A DISPLAY OF HERALDRY.
SECT. I. CHAP. I.

WHosoever shall address himself to write of matters of In­struction, or of any other Ar­gument of importance, it be­hoveth, that before he enter thereinto, he should reso­lutely determine with him­self, in what order he will handle the same: So shall he best accomplish that he hath undertaken, and inform the understand­ing, and help the memory of the Reader. For so doth Chassaneus admonish us; saying, Priusquam ad scientiam perveniatur, bonum est, modum prae­scribere docendi, & ordinem; quia per ordinem res intellectae magis delectant animos, mentes nutriunt, sensus magis illuminant, & memoriam reddunt, clariorem. Such order and course of Writing doth also procure in the Reader a facility of apprehension, as Erasmus noteth; saying, Fa­ciliùs discimus quae congruo dicuntur ordine, quam quae sparsìm & confusìm.

What Order is, St. Augustine doth inform us; saying, Ordo est parium, dispariumque rerum di­stributio. This Order is twofold; the one of Na­ture, the other of Discipline: the order of Nature (as Doctor Casius noteth) is a progression from Simples to things Compound: contrariwise, the order of Discipline is a proceeding from things Compound to Simples. As touching the order that I have prefixed to my self in this Display of Heraldry, you shall understand, that forasmuch as the handling of one of these alone, sufficeth not to the effecting of my intended Method, I must of force make use of them both in some sort accord­ing to their distinct kinds. Wherein albeit the or­der of Nature in right should have the prece­dence, as the more worthy, quia Natura regitur ab intelligentia non errante: nevertheless in re­gard my principal purpose tendeth to the prescri­bing of a form of Discipline, whereunto these to­kens which we call Arms must be reduced, and therein to manifest rather their Location than their Generation, their Use than their Essence, their Shadow than their Substance; I am con­strained to prefer the latter (which serveth di­rectly for my purpose) before the former, which tendeth thereto but collaterally; whose dignity notwithstanding I purpose regardfully to observe, when I shall come to the distribution of things Natural in their proper places.

But before I enter my Method, I hold it expe­dient (though I do somewhat digress) by way [Page 2] of introduction to the better conceiving and un­derstanding of that which shall be herein handled, briefly to offer to the consideration of the Judi­cious Reader, some few things of necessary note, touching the Subject of this Work: Such are those ensigns or marks which we call Arms in En­glish, and in Latine Arma; which being a word of equivocation or ambiguity, needeth some ex­plication; Digredi enim quandoque licet ex cau­s [...], non autem divagari: for so it is very requisite, to the end it may be certainly known in what sense this word is to be here taken, quia discenti ponenda sunt vera & certa.

It is therefore to be observed that this word Arma in Latine is sometimes taken for very na­tural instruments, and in this sense doth Doctor Casius use the same, where he saith, Arma belluis natura dedit, ut Leoni dentes, Serpenti aculeum, &c. Sometimes it is taken for all manner of in­struments pertaining to Mechanical Trades, as Arma Rusticorum, Rastra, Ligones, & hujus [...]odi. Also Arma Coquinaria, lebes, patella, tripus, olla, &c. And Virg. Aeneid. 5. speaking of the necessaries pertaining to Shipping, saith, Colligere arma jubet, validis (que) incumbere remis.

Sometimes it is taken for all sorts of warlike instruments; and in this sense doth Doctor Casius take it, saying, At hominibus arma industria finxit, eóque finxit, ut pro imperio rationis eis uteretur. But this word Arma here meant is not understood in any of these significations, but must be taken in a metaphorical sense, for that they do assume a borrowed name (by way of figure call­ed Metonymia Subjecti) from the Shields, Tar­gets, Banners, Military Cassocks, and other Mar­tial Instruments, whereupon they were engra­ven, embossed, embroidered or depicted: which kinds of furniture and habiliments are peculiar unto Martial men and professed Souldiers, to whom only it pertaineth to bear Armour; which even at this day we do usually call by the name of Arms. And of them in process of time did these ensigns or marks receive their denominati­on, and were called Arma, in English Arms, as Abra. Fra. noteth, saying, Arma appellantur, quòd olim solis militibus data fuerunt, qui arma gerere solent. Nam cum ista sit gloria armis, ut instrumentis comparata, placuit ipsam quoque mercedem arma appellare.

Claudius Fauchet saith, that Arms have their Appellation or Denomination, because Military men bare their Devices, or Inventions depicted upon their Coat-Armours, and in and upon their shields: Claudius Fauchet.

Arms were called Symbola, which signifieth Signs, Tokens, or Marks, given in time of Hosti­lity, or of Civil Tumults, by Captains to their Souldiers, or by the Authors of Rebellion to their pernicious Associates and Confederates, for distinguishing of particular persons, as well among themselves, as from their Enemies; for the better avoiding such inconveniencies (as I shall presently shew when I come to speak of them, and use of Arms.)

These Armorial Notes (so much in use with us at this day) are oftentimes called Insignia, which name, as Aldrovandus supposeth, proceeded of the barrenness of the Latine tongue; his words are these, Insignium nomen ex linguae Latinae videtur fluxisse inopia, & certè vix aliud vocabu­lum huic magis quadrat, quod haec praecipuè vir­tutis & gentilitatis sive nota sive signum sit.

How far the extent of this word Insignia, or Ensigns, doth dilate it self, we may perceive by this, that it compriseth generally all Signs, Marks, and Tokens of Honour, due to well deserving persons, either in respect of their Government, Learning, Wisdom, Magnanimity, &c. These albeit they have no government annexed to them, yet have they in them much honour, and estimation, as were those Pontifical Ornaments, and Ensigns, wherewith Simeon the High Priest was adorned and furnished at such time as he went to meet Alexander, by means whereof his f [...]ry was appeased. In the like sort did Pope Leo attire himself, when he went to meet Attila the Scythian Prince; who having subdued the Coun­try of Hungary, and destroyed Aquileia in Italy, came forwards to Rome with like intent. So also did Pope Benedict mitigate the fury of Totila, as if there lurked some secret force and majesty in the very Ornaments and Ensigns.

Of the number of these Ensigns, are those notes, marks, and shapes of Animals, that Mar­tial men used to adorn the Crests of their Helm­ets withal, to make themselves more eminent in the Field: and to the end there might be better notice taken of their valorous actions, when they encountred their Enemies in Battel: or should draw on their Forces to fight. Whereof we shall have cause to speak hereafter in place more con­venient, when we shall come to Treat of them particularly.

The use of these was yet extended farther than the adorning of Shields and Helmets only: For Ships also and other Navigable Vessels, were also garnished and beautified in their Fore-decks, yea, and that in very ancient time, for the distinguish­ing of one Ship from another; as we may see, Acts 28. 11. Where Paul saith, he went in a Ship whose badge was Castor and Pollux. Also the Fore-deck of the Ship that carried away Europa, had a form of a Bull painted thereon, which gave occasion to the Fable, that a Bull had stollen away Europa. Neither did the Ancients only use this, but it hath been a received Custome in all Ages sithence, and yet continued with us unto this day. Hereof it cometh that we give the Ships the names of the things that are depicted upon them, as the Bull, Bear, Lyon, Tyger, &c.

Arms then as they are here meant, according to their Original and first Use, may be thus de­fined: Arms are tokens or resemblances, signify­ing some act or quality of the Bearer. Or thus, These Signs called Arms are nothing else but De­monstrations and Testimonies of Nobility and of Worthy prowesful exploits performed in Martial services, especially if they be ancient, and be­stowed [Page 3] by a Noble and Renowned Prince; And this is according to their use in the time of Alex­ander the Great, and since, until of later times; But according to their modern (I mean since the time of Charles the Fourth) and present use, Arms may be said to be Hieroglyphical or Enig­matical Symbols or Signs, testifying and demon­strating the Nobility or Gentry, acquired by the vertue and good service performed by their Bear­er or some of his Ancestors, either in Martial Ex­ploits abroad, or by their Learning and Wisdom, which they attained to, by spending their bodies and spirits in continual study, to make themselves fit for the patronage and defence of the Weal-Publick at home.

How great the dignity and estimation of Arms ever hath been, and yet is, we may easily con­ceive by this, that they do delight the beholders, and greatly grace and beautifie the places where­in they are erected; so also they do occasion their spectators to make serious inquisition, whose they are, who is the owner of the house wherein they are set up, of what Family their Bearer is des­cended, and who were his next, and who are his remote Parents or Ancestors.

It is very probable that these Signs, which we call Arms at this day, howsoever in former Ages they have been named (whether Emblems or Pictures, graven, painted, or embossed, or notes representing some secret or hidden Mystery; as Hieroglyphicks, or Enigmatical, or hidden con­ceits) they were external notes of the inward disposition of the mind, manifesting in some sort the natural qualities of their Bearers, yet so as they were hidden from the vulgar sort, and known to the judicious only, experimented in the knowledg of the natural vertues and dispositions of Bodies Celestial, of Animals, and of Vegeta­bles, &c.

These in their beginning and first institution, were not bestowed upon vulgar persons, neither were their intendments fitted for common capa­city, but such as were extracted out of the bow­els, and very entrails of Nature, and were neither obscure to the Learned, nor over-familiar to the Common sort.

Between Arms and Names there is a certain conformity, so that as it is a thing unlawful for a man (but upon great occasion) to change his name; Sic neque arma (saith Chassan.) mutare licet, nisi magna & honorifica causa accesserit; and another saith, A Nominibus ad Arma bonum de­ducitur Argumentum.

There are sometimes Arms born that may seem to have been devised (in their first instituti­on) according to the Surnames of the Bearers, as a Bear for Vrsonne, three Castles for Castleton, three Conies for Conesby, &c. Whether these be either better or more ancient than other Arms, it is a question of more difficulty to be resolved, than commodious if it were known.

If there were two distinct Families of one Sur­name, yet bearing several Coat-Armours, it is no consequence that they are originally issued from the same Ancestours; for their agreement of their Surnames may be said to be a probability, but yet it is no proof, that they are both extract­ed from the same Ancestours, unless there be withal a resemblance of their Coat-Armours, which are the express notes of distinction.

In case where there are two Families, diverse in Name, and issued from several Parents; and both of them do bear one and the self same Coat-Armour, and the Name of one of them is agre­able to the Coat-Armour, and the other dissonant from the same; the same being in question to whether of them this Coat doth properly apper­tain: it may be probably conjectured, that he is interes [...]ed in the Coat-Armour whose appellation is agreable therewith; rather than he, whose name hath no conformity with it. For Names were instituted for differencing of each person from other severally, according to the saying, Sicut Nomina inventa sunt ad cognoscendos ho­mines: Ita Arma & Insignia ad recognoscendum homines sunt inventa.

If two men of several Families shall bear one Coat-Armour, and have their abode in one Country or Territory; and one of them can pro­duce no more proof why he doth arrogate the propriety thereof, than the other can; in such case the cause shall be questioned before the Sove­raign, or before such as do from him derive their authority, for the hearing, examining, and de­termining cases of this nature; Otherwise, if either of them can prove that his Ancestors re­ceived the same of the Kings Gift, as a remune­ration for service done, the Arms shall be adjudg­ed to be his.

Also there is between these Arms and their Bearers a kind of Sympathy or natural participa­tion of qualities, insomuch as who so dishonoura­bly or unreverently useth the Arms of any man; seemeth to have offered indignity to the person of their Bearer, so as (according to some Authors) their owner shall right himself against such an of­fender, or wrong-doer, Actione Injuriarum.

As touching the Antiquity of these Signs which we call Arms, Diodorus Siculus maketh men­tion, that Osyris surnamed Iupiter the Iust, Son to Cham the Cursed Son of Noah, called of the Gentiles Ianus, being banished from the blessed Tents of Shem and Iaphet; by reason of the Curse fallen upon his Father, was constrained to seek some remote place wherein he might settle himself, his children, and people: for which pur­pose he assembled a great Army, and appointed Hercules his Eldest Son Captain. And in this so ancient an expedition of Wars, as well Osyris himself as Hercules, Macedon and Anubis his Sons and others, did Paint certain Signs upon their Shields, Bucklers, and other Weapons; which Signs were after called Arms: As for ex­ample Osyris bare a Scepter Royal, insigned on the top with an Eye; Hercules a Lion Rampant holding a Battle-axe; Macedon a Wolf, and A­nubis a Dog. And we find in Homer and in Vir­gil, that the Hero's had their Signs or Marks, [Page 4] whereby their persons were distinctly known, and discerned in Battel, as well as their Kings and Commons had their Publick Ensigns: For the Athenians bare the Owl, the Persians an Anchor or Sagittary stamped on their Coins the Romans bare in Eagle, Minotaur, and sundry other shapes, which (according to Pliuy) they bare in Battel unto the time of Marius, who bare in his Ensign an Eagle, Argent, Figured and Embossed, Sus une haute longue, as may be seen in ancient Medals, and chiefly in which is found this world, Allocu­tio.

Paulus Aemilius saith, that anciently the French Kings did bear, Argent, three Diadems, Gules. Others say they bare three Toads, Sable, in a field, Vert, alias Sinople, which cannot be good Armory, as the Masters of that Mystery do hold, because of Colour upon Colour.

Whence they received those Arms is not cer­tainly known, unless they had them from the Romans.

But their opinion is more probable who by the Blazon of the Shield of France, would shew that the first Franks consisting of Sicambri (a people of Germany, inhabiting the Marches of Frizeland towards Holland, Zealand, and Gelderland) gave unto them Azure, which resembleth the water (which being calm representeth the colour of the Heavens) and therein three Flowers de Lis Or, which do grow plentifully in those Marches, and do flourish in May and Iune.

Others affirm, that the same was sent by an Angel from Heaven to Clovis, the first Christian King of France.

But Gregory of Tours in his History mentioned no such thing, neither doth it appear that they bare those Arms before the time of King Pepin, but after the time of Lewis le Grosse: at which time it seemeth that Armories began to become hereditary, and were transferred from Father to Son in each Family.

In the first assumption of these Signs, every man did take to himself some such Beast, Bird, Fish, Serpent, or other Creature as he thought best fitted his Estate, or whose nature and quality did in some sort quadrate with his own, or where­unto himself was in some respect in quality like, or wished to be resembled unto. Ex iis quibus quisque maxime delectatur qualis etiam sit ipse cognoscitur. The reason is, for that no man is delighted but with things that are like himself. Therefore wherein any man is specially delight­ed, himself also is found to be in quality much like unto them. Zanchius de immortalitate Ani­marum 133.

Whereof it cometh that our Souls albeit they are naturally delighted with things that please, and delight the External Senses, yet shall we find that by how much the mind is more generous and no­ble, by so much the more doth it apprehend a more solid delight in things pertaining to the in­ward faculties, than in such as pertain to the ex­terior senses, as we may see in those Arts where­in the Phantasie is chiefly exercised; whereby they receive a greater contentment of things per­taining to the mind, that is to say, as well Moral, as Natural, and Supernatural Philosophy. For like as our exteriour senses are delighted with corporal, and corruptible things; so in like man­ner are our minds affected to things Spiritual and eternal, and are wonderfully delighted in them by reason of the Sympathy of their natural qua­lities. Similitudo non currit quatuor pedibus (ut aiunt in Scholis) many things may be like, yet nothing like in all points or respects.

As their Institution is not new, but very anci­ent, derived almost from the beginning of the world; so their use was not limited, or restrained to some few particular Nations, Kingdoms and Countries, but most largely spread all the World over, insomuch, as there is no Nation, Country or People, so savage or barbarous, but that they have their particular Signs, whereby they may particularly and distinctly be known and discern­ed from others. As in Example.

Corali a Savage people of Pontus bare 2 Wheels.

And Plutarch in the life of Marius saith, that the Cimbrians, a People inhabiting the parts of Denmark, Norway, and the Almains, which in those days were cruel, and barbarous, never­theless had their Shields adorned with the forms and shapes of savage and cruel beasts, as also their Targets, and other Military Instruments suited accordingly, and that in such multitudes, and in such glorious and glistering manner, that they dazled the eyes of the beholders.

Neither were these Signs particularly restrain­ed unto Nations, Countries, and Provinces but they were so universal, as that there was no Tribe, particular Person or Family, but had their Armorial Signs or Notes, whereby they were not only distinctly known, and discerned from other forreign Tribes and Families; but also apparent­ly discerned (amongst themselves) one from ano­ther, by means of interposition of some minute or small differences, which after-comers were forced to devise for the preservation of Common peace and unity, when the multitude of Bearers (through long tract of time) increased exces­sively.

Achilles had his Shield beautifully adorned with great variety of things Celestial, as the mo­tion of the Sun, Moon, Stars, Planets, and other the Celestial Spheres, the Scituation of the Earth, and the adjacent Islands, the Seas with the ebbing and flowing thereof, &c. whereof I shall have better occasion offered to speak more at large hereafter. Also Amphiaraus (as Pindarus the [Page 5] Theban Poet affirmeth) in his expedition to Thebes, bare in his Shield a painted Dragon. Capaneus one of the seven Captains that be­sieged Thebes, bare the manifold headed Hydra that Hercules fought withal, as Statius the Neapolitan Poet reported. Polynices a Sphynx. Agamemnon in the Trojan Wars bare in his Shield a Lion, with this Epigram, Terror hic est hominum, & qui nunc gerit est Agamemnon.

Vlysses bare a Dolphin, and a Typhon brea­thing out flames of fire; Perseus Medusa's head; Autiochus a Lion with a white wand; Theseus an Oxe; Seleucus a Bull; Augustus a Sphinx, with infinite others which I purposely overpass.

These Signs or Tokens were in their first pro­duction rough-hewen (as I may term them) and rude, as also those other notes of signs that we now call Badges or Cognizances: so as they may be said to have been rather painted Em­blems, than exquisite tokens of honour, or ab­solute signs or badges: in the time of their first institution they received divers denominations, as Signs, Ensigns, Tokens, Marks, Cognizan­ces, &c. But when in After-ages they had been polished and refined, then were these To­kens or Signs, that had been formerly (after a rude fashion) handled together, more carefully distinguished, so as those which we now call Crests or Cognizances, worn upon the helmets of Military persons in the field, were distinctly known from those that were born in the Shields and Targets, which we now call Arms in En­glish, and in Latin Arma. Men of ancient times devised and invented many things ingenuously and with great care and consideration, but fi­nished them not; but recommended them to posterity, to be by them brought to perfection, according to that saying, Invenit antiquitas, posteri perfecerunt, neither doth this derogate ought from the studious, and industry of the Ancient, neither is this any indignity unto them; Non erubescat antiquitas (saith Chassaneus) si quid melius horum quae ipsa tradidit, Novitas adinvenit: for nothing is devised and perfected at an instant, but it is continuance of time, and much labour and industry that brings it to per­fection.

These Signs, Marks, Notes, Ensigns, or what­soever else you please to name them, are not all of one sort, for some of them may be applied to peace, and others to military use; and of each of these there are divers kinds or sorts: For some of them are express notes of govern­ment and authority or jurisdiction, others have no authority at all annexed to them.

Like as there is an absolute Authority or Ju­risdiction Royal, free from all limitation, and another said to be a mixt government; yea, and that as well in Civil Policy, as in Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: so are also the Ensigns several, as well those that pertain to the City, or Com­mon-wealth, as also those that belong to Eccle­siastical Government.

Those Ensigns that are remote or exempted from Government and Authority are diverse, according to the diversity of conceipts of the first institutors or devisers of them. For some of them are in manner Vulgar and Common, and such as may fall to the lot of a person of mean condition: others again of more subtile and deep invention; exquisite, beautiful, and honourable, and are remunerations or rewards of some noble exploits, of meer divine wits, or of some rare or excellent vertue, as a recom­pence of memorable and worthy deserts.

I know some are of opinion that these tokens or signs, which we do call Arms, were utterly unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans; and their memory not to be found with their Nations: They do confess that the Romans did make the same use of their Images that we do at this day by our Arms, viz. to produce them for testimonies of their generous race.

Some other are of opinion, that they were excogitated and brought in use by Charles the Great and the Lombards, and some again do suppose, they began in the time of Frederick Barbarossa, but the contrary appeareth by Au­thentical proof, as I have even now shewed: well may their opinion stand with reason, that do hold, that the discipline of Arms in the Reign (or rather) during Imperial Government of Theodosius, and in the time of Charles the Great, was brought to some kind of perfection, and withal more generally propagated and dis­persed, according to that saying of Abra. Fra. Carolo Potentissimo Imperante haec & distincti­ùs explicata fuisse, & frequentiùs usurpata elu­cescit.

The principal end for which these signs were first taken up, and put in use was, that they might serve for notes and marks to distinguish tribes, families, and particular persons, each from other; but this was not their only use, for that they served also to notifie to the ingenuous beholder of them (after some sort) the natural quality and disposition of their Bearers; and so behooveful was this invention thought to be, and their use so reasonable, as that they have been entertained of all succeeding posterities, among all Nations, and continued (even to this day) without any immutation or alteration of their primary institution. These Armorial En­signs thus ingeniously devised had a further use; for they served also for the more commodious distribution of Nations, Tribes, and Families, into Regiments and Bands; as also for assem­bling, conducting, and governing of them in martial expedition, and distinguishing (as I have shewed) of particular persons in wars, as well amongst themselves as from their enemies; because it often falleth out by reason of the like­ness of Armour and Weapons, of Discipline of War, and of Language and Voice (in default of such signs) that much treachery is wrought, and many men after battle or skirmish do make their retreat to the troops of the Enemy, to the [Page 6] danger of their surprise, or loss of life: So then it is clear that this is one use of these Notes, or Marks of distinction called Arms, that if a man shall meet or encounter us, we do forthwith dis­cover by the note or mark that he beareth whe­ther he be friend or enemy; and for some of those uses and ends which I have formerly shewed, These Armorial Ensigns have received approbation in the highest degree, even from the mouth of God himself (who, when he pre­scribed unto Moses and Aaron a Form of order­ing and conducting the Israelites in their pas­sage towards the Land of the Promise, did ex­presly command the use of Armorial Signs, say­ing, Filii Israelis quisque juxta vexillum su­um cum signis secundum domum Majorum suorum castra habento: which order he required to be observed not only in the conduction of them in their journey, but also in the pitching and rai­sing of their Camp.

In which precept we may observe, that God maketh mention of two sorts of Ensigns; the one general, the other particular; and that these latter were no less needful than the former; for the orderly governing and conducting of so huge and populous a multitude as the Israelites were, in a journey so long, and withal subject to infinite dangers. The first sort of these En­signs, God calleth Vexilla, that is to say Stand­ards or Banners, which served for the conducti­on of their several Regiments. For the Israe­lites consisted of twelve Tribes which were di­vided into four Regiments; that is, to wit, three Tribes to each Regiment, of which every one had a particular Standard, which as they differed in colour one from another, so did they doubt­less comprehend in them several and distinct Forms.

Here may arise a twofold question concerning these Standards before mentioned; the one, what colour each of them were; the other, what forms and shapes were depicted on them. As to the colour, Lyra upon the second of Num­bers, saith, Qualia sunt ista Vexilla in Textu non habetur, sed dicunt aliqui Hebraei quod Vexillum cujuslibet Tribus, erat simile colori lapidis positi in rationali, in quo inscriptum e­rat nomen ipsius Reuben, & sic de aliis.

And as to their several Forms, Martinus Borhaus in his Commentary upon the same place, hath this saying, Tradunt Veteres in Reubenis vexillo Mandragoram depictam fu­isse, quam ille in agro collectam matri Liae at­tulerat; in Jehudae Leonem, cui illum benedi­cendo pater Jacobus contulerat. In Ephraim vexillo, Bovis species, In Danis vexillo, ser­pentis Imago, qui serpenti & colubro a Jacobo comparatus erat, fiat Dan coluber in via. And in Conclusion he saith, Sit fides penes Autho­res.

This sort of Ensign according to Calepine, is called Vexillum quasi parvum velum, & acci­pitur (saith he) pro signo quo in exercitu vel classe Imperatores utuntur. The use of these Standards doth consist herein, that they being born aloft upon a long pole or staff apparent to every mans view, the Souldiers may be thereby directed (upon all occasions of service) and by the sight of them may be dissevered and united at all times, as the necessity of the service shall require. Of this use, Lyra upon the second of Numbers saith, Vexilla in perticis elevan­tur, ut ad eorum aspectum bellatores dividan­tur & uniantur: for like as a Ship is guided in the surging Seas by the Stern or Ruther, even so are the Souldiers ordered in their Martial Exploits by their Standard or Ensign.

The other sorts of Ensigns God calleth Signa secundum domum Majorum suorum: whereby is meant (if I be not deceived) the particular Ensigns or Tokens of each particular Family, and of the particular persons of each Family. For so do I understand that exposition of Lyra upon the same place, Signa propria sunt in ve­stibus & scutis, quibus bellatores mutuò se cognoscunt, & suos ab Adversariis distin­guunt.

But here we must put a difference between these words Arma & Insignia, and we must se­parate those things that are proper to Arms from such as pertain to Ensigns.

Arms therefore being taken in the largest sense (as I have hitherto in this Discourse used the word) may be said to be either Publick or Private.

Such are said to be Publick Arms, as have some Soveraign authority or jurisdiction annex­ed to them.

Of the first sort are such Arms as are born by Emperours, Kings, and absolute Princes, and free Estates, having Soveraign authority and power within their several Empires, Kingdoms, and Territories. These in propriety of speech cannot be aptly said to be the Arms of their Stock or Family, whereof they are descended, but do rather represent the nature of Ensigns, than of Arms, in regard of the publick autho­rity to them annexed; as also in respect that whosoever shall succeed them in those supream Governments shall bear the same Arms, as the express Notes and Testimonies of such their se­veral Jurisdictions, though they be extracted from Aliens or forraign Families. For so nei­ther is the Eagle the peculiar Arms of the house of Austria, nor the Lions of the Family of Plantagenet, nor the Flowers de Lis of the house of Valois. And these Arms or Ensigns may no man else bear, or yet mark his Goods withal, unless it be that in token of Loyalty he will set up the Kings Arms in his house, and place his own Arms underneath. And there are certain Ensigns of Dignity and Office which every man having the same Dignity or Office may lawfully bear, as the Ensigns of a Procon­sul, the Ensigns of a Bishop. And these are pe­culiar to those only that have the exercising of such Dignity or Office; if any other shall ufurp the bearing or use of them, he incurreth the [Page 7] crime of Forgery. Private Arms are such as are proper to Private persons, whether they be numbred in rank of the greater Nobility, as Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Ba­rons, having no soveraign or absolute power: or of the lesser Nobility or Gentry, Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen; neither yet are they Ensigns of any ordinary dignity, but peculiar to their Family, and may be infinitely transferred to their Posterity.

For Arms or Armorial Tokens pertaining to some particular Family; do descend to every peculiar person extracted from the same Agna­tion, whether they be heirs to their Father or Grandfather, or not. Sometimes the bearers of these do so greatly multiply, as that they are constrained for distinction sake, to annex some apposition over and above their Paternal Coat to them descended, for differencing the persons. Quod licitum est, sicut nomini addere praenomen, which they may no less lawfully do, than to add a Christian name to a Surname, to distinguish two Children issued from one Pa­rent.

These Arms are sometimes composed of Na­tural things, as of some kinds of Celestial Bo­dies, viz. of the Sun, Moon, Stars, &c. Some­times of four footed Beasts, or of Birds, or of Serpents, or of Fishes, or some other Reptiles, or else of some kind of Vegetables, as Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, &c. Or else of some solid things, as Castles, Towers, Moun­tains, &c. Or of things pertaining to Arts Liberal, or Trades Mechanical, &c. Some­times again they are compact of none of these, but do consist only of the variations of simple Colours, counterchanged by occasion of Trans­verse, Perpendicular, or whatsoever other Line used in Coat-Armour, whether the same be Straight, Crooked, Bunched, &c. Whereby passing through the Escocheon, either Tra­verse, Oblique, or Direct, the Colours become transmuted or counterchanged; of all which I shall have occasion to speak hereafter in their particular place.

If question happen to arise touching the right of some desolate place, or ruinated building, if in digging up the ruines, or taking up of the foundation thereof, there be found any known Coat-Armour; the questioned place shall be ad­judged to appertain to that Family, to whom that Coat-Armour belongeth.

If any man be attainted or convicted of Trea­son, for betraying his Country, or of Heresie, to the end he should be branded with a greater note of infamy, his Arms are rased, broken down and utterly defaced.

Sometimes it falleth out that if a Noble Fa­mily be extinguished by the death of the last of the same (deceasing without issue) whereby the bearing of the Arms proper to that Lineage is from thenceforth abolished: The Arms are in­terred in the grave, together with the Corps of the Defunct.

After long tract of time, these Tokens which we call Arms, became remunerations for service, and were bestowed by Emperours, Kings, and Princes, and their Generals and chief Com­manders in the field upon Martial men, whose valorous merits even in justice, required due re­compence of Honour answerable unto their worthy acts, the remembrance whereof could not better be preserved and derived unto poste­rity, than by these kinds of honourable Re­wards. The first we read of, that made this use of them was Alexander the Great, being moved thereunto by the perswasion of Aristotle his Schoolmaster: who having observed his magnificent mind in rewarding his Souldiers to the full of their deserts, did at length prevail with him so much, as that he caused him to turn the Current of his Bounty another way, and to recompence his Souldiers with these Marks or Tokens of Honour; which he be­stowed on them as Hereditary testimonies of their glorious merits. In later Ages Charles the Fourth the Emperour, gave Arms also un­to Learned men, and such as had performed any memorable service, or excellent work, there­fore Bartholus, being a most expert man in the Laws, and one of the Council of the said Charles the Fourth, received in reward for his Arms from the said Emperour, this Coat-Ar­mour, viz. Or, a Lion rampant his tail forked, Gules, which afterward descended successively to his Children and Posterity. But Bartholus (though he were a most singular and perfect Civilian) because he was unexperienced in Mar­tial Discipline, durst not at first assume the bear­ing of those Arms: But afterwards upon bet­ter advice he bare them, knowing how unfit it was to refuse a Reward given by so Potent an Emperour. And this was a noble Institution of Charles the Fourth, that not only the Skilful Professors of the Civil Laws, but the Learned Proficients, and the Judicious Students in other Arts and Professions, might receive remunera­tion for their Vertues, Honos enim alit Artes, omnesque incenduntur ad studia glori [...], Abra. Fra. pag. 76. And without all doubt there is great reason that Arms should be distributed unto men renowned for their Learning and Wis­dom, who with expence, even of their Lives and Spirits in continual Study, to enable them­selves fit for to serve the Weal publick at home, by Magistracy, and Civil Government, wherein they may no less merit reward of their Prince at home, by their politick managing of Civil Affairs, than the Martial man abroad with his brandished slaughtering Sword; sithence they oftentimes in their Civil Government, do pre­scribe limits to Martial affairs also, how far they shall extend their power, according to that say­ing of Cicero; Offic. 1. Parvi sunt foris Arma, nisi est consilium domi And this is the cause that Arms are given for remuneration in later times, as well to Learned and Religious men, as to Martial men; yet not so much for their [Page 8] valour, as for their wisdom, and to honour them withal, according to the saying of a cer­tain Author, Arma dantur viris Religiosis, non propter strenuitatem, sed propter honorem, quia honorabile est Arma portare; ut Doctor in legibus viginti annis per legem Armorum fi­et Miles, non tamen propter ejus strenuitatem, sed propter ejus dignitatem.

The examples of these two Great Potentates before mentioned, in remunerating their well meriting Souldiers, faithful Servants and vertu­ous and learned Subjects, with these Signs or Symbols called Arms; the one, viz. Alexander the Great, for service done in Wars; the other, namely Charles the Fourth, for politick mana­ging of Civil Affairs by learning and wisdom at home, have been imitated by divers Emperors, Kings and Princes of succeeding Ages, using therein the ministry of the Office of Heralds; as subordinate Officers thereunto appointed and authorized, reserving always to themselves the supream jurisdiction of Judging and Remu­nerating persons according to their Deserts; but using the ministry of the Heralds, as for sundry other uses of great importance in a State, so also for the inventing and devising of congruent tokens of Honour, answerable to the merits of those that shall receive the same: to do which although there is a power seeming ab­solute, committed to them by the Soveraign; yet the same is restrained into a power ordina­ry, which is to devise with discretion Arms, correspondent to the desert of the person, that shall be thought worthy to have these honour­able badges or tokens of honour bestowed upon him.

Now sithence we have had cause here in this Chapter to make mention of a Herald, it shall not be amiss to shew what this word is, and its natural signification.

Here-heaulte. by abbreviation (as Verstegan noteth) Herault, as also Herauld, doth rightly signifie the Champion of the Army; and grow­ing to be a Name of Office, he that in the Ar­my hath the special charge to denounce Wars, or to challenge to Battle or Combat: in which sense our name of Heraulte approacheth the nearest to Fecialis in Latin.

CHAP. II.

SO much of such Notes as are necessary to be observed for the better understanding of these things that shall be hereafter de­livered, touching the Subject of this Work. Now we proceed to the practick exercise of these Armorial tokens, which pertain to the function of Heralds, and is termed Armory, and may be thus defined: Armory is an Art right­ly prescribing the true knowledg and use of Arms.

Now like as in things natural the effects do evermore immediately ensue their causes, even so division which is a demonstration of the ex­tent and power of things, must by immediate consequence follow definition, which doth ex­press the nature of the thing defined. Division is a distribution of things common, into things particular or less common. The use thereof consisteth herein, that by the assistance of this division, words of large intendment and signi­fication, are reduced to their definite and deter­minate sense and meaning, that so the mind of the learner be not misled through the ambiguity of words, either of manifold or uncertain in­terpretations. Moreover it serveth to illumi­nate the understanding of the learner, and to make him more capable of such things as are de­livered, Ea enim quae divisim traduntur facili­us intelliguntur.

The practise hereof shall be manifested in the distribution of the skill of Armory, with all the parts and complements thereof through­out this whole Work.

This Skill of Armory consists of Blazoning, and Marshalling.

Albeit I do here make mention of the Mar­shalling, or conjoyning of divers Arms in one Shield, or Escocheon; nevertheless, sithence it is far besides my purpose, for the present to have further to do with them (in this place) than on­ly to nominate them; for distributions sake, I will reserve this kind of Marshalling or conjoin­ing of the Arms of distinct Families in one Es­cocheon, unto a more convenient time and place, peculiarly destinated to that purpose, and I will proceed to the explication of those things which do concern the first member of this di­stribution, viz. Blazoning.

Blazon is taken, either strictly for an explica­tion of Arms in apt and significant terms, or else, it is taken largely for a display of the ver­tues of the Bearers of Arms: in which sense Chassaneus defineth the same in this manner, Blazonia est quasi alicujus vera laudatio sub quibusdam signis, secundum prudentiam, justi­tiam, fortitudinem & temperantiam. A cer­tain French Armorist saith, that to Blazon is to express what the shapes, kinds, and colour of things born in Arms are, together with their apt significations.

Like as definitions are forerunners of divisi­ons, even so divisions also have precedence of rules. To speak properly of a rule, it may be said to be any straight or level thing, whereby lines are drawn in a direct and even form. In resemblance whereof, we here understand it, to be a brief precept or instruction for knowing or doing of things aright, as witnesseth Calepine, saying, Regula per translationem dicitur, bre­vis rerum praeceptio, that is to say, a compen­dious or ready instruction of matters.

Rules are taken for brief documents prescri­bed for the delivery, or apprehension of some [Page 9] Art or Science; by these the wits and inven­tions of men are much comforted and quick­ned, according to the saying of Seneca, In­genii vis praeceptis alitur & crescit, non ali­ter quam scintilla flatu levi adjuta, novas­que persuasiones adjicit innatis, & depra­vatas corrigit. The force of wit is nourish­ed and augmented by Rules or Precepts; like as a spark is kindled with a soft and gentle fire, and do add new inducements and perswasions to those that are already appre­hended, and correcteth such as are depraved and vicious.

It followeth therefore, by due order of con­sequence, that I should annex such Rules as are peculiar to blazon in genere. For other particular Rules must be reserved to more proper places.

The aptest Rules for this place, are these immediately following: In Blazoning you must use an advised deliberation before you enter thereunto; for having once begun, to recal the same, doth argue an inconsiderate for­wardness meriting just reprehension.

The more compendious your Blazon is, by so much is it holden the more commendable; Quia quod brevius est semper delectabilius habetur. Therefore you must shun multipli­city of impertinent words in your Blazon, Frustra enim fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora. But herein you must observe this Caution, that whilst you labour to be compendious, you omit nothing material or necessary to be expressed: For as the one doth eclipse the understanding, so the other is of­fensive to memory, as Aristotle noteth, say­ing, Omnis sermo, si sit brevior quam opor­tet, obscurat intellectum, si autem longior, difficile erit retentioni.

You must take special heed to words in Blazon, for a different form in Blazoning ma­keth the Arms cease to be the same; Di­versitas enim nominis inducet diversitatem rei, in tantum quod nomina sunt significati­va rerum.

You must not be too full of conceits in Bla­zon, nor overforward in speech.

You must use no iteration or repetition of words in Blazoning of one Coat:

Especially of any of these four words, viz.

• Of,
• Or,
• And,
• With.

For the doubling of any of these, is counted a great fault, insomuch as the offender here­in is deemed unworthy to Blazon a Coat-Armour.

In Blazoning you must have regard of the things that are born in Arms: as also where­unto they may be resembled, whether they be natural or artificial, and so to commend them accordingly.

In the Blazoning of any Coat, you must e­vermore observe this special Rule. First to begin with the Field, and then proceed to the Blazon of the Charge, if any be. More­over, if the Field be occupied with sundry things, whether the same be of one or di­vers kinds, you must first nominate that which lieth next and immediately upon the Field, and then Blazon that which is more remote from the same. What Field and Charge are shall be shewed in their proper places; In­terim oportet discentem credere.

Chassaneus holdeth, that where the Chief of an Escocheon is of one colour or metal, or more, you shall blazon the Chief first; but I hold it more consonant to reason, to begin with the Field (because of the priori­ty thereof in nature, as also in respect that it is the Continent) rather than with the Charge, which is the thing contained, and so consequently last in nature. Nevertheless the French Armorists for the most part do bla­zon the Charge first, and the Field after, which is a course meerly repugnant to na­ture; by whose prescript order, the place must have precedence of the thing placed, and the continent of the thing contained: wherefore our Heralds manner of blazon is more agreable to reason than theirs. There be divers forms of blazon: A certain Dutch­man, who lived in the time of King Henry the Fifth, used to blaze Arms by the prin­cipal parts of mans body, as Ab. Fra. wri­teth, pag. 63. Malorques, a French-man, made use of flowers for this purpose. Fau­con, an English-man, who lived in the time of King Edward the Third, performed it by the days of the week. But in former times their Predecessors used only these three kinds follow­ing: first, by Metals and Colours; secondly, by precious Stones; and thirdly, by the Celestial Planets. Out of which sundry forms, I have made choice of these three last which are most ancient and necessary, in respect that these, above all other, do best fit my pur­pose; which is, to apply to each particular state of Gentry, a blazon Correspondent. As for example, to Gentlemen having no title of dignity, blazon by Metals and Co­lours: to persons ennobled by the Sove­raign, by precious Stones: and to Emper­ours, Monarchs, Kings and Princes, blazon by Planets.

The two last of these three selected forms are not to be used in the blazoning of the Coat-Armours of Gentlemen that are not ad­vanced to some degree of Nobility, unless they be rarely qualified, or of special desert.

These selected forms of blazon, do seem to imply a necessity of their invention; to the end that as well by blazon, as by degree, Noblemen might be distinguished from Gentlemen, and persons of Majesty, from those of Noble Lineage, that so a due Decorum may be observed in each Degree, according to the Dignity of their Persons; for that it is a [Page 10] thing unfitting, either to handle a mean Ar­gument in a lofty stile, or a stately Argu­ment in a mean.

CHAP. III.

SO much of the Definition and general Rules of Blazon. Now will I proceed to the distribution thereof.

The principal means of teaching, and the chief part of Method consisteth in distinction, therefore in the explanation or unfolding of this Fabrick of Arms or Armorial Signs, I will use some manifest kind of distribution.

The blazon of Arms consisteth in their Accidents, and Parts.

I call those notes or marks Accidents of Arms, that have no inherent quality or par­ticipation of the Substance or Essence of them, but may be annexed unto them, or taken from them, their Substance still remaining; for so doth Porphyrius define the same, say­ing, Accidens potest adesse & abesse sine sub­jecti interitu. Accidents may be said to be Cosin-germans to Nothing: For so, after a sort, doth Aristotle reckon of them, saying, Accidens videtur esse propinquum non enti, Metaph. 6. For they have no being of them­selves, but as they are in things of being, or annexed to them. As the same Author fur­ther noteth, Metaph. 7. Accidentia non sunt entia, nisi quia sunt entis.

Accidents and Forms do agree in this point, that both the one and the other of them being separated from the Substance, yet is not the Substance thereby altered from that it was, but remaineth still the same; which oc­casioned many men to think that Forms were Accidents. These cannot alter the matter or substance, because they are not of the main, but come upon the by, as it were. Nihil enim transmutat materiam, nisi sit in materia.

Accidents are in the subject,, as passio in patiente, according to that saying, Accidens ut est in subjecto, non idem est in subjecto, sed ut est passio ejus, est sibi idem.

Such Accidents as are here meant are these, viz. Tincture, and Differences.

Tincture is a variable hue of Arms, and is common, as well to Differences of Arms, as to the Arms themselves.

And the same is distributed into Colours, and Furrs.

Colour may be said to be an external die, wherewith any thing is coloured or stained, or else it may be said to be the gloss of a Body beautified with light.

And the Colour here mentioned is both General, and Special.

By general Colour, I understand the pro­per and natural colour of each particular thing, whether the same be Natural or Ar­tificial, of what kind soever that are depicted and set forth in their external and proper beauty. In this respect all colours whatso­ever (without exception) may seem to per­tain to this Art, for so much as there is nothing in this world subjected to the sight of man, but either is, or aptly may be born in Arms; so spacious and general is the scope of Armory. In blazoning of things born in their natural or proper colour, you shall on­ly term them to be born proper, which is a blazon sufficient for things of that kind, and well fitting their property or nature, for there are no terms of blazon allowed to things born after that sort.

By special Colours, I mean such colours, as by a certain peculiar propriety (as it were) do belong to this Art of Armory.

These are both Simple, and Mixt.

Simple Colours are those, whose existence is of such absolute perfection (in their kind) as that they need not the participation of a­ny other colour to make them absolute, but do communicate their natural qualities to all other colours, to make them perfect, in which respect they are called elementa coloris, as shall be shewed hereafter.

And those are White, and Black.

To these in right belongeth the first place amongst colours, because in the order of na­ture they were before all other colours: Prio­ra enim sunt compositis incomposita: and are of Aristotle called Elementa colorum, saying, Albus & niger sunt elementa colorum medi­orum. Only White and Black are accounted simple Colours, because all other colours what­soever are raised either of an equal or une­qual mixture or composition of these two, which are (as I may term them) their com­mon parents. These are said to be the com­mon parents of all other colours, in respect they have their original being from these, either in an equal or disproportionable mix­ture. Therefore I will begin with them, and so proceed to the rest that we call colo­res medii, in respect of their participation of both. Now for as much as practise is the scope of Doctrines (to the end those things that are, or shall be delivered, may be the better conceived or born in memory) I have thought good to manifest them by particular examples of ocular demonstration, in the plainest manner that I can devise, Quia qualis est rerum demonstratio, talis futura est hominum scientia.

[Page 11]Examples and Demonstrations are of great power and efficacy to illustrate and bring things to light, wherein brevity, the prop and aid of memory and sweet compa­nion of facility, is highly commended, as Far­nesius noteth, saying, Nihil est ad res illu­minandas illustrius exemplis, in quibus bre­vitas adjutrix memoriae, facilitatis socia, semper est commendata.

White is a colour that consisteth of very much light, as it is of Scribonius defined, Al­bedo est color simplex in corpore tenuiore mul­ta luminositate constans: to which Black is con­trary. Note, as colours may be resembled to things of greatest No­bility or Reputation, so is their worthi­ness accounted of accordingly.

The colour White is resembled to the light, and the dignity thereof reckoned more worthy than the Black, by how much the light and the day is of more esteem than dark­ness and the night, whereunto black is likened. Furthermore, white is accounted more wor­thy than black, in respect of the more wor­thy use thereof. For men in ancient time were accustomed to note things well and laudably performed (and esteemed worthy to be kept in memory) with white, and contra­riwise, whatsoever was holden reproachful or dishonourable, was noted with black, as the Poet noteth, saying,

Moreover, white challengeth the preceden­cy of black (according to Vpton) in respect of the priority of time, for that it was in nature before black, which is a deprivation thereof: Like as darkness, whereunto black is resembled, is an exemption of light, Omnis enim privatio praesupponit habitum. Finally, Vpton preferreth white before black, in re­gard that white is more easily discerned, and further seen in the Field.

This colour is most commonly taken in Blazon for the metal Silver, and is termed Ar­gent, wheresoever the same is found, either in Field or Charge. This metal representeth Water, which (next to the Air) is the no­blest of all the Elements, and in Armory it is termed Argent, for that it approacheth near to the Luminary Bodies. To this metal is given the second place next to Gold, in regard that the Armory cannot be good, that hath not in it either Gold or Silver: It also, for another cause, bare the resemblance of Water, which scoureth, cleanseth, and putteth away all filth and uncleanness: For in Blazon it betokeneth innocency, clean­ness of life and chastity; amongst Complexi­ons it is likened to flegm. As for the esteem of this metal Silver, we may observe in all Ages, that Emperours, Kings, and Princes had, and yet have, their Vessels of chief use of Silver. As for the abundance of this me­tal, you may read 2 Chron. 9. how every man brought unto Solomon presents, being Vessels of Silver and Vessels of Gold, and Rayment and Armour, and sweet Odors, Horses and Mules from year to year. And the King gave Silver in Ierusalem as Stones, &c. Such was the plentiful abundance of this metal in the days of Solomon. In com­position of Arms, it is accounted a fault wor­thy blame to Blazon this otherwise than Ar­gent; but in doubling of Mantles it is not so taken: for therein it is not understood to be a metal, but the skin or furr of a lit­tle Beast called a Lituite, so named (as I conceive) of Lithuania, now called Luten, a part of Sarmatia, confining upon Polonia. This Furr hath been heretofore much used by the ancient Matrons of the honourable Ci­ty of London, even by those that were of the chiefest account, who ware the same in a kind of Bonnet, called corruptly a Lettice Cap.

Black is a colour contrary to White, ha­ving little participati­on of light, and is of Scribonius thus defin­ed, Nigredo est color in corpore crassiori exi­guae luminositatis parti­ceps. Whereby it is apparent that black is of less perfection than white. For what thing soever there is that hath in it either light or heat, or else a life, either Animal or Vegetable, the same being once extinct, the thing it self becometh forth­with black, which is said to be the colour of horrour and destruction; for which respect mourning Garments are made of that colour, that doth most significantly represent the horrour of death and corruption, Farnes. 3. 104. This colour is called in blazon Sable, of the Latin word Sabulum, which signifieth gross sand or gravel, in respect of the hea­vy and earthy substance, wherein it abound­eth above all others. And this colour is re­puted far inferiour in dignity to white, and is likened to darkness, called in Latin Tene­brae, eò quod teneant, id est, impediant ocu­los, & visum prohibeant. Note that the rest of those special colours before mentioned, be­sides white and black, are called Colores me­dii, for that they have their primary Essence from these, either by an equal or uneven con­corporation or mixture of these two together: [Page 12] and in regard of these two extremes, from which they have their being, cannot proper­ly be called Colores, nisi per participationem. This colour is in Heraldry blazoned Sable, and is expressed in Graving by lines hatch­ed cross each other.

Now as touching Colores medii, or mixed Colours, it is to be understood that they are raised by the contemperation or mixture of the two Simples formerly handled, as may appear by the Definition of Scribonius, who saith, Mixtus color est, qui ex Simplicium contem­peratione producitur.

All mixt or midling Colours, that we call Colores medii, are reckoned more Noble, or Ignoble, by participation; that is to say, as they do partake more or less of the nobi­lity of white, which is resembled to light; or of black, which hath a resemblance of darkness, or deprivation of light.

Of these according to Scribonius, some are

• Exactly compounded of both Simples.
• Declining more to the one than to the other, in an unequal proportion.

That Colour which is said to be exactly com­pounded, doth partici­pate of the two Simples indifferently in a just proportion, as Red; which Scribonius thus defineth, Rubedo est co­lor aequali simul Albedi­uis & Nigrediuis combi­natione constans. A­mongst Colours (next after Metals) this Colour, Vermilion, or Red, hath the prime place, forasmuch as it representeth the Fire, which of all other Elements, is the most lightsome, and approacheth nearest to the quality and vertue of the Sun: In regard whereof it was ordained, That none should bear this Colour (which betokeneth nobleness of Courage, and valorous magnanimity) but persons of honourable birth and rank, and men of spe­cial desert. This colour inciteth courage and magnanimity in persons that do grapple to­gether in single or publick fight. We read, that those that strengthened their Bat­tels with Elephants, when they would pro­voke them to fight, they produced before them resemblances of this martial Colour, as the blood of Grapes and of Mulberies. This Colour is likened to the precious Rubie. A­mongst Vertues it is compared to magnani­mity or boldness of Courage. And amongst the Complexions it is resembled to Choler. In Armory it is called Gules. And it is ex­pressed in Graving by Lines drawn streight down the Escocheon.

This Colour is bright Yellow, which is compound­ed of much White, and a little Red, as if you should take two parts of White, and but one of Red. This colour in Arms is blazed by the name of Or, which is as much to say as Aurum, which is Gold: And it is commonly called Gold Yellow, because it doth lively represent that most excellent Metal, the possession whereof inchanteth the hearts of Fools, and the colour whereof blindeth the eyes of the Wise. Of the excellency of this Metal, Hesiodus hath this saying: Au­rum est Corporibus sicut Sol inter Stellas. And therefore such is the worthiness of this Colour, which doth resemble it, that (as Christine de Pice holdeth) none ought to bear the same in Arms, but Emperours and Kings, and such as be of the Blood Royal, though indeed it be in use more common. And as this Metal exceedeth all other in va­lue, purity, and fineness, so ought the Bear­er (as much as in him lieth) endeavour to [...]urpass all other in Prowess and Vertue. It is expressed in Graving by Pricks or Points.

This Colour is Green, which consisteth of more Black, and of less Red, as appeareth by the De­finition; Viridis est color Nigredine copiosiore, & Rubedine minore contem­peratus. This Colour is blazoned Vert, and is called in Latin Viridis, à vigore, in regard of the strength, freshness, and liveliness thereof; and therefore best re­sembleth youth, in that most Vegetables, so long as they flourish, are beautified with this verdure: and is a Colour most wholesome and pleasant to the eye, except it be in a young Gentlewomans Face. This Colour is expressed in Graving by Lines drawn towards the right hand.

Blew is a Colour which consisteth of much Red, and of little White, and doth represent the Colour of the Skie in a clear Sun­shining day. This in Bla­zon is termed Azure. Coe­ruleus color, à Coelo di­ctus est, quod tanquam so­lers & diligens nescit o­tiari. Farnes. 2. 18. In Graving, this Colour is expressed by Lines drawn cross the Shield.

[Page 13]

Purpure is a Colour that consisteth of much Red, and of a small quantity of Black, and is thus defined; Pur­pureus color est, qui à multa Rubedine, & pau­ciore Nigredine com­miscetur. Chassaneus ha­ving formerly handled those former six Colours, viz. White, Black, Red, Yellow, Green, and Blew, saith, that of them all (being com­pounded and mixed together according to proportion) this Purpure Colour is raised. This Colour usually hath no other name in Blazon.

Purpure Colour hath some resemblance of a withered red Rose, which after long ga­thering, the glorious lustre thereof fading, becometh somewhat blackish, as if it were a proportionable commixture of Red and Black together. This Colour hath its Denomination of a certain Fish called in La­tin Purpura, a kind of Shell-fish, whereof in times past, great store have been found near to that famous City of Tyrus, situated next to the Sea-coast in the Country of Phoeuicia: this kind of Fish hath in the mouth of it an excellent and precious liquor, or juyce, of singular use in dying of [...]loaths, the in­vention and use whereof was first found out by the Tyrians, for which cause this Colour is called Tyrius Color. They must be taken alive, and that chiefly in the Spring Season, at which time the juyce is most plentiful in them at other Seasons it is more scarce: They are gathered alive, and cast together on a heap, that so by their continual moti­on they may vent out this rich liquor toge­ther with their spirit, which done in some near place or other provided for the clean keeping thereof, it is taken up and spared for necessary purposes. This Colour, in an­cient time, was of that precious esteem, as that none but Kings and Princes, and their Favourites, might wear the same, as we may see, Dan. 5. 16. Now if thou canst read the writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with Purple, and shalt have a chain of Gold about thy neck. Also, 1 Macchab. 10. 20. And Alex­ander sent Jonathan a Purple Robe, and a Crown of Gold. And again; When his Ac­cusers saw his Honour as it was proclaimed, and that he was cloathed in Purple, they fled all away. Hereof (perhaps) it cometh that this Colour is found of so rare use in Armorial Signs. Moreover it is said; And the King commanded that they should take off the Garment of Jonathan, and cloath him in Purple, and so they did, 1 Macchab. 10. 62.

Tawny (saith Leigh) is a Colour of Worship, and of some Heralds it is called Brusk, and is most commonly born of French Gentlemen, but very few do bear it in England. In Bla­zon it is known by the name of Tenne. It is (saith he) the surest Colour that is (of so bright a hue, being compounded) for it is made of two bright Colours, which are Red and Yellow: nei­ther shall you have any Colour so made a­mong all that may be devised; and not to be stainand.

The last of the se­ven mixed Colours, we do commonly call Murrey, but in Blazon, Sanguine, and is (as most truly saith Leigh) a Princely Colour, be­ing indeed one of the Colours appertaining of ancient time to the Prince of Wales. It is a Colour of great estimation, and very stately, and is in use in certain Robes of the Knights of the Bath. Some Heralds, of ap­proved Judgment, do hardly admit these two last mentioned for Colours of Fields, in re­gard they are reckoned Stainand Colours. Yet some Coats of Arms there are, and those of reverend Antiquity, whose Fields are of those Colours, for which respect they have been allowed for Colours of Fields, as Sir Iohn Ferne, in his Glory of Generosity, no­teth. This kind of bearing, Leigh doth in­stance in two English Gentlemen of ancient Houses, that have of long time born Tawny in their Arms; the one of them he nameth Hounzaker, and the other Finers.

I have purposely, for the avoiding of prolixity, omitted here to speak of the Ele­ments, Vertues and Complexions which eve­ry one of these Metals and Colours are re­spectively resembled unto, because Ferne, in his Blazon of Gentry, hath a large Dis­course of the same subject, to which I re­ferr the Reader.

CHAP. IV.

HItherto of Colours and Metals: Now of Furrs, according to the Series and Course of our Distribution before de­livered, pag. 10.

Furrs (used in Arms) are taken for the Skins of certain Beasts, stripped from the Bo­dies, and artificially trimmed, for the fur­ring, doubling, or lining of Robes and Gar­ments, serving as well for State and Magni­ficence, as for wholsome and necessary use. And these thus trimmed and imployed, are called in Latin pellicei, à pellendo, of driv­ing away, (quite contrary in sense, though like in sound, to pellices, à pellicendo, for drawing all to them) because they do re­pel and resist the extremities of cold, and preserve the Bodies that are covered with them in good temperature.

These are used as well in doublings of the Mantles pertaining to Coat-Armours, as in the Court-Armours themselves.

Furrs do consist either of One colour alone, or, More colours than one.

That Furr that con­sisteth of one Colour alone, is White, which in doubling is taken for the Lituits Skin, before spoken of, p. 11. An example whereof we have in this Esco­cheon. Some perhaps will expect, that in the handling of these Furrs, I should pursue the order of Gerard Leigh, who giveth the preheminence of place unto Ermyn, for the dignity and ri­ches thereof: but that form suiteth neither with the Method that I have prefixed to my self; nor yet with the Order of Nature, which ever preferreth Simples before Com­pounds, because of their priority in time: For as Aristotle saith, Priora sunt composi­tis incomposita: which order, as it is of all other the most reasonable, certain, and infal­lible, so do I endeavour by all means to conform my self, in these my poor Labours, thereunto: Natura enim regitur ab intelli­gentia non errante. Note that this, and all other the Examples following throughout this Chapter (as they are here placed) must be understood to be doublings or linings of Robes, or Mantles of State, or other Gar­ments, wherein (according to Leigh) they all have one general Name, and are called Doublings; but in Escocheons they are cal­led by Nine proper and several Names. What those Mantles are, shall be shewed hereafter, when I come to the handling of the second Member of Division before made. In the blazoning of Arms, this Colour is e­vermore termed Argent, unless it be in the description of the Arms of one that is Reus Laesae Majestatis: but being a doubling, it is no offence (saith Christine de Pice) to call it White, because therein it is to be under­stood only as a Furr or Skin.

Furrs consisting of more than one Colour, are either of Two Colours, or, More than two.

Such Furrs as are com­pounded of two Co­lours only, are sorted either.

• with Black, and are ei­ther
  • Black mixt with white, as Ermyn, and Ermyns. or,
  • Black mixt with Yel­low, as Ermynois and Pean.
• or without Black; such are, accord­ing to Leigh,
  • Verrey, sez. A. and B.
  • and Verrey, Or, and Vert.

Knowledge is no way better or more rea­dily attained than by Demonstration: Scire e­nim est per demonstrationem intelligere, saith Aristotle. I will therefore give you parti­cular example of their several Bearings.

Ermyn is a Furr con­sisting of White, distin­guished with black spots. Albane Earl of Brittain, unto whom William the Conqueror gave the Earldom of Richmond, and Honour of Middlesham, bore this Coat. You must Blazon this by the name of Ermyn, and not Argent powdred with Sa­ble. This is the Skin of a little Beast, less than a Squirrel (saith Leigh) that hath his being in the Woods of the Land of Arme­nia, whereof he taketh his name. The tail thereof is of a Thumbs length, which is of colour brown. The Aegyptians did propose this little Beast for an Hieroglyphick of Cha­stity, Farnes. lib. 2. fol. 15. So greatly is this little Beast affected unto cleanness, as that she had rather expose her self to the hazard of being killed, or taken by the Hunters, than she would pollute her Coat with the filth of the Bird-lime laid before the entrance of the Cave to take her at her going in. Leigh, in the former part of his Accidence, fol. 132. seemeth therein to contradict himself, in that he affirmeth Ermyn to be no Colour, but a Compound with a Metal, and serveth as Me­tal only. For mine own part, I do not see [Page 15] how in doubling of Mantles it should be reckoned a Metal, for that all doublings or linings of Robes and Garments, though per­haps not altogether, yet chiefly are ordain­ed for the repelling of cold and weathers drift: to which use Metals are most unfit, as King Dionysius declared, when coming into a Church where the Images were attired in most rich golden Robes, he took them a­way, saying, Such Garments were too cold for Winter, and to heavy for Summer. A fair pretence to cloak his Sacrilegious Ava­rice. The same Author in his said Accidence, fol. 75. making mention of this Furr, taketh occasion to commend a late prescribed order for the distribution of this rich and rare Furr, according to the dignity of the persons to whom the wearing thereof is allowed, which is this; That an Emperour, a King, or a Prince, may have the powdering in their Apparel as thick set together as they please: a Duke may have in his Mantles cape, only four Raungs or Ranks of them: a Marquis three Raungs and a half: an Earl a cape of three Raungs only. In some Coats these are numbred, but then they extend not to the number of ten. These rows or ranks before named are of some Authors called Timbers of Ermyn: for no man under the degree of a Baron, or a Knight of the most honoura­ble Order of the Garter, may have his Man­tle doubled with Ermyn.

This is that other Furr, before mentioned, to consist of a mixture of White and Black, and hath some resem­blance of the former: but differeth in this; that where that is com­posed of White powder­ed with black; contra­riwise this is Black powdered with White. But neither in that, nor in this, shall you make any mention in Blazon of any such Mixtures, but only use the name appropriated to either of them, which doth sufficiently express the manner of their composition to the understanding of those that are but meanly skilled in Blazon; the name peculiarly allotted to this Furr, is Ermyns.

Mr. Boswell is of this Opinion, That Er­myn and Ermyns ought never to be sorted in Arms with the Metal of their colour, be­cause (saith he) they are but Furrs, and have no proper Blazon with any Metal. Yet doth he particularly Blazon the Coat of Wal­cot, fol. 106. in the Atchievement of the Right Honourable Lord, Sir William Cecil Knight, late Lord Treasurer of England, where he might fitly have taken exception against such bearing, if he could have produced any good ground for warranting such his Opinion; in default whereof he there passeth the same over with silence, knowing that Antiquity and Custome (which hath the vigour of a Law, where there is no Law written) are powerful in things of this nature: he secret­ly relinquisheth his Opinion, forasmuch as it is manifest, that not only Walcot, but Kings­mell, and many others, both ancient and mo­dern, have used such bearing without contra­diction.

Of those Furrs be­fore mentioned, that are compounded of Yellow and Black, this is the first, and is termed in blazon, Ermynois, whose Ground or Field is Yel­low, and the Powdrings Black. Though this be rich in Arms (saith Leigh) yet in doubling it is not so rich. Of the use of this Furr, Bara maketh mention in his Book, entituled, Le Blazon des Armoiries, p. 14. and Edel. Hiryssen, in his Book, entituled, Le Iardyn d' Armoiries, in the Arms of Leefwelt.

This is that other Furr composed of the same Colours, but di­sposed in a contrary manner to the former; for whereas that con­sisteth of Yellow pow­dered with Black, this is Black powdered with Yellow; and in Blazon is termed Pean.

These are other sorts of Furrs or Doub­lings, consisting also of two only Colours, which as they are much different in form, so do they also receive a diverse Blazon from these before specified, which are these that follow, and their like.

He beareth Verrey, Or and Gules, by the name of Ferrers, and is the Coat of Io. Fer­rers of Walton upon Trent in Derbyshire, Esquire. In Coats of this sort of bearing, in case where it may be holden doubtful whe­ther should have the precedence, the Colour or the Metal; the Metal must have the pre­eminence as the most worthy. The French men, from whom we do borrow our terms of Blazon, do call all sorts of Doublings or Furrs of this form, by the name of Vaire [...] [Page 16] perhaps, Quia ex diversis coloribus alterna­tim variantur. To this sort of bearing, there are no other terms of Blazon allowed. If your Vaire doth consist of Argent and Azure, you must in Blazon thereof, say only, He beareth Vaire; and it sufficeth: but if it be composed of any other Colours, then you must say, He beareth Vaire of these or those Colours. The Latin Blazoners, making men­tion of this sort of bearing, do thus describe them, Portat arma variata ex pellibus al­bis & caeruleis, accounting them for Skins of little Beasts. For that in ancient times they were used for linings of Robes, and Mantles of Senators, Consuls, Emperours and Kings, and therèupon are skilfully termed Doublings. Of this use of them, Alex. ab Alex. Genial. dierum, lib. 5. fol. 285. saith, Legimus Cali­gulam depictas penulas induisse.

Sometimes it was permitted to men grown to years, to use a kind of short Cloak, called Penula, in time of wars, though it were in substance but sleight and thin: For Alexan­der Severus the Emperour, in favour of a­ged men, did grant them a Priviledge for wearing of this kind of Garments: Wolf. La­zius, lib. 8. The Garments of the Tribune of the People, and of the Plebeian Sect, were most commonly this Penula before mention­ed; like as also was Sagum, which was a Souldiers Cloak or Cassock, and Endromis, which was an hairy Garment much like an Irish Mantle and Hood. These were apt Garments for repelling of Cold. These were not Habits beseeming an Emperour, or chief Commander to wear; nevertheless we read that Caligula ware oftentimes Depictas Pe­nulas, Alex. lib. 5. Amongst the rest this is to be observed, That Consuls were habi­ted sometimes in Coat-Armors, called Palu­damenta, and sometimes in Kirtles called Tra­beae, which was a kind of Garment worn by Kings under their Mantles of State. So that they were sometimes said to be Trabeati, and sometimes to be Paludati, according to these several Habits. Also the Lictores were Officers that usually attended these Consuls, and were like unto Sergeants, or Ministers appointed to inflict corporal punishment up­on Offenders, and were most commonly in number Twelve. These also attended the Consul to the wars, invested also with Coat-Armour.

Concerning those Depictae Penulae former­ly mentioned, they are said to have been in use with Emperours of later Ages, that were addicted to wantonness and delicacy, whereof Tranquillus in Caligula, writeth in this manner, Vestitu, calceatuque & caetero habitu, neque patrio, neque anili, ac ne vi­rili quidem, ac denique non humano semper usus est: saepe depictas gemmatasque Penulas indutus. Wolf. Lazius in Comment. Reip. lib. 8. 857. If you observe the proportion of this Vaire, you shall easily discern the very shape of the Case or Skin of little Beasts in them; for so did ancient Governours and Princes of the World (saith Sir Iohn. Ferne in Lac. Nob. pag. 68.) line their pompous Robes with Furr of divers Colours, sewing one Skin to another, after the plainest fashion. There is yet another kind of Furrs much differing from all other the Furrs before expressed, not on­ly in shape, but in name also, as in Ex­ample.

This sort of Furr or Doubling was (as Leigh noteth) of some old He­ralds called Varry Cup­py, and Varry Tassa, which (saith he) is as much to say, as a Furr of Cups; but himself calleth it Meire, for so he reckoneth it well Blazoned, very ancient, and a Spanish Coat. But I hold it better Blazoned, Potent coun­terpotent, for the resemblance it hath of the Heads of Crowches, which Chaucer calleth Potents, Quia potentiam tribuunt infirmis, as appeareth in his Description of Old Age, in the Romant of the Rose.

So much of Furrs consisting of two Colours only: now of such as are composed of more than two Colours, according to the Division before delivered.

Such are these, and their like, viz.

• Ermynites.
• Vaire of many Colours.

This, at the first sight, may seem to be all one with the second Furr, before in this Chapter expressed, but differeth in this, that herein is added one hair of Red on each side of every of these Powderings. And as this differeth little in shape and shew from the second Furr, na­med Ermyn; so doth it not much differ from the same in name, that being called Ermyn, and this Ermynites.

The other Furr that is composed of more than two Colours, is formed of four several Colours at the least, as in Example.

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This differeth much from all the other Furrs, and (according to Leigh) must be bla­zoned Vaire; this is composed of four di­stinct colours, viz. Ar­gent, Gules, Or, and Sable. Here I will note unto you a ge­neral Rule that you must carefully observe, not only in the blazoning of these Furrs, but generally of all Coat-Armours, viz. that you describe them so particularly and plainly, as who so heareth your Blazon, may be able to trick or express the form and true por­traiture thereof, together with the manner of bearing, no less perfectly, than if he had done it by some pattern thereof laid before him.

Although I have here in the Blazon of this kind of Furr, as also in the Table of this first Section put a difference between these three words, Vaire, Verrey, and Var­rey, in ascribing to every one of these a particular property in the Blazon of Furrs differing in Metals and Colours; in which I must confess, I have followed Leigh; yet I do for my own part rather agree with Sir Iohn Ferne, who in the 86. pag. of his Book entituled Lacy's Nobility, writeth, That there is no other blazon allowed to a Doubling or Furr of this nature, than only Vaire, or vari­ated; for which word variated I have ob­served, that our English Blazoners use Ver­rey, from the French Masculine participle, vaire; and Sir Iohn Ferne there further saith, That these differences of terms, Verrey, Var­rey, and Vaire, are meer phantasies of Leigh his Blazon, and newly by him devised, with­out any authority of Writers to inferr the same: And that before Leigh his time, all Authors had called this sort of Furr or Doub­ling, Vaire: And if it be varied, or compo­sed of Argent and Azure, then it is so cal­ed, and no Colours named: but if it consist of any other Colour, then it is blazoned Vaire, of such and such Colours. And I shall here­after in this my present Edition, always blazon a Furr of this nature, of what Me­tal and Colours soever composed, yea, al­though it consist of two Metals and two Colours, Vaire or Verrey, always naming the Metal and Colour, except it consisteth of Argent and Azure: And thus concluding the Chapter of Tinctures, being the first kind of Accidents of Arms, I will now go on to the second sort.

CHAP. V.

HAving hitherto handled the first part of the distribution before delivered touch­ing the Accidents, viz. Tincture: I will now go forward to handle that other member of the same, namely, Differences; shewing first what Differences are; and so proceed in order to the Division of them.

But before I proceed to the definition and division of them, it is not unnecessary to ob­serve, That Arms may be resembled to Arith­metical numbers, for like as in numbers, the addition, or subtraction of an unity, maketh the said number to receive a diverse form from that it hath before; in like manner by the apposition to, or exemption of any one thing from the Coat-Armour, be it either difference, or whatsoever else, the Coat-Armour is not the same, but varieth from that it was before. This variation (occasioned by the addition or exemption of some adventitious thing) ne­vertheless altereth not the substance of the Coat-Armour, but maketh the same to dif­fer in form only from that it was before; for these adventitious Appositions are of the nature of Accidents, whose property is Adesse & abesse sine subjecti corruptione; as I have formerly shewn out of Porphyrius, p. 16.

Differences have no existence of themselves, but are of the quality of Adjectives, which need the ayd and support of some substantive, to be annexed to them, and were devised, for the distinguishing of Coat-Armour, of par­ticular persons, of one and the same family each from other among themselves, accord­ing to that saying of Chass. Differentia sunt quaedam aceidentia per se non existentia, quae inducunt diversitatem separativam, per quam dignoscuntur talia Arma, in quibus sunt inserta, ab armis alterius. But I will proceed to the definition and division of Differences.

Differences are extraordinary additaments, whereby Bearers of the same Coat-Armour are distinguished each from other, and their nearness to the principal Bearer is Demon­strated.

Of Differences some are

• Ancient,
• Modern.

Those I call ancient Differences, that were used in ancient time for the distinguish­ing, not only of one Nation or Tribe from a­nother, but also to note a diversity between particular persons, descended out of one Fa­mily, and from the same Parents. Such are Bordures and Imborduring of all sorts. The Bordures that were annexed unto Coat-Ar­mours, in the beginning were plain, and (in all likelyhood) were of some one of the Co­lours or Meals before spoken of: But after­wards in process of time (by reason of the multiplication of Persons and of Families) [Page 18] men were constrained to devise other sorts of Bordures, to induce a variety, whereby each particular person might be distinctly known, and differenced ab omnibus & singulis ejusdem domus & familiae. Of these there are divers forms, as by these examples follow­ing may appear.

The first devised Bor­dures were born plain, after the manner of this, which is thus blazoned. He beareth Argent, a bordure Gules. Here you shall not need to mention the plainness of the bordure; for when you say a bordure of this or that colour or metal, and no more, then it is always understood to be plain, al­beit the same be not so expressed. But if it have any other form than plain, in such case you must not omit to make express mention of the fashion thereof.

The plain Bordure, used for differing of Coat-Armour, is resembled to those Fimbria's, or Bordures, that Almighty God, by the mouth of his Servant Moses, commanded the Israe­lites to wear about the skirts of their Gar­ments, to put them in mind of their duties touching their observation of his Precepts; In respect that the people were yet rude, and unexercised in obedience, therefore was this Ordinance prescribed unto them; as St. Hierom noteth in these words: Rudi adhuc populo, & hominibus ad obedientiam insuetis, per Moysen imperatur à Domino: ut in sig­num memoriae quod praecepta Domini recor­dentur, per singulas vestimentorum fimbrias habeant cum cocco Hyacinthini coloris Insig­nia, ut etiam casu huc illucque respicienti­bus oculis, mandatorum Coelestium memoria nascatur. Of these Bordures were the Pha­risees reproved by Christ, because they per­verted the use thereof, by wearing them, not for the putting of them in mind of the observation of Gods Precepts, but for a bra­very, and their own vain ostentation, and to the end they would seem more strict and se­vere observers of Gods Precepts, than others were.

The Content of the Bordures (saith Leigh) is the fifth part of the Field. Also it is to be observed, that when the Field and the Circum­ference or Tract about the same, drawn (as in this example) be both of one Metal, Co­lour or Furr, then shall you not term it a Bordure, but you shall say, that he beareth such Metal, Colour or Furr imbordured. Leigh reckoneth this sort of imborduring here spoken of, to be of the number of Dif­ferences of Brethren; but Bartol (saith he) hath committed the distribution thereof to the Heraulds.

Before I proceed to the Compound Bor­dures above specified, I will give some few Examples of other several forms of simple Bordures; (Quia simplicia priora fuerunt compositis) as followeth.

He beareth Sable, a Bordure ingrailed, Ar­gent. This word in­grailed, is derived from the Latin word Ingre­dior, which signifieth to enter, or go in: Quia ista linea ex qua confi­citur Bordura, Campum plus aequo ingrediatur. Or else it is derived of Gradus, which sig­nifieth a step or degree, and thereof it is called a Bordure ingrailed; Quia (as Vpton noteth) ejus color gradatim infertur in Cam­pum Armorum.

The next sort of Bordure that I will note unto you, is a Bordure invecked; and the same is formed as appeareth in this next Escocheon.

This Bordure is form­ed meerly contrary to the last precedent, and is blazoned in this manner. He beareth Or, a Bordure invecked, Gules. As the former doth dilate it self by way of incroaching into the Field, contra­riwise this doth contract it self by inversion of the points into it self; in regard whereof (it seemeth) it receiveth his denomination, and is called Invecked, of the Latin word Inveho, which signifieth, To carry in: Qv [...]a ipsa linea gibbosa, in borduram plus aequo invehatur.

This Bordure differ­eth in form from both the other, and is thus blazoned; he beareth Gules, a Bordure indent­ed, Argent. Mr. Wyrly, in his Book intituled, The true use of Arms, treating of the honour­able life, and languish­ing death of Sir Iohn de Gralhye, Capitol de Buz, and one of the Knights elected at the first foundation of the Garter, by that victo­rious King Edward the Third, doth there­in make mention of one Sir Perducas Dal­breth, to whom this Coat-Armour did pro­perly appertain, and describeth the same in this manner.

This Bordure is said to be indented, because it seemeth to be composed (as it were) of Teeth, whereof the same hath a resemblance as well in property as in form: For Teeth (especially those of Beasts of ravenous kind, or of prey) have that part of their Teeth next to their Gums, broad and strong, and their points sharp, after the manner above specified; and they are called in Latin, Den­tes a demendo (as Isidorus noteth) which signifieth to take away or diminish, Quia a­liquid de cibis semper demunt. In the same manner also do every of these Indentings, entring into the Field, lessen and take away some part of them as they go.

Note that all sorts of Bordures are subject to charging with things, as well Artificial, as Natural; as by examples following, in part shall appear; wherein I purpose not to be curious, either in their number, or yet in their order; but as they shall come to hand, so will I set them down in their proper places.

Hitherto of Bordures simple. Now of such as are compounded, as followeth:

He beareth Azure, a Bordure counter-com­poned, Or, and Gules; which is as much to say, as compounded of these two Colours coun­terly placed. Note that Counter-compony consisteth evermore of two Tracts only, and no more. Note further, that the manner of dif­ferencing of Coat-Armours by Bordures is ve­ry ancient; but if you respect their particu­lar forms and charge, they are not so.

He beareth Gules, a Bordure purslew, Verrey. Note here, that this term Purflew, is com­mon to all the Furrs be­fore handled, so often as they are used in Bor­dures. Therefore when­soever you shall find a Bordure of any of these several kinds, you must (for the more cer­tainty of the Blazon) express by name of what sort of Furrs the same is, if the [...] be a peculiar name appropriate thereunto. O­therwise, if it be one of those kinds that have no certain name, whereby it may be distinct­ly known from the rest; or if it be so, that the Bordure be composed of some such of the Furrs, as do comprehend under one name, divers and distinct Colours, then must you of necessity particularly name the Colours whereof every such Bordure is so composed, except it consisteth of Argent and Azure, as this doth, and then it sufficeth to call it only Verrey, as in this Example I have done.

He beareth Gules, a Bordure checkie, Or, and Azure. Albeit this hath a near resem­blance of Counter-com­pony before handled, yet it is not the same, for that never exceed­ed two Tracts or Panes, and this is never less than of three: Therefore you must take spe­cial heed to the number of the Tracts in Blazon, else may you easily err in mistaking the one for the other. And this Rule hold­eth not alone in Bordures, but also in Bends, Fesses, Barrs, &c. born after those manners.

He beareth Vaire, a Bordure Gules, charged with eight cross Cros­lets, Argent, by the name of Molesworth; and is born of Hender Molesworth of Spring-Garden in the Parish of St. Katherines in the Island of Iamaica, Esq one of his Majesties Council in the said Isle; second Son of He [...] ­der Molesworth of Pencarrow in Cornwall, Esq. who was lineally discended from Sir Wal­ter de Molesworth of Northamptonshire, who flourished in Martial Prowess in the days of King Edward the First, and went with him to the Holy War.

Sometimes you shall find the Bordures charged with things living, as in these Ex­amples.

The Field is Argent, a Bordure Azure, charg­ed with Enaluron of Martlets, to the number of eight, Or. In your blazoning of Bordures of this kind of bearing, you must mention what sort of Fowl or Bird your Bordure is charg­ed withal; for that this term serveth gene­rally for all kinds of Bordures charged with things of this kind.

A like Bordure doth Iasper Earl of Pem­broke bear, that was half-brother to King Henry the Sixth, and was created Duke of [Page 20] Bedford, by that most prudent Prince, King Henry the Seventh.

He beareth Azure, a Bordure Gules, charged with eight Lioncels pas­sant, Or. Such a Bor­dure is set forth for Hamlyne Plantagenet, that was Base-brother to King Henry the Se­cond. This term Enur­ny is proper to all Bor­dures charged with any Beasts, whose kinds must be specially observed, and expressed in Blazon, for the more certainty thereof.

Sometimes you shall find two of these sorts of Bordures before handled, commixt in one, as in these next Examples following.

He beareth Argent, a Bordure quarterly, as followeth: The first Gules, Enurny of three Lioncels passant gard­ant, Or. The second, Azure, Verdoy, of as many Flowers de Lis, Or. The third as the second: The fourth as the first. Such a Bordure did Henry Court­ney, Earl of Devon, and Marquess of Exeter, bear, (who lived in the time of King Henry the Eighth) environing the Royal Arms of England, which he received as an augmen­tation of Honour. And this Coat-Armour may also be thus shortly blazoned, Argent, a Bordure quarterly England and France.

He beareth Gules, a Bordure, quarterly com­posed of Purflew, Er­myn, and Counter­compony, Or and A­zure. Such a Bordure did Henry Fitz-Roy bear, who was Duke of Richmond and Somer­set, as also Earl of Not­tingham. He was base Son unto King Henry the Eighth. Sometimes you shall find Bor­dures charged with Leaves or Flowers, and o­ther Vegetables, as in Example:

He beareth Sable, a Bordure, Or, charged with Verdoy of Tre­foils, slipped to the number of eight pro­per. Note that this term Verdoy is appropriated to all Bordures charg­ed with Leaves, Flow­ers, Fruits, and other the like Vegetables [...] Wherefore to make your blazon more certain, it behoveth that you should expresly mention what kind of Vege­table the Bordure is charged withal.

Otherwhiles you shall have Bordures charg­ed with other sorts of things inanimate, or without life, as in this next example.

He beareth Or, a Bordure Sable, charged with Entoyre of eight Besants. Such a Bor­dure did Richard Plan­tagenet, King of the Ro­mans, and Earl of Corn­wall bear, that was Son unto King Iohn, and Brother to King Henry the Third. Note, that this term Entoyre is proper to all Bordures charged with dead things. Therefore you must name what kind of Entoyre the Bordure is charged with, whe­ther with Roundles, Crescents, Mullets, An­nulets, or whatsoever other dead thing. A Besaunt, or (as some call them) a Talent, is taken for a Massive Plate or Bullion of Gold, containing (according to Leigh) of Troy weight, 104 l. and 2 Ounces, and is in value 3750 l. sterling, and had for the most part no similitude or representation upon it (as some hold) but only fashioned round and smooth, as if it were fitted and prepared to receive some kind of stamp. But others are of Opi­nion that they were stamped, and that they were called Bezants (or rather Bizants) of Byzantium, the place where they were an­ciently coyned. Note, that whensoever you shall find any Bezants or Talents born in Arms, you shall not need to make mention of their colour in blazoning of them, because they be evermore understood to be Gold.

Sometimes you shall find Bordures gobo­nated of two Colours, as in this next Exam­ple.

He beareth Ermyn, a Bordure gobonated, Or and Sable: And such a bearing is so termed, because it is divided in such forts, as if it were cut into small Gobbets.

As this Bordure is gobonated, so shall you find Bordures, either Bendy, or Bendwaies, or charged with Bends, as in this next Escocheon in part may appear.

[Page 21]

He beareth Gules, a Bordure Sable, charged with three Bends, Ar­gent. I give it this blazon in respect that the Sable doth surmount the Argent, and stand­eth (as it were) in stead of a Field: but if they both were of even pieces, then should I have termed it a Bor­dure Bendee, or Bend-ways, of so many pie­ces Argent and Sable, or Sable and Argent, as it should happen.

There resteth yet one Example more of Bordurings, which I have here placed, to the end the same may serve in stead of ma­ny particular demonstrations, otherwise re­quisite for the full understanding of the ma­nifold several sorts of Diapering that may be u­sed in Bordures, as in Example;

He beareth Argent, a Bordure Gules, diaper­ed, Entoyre, Enurny, Enaluron, Verdoy, &c. Note, that you may have Diaper of any two, three, or more of these, or any other their like, in one Bor­dure, and that not on­ly Bordures, but also Fields of Coat-Armours, are found diapered. That Field or Bordure is properly said to be diapered, which being fretted all over, hath something quick or dead, appearing within the Frets. And albeit things having life and sense, or their parts, may be born diapered: Yet Plants, Fruits, Leaves, Flowers, and other Vegetables, are (in the Opinion of some Armorists) judged to be more fit for such kind of bearing.

This kind of bearing Diaper in Coat-Ar­mour is sometimes seen in Coats of France and Belgia, but very rare or never in Eng­land, as Sir Iohn Ferne noteth. Diaper (saith he) is known of every man to be a fantastical work of knots, within which are wrought the signs or forms of things, either quick or dead, according to the invention of the Work-master, as is well known in Ipres, Bruges, and some Cities of Heynault. In the blazon of such Coats you must first name the Colour or Metal of the Field.

As touching their first several Charges impo­sed upon these Bordures aforehandled, I should not (I acknowledge) have made mention of them at all in this place (the order of my Method respected) sed propter necessitatem nonnunquam recedendum est à regulis. But the occasion offered to treat of the differences of Bordures in this place, enforced me to make untimely mention of those Charges, to the in­tent I might yield some satisfaction to the Reader touching these variable forms, which I could no way better perform than by demon­strative Examples: Exempla enim ponimus, ut sentiant addiscentes.

Notwithstanding, that I take here only mentioned a Bordure and Imborduring, for ancient Differences, yet I do not thereupon conclude, that Antiquity was not acquainted with any other than these: but the Reason, that I do not particularly here discourse at large of those other ancient Differences, is, because the use of divers of them now, as Differences, is antiquated; and some of them are now used, as Ordinaries, or some other Charge of the Field, which I shall afterward handle, but not here, because it sutes not with my intended Method; others of those ancient ones are still in use, as Differences, but to demonstrate some other younger Brother than anciently they did, and therefore now termed modern, by changing of their first use. Let it therefore suffice only to name some of those first sort here mentioned, as Orles, Cotizes, Bends, &c. Which how they then were disposed of, in the Terminal, Col­lateral, and Fixal Coat-Armours, I refer you to Sir Iohn Ferne and others, who have writ plentifully of them. In those elder times al­so, the variation of Metal or Colour, Trans­position of Charge, yea, sometime change of the Charge, or of part of the Charge, were used for distinctions of Families, as you may observe in divers Authors, and in the Coat-Armours of younger branches of many ancient Families.

CHAP. VI.

HItherto of the ancient manner of differ­encing Coat-Armours: Next, such as we call modern Differences, come in order to be handled. I call those modern Differences that are of a latter institution, and put in use sithence the invention of Bordures. Such are these that follow, and their like, viz. the File, Crescent, Mullet, Martlet, An­nulet, Flower de lis, &c.

What these Files are, I cannot certainly a­vouch, because I find that divers Authors, and those very Judicial in matters of this kind, do diversly judge of them, according to their several conceits. Vpton, a man much commended for his skill in blazon, and of some Armorists supposed to have been the first that made observation of their use (but they are therein much deceived, for that such use was made of them many Ages be­fore Vptons time) calleth them Points, such as men usually fasten their Garments withal, [Page 22] and saith, they may be born either even or odd, to the number of Nine. Budaeus, an ancient Writer, affirmeth them to be Tongs, and that they may be born but odd. Al­ciatus in his Parergon nameth them Plaitez or Plaits of Garments. Bartolus calleth them Candles. Some other Authors call them Files, and others Lambeaux or Labels. In this so great uncertainty, I forbear to determine a­ny thing, seeing those so Learned cannot certainly resolve among themselves what they are. Only concerning their divers manner of bearing, these Examples following will give light: wherein I will begin with their single bearing, and so I will proceed to their Compound use.

The Field is Argent, a File, with one Label, Gules. This form of bearing is found in the Chappel of the Castle of Camphire, alias Tre­voir, in Zealand. Such is the dignity of the File, as that the He­raulds in their sound discretion, have caused many poor decayed Gentlemen, and Persons newly risen, to lay aside the bearing thereof, because of the dig­nity of the same, being such, as the Son of an Emperor cannot bear a difference of higher esteem, during the Life of his Fa­ther.

Vpton saith, that Files are not born for Arms, but for differences of Arms: Tales lingulae sive labellae (saith he) non dicuntur proprie signa, sed differentiae signorum. Ne­vertheless in practise it falls out otherwise, as in this Coat here expressed, and others following may be seen. For we find that Labels are born both single and manifold, without any other manner of Charge; so that it is clear that they are born sometimes for Arms, and not always for differences of Arms, as by the second Escocheon following more plainly appeareth.

He beareth Azure, a File of three Lambeaux, Argent. This (saith Leigh) is the first of the nine Differences of Brethren, and serveth for the Heir or eldest Son, the Father living. Honorius saith, That one of the Labels be­tokeneth his Father, the other his Mother, and the middlemost signifieth himself.

He beareth Argent, a File of five points, or Lambeaux, Azure. This seemeth to me a per­fect Coat of it self, for I find the same ancient­ly set up in a Glass­window in the Church of Estington in the County of Gloucester, and is born by the name of Henlington. Whence may appear that this File is born as a Charge sometimes, and not for a difference of Coat-Armour always. The File of five Lambeaux, saith Leigh, is the Difference of the Heir whilst the Grandfather liveth; but his Grandfather being deceased, then he leav­eth this, and taketh that of three, which was his Fathers difference. But herein his Rule faileth; for that they have been anciently born with five points for the difference of the eldest Son, in the time of King Edward the First, as appeareth by divers Seals, and other good authentick proofs of Antiquity.

Note, That as the Bordures before men­tioned, so also these Files are oftentimes charged with things, as well quick as dead, whereof I will give you some few Examples in these next Escocheons.

He beareth Argent, a File of three Lambeaux, Azure, each charged with as many Flowers de lis, Or. Such a File did Henry the Fourth, Duke of Lancaster bear, (over the Arms of Eng­land) who was Son to Henry Earl of Lanca­ster, whose Father was Edmund, surnamed Crookback, that was first Earl of Lancaster, and Son to King Henry the Third.

He beareth Azure, a File of three Lambeaux, Argent, each charged on the dexter side of the foot thereof with a Canton, Gules. A like File did Lionel Plantagenet bear (who was third Son unto King Edward the Third) over the Arms of France and Eng­land; saving that those Cantons were pla­ced in the highest part of his Labels afore­said.

The Label of the Heir apparent (saith Wyrly) is seldom transferred unto the second Brother, but when the Inheritance goeth to the Daughters of the eldest Brother. In [Page 23] which case, it was permitted unto him, to bear the File as Heir-male of his Family, and as one that remained in expectancy of the Inheritance, if the Issue of his Neeces should fail. Note, that the second Brother might not intrude himself into the absolute Signs of his Family, the Inheritance being in his Neeces or Kinswomen. Hugh de Ha­stings being a second Brother, and his Poste­rity did bear a Label for their difference up­on the like occasion, and for the reasons here mentioned.

The Field is Vert, a File of three points parted perpale, Gules and Argent, on the first six Towers, Or; and the second as ma­ny Lionceaux rampant, Purpure. Such a File was born by Edward Plantagenet, Son and Heir to Edmund of Langly, Duke of York, which Edward lived in the time of King Richard the Second, by whom he was crea­ted Duke of Aubemerle, and was slain in the Battel of Agincourt in the time of King Henry the Fifth.

He beareth Argent, a File of three Lam­beaux, Gules, each charged with as many Towers, Or. Such a File did Robert d' Ar­tois bear, who guided K. Edward the Third in all his wars against the French. This Ro­bert was a Frenchman, and was thought to have been the first that moved King Edward the Third to make his challenge to the Crown of France. Many more Examples might be given of the divers manners of bearing and charging of Files, but these here expressed may suffice to inform the Reader that they are no less subject to Charges than the Bordures before expressed: as also to move him to take a more strict observation of them, as they shall come to hand.

Forasmuch as it hath been anciently que­stioned (and for ought that I could ever see, resteth as yet undecided) by Bartholus, Bu­daeus, and other Judicious persons of their times, Whether Files or Labels should be born with even points, or odd? some holding that they could not be born but odd, others maintaining they might be used indifferent­ly as well even as odd. In my former Im­pression I followed the stronger Opinion, and in all the precedent Examples have produ­ced patterns of unequal points. Neverthe­less, not so resting satisfied, I have sithence endeavoured to examine their use (the faith­fullest Interpreter of things doubtful) to which end I took occasion to peruse certain Mis­cellanean notes of Seals, which I had ga­thered long ago: by which Seales it appear­ed they had been anciently used to be born as well even as odd; whereupon (out of my desire to clear all doubts, and to make e­very thing as perspicuous and manifold as I could) I resolved to cut such Seals as came to my hands, for the better approbation of this my assertion, and content of the Read­er; and withal to set them down according to order of even bearing, viz. two, four, six, &c. before I would conclude this Chapter of Files. As in Example:

Sigillum hoc appendet Chartae cujusdam Ioh. ap Howell de Monnemoth fact. Christianae Ball. con­tinenti quoddam escambi­um unius Curtilagii, in vico vocato Mowkentstreet, &c. Dat. Anno Regni Re­gis Edward. III. 32.

This piece of Evidence resteth amongst the Writings or Deeds of George Thorpe of Wanneswell, Esquire, and one of his Maje­sties Gentlemen Pensioners, whose residence is in the Parish of Barkley in the County of Gloucester.

An Example of a File with four points fol­loweth in this next Escocheon.

He beareth Argent, two Cheverous, Gules, on a quarter of the se­cond, a File of four points of the first. This Coat was, amongst o­thers, taken out of an old Mass-book at Gos­worth in the County of Chester, wherein they were found, fair limmed, many years ago; as appeareth by a Book of Visitation of that Shire, remaining in my own hands extant to be seen: which Visitation was made by Wil­liam Flower, alias Norroy, King of Arms of the North part beyond the River of Trent, who was associated and accompanied therein with Robert Glover, Somerset Herauld, his Marshal, Anno Dom. 1580.

This Coat might have been more aptly placed hereafter in the second Section, a­mongst Ordinaries of divers kinds, born one upon another; but that I desire to place all my Labels of even points together without interruption, though I digressed somewhat therein by giving way to necessity, albeit with breach of Rule and Order; Nonnun­quam enim propter excellentiam seu neces­sitatem receditur à Regulis. This form of [Page 24] bearing of Files with four points, is also warranted by Rolls of great Antiquity; as appeareth by the Coat of Sir Thomas Ley­bourne, that bare Azure, six Lionceaux Ram­pant, Or, a File of four points, Gules, which I do here pass over, as well for brevity, as for impertinency thereof to this place, in respect of the Lions, the principal charge there­of. Note here a strange bearing of a File.

This Seal was affixed unto a certain Deed of one William de Curli, as appeareth by a Trans­cript thereof in my Book of Seals, the effect where­of is brief, as followeth in these words.

Will. de C. fil. Will. de Curli, &c. pro Salute Antecess. &c. terr. in Ter­ritorio de Langle, 20 Henr. 3. Teste Hug. le Poer. Vicecom. Warwick. He [...]r. de Napford, Roberto de Clopton milit.

This Example serveth to confirm my form­er assertion, That Files are not only born for differences, but sometimes for the only charge of the Coat-Armour, as appeareth by the Coat of Henlington, whereof I have gi­ven Example elsewhere: And herein we may observe a rare form of position thereof in bend Sinister.

I have also seen a like File of three points born dexterways in Bend for the only Charge of the Field, as in this E­scocheon, which may receive this blazon, He beareth Argent, a File of three points in bend, Sable. This Coat-Ar­mour belonged to one Morien an Alien born, buried in St. Maries Church in Oxford.

For the shunning of multiplicity of Exam­ples, I will give an instance of a Coat-Ar­mour, comprehending both sorts of Files, viz. even and odd points, which for that it is sim­ple, and unmixt with any ordinary or common Charge, may serve in stead of all: As in Ex­ample.

The Field is Or, three Files born bar-wayes, Gules; the first having five points, the second four, the last triple pointed: Here I am constrained to say Tri­ple pointed, lest by the iteration of the word Three, I should break the Rule given, pag. 9. This is, as I take it, a Dutch Coat, born by the name of Laskirke, quasi lis Ecclesiae.

Now if any man will demand of me, why I do spend my oyl and travel in things of so small moment? To such I answer, that so long as I travel to find out the truth, I rec­kon my travel well bestowed, though the matter be of never so small importance, Suave enim est in minimis etiam vera scire.

There is yet another form of bearing of Files, diverse from these before mentioned, which albeit the same be not in use with us, but seemeth to be a National Custome peculi­ar to the Kingdom of France: Nevertheless, sithence I have undertaken to treat amongst things of the use of blazoning of Coat-Ar­mour, I would not willingly omit any form of bearing, or other remarkable thing, that might make either my self or the Reader more expert in the use of Blazon. This form of bearing Files, which I will now shew you, is not distant some little space from the up­per part of the Chief (after the most usual fashi­on) but groweth immediately out of the Chief it self.

The Field is Azure, a File issuing out of the Chief, without any in­termission at all, and is thus blazoned in French, Il port d' Azure, un file de Gules, movant du Chief. These Armori­al differences are in France observed upon the Robes of Honourable persons issued out of Princely Families amongst themselves; such Robes (I mean) as are given them, either at the Marriages or Funerals of Kings and Queens. As for Example; It hath been noted that the Lambeaux, Gules, upon the Mantles of Orleance, have been adorned with Flowers de lis. The Lambeaux of Artois with Castles, Or. Those of Anjou moving out of the Chief, only Gules.

In like sort divers other Noble Houses of France, viz. of Valois, of Berry, and of A­lencon, have Bordures either plain or engrail­ed, or charged with Besants, those of Eve­reux Bastons, Or, and Argent, and they of Bourbon Bastons, Gules.

Here may rise a Question not unworthy our observation, viz. Whether like as the eldest Brother is preferred before the second, so the Son of the Eldest Brother shall in like sort be preferred, or take place before his Uncle? And this hath been holden a great and difficult Question a long season; until at length, Otho the Emperour of Germany, be­ing at Trevere with his Barons, this matter was there questioned, he ordained that the cause should be decided by Combat, where­in the Nephew hardly obtained the Victory; [Page 25] because it was deemed to have proceeded by the secret Judgment of God, it was decreed that from thenceforth the Nephew should be preferred before the Uncle. Of this mind are Nich. Boerius, Lucas de Penna, and Iohn de Montolero, that the Nephew should take place.

The like Question hath risen in France between the Second Daughter, and the Son of the Eldest Sister, as well in Avignon, a City of Narbone in France, as in other parts thereof, which remained long undetermined. At length it was finally adjudged in the Court of Parliament (holden at Paris) for the Ne­phews, for whom also it was likewise decreed in the City of Avignon.

If any man shall demand of me, How it cometh to pass that the Diminutions or Dif­ferences of Arms beforementioned, are so di­versly born, not only in forraign Countries, but also in one self Nation? Or why there is not one set form observed in the use of them with all Nations? I answer, That it is not possible, because of the infinite actions of men, which are no less infinitely subject to mutability, and therefore can by no means be reduced to a Set-form of bearing universal­ly, according to that saying of an uncertain Author, Res sunt infinitae, infiniteque muta­biles, idcircò praecepto generali comprehendi non possunt.

Besides these Di [...]rences beforementioned, other sorts of Modern Differences were de­vised for the distinguishing of Brethren and Persons issued out of one Family, which for the reach they extend unto, do more mani­festly express, (and as it were) point out with the finger, how far their several bear­ers are distant in degree from their Original Ancestors; as also, how each of them stand­eth in Degree one to another among them­selves, as by the Examples ensuing may ap­pear.

[Page 26]To these single Differences, expressed in the first of these Ranks, doth Gerard Leigh add three other, to make up the number of Nine; which number he laboured much to make compleat throughout all his Book. The form of which three are these: viz. the Rose, the Cross Molin, and the Double Caterfoil.

It hath been evermore one Observation with Nations in bearing of Arms, that as e­very particular Family (saith Sir Iohn Ferne) did bear Arms, different in substance from those of other Families, so those that are descended of the self same Bloud, should like­wise bear the Arms of that House and Fa­mily whereof they are descended, in a dif­ferent manner each from other (not in Sub­stance but in Accidents) for the distinguish­ing of their Line of Agnation. And the ap­position of these Differences, albeit they seem to make some alteration in the Coat-Armours whereunto they are annexed, yet is the same but meerly Accidental, the Substance still re­maining as it was before; the Nature of these Appositions being such as is of all other Ac­cidents, Vt possint abesse, & adesse sine sub­jecti interitu.

And these Differences annexed to Coat-Armours are of some Authors termed (and that not improperly) Diminutiones Armo­rum, in respect they do derogate from the Dignity of the Arms whereto they are ad­ded, as expresly manifesting them to be of less esteem than those from which they are derived: Multiplicitas enim individuorum, in eadem specie diminutionem arguit. But doubtless, the conceit of Apposition of these Differences to Coat-Armours was grounded upon the necessity (the common Parent of all Inventions) as well that thereby all con­fused bearing of Arms might be avoided; as also that the Prerogative of the Eldest Son should be preserved inviolable. And for this cause hath the Eldest of every Noble and Generous Family, his peculiar manner of sole and plain bearing, which he will in no case permit any other man to use, though he be of the same Family and Surname, but with addition of some kind of Difference, because the sole bearing of Arms pertaineth only to the first begotten: In primogenito enim (saith Lyra) tanquam in capite stat, & remanet splen­dor geniturae.

As touching the Dignity of the Firstbe­gotten, Tremellius in his Annotations upon the 49th of Genesis, maketh mention of two chief Prerogatives due unto Re [...]ben, had he not defiled his Fathers Bed; the one of Ho­nour, whereby he had his Brethren in Sub­jection unto him; the other of Strength, by reason of his double portion of Inheritance.

And Chassanaeus saith, Ea quae acquiruntur Primogenito, acquiruntur titulo universali, item acquiruntur ut constituto in dignitate. For these respects the Arms of the Family ought to remain entire to the Eldest, be­cause the second, third, and fourth begotten Sons cannot arrogate to themselves any such Prerogative, and therefore may not bear their Coat but with Difference.

Furthermore, these Differences here spo­ken of, are of some Authors called Doctrinae Armorum; and that very aptly, in regard that by the apposition of them to Coat-Ar­mours, our understanding (upon sight of them) is informed from what Line of Consanguini­ty the Bearer of such Difference doth abstract himself, whether from the Line Ascending, Descending, or Collateral; as also in what Degree he standeth; as, whether he be the second, third, or fourth begotten Child of such a Parent. And such apposition in no less lawful, than is the addition of Names of Baptisme unto the Surname of the Family: Sicut enim nomina inventa sunt ad cognoscen­dos homines, ita arma vel insignia ad fa­milias & personas distinguendas singula­tim.

There is yet a further use of these Dif­ferences, in that they serve to prevent and avoid Dissentions, Debates, Challenges, Com­bats, and Slaughters. For as to all Brethren there is but one Surname allowed; yet for Difference, that one of them may be dis­cerned from another, there is added unto each Brother a Praenomen, or Name of Bap­tism; so is it necessary, that since the Coat-Armour of the Ancestor is competible to all the Children (as the Mark of the Family whereof they are descended, that a Differ­ence should be added to the Coat-Armour of every Brother, to mark and limit out to all mens sight the diversity of their Birth and Line whereupon they depend, that so all occasion of Challenge may be prevented, when each man knoweth not only his place of precedence, but also his nearness and place of title to the Inheritance.

Whereas I have formerly, among the Ex­amples of Bordures, used demonstrations of Differences in the Blood Royal, of some of the younger Sons of Kings, I hold it fit, be­fore I conclude this Tract of Differences, to give a little touch of the necessity why these [Page 27] should be more eminent than those of ordi­nary use, with Persons of inferiour Estate. First, in regard that if the Coat-Armour of others should have too near a conformity and resemblance with the Soveraign Ensigns, the Vulgar sort perhaps might (in some cases or pretences) be seduced to follow such a one as were not their King, to the great distur­bance of the State, and no less peril to the Person of their lawful Soveraign. And not only is it so in Coats pertaining to the Blood Royal, but also in other inferiour Callings: For in ancient time (saith Wyrly) when men could not sufficiently distinguish their Coat-Armours by changing their Devices into o­ther Colours, for the Number of Leaders, that many times were of one House or Fa­mily; then were they forced to very their Marks by the said Additions. And very sel­dom should you see in those times, Cres­cents, Mollets, of such small things born for a Difference: or if any such were, they were made so large; that they might easily be discerned by the distance of forty foot. Fur­thermore, the Soveraign Estate and Dignity being compared with the quality of any Sub­ject, the Difference will be found so great between them, and the one so far surmount­ing the other of them, as that Reason it self willeth that so great a Difference should be put between the Royal Ensigns and the Arms of a Subject, as there is between their E­states and Degrees, since those Ensigns are the Marks of their worthiness and esteem.

For these and other respects, it hath been, and yet still is in use, that in Addition of Dif­ferences to the Arms of Kings younger Chil­dren, the skilful Heralds have given some of the Honourable Ordinaries, for more appa­rent Distinctions, as a Fess, Chief, Bend, Pile, Bordure, and such like, as we may ma­nifestly see in divers ancient Coats born by such Noble Personages as have descended from the Collateral Lines of the Kings of Eng­land, France, Scotland, &c.

Concerning those Modern Differences be­fore expressed in the form of Six Ranks, p. 25. viz. Crescents, Mollets, Martlets, &c. not­withstanding their institution was ingenious, yet hath tract of time discovered their use to be dangerous, especially in Martial Affairs, by reason of their darkness and unapparent forms, occasioned by imposition of one Dif­ference upon another; the peril whereof hath not a little extenuated their estimation. Ne­vertheless, their invention is not therefore to be condemned, inasmuch as the Events have not fallen out answerable to the intention of their first Deviser: Neither can it be there­fore justly said to be done without ground of Reason, as a certain Author noteth: Si fi­ [...] in intellect [...] operantis sit rationabilis, e­tiamsi non sequatur quod intenditur, non id­circo dicitur irrationabiliter operari.

Here it is to be observed, that Differences do in no ways appertain unto Sisters, for that they are reputed to be separated and divided from the Family whereof they are descended, inasmuch as when they are once married, they do lose their own Surname, and do receive their denomination from the Family whereof their Husbands are descend­ed. And so much doth the word Soror no­tifie unto us, as Sosinus saith: Soror est quasi seorsim nata, & à familia separata.

To Daughters it is permitted to bear the Arms of their Father, even as the Elder Bro­ther doth after his Fathers decease, without any scandal or challenge of their Elder Bro­ther; for that to Daughters never were any Differences allowed, and that for three cau­ses: First, Because their Coats are never, or very seldom advanced in the Field, foras­much as to that Sex War is reputed odious. Secondly, For that the Coat-Armour is no longer born by them than during their life, for the same extendeth not to their Issue. Lastly, Because so long as Issue continueth of any of the Brethrens Lines, they are de­barred from the Inheritance. Yet in some [...]ases they shall bear the Coat-Armour to them and their Heirs; as in Example, If all the Issue of the Brethren happen to become extinct, then the Daughters shall Inherit the Land of their Ancestor? In which case, they may therewithal assume his Coat-Armour, and bear the same by themselves and their Heirs for ever. But betwixt [...] Sisters be allowed no Differences of Ba [...]es of Pede­grees: the Reason whereof is, for that since by them the Name of the House cannot be preserved; therefore they are admitted to the Inheritance equally: and are adjudged but one Heir to all intents and purposes, in Laws as well Martial as Civil, without any eminent Prerogative either of Honour or Possession, betwixt Elder and Young­er.

CHAP. VII.

SO much of the Accidents of Arms, viz. Tincture and Differences, comprehend­ed in the first part of our premised distri­bution.

Now of the second Member thereof, viz. Parts of Arms.

The parts of Arms are,

The

• Escocheon.
• Ornaments without the Escocheon.

An Escocheon is the form or representa­tion of a Shield of what kind soever, and is [Page 28] so called of the Latin word Scutum; which hath the same signification: whence also an Esquire, or Page, takes his name of Scutiger, signifying primarily a Target-bearer. And the Target is not unaptly deduced from the Latin word Tergus, a Beasts hide, whereof at first Shields were made: whereupon Pliny saith, Tergus ad scuta galeasque impeuetra­bile, An impenetrable hide fit to make a Shield. And the Poet Statius,

Whence Virgil calls Ajax his Buckler, Septemplex, for the sevenfold doublings of Leather: As elsewhere he describes a Target, ‘—duo taurea terga:’ —made of two Ox hides. But the clearest Star of our Profession, Mr. Clarenceaux takes it from the British word Tarjan, and that from the French Thireos, which Pausanias saith, is the Buckler in use amongst the old Gaules. If any here should ask me, Why then Es­cocheons-should be used in Heraldry, since o­ther men are invested with Ensigns of Ho­nour, besides Martial men? I answer them, that as to Military men that token is proper for reward of that kind of Service; so if o­thers by their Vertues, Arts, or Actions, ad­vance either the honour or the welfare of their Country, their service is as be [...]oveful as the othe [...] and themselves as Defenders of Preservers of their Countries Peace and Happiness (as I have formerly shewed) deserve likewise the reward of the Escocheon, be­ing the Hieroglyphick or Emblem of De­fence and Preserving. In which respect that good Prophet Elijah was called The Chariots and Horsemen of Israel. And by the Civil Law (Imp. in L. Advoc. C. de Advoc.) an Ad­vocate is said to be Miles, a Martial man, and to have the same Prerogatives, in that they do civium vitam & patrimonium de­fendere, defend the Life and Livelyhood of the Subjects. Touching the divers forms of Shields, I will not here speak; every Coun­try almost having their divers makings: amongst which, the smallest were in use a­mongst our old Britains, as being most man­ageable; and the greatest amongst the Ro­mans and Grecians, as may appear by Alex­ander, who being to pass a River, used his Shield for his Boat, and his Spear for his Ru­ther to guide himself over. And it was e­ver held more dishonourable for a man to lose his Buckler than his Sword in Field, be­cause it is more praise-worthy to defend a Friend than to hurt a Foe, as a Noble Ge­neral once said: Mallem unum Civem, &c. I had rather save one good Subject, than kill an hun­dred Enemies.

The Accidents in this Escoche­on are

• Points.
• Abatements.

Points are certain places in an Escocheon diversly named, according to their several Po­sitions.

Whereof some are

• Middle.
• Remote.

The Middle Points are those that have their location in, or near to the Center of the Escocheon.

Such are these, viz. the

• Honour
• Fess
• Nombril

Points.

The Fess Point is the exact Center of the Escocheon. The Honour Point is the next a­bove the same in a direct Line. The Nom­bril is next underneath the Fess Point, an­swering in a like distance from the Fess Point, as Gerard Leigh hath set them down.

Remote Points are those that have their si­tuation naturally in places further distant from the Center of the Escocheon.

Of these there are

• Superior.
• Inferior.

The Superior Remote Points are those that have their being in the upper part of the Esco­cheon.

Of these there are

• Middle.
• Extremes.

The Superior Middle Point doth occupy the precise midst of the Chief, between the two Extremes. The two Superior extreme Points do possess the corners of the chief part of the Escocheon.

And are termed

• Dexter.
• Sinister.

The Superior Dexter Point hath his begin­ning near unto the right corner of the Es­cocheon, in the Chief thereof. The Supe­rior Sinister Point is placed near the left An­gle of the Chief, in opposition to the Dex­ter Chief; whereunto, as also to the Middle Chief Point, it answereth in a direct Line.

The Inferior Points do occupy the Base of the Escocheon, and thereof have their deno­mination, and are called Inferior, because they are seated in the lower parts there­of.

Of these also there are both

• Middle.
• Remote.

Note, that each of these do answer in op­position unto the several Superior Chief Points above mentioned, in a direct Line, insomuch as by them the Location of these might be easily conceived without any further Descrip­tion of them, Quia posito uno contrariorum, po­nitur & alterum. Nevertheless, because those things that are delivered dividedly, are best [Page 29] conceived and understood, I will particularize these as I have done the former, beginning with the Middle Point.

The Middle Base Point doth occupy the exact midst of the Base of the Escocheon, and answereth perpendicularly to the Middle Superior and Inferior Points. And in like sort do both the Inferior Base Extremes an­swer in an Equi-distant proportion to the Ex­tremes of the Superior Points placed in the corner of the Escoche­on. That Extreme Base Point on the right hand is named the Dex­ter Base Point; and that on the left hand is the Sinister Base. And for the better explana­tion of that which hath been here delivered touching the Points of an Escocheon, I have here (because Examples add light) expres­sed the same by manifest Demonstrations, placing several Letters upon every of the said Points, according to the Description before-mentioned. As there is a preheminence in the priority of nomination of things, so is there also in their local distribution: where­fore you must have respect unto the Points of an Escocheon, for therein also consisteth a Dignity, inasmuch as one Point or Place of the Escocheon, is more worthy than an­other, whereunto you must have regard in Blazoning, Quia à dignioribus semper est in­cipiendum. What those Points of an Esco­cheon are, appeareth in the last precedent Escocheon, and here made more manifest, as in Example.

The knowledge of these Points is very requisite, in respect, that when divers of these Points are occupied with sundry things of different kinds (as oftentimes it falleth out in some Escocheons) you may be able thereby to assign unto each Point his apt and peculiar Name, according to the Dignity of his place. For no man can perfectly Blazon any such Coat, unless he doth rightly under­stand the particular Points of the Escocheon.

CHAP. VIII.

WE come now from Points, the first part in our partition of Accidents of an Escocheon, to the second part, which is Abatements.

An Abatement is an accidental Mark an­nexed to Coat-Armour, denoting some ungen­tleman-like, dishonourable, or disloyal de­meanour, quality, or stain in the Bearer, whereby the Dignity of the Coat-Armour is greatly abased.

Abatements do consist in

• Diminution.
• Reversing.

Diminution is a blemishing or defacing of some particular Point or Points of the Esco­cheon, by reason of the imposition of some stain and Colour thereupon. Note, that all these Marks of Diminution, in the Escoche­ons next following, must be evermore of some one of the stainand Colours, viz. Taw­ny or Murrey, and must in no wise be of Me­tal, neither must they be charged in any case, for so should they be Additions of Wor­ship.

These are placed on

• The Midle.
• Some other part of the Escocheon.

Such as are placed in the Middle are ex­pressed in these next two Escocheons follow­ing, whereof the first is a Delf, as in this Ex­ample.

He beareth Argent, a Delf, Ten, to him that revoketh his own Chal­lenge (as we call it) eating his word (saith Leigh) is this Abate­ment given in token thereof. Note, that whensoever you shall find two or more of them in one Escocheon, you shall not rec­kon of them as Signs of an Abatement, but of Honour; and in like manner, if either they be of Metal, or Charged upon; and so is it also in some other Abatements, which either by their Number or Colours, do Change their quality, and become Char­ges of perfect Bearing.

[Page 30]

He beareth Or, an Escocheon reversed, Sanguine. This is that other Abatement that occupieth the middle point of the Escocheon, and is given unto him that discourteously in­treateth either Maid or Widow against their will; or to such an one as flyeth from his So­veraigns Banner: he shall bear his Arms after this sort, until such time as he have done some valiant exploit, worthy to be noted by the Heralds; upon whose true report, it may please the Soveraign to restore him to his former Bearing; which admission must be done in no less private Assembly than in the Muster­ing of a Camp.

Such Diminutions as are placed upon some other part of the Escocheon.

Do occupy

• One point alone.
• More than one.

That which occupieth one alone, is called a Dexter point parted, an Example whereof you may see in this next Escocheon.

He beareth Argent, a Point dexter parted, Tenn: This Diminuti­on is due unto him that overmuch boasteth him­self of his Martial Acts. If a man do perform any praiseworthy A­ction, the self Deed will sufficiently com­mend him, though he hold his peace. And therefore Seneca lib. 2. de Benefic [...]s, doth re­prehend this kind of vain boasting; [...]es lo­quatur (saith he) nobis tacentibus, Let our Deeds speak, let our Tongues be silent: or if we will needs have verbal praise, let us seek it by the direction of that wise King, Lau­det te alius, & non os tuum, al [...]ena labia non lingua tua. Let another man be thy Trumpeter, and not thine own mouth. For indeed, that mark wherewith Judicious Vir­gil brandeth Drances, doth seldome deceive, Lingua melior, sed frigida bello Dextera, Whose Tongue is quickest to speak his Arm in fight is weak. And albeit a man be tru­ly valiant in Deeds of Arms, yet Laus in ore proprio sordescit, It is ungentleman-like to boast of it. Plutarch writes of young Ma­rius, that his talk and gesture was so stout that he got the name of Martis filius, the Son of Mars; but when it came to the proof, he was so far from what he seemed, that he gained a new name of Veneris filius, the Son of Venus.

Such Diminutions as do occupy more than one point of the Escocheon.

Do comprehend

• Four points.
• Less than four.

That Diminution of the former sort, is this which you see in this Escocheon, and is due to him that is sloathful in the Wars.

He beareth Or, a Point in Point, San­guine. Herein you may see in part how neces­sary it is to know the Points of the Escoche­on before expressed. In­asmuch as this one A­batement compriseth these four Points, viz. the Honour, together with the Dexter and Sinister, and the exact base Points. For it is very manifest, that the one of these Arch­lines hath his beginning from the Dexter, and the other from the sinister base Points, and do meet in an acute Angle in the Honour point, answering perpendicularly to the pre­cise base point. In former Ages this Vice was chastised by another kind of punishment, saith Chassanaus, Quando Miles se male ges­serit in bello potest Iudex scutum suum per­forari facere, ut hoc exemplo alii Milites in praelio sint fortiores: If a Souldier demean himself not well in fight, the Judge Martial may cause his Escocheon to be pierced, to teach other by this Chastisement, to be more valorous. But contrariwise, it is honoura­able for a man of Arms to have blows ap­pear in his Buckler, given by his Foes; as is memorable in our ancient Country-man Scaeva (the principal man who taught Iu­lius Caesar the way to conquer Britain) whose Valour Caesar hath eternized with this acknowledgment, that it was he alone who saved the Fortification against Pompey at Dyr­rachium, where Caesar perused his Buckler, and found Two hundred and thirty holes pierced in it. And therefore because the Dastard dares not come so near the Enemy to bear his strokes on his Shield, he must be content to take this piercing of some of his own side in Arms.

Those Diminutions that do comprehend fewer than four.

Are either of

• Three.
• Two.

Such are said to comprehend three Points, whose Lines do bound so many within their Limits, as in Example.

[Page 31]He beareth Or, Point Champain, Tenn. This is the first of those Di­minutions, that do com­prehend three Points, and is formed of one Arch-line, which ta­keth his beginning from the Dexter Base (and including the mid­dlemost) and endeth in the Sinister Base Point. This is due unto him that killeth his Prisoner (humbly submitting himself) with his own hands, though in extreme need it is allowed by the Law of Arms, rather to kill, than to hazzard himself to be slain. Always (saith Sir Iohn Froysard) by right of Arms a man ought to grieve his Enemy, and good company of Arms is mercy to Knights and Souldiers.

He beareth Or, a plain Point, Sanguine. This Abatement com­prehendeth the same Points that the last precedent doth, but differeth from the same herein, that the form­er is framed of an Arch-Line, and this of a Right-line. This Abatement is due to him that telleth Lies, or other false Tales, to his Soveraign. For if light ears incline to light lips, harm ensueth; and War is then easily begun, but hardly allayd again, when mis­report and light credence meet together.

He beareth Argent, a Goar Sinister, Tenn. This Abatement consi­steth of two Arch-lines drawn from the Sini­ster Chief, and bottom of the Escocheon, and meeting in a sharp An­gle in the Fess Point. This is the third and last of the Abatements, that occupieth three Points of the Escocheon, and is due to him that is a Coward to his Enemy. For we must conceive that Goars, and likewise Gus­sets, are things in use among Women, espe­cially Semsters, and therefore are fit notes of Cowards and Womanish Dispositions. But as for the Dexter Goar, we must otherwise e­steem of it; for (saith Leigh) though it be of Stainand Colour, yet it is exempted out of the number of Abatements, and it is a good Coat for a Gentlewoman; many of which Sex are so far from the stain of Cowardize, as they will not turn their Backs to men of greatest Valour; but like the Valiant Penthesilea,

saith Virgil 1. Aencid. But if there be both Dexter and Sinister (saith he) it is too bad to be born, for although it be charged, yet doth it dishonour the thing that is there­upon.

That Abatement that comprehendeth on­ly two Points of the Escocheon, is called a Gusset, and is formed of a Traverse Line, drawn either from the Dexter or Sinister Chief Point of the Escocheon tending to the Honour Point, and descending from thence perpendicularly to the extream base parts of the Escocheon; as in this next Example ap­peareth, wherein are expressed both the Dex­ter and Sinister Goars.

He beareth Argent, two Gussets, Sanguine. In Abating (saith Leigh) there is but one Gusset: and he that is too much devoted to the Smock, shall wear the Gusset on the right side; but he that com­mitteth Idolatry to Bac­chus, the Gusset on the left side, shall be his Reward. If he be faulty in both, then he shall bear both, as in the Escocheon pre­sent. Such a Coat as this I find born by the Name of Coningham, saving that the Field is Sable, and the Gussets Argent, and therefore not to be taken to be of this kind, according to the Rule touching the Delf.

Hitherto of such Abatements as do abase the estimation of the Coat-Armour whereun­to they are annexed, in some parts or points of them only, being the first sort of Abate­ments whereof we promised to speak.

Now followeth the last and worst of all the rest, which is a Coat-Armour reversed. Re­versing is a preposterous manner of location of a Coat-Armour, by turning of the whole Escocheon upside down, contrary to the usual form of bearing, after this manner.

He beareth light Blew, four Mollets, yel­low, two in the Fess, and as many in the Chief. This Form of bearing is peculiar to a Traytor, such a one (saith Leigh) was he that owned these Arms, whose name was Sir Armery of Pavy, a Lombard born, an un­worthy Captain of Calais, and Traytor to King Edward the Third, in selling the same to Sir [Page 32] Geffrey Charney for 20000 Crowns. To this kind of bearing is this form of Blazon (begin­ning at the Base first) peculiar, and to no other, in respect that as this Escocheon stand­eth, the Base Point is the highest part thereof. By this inglorious subversion of the Escocheon the Dignity thereof is not blemished only in some points, as the former, but is essentially annihilated in the whole. In all other Crimes, though Capital, the Punishment transcendeth not the person of the Offender, Quia nullum delictum patris innocenti filio poena est (saith Chassanaeus) the Innocent Son shall not bear the punishment of the Fathers Offence. But in this which we call Crimen Laesae Majestatis, or High Treason (being an Offence so horrible and de­testable before God and Man) it is far other­wise; for herein, as well the Children of the Offenders, as the Traytors themselves, shall participate of the heavy. Vengeance due to so great an Impiety, although not in that deep measure that the Father doth; and that by the imitation of the Divine Justice; that so men might be deterred, not only from the actual committing, but also from the Confederation and Concealment of an offence so highly dis­pleasing God, and abhorring Nature. For when a Fact is committed or intended against the Person of him that swayeth the Soveraign State (wherein he representeth the Image of the Divine Government) it is not so much of­fensive against the person of the Prince, as it is against the Majesty of the Eternal God, whose Image he beareth. And the welfare of the Subjects depending on the safety of the Sove­raign, the danger intended to the one, hath in it a guilt of endamaging the lives of Milli­ons.

As touching persons convicted of High Treason in the Justice of the Law of Arms, for the further coercion of so heinous a Fact as Treason is, and for a further punishment both of the Traytor and of his whole Progeny; it is to be observed, that if a Gentleman of Coat-Armour hath Issue divers Sons, and committeth Treason, he hath forfeited his Coat-Armour for ever, neither may his Issue bear the same, Quia eorum memoria destrui debet: For that the memory of them may utterly be extin­guished. For since it is held they may be law­fully killed, seeing they are said to be Enemies to the King and People, much more is it law­ful to prohibit to their Heirs, together with the Inheritance. their Arms also, and stile of Gentry: Insomuch, as some are of Opinion, that the Son loseth Iura Sepulchrorum, the Rights and Ceremonies of Burial accustomed to Gentry. And of Marcus Manlius (who was condemned of Treason against the Roman State) we find a Law that none should ever bear that name. A notable Example whereof we saw of late on the Instrument of that De­villish Parricide on the late puissant King of France, for the obliterating of the Name and Memory of such a Villain out of that Kingdom. And in Ireland, such Traytors as are convi­cted by the Acts and Ordinances of the High Court of Parliament, are by force thereof ad­judged to suffer damage in their Name, State, Preheminence, Dignities and Honour to them due in fore-passed times. As in all their Offi­ces, Lordships, Castles, Mannors, and in all their Hereditaments whatsoever: Moreover, that they shall sustain corruption of their Blood and Family, and both himself and his Posteri­ty are (by force of such Conviction and Judg­ment) disabled to demand, receive or recover of any man by descent from any of their Ance­stors, either Lineal, or Collateral; neither are the Children of persons so convicted, permitted to make their Pedegree, or to derive themselves from such Parents.

Finally, if such an one were invested with any honourable Dignity, the Laws adjudge not only his Coat-Armour to be razed, and his Shield reversed, but also his Spear truncked, his Spurrs hewen from his Heels, his Horse docked, his Sword to be broken upon his Hel­met, his Crest divided, his Statues pulled down, his Blood corrupted, and his Body to death (ni­si speciali Regis rescripto intervenerit gratia, without the Kings special pardon) his Family at an end, his Possessions taken away and (for a greater terrour) given to some other Family, whose profitable Service to the King and State may better deserve it. So loathsome is this Offence to Nobility, that she cannot suffer the Marks of him that hath offended in so high a degree, to possess any place with her Ensigns; but that the same shall be without all reverence defaced, and spurned into some base place: So that by such his Degradation, he receiveth far greater shame and ignominy, than ever he re­ceived Honour by his Advancement, according to the old Proverb,

SECTION II. CHAP. I.

HAving formerly handled, in the first Section, the Common Accidents of an Escocheon, viz. Points and Abatements: Now will I proceed to shew their several kinds.

Escocheons are either of

• One Tincture.
• More than one.

Those Escocheons are said to be of one Tincture, that have only some one Metal, Colour, or Furr, appearing in the Shield of any Nobleman or Gentleman. Concerning this form of bearing, it hath been holden of some Writers a matter doubtful, whether one Metal, Colour, or Furr born alone in a Shield be ancient or honourable: Sir Iohn Ferne af­firmeth such bearing to be false Arms, and not worth the receiving, except in some special cases; being perhaps thereunto induced, be­cause it was reckoned among the Romans a thing reproachful to bear a naked Shield with­out any Portraiture, in regard it was an usual thing with men of Valour and Courage to have their Shields painted.

White Shields were accustomed to be be­stowed upon such as were Novices in Mar­tial Affairs, or (as we commonly call them) Freshwater Souldiers, to the end they might in future time merit to have them garnished with the Titles and Testimonies of their Va­lorous Deserts, until which time such Shields were reckoned inglorious; as Virgil noteth in his Aeneid. lib. 11.

Contrariwise, Leigh reckoneth such un­portraited bearing to be good, and withal ve­ry ancient, grounding his Assertion (if I be not deceived) upon 1 Kings 10. 16. where it is said that King Solomon made Two hun­dred Targets of beaten Gold, and that Six hundred Sheckles of Gold went to a Target; as also that he made Three hundred Shields of beaten Gold, and that Three pound of Gold went to one Shield.

Also we read, that Simon, the High Priest of the Jews, sent Numenius with a Shield of great value to the Roman State, to confirm the League of Friendship between them, as appeareth in 1 Macchab. 14. 24. in these words, After this, Simon sent Numenius to Rome, with a great Shield of Gold of a thousand pound weight, to confirm the friendship with them. And in the Letter of Lucius the Con­sul, mention is again made of the Thousand pound weight of this Golden Shield, 1 Mac­chab. 15. 16, 17, 18.

That these Shields were void of Portrai­tures, it may be pro­bably conjectured, in that there is no menti­on of any; for other­wise, such might have been the curiousness and excellency of their Workmanship, as that it might have been prised above the worth of the Gold it self: An Example whereof Ovid, in Metam. lib. 2. giveth, where, describing the glorious beauty of the Palace of the Sun, he saith,

Furthermore, we read that Alexander Se­verus the Emperour, had certain Golden Shields, whose Bearers were named Chrysoas­pides, the Golden Shield-Bearers. And as touching the Bearers of Shields made of clean Silver, we read that Alexander Macedo had such, whose Bearers were named Argyraspi­des, Silver Shield-bearers, which manner of bearing (saith Alex. ab Alex. they borrowed of the Samnites. Neither is there any men­tion that these were garnished with any Em­bossments, Graving, or Portraitures.

Now to prove, that not only Metals, but Colours also, have been anciently born alone in Shields, I will note unto you the words of the Prophet Nahum, Chap. 2. where it is said, Clypeus potentum ejus rubricatus, bellatores coccinati, &c. The Shields of the Mighty ones were red, &c. alluding to their bloody Fights.

We also find that the Grecians used Russet Shields. The People of Lucania in Italy, situa­ted between Calabria and Apulia, had their Shields wrought of Osiers, or Twigs, and co­vered over with Leather. It was the manner of the Scythians, Medes, and Persians, to have their Shields of Red Colour, to the end that the effusion of their blood should not easily be discovered (when they received any wound) either to the discouragement of themselves, or animating of their Enemies. Moreover, these Nations used Scarlet and Red Colours in their Military Garments and Shields, to the end they might thereby strike the greater ter­ror and astonishment into the hearts of their Enemies.

Of this sort of Bear­ing, I find in a Note worthy of credit, a­mongst the Coat-Ar­mours of many Noble Personages, and Va­lorous Gentlemen, that did attend the Person of King Edward the First (in his Expediti­on that he made into the parts of Scotland to the Siege of Kalauerock) that one Eume­nius de la Brect, did bear in his Shield only Gules. Finally, that Furrs also have been a­lone in Shields (without any Charge) as well as Metals and Colours (besides the Coat-Ar­mour of the Duke of Britain) I could pro­duce many Examples even to this day, were not the use hereof so vulgar, as that it is altogether impertinent to give instance therein.

You have received a Rule before, pag. 15. and 17. how you ought to Blazon a Furr of this sort. This kind of bear­ing of a Furr without a­ny other Charge in the Field, is both ancient and good, saith Leigh. And this kind of Furr is much in use with Persons Nobly descend­ed, and Gentlemen of good Reputation have long born the same; as Ferrars of Chartley, Beauchamp, Somerset, Marmion, Staunton, and others.

Yet will I note unto you one Coat-Armour consisting of Furrs, for the beauty and rarity thereof, and the same of no Vulgar bearing, as you may see in this next Escocheon.

He beareth Verrey, Ermyn and Gules, by the Name of Gresly; and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Gresly of Drakelow in the Coun­ty of Darby. Some­times you may observe in this kind of Bearing, the Metal part charged with some other thing than Ermyn, viz. with Drops or such like.

CHAP. II.

FRom Shields or Escocheons consisting of one Tincture only, we come to such as have more Tinctures than one. Such Escocheon is that, wherein divers Colours are represented to our sight.

Of this some have Tin­cture

• Predominating.
• Not Predominating.

Tincture is said to predominate, when some one Metal, Colour, or Furr is spread, or (at least) understood to be spread all over the Su­perficies or Surface of the Escocheon, which we usually call the Field thereof. In such E­scocheons as have in them more Tinctures than one (as is usual with the greatest number of them)

We must observe the

• Field.
• Charge,

The Field is the whole Surface (if I may so [Page 37] call it) of the Shield overspread with some Metal, Colour, or Furr, and comprehendeth in it the Charge, if it hath any. Look how [...] many Metals, Colours and Furrs there are be­forenamed, so many several Fields of Arms there be. In Blazoning of any Arms, you must (according to the Rule given, pag. 9.) first express the Metal, Colour, or Furr of the Field, saying, He beareth Or, Argent, Gules, &c. or thus, The Field is Or, Argent, Gules, &c. but you must not name this word Field, when you use these words, He beareth; say­ing, He beareth a Field, Or, Argent, Gules, &c. but you shall only name the Metal, Co­lour, or Furr; thus, The Field is Or, Argent, Gules, &c. or, He beareth Or, Argent, Gules, &c. and then proceed to the Blazon of the Charge, if there be any. The first Metal, Colour, or Furr that you begin to Blazon withal, is always understood among our Eng­lish Blazoners to be the Field. Also in Blazon­ing of Arms composed of Field and Charge, if there be several Charges, whereof the one lieth nearer to the Field than the other, after you have nominated the Metal, Colour, or Furr of the Field, then must you proceed to the immediate Charge that lieth next to the Field, and after to that which is more re­mote.

Whereas I have formerly made mention of Tinctures or Colours; when I speak of the Tinctures or Colours of Fields, I under­stand thereby, those special Colours before­named, which as by a certain peculiar Right belong to the Art Armorial; utterly ex­cluding all those that are named general or proper Colours, as altogether unfit for Fields of Coat-Armours.

CHAP. III.

THese Fields are the parts of Arms, con­taining: Charges, which are the parts contained, are next to be considered. A Charge, is that thing whatsoever that doth occupy the Field, and is in the same as Con­tentum in Continente, whether it be Sensitive or Vegetable, Natural or Artificial, and is pla­ced, either throughout all the Superficies of the Escocheon, or else in some special part of the same.

The Common Accidents of Charges Are

• Adumbration, or Transparency.
• Transmutation, or Counter-changing.

Adumbration or Transparency is a clear ex­emption of the Substance of the Charge or thing born, in such sort, as that there remain­eth nothing thereof to be discerned, but the naked and bare proportion of the outward li­neaments thereof, or the outward Tract, Purfle, or Shadow of a thing; and such kind of Bearing is, by better Heralds than Gram­marians, termed Transparent, quasi transpa­rens, because the Field, being (as it were) on the further side of the Charge, or under­neath the same, yet the Tincture and Colour thereof sheweth clean through the Charge, and that no less clearly than as if it were through a Glass.

In Blazoning of Coat-Armour of this kind, you shall say that the Owner thereof beareth this Beast, Bird, Tree, &c. umbrated; for that by reason of the exemption of the Substance thereof, which was intended to be the Charge, it affordeth no other representation than the simple Shadow thereof, which in Latin is cal­led Vmbra, and thereof is it termed umbra­ted. And the portraying out of any thing umbrated, is nothing else but a sleight and single draught or Purfle, traced out with a Pencil, expressing to the view a vacant form of a thing deprived of all Substance, which must be done with some imperfect or obscure Colour, as Black or Tawny, unless the Field be of the same Colour.

Such Bearing hath undergone the sharp Cen­sure of those that judged it to have been oc­casioned by reason of some ungentleman-like, or unthrifty quality, in regard that the same representeth a Shadow void of Substance. O­thers are of Opinion, that their Owners were such, whose Progenitors in fore-passed times have born the same essentially and compleatly according to the true use of Bearing: But for­asmuch as their Patrimony and Possessions were much impaired, or utterly wasted; their Nephews and Kinsmen seeing themselves de­prived of their Inheritance, and yet living in hope, that in future time the same may (by some unexpected Accident) revert unto them­selves, or to their Posterities (laying aside all ordinary differences) chuse rather to bear their Arms umbrated, that whensoever either that Inheritance, or any other high Fortunes should light on their Family, they might a­again resume the wonted Substance to such their umbrated form, and so reduce their Arms to their ancient Bearing. And it is deemed a far better course (upon such occa­sion) to bear the Arms of their Progenitors, umbrated, than utterly to reject the same, whereby it might (within a few Descents) be doubted much, if not denied, that they were descended from such a Family.

Whatsoever is born with Arms umbrated, must not be charged in any case. In Blazon­ing you must never nominate the Colour of such Tract of the thing that is umbrated, be­cause they do only bear a shew of that they are not, that is to say, of a Charge; and therefore is the Colour of such Adumbra­tion esteemed unworthy to be named in Bla­zon. [Page 38] As touching the distribution of Charges, it is to be observed, that

All Charges of Arms are either Proper, or, Common.

Those Charges are said to be proper, which by a certain property do particularly belong to this Art, and are of ordinary use there­in, in regard whereof they are called Ordi­naries: And they have also the Title of Ho­nourable Ordinaries, in that the Coat-Ar­mour is much honoured thereby, forasmuch as they are oftentimes given by Emperours, Kings, and Princes, as Additions of Honour unto the Coat-Armours of Persons of Desert, for some special Service already past, or upon hope of some future worthy Merit. Moreo­ver (as Leigh sheweth) they are also called, Most worthy Partitions, in respect that albeit the Field be charged in divers parts thereof, whether with things of one or of divers kinds, yet is every of them as effectual as if it were only one by the Soveraignty of these Partitions being interposed between them.

In these we must consider their

• Making.
• Manner of Bearing.

The making of Ordinaries consisteth of Lines diversly composed. Lines therefore are

As touching the Properties of a crooked Line, it is to be observed, that

A crooked Line is

• Bunched.
• Cornered.

the matter whereof these Ordinaries are form­ed, and according to the divers Tracts and Forms of Lines, they do receive a diverse shape and variation of Names. For this cause Lines must be duly considered, and especially their Properties; in speaking whereof, I must crave pardon of Euclid's Artists, if I trace not in their Steps and Definitions, but use such Description as shall be fittest for our pra­ctise.

The Properties of those Lines are their

• Rightness.
• Crookedness.

Duae sunt lineae ex quibus figurae omnes componuntur, linea recta, & linea curva, Zanch. lib. 3. cap. 422.

Rightness is a property of a Line whereby it is carried levelly or equally throughout the Escocheon, without either rising or falling.

Crookedness is a property of a Line meerly contrary to Rightness, in that it is carried un­evenly throughout the Escocheon, with rising and falling.

In Blazoning of Ordinaries formed of streight Lines, you must only name the Or­dinary, without making mention of the streightness of the Line, whereof the same is composed: But if the same be made of any of the manifold sorts of crooked Lines, the form of such crookedness must be especially menti­oned, as by Examples shall be made plain here­after in their proper places.

A Bunched Line is that which is carried with round reflections or bowing up and down, making divers hollow Crooks or Furrows, by reason of the sundry Bendings to and fro, as by these Examples next following may ap­pear.

[Page 39]A Corner Line is framed of sundry Lines meeting together cornerwise.

Of corner­ed Lines, some are

• Rect-Anguled: so called of their right Corners or Angles, and are formed after this manner,

  [figure]

• Acute-Anguled: so na­med because their Corners or Angles are Acute or Sharp; and these we call
  • Indented, after this manner,

    [figure]

  • Daunsett, which are formed after this sort,

    [figure]

Note, That these two last mentioned sorts of Lines, viz. Indented and Daunsett, are both one, secundum quale, but not secundum quantum: For their form is all one, but in quantity they differ much, in that the one is much wider and deeper than the other. Of all these several sorts of Lines, Exam­ples shall be given hereafter, as occasion shall arise.

CHAP. IV.

HAving spoken of the Properties of Lines, so much as serves for our intended pur­pose; let us next take a view of the se­veral kinds of those Lines, as far forth as they have use in Heraldry.

For they are used

• Single.
• Manifold.

Of both which kinds and forms are all the Honourable Ordinaries composed, as we shall shew hereafter. And first for the single Lines and their use, it is to be understood, that one single Line doth make that sort of Ordinary which we name a Chief. A Chief is an Or­dinary determined by some one of the seve­ral forms of Lines aforesaid, added to the Chief part of the Escocheon: As in Exam­ple.

He beareth Gules, a Chief, Argent, by the Name of Worsley, and is the Coat of Thomas Worsley of Havingham in the North Riding of Yorkshire, Esquire. Or, a Chief, Gules, is born by Sir Martin Lumley Knight and Baronet. When I say that a Chief is determined by one Line, I mean not, that one single Line is of it self a compleat Chief, but that the bounds and proportion of such an Ordinary is design­ed out, and limited by such a single Line: for otherwise, to speak more properly, a Chief containeth in depth the third part of the Field; and the same may be diminished, but in no case divided into halves. The Chief betokeneth a Senator or Honourable Personage borrowed from the Greeks, and is a word signifying a Head, in which sense we call Capitaneus (so named of Caput, the Head) a Chieftain: though he spake wittily, who derived the name of a Captain, à capiendo & tenendo, of taking and then holding: For,

And as the Head is the chief part in a man, so the chief in the Escocheon should be a re­ward of such only, whose high merits have procured them chief place, esteem, or love amongst men. This Ordinary in our Exam­ple you see is formed of a streight Line: you must therefore in the Blazon thereof, only name the kind of Ordinary (as before we admonished) making no mention at all of the streightness of the Line: but if the same, or any other Ordinary be framed of any other form than streight, then must you expresly mention the form of the Line whereof such Ordinary is composed, be it Bend, Cheuron, Fess, Saltire, &c. shewing the same to be either Invecked, Engrailed, Wavy, Indented, &c.

[Page 40]

He beareth Gules, a Chief Crenel, Argent; by the Name of Ryn­cester. This term is derived of the French word Crene, which sig­nifieth the Dent or Notch in the Horn of a Bow, or such other thing. There is a kind of Bearing much like unto this in shew, but yet far different from it in kind: Therefore good deliberation must be used, lest being carried away with a deceivable appearance, we do utterly mistake the truth of things in Blazoning.

Chiefs are made of all those several forms of Lines beforementioned, as well as other Char­ges, as by the Examples of Bordures before­handled, may in part appear, and shall be more fully shewed hereafter in other kinds.

The Field is Tenn, a Chief, Or, charged with a Shapournet, Ermyn. This tearm Shapournet (if I mistake not) is derived from the French word Chaperon, which signifieth a Hood, whereof this is a Dimi­nutive, and beareth a resemblance. Leigh seemeth to take this form of Bearing to be a kind of Partition, and for that cause doth extend the dividing Line (as in this Escocheon) to the extremities of the Chief; for which cause I have inserted the same (although untimely) in this place, which otherwise I would have reserved to some o­ther. For my own part, I take the same to be rather a Charge to the Chief, than a Por­tion thereof, distinguished from the same only by a conceited Line of Partition, never here­tofore heard of: which moved me to shorten the Head of the rising Line, whereby the middle part hath the more resemblance of a Chaperon or Hood, in respect that it is made large below, and so ascending with a comely narrowness to the top of the Chief: and if the Chief be the Head, as before we said, what place can be fitter for the Hood to be on, than the Head?

A Chief (saith Sir Iohn Ferne) may be honoured of another, as an Addition to the former, as in Examples:

He beareth Gules, a Chief, Argent, sur­mounted of another, Or. This is accounted good Armory, and sig­nifieth a double Reward given by the Soveraign. So well may a Gentle­man deserve in giving Counsel to his Sove­raign, that he may be twice rewarded for the same, as was the Bearer hereof, a French Counsellor, which when it hapneth, must be placed in this manner: Those Additions of Honour that are given in reward for Coun­sel or wise Actions, are thought to be placed most fitly on the chief part or head of the Escocheon, Quia à Capite edenda est omnis ra­tio, Because all Reason proceedeth from the Brain. That contrariwise a Chief may be al­so diminished, this next Example may teach us.

He beareth Or, a Chief, Azure, a Fillet in the neither part thereof, Argent. Some perhaps strictly observ­ing the Form of my un­dertaken Method, will conceive that this Coat might have been more fitly placed hereafter a­mong such Ordinaries as are made of a two­fold Line. Nevertheless, though it may seem to be of the number of those, yet in very deed, one Line being added to the lower part of the Chief, doth constitute a Fillet, whose Con­tent must be the fourth part of the Chief, and must be placed properly and naturally in the precise lowest part thereof. For a twofold respect was the name of Fillet given it; the one in regard of the thing whereunto it is re­sembled, by reason of the length and narrow­ness thereof; and the other because of the place wherein it is bestowed. For as the Fillet is shaped long and narrow, for the more commodious use of women, in trussing up of their hair, as also for the fastning of their Head-tires, and restraining of their hair from scattering about their brows; so is this very aptly placed on the Chief, which is the Head of the Escocheon, and doth confine and encompass the uttermost Borders of the same. This Head-tire being taken from Women, may well fit an uxorious or luxurious person, or such an one, as in matters of importance is overswayed by a woman: which doth not a little extenuate and impair their Dignity or E­stimation amongst those of graver sort; for that they are deemed to have their head fixed upon the shoulders of others, and those of the weak­er Sex.

CHAP. V.

HItherto hath our Pencil drawn out to your view, a single Line, which doth create an Ordinary, or some other of the Charges last mentioned, it resteth that I shew what a manifold Line is, and the use thereof, according to the project of our pre­fixed Method. I call that a Manifold Line, when as more than one Line are required to the perfecting of an Ordinary.

Manifold Lines are

• Twofold.
• More than twofold.

Twofold Lines I understand to be there, where is constituted an Ordinary of two Lines. Of which kind of Ordinaries are these only, viz. The Pale, Bend, Fess, Barr, Quarter, Canton, and their like, as shall appear by Ex­ample in their several places: First of a Pale.

A Pale is an Ordinary consisting of two Lines drawn perpendicularly from the Top to the Base of the Escocheon, comprehending the third part of the Escocheon. The content of the Pale must not be enlarged, whether it be charged or not.

He beareth Gules, a Pale, Or; which Coat was born very ancient­ly by Hugh de Grand­mesuil, Lord of Hink­ley in Leicestershire, and Lord High Steward of England, in the time of King Henry the First, whose Daughter and Heir, called Parnel, was married to Robert Beaumont third Earl of Leicester, who in her right was Lord High Steward of England.

This Ordinary is subdivided into

• Pallet.
• Endorse.

A Pallet is the moiety, or one half of the Pale, and thereof receiveth his name of Di­minution, as being a Demy or little Pale. And an Endorse is the Fourth part of a Pallet. Ex­ample of each ensueth.

He beareth Azure, a Pallet, Argent. The Pal­let is never charged with any thing, either quick or dead, neither may it be parted in any case into two, as some Armorists do hold; but that it may be parted into four, Leigh maketh [...] question: For he giveth an Example of the bearing of the fourth part thereof, which he termeth an Endorse, as in this next Escoche­on appeareth: But Sir Iohn Ferne saith, it containeth the eighth part of the Pale, which in effect is all one with the fourth part of the Pallet.

He beareth or, an Endorse, Gules. This Endorse (saith Leigh) is not used but when a Pale is between two of them. But Sir Iohn Ferne saith, he was ve­ry confident and bold to set down such Rules of Blazon. And that an Endorse may very well be born in any Coat-Armour between Birds, Fishes, Fowls, Beasts, &c. But then (saith he) it sheweth that the same Coat hath been sometimes two Coats of Arms, and after conjoyned within one Esco­cheon, for some mystery or secret of Arms. And for the approbation of such Bearing, he giveth an instance of an Escocheon of pre­tence, or Engislet (so he termeth it) born o­ver these four Coats, viz. of Austria, Bur­gundy, Sicily, and Flanders, which is, Or, an Endorse between a Lyon saliant, and an Eagle displayed, Gules.

Now from the Pale, and the several Sub­divisions thereof, let us come to the Bend, and the distinct parts of the same. A Bend is an Ordinary consisting also of twofold Lines drawn overthwart the Escocheon, from the Dexter Chief to the Sinister base point of the same, so that the exact point of the Dexter and Sinister corners thereof, may answer to the precise midst of those Equidistant Lines whereof the Bend is made: As in Example.

He beareth Or, a Bend, Sable. Which Arms were anciently born by Peter de Má­lo lacu, or Mawley, a Noble Baron of this Kingdom, in the time of King Edward the Third. The Bend con­taineth in bredth the fifth part of the Field, as it is uncharged; but if it be charged, then shall it contain the third part thereof. Of all the Ordinaries there is none divided like this, as by Example shall hereafter appear.

The Bend seemeth to have its Denominati­on from the French word Bender, which sig­nifieth to stretch forth, because it is extended betwixt those opposit points of the Escocheon, viz. the Dexter Chief, and the Sinister Base. Yet in ancient Rules I find the Bend drawn somewhat Arch-wise, or after the resemblance [Page 42] of the bent of a Bow. Notwithstanding, ac­cording to some Armorists, it doth represent a Ladder set aslope on this manner, to scale the Walls of any Castle or City, as shall be shewed hereafter, and betokeneth the Bearer to have been one of the first that mounted upon the Enemies Walls. This Bend drawn from the right side to the left, is called a Bend Dexter; but you shall also find a Bend exact­ly drawn like to this on the contrary side, ha­ving his Leginning from the left corner of the Chief, and his termination in the Dexter base point of the Escocheon, for which cause it is named a Bend Sinister, as in Example here­after shall illustrate. In Blazoning of Bends, if the same be Dexter, you shall only say, He bears a Bend, not using the word Dexter; but if it be drawn from the Sinister Chief to the Dexter Base, then you must in Blazon by no means omit the word Sinister.

Note, That the Bend, and divers other Or­dinaries following, are subject to exemption or voiding. Voiding (as earst we shewed) is the exemption of some part of the inward substance of things voidable, by occasion where­of the Field is transparent through the Charge, leaving only the outward Edges, bearing the colour and quantity of the Charge, as appeareth in this next Escocheon.

He beareth Ermyn, a Bend voided, Gules, by the name of Ireton. Note, that if the void part of the Bend were of a different Metal, Colour, or Furr, from the Field, then should you term the same, a Bend bordured, Gules, (according to the opinion of some Armorists:) But I am of opinion that it were better Bla­zoned, a Bend of such and such a Metal, Co­lour, or Furr edged. For this Difference do I put between them, that when it is blazon­ed edged, it must be understood to be an edge or hem, running along the sides only; but if it were termed in blazon Bordured, then must it be conceived that the Bend is inviron­ed round, as well the ends as the edges.

He beareth Argent, a Bend engrailed, Sa­ble, by the Name of Radclyff. This with the Arms of Vlster, is the Paternal Coat-Ar­mour of the Honoura­ble Sir Francis Radclyff of Dilston in Northum­berland, Baronet, of which Family there have been Six Earls of Sussex; viz. Robert Radclyff Viscount Fitz-water, created Earl of Sussex by King Henry the Eighth, Anno 1529. and one of the Knights of the Honourable Order of the Garter. 2. Henry Earl of Sussex, Knight of the Gar­ter, who was indulged by Patent from Queen Mary, for some eminent Services performed by him, that he might at any time stand Co­vered in her presence; an Honour never grant­ed to any Subject of England, neither before nor since that time, no, not to the Prince or Heir apparent to the Crown, as Dr. Cham­berlain, in his Present State of England, pag. 160. takes notice of, 3. Thomas Earl of Sus­sex, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Cham­berlain to Queen Elizabeth, who went Gene­ral into the North. 4. Henry Earl of Sussex, Knight of the Garter. 5. Robert Earl of Sussex, also Knight of the Garter: And 6. Ed­ward Earl of Sussex. Of this Family were also two more Knights of the Garter, viz. Sir Iohn Radclyff in the time of King Henry the Sixth, who was also Knight Banneret, Lord High Steward of Aquitain, Constable of Bor­deaux, and Earl of Longueville in France, as appears by the Records in the Tower: And Sir Richard Radclyff in the time of King Ri­chard the Third.

Argent, a Bend engrailed, Gules, is the Pa­ternal Coat-Armour of that ancient Family of the Colepeppers of Kent; the chief of which is the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Cole­pepper, Baron of Thornsway, now residing at Leeds-Castle in the said County. This Coat also appertaineth to Sir Thomas Colepepper of Preston-hall in Aylesford in the said County, Baronet.

This Ordinary is composed of divers other of the Forms of Lines beforementioned, as sun­dry other of the Ordinaries are, as by these next, and other subsequent Examples in their due places shall appear.

He beareth Argent, a Bend wavy, Sable. This Coat-Armour per­taineth to Henry Wal­lop of Farleigh-wallop in the County of South­ampton, Esq This is termed wavy, or wa­ved, in respect it bear­eth a Representation of the swelling Waves or Billows of the Sea, which being tossed by contrary flaws of Wind, do rise and fall after this manner: And this also by some is called Unde, of the Latin word Vndo.

This form of Bearing may put us in mind of the manifold (and those inevitable, yet pro­fitable) afflictions which do attend this Mor­tal state of ours; for so hath God ordained that they should be means to win and bring us to himself, therefore must we receive them patiently, as the evident tokens of Gods great Love and Mercy. As the Preacher admonish­eth [Page 43] us, saying, Whatsoever cometh unto thee, receive it patiently, and be patient in the change of thine afflictions; for as Gold and Silver is tried in the fire, even so are men acceptable in the furnace of Adversity. Be­lieve in God and he will help thee, order thy way aright, and trust in him, hold fast his fear, and grow old therein.

He beareth Azure, a Bend Crenelle, Argent, by the name of Wal­leyes. What Crenelle is, I have before shew­ed. After this manner, Souldiers, in default of Scaling Ladders, used to nick or score a piece of Timber with their Swords (for want of better Tools) and so found means to ascend the Walls, and surprise the Enemies.

He beareth Sable, a Bend flory, Argent, by the Name of Highlord of Micham in Surrey, Gent.

He beareth Gules, two Bends, Verrey, by the Name of Fagge. This, with the Arms of Vlster, is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Iohn Fagge of Wiston in Sussex, Baronet.

He beareth Gules, two Bends, Vaire, on a Canton, Or, an An­chor, Sable. This is the Coat-Armour of Sir Richard Ford of the City of London, Knight, and Lord Mayor thereof, Anno 1671.

He beareth Pearl; three Bendlets in the Sinister Chief, Ruby; and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Ri­chard Lord Byron, Baron of Rochdale in Lancashire.

The parts of a Bend are

• Such as are deduced from it.
• Bendelet.

Such as are derived from a Bend do contain

• Half.
• Less than half.

That which containeth half the Bend is cal­led a Gartier, whereof you have here an Ex­ample in this Escocheon.

He beareth Or, a Gartier, Gules. This is derived either from the French word Iar­tier, or else from the Norman word Gartier, both which are the same that we call in English a Garter, the form whereof this Charge doth represent. It is a Name of Ho­nourable esteem in English Heraldry, and it gave beginning to the most Renowned Or­der of Knighthood, of which Colledge and Society have been more Kings and Princes, and princely Peers, than of all the Knightly Orders besides in Christendom. This contain­eth half the Bend in bigness.

Such as do contain less than half the Bend, are

• Cost.
• Riband.

Both which be exemplified in these next Escocheons.

The Field is Gules, a Cost, Or. The Con­tent of this is the fourth part of the Bend, and half the Garter, and is sometimes called a Co­tise, and also a Battoon (as Leigh noteth): But Bara maketh a Cotise and the Battoon two di­stinct things. The word Cost or Cotise is de­rived from the Latin word Costa, which signi­fieth a Rib, either of Man or Beast. And Farnesius saith, Costae à custodiendo sunt dictae, [Page 44] Farn. 1. 45. When one of these is born alone, as in this Escocheon, then shall you term it in Blazon a Cost; but if they be born by couples in any Coat (which is never, saith Leigh, but when a Bend is placed between two of them) then you may name them Cotizes, as in Example:

He beareth Or, a Bend, Verrey, between 2 Cotises or Costs, Gules. This Coat pertaineth to Sir Edmund Bowyer of Camberwel in the Coun­ty of Surrey, Knight. Not unfitly are these so termed Costs or Co­tises, in respect they are placed upon each side of the Bend, and do inclose the same, as the Ribs of Man, or of Beast, do bound and defend their Intrails. And concerning such Charges or Fields composed of Verrey, I refer you (for the avoiding of needless repetition) to the Rules before deli­vered. Note, That as well the Subdivisions of Ordinaries, as the Ordinaries themselves, are formed of the several sorts of Lines before expressed, as may be gathered out of Vpton, whose Opinion you shall hear when we come to speak of Battoons.

He beareth Or, a Riband, Gules. This is that other Subdivisi­on that is derived from a Bend, and doth con­tain the eighth part thereof. The Name accordeth well with the Form and Quantity of the same, in that it is long and narrow, which is the right shape of a Riband.

Thus much may suffice touching the Bend Dexter, and the Subdivision thereof: Let us now consider the Bend Sinister, and how the same is subdivided. A Bend Sinister is an Or­dinary consisting of a twofold Line, drawn traverse the Escocheon, from the Sinister chief corner to the Dexter base point; and differeth (as we said) from the Dexter Bend only in this, that it is placed on the opposite part of the Es­cocheon, as in Example.

He beareth Argent, a Bend Sinister, Vert. You may perhaps some­times find this Bend born jointly with the Bend Dexter in one Es­cocheon, which to look upon are much like un­to a Saltire. In Coats of such Bearing, you must carefully observe which of them lyeth next to the Field, and that must be first named. And this Rule holdeth not alone herein, but also in all other Coat-Armours formed of divers Charges, whereof the one lieth nearer to the Field than the other, according to the sixth Rule of Blazon formerly given.

The Bend Sinister is subdivided into a

• Scarp.
• Battoon.

A Scarp (as Leigh noteth) is that kind of Ornament (much in use with Commanders in the Field) which we do usually call a Scarf, as may be gathered by the derivation thereof from the French word Escharpe, signifying that Ornament which usually is worn by Mar­tial men after the same manner from the left Shoulder overthwart the Body, and so under the Arm on the right side, as in Example.

He beareth Argent, a Scarp, Azure. You need not in Blazon thereof make any men­tion of this word Sini­ster, because it is never born otherwise than thus. Notwithstanding this Charge hath some resemblance of the com­mon Note of Illegitimation: yet is it not the same, neither hath it any such signification, for that it agreeth not with the Content there­of, nor with the manner of bearing the same, as is plain by this next Escocheon.

He beareth Or, a Battoon, Gules. This word Battoon is derived from the French word Baston, which signifieth a Wand or Cudgel. The Frenchmen do usually bear their Battoon (as it were) couped after this manner; whereof I do better allow, than of that form which is commonly used among us in England, because the same being so born, doth better resemble the shape or form of a Cudgel or Battoon. And though this hath the form and quantity of a Cost, yet it differeth from the same, in that the Cost [...] is extended to the extremities of the Es­cocheon, whereas the Battoon shall be couped, and touch no part of the same, as by this Es­cocheon appeareth. This is the proper and most [...]usual Note of Illegitimation (perhaps for the affinity betwixt Baston and Bastards; or else for that Bastards lost the priviledge of Free­men, and so were subject to the servile stroke) and it containeth the fourth part of the Bend Sinister; and being thus born, differeth from [Page 45] all the Subdivisions of the Ordinaries before manifested sufficiently, what conformity soe­ver any of them may seem to have therewith. This Mark was devised both to restrain men truly generous, from the filthy stain of this base (but common) sin, when they consider, that such accusation to themselves, and shame to their Issue, shall never be severed from their Coat-Armour, which should be the Blazon of their Honour. For let the spurious Birth have never so Noble a Father, yet he is Base-born; and Base will be ever the first syllable in a Ba­stards name, till by his own Virtues he hath washed off the stains of his Fathers Vice, as many high Spirits have done; who though so born, have attained to the highest pitch of Glory. Every Bastard may have his Battoon of what colour he will, but not of Metal, which is for the Bastards of Princes. At the first, Ba­stards were prohibited to bear the Arms of their reputed Fathers. Then (saith Sir Iohn Ferne in his Glory of Generosity) they did by suit obtain a toleration from Soveraigns and Kings, to be made Legitimate, and to be matriculated by the Kings Grant, as Children lawfully born: which Grant did enable them to be capable of many Immunities and Prero­gatives which others lawfully begotten do en­joy: and so by such Legitimation they are dis­charged of all those dishonours which in former time they were subject unto; and were acquit­ted from the stain of their Bastardy, Excepto quod ex tali legitimatione non admittebantur ad Iura Sanguinis cum aliis Filiis: Except on­ly, that they had not the right of Blood and Inheritance thereby; to participate with the lawful Inheritance of their Father, as appear­eth Iudges 11. And when the womans Chil­dren were come to age; they thrust out Jepthah, saying, Thou shalt not inherit in our Fathers House, for thou art the Son of a strange Wo­man. By pretence of these Legitimations, they bear the Coat-Armour of their reputed Ance­stors, with a sign of Bastardy, now common­ly known to every man, by reason of frequent use: which mark (as some do hold) neither they nor their Children shall ever remove or lay aside, Ne sordes per errorem inter praeci­puos reputentur; Left the Fruits of Lust should by errour gain the estimation of Genero­sity.

It is not lawful for those that are base born to usurp the Arms of their reputed Fathers, un­less it be branded with certain Notes or Marks proper to men Illegitimate, devised of set pur­pose to separate and distinguish them from such as proceed from lawful Matrimony. More­over, it is often questioned, Whether such as be illegitimated (by Act of Parliament, or whatsoever other means) may bear, or as­sume the bearing of the Arms of their repu­ted Fathers? Some are of Opinion they may: Others do hold the contrary, unless they do [...]ear them with the apposition of some of the beforementioned Notes appropriated to the quality of their Illegitimate Generation and Procreation. By Legitimate Issue, is not to be understood Legitimate only, that is to say, such as be adopted Children: For there is in such but a bare imitation of Nature, of such we have no use in this Land of Adoption or Arrogation. But of such as are both Natural and Legitimate; Natural so termed, Quia na­tur aliter generati; Legitimate, Ex Legiti­ma parentum conjunctione approbata per Le­ges. Such as are otherwise begotten are Ba­stards, and the Issue of an unlawful Bed.

Consanguinity is a Bond or Link of Persons descended of the same Stock, derived from Car­nal Propagation: So called, Consanguinitas, quasi sanguinis unitas, viz. the unity or com­munity of Blood.

To discern priority or nearness in Blood, two things must be regarded principally; viz. Li­nea and Gradus: The Line is that, that ga­thereth together the Persons containing their Degrees, and distinguishing them in their Num­bers. This is called Collectio Personarum. The other, viz. Gradus, sheweth the state or condition of the distant Persons, how near they be, or how far distant asunder (in them­selves) from their common Stock, or either from other. This is called Habitudo distanti­um personarum. Et dicitur Gradus, ad simi­litudinem soalarum graduum, sive locorum proclivium; quia ita gradimur, de proximo ad proximum.

This beforementioned Line is threefold, viz.

• Ascending.
• Descending.
• Collateral.

The Ascending Line is, from me to my Fa­ther, Grandfather, and so upwards.

The Descending Line, is from me to my Son, Nephew, his Son, downwards.

The Collateral Line is placed on either side.

This Line also is twofold, viz.

• Equal.
• Unequal.

The Equal Collateral is that, where equal­ly the Persons differ from their Common Stock: as Brothers and Sisters be equally distant from their Father: As also Brothers and Sisters Chil­dren from their Grandfather.

The Unequal Collateral is, where one pre­cedeth another: Such are Brothers, and their Brothers and Sisters Children.

Affinity is (after the Laws) Personarum proximitas proveniens ex justis nuptiis; A nearness of Persons proceeding from lawful Marriage. So called Affinitas, quasi duorum ad unum finem unitas; A union or consolida­tion of two that be of divers Kindreds by Mar­riage or other Copulation conjoyned.

[Page 46]By this, Affinity is contracted two manner of ways, viz.

By

• Lawful Marriage.
• Unlawful Knowledge.

The first is thus contracted; My Brother and I are Consanguine in the first degree, He ta­keth a Wife, her they call, personam additam personae per carnis copulam. This is the first kind of Affinity (contracted by means of my Brother) viz. between his Wife and me, and the first degree: for thus they be the Kindred and Degrees) discerned in Affinity, viz. by the persons that be in Consanguinity or Blood, either nearer or farther off. As for Exam­ple:

My Brother is in the first degree to me in Consanguinity; his Wife in Affinity: My Bro­thers Son in the second, his Nephew in the third, his Nephews Son in the fourth. They in Consanguinity: Their Wives in the same degrees, second, third, or fourth unto me, but they in Affinity.

Note that they attain not (in me) by their addition that, I have attained (by Blood) in the persons to whom they be added. For herein, that is to say, in Attinency we be di­stinguished in Consanguinity and Affinity. To make it plain: My Brother is my Consanguine, his Wife my Affine, only they retain and par­ticipate with me the degree, whether it be first, second, third, or fourth; that I have with the persons that they be carnally known by, the which they alter not.

Consequently they shall be every person in Consanguinity to my Wife, in Affinity to me, in what degree in the one, in that degree in the other. But always in the first kind, be they Brother, Sister, Nephew, Neece, &c. But to return to our Battoon. Vpton calleth this Baston or Battoon, a Fissure, and making mention of the variable forms thereof, saith, Istae Fissurae tot modis variantur, quot modis fiunt bendae: These Fissures have as many varieties of forms as the Bends have.

And (he saith) it is commonly called a Fissure (which is a Cut or Rent) pro eo quod findit Arma paterna in duas partes; quia ipse bastardus finditur & dividitur à patrimonio patris sui: in that it cuts or rents the Coat-Armour in twain, because the Bastard is cut off from his Fathers Inheritance. In some Countries they used to distinguish these from the lawful begotten, by setting of two Letters upon their Garments, S and P, quasi, Sine Patre, without Father.

And perhaps S P did signifie Satus Populo, the Son of the People. Chassanaeus saith, that Bastards are not capable of their Fathers Pa­trimony, either by Law or Custome, Quia fi­lius Ancillae non erat haeres cum filio Liberae: The Servants Child must not part stakes with her Mistresses. Leigh is of Opinion, That the lawful Son of a Bastard shall change his Fathers Mark to the right side, observing still the quantity thereof; for so I do understand him, in respect that he addeth immediately, that the same may, at the pleasure of the Prince, be inlarged, or broken after this man­ner.

He beareth, Azure, a Bend, double Dancett, Argent, by the Name of Lorks. This (saith Leigh) shall never be called other than a Bend, after it is thus parted: but Bastards (saith he) have sundry other Marks, every one according to their unlawful begettings; which with hundreds of others, are the Secrets of Heralds.

Besides those bearings bendwise above de­monstrated, we mentioned another by the name of a Bendlet, which hath greater re­semblance with a Bend than any of the rest; and by the Name it may seem to be some sub­division of the Bend. It hath yet no certain quantity, but containeth evermore a sixth part of the Field (according to the observation of Leigh) whereof you have an Example in this next Escocheon.

The Field is Argent, a Bendlet, Gules. Two manner of ways doth this Charge differ from the Bend: The one, that the bend contain­eth the fifth part of the Field uncharged, and the third part thereof char­ged. And this is limi­ted to the sixth part of the Field, which it may not exceed. Secondly, It is distinguish­ed from the bend, secundum locationem in place, inasmuch as the bend is so placed, as that the corner of the Escocheon doth answer to the just middle of the same, between the up­per and neither Lines thereof: but the bend­let beginneth in the exact corner of the point [Page 47] of the Escocheon; so as the lower Line is di­stant from the corner thereof the full breadth of the bendlet.

CHAP. VI.

OUR prefixed Order doth now call upon me to bend my course from bends, with the parts and subdivisions there­of, and to proceed to the Fess, which chal­lengeth the next place.

The Fess is an Ordinary, formed of a two­fold Line, drawn overthwart the breadth of the Escocheon; in the midst whereof is the very Center of the Shield. And it containeth the third part of the Field, and may not be diminished, albeit the French Heralds do bla­zon three bars gemels, for a Fess of six pieces.

He beareth Vaire, Or, and Vert, a Fess, Gules, by the Name of Duf­field. This word Fess is a French word, and doth signifie the Loins of a man. This Ordi­nary hath been ancient­ly taken for the same that we call Baltheum militare, or Cingulum Honoris, a Belt of Honour; because it divideth the Field into two equal parts, it self occupying the middle between both, even as the Girdle environeth the middle part of a man, and resteth upon his Loins.

This Girdle of Honour may seem to have been in ancient time given by Emperours and Kings, and their Generals of the Field unto Souldiers, for reward of some special Service performed by them: and it is not improbable, that such a reward it was, that the General of David's Army, Ioab, would have given the Messenger that brought him news that Absa­lom was hanged by the hair of the Head in an Oak, if he had slain him; where Ioab saith, Why hast thou not killed him, that so I might have rewarded thy Service with ten Sheckles of Silver, and a Girdle (or an arming Belt)? For some translate it Cingulum, some Baltheum. Amongst the Macedonians, it was ordained by a Military Law (saith Alex. ab Alex.) that the Souldier that had not killed an Enemy, non militari Cingulo, sed capistro cin­geretur: should not be girt with an arming Girdle, but with a Halter. And not without reason is a man adorned with a Military Gir­dle, signifying he must be always in a readi­ness to undergo the business of the Weal Pub­lick; for the more speedy performance of which Charge, he should have his Garments close girt unto his body, that the loosness of them should give no impediment to the execu­tion of his assumed Charge and enjoyned Services. And these Tokens of Chivalry were so highly esteemed in ancient times, that St. Ambrose saith, in his Age, Duces, & Prin­cipes, omnes etiam militantes, operosis Cingu­lis auro fulgente pretiosis, ambiunt, &c. Great Captains, Princes, and Martial Men, delight to wear their Belts curiously wrought, and glit­tering with Gold, &c.

As the bestowing of this Military Girdle, was reputed very honourable, because none were to receive it but Men of Merit, so also was it ever accounted most dishonourable for any just cause to be again deprived of the Dig­nity thereof; neither should such an one be restored thereunto, but upon very singular and especial Desert, as Ferettus noteth, where he saith, Augustus laudabiliter militarem disciplinam gessit severissime: & privatos mi­litari Cingulo nunquam restituit, nisi illos prae caeteris virtutum merita insignirent: Augu­stus the Emperour got much honour by the se­verity of his Military Discipline: for if a man were once deprived of his arming Girdle, he never would restore it, unless he performed some excellent Service above all others. Not­withstanding, there is also one kind of putting off the Belt, of no less honour, than the put­ting on of it; yea, much more glorious it is, in that it is the end and perfection of the o­ther; and that is, when the Victory is atchiev­ed, Victory being the end of Arming, as Peace is of Battel. To which purpose is that say­ing 1. Reg. 20. 11. Ne jactet se qui se accin­git, ut qui discingit: Let not him boast who girds himself, as he that doth ungird: mean­ing, we must not triumph (as the saying is) before Victory; but it being once attained, it is the Honour of a Generous Mind, to put off his Belt, and not to Sanguine his Blade with cold blood. For those Gallants, who in times and places of Peace, are still drawing their Swords like Warriours, in times and places of War, prove (for the most part) peaceabler and calmer than they should be.

But if a Knight be disarmed of his Military Girdle by his Demerits and Offence, he is therewithal deprived of all Military Priviledg­es, like as it fareth with a Captain, who (if he happen to lose his Ensigns) is disabled to advance any other in the Field, until he hath either regained the same, or by his Valour ex­torted some other from the Enemy. Which kind of deprivation of Knights and Martial Men for any notable transgression, was of fre­quent use in times past, and in some places is continued unto this day with greater severity and much more infamy than in former times. Depositio Cingulorum & Baltheorum (saith Wolfgangus Lazius) quod genus poenae pro­prio seorsim vocabulo discinctura & recinctu­ra vocabatur, manet hodie adhu [...] in ordine Equestri, majori quam olim ignominia. Quo [Page 48] ritu (ut nos dicimus) Equites aur ati digra­dantur. The depriving of the Belt (which was wont to be termed the discincture or un­girding) is at this day still in use amongst Knights, and with more ignominy than was in ancient times: which is nothing else but that which we call degrading of a Knight. If any ask me, How this comes about that such Degradation of a Knight is more infamous than of old? I answer, it is because it is more rare, and therefore more remarkable. If a­gain you ask, Why it is more rare than of old? I answer, because it is more infa­mous, and therefore Princes more unwilling to inflict it. Howsoever, the truth is, that base and unknightly actions and qualities, de­serve a base and unknightly chastisement.

He beareth Or, a Fess Dancett, Sable. These Arms pertain to the worthy Gentleman Sir Thomas Vavasour, who, in the Reign of King Iames, was Knight Marshal of his Majesties Houshold, and of the Verge thereto appertaining; whose Family anciently had the addition Le to their Name, as being the Kings Valvasores, being in times past a Degree not much inferiour to a Baron, and given to their Family ex Regio munere, as Mr. Camden no­teth in Yorkshire, speaking of Haselwood, be­ing the ancient Inheritance of the said Fami­ly.

So much of a Fess: now of a Chevron. A Chevron is an Ordinary, formed of a twofold Line Spirewise or Pyramidal; the Foundation being in the Dexter and Sinister base points of the Escocheon, and the acute Angle of the Spire near to the top of the Escocheon: As in Example.

The Field is Topaz, a Chevron, Ruby. This Coat pertaineth to the Honourable and An­cient Family of Staf­ford, now Barons, and sometimes Earls of Stafford, and Dukes of Buckingham. This Ordinary is resembled to a pair of Barge-couples or Rafters, such as Carpenters do set on the highest part of the House, for bearing of the Roof thereof; and betokeneth the atchieving of some business of moment, or the finishing of some chargeable and memorable work. This was anciently the usual form of bearing of the Chevron, as ap­peareth by many Seals and Monuments yet ex­tant, and is most agreable to Reason, that as it representeth the Roof of a House (though I am not ignorant that Leigh saith, it was in old times the Attire for the Heads of Women Priests) so accordingly it should be extended to the highest part of the Escocheon, though far different is the bearing thereof in these days. In which respect it were fit that com­mon Painters, the common Disorderers of these Tokens of Honour, were better looked unto; who both in former Ages, and much more in these days, have greatly corrupted these honourable signs, by adding their new fantastical inventions; that so they might make the things born in Coat-Armour more perspi­cuous to the view, or because they would be thought to be well overseen in Heraldry. For indeed they want the eye of Judgment, to see and discern that such is the excellency of these honourable Tokens, that the least alteration either by augmentation, diminution, trans­position, or whatsoever other means, doth occasion a change in them so great, as that they thereby differ from themselves, not on­ly in their accidental, but also in their substan­tial parts, and cease to be any longer the same they were before, and their owners are de­barred to challenge any propriety or interest in them, in respect of such alteration. Modica alteratio in membro principali magnam alter­ationem facit (saith the Philosopher) A lit­tle alteration makes a great alteration in a principal part. As the least spot in the eye, which is the worthiest part of the face, doth more disfigure the same, than ten times so much in any other Member of the whole bo­dy.

The Content of the Chevron is the fifth part of the Field (according to Leigh): but Chassanaeus reckoneth the same amongst those Ordinaries that do occupy the third part of the Field. You may have two Chevrons in one Field (saith Leigh) but not above; and if they exceed that number, then shall you call them Chevron ways. But I suppose they might be termed much better Chevronels; that is to say, minute or small Chevrons; for so is their blazon more certain. This Charge following, and the Subdivisions thereof, are diversly born, as well in respect of the divers location, as of the variable form thereof; for sometimes it is born on chief, otherwhiles on base, sometimes enarched, sometimes reversed, sometimes fret­ted, &c. as after by Examples appeareth.

He beareth Or, a Chevron in Chief, A­zure. Note that the lower part of this Che­vron is far above the ordinary place of a sin­gle Chevron; for it is pitched as high as the Nombril of the Esco­cheon, whereas others have their rising from or near above the Dex­ter [Page 49] and Sinister base points. The Ancestors of this bearer (saith Leigh) have born the same otherways, which was for some good purpose removed, although it were better after the common manner of bearing. There are di­vers Accidents incident unto this Ordinary, viz. Transposition, as in this last Escocheon; Couping, Voiding and Reversing. Of all which I purpose to give several Examples in their proper places.

He beareth Ermyn, a Chevron, couped, Sa­ble, by the Name of Iones. What couping is, I have before shew­ed, whereunto (for shunning needless repe­tition) I refer you.

He beareth Azure, a Chevron Ingrailed, voided, Or, by the Name of Dudley. What voiding is, I have shew­ed before. In the bla­zoning of Coat-Armours of this kind, I mean of Charges voided, you shall not need to make any mention of the Colour of the exempted part thereof, saying, that it is voided of the Field: For if you say voided only, it is ever understood that the Field sheweth through the middle part of the Charge voided. If the middle part of this Chevron were of a different Metal, Colour, or Furr, from the Field, then should you blazon it thus; A chevron engrail­ed, Or, surmounted of another, of such or such Colour.

He beareth Or, two Cheverons, Gules, by the Name of Mounson; and with the Arms of Vlster is the bearing of Sir Iohn Mounson of Carleton in Lincolu­shire, Baronet.

Argent, two Che­verons, Sable, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Ioseph Ash of Twitten­ham in Middlesex, Baronet: and of William Ash of Hatchbury in Wiltshire, Esquire.

He beareth Topaz, two Cheverons, Ruby, Or, a Canton of the Second, a Mullet of the First. This was the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir William Pope, who was created Earl of Down, and Baron Pope of Beltirbet in Ire­land, whose Son William dying in the life time of his Father, his Grand­son Thomas succeeded him in the said Honour, but left Elizabeth his Daughter and sole Heir (the Honour returning to Thomas his Uncle) who was first married to Sir Francis Henry Lee of Quarendon in Buckinghamshire, Baronet; by whom she had Issue Sir Edward Henry Lee, who was created Earl of Lichfield, Vis­count Quarèndon, and Baron of Spelsberry; and Francis Lee; and is now married to the Right Honourable Robert Bertue, Earl of Lindsey, Baron Willoughby of Eresby, Lord Great Chamberlain of England, by whom she hath Issue the Lady Elizabeth.

He beareth Ar­gent, three Cheve­rons, Gules, a Label of three Points, A­zure, by the Name of Barrington, and is the bearing of Tho­mas Barrington Esq Son and Heir to Sir Iohn Barrington of Barrington-hall in Essex, Baronet.

He beareth Azure, three Cheverons, Ar­gent, by the Name of Lewkenor, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Iohn Lewkenor of West-Dean in Sussex, Esq Son and Heir of Sir Iohn Lewkenor Knight of the Bath, deceased, who was descended from the ancient Family of the Lewkenors.

Gules, three Cheverons, Or, by the Name of Mathews; and is born by Lemuel Ma­thews A. M. Arch-Deacon of Down in the Kingdom of Ireland; and by his brother Man Mathews, Vicar of Swansey in Glamorgan­shire.

Or, three Chevrons, Gules, was the Coat of Robert base Son of Henry the First, who was created Earl of Gloucester by his Father, and had Issue William Earl of Gloucester; [Page 50] which William had three Daughters and Co­heirs, viz. Isabel, who was married to King Iohn; Mabel, who married to the Earl of Eureux; and Amicia, married to Richard Earl of Clare and Glocester. This Robert built the Castles of Bristol and Cardiff, and the Priory of St. Iames in Bristol, where he ly­eth interr'd.

He beareth Sable, three Chevrons, Er­myn, by the Name of Wise, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Ed­ward Wise of Syden­ham in Devonshire, Knight of the Bath.

This Coat, with a due difference, is born by Mr. Iohn Wise of the City of London, Master Plummer to the Office of his Majesties Ordnance.

He beareth Argent, three Chevrons, Sable, each charged with five Annulets, Or, by the Name of Colwal, and is born by Iohn Colwal of the Inner Temple, London, Esq.

The Subdivisions of this Or­dinary are

• Chevronel.
• Couple-close.

A Chevronel is a diminutive of a Chevron, and signifieth a minute or small Chevron, and containeth half the quantity of the Chevron; as for Example.

He beareth Argent, a Chevronel, Vert. Of these (saith Leigh) you may have no more than three in a Field, except Partition. The other Subdivision of the Chevron is called a Couple-close. A Cou­ple-close is a subordi­nate Charge derived from a Chevron, and formed of two Lines erected Chevron-ways.

He beareth Vert, a Couple-close, Argent. This containeth the fourth of the Chevron, and is not born but by Pairs, except there be a Chevron between them. Well doth the Name of this Charge, agree with the use thereof, which is not only to be born by Cou­ples for the most part, but also to have a Che­vron between them, which they inclose on each side.

The next in order to the Chevron is the Barr. A Barr is composed of two Equi-distant Lines drawn overthwart the Escocheon, after the manner of the Fess before-mentioned, as in this next Escocheon appeareth.

This Ordinary dif­fereth from the Fess, not only in that it con­taineth the fifth part of the Field, whereas the Fess occupieth the third part thereof; but also that the Fess is limited to one certain place of the Escocheon, to wit, the exact Center or Fess point thereof, where­as the Barr is not tyed to any prescript place, but may be transferred unto sundry parts of the Escocheon. But if there be but one only Barr in the Escocheon, then must the same oc­cupy the place of the Fess, as appeareth in this Escocheon. This Charge is of more esti­mation than is well considered of many that bear the same. If you have two Barrs in the Field, they must be so placed, as that thereby the Field of the Escocheon may be divided in­to five equal parts; so shall each of them re­ceive their just quantity.

A Barr is subdivided into a

• Closet.
• Barulet.

A Closet is a Charge abstracted from a Barr, and consisteth also of two Equi-distant Lines drawn overthwart the Escocheon: As in Ex­ample.

He beareth Or, a Closet, Sanguine. This containeth half the Barr, and of these there may be five in one Field, and are very good Armory. The o­ther Subdivision of a Barr is called a Baru­let, which (after the Opinion of Leigh) cannot be born dividedly, but must be born by Couples, unless they be parted with a Barr, whereof you have an Ex­ample in this next Escocheon.

[Page 51]

He beareth Sable, a Barulet, Argent. The Content of the Barulet is the fourth part of the Barr, whereof it is a de­rivative, as by the name of Diminution imposed thereupon doth mani­festly appear. Barulets (saith Vpton) are di­versly born in Arms, viz. Plain, Engrailed, &c. whereunto good heed must be taken in Bla­zon.

He beareth Argent, two Barrs, Gules, by the Name of South; and is born by Iohn South of Kelsturn in Lincolnshire Esq one of the Gentle­men of the Privy Cham­ber in Ordinary to his Majesty King Charles the Second, Son of Sir Iohn South of the said place, Knight.

Azure, two Barrs, Or, is the Coat-Armour of the ancient Family of the Burdets of War­wickshire.

Argent, two Barrs, Sable, is born by Ed­ward Brereton of Burras in Deubighshire, Esquire.

Hitherto of a Barr: Now of a Gyron.

A Gyron is an Ordinary consisting of two streight Lines drawn from divers parts of the Escocheon, and meeting in an acute Angle in the Fess point of the same. A Gyron (as one saith) is the same that we call in Latin Gre­mium, which signifieth a Lap, and is the space between the Thighs; and thence perchance do we call the Groyn; which name, whether it be given to this Charge, because it determines in gremio, in the very lap or midst of the Es­cocheon, or because it hath a bending like the Thigh and Leg together, I cannot define. Gyrons are born diversly, viz. single, by cou­ples, of six, of eight, of ten, and of twelve, as shall appear hereafter, where I shall speak of Arms having no tincture predominating. For the making this Ordinary, behold this next Escocheon, where you shall find one single Gyron alone, which doth best express the man­ner thereof: as in Example.

He beareth Sanguine, one Gyron issuing from the Chief Dexter point, Or. If these two Lines whereof this Ordinary is framed, were drawn throughout to the Ex­tremities of the Esco­cheon, then would they constitute two Gyrons, as in this next Esco­cheon appeareth. But if this Gyron had stood in Fess in the Dexter part, and the Gyron Ar­gent, then were it the second Coat of the Lord de Wolfo of Suesia, whose Daughter was married to the Marquiss of Northampton, and after to Gorge.

He beareth Argent, two Gyrons, Gules. You need not say, Meeting in point, the one from the Dexter Chief, the other in the Sinister base, because they do ever­more meet in the Fess point, be they never so many. Here you see, that as two Lines drawn, the one Bendways from the Dexter corner of the Chief part of the Escocheon, and resting on the Fess point, and the other drawn Fessways overthwart the Escocheon, and meeting with the same in the said Fess point, do make one Gyron: so do the same drawn throughout, produce two Gy­rons.

So much of a Gyron: Now of a Canton and Quarter.

A Canton is an Ordinary framed of two streight Lines, the one drawn perpendicularly from the Chief, and the other transverse from the side of the Escocheon, and meeting there­with in an acute Angle, near to the corner of the Escocheon, as in this next appeareth.

He beareth Ermyn, a Canton, Argent, charg­ed with a Chevron, Gules, by the Name of Middleton. This Or­dinary is termed a Can­ton, because it occupi­eth but a Corner or Cantel of the Escoche­on. Some Armorists do hold, That the Canton is a Reward given to Gentlemen, Esquires, and Knights, for Ser­vice done by them, and not to a Baron. Some others notwithstanding are of a different Opi­nion, That a Canton may well beseem an Earl or a Baron receiving the same at his Soveraigns hand; yet is the Quarter to be preferred in Dignity before the same: and before them both, Sir Iohn Ferne preferreth the Escocheon of Pretence, which he calleth an Engislet or Fessy Target. Note that a Canton parted tra­verse ways, whether it be from the Dexter corner, or from the Sinister, doth make two base Squires. And if the Canton be placed in the Dexter corner of the Escocheon, you must in Blazon only name it a Canton, not making any mention of the local situation thereof: but if it be placed on the contrary side, then must [Page 52] you in Blazon add this word Sinister, as he beareth a Canton Sinister. The Sinister Can­ton is all one with the Dexter in form, in quan­tity, and in estimation, but differeth from the same, both in regard of the local position thereof (by reason that it is placed in the Si­nister corner of the Escocheon) as also in that it is not of so frequent use.

Hitherto of a Canton, now of a Quar­ter.

The Quarter is an Ordinary of like compo­sition with the Canton, and holdeth the same places, and hath great resemblance thereof; insomuch as the same Rules and Observations that do serve for the one, may be attributed to the other, Quia similium similis est ratio; of like things the reason is alike. The only difference between them is, that the Canton keepeth only a cantle or small portion of the corner of the Escocheon, and the Quarter com­prehendeth the full fourth part of the Escoche­on; as in Example.

He beareth Verrey, Argent and Sable, a Quarter, Gules, by the name of Estanton. Al­beit that (according to Leigh) the Quarter is for the most part given by Emperors and Kings to a Baron (at the least) for some special or ac­ceptable Service done by him; yet do we find the same bestowed upon persons of meaner dig­nity for like occasion. Contrariwise, the Canton (being received at the Soveraigns hand) may beseem the dignity of a Baron or Earl, as aforesaid.

Having spoken of the Canton and Quarter, as much as for this present is requisite, I will reserve some other their adjuncts to a more convenient place. And will now speak of a Pile, shewing some variable Examples of the divers bearing thereof.

A Pile is an Ordinary consisting of a two­fold Line, formed after the manner of a Wedge; that is to say, broad at the upper end, and so lessening by degrees throughout with a come­ly narrowness and Taper growth, meeting to­gether at the lower end in an acute Angle, as in this next Escocheon appeareth.

The Pile I take to be derived from Pilum, an ancient Weapon peculiar to the Romans, shaped somewhat like a Dart without Fea­thers, but thicker at the great end, and wax­ing smaller Taper-wise, being about five foot in length, and sharpned at the point with Steel: And such were the offensive Arms of the Hastati and Principes, as Polybius of the Roman Militia affirmeth: And Generals them­selves have born them in their Marches, per­haps to encourage the Souldiers by their Ex­amples; all which is proved by the excellent Lucan, lib. 1. who lamenting the misery of a Civil War, thus complains:

And Lib. 7.

Lastly, describing Cato's magnanimity in his rough March through Lybia, he thus singeth, Lib. 9.

Thus Englished:

He beareth Argent, a Pile, Gules. This Coat pertained to the right worthy and valiant Knight Sir Iohn Chan­dos, Baron of St. Savi­ours, le Viscount in France, great Seneschal of Poictou High Con­stable of Aquitain. All given him by King Edward the Third, who also made him one of the Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter. In all Fortifica­tions and Buildings, in case the ground be di­strusted to be unsure and deceivable, men are accustomed to build upon Piles, and by them to force an infallible and permanent Founda­tion.

He beareth Or, a Pile engrailed, Sable, by the Name of Waterhouse; and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Dr. Edward Waterhouse, a great Lover of Anti­quities and Heraldry.

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He beareth two Piles in point Diamond. This is the Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Gilbert Holles, Earl of Clare, Baron Haughton of Haughton, &c.

This Coat is also born by his Uncle, the Right Honourable Denzel Holles, Baron Holles of Ifield, and one of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, &c. whose only Son and Heir appa­rent is Sir Francis Holles of Winterborn St. Martyn in Dorsetshire, Baronet, who hath Issue now living Denzel Holles, &c.

The Field is Or, three Piles, meeting near in the Base of the Esco­cheon, Azure. This Coat was born by Sir Guy Bryan Knight, one of the Noble Knights of the most Honoura­ble Order of the Gar­ter, in the time of King Edward the Third: And he was also a chief mean unto the said King for obtaining the Char­ter of Priviledge and Freedom of his Majesties Forest of Dean, in the County of Glocester, for the benefit of the Inhabitants of the same Forest.

Sometimes you shall find this Ordinary born transposed or reversed, contrary to the usual form of their bearing, viz. with their points upward, which naturally ought to be down­wards, being supposed to be a piece of Timber, whose neither part is sharpned, to the end it may be more commodiously driven into the ground; as in Example.

He beareth Argent, three Piles, one issuing out of the Chief be­tween the two others transposed or reversed, Sable, by the Name of Hulse: And is the Coat-Armour of Iohn Howes aliàs Hulse, of Newbury in Berkshire, Esq one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace and Quorum in the said County; whose eldest Daughter Bridget is now wi [...]e to Iames Georges of Lond. Gent. Nephew to Iohn Georges of Bawnton in Glocestershire, Esquire. This Coat is also born by Richard Hulse of Betherden in Kent, Esquire.

The Pile is an ancient Addition to Armory, and is a thing that maketh all Foundations to be firm and perfect, especially in Water-works.

When there is but one Pile in the Field, it must contain the third part of the same at the Chief. This Ordinary is diversly formed and born, as in these next Escocheons appear­eth.

He beareth Argent, a Triple Pile, Flory on the tops, issuing out of the Sinister Base, in Bend, towards the Dexter corner, Sable. This sort of bearing of the Pile, hath a resemblance of so many Piles driven in­to some Water-work, and by long tract of time, incorporated at their heads, by reason of an extraordinary weight imposed upon them, which gave impediment of their growth in height.

He beareth Argent, a Pile in Bend, issuing out of the Dexter corner of the Escocheon, Sable Cotised, Engrailed, Gules. I have made special choice of this Coat-Armour (out of the Glory of Generosi­ty) as well for the rareness thereof, as for that I find the same there commended for fair Armory, and good in regard of the variety thereof, for Blazoners to look upon.

He beareth Azure, a Pile waved, issuing out of the Dexter corner of the Escocheon, Bend­ways, Or, by the name of Aldam. As this Pile waved issueth out of the Dexter, so also may the same be born from the Sinister chief point. Moreover you shall find them born in Pale, and sometimes issuing out of the Base with the point thereof transposed, which I leave to ob­servation.

Now the bearing of Waves, or of things waved, may well fit those that are tried in the furnace of Afflictions, which are the Badges and Testimonies of our election in Christ, who suffered for us; the Just for the Unjust, to bring us unto God. Therefore we should bear our Afflictions gladly, forasmuch as if we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified with him. For so doth the Apostle admonish us, saying, That no man should be moved with these affli­ctions, for ye your selves know that we are appointed thereunto, 1 Thess. 3. 3. And again, Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good Soul­dier of Christ, 2 Tim. 2. 3.

[Page 54]So much of Piles, and their variety, as well of Form as of Location. There rest yet some other sorts of Ordinaries, that are composed of a two-fold Line, not hitherto spoken of.

Such are these, viz.

• Flasque.
• Flanch.
• Voider.

In some mens conceit perhaps these Ordina­ries last mentioned might have been more fitly placed amongst such as are before handled, and are composed of a single Line (of which number these may be well reckoned, if we con­sider them each one apart by themselves:) but forasmuch as none of them are born single, but always by couples; for conveniency I have chosen rather to sort them with these that are formed of a twofold Line: and first of a Flasque.

A Flasque is an Ordinary consisting of one Arch-line, drawn somewhat distant from the corners of the Chief, and meanly swelling by degrees until you come towards the midst of the Escocheon, and from thence again decrea­sing with a like comly descent unto the Sinister base points; as in Example.

The Field is Or, two Flasques, Azure. This Reward (saith Leigh) is to be given by a King for Vertue and Learn­ing, and especially for Service in Ambassage: for therein may a Gen­tleman deserve as well of his Soveraign, as the Knight that serveth him in the Field. This is called an Arch-line, of the Latin word Arcus, that signifieth a Bow, which being bent, hath a moderate bowing, void of excess of tubero­sity. This word Flasque is derived either from the French word Fleschier, or from the Latin word Flecto, which signifieth to bend or bow.

The next in Order is the Flanch, which is an Ordinary formed of an Arch-line, taking its beginning from the corner of the Chief, and from thence compassing orderly with a swel­ling embossment, until it come near to the Nombril of the Escocheon, and thence pro­portionably declining to the Sinister base point, as in this next Escocheon.

He beareth Ermyn, two Flanches, Vert. This (saith Leigh) is one degree under the foresaid Flasque, yet it is commendable Ar­mory. This word Flanch (as some do hold) is derived from the French word Flans, which signifieth the flank of a man or beast, that includeth the small Guts, because that part strutteth out, cum tumore quodam, as it were a blown Blad­der. Sometimes you may find this Ordinary made of some other forms of Lines than plain, which when it shall happen, you must in the Blazon thereof make special mention of the form of Line whereof it is composed.

Last of all in our Ordinaries, cometh the Voider, consisting of one Arch-line moderate­ly bowing from the corner of the Chief by de­grees towards the Nombril of the Escocheon, and from thence in like sort declining, until it come unto the Sinister base, and hath a more near resemblance of the bent of a Bow than the Flanch hath, in that it riseth not with so deep a compass; as in Example.

He beareth Tenn, two Voiders, Or. This is the Reward of a Gentlewo­man for Service by her done to the Prince; but then the Voider should be of one of the nine Furs or Doublings. Such Reward (saith Leigh) might the Dutchess of Montfort have given to her Gentlewoman, who served her most diligently, not only while she kept the Town of Hanybot, but also when she rode armed into the Field, and scared the Frenchmen from the siege thereof. These are called Voiders, either because of the shal­lowness wherein they do resemble the accu­stomed voiding Plates with narrow brims used at Tables; or else of the French word Voire, which signifieth a Looking-glass or Mirrour, (which in ancient times were commonly made in that bulging form) especially considering they are given to Gentlewomen in recompence of Service, unto whom such Gifts are accep­table; and withal implying, that Gentlewo­men so well deserving, should be mirrors and patterns to others of their Sex, wherein to be­hold both their duties, and the due reward of Vertues. His counsel was so very behoveful, who advised all Gentlewomen often to look on Glasses, that so, if they saw themselves beautiful, they might be stirred up to make their Minds as fair by Vertue as their Faces were by Nature: but if deformed, they might make amends for their outward deformity, with their intern pulchritude and gracious qua­lities. And those that are proud of their Beau­ty, should consider, that their own hue is as brittle as the Glass wherein they see it; and that they carry on their shoulders nothing but a Skull wrapt in skin, which one day will be loathsome to be looked on.

CHAP. VII.

HAving shewed the manner and making of such Ordinaries as are composed of a twofold Line; we will now proceed to that other Member of the Distribution be­fore delivered, which maketh mention of Or­dinaries consisting of Lines more than twofold; and will shew how they also are made.

Such Ordinaries do consist of Lines

• Threefold.
• Fourfold.

Those that are formed of a threefold Line, are the Inescocheon and the Orle.

The Inescocheon is an Ordinary formed of a threefold Line, representing the shape of the Escocheon; as in Example.

He beareth Ermyn, an Inescocheon, Gules, by the Name of Hul­greve: This name of Inescocheon is proper only to those that are born in this place; for if the same were born in any other place, than upon the Fess point of the Shield, you should term the same then an Escocheon, and not an Inescocheon; so must you also, if there be more than one in the Field. This Escocheon is sometimes termed an Escocheon of Pretence, as shall appear here­after. This Ordinary containeth the fifth part of the Field (saith Leigh, but his demonstra­tion denoteth the third part) and may not be diminished; and albeit it be subject to some al­teration, by reason of the different forms of Lines before specified, yet it keepeth still one setform of an Escocheon, as we shall see by and by.

The next in rank of this kind is the Orle, which is an Ordinary composed of a threefold line duplicated, admitting a transparency of the Field, throughout the innermost Area or space therein inclosed. This hath the form of an Inescocheon, but hath not the solid substance thereof, being evermore voided, as in these following Examples appeareth.

He beareth Or, an Orle, Azure, by the Name of Bertram, Lord of Bothal. This word Orle seemeth to be derived from the French word Oreiller, which signifieth a Pil­low, and is attributed to this Ordinary, be­cause the same being of a different tincture from the Field, and formed only of a double tract, in regard of the transparency of the Field within, and the surrounding thereof without, it receiveth the resemblance of an embossed Substance, as if it were raised like a Pillow above the Field. Vpton termeth it in Latin Tractus, which signifieth a Trace or Trail, because the Field is seen both within and without it; and the Trail it self is drawn thereupon in a different Colour. If this were flored (saith Leigh) then must it be called a Tressure, which must contain the fifth part of the Field. And if two of these be in an Esco­cheon, you must term them a double Tressure, Chassanaeus saith, that the Orle is sometimes formed of many pieces, and that they are born to the number of Six.

He beareth Argent, an Orle within a Bor­dure, Gules, by the Name of Rutland, and is born by the Rut­lands of Saffron-wal­den in Essex, and of Micham in Surrey; of which Family is Mr. William Rutland of London.

As touching the doubling of this plain Orle, I will not here give Example, for that I pur­pose to present to your view a threefold Orle or Tract, which doth include the twofold, as in this next Escocheon appeareth.

He beareth Or, an Orle of three pieces, Sable. That this Or­dinary is born of many Tracts, it appeareth by this Example, taken out of Vpton, for the Readers satisfaction; where it is said, Sunt insuper alii qui habent istum Tractum triplicatum & quadruplicatum, ut nuper in armis Episcopi Coenomanensis, qui portavit pro Armis unum Tractum triplica­tum de nigro, in campo aureo: Some bear the Orle tripled and quadrupled, as the late Bishop of Maine, who bare a tripled Orle, Sable, in a Field, Or. This Ordinary is born diversly, according to the several forms of Lines be­fore handled, as may appear in the Examples ensuing.

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He beareth Argent, an Orle Engrailed on the inner side, Gules. I found this form of bearing observed by an uncertain Author, whom at first I suppo­sed to have either un­skilfully taken, or neg­ligently mistaken the trick thereof; but after I had found in Vpton, that in Blazoning of an Orle Engrailed, he Bla­zoned the same, An Orle engrailed on both sides, I took more special notice of this kind of bearing, for that such a form of Blazon (proceeding from a man so judicious in this kind) seemed covertly to imply a distinction of that from this form of bearing. And be­cause diversa juxta se apposita magis elucescunt, things differing give light each to other, I will here produce the Coat it self, and the Blazon thereof, as I find it set down by Vpton.

Il port (saith he) de Gules un trace en­grailee, de chascun cost d'Or. And in Latin thus: Qui habet ista Arma, portat unum tractum ex utraque parte ingradatum, de Auro in campo rubro. He beareth an Orle en­grailed on both sides, Or, in a Field, Gules. And no doubt by heedful observation you may find these Orles in like sort born Invecked, Si­milium enim similis est ratio; for like things have the like reason and respect. Note, that di­vers Charges, as well Artificial as Natural, are born Orl-ways, or in Orle; as likewise in form of Cross, Bend, Chevron, Saltire, &c. the Ex­amples whereof I must pass over, until a fit place be offered to handle Charges of those kinds. Concerning the bearing of Orles, com­posed of the sundry sorts of Furs, I hold it needless to use Examples to express them to the view, for that by consideration of the ma­nifold sorts of several Ordinaries before expres­sed, their diverse manner of bearing may be easily conceived: and therefore I will leave them to observation.

Hitherto have we considered the making of such Ordinaries as are composed of a threefold Line: Our Order calleth me now to speak of such Ordinaries as do require a fourfold Line for the effecting of them.

Of this sort is the

• Cross.
• Saltire.

The Cross is an Ordinary composed of a four-fold Line, whereof two are Perpendicu­lar, and the other two are transverse, for so we must conceive of them, though they are not drawn throughout, but meet by couples in four acute Angles near about the Fess point of the Escocheon; to look upon (if they were couped, as they are sometimes found) like to four Carpenters squares; as the Example fol­lowing will demonstrate. This Ordinary is called Crux, à cruciando, or à cruciatu, be­cause of the unspeakable torture and torment which they do suffer, who undergo this kind of death. The Content of the Cross is not the same always: for when it is not charged, then it hath only the fifth part of the Field; but if it be charged, then must it contain the third part thereof. To give you particular Exam­ples of all the different forms of bearing of the Cross, were as needless as endless, considering the variety set down by other Authors: I will therefore content my self with these en­suing.

He beareth Argent, a Cross, Sable, by the Name of Raynsford, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Richard Raynsford of Dallington in Northamptonshire, Kt. Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Kings Bench.

This Coat was also born by Henry Rayns­ford of Stanmore magna in Middlesex, B. D. deceased.

Argent, a Cross, Vert, by the Name of Hus­sey; and with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Hussey of Hemington in Lincolnshire, Baronet.

Azure, a Cross, Or: This Coat-Armour per­tained to the right worshipful Family of Shel­ton, in the County of Norfolk, whence de­scended that honourable vertuous Lady, Ma­ry Shelton, who was many years of the most honourable Bedchamber of that glorious Queen Elizabeth; and was also wife to the right worshipful Sir Iohn Scudamore of Home Lacy in the County of Hereford, Knight, Standard­bearer to her Majesties Honourable Band of Gentlemen Pensioners. This Ordinary is often­times diversly named, according to the diversi­ty of Lines whereof it is composed: For as it is the form of Lines whereof it is made, so is the Denomination thereof. In the ancientest Institution of the bearing of the Cross (with­out all controversie) it had this form; which is taken to be the true shape of the Cross whereupon our blessed Saviour Christ Jesus suf­fered: whose godly observation and use was in great esteem in the Primitive Church; though in latter times it hath been dishonourably en­tertained by two opposed kinds of Fantasticks: the one, who so superstitiously dote on it, that they adore it like their God: the other, who so [Page 57] unchristianly detest it, that they slander the most godly and ancient use thereof, in our first initiating unto Christ, as if it were some de­vilish Idol. But the true Souldiers of such a Captain need not to be ashamed to bear their Generals Ensign. And this bearing was first bestowed on such as had performed, or at least undertaken some Service for Christ and Chri­stian Profession: and therefore being duly con­ferred, I hold it the most honourable Charge to be found in Heraldry. But the form and bearing hereof (as well as the Chevrons for­merly spoken of) hath been also depraved through the inconsiderate handling of common Painters. For which cause I have caused this precedent Cross only to be cut after this fashi­on, in the rest I have ensued the vulgar man­ner bearing of how used, choosing rather to sway with the multitude in matters of small importance, than that I would seem to affect I know not what singularity; Nemo enim er­rantem arguit, qui cum multis errat. This manner bearing of the patible Cross is war­ranted by Rolls of greatest Antiquity, and it is most consonant to Reason, that the stem there­of should be much longer than the cross part, by how much it was requisite that the same was to be deeply fixed in the Ground: So then if we shall compare this ancient bearing with that of modern times, we shall find this to be natural, and that adulterate.

Crosses do receive manifold varieties of De­nomination, according to the multiplicity of their different shapes, and variable properties of Lines whereof they are formed.

The bearing of the Cross, is the express note or badge of a Christian that he bear the same according to the prescript, rule, and will of his Lord and Master. For as Barth. saith, In­signia ad voluntatem Domini sunt portanda, & non alias.

All Crosses may signifie unto us Tribulations and Afflictions, which (how burthensome so­ever they may seem to the flesh) yet is there much comfort to be found in them, to those that make a right use of them, and do under­go the burthen of them chearfully, and without recalcitration. For it is the property of world­lings that have been dandled (as I may say) in Fortunes lap, and pampered with worldly delights to forget both God and themselves, and in their fulness to spurn and kick up the heel, according to that saying of Moses in his Song that he made a little before his death; But he that should have been upright, when he waxed fat, spurned with his heel: He was fat, he was gross, he was laden with fatness, therefore he forsook God that made him, and regarded not the strong God of his Salvation, Deut. 30. 15.

Since then our Lord and Master (for our sakes) did willingly take upon him this grie­vous, and almost unsupportable Burthen, why should we then, that would be counted his pro­fessed Souldiers and Servants shrink thereat; especially since by the Discipline of the Cross, we are brought to the true knowledge of God, his Omnipotency, Wisdom, Justice, Mercy, and all other his Divine Attributes, and of our own miserable and damnable Estate, through our adherent and inherent corruption of sins, as well Actual, as Original.

A like form of bearing of this, is that Cross which we find born in the Shield of St. George, but diversly from this, both in Metal and Co­lour: which of some Armorists of Vptons time (as himself noteth in his Discourse of Arms) received in those days a very strange and absurd kind of Blazon, which he there set­teth down after this manner; the Shield, Gules, four Quarters, Argent: whose reason herein (saith he) I do not allow, for that by such manner of Blazon, the bearing of a plain Cross shall never be known. Moreover, herein also may we observe the Blazon hereof to be er­ròneous, in that they say, Four Quarters: which are indeed but so many Cantons; else should they all four meet in the Center of the Escocheon. This Ordinary is subject to voiding and couping, as these Examples fol­lowing shew.

He beareth Argent, a Cross voided, Azure. Panormitan writeth of Alphonsus King of A­ragon (what time he besieged Puteoli, a Ci­ty by the Sea side in Campania) that resort­ing daily to the Sea­shoar for his Recreation, upon a time he chanced to find the Corps of a man of Genoua in Italy, that had been cast out of a Galley; and thereupon alighting spee­dily from his Horse, caused all others that were near him to light; and commanded some to dig a Grave, whilst others covered the naked Corps: and he himself with his own hands did make a Cross of Wood, which he sticked fast at the head of the man so interred; to te­stifie that all Christian Offices may beseem the greatest Kings; and that whatever death we die, it is not material, so we live to Christ. So great is the resemblance oftentimes of things born in Coat-Armour, which yet in their Ex­istence are much differing, that a man well seen in Heraldry, may easily commit an error in the Blazoning of them, as by comparing of this Coat-Armour with the next will manifestly ap­pear: wherefore you must use an advised de­liberation in Blazoning, especially of Arms of near resemblance.

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He beareth Or, a Cross Patee, Sable, Fim­briated, Gules. The reason wherefore this Cross is called Patee, I will presently shew you when I come to speak of the Shield of Cad­wallader. This ap­proacheth near to the former in respect of the double tract thereof; yet doth it much differ from the same in sub­stance, forasmuch as the Charge of that is a twofold Cross, viz. one surmounted of ano­ther; and this a single Cross bordured or invi­roned with a hem or edge. Moreover, That this is not a Cross of Gules, surmounted of a­nother, Sable, it is clear, because the edge that goeth about this Cross is much narrower than is the space between those two Crosses. Besides, it cannot stand with the Rules of good Armory, to bear colour upon colour, or metal upon metal. This is called a Cross Fimbria­ted, of the Latin word Fimbria, which signi­fieth an edge, welt, or hem for a Garment, and is to be understood to be of the same thickness with it, and not to lie either upon or derneath.

He beareth Ermyn, a Cross engrailed, Gules, by the Name of Norwood, and is born by Henry Norwood of Tulsey in Glocestershire, Esq one of the Es­quires of his Majesties Body, and Deputy-Governour of Tangier: And by Francis Norwood of Lackington in the said County, Esquire.

As this Cross is formed of bunched Lines, so are there others that are composed of sundry other sorts of Lines before shewed, as experi­ence will inform you, and as you may in part see by the Example following.

He beareth Argent, a Cross wavy, voided, Sable, by the Name of Duckenfield in Devon­shire. In Coats of such bearing, you shall not need to say in the Blazon of them, that the Charge (whatsoe­ver the same be) is voided of the Field; because when you say on­ly Voided, and no more, it is always under­stood to be voided of the Field.

Of all other sorts of Crosses, the Cross wa­ved is a more special note of Tribulation, in regard it representeth the turbulent Waves or Surges of the Seas, occasioned by some turbu­lent gust or flaw of boystrous winds or storms, causing a success of surging Billows; notifying unto us consequent Afflictions and Troubles following immediately one upon anothers neck, which the Children of God must sustain with a constant resolution, following therein the instruction of Ecclesiasticus 2. 1. My Son, if thou wilt come into the service of God, stand fast in righteousness and fear, and pre­pare thy Soul unto temptation. And again, Settle thy heart and be patient, bow down thine ear, and receive the words of under­standing, and shrink not away when thou art assailed, but wait upon God patiently: Ioyn thy self unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end, Vers. 3.

He beareth Argent, a Cross Patonce, void­ed, Gules, by the name of Pilkington, a Knightly Family of great Antiquity, and very numerous, taking Name from Pilking­ton in Lancashire. 'Tis reported, according to Fullers Worthies, p. 110 that the chief of the Family being sought for soon after the Conquest, was forced to obscure himself under the Habit of a Thresher (o­thers a Mower) which occasioned the Motto, Now thus, now thus. Others think this to have hapned in the Wars between York and Lancaster, when Sir Iohn Pilkington, to­gether with his Brothers Sir Robert of Ri­vington, and Sir Thomas of Stanley, with their Father Sir Robert, had their Lands ta­ken from them; and Sir Iohn was bound by Indenture not to take up Arms against the King. Geffery Pilkington, Grandson of this Sir Iohn, married the Daughter and Heir of Sallow of Stanton in Derbyshire, whose Po­sterity continues there to this day.

He beareth Sable, a Cross engrailed, Or, in the first quarter a Mul­let, Argent, by the Name of Peyton. This with the Arms of Vl­ster, is the bearing of Sir Thomas Peyton of Knolton in Kent, Ba­ronet: And without the said Augmentation of the Hand, is born by Sir Robert Peyton of Lincolns-Inn-fields in Mid­dlesex, Knight.

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Azure, a Cross Ave­lane, Or.

Gules, a Cross Lam­beaux, Argent, is born by the Name of Ru­detzker.

Per Pale, Or and Vert, a Cross Furche, Gules, is born by Sir Iohn Hingham.

He beareth Vert, a Cross Croslet, Or, by the Name of Berry, and is born by Mr. Samuel Ber­ry, Citizen of London.

He beareth Argent, a Cross Botone, Sable, by the Name of Win­wood, and is the Pater­nal Coat-Armour of Richard Winwood of Ditton Park & Quain­ton in Buckinghamshire, Esq Son and Heir of the Right Honourable Sir Ralph Winwood Knight, Embassadour Leiger to the States of the Uni­ted Provinces, and Principal Secretary of State to King Iames.

He beareth Argent, a Cross Potence, Sable, charged with five Mul­lets pierced, Or, by the Name of Rigby, and is the Coat-Armour of Edward Rigby of Pre­ston in Lancashire, Ser­jeant at Law.

He beareth Or, a Cross flory, Sable, by the Name of Lamplugh, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Iohn Lamp­lugh of Lamplugh in Cumberland, Esq de­scended from that anci­ent Family of the Lamp­lughs, he being the Three and twentieth in descent, of which there have been Nine Knights; one of which was Sir Robert Lamp­lugh, who lived in the Reigns of Henry the Second, and Richard the First. The bearer hereof (who is now living) was Colonel of a Foot Regiment in the Service of his late Ma­jesty King Charles the First, in the Army com­manded by his Highness Prince Rupert, and was in actual Service under the same Com­mand at the Battel at Marston-moor in York­shire, Anno 1644. and was in several other Services for his said Majesty.

Parted per Saltier, Or and Argent, a Cross for­my, Azure. This Coat was born by High Pud­say Bishop of Durham, who bought of King Richard the First the Earldom of Northum­berland, and was af­terwards by the said King created Earl thereof; who told him, That of an Old Bishop he had made a Young Earl.

He beareth Or, a Cross Patee fitched in the foot, Gules. This Coat was born by Gal­fride de Scudamore that lived in the time of King Henry the Se­cond. It is termed Fitched of the Latin word Figo, which sig­nifieth to fasten or make sure, because by the means of the sharpness added to the foot there­of, it becometh more apt to be fastned any [Page 60] where. There is another sort of fitching of Crosses that have the whole fourth part fige­tive, as in this next Escocheon.

The Field is Iupi­ter, a Cross Patee on three parts, and fitched on the fourth, Sol. This (saith Gerard Leigh) was the Shield of bles­sed Cadwallader, last King of the Britains, who slew Lothaire King of Kent, and E­thelwold King of South-Saxons. I confess in terming this kind of Cross, a Cross Patee, I differ from Leigh, who calleth it Formy: But Chassanaeus Blazons it Patee, and giveth this reason thereof, Quia extremitates ejus sunt pa­tulae, because its ends are broad and opened, Chass. fol. 28. Bara is of the same Opinion, Bara le blazon des Arm. 67. and with these agree many of our Blazoners.

He beareth Sable, a Cross Potent, Or, by the Name of Allen, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Allen of Finch­ley in Middlesex; and of Sir Thomas Allen of the City of London, Al­derman, Knight and Baronet.

The Field is Iupiter, a Cross Potent fitched, Sol. This kind of Cross was born by Etheldred King of the West-Sax­ons, who lived Anno Salutis, 946.

What a Potent is, I have formerly shewed in the first Section, pag. 16. It may also be Bla­zoned a Cross crowchee, for the resemblance that it hath of a Crutch, which Chaucer cal­leth a Potent, which is properly figetive: For were it that the overthwart or cross part here­of should be exempted, then would the middle part shew it self to be a perfect Crutch, used for the slay and sustentation of feeble and aged persons. Like as old Age is a blessing of God, so contrariwise it is a Token of his heavy dis­pleasure, to be cut off before a man shall at­tain thereto: As appeareth by that saying of God unto Eli the Priest, Behold, the days come that I will cut off thine Arm, and the Arm of thy Fathers House, that there shall not be an old man in thine house, 1 Sam. 2 [...] 31. And again, And there shall not be an old man in thy house for ever, Verse 32. And further, And all the multitude of thine house shall dye when they be men, Verse 33. Moreover, it is said in the Prophet Zachary on the contrary part, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the Streets of Ierusalem; and every man with his Staff in his hand for very Age: Whereby is meant, that God would preserve them in life, so long as Nature might sustain them.

The Field is Iupiter, a Cross Patonce, Sol. You may read in Leigh his Accidence of Armo­ry, pag. 59. that King Egbert did bear in Bat­tel a Cross of this form or fashion in his left hand, and in his Azure coloured Banner like­wise. Here you may observe how this Cross Patonce differeth from the Cross Patee (de­monstrated before in the Shield of Cadwalla­der) and also from the Cross floury or fleurtee, which I shall presently shew you in Pen­thars Coat-Armour.

Whereas I have formerly made mention of Voiding, in the Chapter of Bends, and of one other Accident, namely Couping, in the Chap­ter of Fesses, I will now express them both in one Example in this Escocheon following.

He beareth Argent, a Cross voided and coup­ed, Sable, by the Name of Woodnoth.

There is another Accident whereunto this Ordinary is subject, that is to say, Piercing. Piercing is a penetration or perforation of things that are of solid substance. And it is threefold: That is to say,

• Round.
• Losengways.
• Quadrate.

As touching Round piercing, you have an Example in this next following Escocheon.

He beareth Sable, a Cross couped, pierced, Or, by the Name of Grill. If this Round in the midst were of a­ny other colour than of the Field, then should you account the same to be a Charge to the Cross; wherefore good heed must be taken in Blazoning of Coats of [Page 61] this kind, and chiefly of the Orbicular form in the midst of the Charge; to the end that you may know when to take the same for a pierce­ing, and when for a charge.

The Field is Azure, a Cross Moline pierced Losenge-ways, Or. This is the second form of piercing before-menti­oned; and the Coat was born by Rich­ard de Molineux of Lancaster, that lived in the Reign of King Richard the Second.

Concerning this Cross Moline (Leigh saith) that if it stood Saltire-ways, then should you call it Ferre de Molin, that is to say, a Mill-rind, or the Ink of a Mill: which to me seemeth a very Paradox, that transposition (being a thing meerly accidental) should give a new denomination to the thing transposed, and consequently alter the essence thereof: Quia novum nomen dat novum esse rei; where are new names, new things are supposed to be. It were a thing worthy of admiration, that Accidents should have such power in them: For Aristotle, Physicorum 1. saith, Accidentia possunt miraculose, & non alias mutare subje­ctum; Accidents change not their Subject but by Miracle. Addition doubtless and Subtraction, are of greater force than Transmutation or Location; yet is there no such power in them as that they can alter the essence of any thing: Quia augmentum vel diminutio (saith Chassa­naeus) circa accidentia contractuum, non re­ponunt contractum in diverso esse, neque per ea intelligitur ab eo in substantialibus recessus: the adding or diminishing of Accidents makes not the thing lose the nature of his being.

He beareth Azure, a Cross Moline, Quarter pierced, Or. This Coat was born by Thomas Molineux of Haughton in the County of Not­tingham, that lived in the time of King Henry the Fourth.

This Coat, with the Arms of Vlster, is born by Sir Iohn Molineux of Teversal in Nottinghamshire, Baronet [...] and with the Arms of Vlster, with a due difference, is born by Darcy Molineux of Mansfield in the said County, Esq Nephew to the said Sir Iohn.

Leigh in Blazoning of this form of Cross, maketh no mention at all of the piercing thereof, perhaps because it resembleth the Ink of a Mill, which is evermore pierced. This is termed Quarter pierced, quasi Quadrate pierced, for that the piercing is square as a Trencher.

He beareth Gules, a Fess between three cross Croslets fitchee, Or, by the Name of Gore, of which Fami­ly are two Sir Iohn Gores of Hertfordshire, Sir William Gore of Ireland Baronet, Wil­liam Gore of Moreden in Surrey Esq and Ge­rard Gore, sometime since chosen Alderman of the City of London.

He beareth Azure, a Fess Dauncett Er­myn between 6 cross Croslets, Argent, by the Name of Barna­diston. This, with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Bar­nadiston of Kedding­ton or Kenton in Suf­folk, Baronet: and of Sir Samuel Barnadiston of Brightwell-hall in the said County also, Bar onet.

He beareth Argent, a Fess between six cross Croslets fitchee, Gules, by the name of Craven: and with the Arms of Vlster, is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Anthony Cra­ven of Sparsholt in Berkshire, Knight and Baronet, of the Name and Family of the Right Honourable William Earl of Craven, &c.

Ruby, on a Bend between six cross Cros­lets fitchee, Pearl, an Escocheon Topaz, thereon a demy Lyon pierced through the mouth with an Arrow, within a double Tres­sure, counter-floured of the first; and is the Parernal Coat of the Right Noble and Ancient Family of the Howards, which now flourisheth in the Per­sons of his Grace Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Arundel, Surrey, and Norfolk, Baron Howard, Fitz-Allen; Matravers, Mawbrey, Segrave, Bruce, Clun, and Oswaldstre: The [Page 62] Right Honourable Charles Earl of Notting­ham, Baron Howard of Effingham: The Right Honourable Francis Earl of Suffolk, Baron Howard of Walden, Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Cambridge and Suffolk, and Gentleman of his Majesties Bedchamber: The Right Honourable Charles Earl of Berkshire, Viscount Andover, and Baron Howard of Charlton: The Right Honourable Charles Earl of Carlisle, Viscount Howard of Mor­peth, Baron Dacres of Gisland, Lord Lieute­nant of the Counties of Cumberland and West­moreland; Vice-Admiral of the Coasts of Nor­thumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, and Maritim Parts there adjacent, and one of his Majesties most Honourable Pri­vy Council. The Right Honourable Henry Earl of Norwich, and Earl Marshal of Eng­land, Baron Howard of Castle-Rising, and Heir apparent to his Brother Thomas Duke of Norfolk: The Right Honourable William Lord Viscount Stafford; and the Right Ho­nourable Edward Lord Howard of Escrick. And from these, and their Ancestors Loins, have issued forth divers worthy Gentlemen, as Stems to support the Dignity of the said Fa­mily.

The Augmentation born on the Bend was granted unto the Right Noble Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and to his Descendants, by King Henry the Eighth, for his signal Service as Ge­neral of the Army which gave that remarkable overthrow at Floding to King Iames the Fourth of Scotland; which said Duke was by King Henry the Seventh created Knight of the Garter, and made Lord High Treasurer of Eng­land.

He beareth Azure, Crusuly a cross Moline voided throughout, Or, by the Name of Knowles.

He beareth Ruby, a Chevron between ten Crosses Formee, Pearl, by the Name of Berk­ley, and is the Pater­nal Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable George Lord Berkley of Berkley in Gloce­stershire, descended in a direct Male Line from Robert Fitz-Harding, a second Son of the Blood Royal of Denmark; a great promoter and encourager of Traffick for the publick good of the Nation, and is at present Governour of the Turkey Company, and a principal Member of the East-India, Royal, and other Incorporated Companies of Mer­chants.

He beareth Or, on a Chevron, Gules, three Crosses Formee of the Field, by the Name of Peck, and is the Pater­nal Coat-Armour of William Peck of Sam­ford-hill in the County of Essex, Esq Son and Heir of that Eminent Lawyer Edward Peck of the said place, Ser­jeant at Law to his Majesty King Charles the Second; by Grace, Daughter and Coheir of William Green of East Barnet in Hartford­shire, Esquire.

He beareth Gules, on a Bend, Argent, 3 Crosses Patee, Sable, by the Name of Re­versby. This, with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Iohn Reversby of Thribergh in York­shire Baronet, whose Ancestors have been seated there, and there adjacent, before, and ever since the Reign of William the Con­querour, as by Records may appear. This without the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat of Sir Tamworth Reversby of in Hantshire, Knight.

He beareth Or, a Chevron between 3 Crosses flory, Sable, by the Name of Sterne, and is the Pa­ternal Coat-Armour of Richard Sterne of Kilvington in York­shire, Esquire, Son and Heir to the most Reverend Father in God Richard Sterne, Lord Archbishop of York, Primate, and Metropolitan of Eng­land, descended from a Family of that Name in Nottinghamshire.

[Page 63]

He beareth Gules, a Chevron between three Crosses Botonee, Or, by the Name of Rich, and is born by Sir Edwin Rich of Mulberton in Norfolk, Knight: and by Captain Peter Rich of Lambeth in Surrey, Esq Son of Edw. Rich of Hornden in Essex.

He beareth Argent, a Cross, Sable, a Tres­sure of half Flower de Lis between four Mul­lets pierced of the se­cond, by the Name of Atkyns, and is the Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Atkyns of Tot­teridge in Hartford­shire, and of Sapperton in Glocestershire, Knight of the Bath, and one of his Majesties Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas; whose Great-grandfather, Thomas Atkyns of Tuffleigh in Glocestershire, Esq was twice Reader of Lincolns-Inn; first in the Two and thirtieth year of King Henry the Eighth; and secondly in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth; and whose Grand­father, Richard Atkyns Esq was Reader of the said Society in the Reign of Queen Eli­zabeth, and chief Justice of North-Wales, and one of the Council of the Marches of Wales; and whose Father, Sir Edward At­kyns Knight, late deceased, was likewise Reader of the same Society in the Reign of King Charles the First, and afterwards one of the Barons of the Exchequer to his Majesty King Charles the Second: and the said Sir Robert about Eleven years since was likewise Reader of the same Society; whose Son, Sir Robert Atkyns, was Knighted about Twelve years since, whilst he was a Student in the U­niversity of Oxford, and is now living; so that Grandfather, Father, and Son, were all li­ving together, and Knights at the same time.

So much of the Cross, with the Accidents thereof: Now of that other Ordinary that is framed also of a fourfold Line, that is to say, a Saltire.

A Saltire is an Ordinary consisting of a four­fold Line, whereof two are drawn from the Dexter chief towards the Sinister base corners, and the other from the Sinister chief towards the Dexter base points, and do meet about the midst by couples in acute Angles. I know the Learned Geometer will find many more Lines here than I do mention: but (as I said of Lines in the Cross) this our description greeth best with Heralds, and our purpose.

He beareth Pearl, a Saltier, Ruby. This is the Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Dig­by Lord Gerard, Baron of Gerards Bromley and Lord Dutton: And is also born by the Right Honourable Charles Lord Gerard, Baron of Brandon, one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Bedchamber, &c. This Coat, with the Arms of Vlster, is born by Sir Francis Gerard of Harrow-hill in Mid­dlesex, Knight and Baronet.

Azure, a Saltier, Argent, is the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir William York of Burton-Pedwar­din in Lincolnshire, Knight.

Sable, a Saltier, Argent, is born by the name of Ducket of Steeple-Morden in Cambridge­shire. In old time (saith Leigh) this was made of the height of a man, and was dri­ven full of Pins, the use whereof was to scale the Walls therewith, to which end, the Pins served commodiously. In those days (saith he) the Walls of a Town were but low, as appeareth by the Walls of Rome, which Rhe­mus easily leaped over; and the Walls of Win­chester, which were overlooked by Colebrand the Chieftain of the Danes, who was slain by Guy Earl of Warwick, who was Champion for King Athelstane.

He beareth Gules, Or, a Saltier, Argent, a Rose of the first, by the name of Nevil, and is the Coat-Armour of Colonel Richard Nevil of Billingbeare in Berkshire Esquire, descended from the an­cient and honourable Family of the Nevils Earls of Westmoreland, several of which were Knights of the Gar­ter.

He beareth Emerald, a Saltier engrailed, Pearl. This is the Paternal Coat-Armour of the Right Honoura­ble Francis Lord Haw­ley of Buckland in So­mersetshire, one of the Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of York.

[Page 64]Argent, a Saltier engrailed, Sable, by the Name of Middleton. This, with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir George Middleton of Leighton near Warton in Lanca­shire, Baronet.

He beareth Ermyn, a Saltier engrailed, Sable, by the Name of Ingolds­by, and is the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir Richard In­goldsby of Walridge in Buckinghamshire, Kt. of the Bath.

He beareth Vert, a Saltier waved, Ermyn, by the Name of Wake­man, and is born by Wakeman of Beckford in Glocester­shire.

He beareth Argent, a Saltier engrailed be­tween 4 Cinque-foils, by the Name of Na­pier; and, with the Arms of Vlster, is the bearing of Sir Iohn Napier of Luton-How in Bedfordshire, Baro­net: by Sir Nathaniel Napier of Middle Marsh-hall in Dorsetshire, Baronet: and by Robert Napier of Pucknal in Dorsetshire, Esquire.

He beareth Or, on a Saltier trunked, Gules, five Croslets fitchee of the first, born by the Name of Rich of Sunning in Berkshire.

He beareth per Pale, Argent and Vert, a Sal­tier counterchanged, a Canton Ermyn, by the Name of H [...]nt, and is the Coat-Armour of Richard Hunt of R [...] ­ford in Essex; Gent.

He beareth Gyrony of Four, Argent and Gules, a Saltier, between as many Croslets, all counterchanged, by the Name of Twisden, and is the Coat-Armour of Roger Twisden of Brad­borne in the Parish of East-Malling in Kent, Esq eldest Son of Sir Thomas Twisden of the said place, Knight and Baronet, one of the Justices of his Majesties Court of Kings-Bench; a Person eminent and celebrated for his knowledge in the Laws, Son of Sir William Twisden, Knight and Baronet, by Anne Finch, Daughter of Elizabeth Coun­tess of Winchelsey.

He beareth Gules, a Saltire, Verrey, by the Name of Willington. This Ordinary is limi­ted to the fifth part of the Field, the same not being charged, but if it be charged, then shall it contain the third part thereof. This charge also varieth his name in Blazon, accord­ing to the divers forms of Lines whereof the same is composed; for that it is no less diversly made in respect of the lineaments thereof, than the Cross before handled.

CHAP. VIII.

HAving hitherto shewed at large the se­veral forms of making of such Charges as we call honourable Ordinaries: Or­der requireth that I should now shew their di­verse manner of Bearing, according to our prefixed Distribution.

These are born

• Simple.
• Compound.

[Page 65]Those are said to be born Simple, when only Ordinaries do appear in the Field.

These Ordinaries comprehend

• One sort.
• Divers sorts.

Ordinaries are said to be of one sort, when only one kind of them is born in the Field, without mixture of any other.

Whose bearing is

• Single.
• Manifold.

By single Bearing I understand some one Or­dinary born alone in the Escocheon: such are these precedent Examples before handled.

By manifold bearing of Ordinaries, I mean the bearing of divers Ordinaries of the same kind, whether the same be born of them­selves alone, or else conjunctly with some of their Subdivisions.

Which form of bearing is twofold, viz.

• One upon another.
• One besides another.

What is meant by the bearing of Ordina­ries of one kind, one upon another, may be easily conceived by these four Escocheons next following.

He beareth Ermyn, a Cross, Gules, sur­mounted of another, Argent, by the Name of Malton. Amongst the Crosses formerly exemplified, I have gi­ven an Example of one much like to this in shew, but yet much dif­fering from the same, as you will easily find by comparing them together: For in the for­mer the Field sheweth through the innermost parts thereof; but in this it is far otherwise: forasmuch as herein are two Crosses, whereof that which lyeth next the Field is Gules, and the other that is placed upon the same is Ar­gent; so as in this it can by no means be con­ceived to be of that kind before handled, for then should the Ermyns appear in the inner part thereof, as well as in the rest of the Field, then might you boldly call the same a Cross voided, as that formerly handled.

He beareth Vert, a Cross couped, Argent, charged with another, Gules. This Example doth more apparently express the double charge shewed in the last precedent Escoche­on, for that the Cross that lieth next the Field is made more spacious than the former: and withal, it doth inform our understanding, that there is great difference between the bearing of this, and of the Cross fimbriated, herein, that in the Cross fimbriated, the edges there­of do occupy the least portion thereof; and in this the surmounting Cross hath the least part of the same. This therefore cannot by any means be understood to be a Cross fimbriated, for so should the guard or edge thereof be larg­er than the thing that is said to be guarded, which were a very absurd affirmation.

He beareth Gules, a Saltire, Or, charged with another, Vert, by the Name of Andrews. What hath been for­merly said in the last precedent Example touching the Cross, doth hold also in this and other like Bearings: for in things having a conformity or resemblance one of another, the same reason holdeth in the one as in the other; where contrariwise, of things having no re­semblance or likeness, the reason is diverse. This Engine (as Leigh noteth) in old time was of the height of a man, and was born of such as used to scale the Walls of Cities or Towns (which then were but low) and it was driven full of pins fit for that purpose. Vpton saith it was an Engine to catch wild Beasts, and therefore bestowed upon rich and covetous persons, that willingly will not part from their Substance.

Proceed we now to Examples of Ordinaries of the same kind born one besides another: such are these next following, and their like.

The Field is Argent, three Pallets Gules. This Coat appertaineth to the ancient Family of Ber­chem, Lord of Berchem in Brabant, near Ant­werp. And as there are Ordinaries of this kind born in streight Line, so are they also born in Lines Unde, as in Example. The bear­ing [Page 66] of Piles, Pales, Bends, Barrs, and their extracted parts, was called of old Heralds, Restrial, in respect of their strength and solid substance, which is able to abide the stress and force of any trial they shall be put unto.

He beareth Argent, three Pallets Wave, Gules, by the Name of Downes of Debnam, Suffolk. Note, that such Ordinaries, as ei­ther of themselves, or else by reason of some charge imposed upon them, do challenge the third part of the Field, are exempted from this kind of bearing one besides another, be­cause of such the Field can contain but one of them at once. But their Derivatives or Sub­divisions may well be sorted with them in the same Escocheon; as a Pale between two En­dorses, a Bend between two Cotisses, and such like of the same kind; as in Example.

The Field is Azure, a Bend engrailed, Ar­gent, cotissed, Or. This Coat-Armour pertain­eth to the worthy Fa­mily of Fortescue of Devon, and is born by Sir Peter Fortescue of Preston and Wood in the said County, Baro­net. As these Cotisses are born plain, so shall you find them varied after the divers forms of Lines before expressed, as in these Examples following may in part be seen: And Vptons assertion (before delivered) touching their diversity of shape approved; as by practice the diligent Observer shall easily perceive.

He beareth Sable, a Bend, Argent, between two Cotisses Dancett, Or, by the Name of Clopton, albeit these Cotisses may seem to be of a divers kind from the Bend where­with they are sorted: yet is it otherwise, in­asmuch as they are Subdivisions abstracted from the Bend, as hath been before shewed. Now I will shew you Bends born one besides the other.

He beareth Or, two Bends, Azure, by the Name of D'oyley, a Family of good Anti­quity: for Robert Lord Oyley or D'oyley, came into England with the Conqueror, and found­ed the Castle of Ox­ford within five years of the Conquest, whose Son Robert was Con­stable to King Henry the First, and founded the Abbey of Osney. Of this Family is Sir Iohn D'oyley of Chisleyhampton in Oxfordshire, Kt.

The Field is Argent, two Bends, Gules. This Coat-Armour I find in an ancient Manuscript of Collection of Englishmens Arms in Metal and Colours, with the Blazon in French, of the time of our Henry the Sixth, as it is apparent by the Character of the Letter: over which Coat-Armour is there written the Bearers name, viz. Monsieur Iohn Haget; from whom Mr. Bartholomew Haget, late Consul of Aleppo, deriveth his descent. This Book at this pre­sent remaineth in the custody of a worthy Friend of mine, a curious Collector and care­ful Preserver of such ancient Monuments.

Gules, two Bends, the upper Or, and the lower Argent, was born by Milo Fitz-water, who by King Henry the First was made Earl of Hereford, and Constable of England, and Lord of the Forest of Dean, in right of his Wife, Daughter and Heir of Bernard Newmarch, Lord of Brecknock. This Coat is now quar­tered by Sir Ralph Verney of Middle Claydon in Buckinghamshire.

He beareth Azure, three Croslets fitchee, between two Bendlets, Or, this with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Norton Knatchbull of Mersham Hatch in Kent, Knight and Baronet.

He beareth Argent, three Bends wavy, A­zure. This is the an­cient Paternal Coat-Armour belonging to Wilbraham of Cheshire, as appears by divers Records in the Office of Arms, and else­where. The chief of which Name is Sir Richard Wilbraham of Woodhey, Knight and Baronet, lineally descend­ed [Page 67] from Sir Richard Wilbraham Knight, who lived in the Reign of King Henry the Third, and was high Sheriff of the aforesaid County in the beginning of King Edward the First. From which Family of Wilbraham of Wood­hey, descended Sir Roger Wilbraham Knight, lately one of the Masters of Requests in Or­dinary to King Iames, and Surveyor of his Majesties Court of Wards and Liveries; who at Nantwich (the place of his Birth) and elsewhere, hath by his charitable Acts le [...] pious Monuments of his Name and Memory. Of this Family are Sir Thomas Wilbraham of Woodhey in the said County, Baronet; as also Roger Wilbraham of Dearfold, and Roger Wilbraham of Nantwich, both of the said Countie, Esquires.

Mr. Boswell, in his Works of Armory ob­serveth, That the Bearer of such Bends as these, or of the like Coat-Armour, may be thought to have done some great enterprise upon the Seas, worthy of perpetual com­mendation. As for Ordinaries of other sorts born likewise one besides another of the same kind, behold these next Examples.

He beareth Or, three Bars Dancett, Gules, by the Name of Dela­mare. This Example serveth to inform our understanding of the use of that sort of a­cute Anguled Ordina­ries, that in Blazon we term by the name of Dancett; and is in shape like to that other sort of acute Anguled Line, which is there named Indented, but differeth from the same only in quantity, wherein these do exceed those, as being more spaciously drawn than they.

He beareth Azure, three Bars waved, Ar­gent, by the Name of Samford. To the end I may make plain (by demonstration) the use of the several forms of Lines before expressed; I made choice of this Coat-Armour, to ex­emplifie the third sort of bunched Lines there mentioned. This kind of bearing may put us in mind, that like as in a tempestuous storm, the Seas being troubled, do raise their waves one immediately upon another: So likewise hath God ordained that one trou­ble should succeed another to keep his cho­sen in continual exercise, and may have ma­nifold experiments of his gracious Providence and Fatherly care, in preserving of them in all their troubles, and giving them a com­fortable event, and happy end of all their Afflictions; as appeareth Iob 5. 19. He shall deliver thee in six troubles, and in the se­venth the evil shall not touch thee. It is a blessed thing to be under Gods correction, as witnesseth Iob 5. 17. Behold, blessed is the man whom God correcteth, therefore re­fuse not thou the chastisement of the Al­mighty: for he maketh the wound and bind­eth it up; he smiteth, and his hands make whole, Verse 18. Again, He delivereth the poor in affliction, and openeth their Ear in trouble, Job 36. 15. By afflictions God mo­veth the hearts of his Children to feel their sins, that they may come to him by Repen­tance, as he did Manasseth. And if they be bound in fetters, and tied with cords of affliction (Job 36. 8.) Then will he shew them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded, Verse 9. Behold, God exalteth by his power; what teacher is like unto him? Verse 22. Affliction bringeth us to knowledge and acknowledging of our sins, as we may see, Deut. 31. 17.

Now from Ordinaries of the same kind born one upon another, with their extra­cted Subdivisions, proceed we to Ordinaries of divers kinds, and their Diminutives abstra­cted from them, eftsoons found likewise born both one upon another, and one be­sides another: Such are these next following, and their like.

He beareth Gules, on a Chevron, Argent, three Bars Gemelles, Sable, by the Name of Throkmorton; and with the Arms of Vl­ster, is the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir Baynham Throkmorton in the said County, Baronet. These are termed in Blazon Bars Gemelles, of the Latin word Gemellus, which signifieth a Twin, or Children of one Birth, as Gemelli fratres, Brothers of one birth, for like as these are Twins of a birth, so are those in like sort born by cou­ples.

He beareth Sable, a Pile, Argent, sur­mounted of a Che­vron, Gules, by the Name of Dyxton. This Coat is found in the Abby Church of Ci­rencester, in the Coun­ty of Glocester; and it serveth fitly to exem­plifie a Rule formerly delivered touching the [Page 68] usual blazoning of distinct things born in one Escocheon; viz. that the Charge lying next and immediately upon the Field, shall be f [...]rst nominated, and then things more re­mote.

He beareth Sable, on a Saltire engrailed, Argent, an Inescoche­on, Or, charged with a Cross, Gules, by the Name of Morris. It may be of some con­ceived that there is false Armory in this Coat, in respect of the Escocheon, Or, placed upon the Saltire, Argent, which is Metal upon Metal, a kind of bearing (as also Colour upon Colour) utterly condemned for false Armory: but such kind of falsity is evermore meant of Metal up­on Metal, or Colour upon Colour, placed in one self-same Escocheon: but here are seve­ral Shields, and those pertaining to distinct Families, and therefore not to be holden for false Armory.

He beareth Argent, on a Pale, Sable, three Crosses Patee, Or, with­in a Bordure engrailed, of the second, by the Name of Crowch of Als­wike, in the County of Hartford. Here you may observe, that when you are to Blazon an Escocheon wherein are born a Pale and a Bordure, that you must mention the Pale be­fore the Bordure.

The Field is Argent, a Fess and Canton, Gules. This Coat-Ar­mour pertaineth to the Honourable Family of Woodvile, created Earl Rivers in the time of King Edward the Fourth, who was also Lord Treasurer of Eng­land; from whom many worthy Persons of high calling are descended. As touching Or­dinaries of divers kinds born one upon ano­ther, you must observe, that if they be both of one Metal, Colour, or Furr, their parts contingent are not severed by purfle, for that by their forms it may be easily conceiv­ed what Ordinaries they are, notwithstanding the defect of the purfle.

He beareth Gules, two Bars and a Can­ton, Argent, by the Name of Deane. As to the omission of pur­fle last before menti­oned, the Rule there given holdeth not a­lone in that, but also in these and all other Coats of like bearing, I mean such as have in them a Canton or Quarter born joyntly (as in these) with some other Ordinary of the same Metal, Colour, or Furr, now I will add one Example of the joynt bearing of a Canton with three Bars, as in the next Es­cocheon appeareth.

He beareth Argent, three Barrs and a Can­ton, Gules, by the name of Fuller. Many more Examples of Coat-Armours of like sort of bearing could I pro­duce, were it not that I hold these few suffi­cient to inform the un­derstanding of studious Armorists, that as well Ordinaries of divers kinds, as those of the same kind, are found born one upon a­nother; and withal to occasion them to pry more narrowly into these curious and nice manners of bearing, which numbers of them do sleightly pass over, as if they held them unworthy of more than ordinary Observation. But here the [...]ars are cut too little.

He beareth Or, three Bars, Azure, on a Canton, Gules, a Lyons head enrazed, Argent, by the Name of Cox, and is the Pa­ternal Coat-Armour of Thomas Cox, M. D. Phy­sician in Ordinary to his Majesty K. Charles the Second.

He beareth Sable, a Bend and Chief, Or. This is a Coat of rare bearing, which I find cut in stone in the Ab­by Church of Westmin­ster, in the North part thereof. The conjoyning of these two Ordinaries doth con­stitute [Page 69] (on the left side thereof) the form of a Gyron; and the Ordinaries themselves thus united, do resemble the form of the Arithme­tical figure of Seven turned backwards.

Now for Ordinaries of divers kinds born one besides another, you shall have these Ex­amples ensuing.

He beareth Or, a Fess between two Chevrons, Sable: This Coat-Ar­mour was born by Sir Iohn Lisle Knight, and one of the first Found­ers of the most Noble Order of the Garter, as appeareth by his Plate whereon these Arms are enameled, and yet remaining in his Stall in the Quire in the Chappel of Saint George at Windsor. Which Sir Iohn Lisle was Lord of the Mannor of Wilbraham, in the County of Cambridge, of which said Mannor William Lisle Esquire, is at this day seized: A Gen­tleman, to whom the Studious in our ancient Saxon Tongue are much obliged, for the clear light he hath given therein by his great travel and pains.

Robert Lisle, who was a Baron in the times of King Edward the Second, and Edward the Third, bore the same Coat-Armour. And divers ancient and eminent Nobles of this Kingdom do rightfully quarter these Arms, being descended from the Heirs generally of the Family of Lisle.

Or, a Fess between two Chevrons, Gules, was the Coat of Anselme Lord Fitz-water, in the time of the Conquest; of whom did descend Walter Fitz-water, who had a Daughter and Heir that married to Robert Radcliff, Father of Robert Radcliff Lord Fitz-water, of whom descended Robert Rad­cliff Earl of Sussex, and Viscount Fitz-water; of which Family of Sir Francis Radcliff of Dil­ston in Northumberland, Baronet, now li­ving, 1675.

He beareth, Gules, a Cross, Argent, in the Dexter Quarter, an Es­cocheon, Or, charged with three Chevronels of the first, by the Name of Saint Owen; which Family, either for affection, or for some Lands which they anciently held of the House of Clare, may seem to have assumed the Arms of the said Clare in the Dexter point of the Field; which form of bearing is of very rare use.

He beareth Argent, a Cross flory, Gules, in the Sinister Quarter, an Escocheon, Sable, charg­ed with a Cross of the first, by the Name of Penthar. This Coat I have also inserted here, because of the variety and rarity of it, being of no less rareness than the form­er, and seldom seen to be born by any: In Blazon of which I break not the Rule for­merly given, by twice repeating the word Cross, because it is in the Escocheon by it self.

The Field is Topaz, a Saltire and Chief, Ruby; and is the Arms of Sir Edward Bruse Knight, Lord of Kin­loss in Scotland, some­time Master of the Rolls of his Majesties Court of Chancery. These Arms sometime belong­ed to the old Bruses of Anandale, and also to the Earls of Carict; out of which House the R. Ho­nourable Robert Earl of Aylesbury and Elgin, Viscount Bruse of Ampthil, Lord Bruse of Wharlton, Skelton, and Kinloss, Heredita­ry High Steward of the Honour of Ampthil, High Steward of Leicester, and Lord Lieu­tenant of Bedfordshire, derives his descent; to which Coat, as an Addition, his Lord­ship now beareth on a Canton Pearl, a Ly­on Rampant, Saphir.

He beareth Gules, two Bars and a Chief indented, Or, by the Name of Hare. This, with the Arms of Vl­ster, is the Coat of Sir Ralph Hare of St [...]w-Bardolph in Norfolk, Baronet; and as I take it, derived from the an­cient Armes of Harecourt, whose Coat-Armour it is if the Chief were away. In this Escocheon you may observe in some part, the variable shape of Chiefs, occasi­oned by reason of divers forms of Lines (be­fore shewed) whereof they are composed. The rest, time and diligent observation will make plain.

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The Field is Azure, three Chevronels, bra­sed in the Base of the Escocheon, and a Chief, Or. This Coat-Armour pertaineth to the Ho­nourable Family of Fitz-Hugh, sometimes ancient Barons of the North parts of this Land; of whom the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembrook is Heir, and writeth himself, amongst his other Titles, Lord Fitz-Hugh, and also quartereth the Coat. These are term­ed in Blazon Chevronels, in respect they are abstracted from Chevrons, whereof they have not alone the shape, but also a borrowed name of Diminution, as if you should call them mi­nute, or small Chevrons.

He beareth Argent, three Chevronels bra­sed in the Base point of the Escocheon, Sa­ble, on a Chief of the second, three Mullets of the first, by the Name of Danby, and is now born by Chri­stopher Danby of Ma­sham, Thorp-Parrow, and Scruton, in the North-Riding of York­shire; of Driffield in the East-Riding; and of Thornby in the Parish of Leeds in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, Esq.

SECTION III. CHAP. I.

HAving performed the Task which our proposed Order imposed on us, touch­ing proper Charges, together with their making, and divers manner of bearing: the same orderly Progression now calleth us to the handling of common Charges, menti­oned in the second Member of the same Di­stribution. By common Charges I mean all such other Charges hereafter following, as are not hitherto handled.

Whether they be

• Natural.
• Artificial.

Things Natural (according to Philosophers) are Essences by themselves subsisting: Res na­turalis est essentia per se subsistens. Mani­fold, and in manner infinite are these things Natural, as Zanchius noteth, saying, Multae sunt, & propè infinitae, non tam res, quàm rerum species, in Coelis, in Aere, in Terris, in Aquis: therefore it is not to be expected, that I should in exemplifying of them, pass through all the particulars of them; but only touch superficially some of their chiefest, se­lected out of that innumerable variety, where­by I may manifest in what ranks, and under what heads, each peculiar thing must be be­stowed, according to their several kinds, and so redeem them from all former confused mix­ture.

Of things Natural, some are

• Formal.
• Material.

The formal Nature is most simple and pure, and consisteth of the propriety of its own form, without any body at all; of which sort are Spirits, which (according to Scri­bonius are Essentiae formatae rationales & immortales; Essences perfectly formed, rea­sonable and immortal: I say, perfectly form­ed, to distinguish them from the Souls of men, whose forming is not perfect in it self, but is for the informing and perfecting of the Body and the whole Man.

Amongst such Forms are numbred

• Angels.
• Cherubims.

Angels, in the Opinion of most men) are incorporeal Essences of a spiritual Nature, void of all material Substance. Angelus in Latin, is the same that Nuntius is, that is to say a Messenger; and the same is a name of Office, and not of Nature, as St. Augustine noteth up­on Psalm 104. saying, Quaeris nomen hujus naturae? Spiritus est. Quaeris officium? An­gelus est. Will you know the nature of it? It is a Spirit. Will you know the Office of it? It is an Angel or Messenger. The like may we find (saith he) in man: Nomen naturae Homo, officii Miles: nomen naturae Vir, of­ficii Praetor: To be a man, is a name of na­ture: To be a Souldier or Pretor, is a name of Office. Angels are Messengers, by whom God hath manifested his will and power to his E­lect in Christ Jesus: In which respect also the Ministers of God are called in Scriptures Gods Angels, and therefore to be honoured as his Embassadours and Messengers; and their Do­ctrine is Evangelium, the good Angelical Message of life eternal with the Angels in Heaven.

All Angels are of like spiritual Substance, of like intelligent faculty, of like will and choice; In fine, all of them created alike good, and in nature perfect. Nevertheless, as all men by nature and natural dignity are alike, but by accident some of them are of more esteem and worthiness than others: So [Page 74] it is also with Angels, inasmuch as some of them (if we give credit to Philosophers) are appointed to attend the motion of the Heavens, others to repress the rage of Devils, as ap­peareth Iob 8. Others have charge of preser­vation of Kingdoms, and to keep under the rage of Tyrants, as is manifest Daniel 20. Some have charge of some particular Church, others of Apostles and Pastors, and others of private Persons, Psalm 91. And all of them are by Scripture said to be Ministring Spi­rits.

Of this diversity of Functions, and several Administrations, it is thought (because some of these Off [...]ces are of higher imployment than others are) that some of them are sim­ply called Angels, some Archangels, some Vertues, some Dominations, as St. Hierom expresly sheweth.

And albeit these heavenly Spirits be in their own Nature void of all corporeal or material Substance, yet is it certain, when it pleased God so to imploy them, they had assumpted Bodies for the time, to the end they might then more effectually accomplish the service that God had injoyned them. Such Bodies had the three Angels that appeared to Abraham, Gen. 18. Such Bodies also had the two Angels that came unto Lot, Gen. 19. And as God gave them Bodies for that time, so did he give them also the Faculties answerable to such Bo­dies; viz. to walk, talk, eat, drink, and such like. These Bodies and bodily Faculties were given them, to the end they might more familiarly converse and discourse with the god­ly, to whom they were sent, and the better perform the charge enjoyned them, insomuch as they did unfeignedly eat and drink, as Zan­chius noteth; whereby they did the better conceal their proper Nature, until such time as they should make known unto men what they were indeed. Hereupon it seemeth the Ancients of fore-past Ages have used the bear­ing of Angels in Coat-Armours, according to those bodily shapes and habits wherein they appeared unto men, as in Example.

The Field is Iupiter, an Angel volant in bend, pointing to the Hea­vens with his right hand, and with his left to the Earth, habited in a Robe close girt, Sol: having a Scroll is­suing from his mouth, containing these four Letters, G. I. E. D. The Letters do sig­nifie the words uttered by the multitude of heavenly Souldiers that did accompany the Angel which brought unto the Shepherds the most joyful tidings of the birth of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, praising God, and saying, Gloria in excelsis Deo, & in terra pax: Glory to God on high, and on Earth peace. This Coat may well beseem any Ambassadour or bringer of happy news, especially such as first plant Religion in any Country; in which respect this our Nation hath been more glo­rious, both in preserving and propagating the purity of Religion, than any other of the World.

The Field is Mars, an Angel standing di­rect, with his hands conjoyned, and eleva­ted upon his breast; ha­bited in a long Robe close girt, Luna; his Wings display'd, as pre­pared to [...]ie, Sol. A­mongst the Coat-Ar­mours of such as were assembled at the Coun­cil of Constance, Anno Domini 1413. I find this Coat born by the Name of Brangor de Ce­ruisia. Furthermore, amongst the persons there assembled, I find that the King of A­rabia bare for his Coat an Archangel, couped at the breast, the wings display'd, and signed in the forehead with a Cross. And that Gi­deon, Episcopus Pellicastrensis, did bear an Angel issuing out of the base of the Escocheon, with his hands conjoyned, and elevated on his breast, the wings display'd for readiness of flight.

He beareth Luna, upon a Chevron, Sa­turn, three Angels kneeling, habited in long Robes close girt, with their hands con­joyned and elevated as aforesaid, and their wings display'd, Sol. This Coat is said to be born by Maellock Krwm of Wales. And in­deed this form of kneeling well fitteth the An­gels, to shew their continual adoring of their Almighty King, in whose Chamber of Pre­sence they daily wait: but that we should kneel to them, that themselves condemn in the Apocalyps: and St. Paul expresly forbid­deth Angel-worship. And indeed a madness it is, when Christ commands us to pray, O our Father, that any should teach us to pray, O my Angel.

After Angels, Cherubims (whose use in Ar­mory is less frequent) are to be handled. Of these I find two Examples of several bearing; the one out of Hieron. Bara, expressing the sole bearing of a Cherub: another out of Leigh, of a Cherub born upon an Ordinary: to which I have thought fit to add a Coat of Name, for a more manifest proof of their use in Arms, as also to shew that they are born as well [Page 75] with Ordinaries between them, as upon Or­dinaries.

He beareth Iupiter, a Cherub having three pair of wings, where­of the uppermost and nethermost are coun­terly crossed, and the middlemost display'd, Luna. As to the forms of those Cherubims that covered the Ark, it is of some holden, that they had the simi­litude of certain Birds, such as never any man hath seen; but that Moses saw in his most blessed Vision such shapes upon the Throne of God. But Ioseph. Lib. Antiq. Iudaic. 8. saith, Hae Cherubicae effigies quanam specie fuerint nemo vel conjicere potest vel eloqui: Of what shape these Cherubims were, no mortal man can conjecture or utter.

He beareth Luna, on a Chief, Iupiter, a, Cherub display'd, Sol. The Cherubims were pourtraited with wings before the place where the Israelites prayed, to shew how speedily they went about the Lords business, Cherubim (according to Zanchius, lib. 2. de Nomini­bus Angelorum) is not the name of any Or­der of Angels, or Celestial Hierarchy (as o­thers would have it) but such as may well a­gree with all Angels: Nither doth that Name always signifie their Nature, or ordinary Of­fice, but for a certain reason, even so long as they do appear to be such, as by those Names they are signified to be. And it is to be ob­served, that Cherub betokeneth the singular Number, and Cherubim the plural Number.

The Field is Sable, a Chevron between 3 Cherubims, Or. This Coat pertained to the right worthy Gentle­man, Sir Thomas Cha­loner Knight, sometime Governour to the most High and Mighty Prince Henry, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwal and Rothsay, and Earl of Chester; and is now born by Sir Edward Cha­loner of Gisborough in the North-Riding of Yorkshire, Knight.

In our Division we distinguished these from Angels, because by most they are taken for a distinct Order above ordinary Angels, taking that Name from the fulness or abundance of Divine and Mystical Science. Thus have you Examples of Cherubims born, not only Sole, but also upon and with Ordinaries.

CHAP. II.

FRom things Natural that are meerly for­mal, we come to such as are Natural and Material. Those are said to be Essences Material, that do consist of a Body subject to motion and alteration; Natura materiata est essentia in corpore motui obnoxio subsistens; A material Nature is an Essence subsisting in a Body subject to motion.

These are

• Simple.
• Mixt.

Simple, are certain Orbicular or Round Bo­dies, or bodily Essences, originally consisting of an unmixed matter.

Of these some are

• Constant.
• Inconstant.

Those are said to be constant Natures which in respect of their perfection are of most last­ing continuance; such are the Celestial Globes and the Stars.

The heavenly Spheres or Globes, are

• Ummoveable.
• Moveable.

The Unmoveable is holden to be that ut­termost Sphere that glistereth so gloriously, as that it dazeleth the sharpest sight of man, and is called Caelum Empyreum, the fiery Heaven; whereof we shall be better able to judge and speak, when God shall bring us thither, and yet our Star-gazers will take upon them to talk so confidently and particularly of those in­comprehensible Bodies, as if they had been there, and surveyed every corner thereof. This Celestial Globe (according to Scribonius) is the Mansion Place and Place of all the hea­venly Natures, wherein the Angels, and o­ther the blessed of God, do with endless joy behold the presence of Almighty God face to face. To this place (according to the same Author) were Enoch, Elias, and Paul rapt up before their deaths.

But now for more orderly progression here­in, forasmuch as we have occasion here offer­ed to speak of a Sphere, we will first shew what a Sphere is, and so proceed to the rest.

A Sphere is a figure or body exactly round of all parts, and void of all Angles and Corn­ers. The spherical or round form is of all [Page 76] other the most perfect, as also the most beau­tiful, capable, and fit for motion, in as much as it is void of all corners, which might give impediment to moving, therefore is this form most agreeable to the Heavens and Celestial Bodies, which are evermore in continual and restless motion. It was requisite then, that the perfectest Body (such as the Heavens are) should receive the perfectest form, which is the orbicular or round figure. Figura Sphaerica (saith Aristotle, lib, de Coelo & Mundo) est omnium figurarum nobilior.

The motion of the Heavens is the most sin­cere and unlaboured of all motions, Movetur enim sine labore, & fatigatione, Arist. de Coelo 2. As also it is said in Ecclesiast. 16. 26. The Lord hath set his works in good order from the beginning, and part of them be sundred from the other, when the first made them. He hath garnished his works for ever, and their beginning so long as they shall endure: they are not hungry, nor wearied in their labours, nor cease from their offices, Verse 27. A­gain, None of them hindreth another, neither was any of them disobedient to his words, Verse 28. He buildeth his Spheres in the Heaven, and hath laid the foundations of the Globe of Elements in the Earth: he cal­leth the waters of the Sea, and poureth them out upon the open Earth; the LORD is his Name, Amos 9. 6.

The matter whereof the Heavens are com­posed, hath in it this natural property, not to be moved violently, neither yet naturally to rest. As the same Author testifieth in these words, Natura materiae Coeli est innatu non movere violenter, & non quiescere naturaliter, Lib. de Coelo: without intermission is the mo­tion of the Heavens. Therefore are high and noble Spirits resembled to the Celestial Bodies according to Lipsius, Alti aethereique animi, ut ipse aether, semper gaudent motu: Men of etherial or heavenly Spir its cannot be idle, but are evermore in action, and exercise of things commendable and vertuous, being thereto moved and quickned by an honest and free dis­position and affection of the will and desire of the mind: Omnia enim honesta opera (saith Seneca) voluntas inchoat, occasio perficit.

But vertue hardly receiveth her due merit at all seasons. Nevertheless, Saepe honorata est virtus, etiam ubi eam fefellit exitus.

The circular Motion receiveth beginning in it self, and hath the smoothest passage: for in all other forms you shall find Angels, either more or less, which do give impediments to motion, whereby they give occasion of some stay or rest (as I have said before). There­fore it behooved, that the sincerest Body should be fitted with the simplest form and mo­tion. In this kind of motion of the Hea­vens, is signified the very eternity of God, wherein there is neither beginning nor ending to be found; and therefore it is rightly said by the Apostle, The invisible things of God are conceived and understood by his creatures: as also his Everlasting Power and Divine Es­sence, whereof his visible works are the ex­press Characters.

Mercurius Trismegistus in his description of God, resembleth him to a Sphere, saying, Deus est Sphaera, qui ratione sapientiaque comprehenditur, cujus centrum est ubique, circumferentia verò nusquam, &c. God is a Sphere that is apprehended by reason, whose center is every where, and his circumference no where. For God hath neither beginning nor ending: he wants beginning, because he was not made by any, but was himself the Creator of all things: And he is void of ending, by reason that he had no beginning: Nam quicquid finitur, in sua principiaresolvitur; Whatsoever hath an end, the same is resolv­ed into that it was at the first.

As touching the Substance of the Heavens, Scribonius saith, that it is Corpus constans ex aqua, in firmissimam essentiam instar pellis extensae concameratum. It is a Body (saith he) consisting of Water, in the most solid Substance thereof spread out Vault-ways like a Skin.

Though it may seem to thee (courteous Reader) that I undertake a needless labour in manifesting that the glorious Heavens and Earth, were formed and framed by the most powerful God, a thing so frequent in the Sa­cred Scriptures, and also so clear, as that no man can doubt thereof: yet give me leave for my own particular, who do labour to appre­hend every occasion to publish the glory of the Eternal [...]nd Omnipotent God (which is the main and principal end of our Creation) es­pecially since the Order of my Method requi­reth the same; and that bonum aliquod saepius repetitum delectat; Give me leave, I say, in this my latter impression, to reprove my self for my too much neglected duty in my former; that so, though very late, yet at the last, I may prefer the Glory of God before the Order of Method.

The Moveable Sphere of the Heaven is the Firmament. The Firmament is that continu­al moving Heaven, which with his swift Re­volution swayeth all the Inferiour Orbs, and is called in Latin Firmamentum (according to Scribonius) à firmitate, that is, of the sta­bility thereof; meaning (as I conceive) ei­ther the durable subsisting of it, or else the unmoveableness of the two Poles, Artick and Antartick: otherwise, one self same thing cannot be said to be moveable and constant, but in a diverse respect; even as an Iron­wheel in a Clock, though still in motion, yet both in respect of the metalline solidity, and of the sure fastning to the Axle, it may be said to be Firm and Unmoveable. If any man bear a representation of the Heavens, in his Coat-Armour, whether the same have [Page 77] the likeness of a Solid or Armil Sphere, they must be reduced to this head: of this kind did the famous Archimede chuse for his Device, who before his death, commanded that a Sphere should be engraven on his Sepulchre. And such a bearing is honourable for any great Professor of Astronomy, not such witless Wi­zards and Fortune-tellers as usually deceive the World with their idle Predictions; but those Noble Spirits, whose Eagle-eyes search out the true Natures, Revolutions, and Proper­ties of those Supernal Essences.

The regardful consideration of the Heavens and the Ornaments thereof, together with their certain and orderly motions, should mightily move and provoke us to raise up our thoughts, from the love and contemplation of base and earthly Objects (whereon we usual­ly dote) to the admiration of his unspeaka­ble power and love of his incomprehensible goodness, who made such a wonderful Archi­tecture; first, to serve for our use in this life; and afterward, to be our blessed Palace and Mansion in a better life. For though all crea­tures demonstrate the wisdom of their wonder­ful Workmaster, yet the Heavens especially declare his glory, and the Firmament his han­dy-work: which made the godly King David to rise out of his Bed in the night, to behold the Heavens, and thereby to call to mind the perversity of Man, which never keeps the course that God prescribeth, whereas those Bodies, though void of sense, yet from their first Creation never faltered in their endless journeys.

Now since I have demonstrated and laid open unto you what a Sphere is, the form, perfection, dignity, property, motion, sub­stance thereof, and the like, I will now shew unto you an Example of a Shield, illustrated with manifold variety of Celestial Bodies, &c. which will be very necessary and commodious to be inserted in this place.

The Field is Or, a Sphere, Azure, beauti­fied and replenished with manifold variety of Ce­lestial Bodies, environing the Terrestrial Globe, all proper.

These were the Or­naments wherewith the Shield of that famous and valiant Grecian Captain Achilles was il­lustrated and garnished: Which he caused to be engraven therein, to the end that the mind of the beholders of them might be raised thereby to a considerate contemplation and meditation of the admirable power and wis­dom of the Omnipotent Creator of them: Which duty whosoever performeth, he accom­plisheth the sum and effect of all true Nobility.

This Shield did Vulcan garnish with variety of Stars of manifold kinds, and added thereto the skilful feats and practises, as well of Peace as of Wars, and all their rights and offices; omitting (in a manner) nothing pertaining to the well-governing of the Assemblies and Societies of Men.

By this invention did he labour to manifest unto us, than there is no Shield more power­ful to resist the vehement and violent assaults of adverse Fortune; that for a man to be fur­nished throughout with the compleat Armour of Cardinal Vertues, so shall he be fitted and prepared to sustain whatsoever brunt or forci­ble encounter shall assail them.

If we shall compare this Shield of Achilles, thus garnished and furnished, with manifold varieties of things, both Celestial and Terre­strial, with those Coat-Armours that consist of Lyons, Griffins, Eagles, and such other Animals, or ravenous Creatures, we shall find that to be more available to chase away and foil all passionate perturbations of the mind, occasioned by the concurrence of some sudden and unexpected danger, than any, or all of these together can be; by how much that com­priseth a mixture of calamities and comforts together. For as the Globe of the Earth doth represent unto us the dreadful and dismal dan­gers that attend our mortal state, by reason of the manifold mutability of things Sublunary, to the daunting (oftimes) of the most vali­ant: so contrariwise, the Celestial forms do represent unto us an Antidote or Preservative against all dangerous events and accidents, when we call to mind that those Celestial pow­ers, or rather Gods power in them, is able to divert or mitigate in a moment all harmful e­vents and dangers whatsoever, be they never so deadly. For these Celestial Bodies are Gods mighty and strong Army, wherewith he often­times discomfiteth and subdueth his Enemies, and such as seek the spoil and destruction of his chosen people: as we may see Iudges 5. 20. They fought from heaven, even the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The Sun stayed his course at the prayer of Joshua, 10. 12. And the Sun abode, and the Moon stood still, until the people avenged themselves upon their enemies, Verse 13. And there was no day like that before it, nor after it, that the Lord hearkned to the voice of man, for the Lord fought for Israel. And again, Ecclesiast. 46. 4. Stood not the Sun still by his means, and one day was as long as two, Verse 14.

By these visible forms we should be incited and provoked (upon their view) to invocate the most powerful God for his aid and delive­rance, when we find our selves any way distressed or beset with perils by the Example of Ioshua: He called unto the most High Go­vernour, when the Enemies pressed upon him on every side, and the mighty Lord heard him, and fought for him with Hailstones, [Page 78] and with mighty power. So should we re­ceive like comfort in all distresses, as Iosua did. Thus should their view put us evermore in mind, to raise our thoughts to Godward, and take every occasion to glorifie him, by in­vocating him for his aid; and say with the Kingly Prophet David, I lift my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help, &c. So should we evermore in all distresses find the comfort of his ever ready, and never failing promise and providence: For in all things, O Lord, thou hast magnified and glorified thy people, and hast not despised to assist them in every time and place, Wisdom 29. 21.

These kinds of Coat-Armours are so much more noble and excellent, than these that we receive by descent from our Progenitors (as remunerations of their vertuous demerits) by how much they have in them store of Art, witty Invention, and of efficacy to admonish and put us in mind to persist in the performance of our Duties.

This manner of adorning of Shields doth Aldrovandus commend above all other gar­nishings, saying, Nihil aequè atque Philoso­phia, ab omnibus adversis tuetur, nihil ejus explicatu aptius est ad scutum exornandum & honestius. There is nothing that doth so safely protect a man against the damage of adverse Fortune, as Philosophy doth, nei­ther is there any thing more fit and seem­ly to beautifie a Shield withal, than the ex­planation thereof.

Emblems, Hieroglyphicks, and Ensigns of Noble Families, inasmuch as they do instruct our eyes unto vertue, they cannot be defaced or blemished without great wickedness: The reason thereof doth Farnesius give in these words, Cum virtutum imaginibus tantum de­bemus, quantum mutis praeceptoribus: Si il­lae tamen mutae dici possunt, quae in silentio omni Doctrinâ sunt verbosiora. Of all the things that are (saith Cicero) there is nothing in the world that is better, nothing more ex­cellent, nothing more beautiful and glorious to behold, and not only that there is, but that nothing can be thought or imagined to be of more surpassing beauty than the world; where­unto Lipsius annexeth this addition, examine the universality thereof, consider the great and small parts thereof, and you shall find them composed and compacted in such orderly sort, as that they cannot possibly be bettered for use, or more glorious to behold. The consideration whereof moved King David to break forth in admiration.

The Spherical Figure is of all other forms the fairest, the most capable, and the sim­plest, and comprehendeth all other forms. In a Spherical Line the end is all one with the beginning, therefore it doth aptly agree with the noblest and perfectest Body, such as the Heavens are.

There is nothing that more apparently ex­presseth the Spherical or round form of the Heavens, than doth the Sun by his Circular motion: The Sun, saith Solomon, Eccles. 1. 5. riseth and goeth down, and draweth to his place where he riseth.

To the most simple body, the simplest mo­tion is due, as also the simplest form and shape.

Those things are said to be moved with­out labour, which are moved without any intermission or rest, or any appetite or desire of rest; such is the motion of the Heavens, be­cause they are Circular or Round: in the Cir­cular motion there is no rest at all.

That the World is Orbicular or Round, it is manifest by the infallible testimony of the Prophet David, Psalm 89. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine, thou hast laid the foundation of the round world, and all they that dwell therein, Psalm 24. 1. The Orbicular form that we observe to be in Cele­stial Bodies is to them natural, but accidental to the Elements: according to that saying, Figura Sphaerica in Coelestibus essentialiter, in Elementis verò accidentaliter. Arist. 1. de Coelo.

A Star (which is next to be considered af­ter the Heaven) is a permanent and constant Essence, and the more condensat or compact­ed part of the Sphere, wherein it is fixed, for the illuminating of Inferiour Bodies: for albeit it be an usual distinction, that of Stars some are fixed, and some are planetary or wandring, yet they are indeed all fixed alike, and setled in one certain part of the Sphere, but in respect of our eye, and in reference of their motions one of another, they have a di­verse aspect, and so have gotten a diverse name. It is holden that the fixed Stars are discerned by their sparkling or twinckling, by reason that our sight being bound as it were by the forcibleness of their resplendent rays, our eyes do become wavering and trembling in be­holding them; and for this cause ought all Stars to be made with their rays or points wa­ved, as in Example.

He beareth Sable, a Star, Argent, by the Name of Ingleby. If this Star were born Or, which is his pro­per Colour, it would add much more grace unto it, especially in regard of the Azury Field, the proper Co­lour of the Heavens, wherein Stars have their natural Mansion. For a Star, saith Farnesius, is a Mystical Character, or Figure of God, to whom all Worship and Religion doth proper­ly appertain; for like as Stars are called in La­tin Stellae, a Stando, because they be ever­more fixed in the Firmament: so there is no­thing [Page 79] more constant or of more perpetuity than God, whose sacred Will is the regular di­rection of all things whatsoever; and there­fore may it be said not unfitly, that they signi­fie God and Religion, or otherwise some e­minent quality shining above the ruder sort of men, as a Star in the obscurity of the night.

Now the chiefest, but not the sole end, of the Creation of Stars, was not alone to give light, and with their influence to be assisting to the Sun and Moon, in their procreation, producti­on, and fructification of the Seeds, Sets, Plants, and Herbs committed to the Earth; but also to the designation and foreshewing of times and seasons, like as the Sun and Moon were, as shall be shewed in place convenient hereaf­ter. As for Example; The rising of the Star Arcturus, placed near to the Bear, called Vrsa Major, or the greater Bear, denoteth unto us the presence of the Spring.

This Star sheweth it self after the expirati­on of Ianuary and February, as a manifest note of the beginning of the Spring, when the Sun entreth the sign of Aries.

The rising of the Pleiades or seven Stars doth demonstrate unto us that the Harvest Season is at hand; and so forth of others. We may read hereof Iob 38. where he speaketh of the influence of these and of other Stars.

The most part of all the Stars are, as it were, publishers and proclaimers to admo­nish us what we ought to do in each season concerning the things serving for the use of this present life.

Stars are Gods Instruments whereby he worketh the effects of his Providence in these Inferiour Bodies; Instrumento autem utitur Artifex pro suo Arbitrio; An Artificer useth his Tool at his pleasure, and to serve his will. In vain therefore are the predictions of them that take upon them to foretell of things con­tingent, and that shall come to pass in future time; and will confidently affirm what good or evil fortune shall befall a man: A thing that is only known to the secret will of God, and resteth in his Divine Providence to dispose thereof at his good pleasure; as appeareth Prov. 20. 24.

As to the number of points whereof a Star consisteth, we must observe, they must never be fewer than six; but when the same is form­ed of more, then must you in blazoning of them express their certain number: for some­times you shall find a Star formed of Six­teen points, as in this next Example shall appear.

He beareth Azure, a Star of sixteen points, by the Name of Huitson, and is the Coat-Armour of Iohn Huitson of Cleas­by in the County of York, Esq one of the Captains of the Cauld­strem Regiment of Foot Guards to his Majesty K. Charles the Second.

He beareth Argent, a Star of sixteen points, Gules, by the Name of Delahay. The Field of a Coat-Armour (as some men do hold) being Ar­gent or White, doth signifie Literature, and the Charge surmounting the same being Gules or Red, which is an Imperial Colour, and is sometimes per Synecdochen, taken (as the thing signified) for the sign it self that is thereby represented: And white, being a token of Justice (is in such a Case) sur­mounted of Red, which is proper to Forti­tude, betokeneth, as they do conceit it, Learn­ing, which giveth place to Arms; and not Arms to Learning. This did the Poets secret­ly express, when they preferred Pallas to be the Governess of Learning; and Mars, be­ing a man, to the managing of Martial affairs; whom they would have to receive the deno­mination of Mars, A magnitudine Artis.

The excellency of the Stars is highly com­mended, Eccles. 43. 9. where speaking of the glorious beauty of their Order and Constellati­ons, it is said, That it is a Camp pitched on high, shining in the Firmament of Heaven. The beauty of the Heavens are the glorious Stars, and the Ornament that shineth in the high places of the Lord. By the command­ment of the holy One they continue in their or­der, and fail not in their watch. And the particular Stars (saith David) God calleth by their names; as likewise doth patient Iob remember the titles of several Constellati­ons.

Stars are sometimes found pierced, and other whiles charged; for the difference of which two forms of bearing, you have had a Rule formerly delivered. Moreover, it is a Rule infallible, That the piercing of Stars must be evermore round; for the piercing square, and Losenge-ways, are repugnant to the nature of Stars. Here I will give you a general Obser­vation touching bearing of Ordinaries and common Charges together.

This General Rule I have thought good to set down in this place, here being my first en­trance into the handling of common Charges, and where their mixt bearing with Ordinaries is first mentioned, to the end that the same may serve as the stern of a Ship to direct your understanding, touching such interposed bear­ing of any of the common Charges with Or­dinaries; because I labour to shun all idle itera­tions and multiplicity of unprofitable Exam­ples, tending to one and the same end. This form of bearing shall you find dispersedly, yet not confusedly, exemplified in this Work, that will give approbation to the generality of this note, which doth not warrant this form of bearing alone in these, but also generally in all other Coat-Armours of like kind. Of these several forms of bearing, I have chosen some particular Examples, as in these next Es­cocheons, and others, shall follow in their pro­per places.

He beareth Sable, a Star of eight points, between two Flanches, Ermyn, on a Canton, Argent, a Sinister hand, couped at the Wrist, Gules. This is the Coat-Armour of Sir Iohn Hobart of Blick­inge in the County of Norfolk, Knight and Baronet, Heir-male to Sir Henry Hobart Knight and Baronet, Chief Ju­stice of the Common Pleas, who was descend­ed from the second Son of Sir Iames Hobart of Hales-hall in the said County, Attorney Ge­neral to King Henry the Seventh. Stars are numbred amongst the Host of Heaven, for that it pleaseth God sometimes to execute his Ven­geance upon the wicked, with no less dreadful destruction by them than by numerous and mi­litant Armies, as appeareth by the place of Scripture by me formerly cited, Iudges 5. As touching the colour of Stars, I hold it sufficient to name them only when they be born proper­ly, and in their natural colour, which is Or; but if they be of any other colour, then the same must be named. As for the Canton thus charged, it being an augmentation or remu­neration given by our late Dread Soveraign King Iames, to such as his Majesty advanced to the Dignity of Baronet (it being an Or­der and Degree by him erected,) One of which number was Sir Henry Hobart, Knight and Baronet, and late Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, Father to this Sir Iohn Hobart. I shall have better occasion to speak thereof in the sixth Section, and second Chapter. When I come to treat of such Ar­morial Signs, as by the Soveraigns favour are sometimes assigned for Augmentations.

He beareth Ermyn, on a Chief indented, Gules, three Stars, by the Name of Escourte. When you find any Ordinary charged upon the Field (having no other Charge, as in this Example) you must reckon their Charging to be a Dignity unto them, forasmuch as they are deemed to be thereby greatly ho­noured. In regard whereof they are called Honourable Ordinaries. Like as this Chief is charged, so shall you find the Bend, Chevron, Fess, Saltire, Barr, and all other the before­mentioned Ordinaries, charged upon, as be­fore we observed, and hereafter shall ap­pear.

He beareth Gules, three Stars, a Canton, Ermyn, by the Name of Leverton. Here I do name three Stars, as if the Canton were away, as well to the end that the manner of their position may be perfectly understood by such Blazon; as also to shew that the Can­ton doth not rebate the Star in the Dexter point, but only doth surmount the same.

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He beareth Gules, an Escocheon, Argent, between eight Stars in Orle. This Coat was born by Sir Iohn Cham­berlain of Priesthury, in the County of Glo­cester [...] Knight; and is now born by Iohn Chamberlain of Mau­gersbury; and by Thomas Chamberlain of Od­dington, both of the said County, Esquires. These Stars are said to be born in Orle, or Orle­ways; but they cannot be properly said to be an Orle of Stars, because they have no con­nexion to fasten them together, but are born severally and apart one from another.

He beareth Azure, ten Stars, four, three, two, and one, Or, by the name of Alstone. This, with the Arms of Vlster, is the bearing of Sir Tho­mas Alstone of Odell in Bedfordshire, Knight and Baronet, and of Sir Iohn his Brother, Knight: As also of that Eminent Physician Dr. Edward Alstone.

The Field is Dia­mond, a Fess wavy be­tween the two Pole Stars, Artick and An­tartick, Pearl. Such was the worth of this most generous and re­nowned Knight, Sir Francis Drake, some­time of Plymouth, as that his merits do require that his Coat-Ar­mour should be expressed in that selected man­ner of Blazoning, that is fitting to Noble Per­sonages, in respect of his noble Courage and high Attempts atchieved, whereby he meri­ted to be reckoned the Honour of our Nation and of Naval Profession; inasmuch as he cut­ting thorow the Magellanick Straits, Anno Domini 1577. within the compass of three years he encompassed the whole World; whereof his Ship, laid up in a Dock near Deptford, will long time remain, as a most worthy Monument. Of these his Travels a Poet hath thus sung:

This Coat, with the Arms of Vlster, is now born by his descendant, Sir Francis Drake of Buckland Monachorum in Devonshire, Baro­net.

He beareth Argent; a Fess between three Stars, Gules, by the Name of Everard. The three Stars ex­pressed in this Escoche­on [...] may put us in mind of that threefold path of Religious passage un­to the heavenly Canaan, viz. Moderation and Sobriety towards our selves, Piety towards God, and Justice towards men.

The Stars may signifie unto us a hopeful success and happy event, in the turbulent time of tempestuous flaws and turmoils of this present life.

Like as in the Winter season the Stars shine more clear and resplendent than in the Summer time; even so is the glory and vertue of a ge­nerous and magnanimous spirit more evident­ly discerned in a shattered and broken estate, than in prosperity.

Whensoever there is a separation of com­mon Charges born in Coat-Armours, by reason of the Interposition of some of the before mentioned Ordinaries, then are they not term­ed Ordinaries, but most worthy Partitions; and they are such (saith Leigh) as though the common Charge annexed do occupy more than one point of the Escocheon, yet every of them is in as great effect as though it were one only thing, by the reason of Soveraignty of the same Partition interposed.

Thus I have given you a taste of the parti­cular and variable manner of bearing of Or­dinaries commixt with common Charges, ac­cording to the General Rule formerly given. As for Example, that common Charges are born with Ordinaries, you may see in the first and third of these six Escocheons: That they be born upon Ordinaries, it is manifest by the second Escocheon: That they are parted by Ordinaries interposed between them, it ap­peareth by these last Escocheons: That they are born in form of Ordinaries, or Ordinary­ways, it is clear by the fourth Escocheon. Note, that albeit I have here set down but one Example of each of these particular forms of [Page 82] bearing, yet must you hold that in every of these several sorts there are divers other parti­cular kinds of composition of Coat-Armours, as shall appear hereafter at large unto the dili­gent Observer. Furthermore, whereas I have given only two Examples of common Charges born with Ordinaries, one Example of Ordi­naries charged upon, one of Ordinaries inter­posed, and one of common Charges born Or­dinary-ways, or in form of Ordinaries; you must understand by the first sort, all common Charges whatsoever, born with a Pale, Bend, Fess, Chevron, or any other of the Ordinaries before-named in any sort by the second: all sorts of Ordinaries charged upon, with any kind of common Charge: by the third, an in­terposition of whatsoever sort of Ordinary be­tween common Charges. Lastly, by the fourth, you must understand all sorts of common Charges born in form, or after the manner of a Cross, Saltire, Pale, Bend, Fess, or of any other of the said Ordinaries. These have I here handled briefly, because I must of necessity deal more copiously in each particular of them in places better fitting thereunto.

CHAP. III.

THus far of such Stars which we called fixed: Now of those Planets whose shapes are of most use in Heraldry; I mean those two glorious Lights, the one for the Day, the other for the Night: for, as for the other five Planets, because their aspect is less to the view, therefore they cannot easily admit a different form from the fixed Stars. The Sun is the very fountain of Light, and (as some Philosophers think) of Heat also; and all the splendor which the Moon hath, it borroweth from the Sun, and therefore as the Sun goeth farther off, or nearer to her, so her light doth increase or diminish. And be­tween both these and the Stars there is a great conformity, in respect of their sparkling and resplendent beams, which are in appearance more evident, and in operation more effectual, or at least more palpably discerned in these, by reason of their nearness unto us, than of those that are from us so far remote. But here­in they are unlike, that the beautiful and blazing brightness of these is oftentimes sub­ject to the passion of darkning or eclipsing. Of whose glistering, eclipsing, and variety of forms, we have bearing, these and other like Examples following.

He beareth Azure, a Sun in his glory, by the Name of S. Cleere. To express the Colour of the Sun, being thus born, I hold it needless; for who knoweth not that the chiefest glory and highest commenda­tion that may be given to the Sun doth consist in this, that he is beau­tified with the brightness of his proper beams: which cannot be better expressed than by the Colour Gold, or Gold-yellow. But if it be born of any other than this, which is his na­tural colour, then must the same be expresly mentioned, as in due place shall appear. The Sun is called in Latin Sol, according to some Authors, Vel quia solus ex omnibus sideri­bus est tantus, vel quia cùm est exortus, ob­scuratis aliis solus apparet: for that only he is so great, or for that when he is risen, he so darkneth all the rest with his splendor, as that he alone appeareth in Heaven, as a Monarch in his Kingdom. Of the glory and excellency of the Sun, it is said, Ecclus. 42. 16. The Sun that shineth, looketh on all things, and all the works thereof are full of the glory of the Lord. And again, Ecclus. 43. 2. The Sun also, a marvelous instrument, when he appeareth declareth at his going out the work of the most High. At Noon it burneth the Country, and who may abide the heat thereof? Verse 3. The Sun burneth the Mountains three times more than he that keepeth a Furnace with continu [...]l heat. It casteth out the fiery vapours, and with the shining beams blindeth the eyes. Great is the Lord that made it, and by his command­ment he causeth it to run hastily. And if we consider how many foggy mists it dispelleth, how many noisome vapours [...]t consumeth, and how all Creatures are overcome with the heat thereof, we shall find that King David did very aptly compare it to a Giant (for strength) refreshed with wine, (for the heat) to run his course, for his swift motion.

He beareth Gules, a Chief, Argent, on the lower part thereof a Cloud, the Suns re­splendent Rays there­out issuing, Proper, by the Name of Lesone in Northamptonshire. The former Example where­in the Sun is born, doth represent a visible form of a corporeal shape of a Body, from which these Rays or Beams here demonstrated may be apparently seen to issue; And these are as it were strained through a Cloud. Sometime one Ray or Beam of this [Page 83] glorious Planet is born in Coat-Armour, with­out any other Charge, as in this next Exam­ple.

He beareth Azure, one Ray of the Sun, issuing out of the Dex­ter corner of the Esco­cheon Bend-ways, pro­per, by the Name of Aldam. Here I do not in the Blazon make any mention of the three points or lines which are on either side of the Ray, for in Nature they have no Essence, but proceed from the weak­ness of the Eye, which is not able to behold so glorious an object as the Sun.

He beareth Or, a Sun eclipsed, Sable. If this Colour were not accidental in respect of the eclipse of the Sun, the same should not have been named. The Suns eclipse is occasion­ed by the Interposition of the Moon, which though it be far less in quantity, yet coming betwixt us and the Body of the Sun, it doth di­vert the Beams thereof, and debarreth us of the sight of them, even as the interposition of our hand, or any other small body, before our eyes, doth debar us from the sight of some greater Mountain. For to think that the Sun doth lose his light by the Eclipse, as doth a Candle being extinct, proceedeth out of meer rustick ignorance: as the like error is in those who think the Sun loseth his light, or goeth to Bed every night, whereas it doth only remove it self from our Horizon, to enlighten other Countries situated in other parts of the world. As was well expressed by Secundus the Phi­losopher, who being demanded by Adrian the Emperour what the Sun was, taking his Table in hand, wrote in this manner; Sol est Coeli oculus, caloris circuitus, splendor sine oc­casu, diei ornatus, horarum distributor: It is the eye of Heaven, the circuit of heat, a shining without decay, the days ornament, the hours distributor. The most miraculous E­clipse of the Sun that ever was, happened then when the Sun of Righteousness, the Son of God, was on the Cross, when all the Earth was so benighted at Noon-day, that Dio [...]isius Aeropagita a Heathen Athenian, cryed out, Either the World was at an end, or the Maker of it was suffering some great Agony. The Stars and Planets hitherto spoken of do shine alike, or after one manner. Now others there are which shine after a divers sort: such are the Moon and Comets, which we call Blazing Stars. Neither are we ignorant, that in proper speech, and truth of Philosophy, Comets are not Stars, but Meteors: yet the Vulgar Opinion, and the received name and shape used in Heraldry, may warrant me for thus ranking them amongst the Stars. But as touching the Moon, her Light is meerly reflective, as the brightness of a Looking-glass against the Sun; and in re­spect that her substance is very unequal, as in some parts of thicker substance, and in some parts thinner, therefore she is unequally en­lightned by the Sun-beams, which maketh the weak eye, and weaker judgment, to fancy a face of a man in the Moon: whence-we have gotten the fashion of representing the Moon with a face. But why the Sun should have the like, I wot not; unless it be that he should not be out-faced by the Moon, being his inferiour. The most wise and provident God, before the Creation of his other works, did first create the Light, to teach man to lay the first foundation of all his actions in the light of true knowledge, thereby to direct his ways aright, and that his doings be not reproved as works of darkness: especially since God would not suffer the Night it self to be so wrapt in darkness, but that the Moon and Stars should somewhat illuminate it. And according to the divers apparitions of the Moon, hath she her divers denominations in Heraldry; as her Increment, in her increase; her Complement, when she is at full; her De­crement, in her waning; and her Detriment, in her Change and Eclipse. And according to these varieties, is she also diversly born in Coat-Armour, as the Examples following will shew.

He beareth Gules, an Incressant, Or, by the Name of Descus. This is the state of the Moon from her en­trance into her first Quarter, which is most usually the seventh day after the Change, unto her full. In which time she is more and more illuminated, until she hath filled her Circle. This word Incressant signifieth the Moons Increment, or increasing estate; and it may fitly represent the rising Fortunes of some hopeful Spark, illightned and honoured by the gracious aspect and beams of his Soveraign, who is the bright Sun and Fountain of all the Light of glorious Nobility, and may confer the Rays of his Grace on whom it best pleaseth him.

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He beareth Ermyn, three Incressants, Gules. This Coat pertained to the Family of the Symmes of Daventree, in the County of Nor­thampton.

He beareth Azure, a Moon in her Comple­ment (which is as much as to say, the Moon il­lustrated with her full light) Proper. Here you need not to name the Colour of the Moon for the Reason before delivered in the first Ex­ample of the Sun. The proper Colour of the Moon we in Heraldry take to be Argent, both for the weakness of the light, and also for distin­ction betwixt the Blazoning of it and the Sun: and therefore when we Blazon by Planets, we name Gold Sol, and Silver Luna. Concern­ing the use of the Moon, it is said, Eccles. 43. 6. The Moon also hath he made to appear ac­cording to her season, that it should be a de­claration of the Time, and a sign for the World, Verse 7. The Feasts are appointed by the Moon, the light thereof diminisheth unto the end, Verse 8. The Moon is called after the name thereof, and groweth wonderful in her changing. The Moon is the Mistress by which all moist, mutable, and unconstant things are ruled; as Mulier, Mare, Flumina, Fontes; a Woman, and the Sea, Rivers and Fountains; the ebbing and flowing of the Sea following the motions of the Moon.

He beareth Azure, a Moon decressant, Pro­per, by the Name of Delaluna. This is the state of the Waning Moon, when she de­clineth from her Full, and draweth to her last Quarter, which is accomplished most commonly the seventh day after she hath at­tained the Full, and receiveth a diminution of her light, to the wasting of the one half thereof; and from the said seventh day after her Full, she diminisheth continually more and more, until she become again (as many honest men are) corniculata, sharp-horned, and suffereth continually diminution unto the instant of her Change; and differeth from her prime state after the Change, only in this, that the first (represented by the first of these Ex­amples) is turned to the right hand of the Escocheon, and this other to the left. And hitherto I have proposed Examples of her na­tural aspects, you shall now see her accidental form; as in Example.

He beareth Argent, a Moon in her detriment, or Eclipse, Sable. The Moon is Eclipsed only at such time as she is at her full state, and dia­metrically opposite unto the Sun; when by in­terposition of the Earth between them, she seem­eth to our sight, for the time, to be deprived of her light, through the shadow of the gross body of the earth. This is a passive form of the Moon; and such her Passions are called in Latin, Labores Lunae, the throws or pangs of the Moon. In former time the old Ger­mans thought the Moon was in a Trance, and used to shout and make a noise with Basons, to wake her: Or else they supposed she was angry with them, and therefore they howled till she looked chearfully on them again. Of this mutable state of the Moon, thus writeth the Poet:

Which occasioned a witty Moral related by Plutarch (as I think) how on a time the Moon sent for a Taylor to make her a Gown, but he could never fit her, for it was either too little, or too big for her; which was not the Taylors fault, but her own inconstancy: so impossible a thing it is to fit the humours of one that is fickle and unstable.

Sometimes you shall find all these several kinds of Lights before expressed, born toge­ther in one Escocheon; as in Example.

He beareth Azure, the Sun, the Full Moon, and the Seven Stars, Or, the two first in Chief, and the last of Orbicular form in base. It is said that this Coat-Armour pertained to Iohannes de Fontibus, sixth Bishop of Ely; who had that (after a sort) in his Escocheon, which Ioseph had in his Dream, Gen. 37. 9. where the Sun, Moon, and eleven Stars did do him reverence; signi­fying [Page 85] his Father, Mother, and eleven Brethren. For as in Scripture, so in Heathenish Devo­tions also, the Sun and Moon were account­ed the Male and Female, and sometimes Man and Wife; and as the Moon hath all her light from the Sun, so hath the Wife from the Husband; and as the Moon is ever lighter on that side which looks towards the Sun, so should the Wife study to be fairest in her Hus­bands eye. And many Wives in their Hus­bands absence do truly imitate the Moon in this, that they are lightest when their Sun is farthest from them. Howsoever this marriage betwixt Sun and Moon was made up, it is cer­tain that once the Banes were forbidden; as appeareth by one, who speaking of Queen Maries days, and of her Marriage, relateth, how when the Sun went first a woing to the Lady Moon, all Nations (especially those of hot Countries) preferred a Petition to Iupiter, to hinder the Nuptials, alledging, that there then being but one Sun, yet he scorched and burned all, but if he should marry, and get other Suns, the heat would so increase, as all must needs perish: whereupon Iupiter stayed the match for that time, or at least, was so propitious, that no issue came of the conjun­ction of those fiery flames. The several states of the Moon increasing and decreasing before handled, are now very rare in bearings, and in manner antiquated: inasmuch as in these days, not only their shapes, but their very names also are extinct, and instead of them we have another new coyned form, having neither the name, shape, nor yet so much as the shadow of the former remaining, as may be seen in the next Escocheon.

He beareth Azure, a Cressant, Argent, by the Name of Lucy, and is born by Lucas Lucy of the City of London, Merchant.

He beareth Azure, three Cressants, Or, by the Name of Rider, and is the Coat-Ar­mour of Thomas Rider of Bednal-Green in Middlesex, Esq Son and Heir of Sir Willi­am Rider of the said place, Kt. deceased.

Gules, three Cressants, Or, by the Name of Munnings, and is born by William Munnings of Waldarshire in Kent, Esquire.

Argent, three Cressants, Gules, by the Name of Butuillain of Northamptonshire. At this day we take no notice of any other form, ei­ther of the increasing or decreasing Moon, but only of this depraved shape, which corrupt Custom hath rashly hatched, as a form much differing from those before exemplified, if not meerly repugnant to nature. The Patricians of Rome used to wear the Badge of the Moon on their shoes: as these Cressants are, some­times the sole Charge of the Field, as in this Escocheon, so they are born upon, and be­tween the honourable Ordinaries, as in these Examples following.

He beareth Sable, a Fess, Ermyn, between three Cressants, Or, by the Name of Coventry, and is the Paternal Coat Armour of the Right Honourable Hen­ry Coventry Esquire, his Majesties Principal Se­cretary of State, son to the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Coventry, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, Tempore Caroli Pri­mi.

He beareth Azure, a Fess Nebule, between three Cressants, Er­myn, by the Name of Weld and is the Pa­ternal Coat-Armour of Humphrey Weld of Lulworth-Castle in Dorsetshire, Esquire, Governour of his Ma­jesties Isle and Castles of Portland and Sandsfoot; lineally descend­ed from Edrick Sylvaticus, aliàs Wild (a Saxon of great Renown in the Reigns of King Harold and William the Conquerour) whose Father Alfrick was Brother to Edrick of Stratton, Duke of Mercia.

He beareth Sable, a Chevron between 3 Cressants, Or, by the Name of Palmer, and with the Arms of Vl­ster, is the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir Lewis Palmer of Carleton in Northamptonshire, Ba­ronet, son and heir of Sir Geffrey Palmer of the said Place, Knight and Baronet, deceased, late Attorney General to his Majesty King Charles the Second.

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Sable, a Chevron Er­myn between three Cressants, Argent, by the Name of Glover, and is born by Mr. Tho­mas Glover of the Ci­ty of London, Mer­chant.

He beareth Sable, a Chevron between two Cressants in Chief, and a Trefoil slipped in base, Or, by the Name of Westerne, and is born by Thomas We­sterne of the City of London, Gent.

He beareth Or, on a Chief indented, Sable, three Cressants, Argent, by the Name of Har­vey, a Family of good eminency, and is now born by Harvey of Comb-Nevil in Sur­rey, Esq Son and Heir of Sir Daniel Harvey of the said place Knight, deceased, late Ambassadour for his Majesty King Charles the Second, to the Grand Seig­niour.

He beareth Argent, on a Chief, Vert, three Cressants of the Field, by the Name of Symp­son, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Iohn Sympson of the Inner-Temple, London, Esq Judge of the Sheriffs Court for the Poultrey Compter in Guild-hall, London, descended from the ancient Family of the Sympsons of the North.

He beareth Argent, a Chevron between three Cressants, Ar­gent, on a Canton, Sa­ble, a Dove with an Olive Branch in her Bill, all Proper, by the Name of Walker, and is born by Thomas Wal­ker of the Inner Tem­ple, London, Esquire, (sometime Comptroller of the said Society) Son of Thomas Walker of Warwickshire, Esq who was descended from an ancient Family in the County of Leicester by his Mother from Sir Thomas Chamberlain of Prestbury in Glocester­shire, Kt. who was Ambassadour to King Hen­ry the Seventh, and Eighth, Edward the Sixth, and Queen Mary; and he was the first that brought Coaches into England: which Family is descended from Count Tankerville in Normandy. The said Thomas Walker, the Bearer hereof, is now married to Elizabeth Games, Daughter and Coheir of Hoo Games of Newton in Brecknockshire, Esq who is de­scended from Sir David Gam, who was im­ployed by King Henry the Fifth to view the French Army before the Battel of Agincourt, who brought word to the King, That there were enough to kill, enough to run away, and enough to be taken Prisoners: which succeed­ed accordingly. Sir Walter Raleigh, in his History of the World, makes mention of this Story, and compares him to Mago, Hannibals Brother. In the said Expedition, the said Sir David took the Duke of Nevers Prisoner; for which good Service he had his Arms given him, and was made a Knight Banneret in the Field: This Story Dreyden, in his History of the Battel of Agincourt, treats of at large. From Gladdice de Gam, Daughter of Sir David Gam, are descended the present Mar­quis of Worcester, and the Earl of Pembroke, with several other of the Nobility. The Fa­mily of the Gams is descended from Tewdor the great King of South-wales, where the said Family is of that repute, that those that marry into them do frequently assume for their Christian Name their Surname, viz. Gam, or Games.

He beareth Or, three Stars issuant out of as many Cressants, [...]ules, by the Name of Bate­man, and is born by Mr. Matthew Bateman of the City of London, one of the Members of the East-India Company.

He beareth Or, on a Fess indented, Azure, three Stars, Argent, a Canton of the second, charged with a Sun in his Glory, by the Name of Thompson, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Wil­liam Thompson of the City of London, Knight: and by Iohn Thompson of Haversham in Buck­inghamshire, Esquire.

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He beareth Azure, a Cressant, Argent, with­in an Orle of Mullets pierced, Or, a Bordure of the last, by the Name of Burton, and with a due difference is born by Thomas Burton of the City of London, Esq.

He beareth Ermyn, on a Chief, Sable, three Cressants, Or, by the Name of Preston of Suffolk; as appeareth in divers ancient Books remaining in the Office of Arms. Concerning the Chief and Furs de­monstrated in this Coat-Armour, I have elsewhere at large spoken of them in their proper places.

The other sort of Stars, that do shine after a diverse sort, are those that we call Comets or Blazing Stars, whose Form is commonly as in this next Escocheon is represented.

He beareth Azure, a Blazing Star, or Comet, streaming in Bend, pro­per. The Comet is not of an Orbicular shape, as other the Ce­lestial Natures are; but doth protract his light in length like to a Beard, or rather di­late it in the midst like a hairy bush, and grow­ing thence Taper-wise, after the manner of a Fox-tayl; and it doth contract his substance or matter from a slimy Exhalation, and hath not his being from the Creation: neither is it numbred amongst the things Natural menti­oned in the History of Genesis, but is Aliquid praeter naturam; and yet placed with the hea­venly Bodies, because they seem to us to be of that kind. They are supposed to prognosti­cate dreadful and horrible events of things to come: Whereupon Lucan saith,

CHAP. IV.

SO much of the first Member of the Distri­bution before delivered, viz. of Con­stant Essences, which are only those Celestial Creatures, which being void of this corrupt mixture that is found in all Crea­tures Sublunary, have a priviledge by Divine appointment from the mutability whereto all things under the Moon are subject. Now come we to that other Member thereof, namely, such as are Inconstant Natures, so far forth as there is use of them in Arms. Inconstant Na­tures are bodily Essences of small continuance by reason of their ignoble or base substance; such are the four Elements, viz. Fire, Air, Wa­ter, and Earth.

Elements are simple Essences of small stabi­lity, and the womb of all mixt things (as Scri­bo [...]us noteth) and according to some Authors called Elementa ab alendo, of nourishing: but Saint Hierom calleth Elementa, quasi Eleva­menta, for their proportionable mixture in the composition of the Bodies Sublunar, whereby they are made fit for Motion: Of these Ele­ments these Examples next following having a representation.

He beareth Argent, seven Firebrands [...]lam­mant and Scintillant, proper. Some Writers do a [...]irm that none of the Mechanical Trades were found out by men before they had fire, which being at the last obtained, and the use thereof known, from thenceforth were produced all manner of Arts behoveful for mans use, and through assistance of Fire, they did daily put in practise some new invention and experimental proof, where­by they attained their perfection of skill. Yet if we weigh the manifold mischiefs that some­times come by Fire, we might doubt, whether the good or the hurt thereby insuing be great­er. For both Fire and Water are good Ser­vants, but unruly Masters.

Fire in the Scriptures is often taken for a special token of Gods favour, and that he is pleased with the Sacrifices that are done un [...]o him; as when he answereth (as it were by Fire) like as we read Iudges 6. 21. Then the Angel of the Lord put out the end of his staff that he held in his hand, and touched the flesh and unlevened bread, and there arose up Fire out of the stones, and consumed the flesh and un­levened bread, &c. And as when Eliah con­tended with the Prophets of Baal, touching [Page 88] the manifestation of the true God: Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the Burnt-offerings, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench, 1 Kings 18. 38. And again, When Solomon had made an end of praying, Fire came down from Heaven and consumed the Burnt-offerings, and the Sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the House, 2 Chron. 7. 1.

He beareth Argent, a Chevron, Sable, be­tween three flames of Fire, proper. This Coat standeth in the Church of Barkley in the County of Glocester, in a Window on the South side of the same.

The Chevron being (as we before have said) a memorial and to­ken of Building, it may seem the Heralds were not well advised to put flames of Fire so near it: but it is no inforced conjecture, to suppose that this Coat-Armour was first given to him who had restored some publick Edifice, which Fire had consumed. This next ensuing hath also a resemblance with it.

He beareth Argent, a Chevron voided, Azure, between three flames of Fire, proper, by the name of Wells. Many Coat-Armours seem to allude to the Bearers Name, but surely this is not so; this hot Eliment having little affinity with that watry Mansion. Fire betokeneth Zeal, and every Sacrifice was of­fered with Fire, to shew with what Zeal we should burn, that come to offer Prayer or Praise, and thanks to the Lord. The Holy Ghost also descended upon the Apostles in fire, to shew the fervency of them upon whom it rested. But as here this painted fire yields lit­tle heat, so doth an Hypocrites coloured zeal; and many now adays might bear such painted Fire upon an Escocheon of Pretence for their Device.

He beareth Argent, two Billets Raguled and Truncked, placed Sal­tire-ways, the Sinister surmounted of the Dex­ter, Azure, inflamed on their Tops, proper. This is a Dutch Coat, and is born by the Name of Shurstab. Not unfitly is the force of Counsel shadowed under the fire of Prometheus, be­cause that as Fire, so Counsel doth give light to the darkest obscurity of things.

He beareth Diamond, a Bend, Topaz, between [...]ix Fountains, proper, born by the Lord Stur­ton. This Coat, with a due difference, is born by Iohn Sturton or Stourton, of the City of London, Gent. de­scended from the Stur­tons of Sturton in Nottinghamshire. These six Fountains are born in signification of six Springs, whereof the River of Sture in Wilt­shire hath his beginning, and passeth along to Sturton, the Seat of that Barony. And to this Head are referred Spaciosa Maria, Vada Speciosa, Fluvii Lati, Fontes Grati: the spa­cious Seas, the beauteous Shallows, Rivers spreading, Fountains pleasing. The Sea is the Riches of a Kingdom, and a fair River is the Riches of a City: and therefore their Waves are held good bearing for one that hath done service upon either.

Fresh and sweet Waters are reckoned a­mongst Gods peculiar Blessings, promised to the observers of his Laws, and those of chief­est rank: For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good Land, a Land in the which are Rivers of Waters, Fountains and Depths that spring out of the Valleys and Mountains, Lev. 26. 7.

He beareth Or, a Rock, Sable, by the Name of Securades. A Rock signifieth Safety, Refuge, or Protection: as Psalm 31. Thou art my Rock and my For­tress, &c. For he that res [...]eth under the de­fence of the Almighty, is like a Castle of strength, situated upon an inaccessible Rock, whereto none can approach to do hurt. I have set this as a pattern of the Earth, as be­ing one principal parcel thereof; and withal to represent the stability of the Earth, which God hath so fixed that it cannot be removed.

The Field is Or, a Mountain, Azure, in­flamed, proper. This Coat pertaineth to the Family of Mackloide, Lord of the Isles of Skey and Lewes in Scotland. Here you see are two E­lements born together, the earthy and fiery. Aetna is like this, or else this like Aetna, it being a Hill in Sicily, which [Page 89] uncessantly casteth forth flames of Fire, where­to the envious man may be fitly compared, who still disgorgeth his furious malice against others, but it inwardly eateth out Brimstone like his own Bowels. One writeth of this Hill Aetna, That on the one part it keepeth Snow all the year long, and on the other it ever burneth, like those who can breath hot and cold out of one mouth.

The Field is Argent, fifteen Islands, diversly coloured This Coat-Armour pertaineth to the King of Spain, in respect of certain Islands of that number within his Dominions. And amongst these Exam­ples of earthy bearing, I have produced the bearing of a Mountain (a heavy bearing, but much in use among the Germans:) Hillocks and Turfs might I add, which may sooner be conceived by the under­standing, than delineated by my Pencil. Touching the Element of the Air, I have re­presented no shape; for to do that, were as wise an attempt as to weigh the Wind in a Ballance: yet some have expressed the boister­ous motions thereof by a mans face, with swollen and puft Cheeks, whence issueth as much Wind as out of the Witches Bottles of Norway, who will sell any Wind that a Mer­chant will ask for: If they sold Wines out of Bottles, I should sooner believe them, and I think the Buyers should be less cozened.

CHAP. V.

HAving shewed by particular Examples the bearing of simple Essences, or (at the least) of such things as have a mutual participation of qualities with them; I will now proceed to the handling of the next Member of the Distribution, which compre­hendeth Essences, or Natures of mixt Kinds.

Such are

• Brute, or without life.
• Living.

By Brute Natures I understand all Essences whatsoever of mixt kind that are meerly void of life. Such are Meteors, which are unper­fect kinds of mixture, which by their strange Apparitions do move their Beholders to an Ad­miration, and these are called Corpora subli­mia, because they are ingendred aloft in the Airy Region. The matter whereof these Meteors are ingendred, is a certain attracted fume drawn up on high by the Operation of the Sun and Stars.

This fume or smoak is

• Vapour.
• Exhalation.

Vapour is a moist kind of fume extracted chiefly out of the Water, and therefore is ea­sily dissolved again thereinto, and hence are watry Meteors.

Exhalation is a drier kind of fume, attract­ed up from the Earth, and apt to be inflamed, and they are firy Meteors. There are also o­ther Meteors formed of a mixture of both these fumes.

Firy Meteors are forms consisting of hot Ex­halations attracted into the Airy Region, ha­ving a hot quality, which at length breaketh into a fire.

And of these are

• Simple.
• Mixt.

Simple firy Meteors are of divers sorts and different forms, whereof there is little use in Coat-Armour, except of the falling Star, which of Blazoners is termed a Mullet; which is an Exhalation inflamed above in the Air, and stricken back with a Cloud, whereby it is forced to run downwards in such sort, that to the Ignorant a Star seemeth to fall. There is oftentimes found upon the Earth a certain gelly fallen from above, and dispersed into divers points, which of many is taken to be the substance of the Falling Star or Mullet. Note that such Mullets born in Coat-Armour, are now most usual of five points, but ancient­ly you shall find them born of six points.

And so I have seen them in divers very old Rolls, in the Custody of that worthy Knight, Sir Richard Saint George, now Clarencieux King of Arms, whose industrious travel in the careful Collection of such Antiquities, and his free communicating of the same to the studious in that way, merits much.

And I find in a very ancient Roll, now in the custody of the be­fore-mentioned wor­thy Knight, Sir Ri­chard Saint George, Clarencieux, in the Blazon of Gilbert Hau­sarts Coat-Armour, those which we now in He­raldry blaze by the Name of Mullets, there to be termed Esteiles, I think it is meant Estoiles; yet are not their points, which are five, there waved. But in this variety of Opinions I leave every man to follow what in his judg­ment [Page 90] he shall approve to be best and most pro­bable.

He beareth Ermyn, a Mullet of six points, pierced, Gules, by the Name Hassenhull. These kinds of Meteors have an apparence of Stars, but in existence they are nothing less; for they are (saith Beken­ [...]ab) certain Impressi­ons of the Air, appear­ing for a time, and in time do vanish away, be­cause they be of nature flexible, and nothing permanent.

He beareth Argent, two Bars between three Mullets of six points, Sa­ble, pierced, Or, by the Name of Doughty. This with a Cressant for a difference, is the Coat-Armour of Philip Doughty of Easher in the County of Surrey, Esq descended from an English-saxon Family of Dohtig before the Conquest.

He beareth Argent, two Bars, Sable, each charged with three Mul­lets of six points, Or, by the Name of Hopton. As are born upon Or­dinaries, so shall you find them commixt with other common charges; as also oftentimes sort­ed with Ordinaries interposed between them: one Example whereof I will now presently shew you, which for the rarity of the form of the Ordinary, is worth your Observation.

From Mullets of six points, we will proceed to those of five.

He beareth Azure, six Mullets, three, two, and one, Or, by the Name of Welsh. In blazon­ing of Mullets of this form, you shall not need to make mention of their points, because it is the usual form of bearing; but if they do consist of more than five points, then must you specially observe their Number, as in the for­mer Escocheon.

He beareth Ruby, on a Chief, Pearl, two Mul­lets, Diamond. I give this selected form of blazoning to this pre­sent Coat-Armour, be­cause it appertained to that honoured and right worthy Knight, Sir Ni­cholas Bacon, L. Keep­er of the Great Seal of England in the Reign of our late Queen Elizabeth, of blessed me­mory, to whom he was a Privy Councellor; and for his Wisdom, Learning, and Integrity, by her advanced to that high place of Lord Keeper. His eldest Son, Sir Nicholas Bacon, was the first Baronet that King Iames made by Letters Patents under the Great Seal; from whom is descended Sir Edmond Bacon of Red­grave in Suffolk, now premier Baronet of England: and Sir Francis Bacon, one of his younger Sons, was Lord Keeper, and after­wards Lord Chancellor of England in the Reign of the King, who created him, in An­no 1617. Baron of Verulam; and in the year following Viscount St. Albans.

This Coat, with due differences is now born by divers Gentlemen in Norfolk, Suffolk, and elsewhere. In Norfolk, by Sir Edmond Ba­con of Gillingham, Baronet; Bacon of Egner, Esq and by Francis Bacon of Nor­wich, Esq. And in Suffolk, by Sir Edmond Bacon of Redgrave aforesaid; Sir Henry Ba­con of Lounde in Lovingland, Baronet; Sir Nicholas Bacon of Shrubland-hall in Coden­ham, Knight of the Bath; Thomas Bacon of Friston-hall, Esq Philip Bacon of Wolverton, Esq and Philip Bacon of Ipswich, Esquire.

Though the falling Star it self is but the Em­blem of the inconstancy of high Fortunes, and unsure footing of ambitious Aspirers, which may shine for a time, but in a moment fall headlong from the Heaven of their high hopes; yet the Mullet in Heraldry hath a more noble signification, it being supposed to represent some Divine quality bestowed from above, whereby men do shine in Vertue, Learning, and works of Piety, like bright Stars on the Earth; and these are Stellae dimissae è Coelo, Stars let down from Heaven by God; not Stel­lae dejectae, thrown down, as those which the Tayl of the Dragon threw down, which are Apostates from God and their Religion; nor yet Cadentes stellae, falling Stars, such as the stroke of Justice and their own Demerits casts down from the height of their Honours.

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He beareth Pearl, on a Chief, Ruby, two Mullets pierced, Topaz, by the Name of St. Iohn, and is the bearing of the Right Honourable Oli­ver Earl of Bulling­brook, Lord St. Iohn of Bletso. This Coat, with the Arms of Vlster, is born by Sir Walter St. Iohn of Lydyard­Tregos in Wiltshire, and of Battersea in Sur­rey, Baronet.

He beareth Argent, on a Fess, Sable, three Mullets, Or, in the Dexter Chief an Er­myn, by the Name of Grimston. This, with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of the Honourable Sir Harbottle Grimstone of Gorhambury in Hart­fordshire, Baronet, Speaker of the Honoura­ble House of Commons for the first Parliament under his Majesty King Charles the Second, and at present Master of the Rolls.

He beareth Gules, a Fess between six Mul­lets, Argent, by the Name of Ashburnham, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Wil­liam Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex, Esq Cofferer to their Majesties King Charles the First and Second.

This Coat, with the Arms of Vlster, is born by Sir Denny Ashburnham of Bromham in the said County, Baronet.

He beareth Azure, a Chevron between three Mullets, Or, by the Name of Chetwynd, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Walter Chetwynd of Ingentre in Stafford­shire, Esquire. And with a due difference, is born by William Chetwynd of Rugely in the said Coun­ty, Esq

He beareth Or, a Chevron between 3 Mullets pierced, Sable, by the Name of Da­vies, and is the Pa­ternal Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Davies of the City of London Kt. and Lord Mayor there­of, Anno 1677.

Argent, a Chevron, Sable, between three Mullets pierced, Gules, is born by Iohn Da­vies of Vine-hall in Sussex, Gent.

He beareth Sable, on a Bend, Argent, three Mullets pierced, Gules, by the Name of Glisson. This with the differ­ence of a Cressant with­in an Annulet is the bearing of Francis Glisson, Dr. in Physick, and one of the Kings Professors of Physick in the University of Cambridge.

He beareth Ermyn, on a Chevron, Sable, a Lyon rampant, Or, a Chief, Gules, charged with three Mullets of the Third, by the Name of Trice, and is born by Iohn Trice of Godmanchester in Hun­tingtonshire, Esq.

He beareth Gules, on a Cross, Argent, five Mullets pierced, Sable, by the Name of Randal or Randolph of Kent. Sometimes the round in the midst of the Mullet is not of the Colour of the Field, and then you must not take it for a piercing, but for a Charge of other significa­tion. Gerard Leigh seemeth to prescribe this General Rule touching Mullets; that if the same do consist of even points, they must be called Rowels; meaning (as I conceive) Row­els of Spurs. But he might more aptly have applyed the same in particular unto Mullets pierced, in respect of their nearer resemblance of such Rowels than those that are not pierced. Some are of Opinion, that all Mullets, whe­ther they consist of five or six points, pierced, or unpierced, are Rowels of Spurs, with this [Page 92] difference, that those which are unpierced, are Rowels not fully finished or made up by their Maker; and their Reason is, because that in old French or Norman Language, this word Mollette signifi [...]th a Rowel of a Spur; as ap­peareth in an ancient French Manuscript re­maining in the Office of Arms, where the Au­thor there treating of the compleat Armour of a Combatant a Cap a pee, according to his degree, he there speaking of the Harness or Armour of the Leg, useth these words con­cerning Spurs;—Et ungz esperous d'ores qui sero [...]t atachiez a une cordellette autour de la jambe affi [...] que la Mollette ne tourne des­soubz le pie. The French is old, and accord­ing to the Orthography of those times, which I, as precisely as I can; have shewed you. O­thers think that the Heralds have borrowed this word, used by them in blazon, from a kind of fish so called; not that which is most usually known by the name of Mullet, but another not much unlike in shape to that thing which is used in Armory; and as I am informed, is often found upon the Sands, at the ebbing of the Sea: and is in Kent now by the vulgar people, propter similitudinem, cal­led a Taylors Bottom or a Fivefinger, and in an­cient time it was for the like cause known by the name of a Mullet.

Azure, on a Cross, Argent, five Mullets, Gules, by the Name of Verney, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Ralph Verney of Middle Cleydon in Buckinghamshire, Kt. and Baronet, Son to Sir Edmond Verney Knight Marshal to K. Charles the First, and Standard Bearer at the Battel of Edg-hill. And with a due difference is born by Iohn Verney, Son of the said Sir Ralph.

He beareth Sable, a Chevron [...] Rompee, be­tween three Mullets, Or, by the Name of Sault. This Chevron in blazon is called Rompe, or ra­ther Rompu, from the French Verb Rompre, derived from the Latin Rumpo, Rumpere, to break. Thus have you Examples of the di­vers bearing of these simple Meteors; to wit, the bearing of them sole, unpierced, pierced, some of five points, and others of six.

So much of simple firy Meteors, so far forth as there is use of them in Coat-Armour: Now of such Meteors as are of mixt kind, according to the distribution before delivered in the next president. These are firy Meteors bred of an Exhalation somewhat more gross and impure, than those before specified, by reason of a more thick and slimy vapour whereof they be in­gendred.

Meteors of this kind are

• Thunder.
• Lightning.

Thunder is an inflamed Exhalation, which by his powerful force breaketh thorow the Clouds violently, with great noise and terror. The forcible power thereof is rather appre­hended by the ear, than subjected to the sight: nevertheless, the ancient times have devised a certain imaginary form whereby they would express the forcible power thereof, as also of the Lightning.

Thunder is supposed to be ingendred two manner of ways, viz. when either a hot or dry vapour is inclosed in a cold and moist Cloud, and being unable to contain it self therein, by reason of the contrariety, it laboureth by all means to find a vent, and so striving by all means to get passage, it maketh way with great vehemency and horror of sound: such as a glowing Gad of Iron, or any other firy matter maketh, when water is infused there­upon in abundance, or that it is therein drench­ed, it maketh a furious and murmuring sound. Such is that weak and feeble sort of Thunder, that seemeth to be ingendred in some Region of the Air far remote from us, yielding only (for a small time) a kind of turbulent noise or murmuring.

Or else it is ingendred in a more violent manner, to wit, when this inclosed dry and combustible matter, being in [...]lamed in the Clouds of contrary qualities, doth break out with vehemency, then doth it yield a terrible and forcible sound, not unlike a great piece of Ordnance when it is overcharged. And this sound, thus ingendred, is called Thunder.

This sort of sound is used oftentimes Meta­phorically, as when God threatneth his Judg­ments against Sin, he is said to thunder them out. In this sense doth Petrarch use the same, saying, Deus ideo tonat in Coelis, ut tu in ter­ras bene vivas, quodque amoxe debueras, sal­tem metu facias. For unless God loved man, he would never threaten him, but rather pu­nish him; forasmuch as man doth evermore minister many and those grievous occasions of execution of Gods Judgments.

Lightning is a vehement [...]ruption of an in­flamed Exhalation, proceeding from Thunder; which though it is in time after the Thunder, yet is first represented to our senses, by reason that our sight is far more subtil and apprehen­sive than is our hearing. And in regard that Thunder and Lightning do both proceed from one self cause, they have in such their imagi­nary fiction conjoyned them both under one form, after this manner.

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The Field is Azure, Iupiters Thunderbolt in Pale, Or, inflamed at both ends, proper, shasted Saltire-wise, and winged Fess-ways, Argent. Chassanaeus describing the Ensigns of sundry Nations, no­teth this for the En­sign of the Scythians: and in the Glory of Ge­nerosity, it is said, that Tomyris, Queen of Scythia, did bear the same in this manner. The bearing of Lightning betokeneth the effecting of some weighty business with much celerity and forceableness; because in all Ages this hath been reputed the most quick; forcible, and ter­rible dart, wherewith the Almighty striketh where himself pleaseth: which the Heathen religiously acknowledged, though he there­upon infers an irreligious conclusion, saying,

His Inference had been truer thus:

Hitherto of Firy Meteors; now of such as be watry.

Watry Meteors are certain cold and moist Vapours, copiously attracted by the powerful operation of the Heavenly Bodies into the Air, and there transmutated into their several forms. Of these there are divers sorts, where­of Clouds are most usually born in Coat-Ar­mour.

A Cloud is a gross Vapour, attracted into the middle Region of the Air, and there thick­ned, by reason of the coldness of the place, having in it store of matter apt to ingender water. A Cloud (according to Zanchius) is a moist thick Vapour, attracted from the waters by the heat of the Sun, unto the middle Region of the Air, and there thickned by the coldness thereof, and so continueth until it be again dissolved by the Suns heat, and so con­verted into rain, and doth distill down in drops. Zanch. de Meteoris aqueis, 483. The Clouds are said to be Gods Chariots, as we may see Psalm [...] 104. He layeth the beams of his Chambers in the waters, and maketh the Clouds his Chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the winds. The Clouds are Gods Instru­ments, wherein he containeth and retaineth at his pleasure, the shours of Rain, as in Bottles: as we may see Iob 38. 37. Who can number the Clouds by wisdom? Or who can cease the Bot­tles of Heaven?

The Clouds are resembled to a Spunge, re­plenished with water, and God with the hand of his Providence wringeth the Spunge mode­rately, not pressing out all the moisture there­of at once, but leasurely, and by little and lit­tle, after a gentle and soaking manner. No Pencil can make a true representation of Clouds, because every instant and moment of time, doth add unto them some kind of alte­ration, whereby it differeth from that it was late before: nevertheless, former times have coyned (of these also) a conceited form, as in these next Escocheons may be seen.

This Coat-Armour is Barr Nebule, of eight pieces, Topaz and Dia­mond; and pertaineth to the Honourable Fa­mily of Charles late Earl of Devon, and Lord Mountjoy, Lieu­tenant Governour of Ireland, Great Master of the Artillery of England, Captain of Ports­mouth, Knight of the most Noble of the Gar­ter, and of his Majesties most Honourable Pri­vy Council. The bearing of Clouds in Arms (saith Vpton) doth import some Excellency in their Bearer.

This Coat is also born by Sir Henry Blount of Tittonhanger in Hartfordshire, Knight.

In the Clouds hath the Rain-bow his tem­porary Residence; and therefore next let us cast our eyes on it.

A Rain-bow is a di­vers coloured Arch or Bow, formed in a hol­low, thin, and unequal Cloud, by the reflecti­on of the Beams of the opposite Sun. The cause of the rare use of the Rain-bow in Coat-Ar­mour; perhaps may be for that the Colours thereof cannot be aptly counterfeited, as witnesseth Aristotle, Meteor. lib. 3. saying, Soli colores Iridis non possunt fieri a Pictoribus: whereby it seemeth of all other the hardest thing to imitate. The natu­ral Colours of the Rain-bow (according to Scribonius) are Red, Green, Blew, and Yel­low. The Field hereof is Argent, issuant out of two petit Clouds in Fess, Azure, a Rain­bow, in the Nombril point a Star, proper. The Rain-bow is a Token of Gods Covenant made with Noah, and in him with all people; as ap­peareth Genesis 9. 13. I have set my Bow in [Page 94] the Clouds, and it shall be for a sign of the Covenant between me and the Earth, &c. As touching the Beauty of the Rain-bow, it is said, Ecclus. 43. 11. Look upon the Rain-bow, and praise him that made it: very beautiful is it in the brightness thereof; it compasseth the Heaven about with a Circle, and the hand most High hath bended it, Ibid. 12. And in­deed, worthily is he to be so praised, who when he could have made a Bow to destroy us, rather chose to make this Bow to assure us he would not destroy us. A noble president, to teach Nobles to use their strength and their weapons rather to preserve and help, then to overthrow or hurt those who are under their power. Farnesius saith, that the Rain-bow appearing in the South, betokeneth Rain; in the West, it foresheweth Thunder; and in the East, prognosticates fair weather.

CHAP. VI.

HItherto have we prosecuted our intend­ment, touching things of mixt nature, which are brute or liveless: Now pro­ceed we to the consideration of things of mixt Nature, having life. Mixt Natures that are living, are Corporeal Essences, endued with a Vegetable Soul: for here we use this word Soul, as also the word Life, in his largest signification. A Vegetable Soul is a faculty or power that giveth life unto Bodies.

Whereby they do live After a sort, or, Perfectly.

Such as do live after a sort, or less perfect­ly, are all sorts of Mettals; which because they are supposed to grow and increase in the Earth, we will (for our present use) ascribe life unto them.

Mettals are Bodies imperfectly living, and are decocted in the Veins of the Earth.

Of these some are naturally

• Liquefiable.
• Not Liquefiable, or less Liquefiable.

The Liquefiable are Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Lead, and other of like kind.

The not or hardly Liquefiable are

• Precious.
• Brittle.

Those that are altogether hard, are Stones of all sorts. Stones are bred of a waterish moisture, and of an oily kind of Earth firmly compacted together.

Of Stones, some are

• Precious.
• Base.

Stones precious are of that sort that we call in Latin Gemmae; which are of estimation either for that they are rarely to be gotten, or for some vertue phansied to be in them, or for that they are such as wherewith mans Eye is won­derfully delighted by reason of their pureness and beautiful transparent substance. Of which kind are the Diamond, Topaz, Escarbuncle, E­merald, Ruby, and such like. Of which sorts, twelve of chiefest note were appointed by God himself to be used in the principal Orna­ment of the High Priest, when he appeared before the Lord, presenting therein the Names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, to shew how precious in his sight is the People and Nation which serveth him, as himself prescribeth. But of all these several kinds, the Escarbuncle is of most use in Arms, and is born as in these next Escocheons appeareth.

The Field is Ruby, a Chief, Pearl, over all an Escarbuncle, of eight Staves or Rays, pom­mette & florette, Topaz. This Coat-Armour Per­tained anciently to the Earls of Anjou, from whom came Geffery Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, that married Maud the Empress, daugh­ter to Henry the First, King of England. This Stone is called in Latin Carbunculus, which sig­nifieth a little Coal, because it sparkleth like fire, and casteth forth, as it were, fiery Rays. There is another kind of, but fiery Car­buncle, which Chyrurgions can best handle; one of those of the Lapidaries is more to be desired than ten of the other.

He beareth Argent, two Barrs, Azure, over all an Escarbuncle of 8 Rays, Gules, pommette & florette, Or. This Coat is cut in Stone up­on the Church Porch door of Magnotsfield in the County of Glo­cester, and is born by the Name of Blount. As there is in all kinds of Minerals a Vegetable life, even so, and much more (saith Zanchius) is it judged that Stones have this life; yea, and that they have a passive capacity of Sickness, of Age, and al­so of Death. Whether this be so or not, sure it is a pretty device, to advance their estimati­on with those who already too much dote on them; insomuch, as it was said of the Roman Empresses, that some of them did ware whole [Page 95] Kingdoms at their Ears, so now many a one hang whole Mannors on their sleeves.

So much of precious Stones: now of those which are Base; such we esteem all those to be, which both for their ordinary and base imployments, and also for that they are ea­sily to be had of all men, are of small esti­mation; as are these next following, with their like.

He beareth Vert, three Flint Stones, Ar­gent, by the Name of [...]lint. This Coat is quartered by the Right Honourable the Earl of Cumberland. The Flint-stone is an anci­ent Emblem or Token used by great Persons. Iohannes Digionius, Earl of Flanders, gave for his Device, Ignitabulum Silicem feriens, a Steel and a Flint-stone, which well agreed with his disposition. This Earl was taken Prisoner by Bajazet the Turk, and when he should have been put to the Sword, a Physiog­nomer, much esteemed by the Turk, per­swaded him to let him go free, saying, He foresaw in him, that when he came home, he would set a great part of Christendom in a combustion; as indeed he did, by reason of the murther of Lewis, Brother to the French King Charles the sixth; which his murther, the Franciscan Fryers did as impiously defend, by the Examples of Zimri kill'd by Phinees, Ho­lofer [...]es by Iudith, Sisera by Iael, and the Egyptians by Moses. As the like Examples are still produced by the Trayterous Patricides of Kings and Princes, set on work by the Grand-father of such holy Treasons. The said Earls Son, Philippus Bonus, was Founder of the Order of the Golden Fleece, which hang­eth at a Coller made with the forms of the said Steels and Flint-stones; which Order the Kings of Spain still upholdeth.

He beareth, Azure, three Mill-stones, Ar­gent, by the Name of Milveton. The Mil­stone representeth unto us the mutual converse of human Society; be­cause Milstones are never occupied single, but by couples; and each of them standeth in need of the others help, for the performance of the work whereunto they are ordained. Hereupon our mutual Amities and Assistances are termed in Latin, Necessitudines Amicitiae, because eve­ry man standeth in need of some fast and assu­red Friend, by whose counsel and advice he may be supported for the better compassing of whatsoever affairs of importance he shall un­dertake. Of all the rare Stones before men­tioned, in my judgment men have cause to e­steem the Milstone (though here we have placed it amongst baser Stones) the most pre­cious Stone of all others; yet I would be loath to wish my Lady to wear it at her ear.

So much of Mettals or Minerals (for I use the word in the largest sense) that are hard and not liquefiable; there are other also which we reckoned to be hardly liquefiable, in respect of their brittle nature; such are Alom, Salt, Am­ber, Chalk, &c. but there is no use of them in Arms. Because in this Chapter I have spoken of precious Stones, divers of which are of use in Heraldry, for blazoning of the Coat-Ar­mours of Nobility (as my self have often occasi­on to do in sundry parts of this Work:) before I proceed further, I will set down those seve­ral Stones, as they answer to their several Mettals and Colours; together with the Planets also, which I use only in the Atchievements of Kings and great Princes.

CHAP. VII.

SO much touching Examples of such Na­tures as do live after a sort: In the next place succeed those things, which do live perfectly or properly; such Natures are those as have in them express and manifest tokens of a living Soul.

Of this kind, some are

• Vegetable.
• Sensitive.

Forasmuch as I am now to treat of Vegeta­ble Animals, and of their particular kinds; I must excuse my self in two things before I en­ter into the exemplifying of them: The one, that there is no cause that any man should ex­pect at my hands an express demonstration of each particular Species of them; and that I should run through and display their manifold and almost innumerable kinds, for that would be a tedious travel, and (besides) an infinite and unnecessary charge and cost, and withal far wide from the project of my prefixed pur­pose. The other thing (and the same more pertinent to that I do intend) is, That in hand­ling of Vegetables and Sensitives, I purpose only to distribute their several ranks of Di­stribution, according to their Order to them prescribed by Nature, which to express is my chiefest drift, and the principal scope that I do aim at.

Of the perfect sort of Creatures there are many kinds, whereof some are of more per­fection and more worthy than others, accord­ing to their more excellent kind of life, or wor­thiness of soul.

Of these the less perfect sort of Bodies were first created; and then such as were of more perfection. Plants are more worthy than Met­tals, and Animals of more reckoning than Plants: therefore were these first created, and those afterwards.

Of Animals wherewith God did adorn the Air, the Waters, and the Earth, there are di­vers kinds, whereof some were more worthy than others; in the Creation of these did God observe the same order.

Between the Creation of Plants and Ani­mals, it pleased God in his unsearchable wis­dom, to interpose the creation of the Stars wherewith he beautified the Heavens, he did it to this end, to give us to understand, That albeit the Sun with his light and motion, toge­ther with the Stars, do concur in the generati­on of Plants and Animals, nevertheless their Generation is not to be attributed simply to the influence and power of these Celestial Bodies; but only to the Omnipotency of God, inasmuch as by his powerful Word he commanded the Earth to produce all sorts of Plants and their Fruits, before the Stars were created.

From the most fertile and pleasant Garden of Eden, unto the most barren and desolate Wil­derness, may we see and behold the great and wonderful works of God, and take occasion to extol his Omnipotency, Wisdom, and Mer­cy. As we may observe Isai. 41. 9. I will set in the Wilderness the Cedar, the Shittah tree, and the Myrhe tree, and the Pine tree; and I will set in the Wilderness the Firr tree, the Elm, and the Box together. Therefore let them see, and know, and let them consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and that the holy One of Israel hath created it, v. 20. Hence we may gather that there is no object so mean that presenteth it self to our view, but will minister some just occasion to glorifie God.

Men are accustomed to attribute the propa­gation of these, either to the influence of Na­ture, or to the travel and industry of man; but these were produced before any other of like kind could be found upon the face of the Earth, whereof it might be imagined they might receive being; for as yet there had ne­ver fallen any rain to fructifie the Earth, where­by it might produce green herbs, nor as yet was Man created, that might manure and till the Ground for that purpose: therefore neither were they produced naturally, or of their own accord, nor yet by the Art, Skill, or Industry of Man, but by the immediate Word and Com­mandment of God.

The reason that moved Moses to give an in­stance of Plants and Herbs, how that they were produced by the vertue and power of Gods Word only, and not naturally, or by the skill and industry of man; neither yet of Ani­mals, nor of any other of the infinite number of things created (Genes. 1. 11.) was this, because the Generation of Plants and Herbs might be much more doubted of, than the o­riginal of other things.

Of the first springing of Trees in the Crea­tion, Moses saith, Et germinare fecerat Ieho­va Elohim è terra omnem arborem concupisci­bilem, id est, visu, & bonam ad escam; which words do comprehend all the desirable quali­ties of Fruit trees: for in them we expect that their fruits should be either delightful to the Eye, or that they should be fit for food and wholsom, and that they be also fragrant and sweet smelling: For the fruits of Trees, the better they be, the more odoriferous they are.

That the Trees wherewith Paradise was planted, had all these qualities, it is manifest by the words of Moses, in that he saith, Con­cupiscibilem ad visum, & bonam ad escam: whereby we gather that the sight is delighted with things beautiful and glorious, the smell with sweet and pleasant savours, and the pa­late with things of sweet and pleasant taste. And none of these are in themselves evil; for such was the constitution of Adam before he [Page 97] transgressed, that he might have delighted himself in them all without offence; and to that end did God create them, that he should use them with thanksgiving.

Moses describeth unto us two principal qua­lities of the Garden of Paradise, whereby he laieth before us the pleasantness of the situati­on thereof, and also the beauty and fertility of the soil. The first of these qualities was, that it was replenished with all sorts of Trees, not only most pleasant and delightful to the eye, but also most pleasant to the taste; for that they produced the best and sweetest fruits: The other quality was, that the whole cir­cumference of the Garden of Paradise was surrounded and invironed with a River, being distributed into four heads, which did highly beautifie the same, and made it most pleasant to the view.

In this discription Moses maketh mention of two Trees of special qualities, that were plan­ted in the midst of Paradise: The one named the Tree of Life, the other the Tree of Know­ledge of good and evil.

The first of these had a vivificant power in it self, the fruit whereof was ordained to this end; That being eaten, it would enable a man never to feel sickness, feebleness, old age, or death, but should evermore continue in the same state of strength and agility of body: This was the efficacy and power that was gi­ven to this Tree, whereof it was never yet de­prived: Therefore was this quality after a sort natural thereunto.

For this cause was there a Cherub set at the entrance of Paradise, to keep out such as would enter the same, and eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life; that he should not always live that kind of life.

How behooful the knowledge of the ver­tues and operations of Trees, Plants, Herbs, and other Vegetables are, for the extolling and manifesting the Omnipotency, Wisdom, Mer­cy, loving favour and fatherly providence of our most gracious God towards sinful man is, in that he hath created for the behoof and use of man, as well touching his necessary food and raiment, as for recreation and delight, we may evidently perceive by Solomon's indu­strious investigation of the vertues and opera­tions of all sorts of Vegetables: For (besides other his admirable qualities wherewith he was richly endued) he had surpassing know­ledge in the vertues, operations and qualities of Herbs and other Vegetables; insomuch that he was able to reason, discourse and dispute, not only of Beasts, Fowls, creeping things and Fishes, but of Trees also and Plants, from the Cedar in Lebanon to the Hyssop that springeth out of the wall, that is, from the highest and tallest Tree to the smallest Shrub and lowest Herb. Thus we see the knowledge and skill in natural Philosophy to be holden in great estimation in all Ages, insomuch as it hath been reckoned a study well befitting the dignity of a King, yea, of Solomon, who was the wisest King that ever was, and a Type of our Saviour Christ. But to return to the Ve­getable.

Such are said to be Vegetable, as have in them a lively power of growing, budding, leafing, blossoming and fructifying, as Trees, Plants, Herbs, Grass, &c. And of these some grow on Trunks or solid Bodies, some upon flexible Stalks: some again grow upon a sin­gle Stem, as commonly all Trees do; some up­on manifold Stems, as Shrubs, Roses, &c.

Trees are certain Plants springing from a root with a single Trunk or Stem (for the most part) shooting up in height, and delinea­ted with lims, sprigs or branches. Of these Trees some are more proper to hot Countries; as the Frankinsence Tree to Arabia; the Bal­samum, Myrrhe, Mace and Nutmeg Trees, as also the Pepper Trees, and such like, which chiefly grow in India; the Plane Tree in E­gypt and Arabia; the Pomegranate in Africa, &c. which I purposely pass over, and will on­ly give Examples of other sorts to us better known, whether they be Trees fruitful or bar­ren. In giving Examples whereof I purpose not to observe any precise order, but to min­gle them pel mel one with another, because I hold such curious sorting them, better fitting a professor of Physick, or some Herbalist, than an Armorist; to whom it sufficeth to shew su­perficially, that these, and their several parts, are born in Coat-Armour, as well simply of themselves, as also with things of different na­ture; as in the Examples following may ap­pear.

He beareth Or, on a Mount in Base, an Oak acorned, proper, by the name of Wood. Al­mighty God, at what time by his powerful word he did enable the Earth to fructifie, and produce Herbs and Trees with their varia­ble fruits, said, Let the earth bud forth ac­cording to his kind, the bud of herb that seed­eth seed; the fruitful tree which beareth fruit according to his kind, which hath seed in it self upon the earth; and it was so. Whereby (saith Zanchius) we are admonished, that they should be preserved and nourished in the earth unto the time of seed for our necessary use; for that they profit little, until they be come unto their full ripeness. The Oak is of the strongest sort of Trees, and therefore may best challenge the first place.

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He beareth Argent, on a Mount in a Base, a Pine-apple Tree, fructed, proper, by the name of Pine. There is a difference between the produ­ction of seed of Trees and of Herbs, as well for the propagation, as for the preservati­on, of their several kinds; for the herbs do produce their seed in their stalks without fruit; and the trees do pro­duce theirs in their fruit.

It is holden of some, that the Pine Tree is a representation of death; forasmuch as the same being once felled, or cut down by the ground, the root thereof is said never to sprout or spring any more.

He beareth Or, on a Mount in Base, a Pear Tree fructed, proper, by the name of Pyrton. As God for the necessary sustenance of man, or­dained manifold varie­ties of nourishment: so likewise many sorts were created, not only for mans necessity, but also for his delight, both to eye and taste; as too well appeared by the first woman, whose rash affection in this kind all her Posterity hath since rued. But withal, God teacheth us by these dumb instructers, that man should not be fruitless, lest he become thereby fuel only fit for burning.

Those proposed Examples are of whole bearing of Trees: Now of their parts, viz. their Leaves, Fruits, Slips, &c. promiscuously, as in Example.

He beareth Gules, the stem or trunk of a Tree eradicated, or mooted up by the roots, as also Couped in Pale, sprouting out two bran­ches, Argent, and is the Coat of William Bo­rough, aliàs Stockden, of Borough in Leicester­shire, Gent. Branches must needs wither which have neither shelter from above, nor nourishment from beneath: being therein like that Roman Embassage, where the one Em­bassador had a giddy head, and the other gou­ty feet; whereof one said, That it had neither head nor foot.

He beareth Azure, a Cheveron, Ermyn, be­tween three Oaken slips acorned, proper, by the name of A­mades. By the words formerly noted to be extracted out of Gen. 1. 24. Let the earth bud forth, &c. we do gather (saith Zanchius) a diverse manner of conser­ving of the several kinds of Herbs and Trees by propagation (through the production of their Seeds, whereby their particular sorts are preserved;) the one, that do bring forth their seed in their stalks without fruit, and Trees do produce their seed in their fruit.

He beareth Or, a Fess, Gules, between three Olive branches, proper, by the name of Roundel, and is the Coat-Armour of Wil­liam Roundel of Hut­ton-Wansley in York­shire, Esquire.

He beareth Argent, three Mole-hills, proper, by the name of Tyldesly, and is born by Edward Tyldesley of Morleys in Lancashire, Esq.

He beareth Argent, three starved branches, slipped, Sable, by the name of Blackstock. This Example is of dif­ferent nature from all the former, those bear­ing the signs of their vegetation and life, but this being mortified and unvested of the virdure which sometimes it had; which is the condition of all mortal men, whose most flourishing estate must have a change, their beauty turned to baldness and withered wrinkles, and they leave all their ri­ches, or their riches leave them: This is the end of the Tree, and fruits of our worldly e­state; but the fruits of holiness will never pe­rish, and the righteous man shall be as the tree planted by the waters of life. Other Esco­cheons of the same kind ensue.

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He beareth Gules, a Bend of the limb of a tree, reguled and trunk­ed, Argent, by the name of Penruddock. That which I spake of before touching the Bend Crenelle, fitted by Art for the scaling of a Wall, the same seemeth to be here naturally found. At the first approach of King William the Conqueror, the green boughs of Trees, born by Souldiers, served for an excellent stratagem of defence; and as helpful an instrument of offence to the Enemy may this trunked Tree be, when other helps are wanting to the besiegers.

He beareth Argent, three stocks or stumps of Trees, couped and eradicated, Sable, by the name of Retowre. If the top or boughs be cut off, yet, the Root standing, there is hope of a new growth: but when the Root is pluckt up, there remaineth no hope of reviving. And therefore that was a fearful warning, Now is the Axe put to the Root; which should quick­en us to the bearing of good fruits, lest other­wise we mean to bear that dreadful stroke, and the issue of that terrible commination.

He beareth Azure, three Laurel leaves slip­ped, Or. This was the paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Richard Leve­son of Lilleshall in the County of Salope, who was made Knight of the Bath at the Coro­nation of our Sovereign Lord King Charles. That the Laurel was in ancient times thought to be a remedy against poison, lightning, &c. and in war used as a token of peace and quietness, you may at your leasure read in Master Bossewell his Book of Coats and Crests.

The field is Topaz, five Figg-leaves in Sal­tire, Emerald. This Coat appertaineth to the Count Feria of Spain. The Figg-leaves are the ancientest wea­ring that is, being the first clothing of our first transgressing Parents. And Irenaeus saith, that they used not the Leaves of any other Tree, to shew the torture and anguish of Repentance, signified by the roughness and sharpness wherewith this sort of Leaf is beset. Our Saviour Christ liked not to see Figg-leaves without fruit, and therefore cursed the Tree: And accursed will their con­dition be, the growth of whose Faith and Re­ligion is in shew, and not in substance of fruit­ful works.

The Field is Ermyn, two barrs, Sable, each charged with five Elm-leaves, Or, by the name of Elmes, and is the Coat of Thomas Elmes of Lilford in the Coun­ty of Northampton, Esq It is supposed that there is great love, and a natural sympathy betwixt the Elm Tree and the Vine, because the Vine never prospereth better than when it groweth by the Elm; whereas the Elm it self is of all Trees the most barren. So should those who have few good parts in themselves, yet at least cherish and support such as Nature and Art have enabled to produce better fruits of their Industry.

He beareth Or, three Woodbine-leaves pen­dant, Azure. This Coat-Armour pertaineth to the Family of Gamboa in Spain. Sometimes you shall have these Leaves born bend-ways as in this next Escoche­on. The Woodbine is a loving and amorous plant, which embraceth all that it grows near unto; but without hurt­ing of that which it loveth: and is therein contrary to the Ivy, (which is a type of lust rather than of love) for it hurteth that which it most embraceth. Sometimes you shall find Leaves of sundry sorts of Trees born ordinary ways, as in Example.

He beareth Argent, three Bay-leaves proper, by the Name of Foulis. This with the Arms of Vlster is the Coat of Sir David Foulis of Ingleby Mannor in Cleaveland, in the North-Riding of Yorkshire, Baronet.

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He beareth Argent, three Woodbine-leaves Bendways, proper, two and one, by the Name of Theme. These Leaves are all one with those in the last precedent Escocheon in shape, but different from them in the manner of their po­sition, in that those are born with their points downwards, and these naturally or upwards. Otherwhiles they are born in form of other Ordinaries, as by Example shall hereafter be made plain. Moreover, you shall find them sometimes born with Ordinaries betwixt them, as in this next Escocheon.

He beareth Argent, a Cheveron, Vert, be­tween three Oaken leaves, proper, by the Name of Tomlins, and is the Coat-Armour of Thomas Tomlins of St. Leonards Bromley in Middlesex, Esq.

He beareth Or, a Cheveron, Gules, be­tween three Nettle-leaves, proper, by the Name of Malherbe. The Nettle is of so tetchy and froward a nature, that no man may med­dle with it, as many testy-natured men are. One writes, that a little Girle being stung by a Nettle in her Father's Garden, complained to him that there was such a curst Herb in his Garden, as that it was worse than a Dog, for it would bite them of their own house. Her Father answered her, That it was the nature of it to be unpartial, and friend or foe were all alike to it. Yet this property it hath, that the harder you press it the less it will sting.

He beareth Argent, three Holly-leaves pen­dant, proper, by the Name of Inwine. Note tha [...] when Leaves are born after this manner, viz. pendant, you must tell in what fashion they are born: but if their points only be up­wards, then it sufficeth to say Leaves; because it is their most ratural and proper way when they are in full vigor.

Now I will shew you an Example, where three Leaves are born Bar-ways.

He beareth Argent, three Holly-leaves Bar-ways, two and one, their stalks towards the Dex­ter part of the Escoche­on, proper, by the name of Arnest. These seem to have been, (as still they are) much used in adorning the Temples and Sacred places, especially at the most so­lemn time of our Saviout's Nativity, and thence to have taken that holy name. There is a kind of Holly, that is void of these prickles, and of gentler nature, and therefore called Free-holly, which in my opinion is the best Holly: and so it was in his, who saith, That Charity (the daughter of true holiness) is gen­tle and hurteth not, but rather suffereth all things: farr unlike to those Hedg-hogg holy­ones, whose sharp censures, and bitter words, pierce thorow all those who converse with them.

He beareth Sable, 3 Walnut-leaves, Or, between two Bendlets, Argent, by the Name of Waller, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir William Waller of Winchester in Hant­shire, Kt. lineally de­scended from Richard Waller of Groombridge in Kent, Esq who at the Battel at Agencourt, in the Reign of King Henry the Fifth, took prisoner Iohn Duke of Orleans, and brought him to Groombridge, where he remained a prisoner four and twen­ty years; during which Confinement he built a Chappel near the said House, on which his Arms doth yet remain: And in memory of that Action it hath been ever since allowed to the Family, as an Augmentation of Honour, to bear hanging on their Ancient Crest, viz. a Walnut Tree, proper, the Arms of the said Duke. And as a further Honour to the Fami­ly, the Sword which the Duke used in the said Battel, is now in the possession of the said Sir William, who married the Daugh­ter of Sir Edward Stradling of St. Donets in Glamorganshire Baronet, deceased.

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The Field is Argent, a Pomegranat in Pale, slipped, proper. These Arms do pertain to the City and Countrey of Granata, within the Dominions of the King of Spain, situated by the Mediterranean Sea. This fruit is holden to be of profitable use in Physick, for the qua­lifying and allaying of the scorching heat of burning Agues, for which end the juice thereof is reckoned to have a very sovereign vertue.

He beareth Azure, three Pears, Or, by the name of Stukeley. This fruit, as other, was or­dained for the comfort of man: But as the Devil made use of the Apple to the destructi­on of man; so did the Devil's Imps use the Pear to a wicked end, when the Monks of Swinsted, inviting King Iohn to a Banquet, poisoned him in a dish of Pears, though others write it was in a Cup of Ale.

Concerning the fruits of Trees, God in the beginning gave unto man a free scope to use them without restraint, only the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil excepted, whereof he was prohibited the eating upon pain to die the Death whensoever he should taste thereof. In this prohibition God would, that we should not so much respect the fruit of the Tree, as the Soveraign Authority of him that forbade the eating thereof; yea, this chiefly and principally first; and secondly the fruit, because of the interdiction.

The end for which God did prohibit Adam the eating of the fruit of the Tree of Know­ledge of good and evil was, that notwithstand­ing God had given him a Sovereign Jurisdicti­on on earth, yet was he not so absolute a Go­vernor and Commander, but that he had a Lord Paramount, to whose hests he was sim­ply and withal reverence to obey; and that he should know that God, his Creator, was a­bove him, whose will should be unto him the Rule of all Justice, and whereunto he should conform all his actions, counsels, and cogita­tions; that he should evermore have an awful eye unto him, and always hope in him, glori­fie, fear, reverence, and love him. The end I say was this, That Adam should know both God, and himself: God as his true Creator, himself to be his Creature; God to be his Lord, himself his Servant; God a most bountiful and magnificent giver of all good blessings, himself God's Foster-child, and such a one as must ac­knowledge, that whatsoever he possesseth, pro­ceedeth from God's free bounty and mercy; and therefore should render unto him continu­al praise and thanks for the same, from the ground and bottom of his heart.

He beareth Gules, a Cheveron, Ermyn, be­tween three Pine Ap­ples erected, Or, by the Name of Pine. The Pine Tree was in much request in ancient times, for adorning of Walks about Mansion-Houses; according to that of the Poet,

He beareth Or, three Mulberies, their stalks trunked, proper. The Mulbery Tree is an Hie­roglyphick of Wisdom, whose property is to speak and to do all things in opportune season: And it is repu­ted (as I may say) the wisest of all Trees, in regard it never sprout­eth nor buddeth, until such time as all extre­mity of cold Winter-season be clearly past and gone. This Fruit hath a Purple-blushing co­lour; in the one resembling the Judges attire, who attempted Susanna; in the other that hue of their face, which should have been in them, if they had been so gracious to blush at their fault, as they were hasty to commit it. A greater sin in them than in others, because they were to punish others for the like offen­ces: But it is no rare thing to see the great Of­fenders hang the little.

He beareth Or, on a a Bend, Sable, three Clu­sters of Grapes, Argent. This Coat appertained to Sir Edmund de Ma­roley of the County of York, Kt. who lived in the time of Edward the First. How profitable the moderate use of the juice of the Grape may be to man, is as mani­fest, as the inconvenience that doth attend the too much bibing of the same is odious.

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He beareth Azure, a Barr, Argent, three Ap­ples erected in Base, Or, by the name of Harle­win. An Apple is cal­led in Latin Pomum, which is a general word for all sorts of eatable fruits; inso­much as Plin. lib. 15. cap. 22. comprehendeth Nuts also under this name, albeit the same is most commonly taken for this sort of fruit. If we desire to have Apples to continue longer upon the Trees than their accustomed season of ripening, we may effect the same by wreathing of the boughs and platting them together one in another, as Farnesius noteth, saying, Praeter naturae tem­pus ex arbore pendebunt Poma, si ramuscu­los contorqueri jusserimus: whereof he yield­eth this reason, That by means of such wreath­ing and platting the humour is more slowly concocted or digested, so that they cannot ri­pen with that maturity, as those which are not hindred of their natural passage and action. Hereby we may learn, that Art worketh forci­bly in things meerly vegetable; how much more effectual and powerful is Education (which is reckoned a second nature) in form­ing and reforming the conditions and inclina­tions of men?

CHAP. VIII.

HItherto of Plants growing upon a sim­ple Body or Stem, with their common parts. Now of such as grow upon a manifold stalk or tender sprigs, as Flowers, Herbs, and such like, as in Example.

He beareth Ermyn, a Rose, Gules, barbed and seeded, proper, by the Name of Beverley. A­mongst Flowers in an­cient time the Rose was holden in chief­est estimation, as ap­peareth in Scholiis E­pist. St. Hieron. de vit. Hilar. where it is said, Rosis apud Priscos prima gloria fuit inter flores. The Pourtrai­ture or Resemblance of a Rose, may signifie unto us some kind of good environed or beset on all sides with evils, as that is with prickles: which may give us notice, how our pleasures and delights are beset with bitterness and sharpness. Here I do blazon this Rose Gules, because the word proper fitteth not this flow­er: For if I should blazon it a Rose proper, it could not be understood of what colour the same were; forasmuch as White and Crimson are as proper to Roses as Red: Therefore for the more certainty I have blazoned it Gules.

He beareth Argent, on a Canton, Gules, a Rose, Or, barbed, pro­per, by the Name of Bradston of Winter­borne in the County of Glocester. This beau­tiful and fragrant flow­er doth lively repre­sent unto us the mo­mentary and fickle state of mans life; the frail­ty and inconstancy whereof is such, as that we are no sooner born into the World, but pre­sently we begin to leave it: and as the dele­ctable beauty and redolent smell of this plea­sant flower doth suddenly fade and perish; e­ven so mans life, his beauty, his strength, and worldly estate, are so weak, so mutable, and so momentary, as that oftentimes in the same day wherein he flourisheth in his chiefest jolli­ty, his beauty consumeth, his body decaieth, and his vital breath departeth; and thus he leaveth his life as if he had never been. Of this sudden fading of the Rose, a certain Poet writeth in this manner;

He beareth Sable, 3 Roses, Argent, by the Name of Maurice, and is the Coat-Armour of David Maurice Pre­bend of Myvod, and Vicar of Llanhassaph in Flintshire.

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Gules, three Roses Argent, on a Chief of the second, as ma­ny Roses of the first, by the Name of Cae­sar (aliàs Adelmare). It is born by Sir Charles Caesar of Be­nington-place in Hart­fordshire, Kt. by Iohn Caesar of Barkway in the said County, Esq and by Charles Caesar of Great Gransden in Huntingtonshire, and of Much-hadham in Hartfordshire, Esq second Son of Sir Charles Caesar Kt. deceased, who was Master of the Rolls; which Sir Charles was Son and Heir of Sir Iulius Caesar Kt. also Master of the Rolls, Judge of the High Court of Admiral­ty, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Privy Counsellor to King Iames, and to King Charles the First; descended of the Learned and No­ble Family of the Dalmarii, of the City of Tarviso or Treviso in Italy. The said Charles married Ioan, second Daughter of Sir Thomas Leventhorp of Shingle-hall and Blakesware in Hartfordshire, Baronet, by whom he hath Issue Charles, Henry, and Dorothy.

He beareth Gules, a Cross Lozenge be­tween four Roses, Ar­gent, by the Name of Packer, and is the Coat-Armour of Phi­lip Packer of Groom­bridge in Kent, Esq.

Argent, on a Bend, Sable, three Roses of the Field, by the Name of Cary, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Iohn Ca­ry of Wilcot in Ox­fordshire, Esq.

He beareth parted Per Fess in Chief, Gules, a Cheveron between 3 Cinquefoiles, Or, and in Base, Argent, a Rose, Gules, with the stalk, leaves and beards, pro­per. This is a Dutch Coat, and is thus born by Iohn Vanheck of the City of London, Mer­chant.

Of such Plants that grow upon a manifold body or stalk, there are some other sorts that do bear fruits, as in part may by this next Ex­ample appear.

He beareth Argent, a Cheveron, Gules, be­tween three Hurts, by the Name of Basker­vile, in the County of Hereford, and is born by Thomas Baskervile of Eardisley, Humphrey Baskervile of Pontari­las, and by William Baskervile of Comadock, all of Hartfordshire, Esquires. These (saith Leigh) appear light-blue, and come of some violent stroke. But if I mistake not, he is farr wide from the mat­ter, in that he likeneth these Rundles unto Vibices or Hurts in a mans Body, proceeding of a stripe; whereas they are indeed a kind of Fruit or small round Berry, of colour betwixt black and blue, growing upon a manifold stalk about a foot high, and are found most com­monly in Forests and Woodland Grounds: in some places they are called Wind-berries, and in others Hurts, or Hurtle-berries. They have their time when Strawberries are in sea­son. The near resemblance of their names caused Leigh to mistake the one for the o­ther.

CHAP. IX.

THUS much of Vegetables, growing either on a single or manifold Stem or Body. Now of such as grow upon a bending Stalk, such are Herbs of all sorts. And of these some are Nutritive, others less Nutri­tive: The first sort are in ordinary use of Diet; such are both those which produce Grain, and those which serve for seasoning of the Pot, Sa­lads, and the like. Such as do produce Grain are these, and their like, Wheat, Rie, Beans, Pease, Barley, Spelt, Oats, &c. of these such are most usual in Coat-Armour, as are accu­stomed to be bound up in Sheaves, as Wheat, Rie, Cumin, &c. as in part by these next Ex­amples may appear.

He beareth Azure, issuant out of a Mount, in Base, three Wheat-stalks, bladed and ear­ed, all proper. This is a Venetian Coat-Ar­mour, and pertaineth to the Family of Garzoni. And here we see a a Mount born, which [Page 104] we beforementioned, as a bearing of the na­ture of one of the four Elements. As before we honoured the Milstone with the name of the chief of precious Stones, so may we justly give precedence to this Plant above all other in the World, no one kind of food being so necessary for preservation of mans life as this; which therefore the Scripture calls the staff of bread, because it upholds the very being of mankind. For which cause, as the Heathens accounted Ceres, and others, as gods, for in­venting means to increase Corn; so are those to be held enemies to mankind, whosoever through covetousness overthrow Tillage, as by Inclosures, and depopulations of Villages, &c. And how inestimable a blessing Corn is, may by this be conceived, that no Country is said to have a Famine so long as it hath Corn, though all other things be scarce: But if all o­ther things abound, and Corn be wanting, that one want bringeth both the name and the hea­vy punishment of a Famine.

Among the manifold blessings promised by God to the observers of his Laws, plenty of Corn is reckoned one of the chiefest, Lev. 26. 3. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandements, and do them; then will I give you rain in due season, and the Land shall yield her increase, and the Trees of the field shall yield their fruit and your thresh­ing shall reach unto the Vintage, and the Vin­tage shall reach unto the sowing time; and you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And again, Deut. 8. 7. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good Land; a Land of Brooks of Water, of Foun­tains and Depths that spring out of Valleys and Hills; a Land of Wheat and Barley, and Vines and Figg-trees, and Pomegranats; a Land of Oyl-olive and Honey; a Land where­in thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a Land whose Stones are Iron, and out of whose Hills thou mayest digg Brass.

He beareth Azure, three Ears of Guiny Wheat, couped and bla­ded, Or, by the Name of Grandgorge. This is a kind of Grain not much inferiour to our Wheat for use; but for multiplication, beauty, and largeness, much be­yond it: And of this most undoubtedly true is the saying of our Saviour, that one Grain bringeth forth fifty, yea an hundred fold: and such should be the increases of God's graces in us, which are not put into us there to die ut­terly, but to increase to our own good, and the givers glory. Saint Paul makes an excellent Argument here to satisfie a very natural man, touching the Resurrection of the dead, which is no more unpossible, than for dead Corn to sprout out of the Earth much more flourish­ing, yea and more abundant than it was cast in.

He beareth Gules, on a Bend, Argent, three Rie stalks, Sable, by the Name of Rye, or Reye. Were it that these stalks had been born in their proper kind, it would have beautified the Coat greatly, and made the same much more commendable for bearing, by how much sweet and kindly ripened Corn is more valua­ble and to be desired, than that which is bla­sted and mildew'd; that being a special blessing of God, and this the express and manifest to­ken of God's heavy wrath inflicted upon us for our sins; as appeareth in the Prophet A­mos 4. 9. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew, &c. and likewise in Haggai the se­cond the same words are used.

The Field is Ermyn, two Flaunches, Azure, each charged with 3 Ears of Wheat, couped, Or, by the Name of Greby of Northampton­shire. It maketh not a little to the comm [...]n­dation of this Grain, that it is taken in the Scripture for the faithful; where it is said, Which hath his fann in his hand, and will make clean his floor, and gather his Wheat into his Garner, &c.

These sorts of Grain are most usually born in Coat-Armour bound up in sheaves, and band­ed of the same Metal or Colour; yet shall you find their Band sometimes of a diverse Metal or Colour from them.

The Field is Azure, a Garbe, Or. This Coat-Armour pertaineth to the ancient Family of Gravenor of Cheshire, whose name was anci­ently written Grosve­nour, or Grosvenor, as it is at this day. They bear this Garbe from their Ancestors, who were of Consanguinity to the ancient Earls of Chester, as it is proved in the Record of that famous Suit betwixt Sir Richard Scroope Plaintiff, and Sir Robert Grosvenour Defendant, for their Arms, in An­no 12. Regis Richardi Secundi. For with William the Conqueror came Hugh Lupus his Nephew, and with the said Hugh Lupus came [Page 105] one Gilbert le Grosvenour, Nephew to the said Hugh, who was Ancestor to the said Sir Robert Grosvenour; from whom is lineally descended Sir Richard Grosvenour of Eaton in the County Palatine of Chester, Knight and Baronet, Heir-male of that Family; and is now born by Sir Thomas Grosvenor of Eaton in the said County, Baronet. This Coat, without the Arms of Vlster, is born by Walter Gros­venor of Bishbury in Staffordshire, Esquire. A like unto this is born by Holmeshed, saving that the band of that Garb is Vert. There is a kind of wretched Cormorants, whose Garbs are so fast bound, that the poor curseth their merciless hearts. And such an one was Hatto Abbot of Fulda, who suffered Rats rather to eat up his corn, then he would help the wants of the poor; but his punishment was answer­able thereunto; for the Rats devoured him, though he guarded himself in a Castle purpose­ly built in the midst of the river Rhene, which is there this day to be seen.

He beareth Gules, 3 Garbs, Or, by the name of Preston. This Coat was born by Robert Co­myn a Scot, who at the time of the Conquest was Earl of Cumberland, and held all that Coun­trey beyond all the Ri­ver Tyne; but after William Rufus's time he was taken prisoner, with Roger Mowbrey Earl of Northumberland, and was by King Henry the First disinherited. Here you may observe that I mention not the bands of Garbs, because they differ not in Metal or Colour from the Garbs. Sometimes you shall find these Garbs born with an Ordi­dinary interposed between them, as in this next Example.

The Field is Pearl, a Cheveron between 3 Garbs, Ruby. This Coat-Armour pertain­eth to the Right Ho­nourable Edmund Earl of Mulgrave, Baron Sheffield of Butter­wick, and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter. an Escocheon like unto this (but of different Colour and Metal, viz. the Field, Saphire, a Cheveron between 3 Garbs, Topaz) was born by Sir Christopher Hatton, late Lord Chancellor of England, Counsellor to that Peerless Queen Elizabeth, of immortal memory: A coat well befitting his magnificence and bounteous Hospitality, wherein he hath scarce had any Rival ever since.

Azure, a Cheveron, between three Garbs, Or, is the Coat-Armour of the Hattons, the chief Ornament now existing in the person of the Right Honourable Christopher Lord Hat­ton of Kirby, Governour of his Majesties Island of Garnsey.

He beareth Azure, seven Wheat-sheaves, four, two, and one, Or, by the Name of Dolman, and is the paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Dolman of Shaw in Berkshire, Kt. and one of the Clerks attending his Majesties most Honou­rable Privy Councel.

He beareth Sable, a Cheveron engrailed be­tween three Garbs or Wheat-sheaves, Argent, by the Name of Field, and is born by Thomas Field of Stanstead Bury in the County of Hert­ford, Esq.

The Field is Or, on a Fess, Azure, three Garbs of the first, by the Name of Vernon. This is an ancient Family of Che­shire, and descended of the worthy Stem of Vernons that were Ba­rons of Shipbrook, and do bear these Garbs for a difference from the elder House that did bear Or, only a Fess, Azure. And the reason of the bearing of their Garbs was, for that they would make known that they were descended from the said Barons of Shipbrook, who anci­ently held of the Earls of Chester.

He beareth Azure, a Fess between 3 Garbs, Or, by the Name of Lewhite of Bromham in Wiltshire. The Garb signifieth in Heraldry plenty or abundance; and that the first Bearer did deserve well for his Hospitality.

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He beareth Azure, a Fess Dauncette, be­tween six Garbs, Or, by the Name of Rayn­court. Leigh calleth it a Sheaf of Wheat; but though it were of Rie, Barley, or Cu­min, or whatsoever it were (saith he) it is sufficient to call it a Garb (which is a French, or rather Teutonick word, signifying a Sheaf) telling the Colour or Metal whereof it is. As to their sole and diverse bearing upon, and with Ordinaries between them, these few Exam­ples may suffice for the present. Others shall follow in ther places.

He beareth Ermyn, on a Bend, Azure, a Mullet pierced, Or, be­tween two Garbs, pro­per, by the Name of Modyford, and is the paternal Coat-Armour of Thomas Modyford of Eastuar in the County of Kent, Esq Colonel of a Regiment of Foot at Port-Royal in the Island of Iamai­ca, Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Modyford Ba­ronet, late Governor of the said Island.

He beareth Argent, three Bean-Gods Barr-ways, two and one, proper, by the Name of Hardbeane. The Bean in ancient times amongst the Grecians, was of great Authority; for by it they made all the Magistrates of their Commonweals, which were chosen by casting in of Beans, instead of giving of Voices or Suf­frages. But Pythagoras taught his Scholars to hate the Bean above all other Vegetables, meaning perchance, that they should shun the bearing of any Office; though others give o­ther reasons of that his Doctrine. Some writ [...], that the flowers of the Beans, though very pleasing to the smell, yet are very hurtful to weak brains; and that therefore in the time of their [...]owring there are more foolish than at other times; meaning belike those, who then distill these flowers to make themselves fair therewith.

To this Head must be referred all other sorts of Nutritive Herbs born in Coat-Armour, whe­ther they produce Grain in Ear, Cod or Husk; or that they be Herbs for the Pot, or Salads; as Betony, Spinage, Coleworts, Lettice, Pur­slain, Leeks, Scallions, &c. All which I leave to observation, because I labour by all means to pass thorow this vast Sea of the infinite va­rieties of Nature, with what convenient bre­vity I may, because Quod brevius est, semper delectabilius habetur; in such things as these, The shorter the sweeter.

CHAP. X.

NEXT after Herbs Nutritive, let us take a taste of Herbs less Nutritive, which are either Coronary or Physi­cal. Coronary herbs are such, as in respect of their odoriferous smell, have been of long time, and yet are used for decking and trim­ing of the body, or adorning of houses, or o­ther pleasurable use for eye or scent; as also in respect of their beautiful shape and colour, were most commonly bestowed in making of Crowns and Garlands; of which uses they re­ceived their name of Coronary. Amongst which we may reckon the Rose before ex­pressed, to be one of the chie [...]est, as also Vio­lets of all sorts, Clove-Gilliflowers, Sweet Majoram, Rosemary, White Daffodil, Spike­nard, Rose Campion, Daisies, &c. But of all other, the Flower de lis is of most esteem, ha­ving been from the first bearing, the Charge of a Regal Escocheon, originally born by the French Kings, though tract of time hath made the bearing of them more vulgar; even as pur­ple was in ancient times a wearing only for Princes, which now hath lost that prerogative through custome. Out of these several kinds I have selected some few Examples, as in the Escocheons following appear.

He beareth Saphir, a Flower de lis, Pearl. This is the paternal Coat-Armour of the R^t Honourable George Earl of Bristol, Lord Digby of Sherborne, and Knight of the most No­ble Order of the Gar­ter.

Or, a Flower de lis, Azure, is born by the Name of Portman, and with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Willi­am Portman of Or­chard in Somerset­shire, Knight of the Bath, and Baronet.

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He beareth Gules, a Fess wavy between 3 Flowers de lis, Or, by the Name of Hicks, and with the Arms of Vlster, is the bearing of Sir William Hicks of Rickols in the Parish of Low-Layton in Essex, Knight and Baronet.

He beareth Or, a Cheveron between 3 Flowers de lis, Sable. This Coat-Armour per­tained to the very wor­shipful Sir Thomas Fan­shaw Knight of the Bath, his Majesties Re­membrancer of his Highness's Court of Ex­chequer; and was also born by the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Viscount Fanshaw of the Kingdom of Ireland, his Majesties Remembrancer of the Court of Exchequer. This Flower is in Latin called I­ris, for that it somewhat resembleth the Co­lour of the Rainbow. Some of the French confound this with the Lily; as he did, who doubting the validity of the Salique Law to de­bar the Females from the Crown of France, would make it sure out of a stronger Law, be­cause (forsooth) Lilia non laborant, neque nent; the Lilies neither labour nor spin: which reason excludes as well a laborious Her­cules, as a spinning Omphale.

Sable, a Cheveron between three Flowers de lis, Argent, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Lionel Ienkins Kt. Judge of his Majesties high Court of Admiralty, and of the Prerogative Court.

Or, a Cheveron, Sable, between three Flow­ers de lis, Azure, and is the Coat-Armour of Iohn Millecent of Barham-hall in the Parish of Linton in Cambridgeshire, Esq.

He beareth Argent, on a Cheveron, Gules, beween three Flowers de lis, Sable, an Ines­cocheon of the first, charged with a sinister hand couped at the wrist, as the second. This is the Coat-Ar­mour of that Noble Knight and Baronet, Sir Basil Dixwell of Barham in Kent, whose real expressions of true love and affection to his native Countrey deserves commemoration. Here I name of the first, and as the second, to avoid iteration of the same words, according to the Rule for­merly given.

He beareth Argent, on a Fess, Gules, three Flowers de lis, Or, by the Name of Disney, and is born by Iohn Disney of Swinderby, Esq by Molineux and Gervase Disney of Nor­ton-Disney of Lincoln­shire, Esq.

Sable, a Fess Daun­cette, Or, in chief 3 Flowers de lis, Argent, by the Name of Feak, and is born by William Feak of Stafford in Staf­fordshire, Gent, Son and Heir of Iohn Feak of London, Gent. deceased.

He beareth Argent, a Fess Nebule, Gules, between six Flowers de lis, Sable, by the Name of Dobson, and is the Coat-Armour of Edw. Dobson of Leverpool in Lancashire, Esq.

Argent, on a Fess Ra­gule, Azure, three Flow­ers de lis, Or, ond is the Coat-Armour of Wil­liam Atwood of Brom­field in Essex, and of Grays-Inn in Middle­sex, Esq Son and Heir of Iohn Atwood Esq deceased, by Elizabeth eldest Daughter and Coheir of Patrick Young Esq Son of Sir Peter Young Kt. Almoner and Privy Counsellor of Scotland to King Iames.

He beareth Sable, on a Cheveron engrailed, between six crosses Pa­tee-Fitchee, Or, three Flowers de lis, Azure, each charged on the top with a Plate, by the name of Smith of Nibley, in the County of Glocester. The Plate is the Representation of Silver Bullion fitted for the stamp, and therefore need not have o­ther blazon than its own name. Armorists hold that this bearing of Sable, and Or, an­swers [Page 108] to Diamond joyned with Gold, whereof each giveth honour to the other; and it may well beseem a Bearer, whose sober and well composed conditions are accompanied with the lustre of shining vertues.

He beareth Sable, a Be [...]d, Argent, between six Flowers de lis, Or, by the Name of Red­mere. This Coat-Ar­mour have I added in regard of the variety of bearing hereof from those before handled, inasmuch as in this one Escocheon is comprehended the full number contained in both the former; as also to make known in what manner, these or other char­ges of like bearing must be placed, the same being born entire: But if they were strewed, or (as I may better terme it) seminated all o­ver the Field, then were it not a Bend between, but upon, or over them; forasmuch as in such bearing only the halves of many of them, or some greater or lesser portion of them would appear as well under the Bend, as in the limits or Edges of the Escocheon.

He beareth Argent, on a Cross, Sable, five Flowers de lis of the first: This Coat-Ar­mour in the time of K. Henry the Fourth, ap­pertained unto Robert le Neve of Tivetishall in the County of Nor­folk (as appeareth by Seals of old Deeds and ancient Rolls of Arms) from whom are descended those of that Sur­name now remaining at Aslactun, Witching­ham, and other places in the said County. If this Cross were seminated all over with Flow­ers de lis, shewing upon the sides or edges thereof but the halves of some of them, then it should be blazoned Semy de Flowers de lis; and the like is to be observed when they be so born on any other Ordinary or Charge.

He beareth Sable, on a Cross between four Flowers de lis, Argent, five Pheons, Azure, by the Name of Banks, and with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Armour of Sir Iohn Banks of the Friers in the Parish of Aylesford in Kent, Baronet.

Sable, three Lozenges, Argent, on a Chies, Or, as many Flowers de lis, Gules, by the Name of Pedley, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Nicholas Pedley of Tetworth in Huntingtonshire, Kt.

He beareth Argent, on a Saltire, Sable, five Flowers de lis, Or. This Coat-Armour pertained to Sir Thomas Hawkins of Nash in Kent, Kt. I have inserted this Esco­cheon, not only to shew you that this Flower is born upon this kind of Ordinary, but also to give demonstration that the Saltire charged containeth the third part of the Field, according to the Rule formerly given.

The Field is Sable, three Lilies slipped, their stalks, seeds, blades and leaves, Ar­gent. These Arms per­tain to the Colledge of Winchester, founded by the renowned Archi­tect, William Wick­ham, Bishop of Winton, who contrived those many and most curious Castles and other Buildings of King Edward the Third's. And besides this goodly Colledge of Winton, built another magnificent Colledge (called the New Colledge) in the University of Oxford: two such absolute Foundations, as never any King of this Land did the like. This Wickham having finished the Castle of VVindsor, caused to be inscribed on the Wall of the round Tower, This made VVickham; which caused such as were envious of his high favour, to suggest unto the King, that he ar­rogated all the honour of that great Work to himself: but he pleasantly satisfied the King, saying, That he wrote not, VVickham made this; but, This made VVickham; because by his service in these Works he had gained his Sovereign's Princely favour.

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He beareth Argent, a Fess Nebule, between three Trefoils slipped, Gules. This Coat per­tained to George Thorpe of VVanswell in the County of Glocester, Esq one of the Honou­rable Band of his Ma­jestie's Gentlemen Pen­sioners. The Trefoil is accounted the Hus­bandman's Almanack, because when it shutteth in the leaves, it foretelleth rain; and therefore the Fess Nebule representing the rainy clouds, is not unaptly joyned with it. This Leaf be­ing grassy, some may marvel I should reckon it amongst the Coronaries: but they must know, that in ancient Roman times, amongst other sorts of Crowns, the Graminea Corona, or grassy Crown, was of very high honour to the wearer.

He beareth Or, a Che­veron, between three Trefoils slipped, Sable, by the Name of Abdy, and with the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir Iohn Abdy of Stapleford-Abbot in Essex, Baronet.

He beareth Or, a Che­veron engrailed, be­tween three Trefoils slipped, Sable, by the Name of VVilliamson, and is the paternal Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Sir Ioseph VVilliamson of Milbeck­hall in Cumberland Kt. one of his Majestie's principal Secretaries of State.

He beareth Gules, on a Bend, Argent, three Trefoils slipped, Vert, by the Name of Hervey, and is the Coat-Armour of the Honourable Iohn Hervey of Ickworth in Suffolk, Treasurer to her Majesty Queen Ka­tharine.

Or, on a Cheve­ron, between three Trefoils slipped, Sa­ble, as many Mul­lets of the Field, by the Name of Hol­worthy, and is the paternal Coat-Ar­mour of Sir Matthew Holworthy of Great Palsgrave in Nor­folk, Kt.

Or, on a Bend cotized, Azure, between six Tre­foils slipped, Vert, three Escallop-shells of the first. This is the bear­ing of Iohn Rowe of the City of Bristol, Gent. descended from the an­cient Family of the Rowes of VVindley-hill in the County of Der­by

He beareth Azure, three Quaterfoils, Ar­gent, by the Name of Vincent, and with the Arms of Vlster, is the paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Fran­cis Vincent of Stoke-Dabernon in Surrey, Baronet.

He beareth Argent, on a Cheveron, Sable, three Quaterfoils, Or, by the Name of Eyre, and is born by the Fa­mily of the Eyres of Dorsetshire, and of New-Sarum in VVilt­shire, from whom is descended Mr. Nicho­las Eyre of the City of London.

Or, a Cheveron, be­tween three Cinque­foils, Gules, by the Name of Chicheley, and is the Coat-Ar­mour of the Right Honourable Sir Iohn Chicheley of VVimp­ley in Cambridgeshire, Kt. Master of the Ord­nance, and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councel, &c.

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He beareth Gules, a Bend, Or, in the sinister Chief a Cinquefoil, Er­myn. This was the Coat-Armour of Sir E­rasmus de la Fontaine of London, Kt. deceased, whose Lady was Sister to the Right Honoura­ble Baptist Lord Vis­count Camden.

He beareth Sable, a Bend engrailed, be­tween six Cinque­foils, Or, by the Name of Povey, and is the paternal Coat-Armour of Tho. Po­vey. Esq one of the Masters of the Re­quests to his Majesty King Charles the Se­c [...]nd.

He beareth Argent, a Cross quarter-pierced between five Cinque­foils, Vert. This Coat, with a due difference, is born by Thomas Hodgskins of Hamer­smith in Middlesex, Gent. descended from the Hodgskins of Glo­cestershire.

He beareth Gules, a Cheveron between ten Cinquefoils, four, two, one, two, and one, Ar­gent. This Coat-Ar­mour pertaineth to the worshipful Family of Barkley of Wymund­ham, which descended out of the right Noble Progeny of the Lord Barkley. This Coat is of an usual kind of blazon, and therefore I held it the fitter to be here inserted, as a pat­tern for all such Coat-Armours, whose Charges are marshalled in this order. The Cinquefoil is an herb wholsome for many good uses, and is of ancient bearing in Escocheons. The num­ber of the leaves answer to the five senses in a man; and he that can conquer his affections, and master his senses, (which sensual and vi­cious men are wholly addicted unto) he may worthily, and with honour, bear the Cinque­foil, as the sign of his fivefold victory over a stronger enemy than that three-headed Mon­ster Cerberus.

He beareth Saphir, a Cinquefoil, Ermyn, a Bordure engrailed, To­paz. This is the Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Iacob Lord Astley, Baron of Rea­ding, &c. and with the addition of the Arms of Vlster, is the Coat-Ar­mour of Sir Iacob Ast­ley of Melton-Constable in Norfolk, Baronet. Of this Family there hath successively been Barons of Parliament from the time of King Edward the First, to the Reign of King Hen­ry the Fifth, and one Knight of the Garter in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth.

Argent, a Fess en­grailed, between three Cinquefoils within a Bordure, Sable. This is the paternal Coat-Armour of Thomas Fo­ley of Witley-Court in Worcestershire, Esquire, Father of Thomas Foley of the said place, Esq of Paul Foley of Stoak-Court in Herefordshire, Esq and of Philip Fo­ley of Prestwood in Staffordshire, Esq

Argent, three Cinque­foils, Gules, each charg­ed with five Annulets, Or, by the Name of Southwell, and is the paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Robert Southwell Kt. one of the Clerks attending his Majesty in his most Honourable Privy Councel; whose Family is now seated at Kingsale in the Kingdom of Ireland, but were formerly of Woodrising in Norfolk, and were anciently of the Town of Southwell in the County of Nottingham.

He beareth Saphir, Crusuly three Cinque­foils, Pearl. This is the Coat-Armour of the Right Hono [...]rable Co­nyers D'arcy, Baron D'arcy, Meynnille, and Conyers, descended from Iohn Lord D'arcy and Meynnille, Chamberlain to King Edward the Third; whose Son and Heir, the Honourable Conyers D'arcy Esq is High Steward of his Majesties Honour of Richmond-Castle, and Richmondshire, chief Bailiff of the Liberty [Page 111] thereof, Constable of Middleham-Castle, and Master of Arhengarthdale Forest.

He beareth Argent, a Cheveron, Sable, be­tween three Colum­bines slipped, proper, by the name of Hall, of Coventry. The Co­lumbine is pleasing to the eye, as well in re­spect of the seemly (and not vulgar) shape, as in regard of the Azury colour thereof; and is holden to be very medicinable for the dis­solving of impostumations or swellings in the throat.

He beareth Argent, three Gilliflowers slip­ped, proper, by the Name of Iorney. These kinds of Flowers, for beauty, variety of co­lour, and pleasant re­dolency, may be com­pared with the choicest attires of the Garden: yet because such daintiness and affected adorn­ings better befit Ladies and Gentlewomen, than Knights and men of valour, whose worth must be tried in the Field, not under a Rose-bed, or in a Garden-plot; therefore the ancient Gene­rous made choice rather of such herbs as grew in the fields, as the Cinquefoil, Trefoil, &c.

He beareth Argent, a Cheveron, Gules, between three Blue­bottles slipped, proper, by the Name of Chor­ley, an ancient Family in the County Palatine of Lancaster. These few Examples may suffice to shew that all others of like kind (which I for brevity sake voluntarily pass over) are to be reduced unto this Head of Coronary Herbs; from which we will now proceed to the Physical, whose chief and more frequent use consisteth in asswaging or curing of Maladies and Diseases. And of these some are Aromatical, which for the most part, in respect of their familiar and plea­sing nature, do serve for the corroborating and comforting of the inward parts of man's body, and for that purpose are oft used in meats; of which sort are Saffron, Ginger, and such like: Others are meerly Medicinal, and such as a man (were it not for necessity) would wish rather to wear in his Escocheon, than in his Belly. Examples of which kinds I will wil­lingly pass over, only as it were pointing out with the finger unto what head they must be reduced, if any such be born in Arms. Of the Plants, Trees, Fruits, and Herbs beforemen­tioned, some are Forein, and some Dome­stical; some grow in Mountains, some in Ma­rish and Fenny Grounds, some by the Rivers, some by the Sea-coast. Concerning their cau­ses, natures, and effects, Philosophers, Phy­sicians and Herbalists do seriously dispute; and doubtless they are the admirable work of the most Omnipotent God, who has sent as many kinds of Medicines, as of Maladies; that as by the one we may see our own wretchedness, so by the other we might magnifie his goodness towards man, on whom he hath bestowed Fruit for meat, and Leaves for medicine.

CHAP. XI.

HAving hitherto handled that part of our distribution which comprehendeth things Vegetable, proceed we now to the other concerning things sensitive, which are all sorts of Animals or Creatures indued with senses. The senses, as likewise the sen­sitive Soul, are things in themselves not visi­ble, and therefore estranged from the Herald's uses: But because they reside in bodies of dif­fering parts and qualities from any other be­forementioned; therefore in handling of these sensitive Creatures, I hold it requisite to be­gin with their parts (for of them the whole is raised;) and these are either the parts con­tained, or containing, or sustaining.

But since we are now to speak of things sen­sitive (and amongst them) first of Terrestri­al Animals and their parts, it shall not be im­pertinent to produce some few causes amongst many, why these Terrestrial Animals and Man were created in one day, viz. the sixth day.

First, because God had appointed the Earth to be the joint habitation of man and beast to­gether. Secondly, in respect of the near re­semblance, both of bodily parts and natural properties, that these Terrestrials have of Man, in respect either of Fowls or of Fishes. Lastly, for that very many of them were to serve for man's ease and necessary use: As Oxen to till the ground; Horses for his ease in travel; Dogs to be watchful keepers of his house; and others for other his necessary and Domestical uses.

There is no Animal but hath at the least these parts, viz. Head, wherewithal to re­ceive food, and wherein their senses have their residence; a Belly, to receive and concoct his meat; Intrails, whereby to eject the superflu­ities or excrements of aliment; Members also, serving for the use and exercise of the senses, and others ordained for motion from place to place; for without these Members he can­not receive food or nutriment, neither feel nor move: Therefore there is neither labour­ing [Page 112] beast, or beast of savage kind, domestical reptiles, or other, that can be without these bodily parts.

By the name of Soul and Life, wherewith all sorts of Animals are endued from God, Mo­ses teacheth us, that there is no living creature to be found that hath not either true and na­tural blood, or at the least some kind of hot humour that is to it instead of blood; Anima enim cujusque Animalis in Sanguine est, as Moses teacheth Leviticus 17. and in sundry o­ther places; and in the common received o­pinion of all men, In humido & calido consistit vita.

That which is spoken of divers kinds of Insecta, that there is no blood to be found in them, it is to be understood to be meant of true, perfect, and natural blood; but of necessity they must have instead thereof some kind of humour in them that hath the quality of blood, viz. that is both hot and moist as afaresaid, else can they not live.

Concerning Animals in general, it is not to be doubted, but that all sorts of them, as well those of savage and ravenous kind, as those of domestical and labouring kind, as also venom­ous Serpents, of themselves, and of their own nature, were themselves good, and might be good to others, and profitable for man's use; for asmuch as it is said, Et vidit Elohim quod bonum: But in that they are now become noi­some and painful to man, that is per Accidens; for this is occasioned by the sin and transgressi­on of man, whereby all things became accursed for his sake.

The utility or benefit that cometh to man by these Terrestrial Animals is twofold; the one pertaining to the Body, the other to the Soul. The corporal benefit that cometh to man by them, who knoweth not? For daily experience sheweth us how beneficial the use of horses, oxen, kine, calves, sheep, and other sorts of beast and cattel of all sorts, are for the service of man; whereof some serve us for food, some for raiment, some for carriage, some for tillage, and other for divers other uses. Of this use of them Moses saith, That God hath subjected all things to man, Omnia sub­jecisti sub pedibus ejus, &c. and made him Ruler over the fishes of the Sea, the fowls of the Air, and the beasts of the Land; whereby he giveth us to understand, That all sorts of A­nimals were created for the divers uses of man, and each one of them ordained to a several end. But their spiritual use is farr more noble and excellent, by how much the soul surpasseth the body in dignity and worthiness.

And their use consisteth not alone in this, that by the consideration of them we are led to the knowledge of God, and of his wisdom, power and goodness (for this use have all things else that are created) as appeareth Romans 1. and elsewhere: But also that in these Animals God hath proposed to us such notable examples of imitation, in respect of vices to be eschew­ed, that, the sacred Scriptures excepted, there is no moral Precepts can better instruct us than these Animals do, which are daily in our view, and of which we have daily use: amongst these we may produce some examples of fishes and fowls, but many more may we gather from Terrestrial Animals. And to the end we should shun the ignorance of things, such especially as are Celestial, David, the Kingly Prophet, proposeth to us for examples, the Horse and Mule saying, Non eritis sicut Equus & Mulus, in quibus non est intellectus.

Like as Natural Philosophy consisteth in o­ther things, so doth it chiefly in the knowledge of Animals, viz. in the understanding of their wisdome, natures and properties: which know­ledge hath been approved by God himself from the beginning; and not only approved, but also ordained and given to Adam; for Moses saith, God brought these Animals unto Adam, to the end that he should advisedly view and consider them; to the end that Adam should give them names answerable to their shapes, natures, proportion, and qualities; and that the imposition of these names should not be ca­sually or at adventure (for God abhorreth all disorder and confusion) but deliberately and according to reason, so as every thing might be aptly distinguished from other, by their par­ticular names, and according to their several natures and dispositions; and that for our be­nefit, that we hearing their names, and un­derstanding their significations may be led to the understanding of their natural properties, for which Etymology, or true interpretation and derivation of words is very behoofful and of great use.

The parts contained are Humours and Spi­rits, whereof only the first is used in Coat-Armours, wherein are represented sometimes drops of blood, and sometimes tears, which both are naturally humours contained, though in Armory they are supposed no longer to be contained, but shed forth. The bearing of this humour, blood, is understood to be ever­more born Drop-meale (as I may so term it) or by drops. Which manner of bearing is in blazon termed Gutte, of the Latin word Gut­ta, which signifieth a drop of any thing that is either by Nature liquid, or liquefied by Art. These drops do receive a different manner of blazon, according unto their different colour, or diversity of the substance whereof they do consist, as by Examples shall appear.

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He beareth, Argent, Gutte de Sang, by the Name of Lemming. These drops are sel­dome born of them­selves alone, but ra­ther upon or with some other kind of Charge, either ordi­nary or extraordinary, or else dividedly, by means of the interpositi­on of some of the lines of Partition hereafter to be handled. These are termed Guttae de Sang. Quia ex guttis sangninis constant; because they signifie drops of blood, wherein the life consist­eth. And if the blood of those, who boast of their generous blood, should once drop forth of their veins, no difference would appear be­twixt it and the meanest man's blood; unless perhaps it be in this, that usually it is more corrupt and vitiated; whereas in the poorer sort it is more healthful and pure. Which should teach such great ones not to prize their blood at too high a rate, but rather to excel others in vertues, since they cannot surpass in that humour, which is alike in all: And if they look in the first originals of both sorts, they shall find, that Adam was the first Ancestor of the Poor, as well as of the Mighty; and so the one of them as anciently descended as the other.

He beareth Azure, a Pale, Or, Gutte de Sang, by the Name of Player, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Player of Hackney in Middle­sex, Kt. Chamber­lain of the Honou­rable City of Lon­don, succeeding his Father Sir Thomas in the said Office.

He beareth Argent, Gutte de Sang, a Cross, Gules, by the Name of Fitz of Fitzford in the County of Devon. This is the most prin­cipal and predominant humour, whereby the life of all Animals is nourished and continu­ed, and whose defect bringeth present death. For the life of all flesh is his blood, it is joined with his life: Therefore I said unto the chil­dren of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no flesh; for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof, who­soever eateth shall be cut off.

He beareth Argent, Gutte de Larmes, or de Larmettes, a Che­veron voided, Sable, by the Name of St. Maure. This is that other humour before­mentioned; and this bearing is called Gutte de Larmes, Quia ex Lacrymarum guttis constant, because they re­present drops of tears falling; these Gutte are always understood to be of colour blue.

In blazoning of Coat-Armours charged with drops, you must evermore consider the sub­stance whereof they are, and to give them a denomination accordingly, so shall you not need to name their colour at all; forasmuch as by their substance their colours are easily con­ceived, whereof I will give you some few Ex­amples in these Escocheons next following; which albeit they may seem to be unduly be­stowed with these, yet in respect of their uni­form manner of bearing, to wit, by drops (as the former) I have chosen rather to sort them together with these, than to bestow them con­fusedly under several Heads.

He beareth Sable, a Turnip, Proper, a Chief, Or, Gutte de Larmes. This is a wholesome Root, and yieldeth great relief to the poor, and prospereth best in a hot sandy ground, and may signifie a per­son of good disposition, whose vertuous demeanour flourisheth most prosperously even in that soil, where the scorch­ing heat of Envy most aboundeth. This dif­fereth much in nature from that whereof it is said, And that there should not be among you any root that bringeth forth gall and worm­wood.

He beareth Sable, Gutte deEau, a Canton, Ermyn, by the Name of Dannet. This word Eau is a French word, and signifieth the same that Aqua doth in La­tin, which is as much as to say, He beareth drops of water. If he should blazon it in English, the proper colour thereof is Argent. This had been a worthy Escocheon for a Souldier of that Christian Le­gion, called Fulminatrix, at whose prayers in a great drought God poured down rain in the sight of the Heathen, as Eusebius testifieth, and yet they were no Freshwater Souldiers; [Page 114] but were as ready to have embrued their Esco­cheons with drops of blood, as to have thus sprinkled them with drops of rain.

He beareth Argent, Gutte de Poix, a Chief, Nebule, Gules, by the Name of Roydenhall. This word Poix is a French word, and is the same that we call Pitch in English. Yet among our English Blazoners these colours and drops are termed Gutte de Sable. This Coat serveth aptly to give warrantize of the bearing of Chiefs, consisting of some of the bunched lines beforementioned in the first Se­ction. There are Ordinaries framed of sundry other former sorts of lines, before expressed in the first Section, which I leave to the strict observation of the curious searchers of those things.

He beareth, Argent, a Cross engrailed, Sable, charged with Gutte de Or, by the Name of Milketfield. These drops may be understood to be drops either fusible or molten, as Gold either molten in fire, or other­wise liquefied, whereby it may be distilled Dropmeal.

Note, that if such kind of drops be Or, then shall they be taken as representations of fusible or liquid Gold: if they be Vert, then shall they be taken to be drops of Oyl-olive, as hereafter shall appear, when I shall speak of Coat-Ar­mours, whose fields have no tincture predomi­nating. But to return to the humour of blood (from which we have upon occasion hitherto digressed) it is infallible that there is no Animal or living Creature but hath in it either blood, or some other kind of hot humour in quality like thereunto, as I have said before.

These humours beforementioned, in respect of their moist and fluent nature, do stand in need of some other thing to contain them; and such containing parts are either the outmost includer, which is the skin (of which we have already spoken in the first Section, where we treated of Furrs) or the whole Body it self, with the several members and parts thereof; all which, because they need their supporters, those we will first speak of, and so descend unto the whole bearings and parts.

But I will first shew you an Example of the bearing of dead mens sculls, and then proceed to the supporting parts.

He beareth Argent, on a Cheveron, Gules, three dead mens sculls of the first, by the Name of Bolter. This kind of bearing may serve to put both the proper owner of this Coat-Ar­mour, and also the seri­ous spectators of the same in mind of the mortality of thir bodies and last end.

Parts of support, whereof we have use in Arms, are those solid substances which sustain the Body, viz. the Bones, whereby the Body is not only underpropped, but also carried from place to place, by help of their ligatures and sinews. Of the use of these in Coat-Ar­mour you shall have Examples in these Esco­cheons next following.

He beareth Sable, a Shinbone in Pale, sur­mounted of another in Cross, Argent, by the Name of Baynes, and is the Coat of Iohn Baynes of the Inner-Temple London, Esq one of the Counsel of the City of London, el­dest Son of Iohn Baynes of the Parish of St. Olive in the Old Iury, London, Esq who holdeth in Knights Service several Capital Messuages, Lands, and Tenements of the King's Majesty in Essex. I do give this form of blazon hereunto, because the first lieth near­er to the field than the other doth; for they cannot be properly said to be a Cross of Bones, because they be not incorporated one with a­nother, but are dividedly severed by interpo­sing the purflings.

He beareth Sable, two Shinbones Saltire­ways, the sinister sur­mounted of the dexter, by the Name of New­ton, and is the Coat of Thomas Newton of Duffield, and Robert Newton of Mickleover in Derbyshire, Gent. To this Coat-Armour I give the blazon in the former, for the reason before delivered. Con­cerning bones, Iesus Syrach recording the fame and vertues of Iosua, Caleb, and Samuel, saith, Let their bones flourish out of their place, and their names by succession remain in them that are most famous of their children, Eccles. 46. 12. And though they seem like the wi­thered bones in Ezekiel's vision, yet shall they revive again by vertue and power of him who [Page 115] died on the Cross, and of whom it was said, Not a bone of him shall be broken. Thus in brief you see the use of these parts of sup­port.

CHAP. XII.

IN following the tract which our method first chalked out unto us, we are at length come to such blazons, as do present to the eyes those sensitive things which we called the Containing, because they are the mansion, in which not only the blood and spirits, but also the bones (which we named the parts sustain­ing) are inclosed. These are Animals or li­ving Creatures, with their parts and members. An Animal is any substance consisting both of a body fitted for divers functions, and of a soul giving life, sense, and motion.

Animals (saith Zanchius) especially such as do produce a living creature, have a more near resemblance of man, both as touching the parts of their bodies, as also concerning the fa­culties of their mind, and subtilty and quick­ness of wit; for their bodies also do consist (like as ours do) of flesh, sinews, arteries, bones, gri [...]tles and skin, &c. In like sort they have head, neck, breasts, back, a chine or backbone, thighs, legs and feet: As also hearts, lights, liver, spleen, guts, and other inward parts as we have: Furthermore, they do participate with us in our actions, as to eat, drink, sleep, watch and move: albeit in many other things they are much unlike us.

In the handling of Animals, it might be a scruple, whether the bearing of such creatures whole should have precedence in their bearing before their parts, and also in what rank and order the several kinds of creatures are to be marshalled by us, that thereby the dignity of their bearing may be best conceived; because the dignity of those things that are born in Coat-Armour, being truly known, and duly considered, doth not a little illustrate the wor­thiness of the bearers in the displaying of their Ensigns. For taking away these scruples, I hold it requisite, before I proceed to give Ex­amples, first to set down certain notes by way of introduction to that which followeth, shew­ing how the dignity of these Animals, hereaf­ter to be handled, is to be accounted of, either in a relative respect of things of distinct Na­tures compared one to another, or in a compa­rative reference of Animals of the same kind each to other.

This dignity cannot be better understood, than by taking a considerate view of that Or­der, which the Author of all Order, and the most wise and powerful Disposer of all things, did observe, not only in the creation of the Celestial, but also of the Elementary parts of the World, with their several Ornaments, wherein be observed a continual progression from things of less perfection, to things more perfect. For, was there not a Chaos without from and void, before it came to that admira­ble beauty, whereof it is said, Loe, it was very good? In the Celestial, the Sun (the glory thereof) was made after the Firmament, and the Night was before the Day. In the inferi­or bodies, the Vegetables, as Trees, were made before sensitive and living Creatures: And a­mongst these, the Fishes (which have neither breath nor voice, and therefore imperfecter) were before the Fowls, and both of them be­fore terrestrial creatures; and all of all sorts before man, made after God's Image, for whose service all other things were made, as he was made for God's Service. Moreover, in the creation of man, the body was before the soul, which yet is a thing incomparably of more perfection.

By this rude draught of God and Natures admirable method, you may conceive the na­tural dignity of those creatures, as often as they shall occur in Armory. But as Art hath not always the same end which nature hath (be­cause the one intendeth the being, the other the knowing of things:) so is not the method of both always alike in attaining their ends; for Natures process is à simplicibus ad composi­ta, from the single parts to the whole, whereas Art descendeth from the compounds to the simples: in imitation whereof, we shall in this our progress follow this course, that first every whole bearing of any Animal shall precede, and then such parts and members thereof as u­sually are born; for so every one that first hath seen the whole, will discern the parts the bet­ter; whereas he that seeth a part (having ne­ver seen the whole) knoweth not whereof it is a part. And in Coat-Armour the whole bearing of Animals is most worthy, yet is not the bearing of parts to be misliked; but if we consider both the one and the other respective­ly, then doth the whole bearing farr surmount the parts in honour and dignity.

Neither must we here precisely esteem the worth of every bearing by this order of Na­ture, because Art doth sometimes stamp a pe­culiar note of dignity, for some particular re­spect, as for some especial use, quality, or acti­on in the things. And this dignity or nobility may have a twofold relation; the one, betwixt Animals of divers kinds, as a Lion and a Spa­niel, a Woolf and a Lamb; the other, betwixt things of one kind, as whelps of one litter, whereof yet one may be nobler than the other, as the one will run to the Chase, the other to the Pottage Pot. And forasmuch as the living things beforementioned, as well vegetable as sensitive, have their peculiar vertues worthy imitation, as also their particular vices to be eschewed, and that it is a chief glory to Gen­tlemen of Coat-Armonr, to have their vertues [Page 116] displaied under the types and forms of such things as they bear, it is to be wished that each one of them would considerately examin the commendable properties of such significant to­kens as they do bear, and do his best to mani­festto the world, that he hath the like in himself: for it is rather a dishonour than a praise for a man to bear a Lion on his shield, if he bear a Sheep in his heart, or a Goofe in his brain; being therein like those Ships, which bear the names of Dreadnought, Victory, and the like, though sometimes it speed with them contra­ry to their Titles. A true generous mind will endeavour that for his self-vertues, he may be esteemed, and not insist only upon the fame and merits of his Progenitours, the praise whereof is due to them, and not to him.

And now we will proceed to some particular precepts, concerning things sensitive born in Coat-Armour. Wherein first observe, that all sorts of Animals born in Arms or Ensigns, must in blazoning be interpreted in the best sense, that is, according to their most generous and noble qualities, and so to the greatest ho­nour of their bearers. For example; the Fox is full of wit, and withal given wholly to [...]i [...]ch­ing for his prey; if then this be the charge of an Escocheon, we must conceive the quality re­presented, to be his wit and cunning, but not his pilfering and stealing, and so of all other. All Beasts of savage and fierce nature, must be figured and set forth in their most noble and fierce action; as a Lion erected bolt upright, his mouth wide open, his claws extended (as if he were prepared to rent and tear;) for with his teeth and claws he doth exercise his fierce­ness; in this form he is said to possess his vi­gor and courage; and being thus formed, he is said to be rampant. Action doth the Pro­phet David approve to be proper to a Lion, Psal. 22. where describing the crueltie of the wicked towards him, he saith, They raged up­on me with their mouths, as it were a ramp­ing and roaring Lion. A Leopard or Wolf must be pourtraied going (as it were) Pede­tentim, step by step; which form of action (saith Chassanaeus) fitteth their natural disposi­tion, and is termed Passant: All sorts of pla­cable or gentle nature, must be set forth ac­cording to the most noble and kindly action of every of them, as a Horse running or vaulting, a Greyhound coursing, a Deer tripping, a Lamb going with a smooth and easie pace, &c.

And concerning the true placing of Ani­mals of whatsoever kinds in Armory according to Order, Art, and the Property of their na­ture; the use of the thing, whereupon they are to be placed or depicted, must be first consider­ed of, and so must they be placed accordingly, whether they be born bolt upright, passant, or tripping, or howsoever.

As if they be to be placed in Banners, they must be so placed, as that it be agreeable to the natural quality of the thing that is born, Ars enim imitatur naturam in quantum potest: therefore since it is proper for a Banner to be carried upon a staff, according to the use there­of the staff doth proceed, and the Banner com­eth after; therefore ought the face to look to­wards the staff, that is, directly forwards. So is it likewise in every other thing, whose parts are distinguished per Ante & Post; in such the forepart of the thing born shall be placed to­wards the staff, otherwise it would seem re­trograde or going backwards, which were mon­strous to behold.

If a man do bear only the head of some A­nimal (then most commonly) the forepart thereof cannot aptly regard the staff, but is born sideways chiefly being full faced, whether it be the head of Ram, Bull, &c.

As touching the orderly placing of the feet of Animals, this is a general Rule, That the right foot must be placed formost, Quia dex­tra pars est principium motus. And withal, it is the most noble part in regard it is the strong­er and more active, and therefore thus to de­scribe them, is to set them forth in their com­mendablest fashion; for Dispositio laudatissima animalis est, ut in omnibus dispositionibus suis sit secundum cursum naturae; that is the best disposition of every creature, which is most a­greable to nature.

But here you must observe, That in a Ban­ner, that which is made for the one side, will seem to be the left foot on the contrary side, but that chanceth by accident: and therefore the side next to him that beareth the Banner must be chiefly respected, that the same be formed right in regard of him; like as it is in writing, that side next to the writer is accord­ing to order; whereas if we turn the paper, all falleth out after a preposterous fashion: Therefore we must chiefly respect the side next the bearer, let the rest fall out as it shall.

Arms are sometimes depicted or embroider­ed upon the Garments of men, and chiefly up­on the uppermost vesture of Military persons, especially Emperors, Kings, and their Gene­rals, and other Commanders in Military Ser­vices, used to cast over their Armours a kind of short habit, as a Jacket, Mandylian, or such like, whereupon their Arms were richly beau­tified and curiously wrought; to the end, that in time of service, their Souldiers, who could not be directed by the ear (by reason of the far distance that was oftentimes upon occasion between them and their Commander) they might by their eye [...] instructed according to [Page 117] the necessity of the present service, and might by ocular observation of their Commander (being so eminently clad) know and discern their fit times and opportunities of marching, making a stand, assailing, retiring, and other their like duties, whereupon this kind of short garment was called a Coat-Armour, because it was worn aloft upon their Armour. And it was called Paludamentum, quia ex eo gestans t [...]le vestimentum palam fiebat omnibus. Such was the Coat-Armour of Alexander that he left in Elymais in the Country of Persia, where­of mention is made, where it is said, Now when King Antio [...]hus travelled through the high Countries, he heard that Elymais, in the Countrey of Persia, was a City greatly renown­ed for riches, silver, and gold. And that there was in it a very rich Temple, wherein were coverings of Gold, Coat-Armours and Harness, which Alexander, King of Macedo­nia, the son of Philip that reigned first in Grecia, had left there.

For proof that Emperors used to wear Coat-Armours, it shall be to good purpose to pro­duce the verbal testimony of Bayfius, speak­ing in these words, Fertur eo die Crassum non purpureo, ut Romanorum Imperatorum mos e­rat, paludamento ad Milites processisse, sed pallio nigro.

And further the same Author saith, Palu­damentum verò fuisse Imperatorum, plantem fit ex Tranquillo in Caesare, qui Alexandriae cter­ca oppugnationem pontis, eruptione hostium subita compulsus in scapham, pluribus eodem praecipitantibus cum desiliisset in mare, n [...]ndo per ducentos passus evasit ad proximant navem [...]lata laeva, ne libelli, quos tenebat, madefie­rent, paludamentum mordicùs trahens, ne spo­lio potiretur hostis.

Of all creatures apt to generation and cor­ruption, Animals are most worthy. All Beasts have a natural and greedy desire for the supply of their wants, insomuch as for the attaining thereof, they do roar, bellow, bray, and cry out exceedingly.

All beasts of savage and harmful kind, are naturally armed with some thing wherewith they may hurt a man, for which they are rec­koned dangerous, and to be shunned: As the Boar with tusks, the Lion with tallons, the Stagg with horns, the Serpent with poison, &c.

Notwithstanding that the bearing of things properly (whether vegetable or sensitive) is specially commended, yet must not such pecu­liar [...] commendation be extended to derogate from the dignity of other bearings, as if they were of no esteem, in regard they be not born properly; for there are as good and honoura­ble intendments in these as in them, data pa­ritate gestantium, if they be as ancient as the former, and their bearers of equal estate and dignity; which is not the least respect that must be holden in the esteem of Coat-Armour, Quia arma nobilitatem sumunt à persona ge­stantis, Arms are honoured by the bearers. And sometimes the variation from the proper­ty may be of purpose to prevent some other quality, which may be no lesser honourable than the proper. Besides, it is one thing to bear a living creature in colour or in action di­verse from nature; and another, to bear him repugnant or contrary to nature; for the for­mer may be born commendably, but this lat­ter sort of bearing is holden disgraceful, or ra­ther is condemned for false Arms, and there­fore not worthy of bearing. In the blazoning of things born in their natural colour, whether the same be Celestial, except the Sun, Moon, and Stars; or Sublunar, it sufficeth to say, He beareth this Comet, Meteor, Beast, Bird, Fish, Fowl, Plant, Tree, Herb, Flower, &c. Pro­per, without naming of any colour; for by Proper is evermore understood his natural co­lours; and for the Sun and Stars, when they be of the colour of the metal Or, which is their natural colour, it sufficeth to say, a Sun, or Star, without adding the word Proper, or Or. And so it is of the Moon, when she is Argent, which in Heraldry is holden her proper co­lour.

As touching the dignity of things born in Coat-Armour, I have already shewed how the same is to be reckoned in the order of Nature; but if it be considered according to vulgar esti­mation, then we must hold this for an obser­vation that seldom faileth, That [...]ith every particular Empire, Kingdom, and Nation have their distinct Ensigns of their Sovereign Juris­diction, look what Beast, Bird, Fish, Fowl, Serpent, &c. he that swayeth the Sovereignty doth bear for his Royal Ensign in each parti­cular Nation, the same is accounted there to be of greatest dignity. So is the bearing of the Lion chiefly esteemed with us in England, because he is born by his Majesty, for the Royal Ensign of his Highness's Imperial Sovereignty over us: so is the bearing of the Eagle esteemed among the Germans: & in like sort the Flowers de lis amongst the Frenchmen. Four-footed Beasts, whether they be born Proper, or Disco­loured (that is to say, varying from their natural colour) are to be esteemed more worthy of bear­ing in Coat-Armour than either Fishes or Fowls are, in regard they do contain in them more worthy and commendable significations of Nobility. Amongst things Sensitive, the Males are of more worthy bearing than the Females. Some men perhaps will tax me of inconsideration, in not treading the usual steps of Armorists in the handling of these sensible Creatures, for that I do not prefer the Lion (in respect of his Regal Sovereignty) before all other Terrestrials. For clearing of my self in this point, I must plead, that the project of my prescript method hath tied me to another form, and doth enforce me to prefer other Beasts in place, before those which otherwise [Page 118] are preferred in dignity. And albeit I cannot say there was any priority of time in the crea­tion of Beasts, because God spake the word and it was done, he commanded and they were created; nevertheless in regard of discipline, there is a priority to be observed, wherein those things that do promise us a more easie ac­cess to the distinct knowledge and understand­ing of the succeeding documents, ought to have the precedence.

The Order that I prefix to my self in treat­ing of these Beasts, shall concur with the Ta­ble of this present Section; as first, to set down Animals of all sorts living upon the Earth: Se­condly, such as live above the Earth, as Fowls: Thirdly, Watry Creatures: and lastly, Man. And because of the first sort some are gressible, having feet, and some creeping or gliding, as Serpents, we will begin with the gressible; and first with such Beasts as have their feet so­lid or undivided, or (as I may term them) In­articulate, that is to say, without toes; then will I proceed to such as have their feet cleft in two; and lastly to Beasts that have their feet divided into many.

CHAP. XIII.

HAving delivered divers Rules and Ob­servations concerning living things, and their parts in genere, I will now annex such Examples as may demonstrate these seve­ral sorts of bearing; forasmuch as demonstra­tions give life and light to ambiguous and doubtful precepts, as Aristotle Ethic. 7. no­teth, saying, Demonstrationes sunt perfectiores & nobiliores, quando inducuntur post orationes dubitabiles; Demonstrations are ever best af­ter doubtful passages. Of these briefly, as in the next Escocheon. The Invention of Arms, wherein Beasts, or their parts, are born, are borrowed (saith Sir Iohn Ferne) from the Huns, Hungarians, Scythians, and Saxons, cruel and most fierce Nations, who therefore delighted in the bearing of Beasts of like na­ture in their Arms; as Lions, Bears, Wolves, Hyenes, and such like; which fashion likewise came into these our Countries when those bar­barous people over-ran with Conquest the West part of Europe. Now to the end that the Rules and Observations formerly set down may receive both life and warrant by Presi­dents, I will now exemplifie them in their Or­der: And first of whole-footed Beasts with their Members.

He beareth Gules, an Elephant passant, Ar­gent, tusked, Or, by the Name of Elphin­ston. Concerning these Arms that are formed of Beasts, it is to be ob­served, That generally those are reputed more Noble which do consist of whole Beasts, than are those that are form­ed of their parts; yet sometimes the parts may be given for some such special services, as may be no less honourable than the whole bearing. The Elephant is a Beast of great strength, but greater wit, and greatest ambi­tion; insomuch that some have written of them, that if you praise them, they will kill themselves with labour; and if you commend another above them, they will break their hearts with emulation. The Beast is so proud of his strength, that he never bows himself to any (neither indeed can he;) and when he is once down (as it usually is with proud great ones) he cannot rise up again. It was the manner of such as used the force of Elephants (in set Battels) to provoke them to fight by laying before them things of Scarlet or Crim­son colour, to make them more furious; as we may see 1 Mac. 6. 34. And to provoke the Elephants for to fight, they shewed them the blood of Grapes and Mulberries. Further­more, they were placed in the strength and heart of the battel, as in the same Chapter ap­peareth; where it is said, And they set the Beasts according to their ranges, so that by every Elephant there stood a thousand men armed with Coats of Mail, and Helmets of Brass upon their Heads; and unto every Beast were ordained five hundred Horsmen of the best, Verse 35. Which were ready at all times wheresoever the Beast was; and whithersoe­ver the Beast went, they went also, and de­parted not from him, Verse 36. The high­ness and incomparable strength of this Beast may be conceived by this, That be bare thir­ty two fighting men in strong Towers of Wood fastned upon his back; as we may see expresly set down in the same Chapter in these words; And upon them were strong Towers of Wood that covered every Beast, which were fastned thereon with Instru­ments: and upon every one were thirty two men that fought in them, and the Indian that ruled him, Verse 37.

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He beareth parted per Cheveron, Sable and Argent, three Elephants heads erased, counter­changed, by the Name of Saunders, a Family of good account in Nor­thamptonshire; amongst whom is William Saun­ders of Briaeworth, Esq William Saunders of Welford, Esq and Ambrose Saunders of Si­bertoft, Esq And is also born by Thomas Saunders of Hadnam in Buckinghamshire, Esq.

He beareth Or, a Fess, Gules, between three Elephants heads erased, Sable, by the Name of Fountaine, and was the Coat-Armour of that emi­nent Lawyer Iohn Fountaine, Esq Ser­jeant at Law, who left Issue Iohn Fountaine of Melton super Mon­tem in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, Esq

He beareth Sable, on a Fess between three Elephants heads erased, Argent, as many Mul­lets of the first, by the Name of Pratte. When any part is thus born with liggs, like pieces of the flesh or skin, de­pending, it is termed E­rasing, of the Latin word erado, to scrape or rent off; or of the French, Arrasher, of the same signification. This being the first place of such bearing, I thought good here to observe that this Erasing and Couping are the two common accidents of parts born. Couping is when a part is cut off smooth, as in this next Exam­ple.

The Field is Pur­pure, the Proboscide, Trunk or Snout of an Elephant in Pale, cou­ped, flexed, & reflexed, after the form of a Ro­man S, Or. Bara, pag. 147. setteth down this for the Coat of Cyneus King of Scythia, where also he noteth, That Idomenes King of Thessaly, the Son of Deucalion, did bear Gules, a Proboscide of an Elephant after this manner, Argent. The Elephant hath great strength in this part, and useth it for his hand, and all other uses of agility, wherein Nature hath re­compenced the unaptness of his legs, which o­ther Beasts do use to such services. The Ro­man Histories do relate of an Elephant of an huge greatness, carried in a shew about Rome, which (as it passed by) a little boy pried in his Proboscis; therewith being enraged, he cast up the child a great height, but received him again on his Snout, and laid him down gently, without any hurt, as if the Beast had considered, that for a childish fault; a childish fright were revenge enough.

He beareth Argent, a Fess, between 3 Colts in full speed, Sable, by the Name of Colt, and is the bearing of Wil­liam Dutton Colt, Esq Son of George Colt of Colt-hall in Suffolk, Esq by Elizabeth, Daugh­ter and Coheir of Iohn Dutton of Sherborn in Glocestershire, Esq.

He beareth Sable, a Fess, between three Horses passant, Argent, by the name of Stamp. A Horse erected bolt upright, may be term­ed enraged, but his noblest action is ex­pressed in a Saliant form. This of all Beasts for mans uses, is most noble and be­hoofful, either in Peace or War. And sith his service and courage in the field is so eminent, it may be marvelled, why the Lion should be esteemed a more honourable bearing: But the reason is, because the Horses service and strength is principally by help of his Rider; whereas the Lions is his own: And if the Horse be not mounted, he fights averse, turning his heels to his Adversary; but the Lion encoun­ters affront, which is more manly. It is ob­served of the Horse (as also of other whole-footed Beasts) that their Legs are at the first as long as ever they will be: and therefore young Foals scratch their ears with their hin­der foot, which after they cannot do, because their Legs do grow only in bigness, but not in length, Plin. lib. 11. cap. 48.

The Horse is a Beast naturally stubborn, fierce, haughty, proud and insolent; and of all Beasts there is none that vaunteth more af­ter victory obtained, or dejected if he be vanquished; none more prone in battel, or de­sirous of revenge.

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Azure, a Pegasus with the wings expanded, Argent. This is the Coat belonging to the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, be­ing one of the four Inns of Court.

He beareth Gules, a Horse-head couped, Argent, by the Name of Marshe. The neigh­ing of the Horse is a token of his great cou­rage, as appeareth Iob 29. Hast thou given the Horse strength, or covered his neck with neighing? whose fierce­ness also he singularly describeth thus; He swalloweth the ground for fierceness and rage, and he believeth not that it is the noise of the Trumpet. He saith among the Trumpets, Ha, ha; he smelleth the battel afar off, and the noise of the Captains and shoutings.

He beareth Ermyn, on a Canton, Sable, a Horse-head couped, Ar­gent, with a Bitt and Rains, Gules, by the Name of Brixton. The undauntable courage of the Horse Iob in the forecited Chapter doth pourtay most lively, saying, Hast thou made him afraid as the Grashopper? his strong neighing is fear­ful. He diggeth the valley, and rejoyceth in his strength, and goeth forth to meet the har­nessed man. He mocketh at fear, and is not afraid, and turneth not back from the sword. Though the quiver rattle against him, the glit­tering Spear and the Shield. To govern him, no less needful is the Bitt and Reins sometimes to hold him in, than is the Spur to put him forward: And therefore David likens an un­ruly man to a horse, which thou must keep in with bitt and bridle, lest he fall upon thee.

He beareth Azure, a Fess between three Horses heads couped, Argent, by the Name of Skelton, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Bevil Skelton Esq eldest son of Sir Io. Skel­ton, late Lieutenant Go­vernour of Plymouth, who was Page of Honour to his Majesty in his Exile, and now one of the Grooms of his Bed-chamber, and Captain of a Company in his Foot Guards.

He beareth Gules, a Horses head couped, be­tween three Crosses Bo­tony fitchee, Argent, by the Name of Marshe, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Thomas Marshe of Darks in the Parish of South-Mims in Mid­dlesex, Kt.

He beareth Argent, a Fess, between three Asses Passant, Sable, by the Name of Askewe. The Ass is the lively Emblem of Patience, whom therefore our blessed Saviour (being Patience and Humility it self) honoured with his own riding; which hath made some to fan­cy ever since that time, that the black line on the ridge of all Asses backs, thwarted with the like over both the shoulders, is stampt on them as the mark of his Cross, whereon he was to shew his Patience by suffering for us.

He beareth Argent, an Asses head erased, Sa­ble, by the Name of Hokenhull; and is born by Richard Hokenhull of Penton in Cheshire, Esquire; as also by Henry Hokenhull of Tranmore, and Iohn Hokenhull of Hokenhull, both of the said County, Gentlemen. In the second of the Kings we read that Benhadad, King of Aram, did beset the City of Samaria with his Host, and laid so strait siege there­unto, as that an Asses head (which as it seem­eth was reckoned amongst things of least e­steem) was valued at fourscore pieces of Sil­ver; which perhaps gave occasion to the old Proverb, Asini caput ne laves Nitro, Wash not an Asses-head with Niter; which is a matter white, like Salt, and full of holes as a Spunge; [Page 121] whereby we are admonished not to be bestow our time, charge, and travel in matters of small moment; and not (as we say in our English Pro­verb) make more ado about the broth than the meat is worth.

He beareth Gules, a Mule passant, Argent, by the Name of Moile. The generation of Mules seemeth to be the inven­tion of Anah the son of Zibeon: For it is said, Gen. 36. This was Anah that found Mules in the wilderness, as he fed his Father Zibeon's Asses: who not contented with those kinds of beasts which God had created, found out the monstrous generation of Mules, between an Ass and a Mare. A Mule depicted passant hath his chiefest grace.

CHAP. XIV.

AFter beasts whole-footed, succeed those who are cloven-footed, whether into two parts or more. And first for those which have their feet divided into two parts on­ly, they are for the most part armed with horns, as the following Examples shall illustrate. And by the way this must be noted, That these horned beasts, besides that their Members [...] are born couped and erased (like other beasts) have also their heads born trunked; which of some Armorists are blazoned Cabosed, of the word Caho, which in the Spanish Language doth sig­nifie a head; which form of blazon giveth us to understand, that it is the head of some such beast, born sole, and of it self, having no part of the neck thereto adherent; an accident that sel­dom befalleth beasts of other kinds, which most usually are born with the neck conjoyned; which form or bearing you shall hereafter see in due place.

He beareth Argent, on a bend, Sable, 3 Calves, Or, by the Name of Veal. If these Calves live to wear horns, which differ either in metal or in co­lour from the rest of the body, then must there be special mention of such difference in blazoning, as you shall see in the next Example. Pliny saith, That Nature seemed to sport her self in making such variety of horns of beasts, as so many several kinds of weapons, wherewith they come armed into the field: for in some she hath made knagged and branched, as in the Red and Fallow Deer; in other plain and uniform with­out Tines, as in Spitters, a kind of Stags which thereupon are called in Latin Subulones, and that their horns are like to the blade of a Shoe­makers Awl; but of all other, the horns of the Bull may most properly be called his Arms, they being of so piercing and violent a stroke, as hardly can be resisted.

He beareth Ermyn, a Bull passant, Gules, armed and unguled, Or, by the Name of Bevill. The Bull is the ringleader a­mongst other beasts, and through hope of his in­crease of breed, he is pri­viledged to range in [...]ll pastures with free ingress and egress. The Bull being gelt changeth both his nature and name, and is called an Ox.

The bearing of a Bull, or the head thereof, is a note of valour or magnanimity; where con­trariwise the bearing of an Ox, or the head thereof, denoteth faintness of courage, as Vp­ton noteth, That their first bearers were either gelt persons, or such as had some notable defect in the generative parts, as that thereby they became altogether unfit for procreation.

He beareth Argent, a Bull's head erased, Sable, by the Name of Carse­lack. The Bull's head may signifie a man enra­ged with desire of Re­venge, whom nothing can satisfie but the utter spoil and ruin of his Ad­versary.

The field is Luna, a Cheveron, Mars, between three Bull's heads coup­ed, Saturn, armed, Sol. This Coat-Armour per­tained to the Right No­ble Family of Thomas Bulleine Lord Hoo and Hastings, Viscount Roch­ford, who was created Earl of Wiltshire, and of Ormond, by the re­nowned King of famous memory, Henry the Eighth, who married the vertuous and beau­teous Lady Anne, daughter of the same Earl, and Mother to the most glorious Queen Eli­zabeth; the memory of whose long, most prosperous and flourishing Government, be blessed and eternized to all future Posteri­ties.

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He beareth Gules, a Cheveron between 3 Bulls heads trunked or cabosed, Argent, armed Or, by the Name of Baynham. Bara, a good French Armorist, useth neither of these words at all, but blazoneth it a Bull's head only; be­cause any head thus born is understood to be so cut off, as no part of the neck be appendant to the same.

He beareth Sable, a Cheveron, Ermyn, be­tween 3 Bulls heads ca­bosed, Argent, by the Name of Sanders of Charltwood and Ewell in Surrey, of Ireton in Derbyshire, of Barton in Staffordshire, and of the City of London; which Family dwelt at Sandersted from or be­fore the Conquest, till Richard de Sandersted, son of Sir Leonard de Sandersted, sold it to Ro­bert de Pirle, the eighteenth of Henry the Third, whose son Ralph Sanders married Daughter and Coheir of Sir Roger Solomon of Horley, Kt. who dwelt at Charltwood, where his Posterity have continued ever since, till Ed­mond Sanders, Esq dying without Issue, about the year 1660. Charltwood was sold by his Si­sters. In Henry the Eighth's Reign Tho. Sanders, son of Richard, was the first of this Family that settled in Derbyshire, of which Family Sir Tho. Sanders, Remembrancer of the Exchequer in Edward the Sixth's time, and Dr. Nich. San­ders, who wrote De Schismate Anglicano, &c. and perished in Ireland, Anno 1580. his Life is in Pit's De Scriptor. Angliae.

He beareth Azure, a Bull's head couped, Ar­gent, winged and arm­ed, Or, by the Name of Hoast, and is the Coat-Armour of Mr. Derick Hoast of the City of London, Mer­chant.

He beareth Gules, a Goat passant, Argent, by the Name of Baker. The Goat is not so hardy as politick; therefore that martial man which useth more policy than valour in atchieving a Victory, may very aptly bear for his Coat-Armour this beast. And now I will shew unto you one Ex­ample of the bearing of the head of this beast erased.

He beareth Ermyn, a Goat's head erased, Gules, attired, Or, by the Name of Gotley. By this blazon you may observe how you ought to tearm the horns of a Goat in Armory, when you find they differ in metal or colour from the beast, or that particular part of the beast which is born. The Philosophers write that the blood of a Goat will mollifie the Diamond.

He beareth Azure, on a Fess counter-bat­tilee, between 3 Goats passant, Argent, as ma­ny Pellets, by the Name of Man, and is born by Will. Man Esq Sword­bearer to the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

He beareth Gules, a Cheveron, Ermyn, be­tween 3 Goats heads e­rased, Argent, by the Name of Marwood, and is the Coat-Armour of Henry Marwood of Lit­tle Busby in Yorkshire, Esq son and heir appa­rent of Sir George [...] Mar­wood of the said place, Bar. Which said Henry was high Sheriff of the said County, 1675. is now one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the North-Riding, and one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace of the West and North-Ridings of the said County.

He beareth Azure, a Fess wavy, between 3 Goats heads erased, Argent, by the Name of Sedley, and with the Arms of Vlster, is the bearing of Sir Char. Sedley of Southfleet, and of Sir Iohn Sedley of St. Cleeres in Ightam in the County of Kent, Baronets.

Snce we are no wcome to treat of beasts of the Forest, I hold it fit to speak somewhat in my first entry of their Numbers, Names, Quali­ties, Royalties, Armings, Footings, Degrees of Age, &c. according as they are termed of skil­ful Foresters and Woodmen. And first of their kinds.

Of Beasts of the Forest, some are Beasts of

• Venery.
• Chase.

Of Beasts of Venery there are five kinds, viz. the

• Hart
• Hind
• Hare
• Boar
• Wolf.

As old Woodmen have anciently tearmed them.

[Page 123] These have been accounted properly Wild-beasts of the Forest, of Beasts of Venery. These Beasts are also called Sylvestres, scil. Beasts of the Wood or Forest, because they do haunt the Woods more than the Plains.

Proper Names, Seasons, Degrees, and Ages of Beasts of the Forest and of Chase. Wherefore

But here by the way we must observe that some ancient Writers do report, That in times past Foresters were wont to call him a Stag at the fourth year, and not a Staggard, as we do now; and at the fifth year they called him a Great Stag: And so they were wont to distin­guish his several Ages by these words, Stag and great Stag.

The knowledge of the Ordure or Excre­ments of every Beast of Venery and Chase is necessary to be observed; because their Ordures are a principal note, whereby good Foresters and Woodmen do know and observe the place of their haunt and feeding, and also their e­state: And therefore it is a thing highly to be observed, for that a Forester or Woodman, in making his reports, shall be constrained to re­hearse the same.

Tearms of footing or treading of all Beasts of Venery and Chase.

That of an Hare is tearmed according to her several Courses: for when she keepeth in plain fields, and chaseth about to deceive the Hounds, it is said she Double [...]h; but when she beateth the plain high-way, where you may yet perceive her footing, it is said she Prick­eth.

The fat of all sorts of Deer is called Suet. Also it may be very well said, This Deer was a high Deer's Grease.

The fat of a

• Roe
• Boar and Hare

is term­ed

• Bevy Grease
• Grease.

You shall say that a

• Hart Harboureth
• Buck Lodgeth.
• Roe Beddeth.
• Hare Seateh or Formeth.
• Coney Sitteth.
• Fox Kenneleth.

Tearms excogitated and used by Foresters.

Tou shall say a

• Hart Belloweth.
• Buck Groaneth.
• Roe Belleth.
• Hare and Coney Beateth or Tappeth.
• Fox Barketh.
• Wolf Howleth.

You shall say a

• Litter of Cubs.
• Nest of Rabbets.

Skilful Foresters and good Woodmen

These are apt tearms of Hunting, pertaining both to Beasts of Venery and of Chase.

Whereas some men are of opinion, that a Stag, of what age soever he be, shall not be called a Hart until the King or Queen have hunted him; that is not so: For after the fifth year of his age, you shall no more call him a [Page 124] Stag, but a Hart. So then at six years old he is called a Hart. Now if the King or Queen do hunt or chase him, and he escape away a­live, then after such hunting or chasing, he is called a Hart Royal.

Note, That if this Hart be by the King or Queen so hunted or chased, that he be forced out of the Forest so farr, that it is unlike that he will of himself return thitherto again, and then the King or Queen giveth him over, either for that he is weary, or because he cannot re­cover him; for that such a Hart hath shewed the King pastime for his delight, and is also (as Budeus noteth) Eximius Cervus, a goodly Hart; and for that the King would have him return to the Forest again, he causeth open Proclamation to be made in all Towns and Vil­lages near to the place where the same Hart so remaineth, That no manner of person or persons shall kill, hurt, hunt or chase him, but that he may safely return to the Forest again from whence he came. And then ever after such a Hart is called a Hart Royal proclaim­ed.

So that there are three sorts of Harts, viz.

• Hart.
• Hart Royal.
• and Hart Royal proclaim­ed.

A Hind hath these Degrees.

• First
• Second
• Third

Year is called a

• Calf.
• Brockets sister.
• Hinde.

Good Foresters have observed, that when a Hart hath past his sixth year, he is generally to be called a Hart of Tenne; and after­wards according to the increase of this Head:

Whether he be

• Crochod,
• Palmed, or
• Crowned.

When he breaketh Herd, and draweth to the Thickets or Coverts, the Foresters or Woodmen do say, He taketh his hold.

Forasmuch as it may oftentimes fall out, as well in Coat-Armours as in Badges, that the Attires of Deer, both Red and Fallow, may be born bendy, barry, or otherwise counter-coloured; I have thought it fit, for the more apt blazon of them, to annex such propriety of tearms, as the skilfullest Foresters or Woodmen do attribute unto their several kinds, so there may be a fit correspondence of Artificial tearms, as well Woodman-like as Ar­morial; adding withal their forms and shapes of their several Attires, for the better and readier conceiving of their particular parts, and fit application of each particular tearm to his proper part, by the help of the Alphabeti­cal Letters that I have for that purpose annex­ed to each part.

[Page 125]Skilfull Woodmen, describing the Head of a Hart, do call

And in a Buck's head they say,

• c Burr.
• b Beam.
• d Braunche.
• e Advancers.
• a Palm.
• Spellers.

And though every Gentleman is not an Ar­morist, or a skilfull Woodman, yet it is well-beseeming men of a generous race to have a superficial skill in either of these professions, forasmuch as they both (especially the former) do well beseem the dignity of a Gentleman; the one tending to the delight and recreation of the mind, and the other to the health, solace, and exercise of the body: that so in their mu­tual converse they may be able to deliver their minds in fit tearms in either kind, and not in speeches either vulgar or obsol [...]te. For which cause I here set down the tearms ap­propriated (by skilfull Foresters and Wood­men) to Beasts of Chase, according to their several Names, Seasons, Degrees, and Ages, like as I have formerly done of Beasts of Ve­nery, as in Example.

Of Beasts of Chase the Buck is the first,

Next to the Buck is the Doe, being account­ed the second Beast of Chase,

The third Beast of Chase is a Fox, which al­beit he be said to be politick, and of much sub­tilty, yet is the variety of tearms of a Fox ve­ry scarce:

Afterwarwards an old Fox, or the like.

The Martern, or Marton (as some old Fore­sters or Woodmen do tearm them) being the fourth Beast of Chase, hath these tearms.

The fifth and last Beast of Chase is the Roe, whose proper tearms, pertaining to Chase, are these:

These Beasts of Chase do make their abode all the day time in the Fields, and upon the Hills and high Mountains, where they may see round about them afar off, for preventing their danger: For these are more timerous of their own safety, than dangerous and harmful to men. And in the night time, when men be at rest, and all things quiet, then do they make their repair to the Corn-fields and Medows for food and relief; for which respect they are cal­led Campesties, because they do haunt the Field and Champion grounds more than the Woods, and thick Coverts or Thickets, as we do most usually observe them.

He beareth Argent, on a Mount, Proper, a Stag lodged, Gules, by the Name of Harthill. The Stag is a goodly beast, full of state in his gate and view, and (amongst Beasts of Chase) reputed the chief for principal game and exercise. It is observed of him, that finding himself fat, he ever lodgeth and sculk­eth in secret places to avoid chasing, as know­ing himself worth following and worth kil­ling (as was said of the great Stag at Killing­worth) but most unfit for flying.

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He beareth Sable, a Stag standing at Gaze, Argent, attired and un­guled, Or, by the Name of Iones of Monmouth­shire. The Stag which erst you saw lodged, you now see standing, as listning to the approach of any danger. And Na­ture having denied this beast other securities, yet hath indued him with two excellent fa­vours above others; the one, exceeding quick­ness of hearing, to foreknow his hazards, and so the sooner to prevent them (for which cause the Stag is amongst the Emblemes of the five Senses, representing the Hearing;) the o­ther exceeding speed of foot, to fly from the danger when it approacheth.

He beareth Argent, a Stag tripping, Proper, attired [...] and unguled, Or, by the Name of Holm. The Hart born in Arms (saith Vpton) betokeneth sometimes one skilful in Musick, or such an one as taketh a felicity and delight in harmony: Also, a man that is wise and poli­tick, and well foreseeth his times and oppor­tunities; a man unwilling to assail the Enemy rashly, but rather desirous to stand on his own guard honestly, than to annoy another wrong­fully.

Sable, a Buck trip­pant, and Chief Inden­ted, Or [...] This with the Arms of Vlster, is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir William Humble of the City of London, and of Stratford in the Parish of Westham in Essex, Baronet.

He beareth Azure, a Stag, Argent, with an Arrow stuck in the back, and attired, Or, by the Name of Bow­en. This is the Coat-Armour of George Bowen of Kittlehill in Glamorganshire, Esq lineally descend­ed from, and present Heir unto the ancient Family of the Bowens of Court-house in the Seignioury of Gower in the said County.

This Coat, with the difference of a second Brother, is born by Iohn Bowen of Swansey in the said County, Esq

He beareth Vert, a Stag springing forwards, Or, by the Name of Gilsland. Pliny saith, That horns are so mol­lified with wax, whilst they are yet growing upon the heads of the beasts, that they may be made capable of sun­dry impressions, and are made divisible into many parts: but Nature needeth not this de­vice, neither can Art form a fashion of more stately decency, than she hath done on the Stag. All horns in a manner be hollow, save that towards the pointed tip they be solid and massie. Only Deer, both Red and Fal­low, have them solid throughout.

Argent, Fretty Vert, a Stag springing for­wards, Sable, attired, Or, by the Name of Warnet of Sussex.

He beareth Azure, a Stag in his full course, Or, pursued hotly by a brace of Dogs, Argent, all bend-ways and at random, by the Name of Yardeley. Though horns be assigned to the Stag, Buck, and o­ther like beasts, for weapons both offensive and defensive; yet do they seldom use them to those ends, being therein like many Gallants well attired and armed, but it is more for shew than for use, when it comes to proof. So David speaks of of some, who carrying bows turned their backs; as having arms, but wanting hearts. And it may be, the Hart hath his name (as Mons à movendo) for being heartless: But sure it is, that all the Armour in the Tower is not enough to arm a Dastard's heart.

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He beareth Vert, a Fess between three Bucks in full course, Or, by the Name of Robertson. This kind of Deer is called Cer­vus Palmatus, for the resemblance that his horns have with the hand and fingers. This beast reposeth his safety chiefly in flight, wherein he is very swift in case of pursuit: his colour most commonly sandy, with a black strake along his back; their sides and belly spotted with white, which spots they lose through age: their Females are more variable in colour, as being sometimes all white.

He beareth Vert, on a Cheveron between three Bucks tripping, Or, as many Cinque­soils, Gules, by the Name of Robinson, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Thomas Ro­binson of the Inner-Temple, London, Esq chief Prothonotary of his Majesties Court of Common Pleas; descend­ed from Nicholas Robinson of Boston in Lin­colnshire, Gent. who lived in the time of King Henry the Seventh. Although this beast, as a Coward, flieth with his weapons; yet two times there are when he dares turn head on his foe: the one is when it is for his life, as when he is chased out of breath, and his strength so spent that he cannot by flight escape, Despera­tio facit audacem. He is more than a Coward that will not fight when he sees his case despe­rate; and therefore it is a general rule in good policy, never to put them to the utmost exi­gent and extremity, with whom we desire to prevail, according to the old English Pro­verb, Compel a Coward to fight, and he will kill the Devil: which was the cause that the Romans, landing in this Kingdom, burnt their own Navy, thereby to enforce the Army to be resolute, by despairing of any escape of return by Sea again. The other time of the Stag's courage is for his love, at which time he will fight to the death with his Rival or Hinderer of his hot desire,

He beareth Azure, 3 Bucks tripping, Or, by the Name of Green. The Buck is a worthy beast, and hath a de­gree and measure of all the properties of the Stag, but cometh far short of his stateliness and boldness (for there are degrees of courage even amongst Cow­ards.) And Nature hath made his horn rather broad, for a defensive buckler, than sharp, as the Stags, for the thrust. Their best quality is, that they are sociable, and love to keep together in Herds, which is the property of all harmless and peaceable Creatures, which are of comfort and courage only in company; whereas all beasts and birds of prey are given to wander solitary, neglecting societies: And that made the Philosopher say, That a solitary and unso­ciable man was either a Saint or a Devil.

He beareth Or, a Cheveron Nebule, Ar­gent and Azure, be­tween three Bucks in full course, Vert, by the Name of Swift, and is born by Godwin Swift of Goodridge in the County of Here­ford, Esq one of the Society of Grays-Inn, descended from the Swifts of Yorkshire.

He beareth Argent, a Fess, Azure, between three Stagstanding at gaze or guardant, Gules, by the Name of Robertson. Sometimes the Females, both of Red and Fallow Deer, to wit, Hinds and Does, as well as Stags and Bucks, are born in Coat-Armour; but such bearing is holden less commendable than that of Males, because Masculinum dignius est Fae­minino, as Aristotle witnesseth, Topic. 1. The Male is ever nobler than the Female. To prove that Females are born also, I have (out of ma­ny Examples) selected one of rare bearing, here next following.

He beareth Sable, two Hinds counter­tripping in Fess, Ar­gent, by the Name of Cottingham. Pliny in his Natural History, Lib 9. writeth, That among all sorts of beasts, the Males are more stomachful, and of greater courage than the Females, excepting in Panthers and Bears: and that those parts that Nature hath bestowed upon beasts, to serve them (as it were) instead of weapons, as teeth, horns, stings, and other such like, she hath given them especially unto the Males, as to those that are both better and stronger, and hath left the Females altogether disarmed; whereof Martial writeth in this manner,

He beareth Or, a Fess between three Hinds tripping, Sable, by the Name of Iekell or Iekyll, being the Coat of Thomas Iekyll of Bocking in Essex, Esq but residing at Deptford in Kent. This Coat is also an in­stance of the alterati­on of Escocheons heretofore sometimes made upon Marriages or the like occasions by Li­cence, as appears amongst the Evidences of this Family, and by the Records thereunto re­lating in the Office of Arms.

He beareth Argent, 3 Stags heads couped, Sable, by the Name of Rigmaiden. Some Au­thors are of opinion, That the Attires of Gentlewomens heads were first found out and devised by occasi­on of the sight of the horns of this beast, because they are seemly to behold, and do become the beast right-well; and that Nature bestowed horns on them, more for Ornament than Assault, appears by this, that they repose their safety rather in their speedy footmanship, than in the strength of their heads. The Tines of the Stag's head do in­crease yearly, until he hath accomplished the full number of seven years, and then decrease again.

The Field is Diamond 3 Stags heads trunk­ed, Or, cabosed, Pearl, attired, Topaz. This is the Coat-Armour of the Right Noble Hen­ry Duke, Marquess, and Earl of Newcastle, Earl of Ogle, Viscount Mansfield, Baron Ogle, Bertram and Boles­m [...]re, one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Bed-chamber, and Lords of his most Ho­nourable Privy Councel, and Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, and Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne.

This Coat is also born by the Right Honou­rable William Earl of Devonshire, Baron Ca­vendish of Hardwick, and Lord Lieutenant of the County of Derby.

Gules, three Bucks heads cabosed, Argent, is born by the Name of D'oyley, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir VVilliam D'oyley of St. Margarets VVestminster in Middlesex, Kt. Son and Heir of Sir VVilliam D'oyley of Shotisham in Norfolk, Knight and Baronet.

Gules, three Stags heads cabosed, Or, atti­red, Argent, is born by the Name of Faldo of Bedfordshire. For two respects I have inserted this Coat; the one in regard that the Attires are of a different metal from the heads, which is not usual; the other to shew that Sir Iohn Ferne, in his Book entituled, The Blazon of Gentry, pag. 240. setteth down for the Armo­rial Ensigns of this Family, a Coat of Device, which he supposeth to have been invented by some of the Ancestors thereof: which (as he saith) was very ancient, yet no Coat of Arms, as indeed it is not, but a meer fantastick device; which being so, he had done much better to have expressed the true Paternal Coat of that Family, as it is here expressed, rather than the adulterate or counterfiet Coat, which neither relisheth of true Armory, nor yet of any sharpness of ingenious Device or Invention.

He beareth Gules, 3 Bucks head couped, Or, by the Name of Deering. The bearing of the head of any li­ving thing, betoken­eth Jurisdiction and Authority to admini­ster Justice, and to ex­ecute Laws: For the greatest esteem of the head in Coat-Armour is in respect of the more noble use thereof; for by it is the whole body governed and directed, and is called in Latin Caput, Quia capiat omnes sensus; and he that is a Head should be sure to have all his Senses about him, as the Head hath.

He beareth Diamond, a Cheveron between three Bucks heads ca­bosed, Pearl. This is the bearing of the Right Honourable Ro­bert Viscount Bulke­ley of Cashaw in Ire­land, and residing at Barrow-hill near Bea [...]maris in the Isle of Anglesey.

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He beareth Pearl, a Bend engrailed, Saphire, between 2 Bucks heads cabosed, Diamond, and is the Paternal Coat-Ar­mour of the Right Ho­nourable Thomas Lord Needham, Viscount Kil­murrey in the Kingdom of Ireland.

He beareth Argent, on a Fess Sable, three Stags heads erased, Or, by the the name of Bradford. Sir Iohn Ferne, in La­cie's Nobility, saith, That the head of any Beast born erased, as this is, is one of the best manner of bearings. The heads of such horned Beasts were wont to be held sa­cred to Apollo and Diana; perchance because Diana signified the Moon, which is her self a horned Creature; and Apollo, for being a good Bowman, deserved the horns for his re­ward.

He beareth Argent, a Che­veron, between 3 Bucks heads erased, Gules, by the Name of Collingwood, and is the Coat-Armour of Daniel Collingwood of Branton, Northum­berland, Esquire, Major to the Queens Troop of his Majesties Guard, Go­vernour of his Majestie's Castle in Holy Island in the Bishoprick of Durham, Deputy Lieutenant of the said County of Northumberland, and a Member of Parliament for the Town of Bar­wick upon Tweed.

Azure, a Bucks head cabosed, Argent, is the Paternal Coat-Armour of George Legge Esquire, Governour of Ports­mouth, Master of the Horse to his Royal High­ness Iames Duke of York, Lieutenant of his Majesties Forest of Alce­holt and Woolmer in Hantshire, and one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the said County, Commander of his Majesties Ship the Royal Katherine, and one of the principal Officers of his Majesties Ordnance.

Of all the parts or members of Beasts, Birds, or other living things, the bearing of the head (next to the whole bearing) is reckoned most honourable, for that it signifieth that the own­er of such Coat-Armour [...]eared not to stand to the face of his Enemy.

Argent, a Bucks head cabosed, Gules, is born by the name of Trye.

He beareth Sable, a Bucks head cabosed, be­tween two flanches, Or, by the name of Parker, and is the Coat of Henry Parker of Honington in Warwickshire, Esquire, as also of Edward Par­ker of Plimpton St. Ma­ries in Devonshire, E­squire. This Coat-Armour seemeth to have some congruity with the name of the Bearer, it being a name borrowed from the Office, which it is probable the first Ancestor of this family held, viz. a Park-keeper, which in old English was called Parker, who by Office hath the charge of the Beast whose head is born in this Escocheon.

He beareth Argent, three Rain-Deers heads, trunked or cabosed, Sa­ble, by the Name of Bowet. If you should have occasion to make mention of the horns of any sort of Deer, by rea­son that they be of a dif­ferent Metal or Colour from their Bodies, you must tearm them At­tired. If upon like occasion you shall speak of their Claws, you must say they be Unguled, of the Latin word Vngula, which signifieth the Hoof or Claws of a Beast.

He beareth Sable, a Cheveron between three Attires of a Stag, fixed to the Scalp, Argent, by the Name of Cocks. This Coat, with the Arms of Vlster, is born by Sir Richard Cocks of Dun­bleton in Glocestershire, Baronet: And without the Arms of Vlster, by Sir Iohn Cocks of Nor­they in Glocestershire, Kt. And by Thomas Cocks of Castle-ditch in Herefordshire, Esquire. The Stag doth mew his head every year, unless he be castrated or gelt whilst his head is in his prime: For in such case he never meweth his head, neither doth his Beam burr, or Tynes augment, or diminish any more, but continue still in the same state wherein they were at the time of his Castration.

Foresters and Hunters do call this yearly mewing of their heads the Beauty of their [Page 130] Wildness, and not the Mewing of their Horns as the Latinists do tearm it.

These having mewed their heads, do be­take themselves to the thick Brakes and Co­verts to hide them, as well knowing they are disarmed of their natural weapons; and there­fore do never willingly shew themselves a­broad in the day time, until the Spring that they begin to bud and burgeon toward their renovation of force.

Horns do betoken Strength and Fortitude, inasmuch as God hath bestowed them upon Beasts to be unto them Instruments or Wea­pons, as well offensive as defensive; as we may probably gather by that which is spoken by the Prophet David, Psal. 75. 12. All the horns of the ungodly will I break, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

This Field is Sol, three Attires of a Stag, [...]orn Paly, Barry, Saturn. This Coat-Armour pertaineth to the Renowned Fami­ly of the most High, Pu­issant, and Noble Prince Frederick, late Duke of Wirtemberge, and of Tec, Count of Mountbeliard, Lord of Heydenheib, &c. and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter. The Stags, having cast their horns, do skulk in secret and desolate places, because they find themselves disarmed and destitute of their former strength, which maketh them more careful of their safe­ty, as Aelia [...]s noteth.

He beareth Argent, an Unicorn Seiant, Sable, Armed and Unguled, Or, by the Name of Har­ling. The Unicorn hath his name of his one horn on his forehead. There is another Beast of a huge strength and greatness, which hath but one horn, but that is growing on his Snout, whence he is called Rinoceros, and both are named Monoceros, or One-horned. It hath been much questioned amongst Naturalists, which it is that is properly called the Uni­corn: and some have made doubt whether there be any such Beast as this, or no. But the great esteem of his horn (in many pla­ces to be seen) may take away that needless scruple.

He beareth Gules, an Unicorn tripping, Ar­gent, Armed and Ungu­led, Or, by the Name of Musterton. Touch­ing the invincible Na­ture of this Beast, Iob saith, Wilt thou trust him because his strength is great, and cast thy labour unto him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy Barn? And his Vertue is no less fa­moused than his Strength, in that his horn is supposed to be the most powerful Antidote a­gainst Poison: Insomuch as the general con­ceit is, That the wild Beasts of the Wilder­ness use not to drink of the Pools, for fear of venomous Serpents there breeding, before the Unicorn hath s [...]irred it with his horn. How­soever it be, this Charge may very well be a representation both of strength or courage, and also of vertuous dispositions and ability to do good; for to have strength of body without the gifts and good qualities of the mind, is but the property of an Ox, but where both con­cur, that may truly be called manliness. And that these two should consort together, the Ancients did signifie, when they made this one word, Virtus, to imply both the strength of body, and vertue of the mind.

He beareth Sable, three Unicorns in Pale, current, Argent, Armed, Or, by the Name of Farrington. It seemeth by a question moved by Farnesius, That the U­nicorn is never taken a­live; and the reason be­ing demanded, it is an­swered, That the greatness of his mind is such, that he chuseth rather to die than to be taken alive: wherein (saith he) the Unicorn and the valiant minded Souldier are alike, which both contemn death, and rather than they will be compelled to undergo any base servitude or bondage, they will lose their lives.

He beareth Gules, 3 Unicors heads, couped, Argent, by the Name of Shelly. The Unicorn is an untamable Beast by nature, as may be ga­thered by the words of Iob, chap. 39. Will the Vnicorn serve thee, or will he tarry by thy crib? Canst thou bind the Vnicorn with his band to labour in the furrow, or will he plough the valleys after thee?

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He beareth Argent, a Cheveron, Ermyns, be­tween three Unicorns heads couped, Sable, by the Name of Head, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Richard Head of the City of Rochester in Kent, Baronet.

He beareth Sable, a Camel passant, Argent, by the Name of Camel. This Coat-Armour stand­eth in Bury-Pomeroy Church in the County of Devon. This Beast far surpasseth the Horse in swiftness in travel, to whom he is a hateful E­nemy. After all these cloven footed Beasts, I will add one more, no way inferiour in sto­mack and absolute resolution to any of the for­mer.

He beareth Argent, a Boar passant, Gules, Arm­ed, Or, by the Name of Trewarthen. The Boar, though he wanteth horns, is no way defe­ctive in his Armour; nay he is beyond those for­merly exemplified, and is counted the most ab­solute Champion amongst Beasts, for that he hath both weapons to wound his foe, which are his strong and sharp Tusks, and also his Target to defend himself; for which he useth often to rub his shoulders and sides against Trees, thereby to harden them against the stroke of his Adversary: And the shield of a Boar well managed, is a good buckler against that cruel Enemy called Hunger.

He beareth Argent, 3 Boars heads couped, Sable, Armed, Or, by the Name of Cradock. The Boar is so cruel and sto­mackful in his fight, that he foameth all the while for rage; and against the time of any encounter he often whetteth his Tusks to make them the more piercing. The Boar hath been much honoured by being the Crest of an Earl, which seemeth to be given to the House of Vere, because Verres is the Name of a Boar in Latin.

He beareth Gules, a Cheveron between three Boars heads couped, Ar­gent, Armed, Or, by the Name of White, and is thus born by Sir Ste­phen White Kt. formerly of the City of London, and now of the Parish of Hackney in Middlesex, descended from a Family of good Antiquity in Norfolk.

The bearing of the Boar in Arms betoken­eth a man of a bold spirit, skilful, politick in Warlike feats, and one of that high resolution, that he will rather die valorously in the field, than he will secure himself by ignominious flight. He is called in Latin Aper (according to Farnesius) ab asperitate, because he is so sharp and fierce in conflict with his foe. And this is a special property in a Souldier, that he be fierce in the encountring his Enemie, and he bear the shock or brunt of the conflict with a noble and magnanimous Courage; Miles [...] ­nim dura & aspera perfringit animi & virium robore.

He beareth Topaz, 3 Boars heads erected and erased, Diamond, Arm­ed, Topaz. This is the bearing of the Right Honorable George Booth, Baron Delamer, of Dun­ham-Massey in Cheshire: from whose Family is de­scended Sir Rob. Booth of Salford in Lanca­shire Kt. now Lord Chief Justice of his Maje­sties Court of Common Pleas in Ireland, and one of his most Honourable Privy Council for the said Kingdom, Grandchild of Humphrey Booth of Salford aforesaid, Esq who in his life time erected a Chappel there, and endow­ed it with a liberal Maintenance; as also left to the poor of the said Parish 20 l. per Annum for their relief.

This Coat with a due difference appertain­eth to Richard Booth of the City of London, Esq who descended from the Booths of Wit­ton in Warwickshire, where the said Family have been seated four Generations. Here those which are young Students in Armory may learn to be careful in observing the manner of the position of the Charge of the Field, by comparing these two last Coat-Armours toge­ther, admitting that they neither of them dif­fer in Metal nor Colour, and that the Boars heads in both Escocheons were couped or era­sed; yet the very manner of the position of them were sufficient difference to vary one Coat-Armour from the other.

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Gules, on a Bend, Er­minois, between two Cottizes, Or, 3 Boars heads couped, Argent, by the Name of Edg­combe, and is the Pater­nal Coat-Armour of Sir Richard Edgcombe of Mount-Edgcombe in De­vonshire, Knight of the Bath.

He beareth Azure, 3 Cups, Or, out of each a Boars head erected, Ar­gent, by the Name of Bowles. This with the Arms of Vlster is the Coat-Armour of Sir Iohn Bowles of Scramp­ton in Lincolnshire, Ba­ronet.

This Coat is also born by Sir William Bowles of St. Iames Clarkenwell in Middle­sex, Kt. one of the Gentlemen of his Majestie's Privy Chamber in Ordinary.

He beareth Azure, a Cheveron between six Rams accosted counter-tripping, two, two, and two, by the Name of Harman of Rendlesham in the County of Suffolk. The chiefest strength of the Ram consisteth in his head.

He beareth Azure, a Toison d'Or within a bordure of Scotland. This with the Arms of Vlster is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Ro­bert Iason of Broad So­merford in the County of Wilts, Baronet.

He beareth Gules, three holy Lambs, staff, cross and banner, Ar­gent, by the Name of Rowe of Lamerton in the County of Devon. The holy Lamb is a ty­pical representation of our blessed Saviour, who is understood by divers to be that Lamb mentioned in the Apocalyps of Saint Iohn: And all the Christian Churches acknowledge him for the Lamb of God that ta­keth away the sins of the world. This kind of bearing may well befit a brave resolute Spirit, who undertakes a war for Christ's cause.

He beareth Sable, a Cheveron between three Rams heads couped, Ar­gent, by the Name of Ramsey of Hitcham in the County of Bucking­ham, of which Family was Adam Ramsey, Es­quire for the body to King Richard the Se­cond. The Ram is the Captain of the whole flock. I shall not need to mention the great profit that is brought to this Kingdom by the Winter-Garment of this beast.

CHAP. XV.

HItherto of such beasts as we call Anima­lia bisulca, which have their feet part­ed only into two Claws: The next part of our Distribution containeth those which are called Multifida, which have many Claws; of which sort are not only Lions, Bears, Wolves, and others of fierce and ravenous kind, that live by prey and spoil; but such also as are of timorous nature, whose chiefest safety consist­eth rather in swiftness of foot, than in any o­ther means, as Foxes, Hares, Conies, and o­thers of less harmful kind, whereof I will give particular Examples: But first I will offer unto your heedful Observation certain Notes, as well of general as of particular use, concern­ing beasts of this kind; not forgetting (by the way) such Rules and Observations as have been already commended to your regard, that especially touching mixt bearing of Ordinaries and common Charges, which must serve for a Regular Direction throughout our whole Work. And in delivery of these Observati­ons and Examples, I hold it fit to begin with beasts of fierce nature, and first with the Lion, reckoned the King of beasts; Dignioribus e­nim digniora loca sunt danda, Highest person highest place.

Some French Armorists are of opinion, That the Lion should never be made Guardant, or full-faced, affirming that to be proper to the Leo­pard, wherein they offer great indignity to that royal beast, in that they will not admit him (saith Vpton) to shew his full face, the sight whereof doth terrifie and astonish all the beasts of the field, and wherein consisteth his chiefest Majesty, and therefore may not be denied that Prerogative, Quia omnia Animalia debent de­pingi & designari in suo ferociori actu, ex illis enim actibus magis vigorem suum ostend [...]nt.

[Page 133]All beasts should be set forth in their most ge­nerous action, for therein they shew their chiefest vigour. As concerning the true Note whereby the Leopard is distinguished from the Lion, Vpton lib. de Armis writeth thus, Cog­noscitur Leopardus à Leone, quia Leopardus ubique depingitur habens naturaliter maculas nigras, cum grosso capite, & est Animal pla­num non hispidum: Leo verò habet unum colo­rem continuum, cum pectore hispido, cum certis jubis in canda. The Leopard is portrayed with black spots, and a great head, and no where shaggy; whereas the Lion is one colour, shaggy brea [...]ed, with a certain tuft of hair in his train. So that it is evident that the Leo­pard is notably distinguish'd both in shape and colour, and not by his full-faced Countenance, as they dream. Moreover Vpton saith, That he hath often observed Leopards born by di­vers Noblemen, as well half-faced as guard­ant.

It is observed that the generous nature of the Lion is discerned by his plentiful shaggy locks that do cover his neck and shoulders, which are infallible tokens of his noble Courage, especi­ally if those his locks be crisped and curled, and short withal. Such Lions were those whereof Saint Hierom maketh mention, In vita Pauli Eeremitae, saying, Talia in anima volvente, ecce duo Leones ex interioris Eremi parte curren­tes, volantibus per colla jubis ferebantur: Two Lions came running with their shaggy locks wavering about their shoulders. More­over the thickness of the Lion's mane is a te­stimony of his generous birth, and by the same he is distinguished from the degenerate and ba­stard race of Leopards begotten between the adulterous Lioness and the Parde, which are naturally deprived of this noble mark; and not only so, but they are also bereft of that bold and invincible Courage that the generous sort of Lions have. For these respects the degene­rate brood of Lions are called in Latin, Imbelles Leones, that is, Heartless and Cowardly Lions; whereas the true Lion is termed in Latin, Ge­nerosus Leo, quia generosum est quod à natura sua non degeneravit; That is generous which degenerateth not from his kind: by which rea­son a man of Noble Descent, and Ignoble Con­ditions, is not truly generous, because he de­generateth from the Vertues of his Ance­stors.

Lions, Bears, Wolves, and other beasts of ravening kind, when they are born in Arms feeding, you must tearm them in blazon Ra­ping, and tell whereon. To all beasts of prey Nature hath assigned teeth and talons of crook­ed shape, and therewithal of great sharpness, to the end they may strongly seize upon and detain their prey, and speedily rend and di­vide the same. And therefore in blazoning of beasts of this kind, you must not omit to men­tion their teeth and tallons, which are their only Armour; for by them they are distinguish­ed from those tame and harmless beasts, that have their teeth knocked out, and their nails pared so near to the quick, as that they can neither bite nor scratch with much harm. Those teeth and tallons are for the most part in Coat-Armours made of a different colour from the bodies of the beasts; and therefore in bla­zoning of beasts of this kind, when you speak of their teeth or tallons, you shall say they are thus or thus Armed. So likewise if you please to speak of their tongues, you shall say they are thus or thus Langued.

To bear a Lion or whatsoever Animal in a diverse colour from his kindly or natural co­lour, as to bear a blue, green, red, purple Li­on, Bear, &c. or whatsoever other colour dif­ferent from that which is natural unto him, is not a bearing reproachful, though disagreeing to his Nature, if we consider of the occasion of their primary constitution; for that the custome of such bearing seemeth to have pro­ceeded from eminent persons, who habiting themselves either for their sports of Hunting, or for Military Services (as best fitted their phantasies) would withal sute their Armours and Habiliments with colours answerable to their habits, with the shapes and portraitures of forged and counterfeit Animals.

Or else perhaps by occasion of some civil tumults, as that between the Guelphi and the Gibelini in Italy, they perhaps of each faction bearing Lions, Bears, and Wolves, or other Animals, to avoid confusion, and to the end the one of them should not be entrapped by the other of the contrary faction, when they were intermixed one with another, and that their valorous actions might be more particu­larly discerned from the other, they distinguish­ed themselves by different and unlike coloured Garments, that so each Governour and Leader might know those that were of his own facti­on.

The like may we observe to have been of late years used among ourselves, when private factions have sprung amongst us; one sort was known from others of the contrary faction by a Carnation Ribond worn about, or in his Hat; or by a Crimson Feather, or other thing: the contrary faction wearing like thing, but in a different colour or fashion.

The Lion (saith Vpton) passing thorow stony places, doth contract his Tallons within his flesh, and so walketh on his feet as if he had no Tallons at all, keeping them exceeding choicely, lest he should dull and blunt their sharpness, and so become less able to at­tach and rend his prey. And this property seemeth not to be peculiar to a Lion, but com­mon to all beasts of rapine; as Pliny ascribeth the same property to Leopards, Panthers, and such other, as well as to the Lion.

Not only Lions, but also all other beasts of ravenous kind (according to Bekenhawb) do bring forth their young in some part defective; [Page 134] as Lions do produce their Whelps dead, Dogs bring them forth blind, Bears deformed and shapeless, &c. For Nature would not that they should attain perfection in the womb, in regard of the safety of their Dam, lest in their pro­duction they should spoil and rent her womb by their teeth and tallons.

Other more particular Rules there are con­cerning the divers kinds and peculiar actions of beasts of Rapine, which shall follow in their more convenient places. In the mean time, let us proceed to Examples that may give life and approbation to those premised Rules; Prae­cepta enim quantumvis bona & concinna, mor­tua sunt, nisi ipse auditor variis exemplis ea percipiat; Good and fit Precepts are but dead, unless Examples give them life: Of which O­pinion was Leo the Tenth, when he said,

He beareth Jupiter, a Lion dormant, Sol. The Hebrew Rabbies (saith Leigh) writing upon the second of Numbers, do assign to the Tribe of Iu­dah a Lion after this manner, alluding belike unto that blessing that Iacob (a little before his death) did pronounce upon Iudah, saying, He shall lie down and couch as a Lion; who dares stir him up? Wherein one noteth, That Iacob seemeth to allude to that diminution, which happened at such time as the more part of the people of that Tribe did fall away unto Ierobo­am; Tunc enim (saith he) Rex Iudae similis esse coepit Leoni dormienti; neque enim erectis jubis timorem suum latè effudit, sed quodam­modo accubuit in spelunca. Latuit tamen quae­dam occulta virtus sub illo sopore, &c. The King of Iudah was then like a sleeping Lion, which did not shew his rage with his erected Shag; but did as it were lurk in his Den, yet so as he lost not his strength in his sleep, neither durst any the most adventurous to rouse him. This may be true of the King of Iu­dah, but surely the Lion of the Tribe of Iu­dah doth neither slumber nor sleep, though he seemeth to sleep; neither doth their vengeance sleep who dare provoke him. It is reported that the Lion sleepeth with his eyes open; so should Governours do, whose Vigilancy should shew it self when others are most at rest and se­cure.

He beareth Or, a Li­on couchant, Sable. The Lion couching after this manner, must not be deemed to have been compelled thereunto, but that he hath so settled himself of his own ac­cord; for it is contrary to his magnanimous na­ture to couch by any chastisement, or to be corrected in himself; but if a Whelp, or some other beast be beaten or chastised in his sight, he thereupon humbleth himself after this man­ner: But as touching himself he must be over­come with gentleness, and so is he easiest won. Generosus enim animus facilius ducitur quàm trahitur; The generous mind you may easier lead than draw. So when the Children of Princes offend, their Pages are whipt before them: And the Persians, if a Nobleman of­fend, brought forth his Garment and beat it with wands.

He beareth Gules, a Lion Seiant, Argent. Though this form and gesture hath affinity with the former, yet the difference is easie to be observed, by comparing the manner of their re­posing: And in these kinds of varieties of ge­stures, you may observe, that by degrees and steps I proceed from the most quiet to the most fierce gesture and action.

The Field is Mars, a Lion passant, Guardant, Sol. This was the Coat-Armour of William D. of Aquitaine, and of Gwyan, one of the Peers of France, whose daugh­ter and heir, named E­leanor, was married to Henry the second, King of England; by reason of which Match the Field and Charge being of the same colour and metal that the then Royal Ensigns of this Land were, and this Lion of the like action that those were of, this Lion was united with those two Lions in one Shield: Since which time the Kings of England have born three Lions passant, Guardant, as hereafter shall ap­pear.

Sol, a Lion passant, Guardant, Mars, was born by Brutus, Son of Silvius Posthumus, who coming out of Italy with the remnant of the Trojans found out this Island of Great Britain, and reigned four and twenty years

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He beareth Pearl, a Lion passant guardant, Ruby, gorged with a Ducal-crown, Topaz, and charged on the shoulder with a Mullet of the first, and is born by the Name of Ogilby, an honourable & spread­ing Family in Scotland, the chief of which are the Right Honourable Iames Earl of Airly, Elight, and Glentra­hen, a person ever loyal to the Crown, and was always concerned with the Earl of Montross in his loyal Undertakings; once being taken pri­soner, he was to have been beheaded in Scot­land, but by a fortunate escape the night be­fore was preserved to do his Majesty more ser­vice. He was long a prisoner in the Tower of London, and after his releasement did again engage himself in his Majesties service at Wor­cester, and in the North. His brother, Sir Da­vid, at Worcester fight was taken prisoner, and sent up to London; and Sir George his other brother, was killed in the Actions of Montross. Of this Family are the Right Honourable the Earl of Finlator, the Right Honourable the Lord Ogilby, Baron of Bamfe, with several Knights and Gentlemen: Amongst which is Michael Ogilby, now Rector of Bideford in Devonshire, and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty King Charles the Second, whose Grand­father, Sir Michael Ogilby, was a near Rela­tion to the Earl of Airly.

He beareth Saphire, a Lion passant, guardant, between three Flower de Lis, Pearl. This is the Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Dud­ley North, Baron of Carthley, &c. whose se­cond Son, Sir Francis North Kt. is Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Common-Pleas.

He beareth Azure, a Lion passant, guardant, between three Pheons, Or, by the Name of Wolstonholme, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir Tho. Wolstonholme of Winchenden in the Parish of Edmonton in Middlesex, Baronet.

He beareth Gules, on a Fess Ermyn, between three Annulets, Or, a Lion passant, Azure, by the Name of Vnder­wood, and is born by Edward Vnderwood of the City of London, Gent.

Ermyn, a Saltier en­grailed, Gules, on a Chief of the Second a Lion passant guardant, Or, by the Name of Armine, and is the Coat-Armour of Evers Armine of Osgodby in Lincolnshire, Esq.

Sable, 3 Piles, Argent, on a Chief of the Second, a Lion passant, Gules, by the Name of Hacket, and is born by Sir An­drew Hacket of Mox­hull in Warwickshire, Kt. one of the Masters of the high and honou­rable Court of Chance­ry.

Or, a Lion passant, Sable, in Chief three Roman Piles of the Se­cond. This was the Paternal Coat-Armour of Iohn Loggan (aliàs Logon, an English Com­mander, by whose Va­lour and Conduct the Scots (then Masters of the Northern part of Ireland) were in Anno 1317. temps Edward the Second, beaten out of the Province of Vlster. Sir Allen Stew­art their General, took prisoner, and brought to Dublin, who for his Ransom gave his daughter, with several Lands in Scotland, to his Conque­rors Son, from whom came Sir Robert Loggan, who was Admiral of Scotland, Anno 1400. and from thence the Loggans of Restalrige in Scotland, not of Idbury in Oxfordshire, and of Bassetsbury in Buckinghamshire are lineally descended.

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He beareth Sable, ten Plates, four, three, two, and one, on a Chief, Ar­gent, a Lion passant of the field, by the Name of Bridgeman. This with the Arms of Vlster is the Coat-Armour of Sir Iohn Bridgeman of Castle Bromwich in Warwick­shire, Baronet, eldest Son of the Right Honourable Sir Orlando Bridge­man of Great Leaver in Lancashire, Knight and Baronet, deceased, late Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England.

He beareth Or, two Barrs Azure, in Chief a Lion passant of the Se­cond, crowned of the First, by the Name of Gregory, and is the Coat-Armour of Iohn Grego­ry of St. Margarets Westminster in Middle­sex, Gent. descended from the Gregories of Lastingham in Yorkshire; from whence the Predecessors of the said Iohn (about the year 1525.) removed to East-stockwith in Lincoln­shire, where they continued until thence ex­pelled by the Calamities of the Wars, through the Loyalty of his Father Lieutenant Colonel William Gregory, and his two elder Brethren William and Gilbert.

He beareth Or, on a Chief, Gules, a Lion of England, by the Name of Titus, and is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Colonel Silus Titus of Bushy in Hertford­shire, one of the Grooms of his Maje­sties Bed-chamber, &c.

Argent, two Lions passant, guardant, A­zure, by the Name of Hunmer. This with the Arms of Vlster is the bearing of Sir Tho­mas Hanmer of Han­mer and Bettisfield in Flintshire, Baronet, de­scended by many Knights from Sir Iohn de Hanmer, who lived in the Reign of Edward the First. Cambden in his Britannia mentioning Hanmer Town, hath these words, Vn [...] clara sane & anti­qua quae ibi habitat familia cognomen assumpsit.

Or, two Lions passant, guardant, Gules, is the Coat of the Right Honourable Sir William Ducy of Tortworth in Glocestershire, Knight of the Bath and Baronet, now Viscount Down in Ireland.

Gules, two Lions passant, guardant, Argent, by the Name of L'Estrange, a Family of good antiquity, of which is Sir Nicholas L'Estrange of Hunstanton in Norfolk Baronet, and Roger L'Estrange of St. Giles's in the Fields in Mid­dlesex, Esquire.

Gules, two Lions passant, guardant, Or, was the Coat-Armour of William Duke of Nor­mandy, base Son of Robert Duke of Norman­dy, who in Anno 1066. having slain King Ha­rold in Battel, seized the Kingdom, and reign­ed almost One and twenty years, since which time his Heirs have happily enjoyed his Crown and Dignity.

He beareth Gules, two Lions passant with­in a Bordure engrail­ed, Argent, by the Name of Strange, and is born by Io. Strange of the City of London, Gent.

He beareth Argent, three Lioncels passant, guardant in Pale barr­ways, langued and armed, Gules. This Coat-Armour pertain­ed to that worthy Gen­tleman Sir Iohn Bro­grave, Kt. sometimes Attorney General of the Dutchy of Lancaster. In the blazoning of Arms consisting of more Lions in a Field than one, you must tearm them Lioncels (ac­cording to Leigh) which is as much to say, as so many young or petite Lions. The reason of this Rule I take to be this, That inasmuch as the Lion hath a Prerogative Royal over all Beasts, and cannot endure that any other should participate of the Field with him, Quia Prin­cipes nolunt pares, Princes will admit no fel­lows to the impeachment of their Sovereign­ty; therefore the bearing of divers Lions in one Field must be understood of Lions whelps, which as yet have not so great feeling of their own strength, or inbred noble courage, nor ap­prehension of their ingenerated Royal Sove­reignty over all Beasts, as Lions have. But Leo­nes adulti participationem non admmittere so­lent, when they are of years they will know their own worth. Note that this Rule must [Page 137] be understood with a certain limitation in some particular cases, Quia non est regula adeò ge­neralis, quin admittit exceptionem in suo par­ticulari: For this Rule holdeth not in the So­vereign's Ensigns, where these beasts are said to be Lions, propter dignitatem Regiae Maje­statis: Next this Rule hath no place in Coat-Armours, wherein any of the honourable Or­dinaries are interposed between these beasts: For by such interpositions of these Ordinaries (saith Leigh) everyone of them is reckoned to be of as great dignity, as if he were born di­videdly in so many several Escocheons, and that in respect of the Sovereignty of the Ordi­nary so interposed; for which cause they have the Title of most worthy partitions. And so shall you reckon of all other Coat-Armours consisting of things so divided.

King Henry the Second being Duke of A­quitain and Guion, in the right of his Grand­mother, and Duke of Normandy in right of his Mother, joyned the Arms of Guion, which was a Lion passant guardant, unto that of Normandy and England, which was Gules, three Lions passant guardant, Or.

Ruby, three Lions, passant, guardant, par­ted per Pale, Or and Argent. This is the Coat-Armour of the Rt. Honourable Wil­liam O Brien, Earl and Baron of Insiquin, Baron of Burren, Cap­tain General of his Ma­jesties Forces in Africa, Governour of the Royal City of Tangier, Vice Admiral of the same, and of the parts ad­jacent, and one of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council for the Kingdom of Ireland.

He beareth Sable, two Lioncels counter-pas­sant, Argent, the upper­most towards the sinister side of the Escocheon, both collared, Gules, by the Name of Glegg, and is the Coat of Edward Glegg of Gayton, and Edw. Glegg of Grange, both of Chèshire, Esquires. Some Blazoners have given another blazon to this Coat-Ar­mour thus; He beareth Sable, two Lioncels, the one passant, the other re-passant, Argent, both collared, Gules. But in mine Opinion, no man by this last blazon is able to trick or express the true portraiture and manner of the bearing of these Lioncels; for it appeareth not by this blazon towards which part or side of the Es­cocheon their heads are placed, which is con­trary to the Rule given Chap. 4. Sect. 1. The Lion and the Lioness do never go one and the same way, either when they seek their prey, or when they go to fight; the skilful and ex­pert men render this Reason for it, That these beasts stand so much upon their strength of body, as that neither of them needeth the o­thers help.

Now that Lions and Lioncels are born in Arms, the first with interposition of some of the Ordinaries, the other charged upon Ordi­naries, the following Examples will make it manifest; and in blazoning of such Coat-Ar­mours, care must be taken to observe and re­member what concerning this point of their difference I have even now delivered.

Per Cheveron Or and Gules, three Lions pas­sant counter-changed, and is born by Francis Lund of Parson's Green in the Parish of Fulham in Middlesex, Gent. de­scended from the Fami­ly of the Lunds in the County of York.

He beareth Azure, a Fess wavy between 3 Lions passant, Or, armed and langued, Gules. This is the Coat-Armour of Iohn Hawes or Hawys of London, who draweth his descent from Wil­liam Hawys of Walsham of the Willows in Suf­folk, which William was seized of Lands there in the time of Edward the Third. The Lion passing his ground lei­surely, and as it were pedetentim, step by step, which kind of gate we usually do call passant, expresseth his most generous and noble action of Majesty, Clemency, and Circumspection.

He beareth Gules, on a Fess, Argent, three Lioncels, passant, guard­ant, Purpure. These Arms appertained to Arnold Oldesworth, Esq late Keeper of the Hana­per of the high Court of Chancery. Such is the noble courage and mag­nanimity of the Lion, as that in his greatest rage and fury, he never doth tyrannize over those that do prostrate themselves to his mercy; whereof a certain Author thus writeth,

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He beareth Gules, 2 Barrs Ermyn in Chief, a Lion passant, parted per Pale, Or and Argent, by the Name of Hill of Hales in the County of Norfolk. This Lion is different from the form­er passants, in that he goeth directly forward, shewing in the Escocheon but half his face, whereby he is distinguished from the guardant, which sheweth the whole face. This Lion passant seemeth to go with more confidence and resolution, but the guardant, with more vigilancy and circumspection, which both being joyned, do make an absolute Commander.

He beareth Or, a Lion salient, Gules, by the Name of Felbridge. The proper form of a Lion salient is when his right forefoot answereth to the dexter corner of the Escocheon, and his hind­most foot the sinister base point thereof. And he is termed salient, à saliendo; because when he doth prosecute his prey, he pursueth the same leaping, which action he never useth when he is chased in fight (as Pliny noteth) but is on­ly passant. And it is sometimes no dishonour to go softly, or retire leisurely out of the Field, but to flie is a reproach; and therefore of all gestures, I never find any Lion current.

Pearl, a Lion rampant, Ruby, was the Coat of Edrick a Saxon, who at the time of the Conquest was Earl of York; and for that he took part with Earl Edgar Ethel­ing against William the Conqueror, and deliver­ed to him the City of York, he had by the Conqueror's command his eyes put out, and kept a prisoner at Winchester during life, and died without issue.

Ruby, a Lion rampant, Pearl. This is the Paternal Coat-Armour of the Right Honoura­ble Louis Duras, Baron Duras of Holmby, one of the Captains of his Majesties Horse Guards, and Privy Purse to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of York; brother to the Duke and Mar­shal Duras, as also to the Marshal de Lorge in France; and Nephew to the late Marshal de Turein in the said Kingdom; one of whose An­cestors, viz. Galliard Lord Duras, was in the Reign of K. Edward the Fourth, Knight of the Garter, being one of the last of Gascoign that held for the Crown of England, where he came and continued in great Employments un­der the said King Edward, until he was resto­red to his Estate in Gascoign by the Peace made betwixt the two Crowns.

Ruby, a Lion rampant, Pearl, was the Coat-Armour of Roger Mowbray a Norman, who was made Earl of Northumberland by William the Conqueror. He flew in Battel Malcombe King of Scots, and his eldest Son; but after rebelling against William Rufus, was taken prisoner in Northumberland, and kept, in Winchester prison till the reign of Henry the First, and then died without issue; after whose decease King Henry the First gave all his Lands and Arms to the Lord Nigell de Albaine, whose Son was called Mowbray, of whom descended the Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolk: And this Coat is now quartered by the honourable and flourishing Family of the Howards.

Ruby, a Lion rampant, Topaz, is the Coat-Armour of the Right Honourable Richard Earl of Carbery, Baron Vaughan of Emblin and Molingar, and one of the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privy Council.

Saphire, a Lion rampant, Pearl, is the Coat of the Right Honourable Iohn Lord Crew, Baron of Stean, descended from Eustace Crew, who came into England with William the Conqueror, and was made Baron of Mont­halte.

Argent, a Lion rampant, Sable, is the Coat-Armour of the Stapletons of Yorkshire.

Sable, a Lion rampant, Argent, is born by Edmond Lewis Carn-Lloyd in Glamorganshire, Esquire; and by Edward Lewis of the Van in the said County, Esquire. As touching the bearing of the Lion after this manner, I hold that then he may be truly said to be rampant, when he standeth so directly upright, as that the crown of his head doth answer to the plant of his foot, whereupon he standeth in a per­pendicular line, and not by placing of the left foot in the dexter corner of the Escocheon, as Leigh would have it. As the former Example sheweth the gesture of the Lion pursuing his prey; so this sheweth his gesture in seizing on it when he hath attained it.

He beareth Argent, a Lion rampant, Sa, charg­ed on the shoulder with a Martlet of the Field, by the Name of Mom­pesson (anciently Mont­pintson) and is the Coat of Sir Thomas Mompes­son of Bathampton in Wiltshire, Kt. a person [Page 139] of eminent loyalty and suffering in the late Troubles, whose Family have been of great Antiquity in the said County.

He beareth Ermyn, a Lion rampant, Azure, crowned, Or, by the Name of Pickering, and with the Arms of Vl­ster is the Coat of Sir Henry Pickering of Whaddon in Cambridge­shire; and of Paxson in Huntingtonshire, Baro­net.

He beareth Argent, a Lion rampant, the Tail elevated and turned o­ver the head, Sable. This was the Coat-Armour of Iohn Buxton of Tiben­ham in the County of Norfolk, Esquire. Al­though this manner of bearing, in respect of the Tail, is rarely used, yet it is very ancient, as appeareth by an old Table of the said Arms taken out of the Monastery of Bungey in Suf­folk, having been before the dissolution of the Abbeys there hanged up, for one styled Le Se­neschal Buxton; which Table now remaineth in the custody of the said Mr. Iohn Buxton. Here Blazoners may please to observe, how re­quisite it is to take advised consideration in what manner the Tail of this beast is born in signs Armorial; but I shall presently in this Chapter have further occasion in the Coat-Armour of Corke to treat more largely of this point.

He beareth Azure, a Lion rampant, Argent, a File of three Lam­beaux, Gules, each charg­ed with as many Be­zants, by the Name of Covell. Here I tell not the colour of the Be­zants, because every Rundle in Armory (of which sort these Bezants are) hath his proper colour and name in blazon, as shall hereafter be more particularly declared, when I come to speak of Rundles in general.

The Field is Or, a Lion rampant, parted per Fess, Azure and Gules, armed and lan­gued, Argent. This was the Coat-Armour of Ralph Sadler of Stan­don in the County of Hartford, Esq Grand­child and Heir-male to Sir Ralph Sadler the last Knight Banneret that lived in England, a Grave Counsellor of State to King Henry the Eighth, King Edward the Sixth, and Queen Eliza­beth; and is now born by Sir Edwin Sadler of Temple Dinsley in Hartfordshire, Kt. This kind of bearing of a Lion parted per Fess, appear­eth in a very old Roll of Arms in colours, now in the custody of the before-mentioned Sir Richard Saint George, Kt. Clarenceux King of Arms.

He beareth per Pale, Argent and Gules, a Lion rampant, Sable, by the Name of Roberts, and is the Coat-Armour of Edward Roberts of the City of Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland, Esq.

He beareth Argent, a Lion rampant, Gules, in the dexter point a Pheon, Sable, by the Name of Petyt. This is the Coat-Armour of Petyt of Cornwal, as also of Yorkshire; from whom is descended William Petyt of the Middle Temple, Esq whose Ancestor was Gilbert Petyt, Esq Lord of the Mannor of Sharlesteane, and divers other Lands in Oteley near Whearf in Yorkshire; who in the thir­teenth year of Henry the Sixth, with I. Car­dinal and Archbishhp of York, Richard Duke of York and others, was Iusticiarius Regis ad pacem in partibus de Westrithingo in Com. York, &c. and younger Son of Sir Iohn Petyt, Lord Ardover in Cornwall; which Sir Iohn married Margaret, Daughter and Coheir of Thomas Carmino, Grandson to Sir Oliver Car­mino, Kt. Chamberlain to King Edward the Second, who married Elizabeth, sister to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent, and Duke of Surrey, who died the tenth year of Henry the [Page 140] Sixth, descended from an ancient Family of Petyts, Lords of Ardover, in the time of Henry the First, of which Family there hath been six Knights; all which appeareth by the Descent and Pedigree of that Family, and by several Inquisitions post mortem.

He beareth Azure, a Lion rampant, and Chief, Or, by the Name of Dixie. This with the Arms of Vl­ster, is the Paternal Coat-Armour of Sir Wolstan Dixie of Bos­worth in Leicestershire, whose Son and Heir apparent is Beaumont Dixie of the said place, Esq

He beareth Sable, a Lion rampant between three Crosses Formee, Or, by the Name of Ayloffe, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir William Ayloffe of Braxted Magna in Essex, Baro­net; as also of Henry Ayloffe of the said place, Esq and of William Ayloffe of Chissele also in the said County, Esq

Argent, a Lion ram­pant, Azure, between three Escallop shells, Gules, by the Name of Ianes, and is born by William Ianes of Kirt­ling in the County of Cambridge, Gent. de­scended from the Fami­ly of the Ianes of Corn­wall.

He beareth Gules, a Lion rampant, Argent, crowned Or, between three Crescents of the third, by the Name of Salisbury, and is born by Richard Salisbury of Barnstable in Devon­shire, Gent.

He beareth Diamond, a Lion rampant crown­ed between three Cros­lets, Topaz. This Coat was born by the Right Reverend Father [...] God, Henry Lord Bishop of Chichester, Son of Iohn King Lord Bishop of London.

Or, a Lion rampant, Sable, between three Flowers de Lis, Azure, is born by Iames Fair­clough of London, Dr. in Physick, who is de­scended from the anci­cient Family of the Faircloughs of Lanca­shire; one of whose Ancestors was by the Lord Stanley of Bosworth-field (to whom Hen­ry the Seventh owed so great a share of his Vi­ctory) made his Standard-bearer. The Fair­cloughs of the Counties of Bedford and Hert­ford are branches of this Family.

Ruby, a Lion ram­pant within a Bordure engrailed, a Topaz, is born by the Right Ho­nourable Charles Earl of Shrewsbury, Baron Talbot, Strange of Blackmere, Gifford of Brimsfield, Furnivall, Verdon and Loveloft.

Ruby, a Lion rampant within a Bordure engrailed, Pearl, is born by the Right Honou­rable Ralph Lord Grey, Baron of Warke; of whose Family was Sir Iohn Grey, who for his good Service in France was by King Henry the Fifth created Earl of Tanquerville in the said Kingdom.

He beareth Ermyn, a Lion rampant, Sable, within a Bordure, A­zure, by the Name of Prichard, and is born by Sir William Prich­ard of the City of Lon­don, Knight and Al­derman.

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He beareth, Azure, a Lion rampant, Ar­gent, crowned Or, bor­dured as the Second, Pellottee, by the Name of Henley, and is born by Sir Robert Henley of Northington in Hant­shire, Kt. Master of the King's Bench Office.

He beareth barrey of­ten, Argent and Azure, over all a Lion ram­pant, Gules, by the Name of Stratford, and is the Coat-Armour of Richard Stratford of Hawling and Neather Getting in Glocester­shire, Gent. descended from that ancient Fami­ly of the Stratfords of Farmcoat in the said County.

He beareth per Bend sinister, Ermyn and Er­myns, a Lion rampant, Or, by the Name of Trevor, and is born by Sir Thomas Trevor of Lemington Hastings in Warwickshire, Knight and Baronet, only Son of Sir Thomas Trevor, one of the Barons of the Exchequer to King Charles the First: And by Sir Iohn Trevor of Brynkynalt in Denbigh­shire, Kt. descended from Tudor Trevor, Earl of Hereford.

This Coat is also born by Sir Roger Mostyn of Mostyn in Flintshire, Knight and Baronet; and by William Mostyn of Rhyd in the said County, Esquire.