet aduaunce in their Standerdes. And who so euer beareth the same, is called Aquile fer, id est, the Standerd bearer of the Romaines.

The seconde principal token, which both the Grecians, and Romaines vsed in their Standers, was the Dragon.

Dragon.The third, and principall token that the Emperours of Rome vsed, was that whiche in Latine is called Pila, a round Ball,Pila. or Globe, as a figure to declare the Nations that were subiecte vnto them in the whole worlde.

Nowe shall ensue accordinge to my entended purpose, diuerse, and many Cote armours, which I haue collected, and gathered out of sundrie Authours, as well Latines, as Frenche, and Englishe.

Therefore, first and aboue al others, the Armes of our moste dreade soueraigne Ladie, Queene Elizabeth, that nowe is our chiefe Gouernour vnder Christe, ought of al estates to be knowne, and knowne to be reuerenced, and honoured, as thereby we maie woorthily confesse, and ac­knowledg y^e Soueraigntie, Royaltie, Preheminence, and Dignitie of her, and her Auncetours magnificence, in v­nitinge, and knittinge together the whole Iurisdiction, Right, and Title of the most noble Realmes of England, and Fraunce into one: and so vnited, are quarterly borne in one fielde.

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[Page]First on the right quarter is seene y^e armes of France, the fielde whereof is Azure, three Floures de Luce, d'Or. And in the seconde Englande, the field wherof is Gules, three Lyons Passant, Gardant, d'Or. The thirde as the second, and the fourth as the firste. All within her Garter of heauenly hewe, adorned with the golden Poeme: Honi soit qui maly pense, ensigned with the Emperiall Crowne of her Noble Maiestie.

Thus, who readinge, & marking the order of the blazon of the said moste noble Armes, and seinge the same after­warde in any Churche, Castle, or other place, but by & by he will know the same, and remember the reuerence ther­unto due: and not that onely, but wil breake out, and say, God saue the Queene, God saue her Grace. Whiche woordes so saide, and hearde of others, bringeth all the hearers in remembrance of their obedience, and duetie to her, being our most lawful Prince, and Gouernour. And these Ar­mes are of all men, liuinge vnder her, & her Lawes, and within all her Dominions, to be extolled, and set vp in the highest place of our Churches, houses, & mansions, aboue all other estates & degrees, who so euer they be. And this example of our Soueraignes Armes, I first put forthe, as principally aboue all others to be knowne, for the causes aforesaide.

¶Of Signes borne in Armes.

Beastes.There be diuers, & sundrie signes borne in Armes, as of beastes, the Lyon, Tyger, Panther, Parde, Leoparde, Rhynoceron, Eliphante, Gryphen, Cameleon, Cameleo­parde, Linx, Beuer, Beare, Wolfe, Greyhounde, Hound, Foxe, Ape, Satyre, Histrix, Euydros, Leontophon, Mu­sion, &c. These properly be called beastes, and no other. For (as Isidore saithe) Bestiarum vocabulum propriè conuenit Leonibus, Isidor. Li. 1 [...]. Cap. 2. Etym. Pardis, Tygribus, Lupis, & Vulpibus, & caeteris, quae vel ore, vel vnguibus saeuiunt: exceptis Serpentibus. Bestiae autem dictae, à vi quae sauiunt.

Also euery other beast, thē these especially before named, ought not to be tearmed in Armes, Beastes, but by theire [Page 21] proper names, as a Bull, a Busse, in Latin called Taran­dulus, an Horse, Mule, Asse, Ramme, Goate, Hart, Hynd, Bucke, Bore, Hare, Conye, &c. These in Latin are called Pecora, aut Pecudes, Iumenta, & Quadrupedia. Armenta e­quorum, & boum sunt, quòd his in arm [...]s vtimur. And howe they differ in, or touching their names, maie easily be vn­derstande by Isidore, who so will reade him, Libro 12. Cap. 1. Etymo. titul. De Pecoribus, & Iumentis.

There are seene also in Armes, the signes of Serpen­tes, as the Dragon, Coluber, Basiliske, of somme called the Cockatrice, Salamander, Amphibene, Stellion, Pre­ster, Ceraste, Hyder, Aspe, Adder, Snake, Iacule, the Chelyder, &c. Quae quatuor pedibus nituntur, sicut Stelliones, &c. non Serpentes, sed Reptilia nominantur.

Of Fisshes,Fishes. these are especially borne, the Delphine, Luce, Whale, Bocas, Pearche, Roche, Glade, Mullet, Amyon, Melanure, Balene, Mugill, Crabbe, &c. And of Shell fishe, the Escalop is chiefely borne in Armes.

Of Fowles,Fowles. or Byrdes these are principally borne: the Eagle, Gossehauke, Fawcon, Marlet, Swanne, Crane, Storke, in Latin called Ciconia, Curlewe, Ostriche, Phe­nix, Pellicane, Peacock, Hernesewe, in Latin called Ar­dea. The Rauen, Crowe, Pye, Backe, otherwise called Uespertilion, or Reymouse. The Nightingale, Turtle, Kaladre, Owle, Kite, Swalowe, Onacracle, Martyn, Myredromble, Lare, Phesante, Partriche, &c. These bir­des, & many moe are borne in Armes. Yea the Bee, But­terflie, Grashopper, & Waspe are borne of diuers: as also y^e Scarabie, Trees. which is a fly hauing hornes like to an harte.

Of trees are borne in Armes, the Palme, Oliue, Oke, the Lawrell or Bay tree, Sene, in Latin called Collutea, Ceder, Cypres, Beech, Walnut, Mulbery, Sicamor, Figtre, Iuye, &c. And yet these trees are not so ofte borne, as their braunches, fruite, & leaues be: as by examples here­after shall folowe.

Of Floures,Floures. Hearbes, & their Leaues, an infinite num­ber are borne: as y^e Rose doble & single, Alleluya, Marigold [Page] the Lily, y^e Safron floure, Celidō, Amomū, Merche, in Latin called Apiū, Artemesia, Agnus castus, y^e herbe called Dipta­nū, or Diptanus in latin, in english Diptanee, or Detanee: Milfoile y^e great, Lupoine, y^e floure de Luce, Cinquefoile, Quaterfoile, Trifoile, Daisy, Iacinth, Senuy, Uiolet, &c.

Fruites.Of fruitꝭ especially are borne the Pomgranade, in latin called Malū granatū, the Oreng, Peare, Apple, the bery of the tree called Morus, & the leafe also is borne in armes, &c.

Of dead thingꝭ are borne an infinite nūber in armes, as Crownes, Coronetꝭ, Maces, Pillers, piles, globes, Cheu­rons, Bars, Bendes, Helmets, Gauntlets, swordes, dag­gers or pugiōs, Launces, Fauchons, Sithes, Billes, cros­ses, Bokes, Letters, Beasantes, Plates, Torteauxes, Pellets, Saltries, Chequers, Castles, Toures, Rockes, ships Galthropes, Scocheons, Formales, Mollets pierced and whole, Sufflues, Harpes, Bels, Lampes, plomets, Ropes or funes, Bowes, Arowes, Dartes, water Bowges, Lo­senges, Mascles, Buckles, Fusils, Frets, Billets, wheles Oges, Cuppes, Ewers, Combes, Saltes, Phiols, Garbages, Pheons, Ballances, Maunches, Gorges, Bugles, Trompets, Lures, Bernacles, Harrowes, Rowels, trewels, in latin called Trullae, Annulets, Ankers, Portculesses Keies, Boltes, &c. And here is to be noted, that al thinges bearinge life, of what nature so euer they be of, excepte Crownes Imperial, are to be preferred for their estimati­on, and dignitie in signes of Armes, before al those which haue no life. As of beastes, the Lyon is to be commended & preferred before all others, who so euer beareth him, for that he is king of all beastes: but whether whē he is borne passant, gardant, or regardant, rampant, saliant, seiante, couchant, or dormant, be moste worthiest, or auncient in Armes, I refer that to the Heraultes: yet not altogether, for I dare boldly affirme the bearing of him one way to be most of honor & souerainty: as when he is passant, gar­dant. And nowe the reste I commit to their iudgemente, who are mine elders. Of Byrdes or Fowles, the Egle, [Page 22] Pellicane, Phenix, and Swanne haue chiefe dignitie.

Thus I haue shewed vnto you of diuers & sundrye si­gnes borne in armes, & the right opinion of y^e worthines therof. So that now is to be shewed the blazon of al those signes in armes, with many other mo, not before remembred. Wherunto I would wish al & singuler estates, who would haue the name of gentlemen, endeuour thē selues Manibꝰ, pedibus (que) (vt aiunt) to the knowledg of these which ensue. And because the Crosse is y^e most triumphant signe and worthiest, the same shall firste haue place.

Kinge Arthur, that mightie conquerour, & worthy, had so greate affection & loue to this signe,Kinge Ar­thure his Armes. that he lefte his Armes whiche he bare before, where­in was figured 3. dragons, an other of 3. Crownes, & assum­pted, or tooke to his armes, as proper to his desire, a Crosse Siluer, in a field vert: & on the first quarter therof, was figu­red an Image of oure Ladye, with her sonne in her armes. And bearinge that signe, he did many marueiles in Ar­mes, as in his Bookes of Actes, and valiant Conquestes are remembred.

Thus in olde time it maye be perceiued, what Prin­ces thoughte of the Crosse. So hathe it beene thoughte [Page] good to the wisedome of God, that Christe shoulde sub­dewe the vniuersall worlde throughe the Hornes of the Crosse.Eras. in Luc. 24. c.

Many of the Iewes, whiche crucified that innocente Lambe, and our Sauioure Iesus Christe on the Crosse, when he was deliuered vnto them,Idem in Matth. 27. c. wisshing his bloude to light vpon them, & their children, to y^e destruction of themselues, and their successours, did afterwardes worship the Crosse, which before cried in the multitude, Up with him, vp with him, crucifie him. The Crosse being afore odious & a thinge of reproche,Idem Iohan. 19. ca. was made by Christ, a triumphant signe, wherunto the world boweth down the head, which Angels doo worship, & Diuels doo feare. Hereon he van­quished the power of the tyran Sathan, & all the puissance of this world. In this signe it behoueth vs therfore to get the victorie, & not otherwise to triumphe, then vnder this standerde of our Heauenly Prince, which is Christe.

It is also to be read, that this signe of the Crosse was sente from God to that blessed man Mercurie, Crucis sign [...] ̄. as Vincentius in Spe­culo historiali, Beati Mer­curij insignia of the maruelous deathe of Iulian the Apostata, Libro. 15. saithe, that an Angell broughte vnto the saide Mer­curie, all armoure necessarye for him, with a Shielde of A­zure, and thereon figured a Crosse flowrie, betwene foure Roses, Golde. As it is writ­ten, that this Shield, with the signe of the Crosse therein, was sente from Heauen: so I reade in the Chronicle of Gawyne, whiche he writeth Super Francorum gestis, that in the time of the Frenche Kinge Charles, the seuenth of that name, the Sunne shininge, and the Elemente beinge [Page 23] fayre and cleare, there appeared, and was seene bothe of the Englishe men, and Frenche, a white Crosse in the cleare firmamente. Whiche heauenly signe so seene on bothe Nations, they of the Frenche, whiche as then mo­ued Rebellion againste theire Prince, did take as an ad­monishemente from Heauen, of theire duetie and obedi­ence due vnto him. Suche veneration by them was gi­uen vnto the signe of the Crosse, fearinge the persecu­tion, and pounishemente that woulde fall vpon them, for suche theire Rebellion, as they had then alreadie com­mitted.

Thus it maie be seene,Religion con­ceiued of the signe of the Crosse. that the Religion whiche they conceiued at the sighte of the signe of the Crosse, didde so alter theire mindes, and mollifie theire hartes, that they did returne from theire wicked practises of Rebellion, vnto theire obedience, with crauinge pardon.

As this signe of the Crosse was then sene of the French in the Elemente, whiche was (as I collecte) in the time of the noble and puissant Prince, kinge Edwarde the third. So the saide Gaguine reciteth in his Chronicles, that the Armes which the Frenche kinges nowe beare, were sent from Heauen to Clodoueus then kinge of Fraunce,Lilia coelo demissa. The Armes of the French kinge. when he was baptised, & became a Christian. id est, 3. Lilia aurea quibus subest caeli sereni color, quem Azurum Franci dicunt. That is to saie, three Lilies Golde, in the coloure of the fayre, and cleare Frmamente, whiche in Frenche is cal­led Azure.

And of the saide miraculous Ensignes Gaguine wri­teth these twoo verses, as ensue.

It were too longe to write, or place here all the verses, whiche Iodocus Badius Ascensius doth rehearse in the ende of the saide Gaguine his Chronicle, De Insignibus Franciae. Wherefore, omitting the greatest parte therof, take these fewe folowinge.

These yet remaine to the French kinges for their En­signes: where before Clodoueus time,Buffones. 3. they did beare three Todes, as witnesseth the saide Gaguine in the first booke of his Chronicles. Fol. 5. pag. 2.

And of their Auriflambe y^e same Gaguine writeth thus. Traditum quoque est pannum sericeum rubrum, Auriflam­ma. instar signi mi­litaris quadratū, miro fulgore splendentem diuinitus esse exceptū. Quo in expeditionibꝰ contra fidei christiane hostes pro signo Fran­ci Reges vterentur, buic (que) vexillo nomen Auriflammā hactenus permāsisse. Deni (que) à Dionisianis caenobitis asseruatā esse. Sed ab­utentibus signo aduersus Christicolas Regibus illud euanuisse. Thus of their Armes and Auriflambe, howe they had the same, appeareth. Yet here is to be noted, that when they aduanced their Auriflambe, which was their standerd, in battaile against the Christians, it vanished awaie (as Ga­guine declareth) and they had the same no more againe. For what commeth, or is sente from Heauen (as they al­lege the same was) muste be godly, rightuously, and ver­tuously borne, vsed, and ordered. Yet notwithstanding when that was gone, they did newe make an other (as he reporteth) Non dissimili forma: Not vnlike vnto the first, whiche was halowed by theire Bishoppes, and kepte, In­ter sacra.

Thus thir owne Chronicler dothe declare, howe theire Auriflambe did vanishe awaie, Almightie God being dis­pleased with them, when they aduanced the same against their Christian neighbours, and were gladde to counter­feite an other. Euen so likewise for theire vntruthe, infi­delitie, and treacherie, he hathe taken from them theire Armes, (whiche also they saie were sente them from Hea­uen) and hathe iustely, as a rightuous Iudge, giuen them [Page 24] to our kinges of this Realme of Englande, to enoblishe them withall, and as theire owne righte, and Enheri­taunce, whiche moste puissantly, and valiauntely they haue borne, and doo beare, he therefore be praised, Qui est Rex Regum, & Dominus dominantium.

Nowe to retourne to the signe of the Crosse, from the whiche I haue so muche di­gressed. The Armes whiche of olde Heraultes are called Saincte George his Armes,Crux Sancti Georgij. are thus to be blazed, Latinè, Portat vnum Scutum de Argen­to cum quadam Cruce plana de Rubio. Anglicè: He beareth a Shielde Argente, thereon a plaine Crosse Gules.

The Ensigne of the noble Cittie of London hathe the like fielde and Crosse,Insignia Ci­uitatis Lon­don. sauing that on the dexter parte thereof is seene a Daggare, co­lour of the Crosse.

Semblablye the Cittye of Yorke hathe the same fielde,Insignia Ci­uitatis Ebo­raci. and Crosse, bothe in mettall, and coloure, but the Crosse is charged with fiue Lyons Pas­sante, Gardante d'Or, as here appeareth.

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This noble Baron beareth Argēt, a Crosse ragueled Sa­ble. I find it blazed in French thus: Le Syre Sandes, port d'Ar­gent, vne croix recopee Sable. This Crosse is two trees,L. Sandes. the boughes beinge cutte of.

Of other Crosses there be borne a greate number, bothe charged, and not charged: and of some of them I will make description. Wherefore nexte to the plaine Crosse before spoken of, take these ensuinge for example.

Crosse Mo­lyne.

A Crosse Molyne, is called y^e Crosse of a Myll: for it is made to y^e similitude of a certaine in­strument of yron in the nether stone of the Myll. The whiche instrumente beareth, & guideth the ouer Myll stone equally, & directely in his course, that he decline not ouer much on the right part, nor on the left part, but ministringe to euery parte that, that is equall, & withoute fraude. And this Crosse might conueniently be assigned, & giuen to Iudges, Iustices, & to suche others, who haue iurisdiction of the Lawe, as a signe, or token for them to beare in their Armes. That is to saie, as the foresaid instrument is there placed, to direct the Myll stone equally, and without guile, so all Iudges are bounden, and tied in conscience, to giue equally to e­uery man, that whiche is his righte. And it is to be saide, that the possessour of these Armes beareth Azure, a Crosse Molyne d'Or.

[Page 25]It is to bee knowne, also, that the sayde crosse, (as ma­ny other signes in armes) maye bee shadowed. That is to saye. That of whatsoeuer colour the fielde is of, the vmbre or shadowe of the token or signe borne in the fielde, is tra­ced of a contrarie color,Crosse vmbre and the bodye of the thinge sha­dowed, is of the color with the fielde. And this crosse so vmbrated, is thus to bee blazed. A. beareth Or, a crosse Moloyne Umbre.

Yet here is to bee noted, that yf anye suche cote armoure be honored with a chefe, the thing so borne in cheefe shall not bee vmbrated, but abyde perfect in metall and coloure as it was before, leste suche a cote should lose all together hys dignitie, or worthynes. Therefore Blazors of ar­mes must bewaire of these ensignes which are borne vm­brated,Chiefe. and not to thincke of them, as of coloures transmuted:

For as I fynde written in an auncient aucthor, there ha­ue bene certaine nobles, and gentlemen in thys realme, the whiche did bere diuerse sha­dowes in theire armes, as of the Lyō, Antelope, Greyhoun­de, &c. And of hym that beareth suche a Lyon, thys is the bla­zon. M. beareth Sable, a Lyon rampant, Umbre.

And it is to bee considered, that suche gentlemen, as did beare theire armes shadowed, had theire progenitours, bearinge the same not shadowed, but whole and perfecte. And because theire possessions and patrimonyes descen­ded to other men, then the neuewes or kynsmen of suche gentlemen, lyuynge in good hope, and trustinge to haue the possessions and patrimonies so descended to other men agayne, did in the meane while beare theire progenitors [Page] armes vmbrated, leauing all other differences. For when at anye tyme suche theire inheritance, to them reuerted, then myght they beare that Lyon, or other beaste, in suche forme, fielde and coloure, as theire progenitors did firste beare the same. And note, it is more worship and moche better for them, to beare theire armes so vmbrated or sha­dowed, then wholy to leaue th'ensignes of theire progeni­tours. But yet in my iudgement, they myghte alwayes (with conuenient differences) haue borne the same whole, and not vmbrate: and inespecially they must be so ordered at theire funerals, notwithstanding the bearinge of them otherwise in theire lyfe tyme. And herein the iudgemente and sentence of the kynges at armes,Kinges at Armes. muste chefely take place, and haue vigor and force: for the distribucion of this difference before spoken of, onely belongeth and apperteineth vnto them.

Yet there remaynethe one crosse to bee descriued, which I did se on a graue stone in the North ende of the Mynstre of Yorke, the name of the bearer I haue forgotten, but the fielde of his cote armoure was Gules, on a Crosse Sarcele D'or, fiue mollettes of the firste, persed. But thys Crosse, and others, I fynd so often not well figured, that it maketh me doubteful of the certayne names thereof. Wherfore, it is very needefull for all payntors, cutters, grauers, glasiers, and embrodurers diligently to see, and weightely to consider the cote Armors, whiche are put to them to bee paynted, cutte, graued, englassed, or embor­dured, that they committe no offence therein, contrary to the forme and ordre prescribed to them by th'officers at armes, who haue by most auncient lawe the correction, yea [Page 26] and the direction therof, whan they can iustely fynde any faulte in thynges apperteynyng to Armorie.

And thus I will passe ouer Crosses, there bene so ma­ny of them, and those of diuerse other formes, degrees & charges, then before are blazed: as Crosses, enuecked. entrayled, forked, paled, and trunked Crosses, Po­tonce, Mascule, Besāte, vairee, vndee, nebulee, cordee, bo­tonye, Batune, formye, vrdee, pomelle, furshe, nowye. Crosse taue, checkey, waue, Frette, humette, and fitche. There are also to bee founde and seene in armes Crosses doble partited, semyed, quartered of the fielde wherein they stande, contrecomponed, persed, graded, & voyded &c. These maye the better bee throwly perceaued, yf the rea­der hereof will diligently note, and beare awaye, what is sayde of them by master Leighe, in hys Accedence of Ar­morye, where he largely entreateth of sondrie and diuerse sortes of Crosses, borne in sondrie wise, as maye appeare, fol. 29.30.31. &c.

¶ Of Armes quartered.

1. Beareth quarterly Gules, and Or, one Mollet d'ar­gent, on the firste quarter. These appertaine to the right honourable, the Earle of Oxeforde, by the name of the L. Ueer.L. Veer.

2. Beareth quarterly Golde, and Gules, an Escar­boncle, Pomette, Fleurettie, Sable, Brochant sur le tout. This is the sixte Cote, borne, and marshalled in the Cote Armour of the right honourable, Sir Henrye Sidney, knight of the moste honourable Order of the Garter, and [Page 27] Lorde Presidente of the Queenes maiesties honourable Councel in Wales.

3. Beareth Or, and Gules, a Bende varie argent, & Azure,Sackuile. by the name of Sackeuile, Baron of Buckehurste.

4. Beareth Or, and Gules quarterly, on a Bende Sable,Euers. 3. Escaloppes d'argent, by the name of Euers.

Armes also which are quartered as aforesaide, for their diuersitie, maie in some respecte seeme to be twoo Cotes, borne quarterly: where, Secundum veritatem, they are but one. As in example.

He beareth quarterly, Sable, and Argent engrayled, Bil­lettie. Here needeth no fur­ther Blazon, to saie, that the Billettes be conterchāged, or transmuted of the fielde, or as of the one quarter, or y^e other, since there is descried Bilettie ouer all. Touchinge that the quarters in the diuision of the Escocheon, be engrayled, that terme is so frequented, be­cause two colors, or any met­tal, or colour be gradately inferred one into the other, that no partition, but onely the Purflue, maie be seene be­twene them.

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He beareth Argent, and Sa­ble quarterly, Rasie. These be called quartered Armes, ras­sed, for y^e twoo colours be ras­sed, as thoughe the one were rente from the other. And as these are borne rassed, so like­wise are borne in Armes quarters, borders, &c. Enueckec­kie, or dentillie. Whereof ye maye finde examples in the Accidence of Armorie.

The moste auncient bearing of twoo Colours, or Mettal, and Colour, quarterly in one Cote Armour, is to beare the same plaine, and neither en­gralee, rasie, enueckie, or dentillie. As for example: The L. Saye beareth quarterlye,L. Saye. Or, and Gules.

And these suffise for Armes quartered, which are alwaies to be taken for single Cotes, yet of greate antiquitie, as to the Heraultes are beste knowne.

¶Of Armes parted per Pale.

Armes parted the long way, or on length, being of two colors in one Escocheon, equally parted from the middest of y^e highest part therof vnto the lowest point, are in Blazō termed Partie per Pale. And of the olde Heraultes, Latinè, Partita planè secundum longum. Gallicè, Partee du longe. And thereof shalbe shewed 7. sundrie partitions [Page 28] moste vsed in Armes Paled: videlicet.

Firste, when any Gentle­man beareth twoo colours, e­qually parted plaine waie, ye shall blaze his Armes thus. A. beareth Argent, and Sable parted per Pale.

B. beareth Argent & Sa­ble, parted per Pale, engrale.

C. beareth Or and Gules parted per Pale, rasee.

D. beareth Argent and A­zure, parted per Pale, enuec­kee.

E. beareth Sable and Or, parted per Pale, dentee.

F. beareth Argent and Uerte, parted per Pale, nebu­le. It is called Nebule, for that twoo colours are put to­gether by the maner of Cloudes.

G. beareth Or and Gules, parted per Pale, vndee. It is termed Undee, because two colors are caried one in­to an other, by the maner of water troubled with y^e wind.

A Cote Armour parted per Pale Dente, or otherwise, is often found charged with one token or twaine. But of an­tiquitie one is moste receiued, as one of the Hungerfordes hathe,Hungerforde his Cote. who beareth Gules, & Uerte, parted per Paile Den­tille, a Cheuron, Or. This Cote is of dignitie muche the more, because, besides y^e Cheuron, the fielde is occupied with no other signe.

¶ Of Armes parted per Fesse.

Euen (as next before) ye may reade of y^e Armes parted on the length of the Escocheon: So maie ye vnderstand, that there be partitions also made ouerthwarte the Esco­cheon, euen in the middest of the same, equall, of twoo co­lours from the righte side, to the lefte: and is termed in Blazon, Partiè per Fesse. Gallicè, Partie transuersee. As in example: H. beareth Argent & Azure, Partie per Fesse. And so descriuinge the colours of any Escocheon, ye may saie, as before, of the Armes parted per Pale.

• videlicet. Partie per fesse engrale,
• videlicet. Partie per fesse rasie,
• videlicet. Partie per fesse enueckye,
• videlicet. Partie per fesse dentie
• videlicet. Partie per fesse nebule,
• videlicet. Partie per fesse vndee &c.

Note also that these particiōs per fesse, are to be seene of­ten charged with one tokē of armes, or with two, as the diligent searcher shal fynde, yf hee take hede therunto, in thys booke.

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Howe these particions maye bee in sondrye wyse char­ged, take these fewe folowing for examples.

1. beareth Or, & Sable, parted per fesse, vndee ij. Lyōs Dragōs, trāsmuted of y^e field. I terme these lyōs transmu­ted because y^e Lyō first placed in y^e fielde, is Sable, in Or, & the other is Or, in Sable. Thys maye be taken for ij. cote armoures, without breathe of any Rule in Armorye. And is called of olde heraultes lentallye: whiche wherefore it is so called,Lentally. ye may reade in M.G. Leyghe hys Accidence of Armorye, where he treateth of sondrye particions mesles.

2 beareth Gules, & Sables parted per Fesse enuecked, [Page] three lyons nayssant argente, crowned.

3 Yet I fynde an other particion, as thys example tea­cheth, videlicet. S. beareth Sables, & Gules embatyled per Fesse three Fer de molyns d'Argente.

4 The sayde particions also maye bee charged conue­niently with twoo tokens, and the same of two natures & kyndes, as thus it maye bee deuised .R. beareth. Sable, and Argente parted per Fesse nebule, two Faucons vo­lante, and a Greyhounde cursante, contrechanged of the fielde. Here the Fancons are argente volante in Sa­ble, and the Greyhounde is Sable cursante in Argente, & thys is good armorye. These examples may suffise for ar­mes parted per Fesse, although there be sene diuerse other particions, as partye par Cheuron, par Pile, par Bēde &c. whiche are both auncient,Particions. and ryght commendably borne of diuerse in sondrie maners, formes, & ordres. Therefore here I ceasse to write anye further of them, vntill I shall speake generally of signes borne in armes.

¶Of a cheife in Armes.

WHosoeuer beareth a Cheife in hys Armes, it is pla­ced in the hyghest place of the Escocheon, as a thing honorable to be borne, & the fielde beneth is twise so moche as the cheife, & most commonly is seene of an other colour. Therfore certaynely they do greatly erre, which call such Armes parted, althoughe they bee of two coloures: for in parted armes it is required that the coloures bee equall, & so it is not in anye Armes that is honored with a Cheife, or a cheifetaine. And of the same, how in sondry wise they are borne in Armes, take these fewe ensuyng for exāples.

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1 The Lord S. Iohn beareth Argente,L. S. Iohn. on a cheife Gu­les, two mollets d'Or persed verte.

2. Uerrey,Titcheborne. a Cheife, d'Or. Thys is borne by y^e name of Tytcheburne, of Titcheburne. Note that thys chiefe is not charged with anye thynge, and therefore is of greate antiquitie. And of the fielde of thys cote I wil speake here­after, where it shalbe entreated of sondrye furres.

3. Barrie vndee, of vi. dargent, and Sable, on a chiefe gules, a Lyon passant gardāt d'Or. Here the chiefe is charged noblye which a quicke beaste of honor.

4. Ermyne, on a chiefe dēted, Gules, thre Crosses ta­ued, [Page] Or. The tricke of this cote I toke, as I found it payn­ted on a Table,Thurlande. in a parishe churche of Nottingham, & as it is there mencioned, is borne by the name of Thurlande.

Ermyne, a chefe dented, ermynes. Of these thyngs bor­ne in thys cote, it shalbe spoken hereafter.

Ermyne, on a chefe indented, Gules, thre crownes Imperiall, d'Or. Here I neded not to haue spokē of the metal of the crownes, for all suche are of golde. The note of thys cote armour I toke in the parishe churche of Tyckehill in Yorkeshire.

There maye be also borne in cheife, diuerse tokēs of armes, and yet the chefe not altered in colour from the field, as the cotes before blazed are, as for example.

D. beareth Or, three water bowges Sable in chefe. Here the fielde remaynethe perfecte without alteracion of coloure, and abydeth onely as charged in the chefetaine, whiche is ve­ry auncyent Armorie.

¶Of Armes Palee.

AS I haue sayde before, no Armes ought to bee called parted, but yf they bee made of two colours, once par­ted and no more. Armes paled, (whereof nowe is to bee shewed, are not, nor ought to bee called partite Armes, al­though they bee diuided in two coloures. For the coloures in armes palee, are diuersely parted of two coloures to the nombre of 6. payles: and such Armes, be called Armes pai­led, for they bee made after the maner of payles, yet in sondrye wyse, as plaine, vndee, daunsete &c. wherof take these fewe for examples.

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1. A. Beareth palee, of 6. pieces, Or, and Sable.

2. C. Beareth Palee dansetee of fower Sable & Ar­gente, or thus, hys fielde is of Payles dauncie Sable, and Argente. These Payles bee called dansetee, because they bee crooked and sharpe, and so put together one into an o­ther. And note, that these cotes Armoures bee termed Pa­led, because therein are founde so many Pales of one co­loure, as is of the other.

3 In diuerse armes of gentlemen be founde, one, or two Payles of one coloure, and what coloure is founde more, is the fielde, and of one Payle, take thys for example.

[Page]G. Beareth Argente a Pale, bendee d'Or and Sable, And of him that beareth two Pales, it must be said thus.

4 Beareth Gules .ij. Pales d'Argent. These pales maye bee borne vndated, which is as moche to saye, as watered with a floode, and also engraled, dented, vaire &c. Whos [...] marketh well these two last sheildes, shall playnely per­ceaue, that both the dextre parte, and sinistre of the esco­cheon, abyde perfecte of one metall or coloure, and so shall hee not fynde of armes Palee, for what coloure thereof is founde of the right parte of the sheilde, the contrarye is founde on the lefte.

Armes Barrie.

As armes Palee are borne, so may they bee borne barrye, and of hym that beareth suche Armes, it is thus to bee sayde. He beareth barrie of vi. peces d'Argent and Azure.

William the cōquerour,William Conquerour. what tyme hee entred thys Realme, hee did beare thys Coate Ar­moure, but after hys conquest, he tooke to hym other Armes, videlicet two Leopards of gold in a field Gules. For as I rea­de, Henry the seconde was the firste kynge that dyd beare three Lyons.

Also, it is to be knowne, that armes may in diuerse wise be Barred, and the firste maner is playne and streyghte, as is next before exemplefied. Yet in the blazon of them, ye shall not saye, hee beareth playne armes barred, But yf they bee otherwise borne, ye than must nedes declare the blazon of them, how they differ frō playne armes barrie, for some are borne Barrie vndee, barrye verrye, or enuecked, barrye dauncye, or Bendye &c. Others also be barred [Page 32] with a Lyon rampaunte, a greyhounde, or other Beaste. And some bee barred otherwise, as hereafter partely shal­be shewed by sondrye examples folowing, videlicet.

1. D. Beareth barrie vndee, of 4. sable and Or.

2. E. Beareth Ermyne iij. barre ways verrye d'Or and Guyles.

3. F. Beareth Sable, twoo barres Daunsetye, d'Ar­gente: And of a cote Armoure barry bendee. Reade in M. Gerarde Leighe hys Accidence, wher he en­treateth of cotes commixt with two of the honorable Or­dinaries.

[Page]4. Beareth barree of viij. pecis, argente, and verte, an Orle of Marlettes, Sable.

And note that these cotes barriez, are moste commonly borne of 6. and 8. pieces, but neuer aboue, as Upton wit­nesseth: Yet when you se anye armes, hauing mo pieces, blaze them on thys wise.

Hee beareth on x. barrulet­tes, Argent, and Gules [...], a Lion rampant, Sable, armed, langued, and accolle d'Or, brise d'vne Croix de mesme en l'espaule.

The Frenche Heraultes bla­ze thys cote, Face de dix pieces, and whether there be two Barres, three or mo, they terme them all, Facee.

Moreouer our Barre is ve­rye often placed in Armes, e­uen from the middest of the Dexter parte, to the Sinister of the Escocheon, so that the fielde muste containe twise so muche aboue the Barre, and as muche beneath, as y^e Barre is of it selfe. And therefore it conteineth but the fift parte of the fielde. As in example: B. beareth Argente, a Barre Gules.

Here note, that a Barre maie be borne with twoo Bar­rulettes, one aboue, and the other beneath the Barre. And Barre, as I saide before, containeth but the first part of the fielde: and the Barrulet is a Diminutiue thereof, [Page 33] and is but the fourth parte of the Barre. And these Bar­rulettes are often founde Florie, or Flored, for that they be made after the maner of Floure de Luces, issuinge out of them as diuerse otherwise, whereof take these nexte for examples.

The firste beareth Uert, a Barre and twoo Barrulet­tes, Or.

The seconde beareth Argent, a Barre, with two Bar­rulettes Floritie, Sable.

The thirde beareth Gules, a Barre betwene two Clos­settes, d'Or. The Closset is the halfe of the Barre. And [Page] these two halfes thus deuided, haue y^e force of two Barres in the fielde, for moe, by the name of Barres, it maie not containe, and keepe equall diuisions.

The fourth beareth Argent, three Barres Gemewes, Sable.

He beareth Gules two Bar­res D'or, ouer all a Cheuron, Sable. Gallicè sic: Portoit de Gueulles a deux faces D'or, au Cheuron de Sable sur le tout. I place this Cote here in the end thus charged, that the gentle Reader maye more plainelye vnderstande the same to be e­qually deuided into fiue par­tes, accordinge to the Rule a­foresaide.

¶ Of Bendes.

There is oftentimes found in Armes, one Bende, and the same is borne of diuerse noble Gentlemen, bothe charged, & otherwise. And thei are called Bendes, because they beginne aboue an highe, at the Dexter angle of the Shielde, and des­cende to the Sinister parte of the same, and muste containe of the fielde, as before is she­wed in the Concordes of Ar­morie.

And of him that beareth such a Bende, ye shal say thus. Uidelicet:L. Scroupe. The L. Scroupe of Bolton beareth a Bende, [Page 34] Or, in a fielde, Azure. I here firste blaze the Bende, for the honour of the mettall that he is of, and yet the fielde is of the colour of the moste faire and cleare Firmament.

These Bendes maie be borne with Bendelettes of di­uerse fourmes, some plaine, some faire, some with Coti­zes bothe plaine, or daunce, &c. As in example.

Firste beareth Argent, a Bend Wauie Sable, these ap­pertaine to the right worshipfull Sir H. Wallop of Wal­lop in the Countie of South K.Wallop.

The seconde beareth Uert, a Bende Uiurie Dargent.

The third beareth Or, a Bend sinister, engraled Gules.

[Page]The fourth beareth Azure, on a Bende Argent, cotized with twoo Cotizes d'Or, a Lyon Sable, armed and lan­gued Gules.

Moreouer, there be founde in Armes, certaine other Bendes, to some straunge, from these aforesaide, as these twoo whiche ensue.

Firste bearethe Fusilles, whiche are so termed, for that they be made like Spindles. As in example: Siden­ham beareth Argent, a Bend Fusillie Sable, or fiue Fu­silles in Bende Sable.Sidenham.

The other beareth Sable, a Bende Brettesse de Or.

Fusilles in Bendes, are commonly borne of Gentle­men in Burgondie, and as they be borne in Bende, so maie they be borne in Fesse, &c.

¶ Foure Cotes of sundrie deuises.

• 1. Beareth Sable, a Bende Argent, with twoo double Cotizes, Potences, and Conterpotences of three peces d'Or.
• 2. Beareth Bendie of sixe pieces d'Or, and Uert, on a Fesse Argent, three Floures de Luce Azure.
• 3. Beareth Sable, sixe Battunes d'Argent.
• 4. Beareth Azure, a Crosse Sarcele d'Or, with a Ba­tune, componie d'Argent, and Gules.

¶ Differences betwene Fusilles, Lozenges, and Mascles.

• 1. Beareth Gules,
  Denham.
  foure Fusilles in Fesse Ermyne, by the name of Denham.
• 2. Beareth Sable, three Lozenges Argent.
• 3. Beareth Or, and Ermynes Lozengie.
• 4. Beareth Sable, 7. Mascles D'argent voided. 3.5. & [...].

¶ Cheurons.

• 1. Beareth Ermynes, a Cheuron D'argent.
• 2. Beaerth Sable, a Cheuron betwene three Huchet­tes D'argent, lye de Uert.
• 3. Beareth Ermyne, twoo Cheurons Azure, charged with sixe Estoiles of eight poyntes D'or.
• 4. Beareth Cheuronie of sixe D'argent, and Sable.

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He beareth d'Or, a Cheuron Uersie d'Azure, in Chiefe, an Eagle displayed with twoo heades of the seconde, mem­bred, and beaked Gules. This Cheuron may be borne frettie with an other, and the same contercoloured, as I haue seene in diuerse Bookes of Armorie.

¶ Of Armes enbordured, or with bordurs.

Bordures, many and diuerse are to be sene in Armes, whereof, those whiche be plaine, are moste vsually borne, and of the same, and others diuers, take these ensuing, for example.

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1. Beareth Fusillie, Bendie, D'or and Gules, a bor­der Azure.

2. Beareth Argent, one Lyon saliant d'Azure, armed, langued, and crowned Gules, a Border dentelle Sable. As this Border is dented, so it maie be borne, engraled, enuecked, goboned, vaire, &c.

3. Beareth Gules, one Crosse Patie D'or, betweene foure Beasantes, with a Border D'argent, semie trefolie propre.

4. Bendie of sixe, Azure and Argent, on a Scocheon Sable, an Hartes heade cabazed D'or, with a Plate in [Page] Chiefe. Here the Cutter was negligent, in omittinge a Bordure d'Ermyne, contrarie to his instructions.

These Bordurs also are borne, charged with diuerse & sundrie signes or tokens, as ye maie perceiue by these en­suinge.

1. Beareth Uerte, fiue Fermaulxz in Crosse D'or, a Border d'Argent, charged with eight Ogresses: or after the Frenche blazon, Ogressee de huit pieces.

2. Beareth Argent, fiue Torteuxes in Saltier, a bor­der de Gules, Fermaille D'or, de S. pieces.

3. Beareth Or, one Crosse botonye d'Hermines, be­twene [Page 38] fower hurtes, with a Bordure Sable, semie billetti d'Argent.

4. Beareth d'Argent, one Saltier engrayled Sable, be­twene fower pomeis, on a bordure Azure, viij. Escocheōs d'Or, charged with as manye Crosses, crossettie fitche Gules.

Hee beareth Sable, a Lyon rampant d'Argent, with a bordure gobonie de l'vne & l'autre.

Many other Bordures are to be seene, charged with infi­nite tokens, both quicke and deade. And these Furres, Krouine, Ermines, and Verrey, doe most nobly sett forth these Bordures, to the great beautefiyng of the same. And of Armes borne with Bordures, these fewe aforesaid may suffise for examples.

¶Of quarters & cantons.

There bee borne in Armes sondrye Quarters or Can­tons both charged and not charged, whiche are of moste auncient bearing, and therefore worthye to bee noted.

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1. Beareth Geronnie of vi. pieces Or and Sable, on a quarter Gules, one mollet d'Argent. I tooke the tricke of thys cote as I founde it in a glasse wyndowe, within the Parishe churche of Lileburne in Leycester shire, but by what name it is borne, I there could not get knowledge.

2. Beareth sable semye florye d'Argent, and a quarter d'Or.

3. Beareth d'Or, two barres Sable, a quarter sinistre d'Ermyne.

4. beares Gules, twoo pales de vaire, on a quarter si­nistre d'Or, one fermaulx lozengie, Gules.

[Page 39]Kyrrell beareth d'Or, ij. Cheurōs gules, a quarter de mes­me. They must bee here blazed two Cheurons, althoughe the quarter abateth one halfe of the Cheuron mountant, that is, the ouermoste Cheuron, and thys is a true Rule, whan ye shall see anye token abated, by the dignitie of the Canton: for the token or signe, although it should seme a­bated yet it abideth perfect in blazon.

1. The fielde is of the Perle, a playne Crosse Diamonde, Canton d'ermyne. For difference one mollet Topazie, signifiyng the third brother of that house from whence in bloode hee is lineally descended. Thys ensigne appertey­neth [Page] to M. Laurence Holenshed,Holenshed. a gentleman endowed with diuerse noble vertues and excellēt qualities, very ex­perte also in blazon deuises heroyques, and a feruent louer of all them, whiche embrace the studie thereof, wherefore worthye he is of such rememberance, and commendacion more ample.

2. Beareth Argente, one Cheuron Gules, & on a Can­ton Sable a cinquefoyle d'Ermyne persed. Thys Cote I haue seene borne also without a Canton, by the name of Tyas.Tya [...].

3. Beareth Gules two estoyles of eyghte poynctes d'Or, a canton Ermine,Leuerton. by the name of Leuerton.

4. Beareth d'Or, ix. Muscles vert, voyded two thre, thre, one, on a Canton sinistre, Sable. one Cressante with a Mollet d'Argent persed.

Basset.Hys fielde of the Topaze, three pyles in poyncte Rubie a Canton d'Hermine.

Sou [...]he.He beareth Mars, 8. Beasantes, Solis, 2.2.3. i. a Canton d'Hermyne.

¶Of Armes Checkey.

MOreouer diuerse signes & tokens in armes are foun­de to bee compounded of sondrye metalles and colou­res, as also Checkey, and thereof whole fieldes are nobly borne: all which, these fewe examples folowing shal play­nely teache you.

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1. Beareth Argent, a demy Lion verte, in cheife d'Or, and Sable contrecomponed.Contrecompo­ned. Thys cheife is so termed, be­cause it abideth of one metall and one coloure: and but of two Tractes onelye, therefore in no wise maye bee called Checkey, although it appeare like thereunto.

2. Beareth Or,Checkey. a Fesse Checkey d'Argent and Sable, betwene three escocheons d'Ermynes. This Fesse as it is here of thre Tractes, is right Checkey. And an hole fielde, may be Checkey, saens nombre.

3. Beareth Checkey d'Ermine and Gules, on a Fesse Sable.Incressa [...]t [...]. 3. Incressants d'Argent. The Frenche Heraultes [Page] blaze thys, troys Croissans tournez.

Cheife.4. Beareth Checkey d'Argent and vert, in Cheife Gules, one Lyon naissant d'Or. Blaze thys by the Planettes thus. The field is checkye, Lunae, and Veneris, a Lyon nais­sant Solis a cheife Martis. This might bee the cote of some aduenturous knyghte and a louer, for here hee hath the Sunne and Moone, that god and goddesse Mars, and Venus, for patrons in hys ensigne.

Warren.Hys fielde is Checkey, Saphier, and Topaze. And note, as there is whole fieldes Checkey of mettall and coloure, so are to bee seene, Bendes, Barres, Bordures, Cheurons, Saltiers, &c. Checquey. Also the two furres Ermyne, and Ermynes with anye coloure, doe ennoblyshe all Coates Checked.

Chesse Borde

C. Beareth Sable, a qua­drate Checkye d'Argent and Gules. Thys is taken for a Chesse borde, or a Table made for the playe of the Chesse.

This game was first inuen­ted by Athalus, as Master. G. Chaucer reporteth in hys dreame, saying.

The plaie at the Chesse,Chesse. Go. Li. 1 ca. 26 Fol. 81. of all games moste proueth mannes witte. And Sir Thomas Eliot in his Booke, entituled the Gouernour, saithe, That the Chesse, of all games, wherein is no bodily exercise, is moste to be com­mended: for therein is right subtile engyne, whereby the witte is made more sharpe, and remembrance quickened. And it is the more commendable, and also commodious, if the players haue readde the Moralization of the Chesse, & when they playe, doo thinke vpon it. Which bookes be in English: but they be very scarce, because fewe men doo seeke in playes for vertue or wisedome. In the olde time, it was the playe of Noble men: and therefore the Table thereof is not vnworthy to be borne in armes. Et sic dein­signijs Scaccatis ad presens satis dictum est.

Before in this booke I haue partely touched signes, or tokens borne in armes by diuers Nobles, & other Gentle­tlemen, which I could not omit, by reason of the vsinge of so many examples. Therfore nowe hereafter shal folowe generally the blazon of beastes, foules, fishes, and other thinges quicke & deade, borne in Cote armour, and of thē ye shal see a great number of examples: as of sundrie diui­sions of Cote armours, charged with any of the honoura­ble Ordinaries, especial or general, of Quadrates Royal, and other thinges Armoriall, not vnworthy to be redde, and borne in memorie.

There are sene & found oftentimes in y^e armes of diuers excellent & noble persons,Tractes, or Traces. Tractes, simple, or plaine, & the same otherwhile engrailed on both partes, and enuecked, sometime double traced, & floried, & is then called a double Treasure, or Tressure. As in example.

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He beareth D'or, a Lyon rampant, within a double tressure cuonterflorie, Gules. This is the Cote armoure of the Scottishe kinge.

I finde the said armes other­wise descriued in Latin,Scottish king his Armes. with­out mention made of anye tracte, or Tressour Conterflo­rie: (as in an Epistle whiche a certaine knight named Darius Tibertus, wrote to a Prelate called Iulius Caesar Cantelinus, maie appeare in these woordes.) Tuos Natales Regios non ignorantus ex vtroque Parente. Mater enim ex Banciorum pro­sapia, Regia est, cum qua affinitatem contrahere Aragonius Fer­dinandus non est dedignatus. Cātellinorum verò familiam à Re­ge ipso Albionis Insulae (quam Scotiam vocant) procedere, tum anuales edocent, tum commune etiam insigne declarat. Ruber nempe in auro erectus Leo patenti ore, cauda ad caput reflexa, co­loris Cyanei. The Tressure here omitted in the Latine blazon, I yet finde an other diuersitie of a parte of the Ly­on, from that whiche is borne of the Scottishe.Difference in the taile [...]f a Lyon. For the Caude, or Taile of this Prelate his Lyon, is coloris Cyanei, of a bright blewe colour. This I thoughte good not to o­mitte, for the rarenesse of the diuersitie. Also because this Lyon here descriued, is a beaste of moste honour, and also is called kinge of beastes. Leo autem Grecè, Latinè Rex inter­pretatur: eò quòd sit Princeps omnium bestiarum.

Lyon.I meane somwhat to treat of him, & his excellencie far passinge other beastes. I reade, that at his voice all other beastes dreade, and stinte sodainely. And in his Regalitie he maketh a circle about them with his tayle, so that al the beastes stande in greate feare to passe out ouer the line of his circle. And thus they stande astonied, and afraid, as it were, abidinge the Heste, and commaundemente of their [Page 42] kinge. Plinie saith, that the Lyon is in moste gentlenesse and Nobilitie, when his necke and shoulders be healed with heare and mayne. This his Nobilitie, especially is espied when he rampeth. And the Lyons that be shorte, with crispe heare or mayne,Etymo. Lib. 12 ca. 2. Imbelles sunt: as Isidore saith. And suche Lyons fighte not.

Nowe I will declare howe many, and sundrie wayes they are borne in armes, as Passante, Rampant, Saliant, Seiante, Couchante, Darmante, &c. And also of sundrie fourmes and fashions,Diuersitie of bearing Lyōs as Gardante, Regardante, Dors an Dors. i. Backe to backe, or endorsed, Combattante, Dimidiated, Parted, Couped, Dismembred, Uulned, Bi­capited, Bicorporated, Tricorporated, Umbrated, or Sha­dowed. Their tayles forked, nowed, resignante, reuer­berante, descendante, percussed, and contercoloured. In all these fourmes, or likenesses they are descriued, and pictured: as also otherwise ensigned or marked, then here is remembred. Wherefore I will presently write more, bothe of his bearinge diuersly, and of his sundrie natures and properties.

1. Beareth Sable,Segraue. a Lyon rampante d'Argent, crow­ned, by the name of Segraue.

2. Beareth Uert,Lyon Salian [...]e a Lyon Saliante d'Or. The diffe­rence, betwene these Lyons, the one Rampante, and the [Page] other Saliante, is plainely in the saide Escocheons figu­red, accordinge to M. G. Leigh his description, in the Ac­cidence of Armorie.

The Lyon when he pursueth man, or beaste, vseth to leape, and so he dothe not when he voideth, or fleeth. If a man shoote at him, the Lyon chasteth him, and throweth him downe, but neither woundeth him, ne hurteth him.

Isidore saithe, that there is one kinde of Lyon, whiche hathe ragged heare and mayne. And suche a Lyon is sharpe,Isidor. Lib. 12 Cap. 2. and fierce of harte. Animos eorum frons & cauda in­dicat. Virtus eorum in pectore, firmitas in capite. Thus it ap­peareth, that theire courage, vertue, and stedfastnesse is knowne by their heades, breastes, and tayles.

The fielde is Gules, a Ly­on Rampante, his Quene for­ked, d'Ermyne. This is bor­ne (as I late sawe it in a Ma­nour, called Chamber house in Berk) by the name of Stokes.Stokes his Cote. Here the Lyon his tayle is forked. For by y^e taile his boldenesse, and harte is knowne, as the horse is kno­wen by the eares. For when the Lyon is wrothe, first he beateth the earthe with hys tayle, and afterwarde as the wrathe encreaseth, he smi­teth, and beateth his owne backe.

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K. Beareth Or,Lyon Seiante a Lyon Sei­ante Sable, within an Orle d'Ogresses. Here he is figu­red sittinge. In perill the Ly­on is moste gentle and noble. For when he is pursued with houndes, and with hunters, he then desireth not to lurke, nor hideth him self, but sitteth in the fieldes, where he maye be seene, and araieth him selfe to defence.

L. Beareth Sable, a Lyon Couchante,Lyō Couchāt. & three Lyams in chefe d'argēt. Solinus saith, that y^e Lyon dreadeth, whē he seeth or heareth a whelpe beatē: and by none other meanes, waies or dealinges, he is chastized, corrected, or made to couche. Circa hominem Leonum natura est benigna, vt nisi laesi, nequeant irasci. Isidor. Ety. Li. 12. Capite 2. de Bestijs.

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M. Beareth Uertte, a Lyon Dormant,Lyon Dormāt betwene sixe whe­les d'Or. 3.2. and 1.

Isidore saithe, that the Lyons eies are as though he were a­wake, when he sleapeth. Cum a [...]rmierint, vigilant oculi. They dreade noyse, and russhing of wheles, but fire muche more. Rotarum timēt strepitus, sed ignes magis. Modicè dormiunt. Haec ille.

Lyon Ran­pant vulned.N. Beareth Gules, a Lyon Rampant, d'Or, vulned with a darte d'Argent. This Lyon is wounded, and when he is so, he takethe woonderfully heede, and knoweth him that firste smote him, and reysethe on the smiter, though he be in neuer so greate a multitude. Vulneratus, percussorem obseruat acutissimè, & in quantalibet appetit multitudine. Isidorus.

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O. Beareth Azure,Lyon Passant a Lyon Passante, d'Argente. This Lyon is in the plaine field, ac­cordinge to the highenesse of of his stomake: which is such, that if he happen to come into any Woode, or Couerte, he ronneth out of the same with swifte course, accoumptinge it vile shame, to lurke, or hide him selfe.

P. Beareth Ermine, a Lyon Passante,Lyon Passant [...] Gules, armed, & langued d'Azure. This Lyon is nowe goinge to showe him selfe in his Regalitie, keeping as it were, a moderate pase in vieweing of his vassalles that be vnder his obeisance. And in this his kinde, he showeth as it were, his mercie towar­des them, in sufferinge them to liue vnder his gouernment quietly.Ety. Isidrr. Lib. 12. cap. 2. Isidore saith, that their nature is also benigne, or gentle towardes mankinde. Vt nisi laesi, nequeant irasci. Their mercie is known by ma­ny, and ofte examples. Prostratis enim parcunt. Captiuos obuios repatriare permittunt. They neuer slea a man, but in greate hunger.Drewe. The saide Cote armoure is borne by the name of Drewe.

[Page] Passant, Gradante.

Q. Beareth Sable, a Lyon Passante, Gardante, be­twene three keies d'Or. This Lyon here noted, is as it were consideringe his estate, beinge fourmed in his kindenesse. For he is a right kinde beast, and knoweth, and loueth hym that dothe him good. The Ly­on (wherof Appian the Grammarian dothe speake) is also straunge for his kindenesse,Plinius Li. 8. cap. 12. & almost incredible. A seruant that had ronne awaye from his Maister, and hidde him selfe for feare in a Caue with­in a greate Woode, tooke a thorne out of a Lyons foote, whiche then came to him for succoure, as he laye there. Nowe, when he had donne, the Lyon to requite his good turne, broughte suche meate to the Caue, as he coulde kill in the woode. The whiche meate the seruaunte rostinge in the Sunne, beinge in the moste hote Countrie of all A­frica, did eate from time to time.

At lengthe yet beinge wearie of suche a lothesome life, he lefte the Caue, and came abroade, by meanes whereof he was taken againe. And beinge a slaue to his Maister, (who had power of life and deathe ouer him) he was con­demned to be caste to the wilde beastes at Rome, there to be deuoured of a Lyon.

The poore caitife stoode pitiefully in the sight of thou­sandes, euer lookinge when he shoulde be deuoured. It happened at the same time, when this felowe was thus adiudged to die, that the same Lyon was taken, whose foote he healed in the woode. When the Lyon was put to him, he came firste very terribly towardes this felowe, and immediately knowinge what he was, stoode stil, and at lengthe fawned gently vpon him. The felowe, at first being amazed, began to take harte vnto him afterwardes, [Page 45] as halfe knowing him likewise, and thus they began both to take acquaintaunce the one of the other,Thākefulnes of a Lyon. and plaide to­gether a good space without all danger. Whereupon the people beinge amazed, muche woondered at the straunge­nesse of this thinge. And standinge thus astonyed, they sente to knowe of the slaue, what this matter shoulde meane.Vidd Aul. Gel. Noc. Atti. Lib. 5. Cap. 14. Unto whom this poore wretche opened the whole thinge altogether, euen as it happened. When the peo­ple hearde this, they not onely reioyced much at the sight thereof, but also they made earnest requeste to his maister for his life. His maister marueilinge as muche as any of them at suche an vnwoonted kindenesse: gaue him, not onely his life, but also his freedome.

And nowe, to the ende he might haue somewhat where­upon to liue, the people gaue him a Fee for terme of his lyfe. The felowe by and by gotte him a Lyne, and a Coller, and carried the Lyon vp and downe the Cittie, in suche sorte, as Huntesmen carry a Greyhound, or a Spa­niell, the people stil woondringe,Leo hospes ho­minis: homo medicus Leo­nis. and sayinge euer as he came by: Behold a man that hathe cured a Lyon: behold a Lyon that hathe saued a man.

Hereby the thankefulnesse of the Lyon is to be noted, and the example to be marked of all suche, as woulde ac­coumpte them selues, either more naturall, or kinde, then the Lyon. And let vs not doo that, whiche brute beastes haue not seemed to doo, but learne to be kinde one to an o­ther, and thankefull.

Of the properties, or nature of the Lyon, I neede write no more, but I will you to reade Aristotle, Plinie, Isidore, Solinus, and Bartho. De proprietatibus rerum. And there you shall finde a large fielde of them.

And who so desireth to knowe the difference betwene Lyons Gardante, and Regardante, &c. then let him per­use M. G. Leighe his Accidence of Armorie, and there he shalbe resolued in the most of them. Yet hereafter shalbe descriued the sundrie bearinge of diuerse Lyons in seue­rall [Page] fieldes, and amongest other tokens of Armes.

The fielde is Sable, twoo Cranes Addorsez proper. In Chiefe, a Cressante d'Er­myne.

I reade, that there be cer­taine people betweene Indie, and Cathaye,Pigmei. Cubite. called Pigmei, of stature but one Cubite longe, whiche contayneth one foote and an halfe. And Plini saith, that they bee armed in yron, & fight with Cranes, & do ride on goate buckes, and haue arrowes, and dartes, to shoote and caste at Cranes, that pursue them. In the springe time they gather an Hoste, and comme to the Sea, and destroye bothe theire egges, and byrdes, with all theire mighte, and strength. They make many suche voyages, whiche if they lefte vndone, Cranes would so much there encrease, and be so many, that the Pigmei coulde not with­stande them. And somme write, that they arraye them so with feathers, as thoughe they hadde wynges. And of their battaile with Cranes, and of their stature, I finde it thus written:Vide Plin. li. 7. Cap. 2. Pigmei homuntiones sunt paruuli in India, vni­us tantum cubiti statura, vel etiam breuiores, qui cum gruibus auibus assiduè certant, ab eis (que) vincuntur saepissimè. Isidore (be­cause of their smal stature) calleth them, Nani, Dwarfes. And the Grecians call them Pigmeos: Isidor. Ety. li. 11. Cap. 3. Eò quòd sint statura cubitales..But who so euer will reade a proper Embleme of them, see Alciate Lib. 1. Emblem. 20.

Of the nature of the Crane, yee maie reade hereafter, in this Booke, where specially I entreate thereof.

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The field of Cupid, that God of loue, is Sable, a Pomegra­nade proper. Alciate thus de­scribeth Loue, and hys En­signe, in these woordes:Cupid his Ensigne. Amor est iucundus labor in lasciuo otio, cuius Signum est Punicum mal­lum in Clypeo nigro. The inter­pretation hereof, (the Authour nexte before mentioned) lea­uethe to euery one, after hys iudgemente, or to iudge of the saide description of Loue, or his Ensigne, as they please. But if yee will haue Loue, or Cupide excellently sette foorthe, euen in his colours, as he is fayned of the Poetes, then reade the saide Alciate his Emblemes, Lib. 1. Commemtar .XCVII. in statuam Amoris, and M. G. Chaucer, especially his booke entituled, The Romante of the Rose.

The field is Gules, a Mer­maid, or Syren proper,Syrenes, or Mermaidens playing on a Harpe, d'Or. The Mer­maide is a sea beast, woonder­fully shapen. Isidore saith, Li. 11. ca. 3. where he treateth De Por­tentis,, that there be three Sy­renes, somedeale Maidens, and somedeale foules, with wingꝭ & clees. One of them singeth with voice, an other w^t sham­ble, and the third with Harpe. Thei please shipmen so great­ly with their songe, that they drawe them to peril, and to shipwracke. The cause why they haue winges & clees, Quia Amor & volat, & vulnerat. Secundum verttatem autem meretrices fuerūt, quae transeuntes, quoniā ad aegestatē deduce­hant, [Page] his fictae sunt inferre naufragia. In fluctibus commorasse dicuntur, quia fluctus Venerem creauerunt,

Phisiologus speaketh of Syrena, & saith, it is a beaste of the sea, in shape wonderfull, as a maide from the Nauell vp­ward, and a fish from y^e nauel downewarde. This beaste is glad, & mery in tempest, & heauy & sad in faire weather. Shee causeth shipmen to sleape with the swetenesse of her songe: and when she perceiueth them to be on sleape, shee entreth the shippe, and so vseth one of them, whom shee best liketh, as here is not to be spoken, or beleued.

Sphinx.

S. beareth Sable, a Sphinx, d'argent, crined, & pēned d'or. Diodo. Sicul. saith, that this was a monster which did propound a certaine Probleme to them y^t passed by her to y^e city of Thebes: & by her they were out of hand destroyed, onles they could ex­pound y^e same Probleme, whi­che at laste, Oedipus filius Regis Thebanorū (passing by y^e moun­taine, where the saide monster was) did expound. And there­fore (as the said Diodore reporteth) Semet ex monte praecipeta­uit: Shee caste her selfe headlonge downe the hill, where shee did alwaies abide to stop y^e passage to those that went to the said Citie. The which Probleme I haue takē forth, as it metrized by Iohn Lydgate, in his woorke whiche he wrote of y^e destruction of Thebes that City: In haec verba.

[Page 48]The description of this Monster is more aptly declared in Latin by Alciate, Embl. 46.

Although this be a Monster horrible, yet Augustus Cae­sar, at the firste entrie into his Empire, vsed the same for his singular, or most secret Ensigne: as ye maie reade in y^e booke entituled, Heroica M. Claudij Paradini. Fol. 21.

The fielde is Uerte,Apes called Circopetici. twoo Apes Circopetikes combattante, with tayles reflexed, Golde. Isidore saith, that there ben fiue kindes of Apes. Of the which the Sphing before mentioned is one. And these here next de­scribed, are others, and are cal­led Circopetici, which are a kind of Apes hauinge tayles.

The third kinde of Simies, or Apes,Ape Cenophe are called Cenocephali, whiche are in all proportions of the bodye, like to the common sorte of Apes: but in the face moste like vnto an hounde. Vnde & nuucupati.

The Apes,Ape Satyre. called Satyri, are pleasante in face, and of a merye countenaunce, and often mouinge, and playinge. And these be the fourth kinde of Apes.

The fifte kinde of Apes are called Callitrices. These in the face haue a longe bearde,Ape Calli­trice. and a broade tayle. Apes are wise, or skilfull of the Elementes. They are merye, and reioice at the newe of the Moone, but at the full, and wa­ning, they are triste, and sadde. Their yonge ones, whom they loue beste,Foetus suos impatienter diligit Simi­us. they carrie before them, and are so impa­tiently in loue with them, that with muche embracinge, they doo often styfle, and kill the same, as Plinie saithe.

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The field is Sable, two Herōsewes d'Argēt. And to this Crest vpō y^e helme on a wreath d'or,Satyre. & Azure, a Satyr pro­per, manteled Gules, dobled d'argent. These Satyres (as Isidore saith) ben somwhat like men, hauing croked noses, & hornes in y^e foreheade, & feet like vnto goates feete. Such an one sawe S. Anthonie in the wildernes. Qui interrogatus à Dei seruo, respondisse, fertur, dicens: Mortalis ego sum vnus ex accolis Heremi, quos vario deluso errore, gētilitas Faunos, Saty­ros (que) colit. This Satyre is also called Faunus, aliàs Pan, Deus Rusticorum, et Pastorum à Poëtis fingitur.

[Page 49]Hee deliteth to bee in woodes,Leonic. lib. [...]. ca. 24. de var. Histor. and on hyghe hylles. Hee was worshipped as a God of the husbandmen, and herde kepers in Arcadie, whiche countrey is full of hylles, and aboundante of flockes of shepe. Leonicus sayeth, that Fauni, bee the same, whiche are called Satyri, and Syluani, and are monstres in Ethiope, of the shape of man, yet hauing hor­nes, berdes, and feete like to goates, beyng also very swift and lecherous. Of thys, and manye others, that haue the shape of men and of beastes, ye maye reade in Plynie, Soli­nus, Paschasius, Isidore, &c. yet of some of them more hereaf­ter shalbe spoken in theire places.

R. Beareth Azure,Minotaure. a Mino­taure, d'Argente, on a bend­let sinistre sable, these lettres S.P.Q.R. d'Or. This is also an horrible monstre, hauyng parte of the shape of man, & parte of a Bull: whereof hee is cal­led Minotau [...]us: whiche mon­stre, how hee was conceaued and begotten, and of the Labyrynthe, or of th'obscure and in­extricable buyldinge, whiche Minos kynge of Crete, caused Dedalus, that cunnyng workeman to make, wherein the sayde Monstre was hydde, ye maye at full reade and vn­derstande of them, in Ouide. lib. 2. de Arte amandi▪ Idem lib. 8. Metamor. Virgil. lib. 6. Aeneid. Thys picture of the Mino­taure, the Romaynes of olde tyme, did beare in theire aun­cientes of warre: as maye appeare by y^e fower lettres trās­uersed on the bende moste manifeste: Senatus Populus Que Romanus, declaringe hereby, that the same Minotaure, was the noble token or ensigne of the Senate & people of Ro­me: as is affirmed by Cicero, & many other learned wri­ters. And what is signified by the bearing thereof, loke Al­ciate, lib. 1. Embl. 8.

[Page] Centaure.The Centaure is an other mōstre, and taketh hys name (as Isidore sayeth) for that hee is of a mixte kynde, the one halfe of man, the other halfe like an horsse. These were supposed to bee horssemen of the countrie of Thessalia, which pricked vp and down of horsses, and therefore some of them semed that Horsse and man were one bodye: Inde Centauros fictos asseruerunt.

B. Beareth Argente, an Hien saliant Sable, and one Escaloppe sinistre d'Azure.

Hyen.Thys is a cruell beaste, in quātitie like vnto the wolfe: & he is called Hyena of Hyando, for y^t hee reyseth to hys praye with open mouth and voyce, and in hys necke is heare, as in the necke of an horsse, and vpon al the length of hys rid­ge also. Hee commeth to houses by nyghte, and feyne [...]h speache of mankynde, and cal­leth some man by hys name, and when he hath hym with­out the dores, he deuoureth hym: Likewyse, doth he houndes, as gladly as men, by suche hys feyned speache. It is wondrefull what Plinye, Aristotle, Solinus, &c. writte of thys Beaste.

C. Beareth Azure, a Barre engraled d'Or, betwene two Tygres passante d'Argent.

Tigre.The Tygre is abeaste won­drefull in strength, and moste swifte in flighte, as it were an arrowe. For the Persians call an arrowe Tigris. Hee is distingued with diuerse speckes: and of hym the floode Tigris toke the name: ꝙ is rapidissimus si [...] [Page 50] omnium fluuiorum. Thys flode is in Armenye, and the Tygre is bredde there also. It is saide, that Bacchus vsed these bea­stes in hys chariot, for theire meruelous swiftenes in con­ueyng of the same.

D. Beareth Or,Panther. a Panther, regardant, propre in Fesse, betwene three Dolfes verte.

The Panther, is frende to all Beastes, saue the Dragon, for hym hee hateth full sore. This beaste hath on his skinne litle rounde spottes, some blacke, and some white: and all fower foted beastes haue likynge to beholde his colours: And ther­fore, where hee is, thither will they resorte, because of y^e swete sauour that commeth from hym, which the Dragon onely can not abyde. And though the Panthere bee a ryghte cruell beaste, yet hee ys not vn­kynde, to them that helpe or succourre hym: as Plinye put­teth an example of one, that delyuered and helped vp a Panther hys whelpes, that were fallen into a ditche, & the Panther lad hym out of the wildernes with glad semblāce, and fawned on hym, and as it semed in a maner thancked hym ryght hartely.

The Parde,Parde. nexte to the Panther, (as Isidore sayeth) is the moste swifte Beaste, & preceps ad sanguinem. Saltu enim ad mortem ruit. Hee hath diuerse rounde speckes in hys skinne, as the Panther. And varieth not from hym in colour, but onely that the Panther, (as Plinie witnesseth) is more full of white speckes.

The Leoparde also is a Beaste most cruell,Leoparde. and is gen­dred in spouse breache of a Parde, and a Lyonesse, & ter­tiam originem efficit, vt dicit Isidorus. Plinye, in hys natu­rall hystorie, sayeth: that the Lyon gendreth with the Parde, [Page] or the Parde with the Lyonesse, & ex vtroque coitu dege­neres partus creari: & of suche gendring commeth vnkinde pardes, as of an horsse, and of a she Asse, or of mare, and a male Asse, is gendred a Mule The Leoparde hath diuerse coloures, as the Parde hath: and pursueth hys praye ster­telynge and leaping, and not runnyng. But yf hee take not hys praye in the thirde leape, or in the fowerth: then hee stinteth for indignacion, and goeth backewarde, as though he were ouercome, and is lyke to a Lyon in bodie, tayle, and fete: but in the shape of the heade hee is like to the Parde. Hee is muche lesse in bodye then the Lyon, and therefore hee dreadeth the Lyon.

G. Beareth Sable, an U­nicorne trippynge d'Argent,Vnicorne. in chyefe a maydens heade, crowned verte.

Thys Beaste of the Grekes is called Monoceron: id est Vni­cornis: for that hee hath in the myddle of hys foreheade an Horne of fower fote longe: & that horne is so sharpe, and so strong, that he throweth dow­ne or thirleth all that he rey­seth on. He fighteth ofte with th'Elephante, and woundeth hym in the wombe, and so throweth hym downe to the grounde. Also hys strength is such, that hee is not taken with anye power or myghte of hunters, sed sicut asserunt qui naturas animalium scripserunt, A Mayde is set there as hee shall come, who openeth her lappe, and the Vnicorne leauing all hys fiercenes, layeth thereon hys heade, and then falleth on slepe, and so is takē or slayne with dartes of hunters, asthoughe nature had geuen hym no armoure, to defende hym withall.

H. Beareth Sable and Gules, parted with a Cheuron betwene three heddes Rhinocerontez coped d'Argent.

[Page 51]This Beaste of the Grekes is called Rhynoceron, Rhynoceron. for that hee hath an horne in hys nosethrille: and differeth but in that one parte from the Vnicorne. Hornes. Hornes bee geeuen to beastes by nature, to defende them with, in steade of ar­moure and weapon, and bene therfore sett in the ouermost parte of the heade, that they maye alwayes bee readye, to withstande theire enemies, and to defende the wrongs of­fered vnto them: But to these two beastes next before des­criued, nature hath otherwise placed theire hornes, might, and power, as in the middest of their foreheade, and nose­thrylles.

I. Beareth Azure,Elephante. an Ele­phante d'Argente, portant a turret d'Or. Thys Beaste passeth all other fower foted Beastes in quantitie of bodie. Porus kynge of the Indians, lying in cāpe, on the further side of the Ryuer of Hidaspis, had 85. Elephantes of huge bo­die and strength, to let the pas­sage of the greate Alexander, with hys armye, as in the hy­storie of Q. Curtius is declared.Q. Curt. li. [...]. These Beastes therefore, whan they bee tamed are best in chiualrie, for they with­out all feare ouerthrowe men of armes, bee they neuer so strongely ranged in battayle, yet they flee a mouse, & drea­de the leaste grunte of a swyne. Also when the Elephantes of the sayde kyng Porus, were by the souldious of the great Alexāder,Copidae. with a certaine kinde of weapons called Copidae, sore wounded, and put in great feare, then weare they more hurtefull to theire owne gouernoures, castyng them downe to the earth, and tearing them in pieces, then terri­ble or fearefull to theire enemies, runnyng out of the bat­tayle like shepe. But their vnwonted crie, bringeth a great [Page] terroure to their enemies, and especially to horsse, that na­turally doe feare them. Plinye sayeth, that among beastes, the Elephante is moste of vertue: so that vneth among men is so great redynes founde, they learne so well, and are so easie to bee taughte. In so moche, that they bee taughte to knowe the kynge, and to worshippe hym, yea, to doe vnto hym reuerēce,Elephante his witte & puis saunce. with bowing of their knees. The Elephante which kyng Porus (before named) did ride vpō, was taught to bende towarde the Earthe, as it were submitting hym­selfe: whiche when other of the Elephantes sawe, they li­kewise bowed downe theire bodies. Thys Elephante also, seynge the bodie of hys ruler and kyng vpon the groūde, readie to bee spoyled, and hys harnesse and vesture aboute to bee pulled of, Hee than began to defende hys master, runnyng vpō his spoylers, and wente about, to lyfte hym agayne vpon hys backe. For (as the sayde Q. Curtius re­porteth in hys hystorye, whiche hee writte of the actes of the great Alexander). The Elephantes of kynge Porus in the conflict betwixte hym and the same great Alexander, were sene with theire longe Tronckes,Tronckes. (whiche they call Probo­stides) to take men in theire armoure from the grounde,Probostides. & to deliuer them vp to theire gouernours: and whome they coulde not holde, those they trampled to death with theire fete. These beastes are slowe, & not apte sodeinly to moue, Aiunt Plutoni sacrum hoc animal esse.

Upon these beastes the Persians and Medes vsed to fighte in towers of tree, and out thereof threwe and caste dartes, as it were out of towers or castles. And as it is redde of y^t Elephante, hee is more easie to bee tamed, and more obediēt to man, than any other wilde beaste.

Elephante.The Elephant his nose is longe and greate, and harde as an horne: and hee vseth hys nose, in steade of an hande, ta­kyng thereby meate and drincke, and putteth it in hys mouth: & est angui similis, vallo munitus eburneo.

The Elephante whan hee sitteth bendeth hys feete, & maye not bende all fower at once, for heuynes and weighte of [Page 52] hys bodye: but bendeth the hynder legges right as a man. He lyeth neuer downe to sleape, hy reason of the hugenes of hys bodye: wherfore when hee is wearie, he leaneth to a tree, and so resteth hym some what. Hee lyueth three hundreth yeare as Isidore sayeth. Also it is writtē of them, that yf they see a man comming agaynste them in the wil­dernes, yf hee bee oute of hys waye, for that they woulde not affraye hym, they will drawe themselfes some what oute of the waye, and so passing softely by little and lyttle before hym, they (as it were) teache hym the waye. And yf the Dragon (betwene whom and hym, is perpetuall wrath and stryfe) come agaynst the man, then they defende hym, and fighte with the Dragon. Thys they doe especially whan they haue yonge foles, for they dreade the man seeketh theire foles: And therefore they firste deliuer them of the man, that they maye the more surely kepe and fede theire yonge ones. Apud solam Africam & Indiam Elephanti prius nascebantur: nunc sola eos India gignit.

He beareth verte,Griffon. a Griffō sergreāt siluer; winged d'Or.

ij. Beareth Argente a fesse, betwene three Gryphons heades rassed sable. Thys coate appertaineth to Hals of Kenedon̄ in Deuonshire.

The Griffon is a beaste with wynges, and is fower fo­ted, [Page] and also like vnto the Lyon in all partes of the bodie, and to the Egle onely in the heade and wynges. Hee is strong enemye to the horsse, and is of suche might as he is able to take vpp an horsse and a man armed vpon hym. Hys Clees or talentes are so great and large, that of them bee made Cuppes, to set vppon bordes or tables of kynges and prynces. Hoc genus ferarum in Hiperboreis montibus nasci­tur: In these mounteynes, is plentye of Golde & precious stones, as Smaragdus, Iaspis, & Christal, which the Gryffons kepe, and suffer them not to be taken from thence, as dy­uerse writers affirme the same. And of an other maner bearyng thys beaste, take here an other example.

The fielde is d'Or, a Gryffon sergreant Sable, on a mountayne verte. Here hee is displayde in hys proprietie and dominion.

O. beareth Argente, a Ca­meleon, propre,Cameleon. betwene fiue Pheons Sable .ij.ij. and one.

Thys is a lyttle beaste, and hathe not one coloure of hys bodye, but changeth ful soone and often into dyuerse coloures, excepte redde and whyte, hys face is, as it were a beaste compouned of a swyne and of an Ape, beyng like to y^e Ewte in the bodye. Hys sydes bee euen longe to the nether parte of hys wombe, as it were a fishe: and hys ridge bones boūche vpward, hys tayle is full longe, & smal at th'ende, hys feete bene shorte, & hath clees, like to y^e clees of a Birde, & all his body is roughe & sharpe, as the bodie of a Bardan. Hys most might and strengthe ys agaynste the kynde of Gossehawkes: for hee draweth vnto them, and they flee vnto hym, and so hee taketh them wilfully to other beastes to be deuoured. But what beaste soeuer it bee, he is accompted among cleane beastes.

[Page 53]He liueth by the ayre: Semper hyans, & aperto ore, quo solo viuit, & nutritur, attrahens, & respirans. Oculos habet semper corpori concolores, eos nunquam claudit, nec pupillam mouet.

P. beareth Or,Cameleopard a Cameleo­parde, Sable, Maculé dargent. This beaste is so named, for that he is poudered with white spottes, as the Parde, hauing an heade like to the Camell, the necke of an horse, & feete like a Bugle: Hunc Aethiopia gignit. This beaste (as Plinie saithe) is more worth in sight, then in fiercenesse, and is so mylde, and softe, as a sheepe. He was iudged cleane to meate by Moyses Lawe, but not to sacrifice,Deutero. 14. for he is cloue footed like a Bugle, and chew­eth his cudde, as a Camell, and therefore it was lawful to eate thereof.

Q. beareth d'Argent,Linx. a Linx proper, regardant. This beast is like the Wolfe, and hath the face of a Lyon, the bodye spot­ted like a Panther, and is of the greatenesse of a Doe. His Urine (as it is saide) turnethe into a Pretious stone, that is called Ligurius. And this beast dothe perceiue the same, and naturally hathe enuie, that it should turne to the vse of man kinde: and therfore he hideth it with sande or earth, when he hathe pissed, whiche causeth it to be sooner harde, and to turne into a stone. Linces (dicit Plinius) extra foetum vnum non admittere secundum.

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R. beareth Uerte, a Fiber, Argent. This beaste, Animal est amphibion, because he can liue bothe on the lande, and in the water,Fiber. and maketh houses or dennes, arraied with won­derfull crafte, in the brinckes of Riuers, and waters, as Pli­nie saithe. He is also named Castor, à castrando. For he gel­deth him selfe, when he percei­ueth that he is pursued of the hunter, and bitinge of his stones, which are marueilously good in medicines, layeth them in the sighte of the hun­ter, knowinge by nature, that he is hunted for the same, and so he escapeth deathe. The whiche Cicero in Scauriana affirmeth: sayinge, that he ransometh him with that parte of his body, for the whiche he is moste pursued. Iuuenall also saithe, that he geldeth him selfe, for the desire he hath to escape. This beast in shape is wonderfull, for his tayle onely is fishe, and all the other deale of his body hathe the fourme of a litle hounde. His hynder feete be as it were feete of an hounde, wherewith especially he goeth on the lande: and his twoo forefeete bene as it were the feete of a Goose, and therewith he chiefely swimmeth in the wa­ter. In runninge he is very slowe, Ob ventrem tumidum, & ad terram pendentem. His skinne is full pretious, and properly white.

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He beareth d'Argente, fiue Fusilles in Fesse Gules, in Chiefe three Beares heades, Sable. The Beare (as Isidore saithe) is a beaste right strong in the armes,Beare. and loynes. Vn­de interdum erecti insistunt. The Beare fighteth with Hartes, wilde Bores, and with houn­des, throwing them downe to the grounde, and byting them very soare. He is enimie to y^e Bull, and therefore goeth vp­righte against him, and oft holdeth his hornes with mar­ueilous strength in his forefete, and so ouercommeth him. He is an vnpatiente beaste in his fighte, and wil be auen­ged on all those, that hurte him. Vrsus fertur dictus, quod o­re suo formet foetus, quasi Orsus. Nam aiunt, eos informes gene­rare partus, & carnem quandam nasci, quam mater lambendo in membra componit. Vnde est illud: Sic format lingua foetum quum protulit vrsa. Sed hoc immaturitas partus facit.

The field is Azure, a wolfe Saliante, d'Argent, langued Gules. Aristotle saith, that the Wolfe openethe his mouthe moste wyde,Wolfe. and that he hathe moste strength in his mouth. And Phisiologus saithe, that the vertue, & strength of y^e Wolfe is in the breast, the clawes, & y^e mouth, and leaste in the hyn­der parts. By kind he desireth to eate fishe. Some saie, they are called Lupos, quasi Leopos, because they haue much strength in their feete, as y^e Lyon, [Page] that what so euer he treadeth on, it liueth not. And if it happeneth in any wise, that in treadinge vpon stones, he maketh any noyse with his feete, then he forthewith cha­stiseth that foote with harde bytinge. His eyes shine by nighte, as Lanternes. Rapax autem bestia est, cruoris appe­tens. De quo rustici aiunt, Vocem hominem perdere, si eum prior Lupus viderit. Vnde & subitò tacenti dicitur: Lupus est in fa­bula. Certe si se praeuisum senserit, deponit feritatis audaciam. Famem diu portant, & post longa ieiunia multum deuorant.

Phisiologus writethe, that the Wolfe cannot bende his necke backewarde in no moneth of the yeare, but in Maye onely, when it thundreth. Solinus saithe, that in his tayle he beareth a locke of heare, whiche exciteth loue: and dothe it awaie with his teethe, when he dreadeth to be taken.

Wolfe Ethi­ope. Isidore saith, that in Aethiopia bene Wolfes with heary maynes in their necke, and on their bodie so spotted with variable colours, that they lacke no manner of colour.

Wolfe Indie. Aristotle saithe, that in Indie is a Wolfe righte cruell, that hathe the face, or countenaunce of a man, feete like vnto the Lyon, and tayle as a Scorpion. His voice much soundeth as it were a mannes voice. He is as swifte as an Harte, and also full hardie, and fierce.

He beareth Gules, a Cheu­ron engrailed, betwene three houndes Seiante,Houndegate. d'Argente. An Hounde, as some iudge, is thoughte to take his name of lowde barkinge, or openinge: Eò quòd insonet: Vnde & canere. Nihil autem sagacius canibus. Isidore saith, that he hath more witte, then any other beaste. For they knowe theire owne names, loue theire maisters, defend their maisters houses, put them selues wilfully in perill of deathe for their maisters: takinge also prayes for [Page 55] them, yea, forsake not their maisters, euen when they be deade: as by the dogge, or hounde of the Romaine Fuluius appeared, whiche is woonderfull. This Fuluius trauei­ling by the way, was slaine with slaues, that laie in waite for him. His hounde (for so I thinke beste to terme him) seeinge his maister deade, laie by him two daies. Wher­upon, when the man was missinge, and searche made for him, they founde him deade, with his hounde lyinge by him. Some marueilinge to see the hounde lye there by his dead maister, stroke him, and would haue driuen him from the deade corps, and coulde not. Other some seing suche kindenesse in the hounde, and pityinge him, that he shoulde lye there without meate, twoo, or three dayes be­fore, caste him a piece of fleashe: which the hounde taking vp, did carrie the same, puttinge it to his maisters mouth, and woulde eate no whitte thereof him selfe, thoughe hee had forborne meate so longe before. And at laste, when this deade bodye should be caste into the Riuer (according to the manner of the Romaines) the hounde leapte in af­ter, and holdinge vp his maister so longe as he coulde, did chose rather to die with him, then to liue without hym. For certainely houndes loue the companie of men moste entierely, and maie not be without men (as Isidore saithe.)

The Hounde is a beaste full ingenious, and hath mind of diffuse, and longe waies: so that if they loose their mai­sters, they goe by furre space of Lands, and Countries to theire maisters houses againe. If an hound by euil brin­gynge vp, be made to be cruell, yet suche his cruelnesse a­bateth to a meeke man. For Plinie saithe, that amonge beastes, that dwell with vs, houndes, and horses be moste gratious, and louinge. The said Cote appertaineth to M. Hundegate in Yorkeshire.

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Greyhounde.1. The fielde is Saturne, three Greyhoundes cursante, of the Moone, with colours Rubie, studded, and tereted Solis.

This is the aunciente Cote armour of the Mallyuerey of Wodersom in Yorkeshire.Mallyuery.

2. The field is parted per Pale Nebule, Carboncle, and Diamonde, twoo Greyhoundes Saliante Regardante of the Perle. The Greyhounde is righte cruell, & fierce in pursuinge, and takinge of wilde beastes, and is full milde, and gentle to men, and to tame beastes. His Nobi­litie, and gentlenesse is knowne by the length of his face, and snowte, as also by the breadthe of his cheaste, & smal­nesse of the wombe, and slanke. He is beste to be liked, when he hathe longe eares and plyante, longe legges and small, for they be needefull to cause him to be the more swifte in course and runninge. His tayle is more longe and crooked, then the tayles of other houndes: and hathe lesse fleshe, and shorter heare, and more thinne & smothe. For if he be too roughe, or hearye, he shoulde then be too hote in his game. And if he be flesshie, he then wil runne the woorse.

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The field is parted per fesse embattyled, Topaze, & Eme­raude, two Lyciskes Passant conterchaunged of the fielde. Lyciskes are called (as Plinie saithe) dogges,Lycisk [...] gendered of wolfes, and of such gendering commeth cruell dogges, thus called. Also Dogges gender with Tygers, of which engendringe is brought foorth dog­ges so egre, and stronge, Vt complexu Leones prosternant.

Such dogges were presented to the great Alexander by the king of the Sophites in India, who, to shewe their force & propertie, put foure of them vnto a greate Lyon, which straite waies caughte him faste. And when the keeper of the dogges woulde haue taken one of them by the legge to plucke him from the Lyon, he woulde not loose his holde, no not when his legge was cutte of with a sworde: but sticked neuerthelesse vnto his game, and so was cutte asunder in peece meale, till suche time as he died: hauinge yet his teethe still fastened in the Lyons fleshe. Suche a feruentnes nature had wrought in those beastes.

The field is of the Saphire,Musion, or Catte. on a chiefe Pearle, a Musion, or Catte, Gardant, Ermines. This beaste is called a Musi­on, for that he is enimie to Myse, and Rattes. And he is called a Catte of the Greekes, because he is slye, and wittie: & for that he seeth so sharpely, that he ouercommeth darknes of the nighte, by the shyninge lyghte of his eyne. In shape of [Page] body he is like vnto a Leoparde, and hathe a great mouth. He dothe delighte that he enioyeth his libertie: and in his youthe he is swifte, plyante, and merye. He maketh a ru­full noyse,Catte. and a gastefull, when one profereth to fighte with an other. He is a cruell beaste, when he is wilde, and falleth on his owne feete from moste highe places: and vneth is hurte therewith. When he hathe a fayre skinne, (he is, as it were, prowde thereof) and then he goeth faste aboute to be seene. This beaste in Latin is called Felis. Priscis Alanis, Method. & Burgundionibus, necnon Su [...]uis (teste Metho­dio) mos fuit signis militaribus praeferre Felem animal carceris impatientissimum. Quo Symbolo, arbitrij ac libertatis appeten­tiam suam insimulabant.

Pygarge.

The fielde is Veneris, a Py­gage of the Sunne. This is an horned beaste, like a Goate bucke, but yet greater, & lesse then the Harte. He is a wilde beaste, clouefooted, & of great swiftenesse. He is a cleane beaste to meate, and abideth in Woodes, and Desertes.

The fielde is of y^e Diamond a Bonaze Perle,Bonaze. Unguled to­paze. Bonasius is a Beaste in fourme like a Bull, but broa­der, and shorter: and hathe a mayne like an horse downe to the shoulders, but the heare is softer, and commeth downe to his eies. The heare of his bo­dye is like a bright sorrel, his mayne is darker colored. The [Page 57]

fleshe of hym is pleasaunte in eatynge, and therefore hee is muche hunted.

The fielde is Mercury, an Equicerue,Equicerue. of the Moone. Equiceruus, is a beaste in the Orient hauynge hornes, and alōg maine to the shoulders, & a berde vndre hys chynne: & fete rounde like an horsse, & is as greate as an harte.

The fielde is of the Topaze, a Tarādre tripping,Tarandre. Rubye, vnguled Diamonde. Taran­drus, is a beaste in bodye like a great Oxe, hauing an head like to an harte, and hornes full of branches. Of some hee is taken to bee a rayne deare.

A Buffe in Latyne is called Tarandulus [...], Buffe. which is a beaste like an Oxe also, but he hath a bearde like a Goate.

C. Beareth Gules,Bull. a Bull passante, d'Or. Bulles of Inde bene yealowe, verie swifte and cruell, and can turne about their neckes, whiche waye they will, in wondrefull maner. They bee rugged of heare, and also so harde in the backe as flynte: so that the shotte of dartes can not hurte them, and therefore are not ouercome: But when any one of them is tyed vnder a figge tree, hee leeseth all hys fier­senes, and becometh sodeinly sobre and mylde.

The Bull sauage is alwayes fierse whan hee is taken, [Page] & therefore destroyeth hymselfe, & dieth for indignation.

D. Bearethe Argente, a Bugle, Sable. The Bugle is called in Latyne Bubalus, Bugle. for that hee is so like to an Oxe, & is a beaste of great strengthe, fierse, and can not well be ta­med: but with an Iron rynge put thorough hys nosethrille, by the which ryng he is ladde about, and therewith compel­led to take gladly the yoke v­pon him. His coloure is black or reade, and hauing hornes, yet he is but thinne heared: & his fleshe is good, not onely to meat, but also to medecine.

E. Beareth Azure, a Gazel, propre. This Beaste in figure is like a Roo, hauynge shorte hornes,Gazell. also lōg teeth & whyt, about nyne ynches of length, stāding out of hys mouth like a Bore. Of thys beaste com­meth Muske. Cammell.

F. Beareth verte, a Cam­mell passante, d'Or. The Ca­mell is full swifte, as Plinye sayeth: and is therfore good in battayle, also in warre, and to beare charge & cariage. Aristotle sayeth, the Camel moueth first the right fote as y^e Lyon doth, cum pes sinister non transit dextrum, sed subsequitur. He is Cloue footed, & hath onely a bonche on his back, & some haue twayne. Camelus proprium inter caeteras quadrupedes habet in dorso, quod tuber appellant: sed ita, vt Bactrianae ab Arabijs differāt. Alteris enim hiua, alteris singula tubera habentur. Hee liueth more than 50. yeares, & equis odio naturali aduersatur. His fleshe is wōdreful swete, and so is the mylke. Cameli feminae. Nonnulli superioris Asia [Page 58] incolae camelos, vel ad tria millia possident.

G. Beareth Sable,Dromede. a Dro­mede passante d'or, gesante a branche of the Date tree pro­pre. Thys is after a maner of the kynde of Camelles, but lesse in stature, yet moche swifter in course & rennynge: and hath therefore that name Dromeda, for swifte rennyng, for he goeth an hundreth mi­les & more of one daye. They be so swifte by reason of their longe pace and large, for they haue moste large pace, and is not ouercharged with moche fleshe or fatnes, yet hee is righte able of membres, hauing legges longe and small, and full of synewes: and is there­fore lyghte to moue, and stronge to continue course and runnynge, and eateth not moche: but is suffised with litle meate, louyng well the Date tree, & the stones of the frute thereof: & is contente with thē, after right long iourneyes.

He beareth Gules, an horsse passante,Horsse. betwen two Lances d'Or. The liuelynes of the Horsse is moche and greate. They be ioyfull in the fieldes, and smell battayles, and with the noyse of Trompettes are comforted thereunto, & suche noyse also exciteth thē to run­ne and to fighte. They bee so­rie whan they are ouercome, and glad whan they haue the victorie. Some also perceaue & knowe theire enemies in battayle, so farfurthe that they areyse, and sett on them, with bityng, and smyting. Some [Page] knowe theire owne Lordes, and forgetteth myldenes, yf they be hurte and ouercome. And other some suffereth no man to ryde on hys backe, but onely hys owne Lorde: as maye bee redde of Bucephalus the Horsse of the great kyng Alexandre,Bucephalus. who woulde not suffre any other man to come on hys backe, but the kyng himselfe, and when hee did but prof [...]re to gett vp vpon hym, the Horsse then would knele downe vppon hys knees to receaue him: so that hee semed to haue sence t'vnderstande whome hee caried. It is also written that Horsses shede teares, and as it were weepe, whan theire masters bee slayne or deade. Solius equi est pro­pter hominem lachrimari & doloris affectum sentire. Solent etiam ex equorum maestitia vel alacritate euentum futurum diminica­turi colligere. Plinye sayeth, that the Scithian horsse figh­teth for hys Lord and master, and knoweth the horsse that will fighte with hym by hys neyng.

Theire chefe office is to trauell, and to beare men in chi­ualrie. Hys mortall enemye is the Beare, and contrarie wyse, the Greyhounde is hys frende.

The fielde is parted per paile, Rubye and Emeraude, an Asse sauage passante of the Perle, Asse sauage. vnguled Diamonde. This beaste of the Grekes is called Onager, whiche by interpre­tacion is a wilde Asse, and is a free beaste, large of bodye, & not tamed. Hee haunteth in mountaynes and woddes, & by the lyghtenes of his bodye, in rennyng, he ouercometh both the Lyon and the wolfe. Hee maye well awaye with thriste, and suffereth it long. It is written in the Psalmes. Potabunt onagri inisiti sua. Psall. 104. Thys Beaste is wise and wittie, and feruently loueth hys female, hee hateth greately the company of men, and loueth well deserte places.

The fielde is parted per Fesse, Iupiter and Saturne, a goa­te saliant of the moone.Goate. The Goate is a beaste, lasciuum & petulcum, & feruens semper ad coitum, cuius oculi ad libidinem in transuersum aspiciunt. Vnde & nomen traxit. Nam hirci, sunt oculorum angul [...] secundum Suetonium: cuius natura adeò cali­dissima est vt Adamantem lapidem, quem nec ig [...]is nec ferri do­mare [Page 59] valet materia, solus huius cruor dissoluat. The goate hath vnder the chinne a berde called Armitum. Armitum. The vse of goates & shepe is nedeful to mankynde: for they fede y^e hōgrye with mylke and with fleshe, & clothe the naked with fell & with woll, & amende the lande with theire vrine & donge. Also nothing is in the goates bodie, but it is good and pro­fitable, either to the vse of meate, and clothing, either els to the nedefull vse of medicine.

H. Beareth verte,Ha [...]e. on a cheife dēted Argente, an Hare propre. The Hare excelleth in lightnes of membres & lim­mes, & therfore is verie swifte in course & running, to kepe him from houndes & other beastes that pursue hym. Kynde geueth vnto hym moche heare vnder hys fete, that therby hys fleshe is not hurte in renning. Hys hynder legges be longer than the farther, whiche is nedefull, to rere the bo­die whan he fleeth, & that causeth hym to be harder to take whan hee runneth against the hill, than whan he runneth downewarde to the valey. The Hare (sayeth Aristotle) is wittie and fearefull, as hartes and conyes are. retro vrinam mittunt, auersa coeunt, vt Leones, Lynces, Leporum etiam faemi­na

saepènumero marem prior su­peruenit. Leporum genus quoddā videtur habere bina iecora.

The fielde is Sable, an hartes heade cabazed d'Or, attyred verte, betwene two flasques d'Argente billetie of the firste, & to the creaste on a torce d'or & Gules an Harte regardante d'Argente,Harte. iczante a branche of Dictamie propre, & vulned with a darte verte.

Hartes bene enemyes to ser­pentes, & when they f [...]le them selfes greued with sickenes▪ [Page] they goe to the serpentes dēnes, and drawe them out with the breathe of theire nosthrilles: and ouercome the malice of theire venyme, so as they recouer theire sickenes with feadyng of them. Mirantur autem sibilum fistularum: erectis auribus acutè audiunt: submissis nihil. Plinye sayethe, that the harte is a most pleasing beaste, and renneth wilfully, so that whan hee is ouerset with houndes, hee than fleeth to man, as for helpe. Aristotle sayethe, that hee casteth hys hornes euery yere, in the moneth of Aprile, quae cum ami­serit occultat. Cornu cerui sinistrum non inuenitur. It is written that hys lyfte horne was neuer founde: occulit enim id tanquam quodam medicamento predi­tum. Serpentes voyde and flee th'odoure or smell of the brenynge of an hartes horne. And although the harte is armed with hornes, the Hynde thereof, inops mutila (que) est. They dreade most the voyce of a Foxe, and of an hounde.

Gabriel Sy­meon Symbo­lis heroycis.The Harte taught first the vertue of the herbe Dictamum for when they are wounded with arowes or dartes, they seke and fynde out the sayd herbe, and eate thereof: wher­by theire woundes are healed, and caste the arowes with the arowe heades out of theire bodies. Thys herbe grow­eth plenteously in Candie, or in the Isle of Crete. The Harte is a wise deare, for when hee is fatte, quod valde temporis fructuum sit, he departeth into straunge places farre of, as knowing that by reason of hys corpulencie and fatnes, he may the rather be taken and killed. He fleeth into ryuers and waters, Propter aestum atque anhelitum. Caro eorum libidi­nis tempore vitiatur & faetet, perinde quasi hircorū, Hyeme ita (que) extenuantur, debilitantur (que). Verè autem vigent maximè ad cur­sum. He liueth aboue an hundreth yeares, as is to be rede of the hartes that liued in Alexandre the great hys tyme, that were taken an hundreth yeares after hys deathe, the whiche in hys lyfe tyme, hee had ensigned with cheines of golde about theire neckes. And of the lyfe of the Harte, Aristotle thus sayeth. Vita esse perquam▪ longa hoc animal fer­tur, sed nihil certi ex hijs quae narraentur [...], videmus: nec gestatio, aut incrementum hinnuli ita euenit, quasi vita esset prelonga.

[Page 60]I. Beareth Or, on a bende, cotized with two cotizes, Sable,Firrets. thre Firrrets d'Argente. The Firret is a little beaste, as it were a wesil, ful subtil and rauenous. Aristotle sayeth that he hateth horsse and mules, and greueth them moche. But hee fighteth agaynste serpentes, and for that purpose armeth hym with Rue, as doth the wesill, whan he prepa­reth hymselfe to fighte with the Basiliske.

The fielde is verte, thre Rooes or Capres sauage, in paile betwene two flasques d'Argente.Rooes. The Capre, or Roo is li­ke vnto an hynde calffe, but changeth not the teth, as the other doth: and hath right fayre and pleasaunt eyne, & also sharpe: and is called in Latyne Capra syluestris, because she is most conuersante in woddes and deserte places. Aristotle sayeth, that these Capres, or Roes (as we Englishmen call them) helpe them selfes wisely whan they bee wounded, & seke the herbe,Dictamum tale est, vi­res (que) ciusmodi possidet. Pulegium ceruinum, and eate therof to drawe th'arowes oute of theire bodies, yf they bee stricken there­with. They are most swifte of mouyng and runnynge, & so moche more is theire fleshe sweter, and tender. They defende them selfes in woddes and laūdes, from hunters and there houndes, not with theire feete, hornes & teeth, but onely by swiftnes of flight.

K. Hys fielde is d'Ermine, on two Flaunches Gules, two Goates sauage d'Argent.

Goates are called in Latyne Capri, Goate sauag [...] and Caprae, a carpen­dis virgultis. And manye men saye, they are so called, a cre­pitu crurum: vnde eas creas vocitatas: quae sunt caprae agrestes. And some saye, they haue that name, for that they clym­be on harde cragges, and so hyghe, that vneth they maye be seene with mans eyes. The wilde Goate is verie swifte in runnyng, most lyght in leapyng, most sharpe in sighte, most swete in taste, most tender and wholesome to meate, and most busye to gather hys owne meate. For the Goate knoweth the diuersitie of herbes, of trees, of twigges, of braunches, and of sprays, whiche they eate of, & fede them­selfes, by sight, taste, and smell. Haec itaque animalia vt dixi­mus [Page] in petris altissimis commorantur: vt si quando ferarum vel hominum aduersitatem persenserint, de altissimis saxorum cacu­minibus sese praecipitantes, in suis se cornibus illaesas suscipiunt.

The fielde is of the Topaze, a Basiliske displayed, Eme­raude, cristed, Saphire. And for the Creaste vppon the hel­me an Hiricion passante, of the Diamonde, charged with Grapes propre, sett on a torce, Pearle, and Emeraude, [Page 61] manteled Rubie, doubled Pearle. The signe displaide in the saide Cote armour, is of somme called a Cocatrice, but of the Greekes he is called Basiliscus. Cockatrice. And the Latines cal him Regulus, for that he is kinge of Serpentes, and Soue­raigne ouer them all: Adeo vt cum videntes, fugiant. For with his breathe, and smell he killeth them. Yea, man him selfe, Si aspiciat, interimit. And at his sighte, no byrde that fleeth, escapeth vnhurte. But although they be a farre of, yet are they deuoured with his burninge breathe. Not­withstandinge, he is ouercome of the Weasil,Weasill. Quae quoties dimicatura cum eo est, Rutam comedit: odor etenim eius herbae in­festus serpentibus est. The Basiliske, when he seeth the wea­sil so armed, fleeth: whom shee foloweth, and killeth. Ni­hil enim parens ille rerum sine remedio constituit. This Ser­pente is but halfe a foote of lengthe, and enterlined with white spottes.Sibilus. Isidore saithe, that Sibilus idem est, qui & Regulus. Sibilo enim occidit, antequam mordeat, vel exu­rat.

And as the Basiliske aboue descried, with his Diademe, called in Latin, Cristia, is almoste the leaste amonge other Serpentes, so is the little Hiricion with his sharpe pykes, almoste the leaste of all other beastes. And of vs English men he is termed an Irchin, Irchin, or Vrcheon. or Vrcheon. Latinè, Hericius. A beaste so called for the roughnesse, and sharpenesse of his prickes, whiche nature hathe geuen him in steade of heare. And such his pykes healeth, or couereth his skinne, as the heare dothe the other beastes: and bene his wea­pon, and armoure, wherewith he pricketh, and greeuethe them, that take, or touche him. Nam statim vt aliquid pre­senserit, primum se subrigit: atque in globum conuersus, in sua se arma recollit. He is a beaste of witte, and good puruei­ance: for he clymeth vpon a Uine, or an Apple tree, and biteth of their braunches, and twigges: and when they be fallen downe, he waloweth on them, and so they sticke on his prickes: and he beareth them into a hollowe tree, or somme other hole, and keepeth them for meate for hym [Page] selfe, and his yonge ones.

Herinaceus, saithe Bartholomeus in his Booke De proprie­tatibus rerum, Herinaceus. is the same, that Hericius, but he is accoum­pted more then he, and is like the Urcheon in all proper­ties, sauing that when he is sufficiently laden with apples on his backe, he wil beare one alwaie in his mouthe. And if, after he is so charged, there happen any to fall from his prickes, then for indignation he throweth from his backe all the other deale, and eftsoones returneth to the tree to charge him againe of newe. The Urcheon is witty, and wise in the knowledge of comminge of windes, Northe, and Southe: for he changeth his Denne, or hole (as Ari­stotle saithe) when he is ware that suche windes comme.

There was one sometime in Constantinople, that had an Urcheon, who knewe, and warned others thereby, that wyndes should come, and on what parte: and there­by gotte greate estimation amonge his neighboures, and was accoumpted as one that could tel of thinges to come.

White Vr­cheon.There is also an other Urcheon, that hath a white shel, and white prickes, as Bartlemewe saithe: Sane suo exemplo, & sedulitate animal nos admonet, haud quaquam satis esse, si agros ampliores possideamus, nisi diligentia, & parsimonia v­tamur.

Dragon.L. beareth Golde, a Dragon Uerte. Isidore saithe, that the Dragon is the greatest of all Serpentes, or of all ly­uinge thinges vpon the earthe. Est autem cristatus, ore par­uo, & arctis fistulis, per quas trahit spiritum, et linguam exerat. His greatest strengthe is not in hys teethe, but in hys tayle: Et verbere potius, quàm rictu nocet.

He hathe not so muche venime, as other Serpentes. Be­twene him, and the Elephante is perpetuall enimitie, for the Dragon desirous of his bloud, for the temperate cold­nesse thereof, to asswage his extreme heate, spaunethe, or wrappeth so his tayle aboute the Elephantes legges, that he cannot escape the deathe. But the Dragon byteth it ful soare: for while he is thus enwrapped with the Dragons [Page 62] tayle, he falleth vpon him with his huge body, and so they are bothe slaine.Draco dissi­det cum A­quila. Gignitur autem in Hispania, & in India, in ipso incendio iugis estus. Dissidet Aquila cum Dracone: vesci­tur enim Aquila anguibus.

M. beareth Argent, a Sala­mander proper.Salamandra The Sala­mander hathe that name, for that he is stronge and mightie against burninge: for he bur­neth not in fire, but abateth, & swageth the burning thereof. And amonge all venemous beastes, he is the mightieste of poyson, and venyme. Caetera e­nim singulos feriunt, haec plurimos pariter interemit. For if he crepe vpon a tree, he infecteth all the apples, or other fruite, that groweth theron, with his poyson: and killeth them which eate thereof. Whiche apples also, if they happen to fall into any pitte of water, the strengthe of the poyson killeth them that drinke thereof. Ita contra [...] incendia repugnans, ignes sola animalium extinguit. For he liueth in the middest of the flames of fire, without griefe, or wastinge, and not onely because he is not burned therein, but that he quen­cheth the fire. And Plinie saithe, that of all beastes, onely the Salamander liueth in fire, and quencheth it. Like­wise Aristotle saithe,Paradinus Symbolis he­roicis. that there be many beastes, Quae igne non absumantur, Salamandra claro documento est: quae, vt ai­unt, ignem inambulans per eum, extinguit.

This Salamander did the Frenche kinge Fraunces cause to be grauen on the one parte of his coyne, addinge this inscription in the Italian tongue: Nudrisco il bono, & spengo ilreo. Id est, Alor meliore, ac deterius perimo. And the token of the Salamander, he caused also to be pictured in many his Palaices, and places, very pretiously, with this Distiche in the Latin tongue:

Thus the nature of the Salamander is described, whi­che manifestly appeareth,Plinius. Tanto frigore praeditam, vt ignem, velut glacies extinguat.

Iacule.N. beareth Azure, a Iacule d'Argent. This Serpente fleeth as a Darte, and leapeth into trees, and what beaste so euer he meeteth with, he throweth him selfe thereupon, and sleaeth it: Iaculus Serpens volans: vnde & Iaculi dicti sunt. De quo Lucanus: Iaculique volucres.

Stellion.The fielde is Argente, a Stellion proper. Stellio is a beaste like a Lysarde, hauinge on his backe, spottes like starres. And thoughe he be a fayre beaste, yet is he right venemous, as Plinie saithe: Hic autem Scorpionibus adeo con­trarius traditur, vt viso eo, pauorem his afferat, & torporem. In­ter stellionem, & araneum bellum est. Deuorantur enim aranei à Stellione.

Ceraste.O. beareth Sable, a Ceraste nowey d'Argent. This is an horned Serpente, as Isidore saithe, and hathe hornes in either side of his heade, crooked and wrinkeled, as the hornes of a Ramme. This Serpente sleaethe all beastes, that passe vnwarely by the pathes, where he lyeth with priuie bytinge. And therefore we reade, Fiat Dan sicut Coluber in via, Cerastes in semita.

Aspe.The fielde is Gules, an Aspe obturant her eares d'Or. Aspis vocata, quòd morsu venena immittat, & aspergat. The Aspe, when shee is charmed by the Enchaunter, to come out of her denne by Charmes, or Coniurations: shee not willinge to come forthe, layeth her owne eare close to the grounde, the other shee stoppeth, and couereth faste with her tayle: and so shee heareth not the voice of the Char­mer, neither commeth out to him, nor is obediente to his sayinge. And we reade in the Psalmes: Furor illis secun­dum similitudinem Serpentis: Psalm. 58. sicut Aspidis surdae, & obturantis aures suas. Quae non exaudiet vocem Incantantium: & venefici Incantantis sapienter.

[Page 63]P. beareth Gold, a Boath, Sable, betwene two barres Gemewes Azure.Boas. Boas is a Snake in Italie, great of bo­dye, and foloweth Greges armentorum, & bubalos: and guile­fully setteth him selfe to the vdders of them, and so suc­kinge, sleaeth them. Whereof also he taketh his name.

Q. beareth Argente,Scitale. on a Pale Uerte, a Scitale, pro­per.

This Serpente is so called, because he shinethe with suche diuersitie of speckles vpon his backe, that all that looke thereon, haue wonder, and likinge to see him. Et quia reptando pigrior est, quos assequi non valet, miraculo sui stupentes capit.

The fielde is Sable,Amphybene an Amphibene, heade to heade re­flexed, d'Argent.

This is a prodigious Serpente, and is called Amphy­bena, for that he hathe twoo heades, Vt initio, sic & cauda caput: currens ex vtroque capite tractu corporis circulato. This alone of all Serpentes putteth him selfe to the colde, and goeth before all other. He hath a double heade, as though one mouth were too litle to caste his venyme. Cuius oculi lucent veluti lucernae.

Somme Serpentes haue many heades, some doubled, as this nexte before described, somme trebled, &c. as Isidore saithe.

R. beareth Geronnie, of sixe pieces, Or, and Azure, a Dipsez Uerte,Dipse. charged on the firste quarter. Dipsas genus Aspidus, quae Latinè Situla dicitur: quia quem momor derit, siti perit. This is the leaste of all Serpentes, and is so little, that vneth he is seene when men treade on him: and his venyme sleaeth ere it be felte: and he that dyethe by that venyme, fealeth no soare. And so Lucane writeth.

The fielde is Golde, an Hyder proper. This Serpent hathe many heades,Hydre. & such an one was seene in a Marreis [Page] called Lerna, in the Prouince of Archadia. Haec Latinè ex­cedra dicitur: because that if one heade be cutte of, three o­ther growe out of the place thereof. Sed hoc fabulosum est. For it is perfectly to be readde, that Hydra was a place ca­stinge forthe waters, whiche wasted, and destroyed a Cit­tie nighe therunto. And in this Hydra, if one heade of the streame were stopped, by and by many other streames did breake forthe. Which when Hercules perceiued, he burned the place, and so stopped the courses of the water. And therefore it is saide, that Hercules did kill Hydra the Ser­pente with fiue heades. Nam Hydra ab aqua dicta est.

Hydros. Hydros aquatilus Serpens à quo icti obturgescunt, cuius qui­dem morbum Boam dicunt: eo quod fimo bouis remedietur.

The fielde is of the Sa­phyre, a Serpente torqued, Topace.

Serpente.This Serpente I haue de­scried, as wringled into a wreathe. Whiche he vseth so to doo in the winter season, by reason of his natural cold­nesse. And in the sommer, or heate, he looseth him selfe, and then his bitte, or stinge is deadely. Nam quando sunt frigidi, nullum tangunt. And theire venyme, or poyson hurteth more in the daye time, then in the nighte. Torpent enim noctis Algore & merito: quia frigidi sunt nocturno rore. The Serpent is a beaste of great quantitie. For as Magestenes writeth, there be so huge Serpentes in Indie, that they swalow, and deuoure al whole, bothe Hartes, and Bulles. In Italie, in the time of Clau­dius Caesar, was a Serpent slaine, and in his wombe was founde a whole childe. Alexander the Greate, in his Epi­stle, which he wrote to Aristotle his maister,Serpentes cristati. De Situ Indiae, reporteth, that he sawe there cristed Serpentes, somme [Page 64] hauinge twoo heades, somme three. Columnarum grossi­tudine aliquando proceriores, oribus, squamisque suis humum atterentes. Quorum pectora cum trisulcis linguis fauces exer­tabant, scintillantibus veneno oculis, quorum halitus quoque erat pestifer. Isidore saithe, that there be many kindes of Serpentes, as, Admodicae, Elephantiae, Chamedrachontes, &c.

The Serpente, for that he deceiued our firste mother Eue, was cursed of God, aboue all cattell, and aboue eue­ry beaste of the fielde.Gene. 3. And therefore vpon his belly shall he goe, and duste shall he eate all the dayes of his life. In naturalibus bonis, Ibidem. quae nobis, et irrationabilibus videmus esse communia, viuacitate quadam sensus Serpens excellit. Vnde & legitur. Serpens autem erat sapientior omnibus pecoribus ter­rae. The Serpentes heade beinge striken of, yet if it es­cape with the lengthe of twoo fingers, it neuerthelesse liueth. Vnde & totum corpus obijcit pro capite ferientibus. No beaste moueth the tongue so quickely, as the Serpent dothe, so that thereby he seemethe to haue twoo, or three tongues, when it is but one.

Serpentes autem diu viuere dicuntur: adeo vt deposita ve­tere tunica, senectutem deponere, atque in iuuentutem redire perhibeantur. It is saide, that a Serpente dare not touche a naked man. Plurimis verò eorum aduersatur saliua homi­nis.

There is a little Serpente,Serpens Sa­cer. whiche of somme is called a Sacer, whiche greate Serpentes, and mightie, flee, and auoide. He is but one cubite longe, Species hirsuta. Quic­quid momorderit, continuò circiter putrescit.

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5. S. beareth Sable, twoo Delphines d'Argent,Delphine. addorsez hariant, betwene sixe Crosses Botony Fitche. 3.2. and 1.

The Delphine hath y^e name, because he foloweth mannes voice, or for y^t he wil harken, & delight to hearethe tune of the Simphoni: and therfore he is called a Symphone, because he hath great liking in harmonie. No fish in y^e sea is more swift then the Delphin. For oftentimes they are sene to leape ouer ships: whose leaping so, & play­ing in the sea, betokeneth that some tempest is at hand. Hi propriè Simonides nominantur. Isidorus, li. 12 ca. 6. Etymo. Est & Delphinum genus in Nilo dorso serrato, qui Crocodylos tenera ventrium secātes interimunt.

The Delphine is most meke, louing, & gentle, not only towards his own kind, but also towardes men, & childrē. When as Arion that excellent Musition & plaier of y^e Lute shoulde haue bene drowned for his money,Arion. whiche he had gotten by his art, of the shipmen which should haue caried him into his countrey: The Delphins, which a litle before he was cast into y^e sea, had heard him so swetely play vpon his Lute, receiued him, & one of them taking him vpō his backe,Herodot. li. 1. Histor. brought him safe vnto the shoare. Leonicus de var. Histor. Li. 1. ca. 53. dothe reporte, that he sawe a Delphine quickly to come at the accustomed call of a childe, and to take him on his backe, and oftentimes so to carrie him throughe the sea, Collati in se beneficij memor.

Alciat. lib. 1. Emble. 11.This noble fish knoweth by y^e smell, if a man drowned in the sea, did eate of his kind. And if the deade man hath eaten thereof, he then eateth him anone. But if he did not eate, he mightily defendeth, and kepeth his body from [Page 65] deuouring of other fishe: and shewinge it, he bringeth the corpse to some cliffe or drie lāde with all hys power.Arist. de ani­mal. cap. 48. Their loue also towardes theire owne kynde manifestly appea­reth, in that one of them beyng taken at Caria, a great multitude of other Delphynes came together vnto the hauen, & taried there vnto the fisherman whiche did take the Delphyne let him loose againe, whome they all receaued ioyfully, and so returned with hym into the Sea. Paruos item Del­phinos magnus aliquis semper comitatur custodiae causa.

The fielde is verte,Whale. a whale nayante Argente, pellette Sable. Thys fishe is called a whale for hys hugenes or greatnes of bodie: which is, as it were a mountaine or hill. Suche was the whale that swalowed Ionas the Prophete, hys wombe or belly was so greate, that it might bee cal­led hell: For the Prophete sayeth. Clamaui de tribulatione mea ad Dominum: & exaudiuit me de ventre inferi.

U. Beareth Golde,Balene. a Balene hariante, Azure. The Ba­lene is a fishe greate and huge, moche like to the whale, & is so called, because of hys outcasting and shedinge of wa­ter, for they throwe water hyer than other great fishes of the Sea. Such a like fishe or rather a monstre called Balae­na, appeared aswell in the sight of the Tyrians as the Mace­dons, at the siege of Tyre, whiche liynge vpon hys backe a­boue the water, came towardes the mole or pere whiche Alexander the great had caused to bee made agaynste the citie of Tyre:Q. Curtius. lib. 4. and beatyng the water, he lifted vp hymselfe at the head of the Mole, and immediately diued vnder the water agayne, some tyme appearyng aboue, and somety­me vnderneath, and when he came nere the walles of the citie vanished out of sighte.

The fielde is of the Dragons heade,Belue. a Belue, Lune. Thys is a great fishe in the Sea, and is called Belua. He casteth out water at hys iowes, with vapoure of good smell, and other fishe when they fele the same, pursue hym whotely, and delityng after the smell, they enter and come in at his iowes: whom he deuoureth, & so fedeth hymselfe with thē.

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Hippotame.The fielde is of the Dragōs tayle, an Hippotame, Sol.

The water Horsse of the Sea, is called an Hyppotame, for that hee is like an Horsse in backe, mayne, and neaynge: rostro resupinato a primis denti­bus: cauda tortuosa: vngulis bi­nis. He abideth in the waters on the daye, and eateth corne by nyghte: & hunc Nilus gi­gnit.

Crocodile.W. Hys fielde is Mercurie a Crocodyle d'Ermyne.

The Crocodile is so called, because he is of the coloure of Safron. Hee lyueth partely on water, partely on lande, & is in fashion like a Dragon, but he hath small eyes, verie long teeth like to a sawe, and lacketh a tōgue, and moueth onely th'ouermost iawe, & not the nether, and hath greate nayles and stronge on hys fete: there hath ben seene of thē twenty fote longe, and the skynne of hys backe is vnpenetrable. Hee deuoureth not onelye men, but also beastes. Hunc pisces quidam serratam habentes cristam tenera ventrium desecantes interimunt.

Euydros. Enydros, a lyttle beaste so named, for that he frequenteth the waters, is enemye to the Crocodile, whome yf hee finde slepyng, he first tombleth and waloweth hym selfe in dirte and myer, and so entreth through hys mouth into hys be­lye, and fretynge or persinge all hys inwarde partes, hee commeth forth on lyue oute of hys bowels leauinge hym dead.Crocodilum augeri quan­diu viuat. He liueth longe, and groweth bigger and bigger, as longe as he lyueth.

The fielde is verte, on a scocheon golde, a Phagiō nayante, gules.

Phagion, or Pagre.Thys fishe the Grecians call fagrum, because he hath so harde teth, that he eateth oysters in the Sea. And therfore [Page 66] he is also called Dentrix, for the multitude and greatenes of hys teeth, and as it were a fishe strongely toothed.

He beareth Argente,Mullet. three Mullettes nayante, propre.

A Mullet is a fishe of meane quantitie, hauyng two bar­bes or wartes on the nether lyppe, the coloure toward grene, with some yealowe lynes.

The fielde is of the Sunne,Vermante. a Uermante, Iouis.

A Uermante is a fishe of color blue, and is in lengthe lx. cubites, which hath suche strength, that when Elephantes doe come into the water and do dryncke, hee will take one of them by the nose, and plucke hym into hym.

Y. Beareth verte,Muscule. a Muscule nayante, betwene two barres gemewes d'Argente.

Thys is a lyttle fishe, whiche guydeth the whale, that he doe not runne on the rockes.

The fielde is of the Iacinthe, a pyle in poynte d'Ermy­ne, betwene two Zyphes hariante,Ziphe. Lunae.

This is a fishe whiche is named a sworde fishe, and hath in his nose a bone, like to the scaberde of a Sworde▪ There is an other fishe, named in Latyne Gladius, and hee is so called, eo quòd rostro maiori nato sit, & ob hoc naues perfossas mergit.

The fielde is partie per bende sinistre, gules and Sable, a Chymere, siluer.

Thys Chymere is a Beaste or monstre hauing thre heades,Chimere. one lik a Lyon, an other like a Goate, the third like a Dra­gon, fingunt & Chymeram tri­formem bestiam: ore Leo, postremis partibus Draeco, media Caprea. Quam quidam Philosophi non a­nimal, sed Cilitiae montē esse aiūt, quibusdam locis Leones & Ca­preas [Page] nutrientem, quibusdam ardentem, quibusdam plenam ser­pentibus. Hunc Bellerephōtes habitabilem fecit, Isidorus. li. 11. cap. 3. Etym. vnde Chymeram dicitur occidisse.

Thys Bellerophontes, or Bellerophon the sonne of Glaucus, kynge of Ephyra, a man of muche beautie and prouesse, was ardently beloued of Stenobea, the wyfe of Pretus kyng of Ephyra, S. Tho. Elirt. next after Glaucus, whan she desired hym to cō ­mitte auoutrie with her, hee fearinge the vengeaunce of Iupiter, god of hospitalitie, and remembring the frendshipe her husbande had shewed hym, refused, and put her awaye from hym: whiche she disdeigning, and being in a wood rage, accused him to her husband, that he had rauished her: but he like a sobre man, woulde not slea hym in hys owne house, but deliuering hym letters to his wiues father, sent hym into Licya, who perceauing the mynde of Pretus, en­couraged, & sent Bellerophon to destroye the two monsters, Solymos, and Chimaera, that hee myght be slayne vnder the coloure of a valiaunt enterpryse. But he atchieuing it no­bly, retourned with honor. Thys hystorye foloweth more largely sett forth in the Latyne tongue by Stockhamere, in hys Commentaries vpon the Emblemes of Alciate. Embl. cxj. in these wordes.

Bellerophon filius Regis Glauci, adolescens insignis pulchritudi­nis & summè virtutis, quem Praetus regno priuatum, sibi seruire iussit. Staenobea vero vxor Praeti eum adamauit, & vt secum stu­prum committeret, solicitauit: ille vero lasciuam foeminam repu­lit, vnde spreta mulier exardens, & dolore repulso indignata, co­ram Rege, falso illum accusauit, quasi eam fuisset oppressurus: Rex autem hoc audito, & inique ferens, nolens tamen de illo domi paenas sumere, misit eum ad socerum suum Regem Licyae, addita epistola qua crimen continebatur. Rex ille, lectis litteris indigna­tus, varijs hostibus & periculis Bellerophontem, vt periret, obiecit. Ille vero semper victor euasit, tandem etiam in vltionem criminis missus, vt Chymeram monstrum maximo sub periculo interficeret. Ascendit igitur ille astute admodum Pegasum aequum alatum celerrimum, Strab. lib. 8. quem ex interfectae Medusae sanguine natum fingūt: [Page 67] atque de eo expeditionem sumpsit contra Chimeram, quam deuicit ac interemit, ob hoc laudem nanciscebatur maximam, adeo (que) vt Rex ille Lyciae alteram suam filiam ei in vxorē dederit, quod au­diens vxor Praeti seipsam occidit. Monemur cuncta mala, ini­quos etiam & peruersos superandos esse, & supprimendos animi virtutibus, magnanimitate, consilio, & prudentia.

The fielde is partie per Fesse Saturne, Eagle. and Mars, an Eagle displayed w^t two heades d'Argente, an orle of Beasantes.

Th'Eagle hath principali­tie ouer al foules, and is most liberal and free of harte. For the praye that he taketh, one­les it be for hongre, hee eateth not alone, but setteth it forthe in common to all the foules that folowe him: and therfore oftētymes other foules frequente hys companye, for hope and truste to haue some parte of hys praye. But when the praye that is take is not sufficient for hymselfe, than as a kynge, that taketh hede of a comminaltie, hee taketh the birde that is next vnto hym, and geueth it among th'other, and serueth them therewith. The Eagle hath that name Aquila, of sharpenes of eyne. He is right strong, bolde, & hardie, farre passinge the strength and boldenes of other byrdes: and hys strength is most in wynges, tallance, and beake. Also he hath many fethers, and therefore he contea­neth moche lyghtenes. The signe of th'Eagle displayde thus with two heads, after the common opinion, begonne to bee borne in standerdes, auncientes, and Banners, in Charles the great hys tyme,Wolfangus Lazius Romanor. Regis Historiographus. to declare hys empire both in the Oriente and Occident. Or rather as Wolfangus Lazius reporteth, in the tyme of Constantyne the great, which of one publicke weale of the Romaynes, obtayned and made [Page] two th'one at Rome, and the other at Constantinople.

The fielde is the Rubie, a Cheuron topaze, betwene iij. Eaglettes displaide with two heades,Dyster. of the Pearle.

The Eagle is a byrde, very great, regall, and noble, quae volucrum Regina dicitur, quia altissimè volat: & Iouis ales, vel quia sola contra Solis radios a­pertis atque immotis oculis volā ­do obtuitum non flectit: vel quia solam nunquam fulmine tactam fertur: ideoque etiam Iouis Armiger a Poetis appellatur, vt Hi­gin. lib. 2. The Eagle is of suche sharpe sighte, that fliynge aboue the Sea so highe, as with mans eyes, she can scarce­ly be sene, yet she seeth the fishe swimme in the Sea, and descending tormenti instar, she taketh her praye, and flyethe therewith to the shoare. She is righte cruell agaynste her owne byrdes, whē as lokyng against the sunne, they close their eyes, for then she supposeth they be not her owne byrdes, and so vt degeneres excludit. The saide coate apperte y­neth to master Iohn Dister.

The fielde is sable, an Eagle displaide w^t two heades d'Or. debrused with a barre d'Er­myne.

The Eagle in age hath darkenes, and dymnes of eyne,Plinye. with heauynes of wynges. And agaynst these euils, she is taughte by kynde, to seeke a well of springing water: the same founde, she then flyeth vp into the ayre, as farre as she may till she be full hote by [Page 68] heate of the Sunne, and by trauel of flight, so that through suche heate, the pores of her bodye bene opened, and the fethers chafed: and she then falleth sodenly into the wel, and there the fethers bene chaunged, and the dymmes of her eyne is thereby wyped awaye and purged: and thus she recouereth her pristinate vigor and strength. There be also diuerse other kindes of Eagles, and of sondry names, as shalbe declared hereafter.

The Eagle called Almachor, Egle Alma­cher. is full quicke and sharpe of sighte, who takyng her byrdes directeth theire sighte euen agaynst the Sunne, whiche yf they doe not stedfastly be­holde, she forthwith beateth thē. And yf any of theire eyes do chaunce to water in lokyng agaynste the Sunne, that byrde she sleaeth, a [...]though he wente out of kynde: and the byrde that stedfastly beholdeth the sunne, and whose eyes doth not watre, hym she loueth, liketh and fedeth.

Th'Eagle Amachell taketh her praye on the water,Eagle Ama­chel. and is dredde of no foules, sauing suche as haue theire liuing and conuersation in the waters onely: and is muche dege­nerate frō the nobilitie and kynde of those Eagles whiche take theire praye in the ayre and on the earthe. Also thys Egle hath one fote closse and whole, as the fote of a Gan­dre: and therewith she ruleth her selfe in the water, whan she descendeth from an hyghe for her praye: and her other fote is a cloue fote, with full sharpe clees, with the whiche she taketh and holdeth her praye.

The Egle Athat, Eagle Athat. is a gentle Eagle, and thincketh longe tyme of her byrdes, for when they fly, she flyeth with and about them, takyng hede of them: & is readie to withstande other foules, yf so be they come to greue or anoye her byr­des: and therefore is more kynde than other Eagles be to theire Byrdes.

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A. Beareth Sable, an Ossi­frage d'Argent,Ossifraga. bearing a bone d'Or. Th'Eagle hauinge thre byrdes throweth oute one of her nest, leste she should be vnable to fede and norishe them. And this birde Ossifraga, which in the Arabie language is cal­led Cebar, receaueth, feadeth & bryngeth vp the Eaglet so cast out, and so the birde loseth the name of her parentes, and is now by reason of her educatiō in thys wise called Ossifrage, or Cebar. Isidore sayeth, that there is a foule called Ossifrangus, and hath that name, quia ossa ab alto dimittit & frangit. Thys kynde of Ossifrage hath no quicke sighte. But an other kynde, whiche loueth the Sea.Ossifraga marina. Clarissima oculorum acie est, ac pullos adhuc implumes co­git aduersos intueri solem, percutit eum qui recuset, & vertit ad solem. Tum cuius oculi prius lachrimarint, hunc occidit, reliquū educat. Arist. de A­nimal. lib. 8. cap. 3. Vagatur haec per mare & littora, vnde nomen accepit: vi­uit (que) auium marinarum venatu, vt dictum est. The Ossifrage is greater in bodie than the Eagle, color ex cinere albicans.

Gossebawke.

B. Beareth barrye of eight peces Gules and Ermyne, a Gossehauke d'Or. Thys is a ryal foule, & is armed more w^c boldenes, thā w^c clees: and as­moche as kynde taketh from her in quantitie of bodye, hee rewardeth her w^c boldenes of harte. Thys foule aboue the reste of y^e kinde, is moste desi­rous to take other foules, and therfore she is called Accipiter: hoc est, raptor. Also she beynge [Page 69] taketh byrdes that be wilde, and as it were, deliuereth, or reserueth them for her owne Lorde: and therefore they be beloued of Noble gentlemen, and borne on fiste, and also dieted, and fedde with greate attendaunce and diligence. Fertur autem Accipitres circa pullos suos impios esse. Accipitres Nam dum viderint eos posse tentare volatus, nullas eis praebent escas, sed verberant pennis, & à nido praecipitant: atque à tenero compel­lunt ad praedam, ne fortè adulti pigrescant.

The field is Saturne, three Faucons volante Lunae, Faucon. mem­bred, or beaked Solis. Or thus: He beareth Sable, three Fau­cons volante Argente, mem­bred, and beaked d'Or.

The Faucon, saithe Isidore, is called Capus, à capiendo. Hūc nostri Falconem vocant: eò quòd incuruis digitis sit. He is a Roy­all fowle, and desireth praye, and vsethe to sitte on his sinister fiste, that beareth him. He is a gentle byrde, bolde, and hardie: and hathe little fleshe in comparison of his body, but greatly arraide with feathers. For Aristotle saith, Falcula auis pennis plurimum valet. And therefore shee is more light to flee. The Fau­con, if he faile of his praie at the firste sight, as it were for shame, he fleeth about in the ayre, and then vneth he com­meth to his Lordes hande. For he holdeth him selfe ouer­comme, and not kindely borne, if he take not the fowle that he fleeth vnto. This said Cote is borne by the name of Faukener.

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C. beareth Azure, a Pelli­cane volātd' Or, guttee Gules.

This is a byrde of Egypte, Habitans in solitudine Nili flu­minis. Vnde & nomen sumpsit. The Pellicane feruentlye lo­ueth her byrdes.Pellicane. Yet when thei bene haughtie, and beginne to waxe hore, they smite her in the face, and wounde her, and shee smiteth them againe, and sleaeth them. And after three daies shee mourneth for them, and then strikinge her selfe in the side till the bloud runne out, shee sparpleth it vpon theire bodyes, and by vertue thereof they quicken againe. Hieronymus. Pelicani (inquit) quum suos à Serpente filios occisos inueniunt, lugent, seque et sua latera percutiunt, & sanguine excusso, corpora mortuorum sic re­uiuiscunt. Volaterranus saithe, the Pellicane to be the same, whiche Plinie calleth Platea.

The fielde is Sable, in the beames of the Sunne, a Phoe­nix Uerte.

This is a byrde of Arabie, and so called,Phoenix. Quòd colorē Phoe­niceum habeat: vel quòd sit in toto orbe singularis, & vnica. Nam Arabes singularem, & vnicam Phaenicem vocant. This byrde (as Isidore saithe) liueth aboue fiue hundred yeres, and when shee perceiuethe her selfe so a­ged, gatheringe the twigges, and drie braunches of sundrie sweete smellinge trees, she maketh thereof, as it were a Beakon: and turninge her selfe therupon towardes the whote beames of the Sunne, [Page 70] shee clappeth her winges in suche wise, that shee kinde­leth fire aboute her, burning her selfe, and so shee rysethe againe of her owne asshes.

Alanus speaketh of this byrde,Alanus. and saithe, that when the higheste Prieste Onyas had builded a Temple in the greate Cittie of Heliopolis in Egypte, to the fourme and likenesse of the Temple in Ierusalem, and the firste daye of Easter,Vnicae sem­per auis. when he had gathered muche sweete smellinge woode, and set it on fire vpon the Aultare to offer Sacri­fice: euen then to all mennes sighte, came sodainely suche a byrde, and fell into the middle of the fire, and was there burnte anone to asshes, and the asshes remained still, and were diligently kepte, and preserued by the commaunde­mente of the Prieste. And within three dayes, of theise asshes was bredde a little worme, whiche tooke the shape of a byrde at laste, and did flie into the wildernesse.

D. beareth Uerte,Kalader. a Kaladre gardante, Argente.

This byrde is white of co­lour, and hath no part of blacknesse. His kinde is maruey­lous. For if a man which hath bene longe holden with greate sickenesse, be like to die, thys byrde then turneth awaye his countenaunce from him. But if the sicke man shal escape the deathe, this byrde then fixeth his sighte earnestly on hym, & beholdeth him cheerefully.

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E. beareth partie per Cheu­ron enbattailed, Uert & Gules, three Cranes Argente.Crane. The Crane is a bird great of wingꝭ and stronge of flighte, and fle­eth highe into the ayre, to see the Countries, towardes the whiche he will drawe. He is a byrde verye louinge ouer his owne kinde, and they liuinge in companie together, haue a kinge amonge them: and flee in order. And when they sitte on the grounde, for their safegarde, they ordaine watches by course amonge them selues, that they maie reste the more surely: and those whiche keepe the watche, stande vpon one foote, holdinge eche of them a little stone in the other, highe from the earthe, that by fallinge thereof, they maie be awaked, if it happe any of them to fall a sleape. Theire age is knowne by theire coloure. Nam senectute nigrescunt.

Aristotle saithe, that the Crane is a ciuill byrde, Quia sub Duce degit. Crues vbi pugnent cum Pigmeis. Arist. de animal. li. 8. ca. 12 Cranes flee into verye farre Countryes, Quae ex Scithicis campis ad paludes Aegypto superiores, vnde Nilus profluit, veniunt, quo in loco pugnare cum Pygmeis di­cuntur: Non enim id fabula est, sed certè genus tum hominum, tum etiam equorum pusillum (vt dicitur) est, deguntque in ca­uernis, vnde nomen Trogloditae à subeundis cauernis accepere. Cranes doo many thinges wisely, as Aristotle saithe, Libro de Animalib. 9. Cap 10.

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The field is quartered d'Or and Sable, a Crosse engraled Ermyne,Cocke. betwene foure Coc­kes, conterchanged of the one, and the other, membred and cristed Gules.

Gallus à castratione vocatus. Inter caeteras enim aues huic soli testiculi adimuntur. Veteres enim abscisos gallos vocabant. The Cocke breedethe a Pretious stone called Allectricium, like to that stone that highte Calcedonius. And because of the same stone, the Lyon dreadeth, and abhorreth him, & espe­cially if the Cocke be white. For the Lyon dreadeth a white Cocke, as Plinie saith. The Cocke aboue other bir­des, is ensigned with a peculiare Creste: Sic enim institu­tā, vt nec caro sit, Galli post vi­ctoriam ca­nunt. nec à natura carnis omnino aliena. The Cock greately reioiceth, when he getteth the victorie ouer an o­ther, and after the clappinge of his winges, he singeth for ioye thereof. Gloriam sentit, noscit sydera, it cubitum cum So­le, imperitat suo generi, & Regnum, in quacunque domo fuerit, exercet. The Cocke is consecrate to the Sunne.

F. beareth Sable and Or, parted per Cheuron embatai­led, in Chief, two Pigeons vo­lante d'Argente.Doue, or Culuer. This byrde is the messenger of peace, en­sample of simplenesse, cleane of kinde, plenteous in procrea­tion, floure of meekenesse, lo­uer of companie, and forgetter of wronges. Antiqui eas vene­reas nuncupabant: eò quòd nidos frequentent, & osculo amorem con­cipiant. Culuers (as S. Ambrose [Page] saithe) in Egypte and Siria are taughte to beare Let­ters, and to be as it were messengers out of one Prouince into an other.

The fielde is d'Or, and Sa­ble, trauersed in foure, per Pale and Cheuron,Owle. an Owle sinister d'Argente. Or thus: He bearethe quarterly d'Or, and Sable Cheurone, an owle sinister d'Argente.

This byrde in Latin is cal­led Bubo, and hathe that name of the sounde of her voice: and is a wylde byrde charged with feathers, and seethe more cleerely by night, then by day, and then shee is moste stronge, and able to resiste her e­nimyes, who can not abide her for her shape, songe, and countenaunce. When shee is assayled of other byrdes, shee lyinge vprighte, defendeth her selfe with byting, and scratchinge.

Shee is friende to the husbandeman in killinge mise, whiche otherwise woulde consume his corne in the barne. Apud Augures malum portendere fertur. Nam cum in vrbe visa fuerit, solitudinem significare dicunt. De qua Ouidi­us:

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G. beareth Gold, on a fesse betwene two Swallowes Sa­ble,Swalowe. three fountaines proper.

This kinde of Swallowes is al blacke, & is greatly dread of other fowles. Yea, the Eagle, and Gossehauke flie from this Swalowe, as it were theire e­nimye: and dare not fall on theire praye while shee is flee­inge abroade, dreading the by­tinge of her. For it is thought to be venemous, as Plini saith. And this I take to be the Swalowe, Quae carne vesci­tur.

There ben other two kindes of Swalowes, y^e one called the house Swalowe, which loueth mannes companie: and the other whiche is lesse, louethe the sea, and maketh her neaste in the holes, and chynnes of Rockes. But bothe of them make their neaste in like, and haue their tayles for­ked as a payre of sheeres, and differ nothinge in coloure, but that the house Swalowe is seene to haue, Sanguinis maculum in pectore.

And in that I haue descriued three Fountaines on the Fesse in the said Cote armour,Fountaine. I thinke it therefore mete to declare what a Fountaine is. A Fountaine is the head and springe of liuinge water, whiche springeth, and run­neth continually oute of the priuie vaynes of the earthe, to the greate nourishinge thereof, and of all mankinde. And therefore it is called Fons, as it were Fouens, nouri­shinge: or Fundens, pouringe, or shedinge out.

The Fountaine multipliethe all Riuers, Brookes, and streames with waters, and communicateth hym selfe to many, hidinge it from nothinge: but parteth, and distri­buteth of his abundance, as wel to Pylgrimes and stran­gers, as to all other liuinge creatures.

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G. beareth Argente, & Sa­ble, parted per Pile, a Swa­lowe volante of the seconde, bearinge the Celidon floure,Hirundo do­mestica. proper.

The Swalowe taketh not his meate sitting, but fleing in the ayre, & in making of neastꝭ is most expert & cunning: edu­cādis (que) faetibꝰ solertissima. She is full of feathers, & therefore is the moste lightest, and swift in flight of all fowles. Other bir­des disturbe her not, neither is shee praye to any of them. Maria transuolat, ibique hyeme commoratur. Ouid calleth this byrde, Veris praenuntia. For shee is the firste messenger, that shewethe vs the springe of the yeare. It is readde, that in the yonge Swalowes wombe bene founde twoo stones very pretious. The one white, whiche is the Fe­male, and the other redde, which is the Male, and is more vertuous.Pretious sto­nes called Celidonij. These two pretious stones, are called Celedonij: and they must be taken out of the Swalowes wombe, ere they touche the grounde.

The fielde is of the Pearle, a Palme tree proper.Palme.

This is a tree of victorye: Procero (que) ac decoro virgultu: diu­turnisque vestita frondibus: & fo­lia sine vlla successione conseruans. It is a tree noble and famous, alwaies faire and greene: and longe tyme beautified with braunches and leaues, both in winter & sommer. The Pro­phete saithe, Iustus vt Palma flo­rebit. This noble tree aboun­deth, [Page 73] and is moste fruitefull in India. And therefore Ues­pasiane the Emperour, caused to be imprinted on the one parte of hys coygne the figure of the Palme tree, to decla­re thereby hys tryumphant victorie, in subduing and con­quering the whole region of Iewrie.

H. Beareth golde,Laurell. a Laurell tree verte. Thys is also a tree of victorie, and is of singuler excellencie, grace, and vertue. In y^e olde tyme, all victorious emperours, kynges, princes and capteines, were crowned with garlandes of Laurell tree, whan they had gotten the victorie ouer their enemies. And to the knyghtes, souldiours, and standerde bearers, whiche had behaued and borne thēselues valiātly and stoutely in the warres, were geuen garlādes also made of Laurell to adorne theire heades, whiche were called Coronae militares, Coronae mili­tares. and were testimonies of their prowes, no­ble actes, and haute courages, for euer to bee remembred. The Grekes call thys tree Daphnis [...], Daphnis. because it neuer lea­ueth hys grenesse. It was consecrate to the great Iupiter, & to Apollo Delphicus. It is thoughte that thys tree is neuer touched with lyghtenynge. And therefore the Emperoure Tiberius Caesar, in thondryng and lyghtenyng, vsed to weare a garlande of Laurell tree agaynste the smytyng of the lyghtenyng. Also Plinye reporteth that as the same Empe­roure dyd sitt by Drusilla the Empresse in a certein gardē, an Eagle threwe from a ryght hyghe place, a fayre whyte henne, whole and sounde into the Empresse lappe: and the henne dyd holde in her beake a bowe of Laurell tree, full of bays. And diuinors toke hede to the hēne, and did sowe the bays, kepyng them wisely, and of them came a wood, that was called Sylua triumphans, Sylua trium­phans. as it were the wodd of worshippe for victorye and mastrie [...], for afterwarde the Emperour dyd beare of the Laurel tree in hys hande, and did weare a garlande thereof on hys heade. And after him many others emperours in the same wise should be crow­ned with Laurel tree of the same wodd, whan they had the victorye, and these theire garlandes were called. Coronae [Page] triumphales. [...]triumphales. Hae antiquitus è lauro erant, post fieri ex auro ceptae. Collisa in se durius duo Laurea, ignem concussu reddunt, si Plinio creditur. Idem facere Leonis ossa, pleri (que) autumant. Sic & concur­su potentiorum certum est oriri grauius periculum.

Olyue.The fielde is of the Sunne, an Olyue tree, Veneris.

Thys is a Royall tree, and in the Latyne tongue is cal­led Olea, the fruite Oliua, succus oleum. It is a tree of peace: for no messengers were sent to Rome, to gete or obteyne peace, without bearing in theire handes the braunches of Olyue tree: neyther yet to profre peace to other men. Re­migius sayeth, that the dignitie of thys tree is knowne: for that in token of reconciliation betwene god and man, and of the peace made betwene them, the Doue whiche was sent forth by Noe out of the arke, returned agayne to hym with a token in her mouth,Genes. 8. which was an Oliue leafe that she had plucked, and of none other tree. Plynie sayethe that among the Athenians, victors were crowned with Oliue.

I. Beareth Argente, an hande Gules, holdyng a bran­che of Oliue propre. Diodore sayeth, that the tree which beareth the Olyue, is a signe of peace and trāquilitie: gestanti­bus iudicium erat pacis. The prayse of peace is eloquentely set forth by Ihon Gower, in a treatise which he writte vn­to the noble kyng Henry the fowerth: in these woordes.

K. Bearethe Or,Oke. an Oke tree, verte.

Th'Oke tree was hallowed to Iupiter. Sacra Ioui quercus. And it is called Quercus siue quernei ꝙ ea soliti erant dij gen­tium querentibus responsa dare: Thys tree endurethe manye yeares: sicut legitur de quercu Mambre sub qua habitauit A­braham: quae fertur vsque ad Con­stātini Regis imperium per multae secula perdurasse. The Oke in [Page] the olde tyme was accompted chefest inter faelices arbores. It is a tree verye hyghe, full of boughes and braunches, ha­uing a roote moste perfecte and sure, and therefore it best abideth the blastes and shakynges of all tempesteous windes: and for hys myghtynes and strength, is most meete for great and large buyldinges. The leafe of thys tree in some countreyes neuer falleth awaye. Theophraste sayeth, that there is a kynde of Oke, in agro Thurio, vbi Sybaris per­spicua, quae nunquam folia dimittit. The frute of thys tree is called.Akecorne. Glandula, or glans quernea, an Akre, or maste of the Oke tree: wherewith men in the olde tyme were norished and fedde, wherfore the Poete sayeth.

Prius enim quam frumenti vsus esset, antiqui homines glande vixerunt. Boetius remembreth the same, sayinge, faelix ni­mium prior aetas. &c.

Wondrefull happy was the firste age of men, whych did holde them contented with the fruites which the verie fiel­des brought foorthe, and therefor were not distroyde with filthye glotonye: but were wonte easely to'assuage theire hōgre at euen with the Akecornes of Okes, not knowing what wine mente, yet vsing the moiste hony, and the clere running waters of the streame, whiche caused thē to slepe holesome slepes vpon the grasse liyng vnder the shadowes of the hye pyne trees.

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L. Bearethe Gules,Peare. & ver­te, parted with a cheuron be­twene three peares d Or.

The Peare hath hys name, because it is shaped as y^e flam­be of the fire, for a Peare is greate, harde, and brode at th'one ende, and narowe and strayghte at th'other, as y^e fla­me of fyre. Pyrus autem arbor: fructus eius pyra est. Poma pyri iumentis imposita vel si pauca, vehementer onerosa esse dicuntur. I thincke no more to speake of the Peare at thys tyme, nor of the tree, but of the cheuron descriued in the sayde fielde, whiche is a worthye particion, & holdeth in it selfe a great soueraignetie.

The Frenche call thys signe a Cheueron.Cheuron. In Latyne it is called Signum capitale, & Tignus, or Tignum, in Englishe it is a rafter of an house, which beareth the roofe: and of vs Northerne men, it is called a Sparre, or Sparres, of o­thers the barge coples. The whiche signes by all likely­hode were firste borne of carpenters, and makers of hou­ses:

for an house is neuer ma­de perfecte, till these coples be put vpon it, by the maner of an heade: and two suche ioy­ned together, make a capitall signe: that is to saye in y^e nor­therne tongue a cople of spar­res.

M. Beareth Argente, twoo Cheurōs Sable, betwene thre figge slippes propre.Figge.

The figge tree is so called, a faecunditate, because it excelleth [Page] others in fruitefulnes. Nam terque quaterque per singulos an­nos generat fructum: atque altero maturascente: alter oboritur.

Thus it is manifeste that thys tree beareth frute three or fower tymes in one yere, and whyle one rypeth, an o­ther spryngeth anone. Let y^e bearer herof in cote armoure, consider what he beareth. The learned can iudge what his condicions shoulde bee.

And touching the two Cheurons blazed, there can be no mo so termed in one coate armoure: for they conteyne the iuste quantitie of theire ordre in the fielde, for with them the fielde is fiue in all hys contente.

Rose.

O. Beareth gules, & sable, parted per cheuron, nebulee, thre roses d'Argent.

Amōg all flours of y^e world, the Rose is the cheife, and bea­reth the price. And therefore y^e chefe parte of man, whiche is the heade is ofte crowned therwith, because of hys vertues, swete smell and sauoure, for by fayrenes they fede y^e sight, and please the smell by odour: and accorde to medecine, both grene and drye. Rosa a specie floris nuncupata: ꝙ rutilanti colo­re rubeat. Therefore our noble and moste gracious Quene doth, and for euer shall vse thys delectable Poesie or wor­de. Rutilans Rosa sine spina. Yf I were learned thereunto, I woulde speake more of thys floure. But beyng bolde of Plinye, the Rose shall haue preheminence aboue all floures, and nexte to it, the floure de luce, and the thirde shalbe the violet. These are the floures wherewith the crownes of noble men oughte to bee adorned.

Partie per Cheuron.And wheras the fielde of the sayde cote armoure is par­ted per Cheuron, you must take the same, as one of the particions [Page 76] messes, because one coloure, after the maner of a Cheurō, entremedleth with an other, otherwise than is v­sed in simple particions. And my aucthor sayeth, that ma­ny haue doubted aboute the Blazon of Cotes Armoures, whan they bee thus parted per Cheuron of two coloures: and such as haue made themselfes verye connyng, in des­criuing of armes, haue fayled thereof: some holdinge one opinion, and same an other. And therefore to dissolue the doubte herein, take these nexte ensuyng for example.

P. Beareth Argent and gu­les, partie per Cheuron engrailed, three Lyllies, Lillye. deux, vne, contrechanged of the fielde.

Thys is as fayre a cote, as maye bee deuised of that parti­cion: and the tokē borne in the fielde, is of hys propre coloure. For the Lyllye is of treble co­loure, whit, redde, and purple, or yealowe. I thought it good to adde these woordes deux vne in the blazon of thys cote Ar­moure, for that the Lillyes are transmuted of the same co­loures that the fielde is of, for yf the fielde were not so parted, it neded not to haue sayde deux vne. And touching the floure, Plinye sayeth, that the Lillye is next to the Rose in worthynes and noblenes. Nothing is more gracious than the Lillye in fayrenes of colour, in swetenes of smell, and in effecte of workynge and vertue.Lilya. Lillya lactei floris herba: vnde & nuncupata quasi Liolya cuius dum candor sit in folijs: auri tamen species intus effulget.

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The fielde is Sable, thre pi­les in poyncte, d'Or, charged wyth nyne violettes,Violet. propre.

Thys floure hath hys name of the strongest smell that hee hath, as Isidore sayeth, and the smell thereof abateth the heate of the brayne, and refressheth and comforteth the spirittes. The littlenes thereof is nobly rewarded in greatenes of sa­uoure and of vertue. Amongst floures, Plinye setteth the vio­let, next the Rose, and the Lyllye: for that they be the chefe floures (hee sayeth) to beutefie the crownes of noble men. Huius genera sunt tria: purpureum, album, melliuum. The thre piles descried in thys cote armoure, whiche mete together in one coone of the shielde, as in the poyncte thereof, are called in Latine Pilae, which is asmuche to saye as Pillers, that susteyne and vpholde the worke whiche is layde vpon them.Pyles. And of the sondrye bearing of suche in cote armour, hereafter shall ensue diuerse examples.

Q. Beareth Argēt and verte, parted per pile enuecked, 6.Senuye. leafes de Senuye d'Or▪ 3.2.1. The floure of thys herbe is full yealowe, and hath a good smell. And though all the herbe in substaunce be kene and feruente, yet Bees loue beste the floures of it, and haunte them.

The fielde is golde, a Pyle in poyncte betwene two slip­pes of Merche,Merche. verte. This herbe in latine is called Apium, and it is so called, ꝙ ex eo apes .i. caput antiquorum triumphan­tium coronabatur. Hercules made hym firste garlandes of thys herbe. Cuius radices efficaciter pugnant contra insidias ve nenorum. Thys herbe is alwayes grene, as Theophraste sayethe.

R. Beareth Sable, a Pile engraled, in bende betwene fower flours of Agnus castus, Agnus caest'. d'Or. This herbe is alwayes [Page 77] grene: and the floure therof is namely called Agnus castus, for whoso vseth muche to smell thereunto, eyther man or woman, it hathe vertue to kepe them chaste as a Lambe. Therefore the women of Rome, vsed to beare with them the floure of thys herbe, at funeralles, & in seruice of deade men, whan they must nedes lyue chaste, for common ho­nestie.

S. beareth Ermyne, twoo Gyrons Sable, charged with Cilidon floures proper,Celydon. a Ba­tune Gules.

This herbe Celidon hath a yealowe floure, and the stalke therof broken, smorcheth them that touche it all with yealow. And it highte Celidonia, for it springeth and bloometh in the comminge of Swalowes. For a Swalowe in the Greeke tongue is called Celidon. Or els, as Isidore saithe, it is so called, because it helpeth Swa­lowes byrdes, if their eyne be hurte, or blinde. And like­wise Plinie saithe, that by the iuyce of Celidon, Swalowes eyes turne againe to theire firste state, if they bene hurte, or put out.

This hearbe hathe vertues that bene noble and good, whereof ye maye reade in Plinie, Dioscor. and Platearius also.

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The fielde is Lunae, on a Crosse Saturne,Crownes. fiue Crow­nes Imperiall. The Crosse thus charged, is called of olde Heraultes, the firste quadrate royall, because theron is seene a noble token to the number of fiue. Vide in the Concordes of Armorie. It is to be seene in diuerse Cote armours, that Crownes bene borne in sun­drie otherwise, as in Pale, in Fesse, & in the Angles of the Shielde, as it were in triangle, whiche is the moste aunci­ente, and as mine Authour saith, the most famous maner of bearing of them, or any other signes. And they are ve­rie rare sene borne in Bende, but in chefe they maye bee excellently borne, as before in thys booke is remembered.

The fielde is of the Rubye, a Crosse betwene fower crownes murall,Crowne mu­rall. Topaze.

Of the sondrie fashions of Crownes, geeuen by Empe­rours, kynges, and Prynces, to theire souldiours, for theire good seruice & valiaunte fea­tes donne in the warres, one is named a Crowne murall, whiche was geuen to hym, whiche in the siege of a Citie firste scaled the walles, & en­tered maugre the enemies, and therfore it was made like [...]nbatlementes of a wall. Muralis corona ex auro conflata in sormam muralium pinnarum illi dabatur ab Imperatore exerci­ [...]us, qui prius vi & armis hostium mania transcendisset in vrbē.

[Page 78]Thys coate armour is to be nombred, among the worthie particions, for the soueraygnetie of the same.

The fielde is of the Topaze, on a Crosse parted per Paile, Saphyre and Diamonde, a Crowne nauale, as the firste.

Thys Crowne was first put on hys heade, whiche in bat­tayle on the Sea, firste bor­ded the shippe that was assay­led,Crowne na­uall. and therefore it was ma­de like to the foreparte of a shippe. Nauali praelio qui in classem hostiū armatus, primus (que) irruens ingressus esset, Corona aurea Nauali cohonest abatur, rostro rum, aut naualium prorarum adinstar confecta. And an other Crowne called in Latyne Corona Castrensis, was geuen to hym, whiche firste entered by force into the trenche of the enemies campe, and therefore it was made, as it were sett about with payles.Corona Cas­trensis. And Paradyne sayeth, that Corona Ca­strensis vallaris, seu palata, ex auro confecta, donabatur ab Im­peratore, seu exercitus praefecto illi, qui primus oppugnando val­lum hostile occupasset. These Crownes alwayes were of Golde. Yet note, that these and many other suche like, oughte not directely to bee called Crownes: for althoughe Corona in Latyne, is called a Crowne, so is it a Garlande, a Chaplet, a companye of people standing rounde aboute like a Circle, also the circle about the moone:

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He beareth Sable, this lettre Ypsilon Argente,Ypsilon. ensigned with a Crowne Imperial on chiefe.

Haec littera Pythagorica vocatur. Se in the firste boke, entituled the Concordes of Armorye al­most in the ende.

The bearer of thys signe or token in armes, I meane of the crowne Imperiall, oughte al­wayes to bee doynge good, and to se that no harme be donne to none, to be mercifull, and con­tinually exercised in the seruice of almyghtie God. For those, in whose power it is to do good, and doth it not, the Crowne of honor and worshippe shalbe taken from them, and (as Chaucer sayethe) with shame they shalbe anulled, & from all dignitie deposed.2. Reg. 12. cap. When kyng Dauid had gotten the citie of Raba, & had put oute the people that was therin, tormentyng them vpon sawes, yron harrowes, and vpon ares of yron, & thrust them into the tyle kyll, he toke their kinges crowne from of hys heade, whiche wayde an hun­dred waighte of golde, and in it were precious stones: and it was sett on Dauids heade. Hereby is the power of God declared, how hee dealeth euen with kynges, takynge the crowne and dignitie from one, and geuing the same to an other. He exalteth, and it is he, that deiecteth, he is the auē ­ger, he is also the sparer, he can wounde, and he can make whole: neyther is there anye that can delyuer hym oute of hys hande.

The fielde of thys cote Armoure is Claurie, because it is of one propre coloure, without anye particion or change, & it is also the seconde quadrate Royall, for that the fielde is charged, but with no mo tokens.

The fielde is parted per Fesse Dented, Venus, & Saturne, fiue beasauntes.Beasante. 3.2. A beasaunte is also called a Talente: [Page 79] The sondrie contentes wherof, the Reader maye best vn­derstande in Sir Thomas Elyote hys dictionarie, to the whiche I referre hym, and to master Gerard Leyghe, in hys accedence of Armorie.

The fielde is sable a fesse Cantone d'Ermyne, betwene two plates.

Plates are of dignitie nexte vnto the beasauntes,Plates. and are rounde in shape as beasauntes are, whiche are alwayes of golden coloure, as ye may rede before. And plates are of siluer, and haue no similitude on them, but are formed readie to coigne. These of them that knowe not the ryght termes of them are called Balles: and they offende not muche some tyme so to name thē, for Pila in Latyne, is not onely a Piller, or frame to bee put vnder any worke to beare the same, but it is also a Ball, or any thinge rounde as a Ball: the whiche is an instrumente seruinge otherwhyle to the hāde, and then it is called in Latyn Pila palmaria, or Pila manualis, otherwise it serueth for the foote, and then it is called Pila pedalis, a foote ball, yet are there other thinges rounde, whyche are neyther beasauntes, plates, or balles. A boule is a very rounde thinge,Boule. and in Latyne is called Globus, and Globum, and is also a token in armes, but not of suche estimacion. There is also an other figure, in all partes equally roūde,Sphere or Globe. and in Latyne is called Sphaera, and is also an honorable deuise in armes. And nowe shall en­sue sundrye examples to displaye suche signes or tokens, as are rounde in shape and forme.

The fielde is Gules.Ermyne. 10. beasauntes a canton d'Ermyne. Of the Beasaunte I haue spoken sufficiently before. But the canton beyng d'Ermyne, vnderstande what the same is. It is one of the noble and honorable furres, vsed to be worne of Kynges and Princes in theire robes and mant­les, & is the chefest furre. In armes it is called Ermine, proprely, and not siluer or white, poudered with Sable, to the whiche terme there must bee had great respecte, it is so frequēte in armorye. In mātles, (as M. G. Leyghe sayeth) [Page] they are called doblinges. It is the skynne of a lyttle bea­ste of the lande of Armenye, whereof he taketh hys name. The tricke of thys cote armoure, I did take (as I founde it) in the parish Churche of Lutterworth.

Here in the fiel­de Azure, is to be seene the image of the virgin Marie, with her chylde in her armes, stan­ding in the sonne. For the bearinge of these Armes, greate dissention did arise, betwene Sir Ihon Shan­dos, an Englishe man, and the lord del Claremounte, a Frenche man, they both bearing the saide Armes alike: after a chalenge thereof made by the one, to the other, it was tryed by them, at the ende of y^e battel of Poytiers, where the lorde del Claremounte was slayne, and loste hys Banner, by ryghte of armes.

Suche lyke controuersie dyd chaunce, betwene two va­liaunt, knyghtes, Sir Iohn of Sitsilt, and Sir Willyam of Facknaham, for raysinge in fielde the cote Armoure, here, after the antique maner displayed. But the ryghte of the bearing thereof (which they were readie to trie by for­ce of Armes) was adiudged, to Sir Iohn Sitsilt, as to him moste ryghtefully and lyneally descended, by good & law­full byrthe: as heyre of bloode and of bodie, of Iames Sit­silt, Lorde of Beauporte. For the truthe whereof (gentle rea­der) here ensueth Verbatim, the copye of the very originall wrytinges, in haec verba.

[Page 80] ¶Iames Sitsilt Lord

of Beauporte, had to hys ensigne in the fi­elde of ten Barres sil­uer & Azure, six ex­cocheons sable, with as many Lyons ram­ping, of the firste in­censed Gules.

¶ Gentle Reader, note well thys Blazon, and you shall playnely perceaue the great knowledge of th'officers at armes in the olde tyme.

[Page]¶C'est a tesmoigner a vous mes Seigniours, pur le determina­tion final, del discention pur vng Ensigne d'Armes perenter Mon­sieur Iean de Sitsilt, & Willyam de Faknaham Cheualiers, que l'an depuis le nestre de Dieu, mil cent quarante deux, Iaques Sit­silt & ses ancesters seigneurs de Beauport, a le siege de le Chasteau de Wallingford & viues & mortzillonques, & la leueront vng Ensigne, tiel comme l'ensigne de lour sang genereux. C'est a dire, en la champe de dize barretz d'Argent & azure, Pedegre ascendinge. six escochcons Sa­bels, auec tantes de Lyons rampand, primer incensed Gule, Pere de Iehan Sitsilt, pere de Eustace, pere de Baldwine, pere de Ge­rarde, pere de Robert, pere de Iaques, Pere de George de Euerwike, pere de Iehan, pere de cestuy Iean Sitsilt Cheualer, heyer de sang & de corps de dit Iaques Seigneur de Beauport, linealment des­cendu par bon & loyal nestre, de que lygne le dit Willyam n'est my. Et cest pur voier & bon droit tousiours ie seray prest de main­tener, a que fayer ie moy oblige par mon seau ci affigé. Donné le quarte iour d'Auril, l'an del reigne du Roy Edwarde le tiers de­puis le conqueste. Le Siz.

¶ The final determinacion of the controuersie aforesayde.

A touts Angloys & Francoys, Nous Edwarde de Beaulile, & Iean de Mowbray gret. L'ou grande debate & controuersie ad esté parentre Iean de Sitsilt Cheualier, & Willyam Faknaham, in le champe de Monte holitone, pur vn ensigne d'armes: c'est assa­uoir tiel, le champe de dize Barretz Argent, & azure, supportez de cinq escocheons Sables, charges ouesque tant de Lyons primers rampantz incensed Gules, que ambideux clamont come lour droict par longe & auncient descent a eux descendu. Et a mayntener lour quarell pur droitriel, ambideux les partyes ont eux mettre sur lour force, & vantont de cest maintener per lour corps. Ci est que il au please a nostre liege seigneur le Roy que Iustice sera fait a ces homes sans sang espandu, per voyer tesmoignes & bons sem­blances. [Page 81] Accordant a que auoins oyé & voy moltes ditez & lour escriptes, & les tesmoygnes du Roy d'Armes & dauter lieges le Roy, que le droit le dit Iehan Sitsilt et bien forte maintenent le dit ensigne estre son droict, come le droict de son sang genereulx. Pur que fait cest nostre final dome, q̄ Dieu, le Roy nostre liege & nous, & le dit Iehan Sitsilt defend que iames doresenauant le dit Williā ne soit cy hardy, chalenger, claymer, ou leuer in ascun chāp le Roye, ou sur ascun corse viue ou morte, in ascun leu deins les quatre mers le Roye, ou aillours par my tout Christiantye, les dites armes in ensigne, pyghenoute, guydon, banyer, escocheō, targe, escu, manche, ou elme, sur payne de forfayture, & perder son espeé tren­chaut, & ses piques d'Or a toutes iours. Donné le quart iour de Iune, l'an del Roy Edwarde le tierce, depuis le conquest, le Sept.

The whych sayde originall writinges, beyng written in parchement, accordyng to the antiquitie of the tyme, I my selfe haue seene being in the possession of the ryghte hono­rable the Lorde of Burghley, to whome in blood the same belongeth, whose name beinge written at thys daye Cecill is neuertheles in Wales, both in speche and common wri­ting vsed to be vttered Sitsilt or Sitsild: where the originall house at thys daye remayneth nere Aburgenny.

The fielde is of y^e Diamon­de, three plates on chefe, and two barres',Hungreforde. Pearle. Or els thus. He beareth Sable, two barres and three plates, on chefe d'Argente. What these bee, and of theire mettall, ye maye reade in the page nexte before.

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The fielde is of the Sonne, 10.Torteauxe. torteauxes, 3.3.3. & 1. or thus. C. beareth gold .10. torteauxes, 3.3.3. and 1. gules. It neded not here to haue made mencion of what planet or coloure the torteauxes be: for they are found alwayes of redde coloure, and are called of olde blazors, ca­kes of bredde, notwithstan­ding they are contrarie in co­loure to righte cakes, or was­telles: yet they muste bee na­med by none other name, then Torteauxes:

Q. Curt. li. 4.At suche tyme as Alexander the greate layde hys siege to the citye of Tyre, a certayne souldiour of the Macedōs, as he was breakyng of hys breade, there appearrd therein droppes of bloude, whiche by Arystander the deuiner was thus interpreted. Yf the bloude had appeared outwardely, then it had signified yll fortune to the Macedons, but in as­moche as it was founde within, it betokened destructiō to the citye, they wente about to wynne.

T. Beareth Ermynes, on a chefe Argente indented, 3. Ogresses.

Ogresse, or Pellet.Th'Ogresse is the same, that we call a Pellet of a gōne, and in armorye is no other coloure then Sable. Wherfore I do omit the worde Sable, because it is the righte and propre coloure incident to a Pellet. But of the fielde of thys cote armour (whiche in my iudgemente shall haue the se­conde dignitie of the furres) thys vnderstande, that it is o­nely to bee called Ermines, and not Sable poudered with siluer.

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And of these two Royall fur­res, Ermyne, and Ermynes, how they both may be borne in one cote armoure, take thys for example.

U. Beareth gules, one pyle in poyncte,Ermyne. Ermyne & a chefe d'Ermynes.Ermynes. Thus of the dif­ference of these two furres, this, and the last pagen maye perfectely instructe the, gentle reader.

W. Bearethe Gules,Hurtes. on a Fesse Argente 3. hurtes.

Thys shoulde alwayes bee of Azure coloure, and are cal­led hurtes, for that where they appeare, violence hath bene shewed to the bearer, and further I cānot construe of this matter. The Cote armoure is Mars, and the thing contey­ned in the fielde is of his power, and charged proprely in a sure Fesse of the Moone. These tokens (beyng rounde in figure) as are next before recited, ought well to be marked and considered, for as they differ in mettall and coloure, so are they chāged in theire names and callyng. Neyther are they founde at any time perforate, that is to saye, persed in the myddest: but they are seene to bee charged sondrye wayes, as with Rowelles, Mollettes, Starres. &c.

The fielde is Saturne, a bende of the Sunne,Welles. betwene 6. fountaynes propre. What a foun­tayne is,L. Sturton. ye may reade before. And notwithstanding, it is so called, a Fountayne, or well, yet be they ensigned in cote armoure, rounde in figure: and bee alwayes of white coloure and waterie, for the thinge which they represente: that is to saye, the water of a well, [Page] whiche is white. Thys cote armoure, as it is charged with an honorable bende ordinarie, so the particion whiche the same maketh, causeth y^e cote armoure to be more worthie. What commodities come by founteynes or welles, there is no reasonable creature, but he knoweth. Yet the vse of them maye best be knowne, whoso shall reade the historye of the great worthye, and puissante prince, kyng Arthur, kyng some tyme of thys moste noble Realme of Englād. But whosoeuer deliteth to reade of the diuersitie of foun­taines, and theire waters, let them reade Isidore, lib. 13. ety­mologiar. cap. 13.

The fielde is Uerrey, Perle, & Saphyre, on a bende Rubie, thre annullettes of the Topa­ze.Annulet. Ringe. These annullettes, or as commonly they be called ryn­ges, are also certayne rounde signes or tokens borne in ar­mes, to the great estimaciō of the bearer: for rynges are to­kens of fidelitie and truste, of the sure kepyng of promyse, & othe, and also the remembrā ­ce of kepyng oure allegiance and duetie. They are also to­kēs of victorie and tryumphe. The first that euer dyd were rynge, (as is redde in prophane hystories) was Prometheus, the sonne of Iapetus: and he firste inuented the makynge of Images also, wherfore the Paynyms supposed, that he made men: and fayned that he wente vp into heauen, & there dyd steale fire to make hys Images haue lyfe, wherewith Iupiter beyng wrothe, caused hym to bee bounden on the hyll called Caucasus, and an Eagle standyng by hym, ea­tynge hys harte, by the whiche is signified, that he was studious, and a great Astronomer. But of hym Isidore thus sayeth. Primus Prometheus fertur circulum ferorum incluso lapi­de digito circundedisse. Note here, that the firste rynge was [Page 83] made of yron. Golde I thincke was then scarcely know­ne: yet precious stones, and stones, wherein were grauen signes, of beastes, foules, serpentes, &c. were then enclosed in rynges, not of golde, but in rynges of yron. Qua consue­tudine homines vsi annulos habere caeperunt. Isidore also decla­reth the maner howe men at the firste dyd weare rynges. Annulos homines primū gestare caeperunt quarto a pollice digito: ꝙ ea vena quaedam ad cor vsque pertingat: quam ornandam no­tandam (que) aliquo insigni veteres putauerunt. Apud Romanos a­nuli de publico dabantur: & non sine discrimine. Nam dignitate praecipuis viris gemmati dabantur: ceteris solidi. And thys also was vsed among the Romaynes, that none but the fremā shoulde openly were a rynge of Golde, hee that was fran­chysed, a syluer rynge, and the bondeman an Iron rynge. But nowe yf a Prentice, or base craftes men haue not a rynge of Golde, he thincketh it not well with hym, yf hee see a gentleman haue one, and he haue not the like, or such an other: so that euery tyncker nowe a dayes will be gēt­leman like. It was accompted apud veteres, an infamye to haue or weare anye mo rynges, then one: but nowe that ordre is worne out of vse, and not obserued or kepte, and in especially among weomen: Nam illis nunc prae auro nullū leue est atque immune membrum. Thus there is sufficiently spoken of the bearyng and wearyng of rynges, but of the fielde of the sayde cote armou­re thys resteth vnspoken. It is one also of the honorable fur­res,Verrey. and is proprely called Uerrey, and commonly is sene, of the metall, Argente, and the coloure, azure, vel ècontra &c.

The fielde is Nebule, Luna and Saturne. Nebule. Cloudes. The hole contēte of thys fielde is cloudie of two coloures, gules and argent, or [Page] Argente, and gules, geuyng the soueraingtie to the metal. Almyghtie god wente before hys chosen people the childrē of Israel thorowe the wildernes by daye in a piller of a cloude, and in a Piller of fyre by nyghte. They be called Clou­des, ab obnubendo .i. operiendo caelum. Nubes autem aeris densi­tas facit. Venti enim aerem conglobant, nubem (que) faciunt: vnde est illud: Atque in nubem cogitur aer. Cloudes in Armorie, are signes of great dignitie, and declare the bearer of them in cote armoure, to haue a certayne excellencie in hym selfe. Fabius, Fabius. a noble Romayne, beyng made Dictator againste Anniball, so tempered Prudence with manhode or prow­esse, that by detracting of battayle, and trayning Anniball from place to place, and at sondrye aduātages skirmishing with hym, he minished hys puissaunce, and preserued the publike weale of hys cōtrye, and caused Anniball to retire, who sayde than to hys hoste, did not I tell you before, that thys Cloude woulde at the laste bringe vs a storme, calling Fabius a Cloude, because of hys houerynge.

Y. Beareth Ermynes, a twynne araide, Siluer, crow­ned with a garlande of violettes,Twynne. propre, hauyng hys han­des displayde Geminus is a twynne, where many children are borne at one burdeyne,Geminus. although they be three or mo. And how they may be borne in cote armoure, take here an other example.

F. Beareth Mars. 3. twynnes with armes displayed, of the moone. Studie not (gentle reader) wherefore I haue blazed the twinne and twinnes with theire armes exten­ded. Of truthe it is theire proprety euen from the wombe so to do, desiringe the libertie of theire braunches. I coulde speake here of swadelynge of chyldren, but it belongethe not to my purpose. Wherefore I referre it to weomen and Phisicions.

A. Beareth Azure, a maste of a shippe d'Argent, and on the chefe thereof,Gemini. the Sterres Gemini. These the gentyles called Castor, Castor & Pollux. and Pollux: whome the Grecians doe call [Page 84] Dioscuros, and suppose that they prosper those that sayle on the Sea, when they appeare sittyng ioyntely together, thone by th'other on the crosse peice, whereunto the sayle is fastened.Paradinus. Simbol. Her [...]. Si vero corum alter duntaxat eminet, malum prae­sagire creditur, Preterea potest sub alterius Geminorum solitudi ne intelligi, periculosam esse potentiam absque prudentia. Saynct Paule departed from Melite in a shippe, whose badge was Castor and Pollux. Act. cap. 28.

The fielde is Azure, a Gar­be d'Or,Garbe, or wheate shafe. with a bende Gules.

Thus is asmoche to saye, in thys fielde, as a sheafe of wheate. Ceres wyfe of Osiris kynge of Egipte, dyd first in­uente sowynge of wheate, and Barlye, whiche before dyd growe wilde amōg other her­bes. Prima Ceres cepit vti frugi­bus in Grecia, Ceres. & habere segetes translatis aliunde seminibus.

Of her, Ouide maketh mencion, saynge.

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The fielde is of the Dia­monde, a Fusil in pale,Fusill, or Spindle. perle. The Fusill is the same, that we commōly call a Spyndle. Arachus, was the name of the woman, whiche firste inuen­ted spinning of Lynnen, and makyng of nettes. There bee certaine noble men, and other gentles, the whiche beare in theire armes fusilles, whiche signes so borne, (as some affirme) beganne of weuers: forasmuche as weuers vse suche fusilles made of sponnen wolle. Certes terme them whe­ther ye wil, fusilles, or spindles, it is no great matter, since in effecte they are both one: and the token of them I dare auowe, are of more antiquitie and ancient bearyng, than some reporte they be of. Whereof I will now put 6. exam­ples of y^e bearing of thē sondrie wise, & after diuers ordres.

The fielde is Argent, three fusilles in Fesse Gules.

The Fusill in Latyne is cal­led fusum, L. Mōteacute. ꝙ per cum fundatur quod netuni est. What yf y^e first bearer of suche ensignes, dyd cause hys wolle to bee sponne by the folkes of hys household whether they were his childrē or seruauntes, is this therfore any reproche to y^e master, since hys children & householde ser­uantes, yea, and he hymselfe, is therby cladde and appareled muche the better? No cer­taynely, reproche therein can be none, but rather an hyghe commendacion of vertuous exercise, and godly labour.

It appeareth in y^e hystorie of the actes of great Alexādre, [Page 85] that while he was abroade in the warres, his sisters didde spinne, and make for him garmentes of wollen clothe, whiche they sente him as a greate gifte: and was worne of him at that time, and more esteemed, then all the silkes, and pretious vestures of the Persians.Persian weo­men handle no wolle. And although the noble wemen in that countrie take nothinge in more des­pite, then to put their handes to woll, yet the sisters of the same Alexander the Greate, and the noble wemen of Ma­cedonia, disdeigned not to spinne, and make garmentes thereof, not thinkinge the same to be any blemishe at all to theire Nobilite, or bloude.

He beareth Azure,Saltier. a Sal­tier d'Or. Huius Symboli des­criptio ad Sancti Andreae quam dicunt Crucem, Paradinus. pertinet, qua & Domus Burgundica signis mili­taribꝰ prodiens solebat in aciem venire. Tametsi interpretationē non per omnia similem recipiant. This Saltier is made by the manner of a Crosse, called S. Andrewe his Crosse, and commonly of vs Englishe men, is thereunto compared. It is also taken for a certaine Instrumente, whiche hathe here­tofore benne made in diuerse Parkes, and is of a greate magnitude or largenesse: and hathe bene well knowne of Noble gentlemen, and hunters. For they were ordeined, and vsed in Parkes and Forestes, as Engynes to take wylde beastes, whiche once entringe by that instrument, coulde not escape awaye in any wise. Wherefore in the old time, these signes of Saltiers were giuē to rich & coue­tous persons, or niggardes, such as would not gently, or liberally departe from any of their goodes or substance: and yet nowe in these our dayes are borne of righte Ho­nourable gentlemen, who are bothe free, liberall, & boun­teous, [Page] and which abhorre all suche auarice, churlishnesse, and niggardshippe.

Of the bearinge also of suche a token in Armes, take these further for examples.

The fielde is Gules,Mollette. on a Saltier Argente, fiue Mol­lettes Sable.

This is to be taken as a spotte descended from on high, and disperpled into fiue pointes, out of one Still. This cote Armoure is one of the honourable Ordinaries char­ged.

D. beareth Argente, a Saltier Azure, betweene foure Rauens winges proper.Rauen. the Rauen in Latine is called Coruus, siue Corax, and shee hathe that name, à sono gutturis, quòd voce coracinet. Fertur haec auis, quòd editis pullis, escam plenè non praebeat, priusquam in eis per pennarum nigredinem si­militudinem proprij coloris agnoscat. Postquam verò eos tetros plumis aspexerit in toto agnitos abundantius pascit. The Ra­uen is enimie to the Bull, and assaileth him on all partes, but his eies especially.

Frette.E. beareth Uerte, a Frette d'Argente. And to hys Creaste vpon the Helme, on a wreathe Or, and Sable, a Popyniaye Purpre, bearinge a twigge of the Almonde tree proper, manteled Azure, dobled Or. The Fret borne in this Cote armour, is found borne also of diuerse noble Gentlemen, of seueral mettal and colours. And the same is sometime seene in Cote armour simple, otherwhile do­ble, also triple, and of eighte pieces: and oftentimes they are multiplied ouer all the Shielde.

And ye muste vnderstande one greate difference be­twene Armes Bended, and these Armes, the whiche be made with the foresaide Frettes. For in Armes Bendee, the colours contained in the shielde, are equally diuided: and where these Frettes be, the fielde alwayes abide the whole.

Popiniaye.And touchinge the Popyniaye, whiche is before descri­ued for the Creast of the said Cote armour, he is in one of [Page 86] his proper colours, and bearethe a spraye of his delighte. He is called in Latin Psitacus. Munsterus in his booke of Cosmographie saithe,Psitacorum Regio. that in Psitacorum regione, there be founde Popiniayes of incredible bignesse, as exceedinge in lengthe, an arme and an halfe, and are of manifolde colours.

He saithe also, that in the Lande of Chalechute, there be Popiniayes of greene colour,Calechute. euen as greene as Leekes, Alij scutulati, alij coloris purpurij. There is also suche plen­tie of them in that countrye, that they appointe keepers to keepe theire Rice whiche they sowe in theire fieldes, leaste they doo eate it vp. Munsterus reporteth also, that the Popiniayes of Indie,Indiani Psi­taci. are for the moste parte of grene but that theire heade is redde, or as the coloure of woade, and shinethe like golde. Theire tongue is greate and broade, Atque ideò vocaliores sunt, and vtter wordes which maie be vnderstande.

They learne in the firste and seconde yeare, suche wor­des as are taughte them, and retaine them longe. They drinke Wyne, and vse theire feete in steade of handes, when they take meate.

This byrde, saithe Isidore, of nature vseth as it were a certaine salutation, Dicens: Aue, vel chere. Caetera nomina in­stitutione discit. Hinc est illud:

The Popiniaye is in no countrie so greate or bigge, as he is In Psitacorum regione. But those in the Lande of Cha­lechute, are of greater praise, & estimation, althoughe they moste abounde there.

F. beareth Argent, a Bende Azure, cotized with twoo cotizes Sable,Allaundes. on the Bende, three Allaundes heades ras­sed Golde, Mosseled Gules.

And to his Creaste vpon the Helme, on a wreathe Ar­gent, and Sable, a Beares heade rassed Golde, betweene twoo winges Gules, manteled Azure, doubled Argente. [Page] The signes borne in the said Cote armour, are the heades of three Allaundes, whiche be a certaine kinde of dogges of greate stature passinge all others, whiche are vsed to hunte the Lyon, Tyger, Panther, wilde Beare, & other suche beastes of rauening kinde. And of the same tokens borne in this Cote armoure, and Creaste, I haue suffici­ently spoken, where I entreated of Beastes: and where I haue here descriued the heades of two sundrie kindes of beastes, note alwaies, that nexte the bearing of the whole beaste, the bearinge of the heade in Armes, is taken to be the moste worthiest parte, and moste esteemed in Cote armour, as honourable.

The field is Martis, a Pegasus Lunae, wynged Solis. The Creaste a dimie Chymer, Rampante Saturne, sette on a Torce, Luna and Ioue, manteled of the Rubie, doubled Pearle. There maie be readde of diuerse Horses in Po­etrie,Pegasus. as of this Horse Pegasus before blazed, that had win­ges for to flie, and of Sinon the Greeke his Horse, that broughte Troye to destruction. But this Pegasus excee­ded Bucephale, and all other horses in swiftnesse, and cele­ritie, because he had winges: Quem ex interfectae Medusae sanguine natum fingunt. De quo Ouidius. 4. Metam. Upon this horse did Bellerophon ascende,Bellerophon. when he slewe Chimeram that horrible monster in Lycia, whiche hauinge the head, and face of a Lyon, the middle parte of a Goate, and the hinder parte of a Dragon, breathed, and caste forth great sparkles of fire. And therefore I haue sette this monster, as a Creaste to the saide Cote armoure: and as I thinke, not incongruently, if the circumstances of the Historie, of whome the same dependeth, be rightly considered.

Also Munsterus the Cosmographer reporteth, (but sup­posinge the same not to be true) that Pegasus is a byrde in Africa, whiche is saide to haue the bodye, and eares of an Horse, and the winges like a Byrde. Haec ille Lib. 6. Pag. 1151.

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The fielde is Uerte, an hart of a man d'Argente,Harte of mā, pierced with twoo Dartes in Saltier d'Or. In chief an Harpe d'Ermyne stringed proper.

The especiall token borne in this Cote armoure, is the Harte of a man, whiche in La­tin is called Cor, deriued à Grae­ca appellatione, whiche they name Cardian. Or els it hathe that name of Cura, because that in it abideth all carefulnesse, all regarde of God, and godlynesse, and also the cause of all knowledge and wise­dome.

The harte of man declinethe more towarde the lefte side, then of any other liuinge creature, for to them it is sette in the middle of the bodye. The causes of the one, or of the other, it appertaineth not here to recite. And as the same is of no very great quantitie, so is it in fourme more rounde, then longe. Yet in the lower parte thereof it ga­thereth sharpe, Exitque pene in mucronem.

It is the well of life, and all fealinge, and mouinge is therein. Amongest al members, the harte of man is most noble, and therefore it is sette in the moste excellente place of the body, as it is moste needefull. For no member is so needefull to the life of man, as is the harte.

I haue displayed the saide Harte peirced with Dartes, to declare thereby oure mortalitie, in that we see, if the same be striken, wounded, or grieued with sorrowe, wee then can haue no longer pleasure, or delighte to liue.

I reade also,Aristomenes that Aristomenes, a man of Messene, whiche was called Iustissimus, Moste iuste, when he was deade, was founde to haue his Harte all hearye.Harpe. The Harpe is a token not vnmeete to be borne in chiefe of the saide Cote armoure, beinge an instrumente like to a mannes [Page] breaste. For likewise as the voice commeth of the breast, so the notes comme of the Harpe, and hathe therefore in Latin that name Cythara, for the breaste is called Cythara in Dorica lingua. This instrumente is seene sometime to haue foure corners, but moste commonly three.

In olde times Harpes hadde but seuen stringes, and so Virgili saithe:

A Stringe in Latin is called Corda, of Corde, the harte. For as the pulse of the Harte is in the breaste, so the pulse of the stringes is in the Harpe.

Cordas autem primus Mercurius excogitauit: Isidor. Etym. Lib. 3. cap. 21. idem (que) prior in neruos sonum strinxit.

His fielde is of the Saphyre, a Psalterie in Bend sini­ster,Sawtrie, or Psaltrie. Topaze. His crest a wrest in Crosse, Sol, set on a cha­p [...]au Mars, turned vp Ermynes, manteled Rubie, dou­bled Ermynes. Isidore saithe, that Psalterium, quod vulgo Canticum dicitur, à psallendo nominatum, hathe his name of singynge, Quòd ad eius vocem Chorus consonando respondeat. The Harpe is like to the Psaltrie in sounde, but betwene them this is the difference. In the Psaltrie is an holowe tree, and of that same tree the sounde commeth vpwarde, and the stringes beinge smitten downewarde, Desuper: sonant. And in the Harpe the holownesse of the tree is be­neathe.

The Hebrewes vsed to call the Psaltrie, Decacordon propter numerum decalogum Legis. And this Instrumente hathe but tenne stringes. The best stringes for the Psal­trie are made of Siluer, yet those bene good, whiche bene made of Laton.

The Wreste in Latin highte Plectrum. And whereas I descriued the saide Wreaste in Crosse,Wreste. yet take the same not to be twoo, but one Wreste, because a certaine holow­nesse muste be seene at euery pointe of the Crosse, where­with the pinnes of y^e Psaltrie must be wrested diuersly, as they are of bignesse. Mercurius inuented the sundry kindes [Page 88] of stringes, and he firste streined them, and made them to sounde.

P. I. beareth Gules, on a Crosse d'Or, Guttie,Guttie. this na­me Christus within a crowne of thornes, Uerte. This is the Cote armoure of Preto Iohan, quem alij vocant Presto Ioannem, Preto Iohan. alij praetiosum Iohannem, & vul­gares Presbyterum Iohannem, non quòd sit Presbyter aut Sacerdos, cum sit Rex, sed quia error est in nomine.

This Cote armoure of the saide Christian kinge, I noted as I founde the same pain­ted amonge the reste of the Cotes of all Christian Prin­ces, vpon the couer of the Fonte in the Cathedral churche of Yorke.

Yet Munsterus in his booke of Cosmographie, figurethe vnto the same Prince an other Cote armour: Videlicet, a Lyon Rampante vpon a Crosse, the mettall, or colours of the fielde, or tokens borne in the same, he describeth not. The other, as I haue seene the same, is rightly displayed bothe of the fielde, and the signes borne therein. Where­fore, I mynde here to speake but of the droppes vpon the saide Crosse, beinge blazed Guttie, and no mention made of coloure: whiche I thinke needeth not to be rehearsed, for that these droppes are of theire proper coloure, and are to be taken for droppes of bloude.

And therefore in an other manner take the blazon of the same noble kinge his armes, who beareth Mars, on a Crosse, Solis guttie. This name Christus, of the fielde, within a Crowne d'Espines proper. The droppes also here descriued haue a spirituall interpretation, whiche e­uery true, and christian harte maie rightly vnderstande, what they signifie.

[Page] Droppes.Other droppes there be, as droppes of raine and dewe. Suche droppes feede, and nourishe fishe in the sea, make Oysters fatte, and breede in them Pearles, and Pretious stones, as Isidore saithe, and namely the droppes of the morninge dewe. And althoughe a droppe be most neshe, yet by ofte fallinge it pierceth that thinge, that is righte harde, as this verse saithe:

Stillie.The fielde is Uerte, Stillie, d'Argente. This is a righte little parte of water, or rayne, departed by somme violence from the whole, and is called Gutta, when it stan­deth, or hangeth on eauesinges, or of trees: and when it falleth, it is called Stilla: and thereof commeth Stillicidi­um, as it were a fallinge droppe.

A droppe hanginge, fallinge, or standinge, is in sub­stance moste cleare, rounde in fourme, small, and strayte in the ouer parte, little in quantitie, and greate in vertue. For it moysteth the earthe that it falleth vpon, and ma­keth it plenteous, and fruitefull, feedeth, and nourisheth rootes and seedes, and maketh them growe: and quicke­neth, and preserueth greenesse in trees, hearbes, & grasse. Therefore I haue descriued these styles in theire proper fielde.

G. beareth Azure, a Barre Gemewe, Or, betwene three handes sinister,Sinister hand Palme. d'Argente. The Tymbre, a palme of an hande dexter, d'Ermyne, sette on a Wreath Or, and Sa­ble, manteled Azure, doubled Argente.

The token borne in this Cote armour, is a lefte hand. For it suffereth the righte handes woorke, and hathe that name Sinistra, of Sinere. to suffer..

And the hande highte Palma, when the fingers benne streithte foorthe, as it were boughes, or braunches spray­ed.

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The fielde is Sable, two ar­ming Swordes transuers in barre, poyncte in poyncte at the hilts, betwene thre Trew­els d'Argente.Trewell. The people of Israell, whan they were come out of theire captiuitie at Ba­bylon, begā to buylde agayne the walles of Ierusalem:2. Esdr. [...] ▪ and beyng continually hyndered of theire enemies, they were constreyned, as euery one of them dyd holde hys trewell with one hande to worke, so with the other he holde hys weapon to defende hym. And euerye one that buylded, had hys Sworde girde by hys thighe, and so buylded they.

The Trewell is an auncient addition of Armorie.

The fielde is d'Or a manche maltale Sable,Manche. semie marga­rite propre.

What a Manche is taken to bee, I haue shewed in the first boke entituled the Concordes of Armorie. And touchyng the Margarites wherewith y^e sayd Manche is poudered. Chaucer, in hys seconde and thirde bo­kes, entituled, the Testament of loue, maketh a great proces­se of them, as gemmes very precious, clere, and little: And thus descriueth them, (as he readeth in the workes of great clerkes, whyche entreate of the kyndes and propreties of [Page] thynges) sayng,Margarite, or Margrit. that the Margarite is a little whyte pearle, throughout holowe and rounde, and verteous. And on the Sea sides in great Britayne in Muscle shelles, of the hea­uenly dewe, the beste bene engendred: in whiche by expe­rience bene founde thre faire vertues.Chaucer. One is, it geeueth comforte to the felynge spirites in bodely persones of rea­son .2. It is profitable to health, agaynst y^e passions of sorie mens hartes .3. It is nedefull and noble in staunchyng of blode, there els to moche woulde oute runne.

The bearer thereof shoulde be stedfast, amiable, and in peace, vertuous also, with longe cōtinuance in mekenes, that mother is of all vertues: shewing mercy & pitye with the harte towardes all men, embracing also peace, and fo­lowing it. Therefore let all gentlemen suffer in no wyse thys iewell the Margarite to bee blemished, as nighe as they maye, but with harte and mynde studye to optayne the vertues that thereby are signified, and so through gra­ce, for theire seruice, they shalbe hyghely aduaunced.

Daisie.H. Beareth Ermyne, a Pale verte, semie de daysie, propre. Chaucer writeth moche of thys floure in many pla­ces of hys workes: and in especially in hys preface to the legend of good weomen, where he sayeth of hym selfe be­ynge in loue with thys floure in the moneth of Maye.

And the sayd Chaucer writeth in a goodly Balade of hys also of the Daysie, where he calleth it,

Floures do wel become louers, for that they take therein delite, and therefore are of greate dignitie in signes Ar­moriall.

Hys fielde is of the Saphire, the Sunne propre,Sunne. or thus. He beareth Azure, a Sunne d'Or.

The certayne quantitie of thys Planet is vnknowne to earthely dwellers. The Son­ne, but he shine (saieth Chaucer) for sonne is not accōpted: so vertue, but it stretcheth in good­nes or profit to an other, is no vertue, but into hys contrarie, the name shalbe reuersed.

The fielde is of the Perle,Spurre. two Spurres in Pale, Ru­bye. Hys creste a mollet blemished Topaze, set on a wreath [Page] Perle, and Diamonde, manteled Saphyre, dobled Topaze. Chaucer sayeth that habite, maketh no mōcke, ne wearing of gyite Spurres, maketh no knyghte.

F. Beareth Azure, a wheele and an Orle of eight Pheons d'Or. Thys is taken for the whele of that meruelous monstre Fortune, Fortune. as Boetius calleth her. lib. 2. de consolatione Philo. The blynde goddesse Fortune, with her doble visage, and whirlynge whele, cruelly cas­teth downe kinges, and chan­geth the lowest to the hyest, & the hyest, to the lowest. She made Cresus kynge of the Lydians to bee caught by Cyrus, Cresus. who woulde haue burnte hym, but that a rayne descended from heauen, that rescowed hym. Thus Fortune deceyua­ble enhaunceth vp the humble cheare of him that is discomfited, and neyther heareth ne recketh of wretched wepyn­ges. She is so wretched and harde, that she laugheth and scorneth at the teares of them, whom with her fre will she hath made to weepe. Her turning whele declareth her vn­stablenes, for if she were accompted stable, she then no lō ­ger could be called Fortune. She wilbe holden of no man, & when she departeth, she bringeth him to sorowe. For what other thyng is flattryng Fortune, but a maner shewyng of wretchednes that is to come. To some she is peruerse and frowarde, to some agayne she is as good and fauourable: as to Tymotheus, Tymotheus. a noble capteyne of the Athenienses, who for the good Fortune he had in battle, was paynted liyng a slepe, and hauing by hym a nette pitched, wherein Fortune was taken.

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The fielde is Saturne, Bore. a Bore sauage passant Lunae, armed Mars.

These were th'armes of Ty­deus, Tydeus hys Armes. the kinges sonne of Cal­cedonye, whiche hee did beare in hys shielde, at the destruc­tion of the Citye Thebes. The Bore is called Aper, a feritate, ablata F. littera & subrogata P. Vnde & apud Graecos Syagros id est ferus dicitur. Thys Beaste is armed in hys mouthe with two croked tuskes, whiche are right strong and sharpe, and the same he vseth in stea­de of a sworde, and hys ryghte shulder is harde, brode and thicke, whiche he occupieth as a shielde to defende hym withal, putting that brawne for his chefe armoure against hys weapon that pursueth hym.

The Bore fighteth with the Wolffe, and hateth hym by kynde. For the wolffe lyeth in awayte for hys chyldren, & stealeth them full ofte.

The fielde is of the Topaze, Dragon. a Dragon, Emeraude.

Thys was th'Armes of Ethyocles kynge of Thebes, Ethyocles. which he did beare in hys shielde, whan he fought with hys bro­ther Polymyte for the kyngdome, wherefore the one of thē slue the other.

K. Beareth Azure,Cathedre. a Cathedre, or chaire Royal d'Or, a­dourned with Rubies propre. Suche a chaire is descryued by Chaucer in the thirde boke of Fame, where hee sayeth.

[Page] Bores beade.The fielde is Sol, a Bores heade coped Saturne.

These were th'Armes of Sir Thopas, as in the metre made of hym maye appeare at large, in the workes of Chaucer.

¶Here note th'antiquitie of Creastes.

Annulet.L. beareth Sable and gules parted per Fesse, an Annu [...] let d'Or,Asterites. hauing the gemme Asterites, propre.

Thys is a precious stone, and is whyte, and conteanethe as it were lyghte therein enclosed, or lyke a Sterre goyng within it, and maketh the Sunne beames white, whereof also it taketh hys name. Of hys vertues I neade not to speake, hys beautie and fayrenes bringeth hym commen­dacion sufficient. And of the geuing of Annullettes or rynges, there may be founde diuerse hystories, amongest whō I haue noted thys one.Lucius Silla. Lucius Sylla, beyng dictator of the Romaynes, gaue vnto Roscius a player in Comedyes a ryng of golde, whiche was the token of a knyghte at that tyme, as a coler or cheyne of golde is at thys time. Thys Roscius, for his excellencie in pronunciation and gesture,Roscius. the noble Cicero called hys Iewell, and so muche delited in hym, that he contended with hym, whether Roscius coulde set forthe one sentence in more fashions of gesture and contenance, or he expresse the same sentence in a more diuersitie of elo­quente wordes.

And touching the token borne in the saide cote armour, yf a Crosse, Sterre, Cressante, or anie floure were figured on the same Annulet, it were a great beautefiynge of the sayde Armes, and no lyttle commendacion to the bearer.

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He beareth Argente,Pursse. a pursse gules, doble tasseled d'azure.

Thys maye bee taken for a good token in armes, as of li­beralitie, whā the same is not shutte. But being knitte, and so borne, it is a token of aua­rice: for so Chaucer writeth in the boke entituled the Romante of the Rose, where he sayeth.

And further the same Chaucer, sayth in the sayde boke.

M. Beareth verte, a kynge armed at all poynctes d'Ar­gent,Kyng. bearynge a sceptre and crowne, Or, wynged d'Er­myne.

Mercurie.Thys maye bee taken for the God Mercurie, God of elo­quence, for to diuerse he hath appeared, as hauing wyn­ges, so in hystories of hym may be redde.

Mars.

The fielde is of the pearle, Mars all armed on horsseback with spere and shielde, Rubye.

Thys was the Banner of Theseus, Theseus. whan he came to the destruction of Thebes Citye, & slue Creon kynge thereof. And thus Chaucer wryteth of the sayde Theseus hys banner, and penon in these wordes.Penon.

Th'antiqui­tie of bearing armes.Thus it maye appere, that armes were long borne in good ordre, before the siege of Troye: for the destruction of the citye Thebes, was before that siege, as Ihon Lydegate doth affirme. Chaucer also, in the tale of the knyghte, describeth what token Lycurge the great kyng of Thrace dyd beare in the fielde.Lycurge king of Thrace. These be hys wordes.

P. W. beareth Sable, thre Roches nayantes,Roches. d'Argente. These were sometime the ar­mes of an honorable Prelate that had to name Petrus de Rupibus, Petrus de Rupibus. who was many yeares Bishop of Winchester, in the time of Kinge Iohn, & Henry the thirde his sonne. And the saide Roches, myne Authour saithe, he did beare after his owne name, whiche me thin­keth, was euill applied thereunto, to giue him Fisshes in steade of Rockes. For Rupes in Latin be called Hilles, Bankes, or Rockes, so steepe down, as no man may clime them. But I take the saide Bishop his name, as then was the vse,Rocke is cal­led Roche in the Northren tongue. to be written, Peter at Roche, or Peter de la Roche. These seeme to drawe moste nigh his name in Englishe, but the Latin name dothe nothinge agree thereto, whiche I referre to their iudgemente, that haue readde of him, or of his name. Polydore Virgill calleth him, Vir integerrimus, and no lesse is to be thoughte, because the charge of the e­ducation of the saide Kinge Henry the third was commit­ted to him, as to a Father prudente, and sage in the insti­tution of suche a noble Prince.

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The field is Saturne, a kin­ges Heade Lunae, crowned So­lis. This might be taken for the Armes of somme highe Prince, or other Chiefetaine, whiche had taken some kinge in fight, and helde him as pri­soner. Diuerse histories make mention, that when mightye Princes, and valiante Kinges be giuen to sensualitie & pride, not weighinge the good say­inges of the wise, nor harkening to the wholesome coun­sell of their friendes, they oftentimes fall into the handes of their enimies, and then are eftsoones depriued of theire Kingedomes, and Regaleties, either els suffer imprison­mente, famine, distresse, and other paines and tormentes, endinge so their liues in greate calamitie and miserie:Pausanias. as is readde in one Pausanias, Kinge of the Lacedemonians, who at a banket desired instantly of Simonides, a Poete in Greece, that he woulde then speake some thinge notable, and that sauoured of wisedome. Simonides thereat smi­linge, Remember, said he, that thou arte a man. Pausanias tooke that scornefully, and esteemed it nothinge. After­warde Pausanias beinge putte in prison in Chalcaeco, and there beinge famished ere he died, remembred the sayinge of Simonides, and with a loude, and lamentable voice said: O my friende of Coeus, (for there was the Poete borne) thy wordes were of greate importaunce, but I, for madde pride, esteemed them nothinge.

This litle Historie is not vnworthy to be had in remem­braunce.

[Page 94]N. beareth Sable,Ousle, or Blackebirde. three Owsles d'Argente, beaked, and legged, Or. The tymbre, a Bull gardant, Argente, armed, and vnguled Gules, sette on a Wreathe Sable, manteled Azure, doubled Argente.

The Owsle, or Blacke byrde singeth pleasantly, and therefore is ofte taken, and kepte in cage. This byrde, althoughe shee bee in all Countries blacke, yet in Achaiae shee is white,Bull. as Isidore saithe. This Creaste for the saide Cote armour,Isis. is a white Bul. Iupiter turned him into the similitude thereof, when louinge the faire mayde Isis, he could not otherwise haue his will of her. This signifieth, that beautie maie ouercome the beste.

The fielde is Mars,Lyon. a Lyon Rampaunte, with a double Quewe d'Argente. In chiefe d'Ermyne, an Eagle displaid with twoo heades Saturne, membred, and crowned d'Or. Alexander the greate, when as he hunted in a great Parke in the countrie Basaria, that had remained vnhunted, duringe the time of foure mens ages, he killed foure thousand wild beastes therein, amonge the whiche there was a Lyon of a rare bignesse, that came running towardes him, whom he did not onely receiue, but killed him with one stroke. Suche was the prowes, and strengthe of so mightye and puissante a Conqueroure. Ouer whose heade also at the battaile he fought with Darius at Arbella, Eagle. there was seene an Eagle, whiche neither fearinge the classhinge of the harneys, nor the cryinge of them that were dying, did stil flye in the ayre directly aboue him, whiche did shew a cer­taine token of victorie, and euen so it came to passe. And therefore the same Alexander mighte rightely assumpte to him selfe the bearinge of the foresaide Lyon, and Eagle, [Page] in the beste order that coulde be diuised, or sette foorthe a­greable to his worthinesse.

Crosse Clauie

The field is Gules, a Crosse doble clauie d'Argent. This Crosse ought to be figured as a double warded key, at euery of the three endes ascendinge to the chiefe of the Escoche­on.Key. The key wherof the Prophete Esaye maketh mention in these wordes. And the key of the house of Dauid, will I lay vpon his shoulder,Parad. Sym­bo. Heroi. so that he shall open, and no manne shall shutte, he shall shutte, and no man shall open. Iti­dem Iesu Christi Crucem figurabat.

The fielde is of the Eme­raude, an Hande armed, hol­ding a Sworde of the Pearle crowned within the point Topaze.Sworde.

The wholesome doctrine of S. Paule, is of all faithfull, and obediente subiectes to be recei­ued and embraced: where he saithe, Wilte thou be without feare of the power? Doo well then, & thou shalte haue praise of the same: for he is the minister of God for thy wealthe. But if thou doo euill, then feare, for he beareth not the sworde for naught. For he is the minister of God, a taker of vengeance to ponishe him that dothe euill, &c.

Pillers.His fielde is Iouis, twoo pillers Lunae.

Diuerse Emperours, and puissante Conquerous haue erected Pillers in theire Empiers and kingedomes, for sundrie, and weightie causes and pourposes: some to de­clare [Page 95] the extentes, and lymittes of theire Landes, and Kingedomes, somme to shewe the expeditions of theire iourneyes and voyages, somme to sette forthe the places of theire burialles, somme to figure therein theire Actes, and valiaunt deedes, to the encouragemente of those that shoulde succeede them to doo the like. And other somme haue written therein the secret knowledge of certaine sci­ences and letters, as in diuerse Histories maie be readde. And more of Pillers ye maie reade in the nexte booke fo­lowinge.

He beareth Ermynes, on a Pale d'Or,Portecullis. a Portecullis d'A­zure.

This in Latin is called Ra­strum militare, siue Politicum, & serueth for defense in the gatꝭ of Citties, Castles, Portes, & Towres. For the same being loosed, or let downe, it letteth, or rather oppresseth them that woulde enter thereby.

Eiusmodi ad portas militare ob­staculum Romae factum fuisse scribit Appianus, Appian. Res Roman. Ci­uili dissidio vrgente, & Imperium sibi vendicante Sylla. Sustu­lit hoc maleficium Carboniana turba, quam (dum conarentur per portam Collinam irruptionem facere) Sylla repressit: laxatisque insidiarijs Rastris, intrò latebat, quorum iniuria, & lapsu, Sena­tores ipsi nonnulli, & qui se in Carbonianam libertatem adserue­rant, oppressi sunt.

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The field is Saturne, in Saltier twoo Cypres trees ragu­led Solis, Cypres tree. Iuye. enwrapped with Iuy proper. These trees are trun­cated, that is to saie, y^e boughes cut of from the body, & laide in forme of a Saltier. The endes wherof may not touch the Angles of the shield. The Cypres next vnto y^e Ceder tree is most formable, and necessary to the building of Temples, to wres, and for other great & pompous Edifices. It neuer faileth, nor rotteth, but abideth, and dureth alwaies in his first e­state & condition. And for the right good sauour, & sweete smel it hath, the Iuy, being of heauie and bitter smel, doth most desire to creepe about him. And his greenesse dothe much beautifie the golden colour of the other. And for that the Iuy is alwaies greene, Poetes were crowned there­with, in token of noble witte & sharpe. It was consecrate to Bacchus God of wine, & to Mars. Plinie saithe, that the greate Alexander crowned his knightes with Iuy, when they had the victorie of Indie.

He beareth Sable, a Fesse d'Ermine, betwene thre headꝭ de Capres, coped argēt, armed & arnuced d'Or, portant pome aus d'Iuy proper. The leaues of this tree doo make goates fatte, & their bloude medicina­ble for diuerse diseases. Villus quem habent pensilem in mento, vocatur aruncus, quo si quis v­nam carum traxerit, aiunt reli­quas stupefieri.

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The fielde is Uerte, an O­striche regardante,Struthion, or Ostriche. Argente, bearinge a Key d'Or. The Ostrich in Latin is called Struthio, & Struthio Camelus, qui ex Struthione & Camelo constat: & is founde especially in Africa. This byrde hathe a head coue­red with small feathers, grosse eyes and blacke, not vnlike in fourme, & colour to a Camell, a longe necke, a shorte bil and a sharpe, soft feathers, two thighes, & fete with hoofes clo­uen, Vt terrestre simul volatile (que) animal videatur. He cannot fly for the heauinesse of his body, nor extol him selfe high­er then the earth: but he goeth swiftly, and in running not much inferiour to an horse, his winges helpe him so much. He dothe swalowe, and digest what so euer he deuoureth, yea, euen the hardest thinges without any choyse.

When he is pursued of hunters, and seeth he cannot escape, he taketh stones with his hoofe, & casteth againste his enimies, and oftentimes hurteth them. When he is killed, there is founde stones, and yron in his stomake, whiche he consumeth after longe digestion.

He hatethe the Horse by kinde. I founde him figured in the Cosmographie of Munster, as before is descriued.

Q. beareth Geules, on a Bende betwene twoo Coti­zes, d'Argente,Siphons. thre Siphons, Sable. Isidore saithe, that the Siphon is a certaine vessell, whiche men of the Easte countries vse to occupie, and fill with water, especially when houses beene on fire, to quenche the same. The fourme I haue descriued here, as Paradyne figureth it a­monge his diuises Heroiques.

R. beareth Saturne and Mars, parted per Pale, twoo Partizantes Lunae in Saltier.Partezant. These weapons are com­monly [Page] knowne, and borne about the persons of Princes, Nobles, and Captaines.

The field is of the Diamond an Helmet Pearle, ensigned with a Garlande gramine.Helmet. The Ancient bearers,Crowne gra­mine. Horse­men, Captaines, Lieutenantꝭ of Citties, Townes, and Por­tes, whiche had doughtely su­steined the siege of theire eni­mies, & were deliuered from them, in olde time was giuen a Garlande of grasse: in La­tin called Corona graminea, siue Obsidionaria: whiche althoughe it were wrought, or laide aboute with grasse, (beinge onely the hearbe, that can, or might be found in a place long besieged) yet neuerthelesse the same garlande gramine,Garlande Gramine. (as Plinie witnesseth) is most honourable, and noble, and to be had in price aboue all o­thers, Golde, Pearle, Oliue, Lawrell, Palme, Oke, and Iuye, geuinge place to common grasse, that Royall hearbe of dignitie. Fabius Maximus corona graminea dona­tus est ab vniuersa Italia: quandoquidem non pugnando, sed ca­uendo rem Romanam restituisset: & exercitum sibi creditum con­seruasset.

Launce.S. beareth Syluer, a Launce betweene twoo Flaun­ches, Sable: and on the Flaunches, twoo Gauntlettes, as the fielde.

The especial token borne in this Ensigne, is taken for a Dimilaunce staffe, whiche beinge the chiefeste weapon of the horseman, is therefore congruently placed betwene twoo Gauntlettes,Gauntlet. the moste especiall armoure of the handes.

Scocheon.T. beareth Gold, on a Scocheon Gules, a key d'argent, wrapped about with a Serpent Uert. This Cote armour [Page 97] touching the fielde, is one of the honorable ordinaries charged.

The fielde is d'Ermyne, on a pale Diamonde,Oxes heade. a Bull hys head of the pearle, araid with a fagotte, Carboncle.

When as Quintus Fabius, Q. Fabius. (beyng Dictator or principall capitayne of the Romaynes) had trayned & drawne Anniball & hys hoste into a fielde,Anniball. inclosed about with mountaines and depe ryuers, where Fabius had so enuirōned him and hys armye, that they were in ieopardye, eyther to bee famished, for lacke of vitaile, or els in flying, to be slayne by the Romaines, Anniball perceauing these dangers, cō ­maunded to be brought afore hym, in the depe of the night whan nothing was stirrynge, about two thousande great oxen and bulles, which a little before hys men had taken in forrageyng, and caused fagottes made of drie stickes to be fastened vnto theire hornes,Terror and error. and sett on fyre. The bea­stes troubled with the flambe of fire, ranne as they were woode vp towarde the moūtaynes, whereas laye the hoste of the Romaynes, Anniball with hys whole armye fo­lowing in araye. The Romaines, whiche kepte the moun­taynes, being sore afrayde of this newe and terrible sight, forsoke theire places.Fabius. And Fabius dreading the deceiptfull witte of Anniball, kept hys armye within the trenche, and so through policie Anniball with his hoste escaped without damage. Thus ye maye vnderstande, (as I sayde before) how greatly histories do geue lighte to the hydde secrettes of Armorie.

[Page] Eagle, on an Hartes heade

The fielde is Mars, an Ea­gle regardant with wynges displayde Lunae, insident on the heade of an Harte, Solis.

The Eagle whan he hathe gathered muche duste in hys fethers, doth then withoute feare set vpon the Harte, and falleth euen betwene hys brā ches: and beatinge with hys wynges, so stoppeth the Hartes eyes with duste, vntill at length he falleth hedlonge from some hyghe hyll or rocke, and so becommeth a praye to the Eagle. Industrie, labor, & diligence, is to be vsed, whan difficulte, weightie, & hyghe matters, are to be ouercome.

P. Beareth Gules and Sable, parted per bende sinistre, a Lyon rampaunt d'Or, vibrante a sworde d'Argente.

Pompeyus magnus. Pompey the great had suche a Lyon grauen in hys signet. vide in vitis Plutarchi.

The fielde is partie per baste barre vndade, Argente, and Uerte,Shippe. a shippe vnder sayle in her ruffe, Sable.

The vse of shippes, and of theire ordinance is knowne to all men.

He beareth Or, thre Anckers in bende sinistre, betwene two Gartiers, azure.

Ancker. Admirall.Th'Ancker is especially ascribed to Admiralles, in sig­num (vt apparet) officij sui in expeditionibus, prouincijs (que) naua­libus.

He beareth partie per pale Nebule, Saturne, and Venus, two maces bellicall Solis circumliged with braunches of Oliue, propre. The token borne in thys cote armoure, is called in latyn Claua bellica, whiche beyng bounde about, Oliuae ramusculo, may exhibite vnto them to whom it is of­fered, a signe aswell of peace, as of warre, whiche to take, is at his pleasure to whome it is offered.

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The fielde is Gules an Harrowe,Harrowe. d'Or.

The Harrowe is a noble addicion of Armorie, & was bor­ne (as Froyssarde sayeth) of William, the sonne of Albert duke of Bauarie in hys aun­cient, about the yere of oure Lord God .1390. And the same Harrowe he did aduaunce, in his voyage with the Cristiās, aduersus Aphricam Barbariae ciuitatem. The office of the Harrowe, is to breake and re­solue the harde lumpes and cloddes of earth. Quemadmodū autem glebas, & grumos agrorum proscindit & resoluit rastrum aratorium, ita facilè est vero principi, legum, & Sanctionum, at­que cautionum, seu Decretorum aequitate ditionis suae improbos, factiosos, rebelles, & tumultuarios, qui (que) contra suam autorita­tem, ac dignitatem iniquè se opponunt, coercere.

He beareth partie per Cheuron embatiled, Or, & Azure, three Leures,Lewre. contrechanged of the fielde. The tokē borne in thys Scocheon, is well knowne to all gentlemen Fawkeners. The worde, or Poesie that mighte ryghtely be ap­plied to thys cote armoure, is thys: Spe illect at inani.

The fielde is verte, an hyn­des heade cabaged d'Argente persed with two dartes d'Or, a Sonne in chiefe.

The dexteritie of Domitiane th'Emperoure in castynge of the darte,Domitiane. is worthie of remē ­berance:Darte. who in the huntyng of a certayne wilde beaste, threwe two dartes at hym so directly, that the beaste semed to stande hauyng hornes on [Page] hys heade, wheras nature had geuen hym none. Paradyne figureth the heade of the beaste, as hauyng two dartes in place, where hornes shoulde growe.

The fielde is Sable, fiue dartes in fasce d'Or,Darte. enwrapped with a serpente verte.

Plutarche writeth, that when Scylurus Chaeronensis was about to dye,Scilurus Charonensis. hauinge fower score goodly chyldrē, and of greate strength, he offered to euerye one of them a Bondell of dar­tes or roddes to breake, which whan they endeuored them­selfes to doe, they coulde not:

He than sayde vnto them, that the dartes and roddes so made faste and knitte together, could in no maner of wise be broken.Bondle. But the father vnlosing the Bondle befor thē, did take one rodde after an other, and without any great force or busynes, did breake the same, aduertisinge them hereby, that they all shoulde continue and remayne for e­uer vnuanquished, and not able to be ouercome, as longe as they agreed, and were surely knitte in brotherly loue, and perfecte concorde. But yf they deuided them selues, or parted with sedition and debate, that then they shoulde pe­rishe, and quickely fall into the handes of theire enemies. A goodly example to embrace concorde.Serpente. By the Serpente about the dartes, may be signified that which Christe spo­ke in the gospell to his disciples, saiyng. Be ye wise as Serpentes &c. Therfore note, that there be many significatiōs and secrete mysteries in bearing signes and tokens of ar­morye.

U. beareth barrie vndie 6. pieces d'Ermine, and azure, the prore of a shippe d'Or in chefe gules,Fore parte of a shyppe. one hounde pas­sante, Argent. The token in thys escocheon is the fore parte [Page 99] of a shippe, and is garded with a dogge on chefe, as it were to watche the same. Suche a like ensigne did Sergius Galba the Emperour vse to beare.

W. Beareth per pale Rubye, and Diamonde, an Eagle d'Ermine encorporate with a Dragon,Eagle, with the Dragon. Solis.

These are enemies alwayes the one to the other. The Dragon greately desiring the egges of the Eagle, deuou­reth and eateth vp the same: wherefore the Eagle, where­soeuer he seeth hym, fighteth with him, and in theire fight he is often wrapped with the Dragōs taile, and so falling downe, the one is destroyed of the other. Eadem elatis, ac su­perbioribus inter se contendentibus ruina solet vsu venire.

He beareth Sable,Cocke, on a Trompet. a cocke d'Argente, pearched on a trō ­pet d'Or.

The Cocke is a Royal fou­le, and naturally beareth on hys heade a creaste of Rubye coloure, in stede of a Crowne or diademe. He distinguisheth tymes, seazons, and houres, both of the daye and nyghte, crowynge, or rather syngyng moste clerely and strongely. The Lyon dreadeth the white Cocke, because he bredeth a precious stone, called Allectricium, like to the stone that highte Calcedoneus. And for that the Cocke beareth suche a stone, the Lyon specially abhorreth hym. Ab Galli alitis tu­bae (que) horologio non difficile relinquitur iudicare, quantum inter­sit inter belli & pacis conditiones. The cocke is messenger of the daye lyght, he singeth whan he hath the victorye, being ouercome he hydeth hymselfe. Lucem (que) & hominum aspectum refugit.

W. beareth verte, an arming Sworde in pale d'Argent crowned at the poyncte in [...]hefe,Sworde crow­ned. betwene two floures de [Page] Lucies d'Or. The sworde in thys cote armoure, is a pro­tection to the floures therein borne.

Tergate.The fielde is Gules, a Tergate d'Or, transfixed with a Raper Argente.

Thys maye bee taken for the ensigne of some noble ca­pitayne, who had valiauntly behaued and borne hymselfe in the fielde, with losse also of hys lyfe.

Of this, the fielde is Azure, a Crosse portate in his propre coloure.

Crosse pottate.Oure master Christe, beyng the sonne of God, and God, was constreigned to beare an heauy crosse on his shoulder, in suche fashion as is before descriued: wherein afterward both hys hādes and fete were nayled with longe and great nayles of yron: and the crosse with hys naked and bloodie bodie, beyng lifte vpon height, was let fall with violence into a mortayse, that all hys ioynctes were dissolued. And notwithstandinge all thys torment, hee neuer grudged, but liftyng vp hys eyes vnto heauen, he prayed for hys e­nemies, saynge: Father forgiue them, for they knowe not what they do. Thys was the charitie moste incomparable of the sonne of God employde for the redemption of man­kynde.

Piller of Por­pherie.Y. Hys fielde is of y^e Pearle, two pillers of Porpherie, in Saltier.

I nede not here to blaze the colour of the Pillers, beynge Porpherie, whiche is a stone alwayes of purple coloure. Let the bearer therof see that he be specially endowed with the vertue, Fortitude.

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Z.Annulie. Beareth Sable, Annulie, d'Or. 4.3.2.1. Thys fielde is charged with rynges.

Hanniball, Rynges sent to Carthage. for a testimonie of the victorye he had of the Romaynes in Italye, sente 3. Bushels of golden rynges to Carthage, whiche he had taken & plucket of the handes of the Romayne knyghtes, captey­nes and senators. Let the bea­rer of such a coate (as is before displayde) reioyce in aduersitie.

The fielde is Checkey, gules, and ermynes, a boke Or, with claspes d'Argente.

A Boke is to be borne of hym,Boke. whiche is studious of anye the sciences or tongues: and which hath a certayne excel­lencie therein aboue others.Cato Vticen­sis. Cato, called Vticensis, was so muche enflamed in the desire of learninge, that (as Sue­tonius writeth) he coulde not tempre hym selfe in readinge Greke bokes, whiles the Senate was sitting.

Thys Cato was named the chiefe piller of the publike weale of the Romaines.

The fielde is parted per pa­le vndade, argente and azure, two demye hyppotames,Hippotame or water horsse. Sa­ble, armed and vnguled, gu­les.

These be water Horsses, cal­led Hippotami, and are chefely sene in the studdes of Nile, & Gange. Munsterus describeth these beastes, and sayeth they haue two hoofes like an Oxe, the backe, mayne, and neiyng of an Horsse, a wrigled tayle, & croked tethe like to a Bore. [Page] I haue charged the same beastes, but on halfe wise in the fielde, as it were passinge from the water: whiche note well and marke, and then I doubte not but the deuise of the same will contente some mans fantesie.

A. Beareth Sable, a Pile in poyncte of the chefe, betwē two wheeles,Wheele. Pile. d'or. Th'especial tokens in thys cote armoure are knowne to all men, as wheeles to be the necessariest parte of Chariotes, wagons, and cartes: and Piles also moste nedefull to make all foundacions vpon vnperfecte grounde, sure and fyrme.

These are noble ensignes & of great antiquitie.Katerē whele. Yet of wheeles, the Katheren whele, so called of olde, is of moste honor: and must be figured after an other forme than those I haue before blazed Willigise, archebishop of Mogunce in Germanye, assumpted for his en­signe a Cart wheele,Carte wheele. with thys inscription: Willigise memi­neris quid sis, & quid olim fueris, and afterwarde the same wheele was giuen and confirmed by the Emperoure, to be th'ensigne of the sayd Archebishoprike for euer.

B. He beareth d'Ermines, and Or, parted per pile in poyncte of the chefe,Pheon. a Pheon, Sable.

Thys particiō as it is rare sene, so can it not lacke (beyng thus charged) hys due commendacion.

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1 Beareth Argent on .ij. barres Sable, tji. Escalopes de Or,Escallopes and to his creaste on a wreath Argent & Sable, a dragons head rassed Azure portant a braūche of the herb Pulegium propre. The shel of the Scalloppe excelleth the shells of al other fishe which I can reade of, and therfore ys thoughte not vnmeete so adorne y^e collers of y^e knights euen of Sainct Nicholas or­der, which order whē it tooke his beginninge, howe many were chosen to bee fellowes of the same order, In what manner the same Escalopes were comixed in the sayd col­ler, and what was signifyed therby, ye may plainly vnderstand in Simbolis heroicis pa­radini fol. 15. I reade also that the shelles of certein fyshes were sent emong other ryche giftes to the great Alexander by the kinges of the Indians, as a present of great extimacion & valor. Ptolomeus a nigh kinsman of the sayd Alexander, when he was greeuously wounded by an Indian in his lefte shoulder, dreamed that there appeared vnto him a dragon that offered vnto hym an herbe out of his mouth, for the healing of his wound, and taking awaye of the venim which he had receyued of the weapon wherwith the woūd was made, of the which herbe when he awaked, he shewed both the colour & the facion, affirminge that he could knowe it, yf anye manne coulde finde yt out, the same was sought by so many, that at length yt was found, and beinge put vpon the wound, [Page] the payne straite was ceassed, and the skarre within short space was closed. For this cause therfore did I discriue the sayde dragons heade,Pulegium hauing in his mouth the herbe Pu­legium which herbe hath a full sweete smel, and hatht hat name of Pullulando springinge, as Isodore saythe, and ys more precious then pepper amonges the Indes, the vertue therof is to cast out and distroy venim, and some English wryters do iudge Pulegium to be that herbe,Peniriall or Organum whiche wee call Peniriall or Organum

Galthrope

He bereth Or^c a fesse dancie de Ermynes betweene iij. Galthropes Sable. And to his creaste on a Torce de Ar­gent and Azure, a Rauen vo­lant propre, holdynge in her dexter clawe a clod of earthe Purpure, the said Galthrops bee called Murices in latin, & are made of Iron, hauing .iiij sharpe poyntes equally deui­ded one from another, and those standynge in a maner crosse wayes, so that wherso euer the same shalbe [...]ast, the haue one poinct standinge vp straighte, and are vsed as en­gins in the warres, to gall y^e horse that shal passe by them, Paradine in his booke of deui­ces Heroiques, setteth forth y^e forme therof to be as I haue before discriued. Touchinge a Rauen,Rauen I reade that when as Alexander the great, laied siege to the Citie of Gaza, minding before he would geue an assault therunto, to make Sacrifice after his countrey [Page 102] maner, and to require the ayde ef the Goddes: It chaun­ced as he was so doinge,Q. Curti [...]s that a Rauen flienge aboue, let fall a clod which she caried in her clawes vpon the kings head, where yt brake and resolued in pieces, which being consulted vpon by the deuinours: They iudged that there was some perill towardes the kinges person, And suche a Rauen may be borne in coate armour as is aforesayde, and that to a good purpose, and without any challenge in bearinge him after this forme, as is aboue displayed.

The fielde is of the Rubie a Diademe Topaze,Diademe hauinge a wrethe about it Pearle and Emeraude, and too hys crest an horse Saturne in the bea­mes of the Sonne, Suche a Diademe as here is spoken of Darius king of the Percians did were when hee marched forwards to the Riuer of Eu­phrates, Darius against the great A­lexander, and is called in the Percian tounge Cidaris, and yt hadde a roole aboute yt of whyte and greene. And the same Darius in his marching had a great horse,Cidaris. whiche al­waies folowed the chariotes that were consecrate to Iupi­ter, Horse of the Sonne and this horse the Perciās call, the horse of the Sonne. The readinge of thistorie of thactes of the sayde great A­lexander gaue me occasion of the deuice hereof. And there­fore know this for certeinty, y^t the reading of histories shal most quickly geue you help to set forth any deuice heroique

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The field is Barrie Bendie Gules & Or & to his creaste on a wreathe Or and Sable,Barrie bendy a Swanes head rassed de Ar­gent, this said coate after tho­pinion of M.G. Leigh must alwayes abyde of viij. pieces, and properlye may not other­wise be blased then as afore­saide,Swanne the Swan, whose head I haue discriued for the crest, is a bird dedicated to Appollo the God of wisedom,Cicero lib. i. Tust. quest, Ob pre­sagium finis, or as Cicero saith Quod ab eo diuinacionem habe re videantur, quia prouidentes quid in morte boni sit, cum dul­cissimo cantu et voluptate mori­antur.

Insignia poe­tarumThe Swanne is the ensigne of the Poets, whose fielde is Azure a Swanne propre. Al­ciate comendeth this ensigne lib. i. Embl. Cvtj. wherefore I referre what I could write more hereof to Stockhamer his comentaries vpon the same Emblem̄.

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He beareth Argent,Roscarrock [...] a cheuron betweene twoe Roses Gules, and a sea Tenche nayant d' Azure. Or thus. His fielde is of the pearle, a Cheuron with twoe Roses Ruby in chief, & one Tench marine Saphier nayant en poynte. The Rose sprin­geth out of a thorne, that is harde and roughe, yet recey­ueth no part of the kinde of the thorne, but arayeth it w^t faire colour & pleasant smel. This kinde of Rose sayethe Theophraste, for the most part hath but fiue leaues: some are founde that haue xij. o­ther soome xx. other soome haue farre many mo. There be also saithe he, which bene called hūdreth leaues. those be of moste sweete smelles, and growe especially in Cirena. Rose The rose comforteth and relieueth the sight, through the puretie of the colour, plea­seth the smell by sweetenes of odour, and bothe greene or drye hath vertue and is medicinable against many gree­uous sicknesses & euilles, as Plinie witnesseth.

The Tenche in latin is called Tinca a fyshe as Ausonius describeth it for the poore mans dishe,Tenche for that in auncient time it was a common meate for their diet, and although in theis our dayes it is well accepted and taken for a good kinde of fishe, bothe necessarie for foode, and to medicyne, yet in the olde time, the richest men made litle estimacion thereof, wherefore the comon people were best acquayn­ted with the same, as the saide author witnesseth in thys [Page] verse or sentence.

This Tenche before dysplayed is called Tinca marina, a Tenche of the sea, and lyuethe neyther in mudde or myer, but is cleane from suche infectyons, and therefore is not hurtful. The foresaide fielde & the contentes in the same, do signifie the bearer to haue audacitie, yet in al honestye: and to be curteous with muche discrecion. Then signe ap­pertayneth to the name of Roscarech, alias Roscarrocke in Cornewal. His creaste a Lion rampant propre colour, armed and langued Azure, aboute his necke a Crownall siluer, set on a Torce golde and Azure, as maye appears aboue figured.

Sithes.

He beareth vert. iij. Si­thes argent points assendant in chief, his creast y^e fishe Odimoliont hary­aut Sable, on a wrethe Argent and Azure, the tokens borne in the said coate armoure are of aū ­cient bearinge, and are instruments not onelye to cutte downe corne or grasse but haue ben vsed in the warres, suche in­gines did Alexander the great his soldioures fre­quent againste the force of the Elephantes. The creast of the saide coate armour is a litle fishe, which clea­ueth to a ship, and maketh her to abide as though she laie at anker, be the ship neuer so great, the latines cal the fish [Page 104] Remora eo quod cogat stare nauigia, Remora shee is otherwise called [...] ­cheneis piscis quidem paruulus aspectu niger longitudine que me­diocri.

The fielde is barrye of vitj. peeces Luna and Mars,Ibis one a canton Iouis the mighty planet Sol, his creaste is Ibis head Saturne couped, erassing a serpent of the Moone, sette on a wrethe Topaze and Saphire, māteled Diamond, doubled pearle. Ibis is a foule of Egipt, & as Aristotle saieth is in that coūtrey [Page] white and at Pelusum onely blacke, it is an high bird, hauing stiffe legges, and a long bill, they bee caried out of Libia into Egipt with a sotherne winde, and do much good there to the countrey in killing and eating of serpents Semetipsam purgat rostro in ann̄ aquam fundens, this bird is like vnto that whiche is called Ciconia.

He beare the partye ꝑ pale Saturne & Mars a flower de lize Luna. Alcion̄. And to his creaste vpon the helme on a wreathe Topaze [Page 105] and saphiere an Alcian volant of the Amatist, mixte wyth Pearle, beaked as the Emeraud, mounted on the nest texed with the slipps of the vine propre, manteled Ruby, dou­bled Pearle, this is a birde of the sea, little more then a Sparow, which in the colde winter season dothe lay her egges on the sands, and when the sea is most troublous tantam gratiam diuinitus habet that it becometh sodeinly calme, and the stormes and windes do cease vntill the birde haue all hatched, and brought vp her chickens, and made them able to flee, whiche is in the space of .xiiij. daies, whiche the shipmen diligently marke, fearinge no tempest all those dayes, looke sebast. stockhamer his comentaries vpon the .xix. Emblem. of Alciate. The propre colours of the saide bird ar as is before discribed. She lyueth by fishe,Kings fisher. and is taken for that whiche we call the kinges fisher.

He beareth Azure a cheuron on chiefe betweene twoe decressāts Argent.Ligurinus. The timber, a Ligurines head rassed vert,Grene finche. bearing a thistel Or, set on wrethe Argent & Sable manteled Gules, doubled Or, The birde Lugurinus fee­deth muche vpon thistles, and of nature is enemy to the Asse, sed valet vocis amenitate, some suppose this birde to be a greene fynche,Nightingale and as seruius writeth is taken to be the Nightingalle. These deuises Heroique before figu­red, might suffise for the proofe how cote armours wyth their blason heaume & timbre in sundrie wise be borne, to the honor and comendacion of the bearer: and vppon what ground they haue their originall, the which the of­ficers at armes do cheifly respect in their assignements to gentlemen, and no signe or token armoriall is by thē deuised, but the same is congruent and agreable to the vertues and qualities wherewith the bearer is pryncy­pally endowed, and with which token he also delighteth, and so he ought to take delight therein, as to defende the same (euen to the death) from all challinge or vituperie, which rule of al the degrees of nobilitie ought neuer to [Page] be forgotten. But nowe what significacion may be true­lye collected and gathered of anye Simboll armorial, cō ­monlye called Armes, and what the colours therein doe represent, by the planets or stones precious, to the re­nowme and fame of the bearer, one plainly for example nowe nexte doth ensue, the whiche of bounden duety I maye not omit.

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[Page]The atcheuement conteyning the sundry coates as they are marshalled and borne by the right honorable Lorde, Sir William Cecill, Baron of Broughley, and knyght of the most honorable ordre of the Garter, is thus to bee blased.

1 He beareth barruley of .x. Argent and Azure, sixe Es­cocheons Sable. 3.2.1. charged wyth as manye Lyons rampant of the first, langued Gules, borne by the name of Cecill.

2 The fielde is parted per pale, Gules & Azure, a Lion rampant de Argent sustayning a tree Uert, borne by the name of winstone.

3 Beareth Sable, a plate betwene three towers tryple towred with portes displayed de Argent, borne by the name of Cairleon.

4 His fielde is Argent, on a bend betweene two cotizes Gules three sinquefoiles de Or, borne by the name of Eckinton.

5 Beareth Argent, a churon betweene three Rockes de Ermines, and is borne by the name of Walcot.

The sixt as the first, the which, and the seconde are differenced vpon them bothe with a cressant, which sig­nifieth that he is of a second brother to bothe those hou­ses, from whence in bloud hee is lineally descended. All whiche atchieuementes before displayed, is within the Garter cotized of two Lions de ermine, to his creaste vpon an healme on a Torce Or and Azure, a garbe de Or, supported with two Lions, the one Azure & the other Argent, manteled Gules, doubled Argent. To these be­fore discriued, is added his Apothegme or word. Cor vuū via vna, y^t is, one hart, one way. The sincerity & tēperāce of this noble baron as there they be by his propre ēsigne openly signified, so his great wisedome & vertue in pre­ferring iustice, and the publike weale of his countrey be­fore anye priuate affection or singuler apetites, are also thereby certeinly declared, the orient Pearle beinge so [Page 107] often and preciously treasured in the fielde and contents of his coate armour. And truelie that man is most mete to be a nighe counsaillour, in whom sinceritie and tem­perance be ioyned with wisedome, suche one shal bringe to the pallace of his prince, an honorable remembrance of his iustice and vigilaunce, and as well to noble as to vnnoble shalbe an excellent patterne and president.

The shields charged w^t Lions are of y^e Adamant, a stone precious and of such hardines, vt si super incudem positus acerrimo percutiatur malleo ante malleus & incus vulneri­bus acceptis dissiliant quam ipse frangatur comminaturue, nec fieri solum ictus respuit sed resistit etiam igni cuius ardo­re adeo non acquiescit num (que) incalescat si Plinio credimus a­deo non feodatur vt purior fiat, attamen singularis eximia (que) lapidis illius duritia calido hirci Leonisue cruor ita mol­lescit vt dissoluatur. Cece. offi. li. [...] In armorie it representeth fortitude a vertue that fighteth in defence of equitie, Adamas vene­na deprehendit, et irrita facit. The nobilitie of the Lyon is moste aboue all other beastes to bee marueled at, in that he in his great heate, seketh not the death of any cre­ature that yeldeth it selfe vnto him, iuxta commune pro­uerbum▪ parcere prostratis sic nobilis ira Leoni: The fielde wherein he abideth is of the Rubie party de Saphiere, two gemes very precious, and of great dignitie. The Rubie dothe demonstrate charitie, the Saphiere loyaltie, the one auayling againste the byting of the Scorpion, the other being maruelously effections againste all venime, but of the twaine, the Saphiere is moste vertuous, Helinandus in his historie this wryteth of it. Saphirus caelo sereno similis est, caste portari vult gemmaqz gemmarum et lapis sanctus dicitur. Io. Ferox, La coulour & piere Saphirique, recomforte le sence de le home, & profit counter les enuies, fraudes, & terreurs, incitant & ꝓuoquant le home a paix et amour victore &c. The portes set open in a fielde Saturne, geeuethe libertie bothe to passe forthe at will, and to come in when it plea­seth, to carry forth, and also to bring in. Porta dicitur quiae [Page] potest importari vel exportari aliquid, proprie autem porta aut vrbis aut castrorum vocatur. Isidor Etimo lib. 15. cap. 2. The cause of theire con­struction, is to propulse the force of the enemye, for the common safetie of the countrie, and ought alwayes to be in the possession or kepinge of suche personnes, that em­brace obedience and loyaltye, and detest treason & trea­cherie, and the bearing of them in coate armoure, dothe represent no lesse.

In the fowerth parte is seene on a bende marcial, three Cinquefoiles so called of the nomber of their leues, flo­wers of great estimacion, and worthye of bearinge, for their auncientie in Armes, for they hauing fiue leaues, do represent fiue sundrye graces,Isidore as to bee perfect in all sences, which are tasting, hearing, seeyng, feelinge and smelling, and learning must be optayned at gods hande to vse these aryght, for that is moste nedefull in a ruler, who aboue other oughte to excell in knowledge for the better gouernment of the people. The flowers aforesaid bee of Golde,Bartho, de ꝓ­pri rerum. li. 16. whiche resembleth the sonne. Aurum est in corporibus sicut sol inter stellas, sol autem dicitur rex stella­rum & lumen earum sic aurum est quasi rex rerum corpora­lium & mensura omniū, & quanto rubicundius tanto meli­us est. Or en armorye represente iustice, noblesse, puretie, splendure, droyture, obedience, le home delectable, tractable, clare, & egal, Now ensueth Minerua her poore placynge of these Rocks, in that moste ingenious game of chesse, a game inuented for rulers and magistrates, and not for Momus or his insensate chore, their office is knowne to all that can playe wel at the sayde game, as to garde the kinges and Queenes with all the people on the chesse borde, and signify in armorie, vigilance in defence and suertie of the prince and countrye. The fielde wherein these rockes be placed, beyng of the pearle, betokeneth puritie of conscience, and singuler good will & loue euen to mortall enemies.

The Garter is de Azure celeste & Saphirique, adorned [Page 108] with this most noble title (Gallicis verbis) Honye soit qui male pense, which Polidore hath this in latin, vituperetur qui male cogitat.

The Garbe is of the Sonne royally supported with two Lyons, leaste the malignitie and cruell attemptates of the deuelishe rablement, and wicked sowdanes, myght deuour and consume the graine of such an orient sheaff, & so altogether is w^t the said noble beastes (in forme first displayed) ryght honorably defended, and valiantly gar­ded, whereby is vttered, how innocents are by this chi­ualler courteous, his trauell and dilligence as well in comon causes as priuate, defended and assisted, & their causes also daylie moste studiously discussed, Pater est or­phanorum et iudex viduanum. Thus for breuitie I cease anye further to protracte the discription of the foresayde ensignes, desiringe almighty god to bee vnto the bearer thereof, a shielde and buckler, a suer castell and strong tower, for his defence against the assaults of all his ene­mies, that in long life, health felicitie and honour, and also with one hart, one waye, to god, his prince, and her lawes, hee may continue his estate & vertuouslye main­ta [...]n the tokens and prises of noblenes, as by me the col­lector hereof (rude and voide of all eloquence) are as be­fore simply discryed, and homelye vttered, yet suche as they bee, I eftsones commend them, and those that here ensue to his good lordship as a chosen patron, to whom I may safely yelde & commit these sundrye collectyons of signes armoryal, besechyng him the same in as good part to receyue, as I here againe, do humbly offer them vnder the protection and fauour of his name.

Sapiens in populo haereditabit honorem, et nomen illius erit viuens in eternum. Ecclesiastes. 37.

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Storke, Ciconia.He beareth partie per fesse Sable and Ermine, in chief a cressant between .ij. letters of S de Argent, and to his Crest vpon the Helme on a wreathe, Or and Azure, a Storks head rassed Argent Pellete, between .ij. winges Sable, beaked Golde, mantled Gules, dubled Argent. The Storke is taken to be that byrde, whiche in Latten is called Ciconia, and is of the figure of an Heron, but is greater and is all white, sauing the tops of his winges, his bill and legges be red, although I haue here discri­bed [Page 109] them the contrarye, whiche is but my deuice for ex­ample sake, they vs naturall enemies to serpentes and do [...]lea them, when they be olde, their birdes feede them, and prouide meate for them, & volandi impotentes hu­meris gestant, wherefore the Image of them was the to­ken of iustice, and the auncient kings had it in the tops of their septers, whereby theye were admonished to a­uance iustice and pietie, and to oppresse iniustice & cru­eltie, Inter omnes alias aues pietatis simbolum gerit, & de immensa earum pietate erga suos pullos refert Isidorus in lib. de natura auium Ciconiae magna cura alunt vicissim parentes iam aetate deficientes sola bonitate naturae ad id a­gendum impulsae inquit Aelian lib. 15. cap. 4. Of this bird came a greeke word for a prouerbe Antepelargeni, which signifieth to be lyke a storke, which prouerbe is to exort men to bee kinde to their parentes, or to their masters whiche teache and bring them vp, requiting the benefit whiche they receyued of them.

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The Noble Citie of Excester for thensigne thereof, hath in a fielde parted per pale Mars and Saturne, a castell triple towred Solis, supported of two Pegasus lunae, wyth winges vndie Pearle and Saphiere, Manes and shooes of [Page 110] the Topaze. The creast vpon an healme on a Torce Sol and Saturne, a demie Lyon Martis crowned, holdinge a Mounde, whereuppon is set a crosse botonie Topace, manteled Rubie, doubled Pearle.

The true fidelitie that this Citie hath alwaies borne to their liege and soueraigne, is most worthely reported in diuers chronicles, to the great and renowmed fame of the Citizens therein inhabitinge, who moste faithfully in the time of diuers auncient prynces, haue manfully defended their citie from the spoile of the rebellious ene­my. And amongst other, vnder that most prudēt prince king Henry the seuenth, when it was enuironed & lyke to be enflamed by that traiterous rebel Perken warbek, ouercomming fyer by fyer, and fortifiyng places vnfor­tefied, at the last, they so couragiously lyke valiant chā ­pions, defended their portes, posternes, and walles, that after many daungerous assaultes, they droue away the sayde Parken with the rablement of his rebellious ar­my. How much also & how worthely are they to be com­mended for their faithfull seruis in the time of king Ed­ward the sixt, who being in the middest of rebells, vnui­tailed, vnfurnished, vnprepared for so long a siege, dyd nobly holde out the continual and daungerous assault of the rebell, for they sustayned the violence of the rebelli­ous rout, not onely when they had plenty enough of vic­tuall, but also a leuen or twelue daies after the extreme famin came on them, and liuing without bread, weare in courage so manfull, and in duetye so constant, that they thought it muche better to die the extreame deathe of hunger, shewing truth to their king, and loue to their countrey, then to geue any place to the rebell and fauor him with ayde, whose examples god graunt, all cyties may follow and learne to be noble by Excester, whose truethe dothe not onely deserue longe prayses, but also great rewarde.

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He beareth vert, the wings of an Egle de Argent, and to his creast vpon the healme on a wrethe Or & Azure, an head de cheual rassed de Argent, pellitie betwene two winges Sable, brydebled golde, set on a wrethe Argent and Uert, manteled Gules, doubled Argent. It hath bin & is to be seen, that Angels are painted fetherd and win­ged, declaring vnto vs thereby (as I read) that they be a­lien and cleane from al earthly cogitacion, and ben rapt [Page 111] vp aboue to the inuest contemplacion of the loue of god, and they are also figured hauing winges, to signifie their swift discourse in all things, the windes are said to haue winges, propter velocitatem scilicet, vnde scriptura sacra dicit, qui ambulat super pennas ventorum. Paradine discri­bethe lightening to haue winges, that god of eloquence Maercurie appeared to diuers winged, I suppose men in these our dayes haue winges also, and flye contrarye to nature, but I doubt they be counterfet winges, as those whom Icarus made to flye with all, whiche when he had set them together with wax,Icarus. and ioyned to his syde faste and suer inough as he thought, hee mounted vp into the ayre, but so sone as y^e Sonne had somwhat heated him, and his wax began to melt, hee fell downe into a greate ryuer where hee was drowned out of hand, the whyche water was euer after called by his name, Icarū mare, the lyke fall had Bellerophon, when hee tooke vpon hym to ascend vppon Pegasus the horse that had winges, nowe what other thynge dothe these signifie vnto vs, but that no man shoulde meddle with thynges aboue hys com­passe.

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Candlesticke. Alce.He beareth Azure & Gules, parted with a Cheuron be­twene three Candlesticks de Argent. His creast, y^e beast Alce propre, leaning to an Oke Uert, set on a torce de Or and Gules, manteled Sable, doubled Or, supported with a Beuer argent, coloured & vnguled Sable, and an Harpie Uert, Wynged de Or. The Alce discribed for the creast of the said coate armour, is a wilde beast in the woods of Germany, in facion & skinne like to a fallowe Deere, but greater, & hath no iointes in his legges: and [Page 112] therefore he doth neuer lye, but leane to a tree when he doth rest him. The hūters knowing this, do saw y^e trees that they vse to leane to,Beuer Fiber. Castor▪ Otter. Harpie. halfe a sunder, wherby they fall downe and be taken. Of the supporters, the one is a Be­uer, a beast called in latin Fiber, or Castor, whose stones are vsed in medicine. He hath the taile of a fishe, and in the residue is like to an Otter. The other assistant is an Harpie, a monstruous bird, hauing the visage of a maid, and talons of a maruelous capacitie. I dyd omit to speak any thing of the tokens aboue blazed in the coate armor nexte aforesaide, whyche I shoulde haue firste desplayd, but the vse of candelstickes is very well knowne to all men, and wherefore theye serue. Theye bee called Can­delabra, a candelis quasi candelafera, Candelabra. Sir Peter Ca­rew. quod candelas ferant.

The field is Or, three Li­ons passant, Sable. These appertain to Sir Peter Ca­rew knight, whose coate ar­moure (as before displaied) hauing the Diamonde set in the worthiest mettal of al o­ther, which is Golde, dothe demonstrate after worldlie vertues, noblenesse, bon vou­loir, & recomforte. I. [...]eron en le Simboll ar­moniall. Of the spirituall vertues, Foye. Le Or en armories ha plusours bōs ꝓperties & moult de choses signifie, et represent iustice, force, et attemperance en general. Et ainsi que le Or est viuifie par le home, ainsi li home est vi­uifie par le Or qui est viuificatif & restauratif, qui iāmes ne est macule par terre, ne dedeins terre, eins de soye clarifie la terre qui demonstre, le primier porters, ou celuy qui le porte par son labour, peine & vertue auoir clarifie son estre.

Gold also as it is y^e most principal mettal of al to worldly men,A vicene. lib. 33. cap. 4. so it is the soueraigne guide to marcial affaires. For where Mars can not rule, he taketh place.

[Page]Thus it is prooued that golde is victorious, but assured­ly the bearer thereof in coate armour, ought (if his field be al thereof) to be supplyant and meeke.

The Lions in the said fielde, are in their gentle nature, nor haue any ferocitie in them, beyng passant and ruled by the Sonne, who geeueth them lyght to their trauail, that they may the sooner ouercome the enemye: & theye considering their estate, are enemies to none, for al their hautye courage.

Holland

He beareth Azure, fiue flo­wer de Lize, a Lion saliant gardāt de argent. Plinie wri­tethe that the Lions chyefe nobility is, cum iube colla & armos vestiunt. Id autem aeta­te contingit, a Leone conceptis. Quos vero pardi generauerūt semper hoc insigni carent, sicut & faeminae. Heare note that all Lyons borne in armes, ought to be figured with ma­ynes couering their necke and shoulders, for so they de­clare them selues to bee of right birthe, for those whiche are gottē by Pardes, lack the said ensigne, y^t is, haue no maynes, as the Leonesse. The Lion alone of al beastes, is borne with open eyes, as witnesseth Democritus, nimi­mū (que) somno deditum, tradunt signum quod dormitanti cauda iugitur monetur. The saide coate appertayneth to Hol­land of Deuonshire

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His field is Sable,Wentworth a cheurō betwene iij Leopards heads de Or: & borne by the name of Wētworth, I read in an auncient worke of Armory, that a Cheuron or a Barre doth signify the perfection & finishinge of anye thinge, whiche before was not per­fect nor finished, wherin cō ­sisteth Prudence, the first so­ueraigne vertue to attayne to honor.

He bearethe Gules,Fitzherbert. three Lyons Saliant de Or.

The Lyon liueth long,Clemētia Le­onis in pros­tratis be­cause pleri (que) dentibus defecti reperiuntur. The Lyon one­lye of all beastes is gentle, and not lightlie angrye, in supplices, nam prostratis par­cit, et vbi saeuit, in viros prius quā in faeminas fremit, in in­fantes non nisi magna fame adactus grassatur. Leonum a­nimi iudex est canda, sicut & equorum aures. If he be mo­ued or stirred, Primum cauda verberat terr [...]m, deinde cres­cente ira flagellat tergum. He long reteyneth his wrathe, as it were paciently suffring y^e iniurie done vnto hym. Mars occupieth the fielde of the saide coate armour, and the content therin is Solis, wherby prowesse is signified, with desire of fame. It is borne by the name of Fitz­herbert.

[Page] Grafton.

He beareth partie per Salti­er, Sable and Ermine, a Li­on rampant de Or, armed and langued Gules. Thys coate I finde otherwise bla­zed, videlicet, Gerondie of fo­wer Ermine & Sable, ouer all, a Lyon rampant golde, armed and langued Gules. Here ariseth a controuersie, whether there is particion per Saltier or noe, master Gerarde Leighe sayeth, that it is the seuenth particion, and voucheth Vlpianus to be againste those that woulde terme the fielde of the sayd coate armour to be Geronne of [...]ower pieces. Of truthe I haue not read Ulpiane, but assured I am, that all the writers of armorie the space of fiftie yeares nowe paste (whiche I haue seene) consent with master Leighe and affirme particion per Saltier, as Io. Feron, Nawclere Paradine &c. and yet notwith­standing the diuersitie of the writers, these particions being the one so lyke the other, for that there is also par­tie per Gyron, it can not bee but that there is founde an indifferencie of the vse in blazon of the one as of the o­ther, they so nighe approchinge in forme, as for exam­ple, who knowing a Cheuron in the fielde of anye coate armour, can otherwise iudge, but that there is particion per Cheuron. So likewise seinge a Saltier, wil denye but there is particion by the same. As these bee true, so muste you consider of the qualities in all particions, as per [...]esse, per bende, & per pile &c. This coate armoure is borne by the name of Grafton.

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1 He beareth two demie Lions passant gardant de Or,Hatche by the name of Hache.

2 His fielde is de Argent,Dillon a Lyon saliant Gules, debru­sed with a Barre de Azure, betweene three cressants and as many Estoiles montans of the seconde: borne by the name of Dillon.

He beareth Sable,Srangwayes two Ly­ons passant de Argent, palie of sixe Gules. Of the three thinges, Quae bene incedunt yea, of the fower whiche are comely in goinge,Prouerb. 30. Salamon nameth first y^e Lyō, wher he sayeth: Leo fortissimus bestia­rum, ad nullius pauebit occur­sum. The Lyon whiche is strongest amonge beastes, geueth place to no man..

The said coate armor is borne by the name of Strang­wayes.

[Page] Capell

He beareth Gules, a Lion Saliant betwene three cros­ses botonie fitchie de Or. The nobilitie of the Lyon is before sufficiently decla­red, and this coate armoure is borne by the name of Ca­pell.

He beareth Argent, nyne Cinquefoiles Gules,Perpoynte. a Liō Saliant Sable, armed and langued of the seconde, yet here remayneth one nature of the Lion vntouched: that is when he flyeth, Non ob­uertit tergum quasi pauidus, Munstre Cos. li. 6. sed pedetentim progrediens & murmurans respicit retro. Nō autem nisi laesus exagitatur, aut fame incitetur. The said coate appertayneth to Perpoynte of Holme.

Leedes

He beareth Argent, a fesse Gules, betwene three Eag­lettes Sable, membred and beaked of the second. There be sixe kindes of Eagles, as witnesseth Plinie: The firste whereof he calleth Melenatos because of her black colour, wherof she taketh her name, of bodie she is the least, sed viribus omnium praestantissi­ma. She frequenteth moste [Page 115] the highe mountaynes and woods. This alone of al the kindes of Eagles, norisheth and bringethe vp her yong birdes Aristottle sayeth,Hister. ani­mal. li. 9, ca, 32. that she is Pernix, concinua, poli­ta, apta, intrepida, strenua, liberalis, et non inuida: mo­desta etiam, nec petulans, quippe quae non clangit ne (que) lip­piat, aut murmuret. The saide armes bee borne by the name of Leedes.

At Hall yate of Shirburne

1 He beareth Sable, a Cheuron betwene three Sinis­tre handes copie de argent. This was the coate of Gil­bert at Hall yate of Shireburne in Elmet, a Gentlemā of auncient name and also coate armour, as is recorded of him in many writings yet apparant.

2 His fielde is of Gules, a Fesse betwene three Cres­saunts de Or, borne by the name of Okeham.

His field is de Argent,Okeham. Sacheuerell. on a Saltier Azure, fiue Gor­ges de Or. Master Gerarde Leighe makethe difference betwene water budges, and these. The cause onely I iudge, because they receyue not one forme & figure.

The saide coate armoure is borne by the name of Sache uerell.

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He beareth Argent, a Cheu­ron de Ermines,Sir William Kingsmill knight. betweene three Inkes molyn crusule botonie fitchie Sable, a cheif as the seconde. Of the token borne in thys coate armour I haue sufficientlye spoken of before vpon the blason of the [...]molyn. Now is therefore to bee declared the dignytie of the fielde of the said armes, which is argent, in Greeke called Argurium, not farre from the latin name and appelation,Argentū post aurum nobi­lius metallū. it is a royal mettall, Habet autem proximum bonītatis locū ab auro, cui scilicet color est albus & talis natura vt igni liquescere fūdi (que) possit Metalla si ad argentum incatinatum coniecta fuerint mutantur nonnihil: argentum vero ipsum remanet purum, attamen vbi diuti­us arserit, ei aliquid igni deperit: ac deinde acria ipsum cor­rodunt. Ergo vilius est auro sed durius eo: et quo mollius fu­erit, eo est prestantius. Nam minus fragile est, atque ideo laxi­us dilatatur malleo ictum, minus tamen auro dilatatur mi­nus (que) est eo ponderosum. Et propter eam quam habet durici­am, siue percutiatur siue proiiciatur edit sonitum, efficiun­tur (que) ex eo eadem opera quae ex auro, Monster cosi­no. li. 1. sed numero plura. Sil­ner also hath these qualities peculiarly, it is clerae, it is shrill of sound, easelye ductile, a meruelous preseruer of sweete balmes, the Iaspers frend, and with whom the Iasper better agreeth then with golde. It is also medi­cinable, for his offall or dust remedieth woundes, Sed mirum im modum illud dum candidum sit impressum corpori lineas nigras reddit, The fielde of the saide coate armour signifieth y^e bearer to be of conscience vpright in iustice, and desirous to appease strife, and is borne by the name of Kingsmill.

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He beareth Or, two Cheu­rons betweene three Tre­foyles Sable.Isidor. Etil. li. 17. ca. 9 The Trefoil in latin is called Trifolium, Graeci trifillum vocant, quod sit solis trinis per singulas an­notaciones It betokeneth the vnion of three in one sub­stance, & the token is much augmēted by the worthines of y^e field, being golde which is y^e head of al other mettals. The field is Uert, iij. Piles de Or,Trefoile ij. descending, & .i. as­cending in point of the fesse, in chiefe a plate betwene .ij. Trefoiles, de Argent. The trefoiles heare in this coate armour, are in their propre field, which is, of that Ladie Vaenus colour Greene.Vaenus her▪ colour. This hearbe is comonly knowne by the name of three leaued grasse, an hearbe excellent, and especial to man and beaste

He beareth Azure, two Pil­lers in pile fusile Dargent,Pillers fusile Charles the great. in chiefe a Crowne de Or. Suche pillers of stone, the great Charles caused to bee set vp in y^e Palace whych he builded at Ingelheim in Ger­many, wheras he was borne after y^e opinion of most wri­ters, the which pillors were translated thence (as Mūster [Page] sayeth in his time) and nowe erect in the prince Palan­tine his castle at Heidelberge, Columnae fu­siles. in perpetuum artis fusoriae memoriam.

Thus those prises in coates armoures, whiche are of many called Fusils, that is to saye Spyndles, may aptly be taken for pillers.

Fusille in latin, Columnae fuse, aut fusiles, and so to bee blazed in armes, since that suche a mighty conquerour, and prince moste prudent, as Charles the great was, thought good to erect Pillors fusible of stone verie pre­precious, in perpetual remembrance of spynners crafte,

The fielde is de Argent, and Sable, parted per pale, on a Fesse, de le vn, et le auter two water boudges, trans­muted of the fielde.

This coate beinge charged on the Fesse, beautifiethe it muche, so as the armorie can not bee but perfite and good, if it be well considered of. A water boudge also par­ted per Pale, of the mettal, and colour aforesaide, maye congruently stande for a creast of the saide coate armour.

Square.

He beareth Sable, a Squire direct from the chiefe, to the dexter parte of the shield, de Argent. This is a principal instrument of the Carpen­ter, and is called Gnomon vel Norma. In english a squier, without the which nothinge can be rightly done, so nede­ful it is to the framing of al workes. The token hereof [Page 117] seene in coate armour, may signifie good direction, & pru­dence, vsed with great moderacion, before anye thinge weightie be attempted, and attempted, brought to a per­fect conclusion.

Note also, that there may be vsed in coate armour, parti­cion per Squere, although it be rare seene.

The field is Gules,Folfarde. a Cheu­ron de Argent, borne by the name of Folfarde. Of the same ordinarie are these en­suinge.

• 1 Argent a Cheuron Gules, borne by the name of Stoket
• 2 Argēt, a Cheuron Sable, by the name of Mordante.
• 3 Or, a Cheuron de Azure, by the name of Clopton.
• 4 Or, a Cheuron Uerte, by the name of Iudge.

He beareth Sable,Cotton a Cheurō betwene iij Griphons heades erased de Argent, by y^e name of Cotton.

Of the like particiō be these which folow, the fields wher of occupy sundry tokens, as the reader maye easelye per­ceyue the soueraygntie of the same particions.

• 1 Argent, a Cheurō betwen thre Martelets Sable, borne by the name of Apton.
• 2 Argent, a Cheuron Gules, betweene three Hurtes by the name of Baskeruile.
• 3 Gules, a Cheuron Argent, betwene three Escallops, de Or, by the name of Chamberleyne.
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  Pudsey.
  4 Uert a Cheuron betwene three Mulletes de Or, per­sed, by the name of Pudsey:
• 5 Sable, a Cheuron betweene three Trefoiles de Ar­gent, by the name of Vurgy.
  Vurgy Violes.

The field is Azure, a Fesse nebule de Ermine, betweene three Phyals Dargent, this vessell, Isidore sayeth, is called a Phiale, because it is made of Glasse, and it is a little ves­sell with a broade bottome, and a small necke. In suche a vessell wyne is especiallye knowne by the colour, and al swete waters are therin put to be preserued. Such tokens may be geuen to seruitours of kynges & prynces, whiche beginne and take assaye of all drinkes before their soue­raigne. Let all those persons remember the truste put in them, as in no part they swarue from their duetie, but to be without corruption, and voide of al vncleanes, as they may deserue to beare the noble ensignes aforesaide.

Heron.

He bearethe Gules, a Fesse betwene three Herōs de Ar­gent. This is a birde of the water, quippe quae vivit ex a­qua, and yet greately dredeth rayne and tempestes, which in flying on high, shee assay­eth to auoide, after the say­inge of Uirgil.

At (que) altam supra, volat Ardea nubem.

The Heron aboue the highe cloudes dothe flye, so as one can scarce her decerne with eye. Vocatur etiam ob id ardea, qd, ardua suo volatu petat. She [Page 118] maketh her nest on highe trees, and hathe a naturall ha­tred to the Hauke, Sicut vicissim accipiter exitium illius cō ­tinuo querít. For they skirmishing on high in the aire, go about this one thing, whether of them in flyinge highest, can exceede the other. If the the Hauke optaine the higher place, she ouerthroweth the Heron vehemently, and sleeth her, but if the Heron do get aboue the Hauke, she defileth her with her excrement and killethe her, for her dung is poyson to the Hauke, and rotteth her fethers. The sayde coate is borne by the name of Heron.

His fielde is de Or, a Gripe Sable. The Gripe in latin is called Vultur, a foule very ra­uenous, and a great deuourer of carren, hee hathe an huge body, which causeth him to be slowe in flight, whereof also he taketh his name, but he is of a very sharpe sight, & ther­fore seeth his pray a farre of. He moste desireth to feede on mans fleshe, before all other birds: & of a singuler wit geuen him by kinde knoweth y^e death of mā, pronosticating the same certain daies before. There be that write marueils of him: which is, that in the time of warre, seuen daies before any fight, he doth smell the place where the battaile shalbe, & ioyneth him selfe to that party which he thinketh shal die of the sworde. And therefore the kings in olde time had their deuinours and southsayers, which with great diligence did beholde the eyes of these Gripes or Vultures, markinge to what parte theye dyd turne theire sighte, and which they did forshew shoulde die in the battaile. Saint Ambrose wrytethe, that the Gripe dothe conceyue withoute the seede of the male, and is gendred without coniunction, and that he liueth an 100. yeares, and when he draweth to extreme age, the o­uer part of his bill, groweth so close and croked ouer the [Page] nether, that he can not open it to take his meate, and so dieth at last for hunger. For he dothe not make sharp his beake vpon a stone, as the Eagle dothe.

Sawe. Compasse.

He beareth Sable, a Sawe in pale, betwene two Com­passes de Argent.

These instruments are beste knowne to suche as worke in Tymber, and are verie aun­cient addycions in armo­rye.

Goose arborie

He beareth Azure, iij. Gees arborie Dargent, beaked, & mēbred de Or, It is read, that ther be certain trees in Scot­land, which growinge nere y^e bank of a great water, bring forth fruit cōglomerate with leaues, and the same fallinge when it is ripe into the riuer, quickneth, and is turned into a liue birde, whiche theye call Anserem arboreum, a Goose of the tree. And this tree (as some writeth) growethe in the Isle Pomonia, not farre from Scotland, towardes the Northe. The olde Cosmographiers, especielly Saxo Grā ­maticus maketh mēcion of this famous tree.Anseres ar­borei Think it not therefore to be a faigned matter deuised or immagined of the new writers. Also Aeneas Siluius wryteth of the same thus. Audiueramus nos olim a [...]borē esse in Scotia, quae supra ripā fluminis enata fructus ꝓduceret anatarum formā habētes et eos quidem cū maturitati proximi essent sponte sua decidere, alios in terram alios in aquam, & in terrā deiectos putrescere, [Page 119] in aquam vero demersos, mox animatos enatare sub aquis, & in aere plumis pennis (que) euolare. Munsterus, (of whom is ma­de so ofte mencion before) in his booke of Cosmographie, saieth, that he being in Scotlande with kyng Iames, dili­gently searched where the saide miraculous tree shoulde growe, & at the laste learned, that it was not to be founde in Scotlād, sed remotius apud Orchades insulas. Wherfore the same Gees may also be termed, Gees orchadie, because they are so meruelously brought forth in the same isle.

The fielde is argent .5. Sco­cheōs d'azure, passes en saul­tier.I. Feron. Munster Alphonsus firste kinge of Lusitania, nowe called Por­tugal, and the first also which recouered Vlixibonam frō the Saracenes, which longe had kepte the same: & ouercame .5. of their kīgs in one battaille, assumpted to beare for hys ensigne fiue scocheōs, whiche he left to hys posteritie, as a monumente of suche hys famous acte.

¶He beareth quarterly d'or & azure 3. flours de luce on aBye. Chelcelettes. [Page] a bende of the first & second. The said coate armour apperteineth to master Iohn Bye.

2 ¶He beareth a shielde quartered of the Topaze & Sa­phire, a Chalcelet on the first quarter Diamonde.

Thys birde is seldom seene, for she frequenteth the mō ­taines, as Aristotle saieth) and is longe and blacke, like to a certaine Hawke called Palumbarius, or to the birde cal­led Ptynge, that flieth the most parte by night, & taketh his praye, more Aquilae, & fighteth so cruelly with the Eagle, that they being wounden together, fall downe both to the groūde, and so are taken of shepherdes on liue. Chalcis non clare videt.

¶ His fielde is Saturne, an hāde dextre in fesse of the moone, & to his creast a fiste within a garlande of laurell propre.

The signe borne in thys cote armour is a right hāde, called in latine Dextera, and hath y^e name of Dare, to giue, for suretie of peace is geeuen therewith: and it is also the witnesse of faith and truste, & hoc est illud apud Tullium fidē publicā iussu senatus dedi, id est dexteram. And y^e apostle Paule saieth, Iames, Ce­phas, & Ihon, whih semed to be pillers, gaue me & Barnabas the right hāds, (& agreed with vs) that we shuld preache among the heathen, & they among the Iewes &c. The fiste desplaied for the creaste aforesaid, is called Pugnu ▪ in Latine, because the fingers be clighte in. Pugnus autem a pugilla dictus: sicut palma ab expausis palmae ramis.

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¶The fielde is Gules,Barkley. a Ch [...]uron betwene three cros­ses partie dargent.

This coate hath bene borne by the name of Barkley, and whereas in the said martiale fielde, there is displaid three Crosses, the same do put me in remembraūce of a certaine miraculous fortune, whiche happened vnto the Romaine Emperour Tiberius, a prince vpright in iustice,Tiberius. Constantinus pure in life, & cleane in conscience: who gouerned the whole empire so prudently & syncerely, that no man was able to reproue him, if the histories whiche are written of him do not deceiue vs. Paulus Diaconus in hys xviij. booke, which he writte de Romanorum gestis, doth declare that this Emperour Tiberius spent so great trea­sours about the repairinge his decaied palaces, to redeme poore captiues, to builde hospitals, to erect monasteries, to marie & prouide for the orphanes & widowes, in all which he was so bountiful, that vnneth he had any thing left to mainteine hys Royall estate & householde. Truely thys was a blessed necessitie, for what can be better bestowed, than that which is emploied in the seruice of Christe. And of thys pouertie the Emperoure was not ashamed, but thought it a great glorie, yet one thig greued hym moche, whiche was to see Sophia the empresse reioi [...]e so moche at hys miserie. For the highe and noble hartes, which feele themselues wounded, do not so moche esteme theire own paine, as they do to see theire enemies reioyce at theire griefe. But God neuer forsoke them that for his sake be­came poore, as it appeareth by thys: It chaunced one daye that euen as this Emperour Tiberius walked in the mid­dest of his palace, he espied at hys feete a marble stone, whiche was in fourme like vnto a Crosse: and because he [Page] thought it an vnmete thīg to haue the same spurned with soule feete,Crosse whiche was so victorious & triūphant a signe, he caused the stone to be taken vp (not thinking any thing to be there vnder) and immediatly after, they founde an other, wherein likewise was the forme of the Crosse, and thys being taken vp, they founde an other in like maner, and when that was pluck vp from the botome, there was founde a treasure, whiche conteaned the somme of twoo millions of duckettes, for the which, the good Emperour Tiberius gaue vnto almightie God moste highe thankes: & wheras before hee was liberal, nowe afterwardes hee was moche more boūtiful. For all those treasures he vertuously distributed, amongst the poore and nedie people. Whose treasours they were, of thē I fynde thus writtē: Thesauros Iustiniani secundi, & Narsetis Eunuchi, vtcun (que) congestos miraculose repperit, liberaliter (que) in pauperis dispensa­uit. Let therfore mightie princes & great Lordes see, read, & profit by thys example, & let them thinke them selues as­sured, that for geuinge almes to the poore,Vitis Caesarū fol. 63. they nede not feare to become poore: for in thende, the vicious man can not call hymselfe riche, nor the vertuous man, can counte hymselfe poore.

Daubrygge­court.

¶His fielde is d'ermine .iij. Humettes gules.

The firste that euer did were Ermine in hys royall robes, was (as I reade in an olde worke of Armory) Lao­medon, kynge of olde Troye. He thaught Priamus his son­ne to weare the same, who being king in the tyme of the warre, & great siege of troye, was euer seene whan he ca­me into the fielde, or whan hee entred into battaille, to weare the saide noble furre of Ermine in his cloke vpon [Page 121] hys armoure.Hector. Hys eldest sonne also Hector by name, was alwaies seene in place of his father, to haue vpō hym that mantle or cloke furred with Ermine, and in that hee kil­led manie noble men of the Greekes. Wherfore the Gre­cians euer saide it was kynge Priamus, Priamus. because hee onely in the fielde did first weare the same. Then the nobles of Troye ordeyned for Hector, an other apparell differringe moche from hys fathers, that the Greekes might plaine­ly perceaue, that there was an other noble & stoute war­riour in Troye besides kyng Priamus. They vsed not this apparell but in time of warre,Coates of Er­mine. because they were as litle as coates, and beinge not longe or heauie, did nothinge hindre them in fightinge: therefore they were called coates of armes, and of nobilitie, for that they were very pleasant to the sighte, and to be seene farre of, beinge all whyte and blacke. And some writers affirme, that the firste armes were of Ermine, and that kynge Priamus was the firste that bare them: alledging further that af­ter the destruction of Troye, there came a noble man of the stocke of kynge Priamus into Britaine,Armes of Britaine. and there did inhabite: and therefore the duke of Britayne beareth Ermine, because (saye they) hee commeth of that stocke that firste inhabited that countrey, and was the firste Lorde thereof. And so I gather, that the firste bearinge of Ermine in coate armoure, was inuented at the siege of Troy, although the ordering therof was not in so goodly a maner then, as is now in these dayes.

The Heumettes borne in the armes before des [...]ried,Heumettes. do admonishe the bearer. Memorare nouissima. They apper­teane to Daubrigecourte of Stratfelde Say.

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¶Hee beareth Or, a Lyon rampannt d'Ermine, debru­sed with two Barruletes, & fret with the thirde Sable.

Why so many Lions are borne in Escocheons, Mun­sterus declareth in these woordes. Principibus enim Belga­rum parantibus nouum expe­ditionem in Syriam, assumpse­runt variorum colorum Leones, relictis veteribus insignibus. Of the bearinge of Lions in sondrie wise, I haue spoken sufficiently in the beginning of this booke.

¶The fielde is verie .3. ar­rowes in poincte d'or. The creaste a Pheon d'argent, on a Scallop gules. This coate mighte be borne of some one mā who farre excelled others in shootīg, & so might chaūce to be honored w^t suche a crea­ste for a rewarde, I haue o­mitted to marshal the same, either with helme, wreathe, or mantle, whiche I haue v­sed in the blazon of a greate nōbre of cotes before, because ye may the better vnderstāde what suche achementes bee. But it might be asked of me, what thys worde acheuemēt meaneth. It is (as M. Ge­rarde L. defineth in his acci­dence of armorie), th' armes of euerie gentelman, well marshalled, with the suppor­ters, [Page 122] helme, wreath, & creste, with mantels, & y^• worde, of som termed y^e poesie, all whiche of heraltes is proprely called blazon, heawme, & timbre. This creste nexte aforesaid I haue so ordered, because antiquitie receaued the one before the other: and that creastes may bee borne, w^tout any wreath, & right cōmēdable inough, folowing the opi­nion of the before named M. G. Leighe, in his said boke.

The Arrowes standing pile wais in poincte, is one of y^e honorable ordinaries general: whiche because they stāde in poincte, bringeth me in remēbraūce of y^e coate armour of that noble house of the Poulets,Poulet. who beare Sable, thre

arminge swordes d'argent, pile in poincte, as ye may see here desplaied. Of y^e sworde, & why it is so called, looke in the next boke entituled, of Cotes and crestes.

¶Hee beareth azure, two barres embatiled, contreba­tiled d'Ermine, by the name of Burnebye. Burnebye.

Of the like bearing are these which folow.

• 1 ¶Sable .ij. barres embati­led d'Ermine.
• 2 ¶Ermines .ij. barres embatiled contrebatiled d'or.
• 3 ¶Gules .ij. Barres embatiled d'argent.

[Page] Baker.

¶He beareth argent, one a saulter engrailed sab, 5. Es­calopes of the fielde, a chiefe of the seconde, charged with a Lyon passant of the firste, ar­med and langued gule. This cote Armoure is borne by the name of Baker.

¶He beareth sable, 3. brode arrowes bar [...]wais d'argent. The latine for an arrowe is Sagitta, so called as Isidore sa­yeth,Brode arrowe

a Sagaci iactu id est veloci ictu. Pennis enim fertur quasi auis: vt celeriter mors percurrat ad hominē. His primū Cretenses vsi sunt. The arrowes borne in the saide cote armoure, are to be takē for suche as we call brode arrowes, yet y^• bearing of them in forme as I before haue described, is verie rare to bee seene.

Crossebowe. Handegōnes.

The fielde is vert, a Crossebowe bente d'argente. Isidore saieth that Balista, whiche in Englishe we call a Crosse bowe, hath y^e name, ab emito tendo iacula, for whē the same is bent, it casteth from it with great force either arrowes or stones. Sir Thomas Eliot y^e knight of worthy fame, in his boke ētituled y^e Gouernoure, supposeth that Crossebowes and handgonnes where broughte into thys realme, by [Page 123] the sleight of our enemies, to the entent to destroy the noble defence of archerye?Archerie. But what woulde hee thinke in these our daies, if he were on liue, to see the same almost vtterly decaied, Certes he would lament with teares, the negligence of his countreymen, that so litle regarde and esteeme the feat of Artillerye, or the due obseruacion of the laws prouided for the defence of their countrey. The bearer of the saide coate armour, may aptlye adde there­unto, this poysie or Apothegme. Ingenium superat vires.

The field is Sable, two bo­wes bente addorsed de Or,Bowe. stringed Uert, these are to bee taken for longe bowes, wherwith this realm of England, hath ben not onely best defended frō outward hosti­litie, but also in other regiōs haue ben seene to preuaile a­gaynst people innumerable, and inespecially in the tyme of the moste puissaunt pryn­ces▪ Edwarde the thirde, and Henry the fifte, agaynste the French. The bow in latin is called Arcus, eo quod ar­ceat aduersarium. Arcus Item arcus ob speciem: ꝙ sint curuati arctiꝰ.

He beareth Uert & Sable,Towers parted per pale vndade, two Towers embatiled Dargēt. I haue vsed verye ofte thys particion, but heare in thys coate it hath a great supery­oritie, the Towers deuyded watried, and in their propre colour, beutyfieth muche the same. Towers are especial­ly builded for defence, & are called in latin Arces, Arces. a quibꝰ [Page] arcentur hostes. It is also verye necessarie to name in the blazon of the saide deuise, of how many peeces the sayde embatlements be made, therefore say, they bee embatiled of three peeces and two halfes. and so they be right.

He beareth Sable on a Fesse de Or, betweene three An­uieldes, Argent, a demie Ly­on passaunt Gules, armed & langued Azure. The Anuild is the chiefest instrument of the Smith, whereon he bea­teth the Iron and steele, and so worketh it in lēgth, bredth and forme as liketh him. It is an auncient addycion of ar­mory: and is called in y^e Nor­therne tongue a Stethye, in latin Incus, Veteres autem nō incudem vocabant, sed in tudem, eo ꝙ in ea metallum tunda­tur id est, tendatur. A Sledge or an Hammer, of some cal­led a formall, mighte seeme to be an apte creaste for the saide coate armour.

The fielde is Or, on a pale bretessee Sable, a Crowne imperiall. This coate is of great excellency, considering y^e field to be of that most worthy mettall, Golde. In latin, Aurum, so called, ab aura. i. a splēdore, of shining ꝙ repercusso aere plus fulgeat. This cote armor signifieth vnto y^• bea­rer, cōstācie in euery thyng, also in loue. The same is al­so a Superlatiue of the highest degree, moste riche be­cause the fielde is of the mettal aforesaide, and the thinge contayned therin Sable. It is also one of the honorable [Page 124] ordinaries charged.

Hee bearethe Gules, one Plough de Argent, a chiefe de Ermine. This is an excel­lent coate, and of bearinge right worthie, the field being of the colour, that best becommeth the warriour: Nam ru­ber armatos equites exo [...] [...]r a­mictus. The token borne in the fielde, is the Ploughe, the chiefest addicion that may be geeuen to ennoblish the hus­bandman, and consisteth of that mighty planet, Luna, the riper and encreaser of fruites, the beuty of the night, and Lady of the sea and times: whose capitall signe is ador­ned with y^e furre of that litle beaste of Armonie, valiante courage and marciall pollicie mighte seeme to aduaunce the bearer of this coate armour, rather then the dignitye or auncient lignage of his stocke and progenie, for that perhaps in him might be base, and of lowe estate: as one called from the Plough, to be a king: Suche was Numa Pompilius kinge of Romaynes. Abdolominus king of Sidon And next to them although not a kinge, Quintius, whoe hauing but thirty acres of lande, and beinge plougheman thereof, the Senate and people of Rome sent a messenger to shew him, that they had chosē him to be Dictator, which was at that time, y^e highest dignity among the Romains, and for three monethes, had auctoritie royall, Quintius hearing the message, let his ploughe stand, and went in­to the citie, and prepared his hoaste againste the Samnites, and vanquished them valiantly, that donne, hee surren­dred his office, and being discharged of the dignitie, repai­red again to his plough, & applied it diligently. Thus ye may see y^t the occupiers of the plough, & husbandry haue atteyned to gret dignity, & to be prīces of people & coūtreis. [Page] Then I saye it can not bee otherwise taken, but that the Plough is a token bothe noble and excellent, wel becom­ming coate armour.

Greneuile.

He bearethe Gules, three Sufflues de Or, by the name of Greneuile, a coate of great antiquitie, as I haue founde in dyuers auncient Monu­mentes: for at the firste tyme that euer I saw them, which was in the parishe churhe of Mycham, within sixe miles of London, in the lower part of the church there, towards the west, I marueiled of the signe, what it shoulde be conteyned in the field of the said coate armour, but of long time I coulde not comprehend the same, yet, since I haue harde some boldely affirme it, to be called a Rest, an instrument to guide the horsmans staffe, where in deede it serueth to an other purpose, as to conuey the winde from the Bellowes to all the Pipes of the Organes: and by propre name is called a Sufflue.

His fielde is Sable, iij. pick­axes de Argent, borne by the name of Pigot.

This token borne in the said ensigne, may also be diuersly named, wherefore I reade that an Herault, shall beare no blame, thoughe hee see a thing in armes, and can not well declare what it shoulde bee: beinge perhaps suche a thinge as is out of vse, & not often seene or knowne, as an instrument, or other thing frequented in a straunge lande, or a toole of an handye [Page 125] crafts man, (as this next before descried is) or some strāge tree, leafe, hearbe, flower, and suche other: if hee faile to name the same right, it is no errour, so he fayle not of the colours and nombre thereof, according to the rules of ar­morye. For by reason (sayeth myne aucthor) there is noe man maye knowe all things, since so diuersly they be cal­led, and in sundry wise described or figured.

Hee beareth partye per f [...]sse Or, and Uert, one fusill in pale, transmuted of the field, in chiefe ij. clusters of grapes propre. Let the bearer hereof be especially endowed wyth the vertue Temperance, be­cause his chiefe is of the vine tree, then the which nothing is more profytable to the strengthe of mans bodie, ne more pernicious to voluptu­ous appetites, if measure shoulde lacke in drinkinge the fruite thereof, Androcides (a man of excellent wisedome) wrote vnto the great king Alexander an Epistle, desiring him to refraine his intemperance, wherein hee sayde. No­ble prince, when thou wilt drinke wine, remember then, that thou drinkest the bloude of the earthe, signifyinge thereby (after the oppinion of Sir Thomas Eliot) the mighte and power of wine, as also warning Alexander of the thirste or appetite of bloude, whiche woulde ensue by his imtemperate drinkinge. For Plinie (that wrytethe this historie) sayeth immediately. If Alexander had obeied the precepts of Androcides, he had neuer slain his frindes in his drunkennesse for hee slewe his deere frinde Clytus) (whoe apud granicum amnem nudo capite Alexandrum di­micantem clypeo suo texit: et Rhosaceris manum capiti regis imminentem gladio amputauit) as Curtius in his historie maketh mencion. Here also is to bee noted, that tokens [Page] or signes borne in armes, may admonish the bearers ther of to auoid diuers vices, & to embrace the contrary, which is vertue, as in example, the bearer of the Wolfe, let him beware of rapacitie, for the beast is, cruoris appetens &c.

He beareth Saturn, three Belles Luna, a canton de Ermyne, Touchinge the co­lours before depicted in thys coate Armoure, Alciate ma­keth this significacion therof Embl. li. 2. cap, 56.

Heareby appeareth that blacke is the colour of sadnes, sorowe or heuinesse of harte, whyche moste frequentlye is vsed at the buriall of the deade: But the whyte Robe or garment, is the token of a pure mynde, and soule vn­corrupted and for that cause is moste agreeable for the holye and consecrate to God. To what vse and purpose Belles do serue, is knowne to all men wherefore I do o­mit to speake here any thing

thereof. The saide coate ar­moure is borne by the name of Porter.

Hee bearethe Or, on a bende Gules, three Mollets de Argent.

These bendes are to be seene charged in sundrye wise, as for example.

[Page 126]1 Argent on a Bende gules, three Buckes heads cabazed de Or, borne by the name of Beche.

2 Argent on a Bende Azure, three Mollets de Or, per­sed, by the name of Morby.

3 Gules on a Bende de Argent, three Trefoiles slipped Uert, borne by the name of Haruye.

4 Argent on a Bende Gules, three Escaloppes de Or, by the name of A [...]orell.

5 Argent, on a Bende Gules, three Garbes de Orge, de Or, borne by the name of Barley.

He beareth Argent, on a Bende Gules, thre Mascles de Or, voyded.

I finde also the saide coate thus varied, from that which is before displayde.

1 hath three Losenges Sa­bles voided, on a Bende de Argent, in a fielde Gules.

2 Beareth Sable, on a Bēde de Or, three Losenges of the first voided.

3 His fielde is de Azure, on a Bende Argent, three Lo­senges Uerte, voyded of the seconde. Heare I needed not to haue sayde voyded of the seconde which is Argent, for whensoeuer ye shall see eyther Losenge, Mascle, or o­ther thynge voyded of the fielde, Fesse, bende &c. where­on theye stande, it is sufficient to saye voyded onelye, as the variation of the firste and seconde examples nexte be­fore put forthe, dothe manifest vnto you, if ye note well the blazon of bothe the same.

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Hee bearethe Argente, a Storke Sable, membred and becked Gules.

I reade the coloure of the Storke to bee all whyte, sa­uing the tops of his winges: hys bill and legges be redde. It is written of them that they haue no tongues, theye flea all serpentes, in theire age theye bee fedde of theire yong birdes. The Image of them borne in coate armoure, is the token of Iustice. Of this birde came a Greeke worde for a prouerbe, An­tepelargein, whiche signifyeth to bee lyke a Storke, which prouerbe is to exhorte men to bee kynde to theire pa­rentes, or to theire masters, which teach or bryng thē vp, requiting the benefite which theye receyued of them.

The fielde is de Argent, a Castle triple towered, and v. flowers de Lize Sable, ij.ij. and. one.

What is signifyed by castles and towers borne in Armes, I haue sufficyently declared before.

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¶The fielde is d'argent, on a Cheuron sable, three roses of the firste, and are borne by the name of Gilbarde. Gilbard

Whan ye see anye floure borne in coate armoure, ye may indifferently, and w^tout breache of anye rule, blaze y^e same by the propre coloure that hee is of, as the Rose, to call it a whyte Rose, whā ye wolde terme it d'argent: and a redde Rose, when ye see it of Gules &c. The Barbes of thys floure haue no vsual woordes in blazon, for that they abide alwaies of theire proper coloure, which is greene: & enuiron the leaues of the floure, as it were gardinge thē from falling.

¶Hee beareth Gules, a sal­tier verrey Argent & Azure, betwene twelue Crosses pa­tie fitche d'or, by the name of Champernon. Champernon.

The saide Saltier being of the furre called Uerrey, is alwaies found to be d'azure, and argent, or els d'argent & azure. For (as ma [...]ster Ge­rard Leighe saieth in hys ac­cidence of Armorie,) where the matter is doubtefull, there the mettall hath of right [...] the preheminence. And I finde a Saltier varrey d'argent & azure, in a fielde gules, borne by the name of Willington. Willington.

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¶F. Hys fielde is parted per fesse Sable & Ermine, a pale contrecharged of y^e one and the other, thre Escallop­pes d'argente: and for the difference, a Trefoile slip­ped d'or.

I finde thys coate blazed o­therwise, as thus.

¶Hee beareth Sable and Ermine partie per Fesse, & contrecolored in 6. quarters, thre Scallops argent in the firste.

Where he saith (in the firste) hee meaneth that the Es­calloppes stande in Sable, which is first named in the blazon: and the same I do commende, for that he which vsed hys blazon was an Heraulte, and wel learned in theire mysteries.

These coates thus parted (as aforesaide) are most com­mendably borne, whan they are charged, but with one token, as in triangle and not with two, which to moche augmenteth the Blazon, the same abidinge in so manye quarters.

¶Hee beareth azure, fretie d'argent, a chiefe Gules.

These also whiche folowe are of the like bearinge in or­der and cōmixtion, with two of the honorable ordinaries.

1 Argēt, fretie, gules, a cheife d'azure, borne by the name of Curteyn.

2 Sable, fretie d'or, a chiefe d'ermine.

3 Uerte, fretie d'Ermine, a chiefe d'argent.

[Page 128]4 Or. fretie d'azure a chiefe d'ermines.

5 Gules, fretie d'argent, a cheife d'or.

I here vse in the blazon of these coates (Fretie) because they be of more pieces then viij. accordinge to the rule of master Gerard Leighe in hys Accidence of armorie, wher he treateth of coates commixte with two of the honorable ordinaries.

The fielde is azure, a bende engrailed Argent, betwene two Cotises d'or, borne by y^e name of Fortescue. Fortescue [...] Thys (ac­cordinge to master G. Leighe hys rule) I haue set forth, for your better instruction, whā to call thys a Cotise, & when to name it a Batune. And of a Bende not cotized in forme a foresaide, take thys one fo­lowynge for example.

Hee beareth gules, a Bēde engrailed d'or. Thys was the coate armoure of a noble knight named Sir Williā Marshall. And as these bendes are seene often thus en­grailed, so are they founde moste vsually plaine, in thys wise.

• 1 Or, a bende sable, borne by the name of Bonauile.
• 2 Argent, a Bende verte, by the name of Kendal.
• 3 Sable, a Bende d'argent, by the name of Antingham.
• 4 Argent, a bende sable, by the name of Malley.
• 5 Or, a Bende dazure, by the name of Carthorpe.

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He beareth gules, a cheuron betwene 3. Fores heades ras­sed d'argent. Thys beaste in Latin is called Vulpes quasi volupes. Est enim volubilis pe­dibus, & nunquam rectis iti­neribus, sed tortuosis an [...]racti­bus currit: fraudulentum ani­mal, insidijs (que) decipiens. Nam dum non habuerit escam, fing it mortem: sic (que) descendentes quasi ad cadauer volucres rapit & deuorat. Let not the bearer of thys coate armoure applye hys minde to deceiptfulnes, and then certes be may beare the same to hys hyghe commendacion, beinge one of the 9. worthie particions, whereof M. Leighe in his Accedēce of armorie maketh mention.

¶The fielde is Sable, a Cheurō, betwen three cres­santes d'argent, borne by the name of Babthorpe. Babthorpe

¶What a Cheuron is, & also a Cressant, I haue ther­of sufficiētly before made mē ­tion, yet the saide ensigne be­ynge one of the most worthie particions, take these also to be of y^e same bearing, whiche folowe.

• 1 Gules, a cheuron, betweene 3. cressantes d'or.
• 2 Argent, a cheuron betweene three cressantes d'azure.
• 3 Uert, a cheuron betwene thre cressants d'argent.
• 4 Ermine, a cheuron betwene 3. cressants d'ermines.
• 5 Azure, a cheuron betwene three cressantes d'Ermine.
• 6 Or, a cheuron betwene 3. cressants vert.

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He beareth Sable, a bucks head cabaged de Or, double attyred vert.

The attire of thys Buckes heade, differeth proprely for challenge.

¶He beareth Sable, a frete transuerse in fesse, betwene two Escalloppes, & a cressāt d'or. Thys is a faire coate, & therefore neadeth no further commendation.

¶The fielde is d'Ermine. 3. Battele axes gules: and is borne by the name of Denys. Denis.

Thys weapon before dis­plaid, is called Securis bellica, and y^• bearer Securige [...], which hath bene, and is an office of hyghe credit, especial aboute Princes, & martial affaires. It doth demonstrate auctho­ritie, to commitie persons of­fending the lawes, to the execution of death, for the suertie of y^e prince, & quietnes of the common weale.

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He beareth Or, a Cheuron Checkey Ermin & Ermins, betweene three Hobies sa­uage volanie Sable. Thys kinde of Hauke called y^e wild Hobie, especiallye seruethe to kill larkes and quailes, for houering ouer thē, they kepe down on the ground, whiles they, which awaite on y^• pray do take them. It is to be sup­posed that from Thratia came this disporte of hauking. For Plinie maketh mention, that in the partes of Greece called Thracia, men and hankes, as it were by a confederacie, toke birdes together in thys wise, The men sprang the birdes out of the bushes, & the haukes soring ouer them, be [...]them down, so that y^e men might easely take them, and [...]dyd the men [...]e­qually the pray with the [...]which being [...]eftsones and of a custome [...]to suche places, where being alofte, they perceyued men to y^• purpose assembled. But (as Sir Tho. Eliot saieth) in what [...]or wherso­euer the beginning of hauking was, [...]ud [...]udtedly it is a right delectable solace, & being vsed measurably and for a pastime, geueth to a mā good appetite to his supper, and at the least way withdraweth him from other daliance or disportes dishonest, and to bo­dy & soule perchance [...]nicious

He beareth Azure and Or, parted per pale Nebule, vi. Martelets of the one and the other.

This is the ensigne of master William Fleetewood Esquier,Fleetewood. Recorder of y^e noble citie of London.

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His fielde is de Argent, two Barres Sable, borne by the name of Breretō,Brereto [...] alias Bru­erton.

Also Marton beareth argent ij. Barres Gules.

The fielde is Sable a Bores head coped in Fesse, betwene two dartes barwaies, de ar­gent. Histories make menci­on, that diuers noble persons haue atteined y^e greatest part of their renowm for fighting with wilde beastes, as Txhe­seus did, whiche was compa­nion to Hercules, whoe kil­led the great Boare called of the Greekes, Phera, that was­ted & consumed the fieldes of a great countrey. Likewise Meleager for sleyng the great Boare in Calidonia, whiche in greatnes and fairenes excelled all other Boares: and had slaine many noble and valiant persons. Thus (as I haue ofte saide before) histories do muche further (yea al­together) the true disposinge, inuention, and deuise of all good and perfect armorie, and without the which nothing is exactly done in this art, I dare boldly say, for y^e defence of histories, loke in Sir Thomas Eliot, his booke entitu­led the Gouernour. li. 3. cap. 25. fol. 204. pag. 2

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The field of this, is Losengie de Argent and Sable,Gairgraue three Cressauntes on a bende, as of the firste and seconde, and is borne by y^e name of Gair­graue. Of the bearing of Lo­sengies reade master Gerard Leighe hys Accedence of Ar­morie, where he treatethe of coates comirte with twoe of the honorable ordinaries.

Hee beareth barrie vndee, Sable and Argent, on a [...] might b [...] taken for the coate armoure of some [...]prynce, who saued the same in the waters, that hys ene­mies shoulde not atteine it, as did Iulius Cesar, who at the battaile of Alex [...]drie, on a bridge, beinge abandoned of his people for the multitude of his enemies, which oppres­sed them, when he might no longer sustaine the shotte of darts and arrowes, he boldly lept into the sea, and diuing vnder the water, escaped the shotte, and swamme y^e space of CC. paces, to one of his shippes, drawing his coat ar­mour with his teethe after him, whiche marueilously de­fended him from theire arrowes, so as theye bothe were preserued. This ensigne nexte before blazed, is one of the honorable ordinaries charged.

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His fielde is Checkeye de Or, and Sable, a Fesse Gu­les.

The sayde coate is bone by the name of Wynter.Wynter.

Also I finde Argent and Sa­ble Checkey, a Fesse Gules, borne by the name of AkelōdA kelonde.

The fielde is Sable and Er­mine parted per Fesse den­ted, in chiefe a Reyne deeres head cabaged Dargent. Of such coat armours thus par­ted, and what this particyon is called, I haue spoken of before. Master Leighe sayethe thus of suche a coate, that yf you be a gentleman of a first coate armour, and the prince geue you an addicion, it is at your choise if you will parte your owne with the other on this fashion.

He beareth Golde on a bend Gules, cotized with two co­tizes, Sable, three Phials, Dargent, Isidore sayeth they be called Phialeꝙ ex vitro fi­ant, because they be made of glasse. The said coate armor as it is my deuise, so I thinke the same not to bee borne of any in suche ordre and forme as I haue aboue descriued.

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His field is de Ermine on a Fesse, engrailed betweene three Griphons heds erazed Sable, a Greyhounde coursāt de Argent, with coler Gules and lyne de Or.

These perteined to master Frauncis Furbisher of Don caster in the county of York,Furbisher a right worshipful Esquyer, and iust Iusticer: also when hee liued, hee was one of the Queenes Maiesties [...]rable counsell established in the [...]partes: a [...]whiche loued righteousnes and [...] countrey doth worthely reporte of [...] the [...] sent daies.

The [...]is [...] Esc [...]lops, and a [...]en­gratledde Argent, borne by the name of Erle.Earle Of sundry borders ye haue example be­fore in fol. 37. a bordure must conteyne the fifte part of the fielde, and so it requireth, for that it is seene so often char­ged with sundry tokens, yet I finde in a certaine written boke of armorie, that a bor­dure shalbee no broder then the seuenth parte of halfe the fielde, which can not be for the cause aforesaide. Howe a coate bordured, is to be marshalled with any other, as to be a mariage with any man, or maried to any woman, or if any coate also that is bordured be honored with a chief, how it shalbe ordered, reade y^e accedence of armory, wher is treated of .ix. sundry differences for bretherne.

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The fielde is vert, ij. Cheu­rons de argent, betwene▪ iij. Papilions, Gules. These doth Isidore accompt among small birdes, & are cōmonly called Butterflies, in latine, Papiliones quae maxime abūdāt florentibꝰ maluis. They haue ben thought of aūcient time as signes worthy bearing in coate armour, and for creast also.

He beareth Sable, three plates in Fesse, betwene two Combes Dargēt. The cōbe in latin is called Pecten, and is an instrment toothed, and serueth especiallye to kembe the head. The Barbor can­not lacke this instrumente: and it is an auncient addicy­on to armorie.

He beareth Argēt, two bar­res Azure, in chiefe as y^e first, one pale betweene two Es­quiers bast dextre, & sinistre of the second, a Comete star Dor. This starre Cōmetes is so called, eo ꝙ commas luminis ex se fundat. The latines call these starres Crinitae, because they cast from them flambes in maner of heares, whyche kinde of starre whensoeuer it appeareth, pronosticatethe, eyther pestilen [...]e, famine, or warre: Consider of the saide [Page] coate armour, as of coates comixte, and countercoloured, and yet yee shal finde the same to be very auncient & faire.

He beareth sable, iij. Swor­des wauie Dargent, hiltes and pomelles de Or, Alas, it is a greuous fortune, (sayeth Boetius lib. 2. de conso. Phi.) as ofte as a wicked sworde, is ioyned to cruel venime, that is to say, venomous crueltie, to lordship. The said swords wauie, are figured also trās­uers barrewaies in the field.

The field is de Ermin, on a pale sable v. Bi [...]lets de Or, 2.1.2. These be also very aū ­cient addicions to armory, & ennoblishe greatly the coate armor wherin they are borne and therefore iudge of the same with aduisement, for this is an auncient ensigne.

The fielde is de Azure, two winges iointly en Lewre de Argent, oppressed w^t a barre Gules, charged with iij. An­nulettes de Or. Winges are of aunciēt bea­ring in coate armour, especi­ally if they be of Angels, Pellicanes, Eagles, Swannes or of Rauens, theye bee the greatest succour to foules, to [Page 133] helpe theire yong ones the rather to pray for their sus­ [...]enance. In armorye they betoken protection.

The fielde is Sable, a goa­tes heade rassed d'argent, triple coroned d'or, gorged with a garlande of yuie propre.

Thys deuise is straunge, & moche to be merua [...]led at, cō sidering that the token borne therein, hath hys head adourned Diadematè modo Romano­rum Pontificum. It mighte therefore bee applied to bee th'engsine of some Romishe bishoppe, fraudulently aspiring thereunto, liuyng moste lasciuiously, and therefore deposed worthely. That excel­lent clerke Bocatius, an Italiā borne, in his treatise which he writeth of the fall of Princes, maketh mētion of a wo­man that was pope, and what befell of her, and how she was put downe. The whiche hystorie I wil here set forth as it is translated, or rather metrized out of Latine into our English tongue, by Iohn Lidgate, wher he writeth, that after the miserable ende of many notable prouinces.

Of this monstre, it needeth not to shewe any further sig­nificacion, the matter whereupon it dependeth, beynge knowne to all that be christians, and whiche abhorre the tiranny of that Romishe Sea. But note heare, touchinge the saide tripled Crowne, wherewith the Goates head is ensigned, I reade, that the kinge and people of that famous citie in Indie the more, called Calechut, woor­ship the deuill in a wodderfull and horrible forme, moste lothsome to be recited, and hauing a Diademe on his hed, as the popishe prelates vsethe, and that whiche is more, Ternis insignitur cornibus. And this deuill hathe also hys priestes called Bramini, whiche do make cleane and take awaye the spottes of his bodie with Rose water and such odiriferous licour, and perfume him kneelynge) varijs o­doramentis, yea with euery thing that sauoreth well: and many moe other deuilishe ceremonies, whereof yea may read in the Cosinography of Munstre, lib. [...]de terris Asiae maioris.

Nowe to conclude, of all the other signes, the whiche are to bee founde or seene in armes, as of beastes, fou­les, fishes, serpentes, trees, flowers, leaues, and other maruelous tokens quicke and deade, I can not declare here, there be so many of them, but ye shall knowe gene­rally, that for all the armes the whiche lightly anye man hathe seene in his daies, yee haue rules and examples in this woorke, sufficient as I beleue to describe and blaze any of them. Therefore take heede to the instructions a­foresaide, if so be they be not a generall doctrine, yet shall they profit you in this arte greatly: and perfect you much in the prices and tokens of armorie.

[Page]¶A Rule or table declaring how coats of armes may be augmented, multiplied, deuided and parted.

1 Beareth Sable, a Mollet de Argent, by the name of Penhurste.

2 Beareth Sable, two Mollettes Dar­gent, persed in chiefe.

3 Beareth Sable, three Mollets de ar­gent. persed.

4 Beareth Sable three Mollets de argent, persed, in fesse.

5 Beareth Sable, three Mollets de ar­gent persed, in pale.

6 Beareth Sable, v. Mollets de argēt persed, in Crosse.

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7 beareth Or, on a Fesse Sable, three Mollets de Argent, persed

8 beareth Or, on a pale Sable, three Mollets de Argent, persed.

9 beareth Or, on a plaine crosse sable, fiue Mollets de Argent persed.

10 beareth Sable, a Fesse betweene, iij. Mollets de Argent, persed.

11 beareth Sable, a pale betweene two Mollets de Argent persed.

12 Beareth Sable, a plaine Crosse be­twene sower Mollets de Argent▪ persed

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13 Beareth Or, on a bende Sable, iij. Mollets de Argent, persed.

14 Beareth Or, on a bende sinistre, Sable, three Mollets de Argent, persed.

15 Beareth Or, on a Saltier Sable, v. Mollets de argent, persed.

16 Beareth Sable, a bende betweene two Mollets de Argent, persed.

17 Beareth Sable, a bende sinistre, betwene two Mollets de Argent, persed

18 Beareth sable, a Saltier betwene fower Mollets de Argent persed.

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19 Beareth party per pale Sable and Argent, a crosse Furshe of the one and the other.

20 Beareth party per Fesse Sable & Argent, ouer al a crosse Taue transmu­ted of the fielde.

21 Beareth quarterly Argent and Sa­ble, a crosse Flurte, contrechanged as the fielde.

22 Beareth party per bende, Sable & Argent, three crosses botonie, de le vn et le auter. Likewise partie per bende sinis­ter, is to be blazed.

23 Beareth party per Cheuron argēt, and Sable, three Crosses patie fitchie contrechanged of the fielde.

24 Beareth partie per pile in pointe Sable and Argent, a long crosse ragged and couped de Or.

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¶Deuises heroiques, of the twelue la­bours, perfourmed by Hercules.

1. I wil not here speake how well thys Lyon is differēced, but of his regalitie in y^e fielde, standing in the worthest met­tall of all other, gouerned of the Sunne, & ennoblished with the genune Topazion.

Thys is a regal Lyon, and a myghtye, for he occupyeth the fielde alone: and therefore hee worthely deserueth y^• name.

The firste of the twelue la­bors whiche Hercules, sonne of Osiris, and king of Egypt, called Hercules Libyus performed, was (as Diodorus writeth) the slayng of a Lyon in y^e wodde Nemea, that farre excelled all other Lyons in greatnes, whiche mought not be slayne with mettal or stone. Wher­fore he was constreyned to kyll hym with hys handes.

2. Of the killing of the monstre Hydra, whiche was hys seconde laboure, I haue spo­ken somwhat in my boke, en­tituled th' Armorie of honor. But yet here is to bee seene the I­con of the sayde monstre her heade, as neighe as I coulde coniecture the forme thereof. For Isidore calleth her a Dra­gon of manye heades, and sayeth that in Latyne, shee is named Excedra, quòd vno caeso tria capita excrescebant: because sayeth hee, that whan [Page] one was stricken of, there did eftsones arise three other heades. Sed hoc fabulosum est. Nam cōstat Hydram locum fuisse e [...]omentem aquas vastantes vicinam Ciuitatem: Is [...]d. lib. E [...]y. 1 [...]. cap. 3. in quo vno mea­tum clauso multi erumpebant. Quod Hercules videns, loca ipsa excussit, & aquae clausit meatus. Nam Hydra ab aqua dicta est.

3 Whosoeuer atchieued thys Bore, deserued the beasantes, yf they had bene talentes.

Hercules hys thirde laboure (taken for the common profite of mankynde (was the taking of the great Bore of Eriman­thus, which wasted the coūtrey of Arcadia, & all people drad­de hym: but finallye Hercules toke him on liue, and bearing him on his shoulders, brought hym to kyng Euristeus.

4 Centauri, were a people in the Countreye of Thessalye whome the Poetes feyned to bee the one halfe like a man, & th'other like an Horse.

The fowerth labour, which Hercules (of hys incomparable strength) performed, was the Battle, whiche hee had alone with a great nombre of those men called Centauri, that were of great strēgth and swifte as horses. Centauris, id est homini­bus aquo mixtis species vocabulum dedit: quos quidam fuisse aequites Thessalorum dicunt. sed pro eo (que) discurrentes in bello, ve­lut vnum corpus aquorum & hominum viderentur: inde Cen­tauros fictos asseruerunt. Isodor. lib. 11. cap. 3. Etymol.

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5. Take not this to be the Hart that Gaguyne in his Chronicle maketh mention of, which the Frenche king Char­les the sixt of that name, when he was hunting in the woode Siluanectum, did finde, & tooke with a brasen coller about his necke, wherein was this in­scription: Hoc Caesar me donauit. But take this as the fifthe at­chieuemente of the laborious Hercules, whiche was the ta­kinge of the greate Harte in runninge, that for his swift­nesse had his hornes gilted.

6. Isidore saithe, that y^e byr­des named Stymphalides, are so called of certaine Iles in Ar­cadie called Stymphali, where are great plentie of them: and affirmeth, that they are Pelag­volucres, byrdes of the sea, and moste frequent those Iles. A­gainste these byrdes Hercules vsed Dartes, and destroyed them, because they consumed the fruites, and grayne of the Countries adioyninge. And this was the sixte labour that he perfourmed. This Stym­phalie here, I haue caused to be figured volante, with a Garbe, agreable to his nature. These byrdes are suppo­sed to be so [...]ygge, that they shadowe all the Sunne bea­mes.

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These Bendes sinister vn­dadie, or waterie, maye fore­showe some notable deuise, or enterprise done by force, vio­lence, or rage of the waters when they were turned, alte­red, or otherwise broken oute of their olde & woonted course. The seuenth of Hercules his labours, was the making cleane of the Hall of Angeus, beinge full of donge, the whiche by his wisedome, and policie he perfourmed, bringing the Riuer Pygnio through the Hall. Which by the swifte course of the streame, in one day car­ried awaie the donge without any reproch to Hercules. It maie also be thought, that the bearer of suche, or like Cote armour, had donne some greate enterprise vpon the seas, worthy of perpetuall commendation.

This Bull is figured of co­lour blacke, hornes & hoofes redde, a Coller of the beaste of Armonye, with a Chaine of golde. Howe well he is diffe­renced for chalenge, make no regarde thereof. The Sym­bole, or deuice, proceedethe of Hercules his eighte atchieue­mente, whiche was the brin­gynge of a bull from Creta, into Greece, drawinge him a­longe the sea.

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9. Hercules his ninth nota­ble laboure, whiche Poetes write of, that he perfourmed, was the takynge of Diomedes kinge of Tharcia, and casting him to his horses, who feeding them with mans fleashe, was hym selfe of them deuoured. And after Hercules breakinge those wilde horses, & makinge them gentle, broughte them to Euristheus. This Euristheus was a kynge of Greece, & eni­mie to Hercules, whiche commaunded him to doo moste of his enterprises.

10. The tenthe of Hercules his labours, whiche he atchie­ued, was his voyage into Spaine, and sleainge of Gereon and his sonnes, and takinge the great kyne, which he gaue to a kynge in that countrie, who continually afterwarde did yearely offer in Sacrifice to the honoure of Hercules, one of the Bulles, that came of those kyne.

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11. The going downe into hell of Hercules, and fetchinge thence Theseus and Perithous, valiante men, and sometyme his cōpanions, is not so great­lye to bee marueiled at, as in that he brought with him in a chayne, Cerberus the dogge of hell, hauynge three heades. And this was the eleuenth of the notable laboures, whiche Poetes write of, that Hercules atchieued.

12. Here is to be seene a Dragon, supportinge a tree laden with golden apples. The sleaynge of the terrible Dragon, whiche continually watchinge, kepte the golden apples in the gardens Hesperi­des, and taking them out ther­of, was the tweluth, and last labour that Hercules perfour­med. Some saie, those apples whiche were called golden for the bewtie of thē, were shepe, whose fleeces were of golden colour: and the Dragon sig­nifieth the diligence, and strength of the shepheard which kepte them. S. Hierome of the tenth chapter of Genesis wri­teth, that this Hercules so often before mentioned, called Hercules Lybius, because he conquered Lybia, was he which perfourmed the twelue notable labours, whiche Poetes write of, & not Alcydes, sonne of Alcmenae, who also was named Hercules.

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Polycrates was amonge the Samians, a tyran so fortunate, that he neuer suffered any ad­uersitie or griefe. Wherfore, he at the laste dreadinge the chaunge of fortune, hauinge a Kinge with a stone of excel­lente value, did caste the same into the sea, to the intente he woulde suffer somme displea­sure, and so satisfie fortune. But a fyshe deuouringe the Kinge,Strabo. was shortely after ta­ken of a fisher, and giuen to the kinge for the greatenesse of the fishe: whiche beinge opened, the saide Kinge was founde, and broughte to the kinge, wherat, as well he, as all other about him, marueiled. Soone after the saide ty­ran was taken of Orontes, Paeradin, Symbo. Hero. Fol. 50. a Duke among the Persians, and hanged. Sic blandimenta, splendorue fortunae (quae mundus hic passim pro foelicitate ducit) nec certa, constantiaue sunt, aut di­mansura: sed quo fulgentior apparet, eò verò facilius, ac celerius, quemadmodum & natura fragile vitrum, laeditur. Et iuxta co­micum, fortuna vitrea est, quae cum splendet, frangitur.

Argus, whome the Poetes faine, that he had an hundred eies, wherby was signified his wisedome, & circumspection, had appointed him by Iuno, the keeping of Iö, whom shee had transfourmed into a Cowe. But Mercurius (beinge sent by Iupiter) with his swete Har­monie brought Argus on slepe slewe him,Auis Iuno­nia. tooke Iö from him, and brought her into Egypte. Then Iuno tooke Argus eyes, [Page] and sette them in the Peacockes tayle, wherfore the Pea­cocke is consecrate to Iuno. When he hathe lost his tayle, whiche happeneth once in the yeare, as all ashamed, hee seeketh where to hide him selfe, vntill it growe againe. He liueth twentie fiue yeares. The Peacocke, and the Doue loue one an other.

This Fishe in Latin is cal­led Mugilis, a sea fish, of al ska­led fishes,Isidor. li. Ety. 12. cap. 6. moste swifte. Nam vbi dispositas senserit piscatorum insidias, confestim retrorsum redi­ens, ita transilit rete: vt volare pis­cem videas. He is of coloure white, they are so desirous ech kind of y^e other, that when fishers haue taken the Males, and tyed them to a lyne, and let them downe into the sea, al the Females, when they per­ [...]eiue the Male, doo gather together, and comminge to them, are taken in the nettes. They are taken aboute Narbon in Fraunce, and are called Muges, in the singulare number a Muge. This fishe maye with more congruence be borne in Armes, then many others, bothe for his celeri­tie,

& the mutuall loue whiche eche kind beareth to the other.

Harte.The Harte is at continuall debate with the Serpente, in so much, that he pursueth and seekethe for hym at hys hole, where he lyeth, and with the breathe of his nostrilles com­pelleth him to come out, and after he hathe of longe tyme foughte with him, he eatethe him. Therfore the smel of the [Page 12] Hartes horne burnt, driueth vtterly away the Serpentes. They neuer feale the Feuer, but rather are remedied thereof by the eatinge of the Serpente. It is saide, that Hartes fleashe eaten in the morninge, augmenteth mans life. If they be gelded, theire hornes neither fall of, nor growe. They haue no gall: and in Africa there is none of them.

The Goose in Latin is cal­led Anser, auis, quae vulgò voca­tur Anca, Anseres. quod non est Latinum. Anseris nomen anas ded [...]t per de­riuationem, vel à similitudine, vel quod & ipsa natandi frequē ­tiam habet. The Goose (saithe Isidore) dothe declare manifest­ly the watches of the nighte, throughe the continuance of his cryinge. And no byrd per­ceiueth so the sauour, or sente of a man, as dothe the Goose. The whiche of olde time was beste knowne to the Ro­maines, for as muche as when the Frenchemen besieged the Capitole of Rome, they within being on slepe, the Ca­pitole had bene wonne, if a certaine number of Geese, perceiuinge the enimies, had not cryed. Wherewith the Romaines awaked, and by the valiant prowes of Marcus Manlius, slewe, and draue out the Frenchemen. Where­fore Geese were had in greate reputation: and prouision was made, that they should neuer lacke meate. Geese are of a feruente stomake. They take pleasure in eating wa­terie and cold grasse. Laurum non attingunt. In time paste theire harte was moste commended amonge the delicate meates at the table. So was theire liuer taken to bee of beste sauour or taste.

He is a woorthye birde to be borne in Cote armoure. Licet Anser strepere inter olores.

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Here is seene three Floures of the hearbe Alleluya, proper, vnited with a scrowe, contay­ning the word of the Floure. the whiche is well knowne. Alleluya, Praisinge the Lord. Whiche maye stande moste congruently for a Creaste, to the saide Cote armour.

Fulica▪

The Birde Fulica (saithe Rauisius) haunteth the water, and liueth nighe Pooles and Marishes. Her color is darke or blacke, whereof shee taketh her name. Yet her beake, tippe of her wynges, and legges are redde. Shee is litle byg­ger then a Culuer. One ex­cellent, and moste gentle pro­pertie remaineth in this bird, whiche is, that when the Egle hathe caste forthe of her neaste some of her yonge ones before the time, shee espyinge the same, taketh them, and bringeth them vp. It maye bee thought she doth it for obedience sake to her Soueraigne, because the Eagle is Omnium alitum Regina: and so her na­ture herein is to be taken. If shee crie in the morninge, it is a greate token, that there shall some tempeste ensue. Et quum ludit in littore. Isidore saithe, shee is called Fulcia, quod caro eius leporinam sapiat. Lagos enim Lepus dicitur: Vnde & apud Graecos Lagos dicitur. Habet nidum in medio aquae, vel in petris, quas aqua circundant: maritimo (que) semper delectatur [Page 13] profundo. Shee is a kinde byrde bothe to her owne, and to the Eagles. Therefore al the byrdes of this nature ought especially to be borne in Ensignes, for the soueraignetie of them, & a greate respecte to be had, to what persons they are assigned vnto. For Eagles are not to be borne of Fooles, nor Lyons of Dastardes: leaste that Diogenes re­proue them, as he did the man that was cladde in a Lyons skinne: thinkinge it vncome­ly, that a man effeminate, or of a childishe harte, should as­sumpte to weare vpon him the garmente of Hercules.

The Creaste aboue descri­bed, is a beast lesse thē a Foxe, in coloure darke yealowe, full of blacke spottes, and is taken to be a blacke Genet, the furre whereof hath bene very much esteemed here in Englande.

I reade in the first boke of the Machabes, the thir­tenth chapter, that Symon after the deathe of Iona­thas his brother, made vpon the Sepulchre of his Father, and his bre­thren, a buyldinge hie to looke vnto, of Free stone behinde and before. Et statuit septem pyramidas, vnam contra vnam, Patri, et Matri, et quatuor fratribus: and set vp seuen Steples one against an other (for his Father, his Mother, [Page] and foure brethren.) And rounde about them he set great Pillers, with Armes vpon them for a perpetual memory: & carued Shippes besides the Armes, that they mighte be seene of men saylinge in the sea. Here appeareth the an­tiquitie of bearinge of Armes, and longe before this, as maie appeare in the seconde Chapter of the Booke of Nu­meri, whereas almightie God commaunded Moyses & Aa­ron, that euery man of the children of Israell should pitche vnder his owne Standerd, and vnder the Armes of their Fathers houses. Whereby dothe manifestly appeare, to what vse the bearinge of Armes serue: verily that one House, and the Progenie thereof mighte be knowne from an other, as wel at home in their own Countrie, as when they serue abrode otherwhere in Martial affayres. Ther­fore (as Christine de Pyse saithe in the Booke of the feates of Armes) they were first founde, that euery estate might be known in vattaile, one from an othrr, by their Armes or Ensignes.Shippe. The Shippe, who first inuented the same, I finde no certaintie. Some Writers affirme Iason and

Typhis to be the inuentors thereof, Secundum Ecclesi­asticos Noē. Isidore saithe▪ that the Lydians made the first Ship, Pelagi (que) incertae petentes, peruium mare vsibꝰ humanis fecerunt. Some say, y^e Rhodians, or one Pa­ralus. Others, that Argus for his wisedome, called Sapientissimus, primus Na­uem condidit.

Pythagoras (as saith Bo­etius) was the first inuen­tour of Musicke amonge the Grecians, whiche he founde out by the sounde [Page 14] of Hammers, whereof he wrote a Booke, whiche Boetius and Apuleius translated into Latin. I cannot, neither yet dare speake any thinge in commendation of the principal tokens borne in this Cote armour,Organ Pipes. whiche are the Organ Pipes, an instrument of Musicke. But what saie I, Mu­sicke? One of the seuen Liberall Sciences? It is almost bannished this Realme. If it were not, the Queenes Ma­iestie did fauour that excellente Science, Singinge men, and Choristers might goe a begging, together with their Maister the player on the Organes. Yet this Cote Ar­mour dependeth not all vpon Musicke,Musike. for peraduenture good counsell, whiche is a sweete thinge, and delighteth muche him whiche will receiue the same, more then the noyse of any Instrumente, ought to haue his merite, and commendation aboue all tunes, and ditties. And euen so it oughte to haue: and therefore suche a Cote Armoure oughte rather to be assigned to a faithefull Counsellour, then to an vntuneable Musition.Hammer. The Hammer is an Instrumente well knowne, and to be occupied of men of diuerse Sciences, but especially of the Smythe, or Fer­rier. And it is called in Latin (as Isidore saithe) Malleus: quia dum quid calet, & molle est, cedit & producit. The Fasce of Palme,Palme. of righte oughte to haue his Bonde of Golde, and to stande within a Crowne, because that it is alwayes greene. And (as witnesseth Plutarchus) of that nature and propertie, that there can no weighte, nor bur­den oppresse it, but that it will rise vnder it, and stande vp as it shoulde doo. Propterea in certaminibus Palmam signum esse placuit victoriae: quoniam ingenium eiusmodi ligni, est vt vr­gentibus, prementibus (que) non cedat.

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Simonides, a Poete in Greece, was the first that inuented the verses called Lyrici, and was excellente in prouokynge of teares. He on a time when he shoulde take his iourney, espi­ed a dead man, to him vnkno­wen, lyinge on the grounde, readie to be deuoured of byr­des, and wilde beastes. Stay­inge, he tooke the deade body, and as soone as he coulde, bu­ried the same. But when as he was minded to take shippinge, the nighte before, he sawe in his sleape, the man whom he bad buried, admonishinge him, not so to doo: for if he did, he should perish by wrecke on the sea. When he told this dreame to his felowes, they mocked him, and left him alone on the shoare. But when they had a litle launched from the lande, there arose a so­daine tempeste, and loosed so their tackelinges, that theire Shippe broke, and they all perished. And so Simonides, for the pleasure whiche he did to the deade man in bury­inge him,Hawmed. receiued the safegarde of his life. The Haw­mede in this Cote armour, is a manifeste demonstration of buriall, and is an aunciente token in Armorie.

I haue here caused to be figured vpon the said Cote ar­mour, a Swalowe, of colour, as ye maie see, on a wreathe, Or, and Uerte. Aristotle saithe, that there be in the Ile Samo, white Swalowes, Quibus excaecatis, lumen iterum re­stituitur. Cecina Volaterranus comprehensus hirundines, nun­tias belli mittebat amicis, in nidum pristinum redire solitas. They will not enter into the Citie of Thebes, because that Citie hathe bene so often taken,Sw [...]l [...]we. and ransacked. They are not in daunger to the Rauen of other byrdes, Nec vnquam praeda est. Therefore the Scrowe whiche shee beareth in her beake, manifestly declareth the same, Nulli praeda, that [Page 15] shee is praye to none. If by mans handes they be caught, they die, because they cannot be broughte to feede on any thinge, but that whiche them selues can catche flyinge in the ayre. Excaecatis Pullorum oculis, herba Chelidonia visum restituunt.

They which haue bene diligēt searchers of y^e na­tures of all things which haue life, write, y^t there be certaine byrdes, & other beastes lackinge reason, whiche saue theire liues throughe greate silence, Like as Geese do, whiche leauing the East coasts, for y^• greate heate there, & flyinge into the Weast partes, where the sunne goeth downe, when they begin to fly ouer y^e grene mountaine Taurus, which aboundeth with Eagles, they fearing those rauenous byrdes, stop vp theire beakes with litle stones, leaste the violence of their vsuall and ac­customed cryinge should breake out, and be hearde of the Eagles, whereby they shoulde be in ieopardie of their ly­ues. But after they (with greate silence) haue [...]lowne o­uer the toppe, and heighthe of the saide Hill, they refuse, or let fall theire pebble stones, and so they scape awaie more safely with theire noyse, and lowde voices throughe the height of the firmament. Hereby are we taught to keepe silence, and to premeditate what wee will speake to any: and to take good heede it be spoken in conueniente time & place. For as the common prouerbe is, The worde spo­ken can not be called backe againe. Aristotle, among ma­ny [Page] other thinges whiche he taughte his Disciple Calisthe­ues, when he sente him to Alexander the Greate, this espe­cially he enioined him, Vt quàm rarissimè & iocundè admodū apud eum loqueretur, qui vitae necis (que) potestatem in acie linguae haberet. Proinde Anserum exemplū potius quàm Calisthenis v­tatur: illi enim paruo silentio vitam tutati sunt, hic autem vel modica loquendi licentia, eam amisit, cum nec dicto optimi prae­ceptoris auscultasset. Oportuni namque silentij maior est laus, quàm intempestiuae orationis. The Creste prefigured is a Pye, sette vpon a Scrowe containinge this Apothegme.

Nescit vox mis sa reuerti.

Cyrus, king of the Persi­ans, what time he was readie to die, gaue in charge by his wil to make, or ordayne no other Se­pulchre, or Tombe for hym, but on­ly to be buri­ed, and laide in the earth, whiche brin­geth foorthe grasse, and floures: then the which no thing can be founde more excellente ( (que) [Page 16] he) nor that can better become a gaue.

Thus truely the forme, or fashion of y^e anciēt Egyptians their burial is to be laughed at, and mocked. Of the which Diodorus writeth, that they contemninge the state of thys life, called our Houses, Innes, esteming them but as lod­ginges to receiue a friende, for a shorte & small time. But in buildinge Sepulchres or Tombes, they spared neither labour nor coste. For they iudged such their Sepulchres to be continuall, and euerlastinge habitations. And here is seene a Cote armour, whiche is to be taken of aunciente bearinge, and also good and perfecte Armorie. Here is also displaide for the Creaste vpon an Helme on a Tor [...]e, Golde, and Uerte, an Arme Coupye, Partie per Pale, Or and Ermine, holding in his hande proper, a Billet Gold, manteled Sable, doubled Argent. This Apothegme, or Posie added: Vana salus ab homine. Theise Armes thus marshalled, oughte not to be borne in this fourme, but of a Dubbed knight. An Esquire ought to beare his Creast, like to the olde auncient order, whiche is, vpon a wreathe

of the colours, which are agreable to the same: and in such fourme, as nexte here before, and in those that folowe, for the most parte, ye shall haue ex­amples.

The Cofer in Latin is called Scrinium, and is a necessarye thynge made for the safe keepynge of Iewelles, or Ornamen­tes, as also of Bookes, Euidences, & Recordes of Iudgementes, or En­rolmentes. Plini writeth in his naturall Historie, [Page] that amonge all the spoyles, whiche Alexander the greate gotte of Darius kinge of Persia, he liked one moste especi­ally, whiche was a Cofer of sweete Oyntementes, verye sumptuous, and of great valour, bothe in Golde, pretious Stones, and Pearles: and shewinge the same to diuerse his friendes and louers, he questioned with them, to what pourpose it woulde beste serue. After diuerse, and contrary reasons by them therein declared, & shewed, he saide, it would best serue for the safe keping of the bookes of Homere, as the most excellent worke for the declaration of mans mind, iudging no treasure more pretious then it. Ita visum est iuueni, qui se totum ad exemplar Achillis compo­nebat. Cofers, or Cheastes are for many good purposes, and respectes to be borne in Armorie. For diligence, and vertuous studie is therby signified, & represented, and not negligence, or niggishe keepinge of worldely pelfre, and mucke.

The Bison here figured for a Creaste, on a Torce Argente, and Gules, is a Beaste, hauinge one horne standinge betweene his eares, and a verye longe mayne. In shape he is like to an Harte, but in somme Countries he is blacke. I reade, that there is greate stoare of them in Germanie. Yet this is not the Beaste, whiche somme take to be the same that is named Bubalus, a Bugle, or wilde Oxe. For the Poete Martialis maketh them vn­like, as this his Uerse folowinge doth declare:

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Solea, as I reade it Englished by Sir Thomas Eliot in his Dictionarie, is a Shooe called a Gal­lage, or Patten, whiche hath nothing on the feete but onely Latchettes. This manner of Shooe, before all others, hath his commendation, for it greueth not, or vexeth the wearer thereof on hys feete. A Shooe made o­therwise close, may wrīg a man: Si pede maior e­rit, subuertet: si minor, v­ret.

A Shooe on a mannes foote, maye seeme good, and [...]itte, yet where it greeueth, no man can tell, but the wea­rer. Paulus Aemylius, Sonne of Lucius Paulus, a Consull moste excellente amonge the Romaines, hearinge hys Wife Papyria (the daughter also of a Consull) commen­ded for her beautie, Noblenesse of byrthe, modestie, and fruitefulnesse, shewed his shooe to them, that praised her, and asked howe they liked it. They answeared, it was a good shooe, and well made. Sed qua parte pedem meum distorquet, nescitis. But none of you dothe knowe (saithe he) where it wringeth me. Meaninge, that he alone felte it.

The Patten is a commendable token, and maie well beseeme a Cote armour. Who is the bearer hereof (as [Page] none is) in fighte on foote muste seeme to haue the mai­sterie. Here is also seene volante on a wreathe, Or, and Sable, an Agathal d'Argent, guttie, beaked, and legged, Uerte, gesante an Alimon, proper. The byrde called A­gathallus, hathe natural enimitie with an other byrde, cal­led Achanthylis: so that if the bloude of them be forcibly mixte together, they will after seuer eche from other. The Herbe aforesaide, which he beareth, is of that nature, that it will not suffer them that taste it, to be hungrye.

This Beast here figu­red, is now called a Mou­se of Indie, otherwise I­cheneuman, a beaste of E­gypte, of the greatnes of a Catte, and is fashio­ned like a Mouse, yet ha­uinge the tayle, as of a goate, who creepeth into the body of a Crocodyle, when in sleape he gapeth and eating his bowels, sleaeth him, he escapinge aliue. The Egyptians a­monge other their Gods woorship this litle beasts also for a God.

For the Creaste, here is to be seene a Bugles heade, rassed d'Argente, a braunche of Iuniper tree proper.

This tree accustomably groweth in sandye places. The leaues and braunches therof, is continually grene. It will not putrifie, or stynke. Non floret: It hathe no floures. It is of the same vertue, or strengthe, as is the Ceder tree. The Pithe thereof also is euery where more sounde, then is the Ceder: and the woode principallye [Page 18] harde, as Mantuane reporteth. It is greate beyonde mea­sure, and huge in Spayne, and growethe beste on the hilles, hauinge prick [...]es in steade of leaues. It is croo­ked, and wrapped together. Beinge burnte, it is verye odoriferous, and purgeth the corrupted Ayre. It is a sweete busshe in this Realme, and woorthye greate com­mendation. In London it is beste solde. Who so bea­reth this in any signe, or token Armoriall, oughte to be a man of an excellente, and prompte witte, apte to do Iu­stice without corruption, parcialitie, or fauour. Wherfore this Apothegme is added: Aequitas lucet per se.

Here in this field Sa­ble, is to be seene a great Pyramide in Pale, porte displaide, betwene twoo Croisantes d'Argent.

This building here de­scribed, is in our english tongue to be taken for a Steeple, which is a great buildinge made of stone or other mattier, and is fourmed broade, & foure square beneath, and vp­wardes small and sharpe as it were y^e flame of fire, whiche endeth sharpe. This is a Cote of greate excellencie, and who so e­uer should beare the same, ought in al thinges to be found discrete, and constant, and to abide therein.

The Hybre which here is assigned for y^e Crest, is a kind of Haukes, whiche very seldome or neuer is seene to flye in the day time, but seeketh his praye in the night. Pugnat cum Aquila acriter, adeò, vt ambae mutuo assultu implexae, quandoque deferantur in terram.

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There are three kin­des of Weasels, one cal­led Gales, an other Ictis, and the thirde Meles. But the Weasel called Ictis, is that whiche is here described, and is of colour white, a destroyer of Beestals, and eateth vp their honey. A beaste that of good congruence maye be borne in Armes without any reproche to the bearer, or contempte of the thinge borne. For the Beaste is a louer of man, and defendeth hym sleaping abroade, frō the hurte, byte, or sting of all venemous Serpentes: for to the serpent he is a deadly, and mortal enimie. Cui congreditur commanducata ruta, quam scit esse ipsi Serpenti infensam, & exi­tialem. The Weasel is woorshipped of the Thebanes. The stones of this beast bound to a woman nigh her time, doo keepe, and preserue her in the byrthe of the childe: or, as some iudge, doo kepe backe, or let the birth of a childe.

On a Torce Argent and Uert, here is ensigned twoo Armes, sleues, and ruffes Ermyne, set within a Crowne d'Or, holding in the handes proper, two Serpētes, Azure.

I reade, that Iphiclus, sonne of Alcmena, borne with Her­cules at one byrth. But Hercules was gotten by Iupiter, and Iphiclus by Amphitrio. And when twoo Serpentes came to the Cradle of Iphiclus, & slue him, after when they came to Hercules, he tooke in either of his handes one, and slue them. Touching that the Torce is of white, and greene, Darius, the king of Persia, at what time he arayed battaile againste the Greate Alexander, did weare a Roule of the [Page 19] same colours aboute the Diademe vpon his heade, called by the Persians, Cydaris.

These are properly termed in Armes, Tortcaul­xes, wherwith the Crosse is charged, and are to be taken for cakes of bread, yet of heauinesse, beinge turned from their proper colour to bloud. Torta pa­nis, is Latin for a cake of bread, suche as a Crack­nell, or Symnell is. Of olde time it was called a Wastle.

Our Sauiour Iesus, (as the Scriptures doo witnesse) was borne in the Cittie of Dauid, cal­led Bethelem, distante from Ierusalem sixe myles, and was firste called Euphra­ta, and signifieth in the Hebrewe tongue, the House of Breade. Wherefore the Prophete saithe in his Psalme, Ecce audiuimus eam in Euphrata, &c. Loe, we haue hearde of the same at Enphrata, and founde it in the Woode. The further interpretation hereof, I leaue to Diuines.

The Ramme here diuised for y^e Crest, is quarterly par­ted S. and Ermyne, armed, & vnguled d'Or. He is a no­ble beaste, and best knowne in this Realme. Laberius the Poete calleth them, Reciprocornes, for the turning backe­ward, and eftsoones forwarde of their hornes. They are also called Lanicules, because they haue their skynne coue­red with woll. Some reporte, & affirme, that of Rammes hornes buried, or hidde in the grounde, is broughte forthe an Herbe, called Asparagus, in Englishe, Sperage.

Christe was called Aries, a Ramme, Propter Principa­tum, [Page] for his Soueraignetie, and Dominion.

The field of this Cote armour, is Geronnie of sixe pieces Argente, and Gules, on the first quar­ter Sable, three Annu­lettes, d'Or.

Ringe.The Ringe is the most principall ornamente to beautifie the hand of man or woman. But in wea­ring of them oftentimes is found detestable prid, offence, and displeasure bothe to God, and Man. Are not oftentimes gem­mes therein enclosed, whiche stir & prouoke the wearer thereof to filthye lust, & abominable vices, are not oftener in place of stones (which are called pretious) known to be enclosed familiar diuels, seruing to worke nothing that is good and godly, but contrary altogether bothe to grace & godlinesse. God graunte, that no Christian man be founde to weare suche Ringes. I reade in a prophane history, that Gyges, seruant to Caudales, kinge of Lydea, had a Ringe of suche vertue, that when the broder part therof was turned to the palme of his hande, he was seene of no man, but he might see all thinges: and when he turned the Ringe of the contrary part, he was him selfe seene openly. By the meane wher­of he slue Caudales, and committed adultrie with his wife: and so of a lasie shepheard, he was made a cursed kinge.

Osprey.The byrde called an Osprey, is of suche whitenesse on his breaste, and winges, that when he houereth ouer any runnynge water, or fishe Poole, all the fishe therein tur­neth vp theire bellies, and so he taketh his praye. Hee is [Page 20] taken to be a kynde of Eagles that haunteth aboute the Sea.

Here is diuised a field Geronnie of twelue pie­ces Ermyne and Gules, on a Scocheon d'Or, the Beaste Phattaga Uerte, crested Azure. This is a beast in Indie like a Cockatrice, as bygge as a lit­tle dogge, hauinge a ska­lye, and roughe skinne, that cannot be pierced with yron. The fashion of his tayle is like vnto the Lyons, whiche in his fiercenesse he beareth re­flexed towards his backe. I haue caused this Esco­cheon thus charged, to be set in proper mettall, the fielde requiringe no more. For I hold this opinion in Armes, that Ermyne, or Ermynes ought neuer to be laide with the mettal of their colour, be­cause they are Furres, and haue no proper Blazon with any mettall.

The Bergander is a byrde of the kinde of Geese, some­what longer, and bigger then a Ducke, liuing in the wa­ter, breeding sometime in Conye holes, sometime in hol­lowe places in Rockes.

This byrd is here figured, bearing the herbe Hiacinthe, with the floure proper. It hathe leaues like a Porret, an hande breadth in height, lesse then a maydes little finger, grene of colour, y^e toppe lying down ful of purple floures, and the roote rounde. The floure springeth out in spring time, with the Uiolet, and before the Rose. It is common­ly called here in Englande, Crowetoes.

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In this fielde parted per Pale, Sable & Gules, are to be sene on a Crosse Molyne, d'Or, a Dryme Worme betweene foure Akornes Uerte. This Worme is here figured with the tayle flexed vn­der his chinne, and is cal­led Dryimus: a litle worm founde in the roote of an oke, so mischeuous a poi­son, that if one treade on him bare footed, foorthe­with the skinne commeth of, and al the legge swel­leth, and (whiche is more to be marueiled at) they that handle him that is hurte, doo loose their skinne. This Cote armoure is Horoique, for the bearer thereof oughte without respecte of person, to execute iustice, & to giue true iudgement after the Lawes: not to be slouthfull in his of­fice, but painefully to maintaine the iust causes of the in­nocent, keping them with double defense from the violent oppression of the mighty. The office of an ynck Molyne, and to what pourpose it serueth betwene the Myll stones, is, I thinke, knowne to moste men, but to Myllers espe­cially, who in takinge theire tolle, forget oftentimes the Rule taughte them by their myll ynck.

The Creste here seene, is an Erodye Golde, Guttie, set on a Torce, Siluer & Gules. Calepine saithe, that the byrd Erodius, is the greatest fowle that flyeth, & ouercommeth and deuoureth the Eagle. Other write, that in time of treadinge, he sweateth bloude.

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The fielde of thys Cote Armoure is verte, three cuppes couered in Pale betwene ij. flasques d' Or, charged with two clustres of grappes, propre. And to the Creste vppon the helme, a kynges heade, with a Diademe crowned, set on a Chapeau Sable, turned vp Ermyne, manteled verte, dobled Argente, cotized of two Equicerues propre, thys Apothegme added, sato prudentia maior.

The torne corpse of Pentheus, and the cause of hys death sufficiently displayeth all the sayde ensignes: who as the fables do reporte, was kynge of the Thebanes, whose father was called Echion, and hys mother Agaue. Thys Pentheus [Page] despised the Sacrifice of Bacchus, the god of wyne, or the droncken god, wherefore hys owne mother Agaue cut of hys heade: and hys sisters with the other companye of wo­men, which than did celebrate the feaste and sacrifice of the sayde Bacchus, and tore hys bodye all to pieces.

Equicerne.The Equicerne, as I reade, is a beaste in the Oriente, forma cerui & aequi compositum, in forme or shape of an har­te, and an horse ioyned together, hauing hornes, & a longe mayne to the shoulders, & a bearde vnder hys chynne like vnto the goate, and fete rounde clouen like an harte, & is as greate as an harte.

Here is to bee seene in thys fielde sable, an Eale his head, coupie in Fesse, betwen two launces d' Argente. Thys is a beaste in India, like an Horsse, and hath iawes like a Bore, & therein tus­kes, a cubite lōge & more, whyche are apte to what vse the beaste will, for they stande not faste, but are bowed as he listeth: so that whan he fighteth, [Page 22] hee setteth vp th'one, and holdeth downe the other, to th'intente, that yf the one in fighting waxe dull, or be bro­ken, the other shall serue hym.

Thys Beaste is founde in Indie, about great ryuers. He hath a tayle lyke an Olyphante, in colour blacke, or baye.

For the Creste it is thus assigned, vpon the helme on a wreathe d'Or and Sable, a Cardnell volante, beaked and legged Argente, all the reste proper, manteled verte, do­bled Argente.

Thys lyttle byrde is here figured, gesante a seade of the thistle, for that she lyueth by the seades of them, vnde illi inditum nomen. Carduel [...]s. She hath a redde heade, yealowe winges, distincte with white and blacke. Cardnales imperata faciunt, autore Plinio, nec voce tantum, sed pedibus, & ore pro manibus. They are taught to do anye thing, not onely with y^e voice, but also with the fete and byll, in steade of handes. Thys Poesie is also added.

Tendit in ardua virtus.

Here is to bee descryued, on a losenge Gules Crowned, a Lyons heade, rassed Argent. Omphale that mayden & Quee­ne of the countrye of Lidya, was so valiaunte in deedes of armes, that after shee had kil­led an huge Lyon, she vsed to were the heade of the same v­pon her, to declare therby her prowesse, and that she woulde seme to bee rather of the male kynde than female. Hercules did loue thys Quene so moche, that to wynne her fauour, he did at her commaundemēt slea a great Serpent, nyghe the [...]lodde of Sagaris, and afterwarde, became so seruiseable vnto her, as yf hee hadde bene her woman seruante. In so [Page] moche, that she compelled hym to pike wolle, and to spyn­ne and carde, and woulde sometyme so abuse hym, that she woulde beate hym aboute the heade, with her Sandale or slipper.

For the creaste, it is thus de­uised, on a Torce, Ermyne & Azure, a Piller fusillye d'Ar­gente crowned, and cotized betwene two Tarandules d'Or, armed, and vnged verte.

The Tarandule is a beaste, cōmōly called a Buffe, which is like an Oxe, but that he hath a bearde like a Goate.

Here is seene in thys sheilde the heade of Medusa a Crowne in cheife.

Medusa, a Ladie of whom fa­bles do reporte, that by Miner­ua, her heares were tourned into Adders, and they whiche beheld her, were tourned into stones,Perseus. whom Perseus, that no­ble knyght, afterwarde slewe.

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Take thys to bee a monstre, and not a perfect beaste.

Almighty God, being great­ly displeased with the pryde of Nabuchodonozor, for that hee woulde haue his image hono­red for god, sodeinly transfor­med him into an horrible mō ­stre, hauing the heade of an Oxe, the feete of a Beare, and the tayle of a Lyon, who dyd eate hey as a Beaste. And af­ter he had donne penaunce in that forme, God beyng moued with mercie, and accepting for hym the continual prayers of Daniel the prophete, res­tored hym to hys pristinate forme, who afterwarde lyued wel, and commaunded that the very god of heauen should bee onely honored.

Whoso should beare these ensignes, let hym onely fea­re, serue, obey, and giue al prayse, honor and glory to God for euer and euer.

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The fielde is of the Moo­ne, a Therebinthe tree, Sa­turne, floured and leafed, Veneris. The wodde of thys tree is blacke, and harde lyke boxe: Oute of thys tree doth runne a Gomme, commonlye cal­led Turpentyne: albeit the common Turpentyne is not it, but an other, which is as clere as glasse, & is a soueraygne medecyne to clense the stomacke, of putrified humors. The floure or blossome of this tree, is full of grapes or beries, like the Olyue, y^e Leaues also thereof, are so harde closed together, that they fall not awaye. In Sirya it is aboundante, and fruitefull, in Macedonia. Messibus reddit semen. It yeldeth hys fruite in the haruest tyme: And is a noble token, to bee borne in cote Armoure.

Thys Byrde deuised for the creaste, hath a long bill and redde legges, whiche drincketh as though it dyd byte the water. She dippeth all her meate in the water also, quem pede ad rostrum veluti manu affert, that is, whiche she con­ueyeth to her bill, as with an hande. She is moste estemed in Concagena, a parte of Syria, and is taken of some to bee the Pellycane ▪ The Icon, or forme of the same birde, I haue caused thus to bee figured, portant a water Rose propre.

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A. For hys creste beareth an Eagle volante Solis, portant a Crosse patie fitchie, Mars, on a scrowe cōteining thys worde. Obediens ad mortem. This Eagle is of the coloure of the Sunne, nam Sol iustitiae Christus. The Crosse is here sene, quia pro no­bis crucem subijt. Touchynge th' Eagle, I haue written par­tely before in my former trea­tise, but of the nature of her winges I haue spokē nothing. Therefore thys I reade, that the winge of an Eagle en­termingled with any other thyng, will not wax rotten or corrupte. Eius pennae mixtas auium pennas deuorant.

This Eagle also in the breste, is charged with a mans harte propre, wherein ys conteyned a deuyne misterye.

B. Beareth on a torce, Per­le and Rubye, a Meleuete, Satur­ne, beaked and membred Ve­neris.

Thys is a kynd of Fawcons, yet very little of bodye, blacke and puyssante: she haunteth the mountaynes, and fedeth her birdes alone, ceterae fugant, others of that kynde driue thē awaye. Sir Thomas Eliot, supposeth it to bee a Merlyan.

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C. Hath to hys creaste, on a wreath Golde & Verte, a Tru [...]n ▪ volant d' Argent, beaked, and membred Gules.

Thys Byrde is otherwise called Onocrotalus, and is like to a Swanne, whiche putting hys heade into the water bra­yeth like an Asse. Whatsoeuer hee eateth, hee gathereth it together in hys iawes, & hol­deth it there longe before hee swaloweth it downe: and that hee doth especially in fliyng from the water.

D. A torce d'Or, and Sa­ble, one Pillor crowned d'Ar­gente, on a mountayne, pro­pre, lettered, [...]. T. Y.

I reade that Darius kyng of Persia, what tyme he went in­to Scythia, [...]yght hys pauiliōs, at the heade of a Ryuer in Thracia called Thearus, where hee abode thre dayes: and de­liting at the most pleasaunts water of the Ryuer, hee sett in the same place a Pillor grauen, with Lettres of Greke, declaryng hys beyng there, with commendation of the water. Here are to be seene on this Pyllor three especiall Greke Letters, Theta, Tau, and Ypsilon, euery one conteyning in it selfe a misterie, to Gre­cians well knowen.

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E. Beareth to hys creste a shouelar d'Argente, beaked & membred verte, seazed vpon a pearche propre.

Thys Byrde is called in la­tyn Platalea, she followeth water foules, that do take fishes, and doth pecke them so on the heade, that they let go theire praye, whiche she taketh, and liueth therewith.

F. Hathe to hys Creste a Fox propre, passant vpon an armyng sword.

Whan it was layde vnto Lysander kyng of Lacedemo­nia for a reproche, that he gott more by subteltye, than by prowes: hee smylinge sayde. vbi quòd vellet non assequeretur Leonis exunium, ibi vulpinum ap plicandum esse. The meaninge whereof is thys, that where the Lyons skynne doth not a­ [...]ayle, a man must tye or sowe a Fox skynne vnto it.

Quo non perueninet Leonina pellis, vulpinam assuendam esse: quod sic lucidius dixeris, vbi virtus non satis potest, adhibenda est astutia.

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G. Hath on thys Poesie, Dulce natale solum, a lage vo­lante, propre.

Thys Byrde is moste com­monly seene in the Alpes, and hath feete roughe, as it were with the heare of an hare, wherof shee taketh her name, and is called Lagopus. Nam Lagos Grecè dicitur lepus Lati­nè, the residue of her bodie is all whit, and of the bygnes of a Doue: It neuer eateth but in place where it was bredde, and neuer will bee made tame. Pli. Ye may call it proprely, an hare birde.

H. Hathe to hys Creste, a Verme hariante propre, subsi­gned about the tayle with a scrowe, conteining thys Apo­thegme. Est inclyta virtus. which here must thus be En­glished. Puissance, is of great renowme.

Thys is a Fishe, in the ri­uer of Ganges, and in Latyn is called Vermis, & is in lēgth. lx. cubites, beynge blew in co­loure, which hath such strēgth also, that whan Oliphantes come vnto the water to drin­ke, heewill take one of them by the nose, and plucke hym into hym.

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I. Beareth to hys Creste, a Sycomore tree propre.

Little Zacheus clymed vp in­to suche a tree,Paraph [...]as. Eral. in Luc. cap. 19. to see oure Sa­uioure Iesus Christe in the waye, there as he was to passe by. Th'euangeliste called it a wylde figge tree, but ryghtely as it is ther named a Sycamore, (because it bringeth forthe sig­ges of the owne ryghte kynd, that other figge trees bee of, & by reason thereof, it is also called a figge of Egipte, & yet in leafe it ressembleth y^• Mulberie tree) frequens est apud Rhodium locis frumentarijs. It hathe a­boundance of mylke, whose frute commeth not out, at the toppes of the boughes, as figges do, sed ex ramis ipsis .i. out of the same boughes, and is swete like a wilde figge. Grana eius sunt minora granis ficum. Nec maturescunt nisi radantur in­strumento ferreo.

K. On a wreathe d'Or, and Sable, an Owsell d'Argente, beaked golde, legged Gules.

Thys Byrde in Latyne, is called Merula. Isidore sayeth, that of auncient and olde tyme she was called Medula, eo quòd moduletur, because she singeth, others, (sayeth he) call her Me­rula, quia sola volat, because she flyeth alone, and lyueth as it were sole, shee hath a yealowe beake, and is alwayes seene flye alone, and feadeth so lykewise, from a blacke coloure, she groweth to bee redde, she singeth pleasauntly in the [Page] Sommer, in wynter she stamereth, ci [...]ca Solsticium muta. Thys Byrde (sayeth Isidore) whereas in all places shee is blacke, yet in Achaya she ys white.

L. Hath for hys Creaste, a Playne tre gold, on an Haw mede, verte.

I reade that Pithyus a Lydian, was so ryche, and had suche a­boundance of Golde, that hee receaued Zerxes king of Persia, with all hys whole Armye, which was innumerable, and that with great magnificence: and that hee gaue to Darius, father to Zerxes, a Playne tree of Golde, and a vyne of the same mettall.

M. Hath to hys creaste, on a torre d'Argente and Azure, a Meropie volante, Sable, mē ­bred Gules, portant a braun­che of y^• herbe Alymon propre.

Thys herbe is of suche ver­tue, that it will not suffer thē that taste of it to be hongrye, Plinye calleth the sayde byrde Merops, which by an other na­me is called Apiastra, because hee doth eate bees. Thys bir­de hath a large bill, and redde legges, and whose nature it is to kepe theire parentes, whiche neuer come abroade, and to norishe them, as them selfe were norished beyng yong.

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N. Hath to hys creaste on a wreathe d'Or, and Azure, a Rauens heade rassed, portant a Sickle d'Argente.

The Sickle hath in it a spiri­tual mysterye, the whyche ys most godly expounded by that famous clearke Erasmus of Roterodame, in hys paraphrase vpon the fowerth chapiter of S. Markes Gospel. There­fore, who so desireth th'exposi­cion therof, let hym resorte to that place.

Rauens are enemyes to Bulles, whom when they espie alone, they doe strongly assayle, and of all the bodye, they desire moste hys eyes. They are enemies also to the Came­leon, and kyll hym. Enemye to them, is a lyttle Byrde, called Easalon, which breaketh theire egges. The Rauen is a noble token, to bee borne in cote Armoure, or creste.

O. For hys creste, hath an Esalon d'Argente,Easalon. seazed be­twene the braunches of a Ta­randres heade coped propre.

Thys little byrde before spoken of, is of the kynde of hau­kes, quae apparet omni tempore. She is otherwise called Butco, the least of the kynde of Bus­sardes, but more white, & industrious after her praye. It is written that thyse kynde of Hauke, called the Bussarde, hath three stones. Her Byrdes bee destroyed by the Foxe, and likewyse, she kylleth the Foxes whelpes, yf she maye [Page] come by them.

The Tarandre is a beaste in bodie like to a great Oxe, ha­uing an heade like to an harte, and hornes full of braun­ches, the heare roughe, and of the colour of a Beare.

P. Hath to hys creste, on a Escaloppe d'Or, a Pyne ap­ple propre. The true forme hereof is sett forth in Munster, hys booke of Cosmographye.

The Pyne apple in Latyne, is called Strobylus. The sayde Escaloppe is charged suffi­ciently ynough, althoughe it hathe pleased some to charge greater tokens thereon, and the same hauing lyfe, where­with I can not like, nor as yet [...]an fynde, eyther aucthoritie, or reason for the same.

Q. Beareth a Saker d'Ar­gent, in the Tallons, a spraye of Haythorne, propre.

Thys Haucke is of a noble prise, to all Faukeners well knowne, & therefore (for me) they shall not onely describe the nature, but also gyue the commendacion therof. Yet in parte I wyll shewe, that rapit praedam non modo sedentem in sublimi, sed etiam volantem in a­perto. Hee is called in Latyne, Accipiter hicrax.

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R. Hath to hys creste, on a Pillowe d'Ermyne, an arme extended oute of a Crowne, sleues and ruffes d'Or, hol­ding in an hāde propre, a ball d'Argente.

Alexander the greate kyng of Macedonia, for that on the night seazon hee woulde not committe his armie to the ad­uenture of Fortune, as lōge as he slept hymselfe, vsed this experience, when he laide him downe to take hys reste: A brasen pott was put vnder hys elbowe, and afterwarde hee put foorth hys arme out of the bedde: & held in his hand a siluer ball, that when dead slepe shoulde louse the strength of hys synewes, the ringing or sounde of the ball when it fell, might so breake hys slepe, & awake hym. Hoc quidem documentum Regem illum excellen­tissimum a Gruibus accepisse arbitratur, quae nocturnas excu­bias semper exercent: & ne a somno decipiantur, lapillum altero pede sustinent: quo lapso vel plaga in extensum pedem accepta, vel sono decident is calculi experge­fiunt.

S. Hathe on a mounte, a Crayne, standing in watche, all accordinge to hys nature, propre.

The sence hereof, is brefely declared in Latyne, as next a­boue appeareth: Thys Apo­thegme added also. Plus vigila.

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T. Beareth to hys Creste, fiue arrowes in fasce, with Pheons d'Argente, fethered Gules, bounde about with a scrowe, conteyning these wordes, Concordia persto.

Plutarch.I reade that Scylurus Chaero­nensis, a man borne in that parte of Grece now called Mo­rea, had fower score sonnes, who whā hee died called them afore hym, and deliuered to e­uerie of them a shefe of ar­rowes, commaunding them to breake the shefes inconti­nente: whiche when they mought not do, he tooke out of the shefes one arrowe after an other, and brake them all lyghtely, declaring therby vnto hys sonnes, that yf they continued and agreed well together, they shulde bee puis­sante: and yf they varied, and were disseuered, they shuld be feble and shortely destroyed. A matter not vnlike her­vnto may be brought forth, which is noted of Plinye, of the nature of the stones, called Cycladici, which as long as they are hole, swimme aboue the water, but beyng broken, they syncke and are drowned. Sit igitur hoc Symbolum sagittarum fascis, a patre commeati, simul (que), memoratorum lapidum haec signi­ficatio: Coniuncta, firma (que) faedera eò semper firmiora, durantiora, ac certiora, vbi prudentiam ducem, & consultricem adhibeas.

U. Hath on an Hawmede verte, a Faucon volāte, d'Ar­gente guttie Gules, beaked & legged d'Or, addita subscriptio­ne. ¶ Delectare in domino.

[Page 29]Thys is a noble kynde of hauke, hardye and puissante, well knowen to all Faukeners, wherefore I nede no fur­ther to describe hys nature, or sett forth hys commēdacion. And other of thys kynde is called Gyrofalcum, a gyro & cir­ [...]uitu, quo in minores vtitur, vt eas agat in praedam.

W. Hath to hys crea­ste, an arming Swor­de d'Argente, hilte and pommell d'Or, impen­dent from a cloude pro­pre, the blade insigned with a scrowe, contey­ning these wordes: pote­state & formidine.

Power (as B [...]etius sayeth) can not put a­waye the bityng of ca­refulnes, nor auoide the prickynges of feare: af­firminge that prynces woulde fayne lyue safe­ly but they can not.

There was a kynge of Sisill named Dionisius, that was ouer sadde, hys familyer asked hym, why hee was not mery: Thereupon hee made a bancket, and caused his familier to sitt thereat, and a na­ked sworde hanging ouer his head by a smal horsse heare. The man seyng the sworde could not bee merye for feare, to whome Dionysius sayde, suche is my lyfe, euer in feare, yet thou thoughtest it happye: and suche is the lyfe of kyn­ges, alwayes in feare of some euill chaunce, for in hyeste aucthoritie is moste ieopardie.

Thys Dionysius feared so moche Barbors, that hys daughters were taughte to shaue hym, and to clippe hys heare.

Referre thys Sworde aboue figured, ad vltionis diuinae gla [Page] dium, perpetuò supra infaelicium peccatorum ceruices, fragili, te­nuissimo (que) filo impendentem.

X. Hath on a Poesie contei­ning these wordes, Pacis nun­tia a Doue volant, d'Argent, beaked Azure, legged gules, and bearinge an Oliue leafe, ꝓpre. By this Noe did know, that the waters were abated vpō the earth, whan the gene­rall floude was.

Y. Hath to hys creste, on a torce d'Argente & Azure, a Lyon rampāt, Sable, crowned, vi­brante a sworde, d'Or.

Iudas, otherwise called Machabeus, in hys Actes was like a Lyon, and as a Lyons whelpe roring at hys praye. He foughte with Appolonius, a mygh tie Prynce in Syria, slue hym, and almoste hys whole hoste: hee tooke theire substance, and al­so Appolonius hys owne sworde wherewith hee fought all his lyfe long. Machab. lib. 1. cap. 3.

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Z. Here is seene on a Pil loure d'Argent, crowned and bazed d'Or, a Spanyell, pro­pre.

It is written of Diogenes the Philosopher, that hee dyed being bitten of a dogge. After whose death, hys scholers (to declare whiche of them dyd beare greatest good wyll to­wardes hym) contended who shulde haue hys bodye to bu­rye it. That strife beinge ap­peased by the magistrates, they buryed hym honorably, & not onely made ouer hym a faire tombe, but also erected a Piller with a dogge standing thereupon, in perpetuall re­membraunce of hys death. I haue caused thys dogge to bee formed like vnto a water Spanyell, halfe hearye, th other shorne. For I haue knowne men excellentlye learned, to loue suche Dogges, whiche wee proprely call in Latyne Sagaces canes, Spanyels or houndes.