Ancient funerall monuments within the vnited monarchie of Great Britaine, Ireland, and the islands adiacent with the dissolued monasteries therein contained: their founders, and what eminent persons haue beene in the same interred. As also the death and buriall of certaine of the bloud royall; the nobilitie and gentrie of these kingdomes entombed in forraine nations. A worke reuiuing the dead memory of the royall progenie, the nobilitie, gentrie, and communaltie, of these his Maiesties dominions. Intermixed and illustrated with variety of historicall obseruations, annotations, and briefe notes, extracted out of approued authors ... Whereunto is prefixed a discourse of funerall monuments ... Composed by the studie and trauels of Iohn Weeuer.

Additions, or certaine Epitaphs and Inscriptions vpon Tombes and Grauestones within certaine Churches in the Citie of London: Collected by my selfe and others not many yeares agoe, of which, few or none, of any Antiquity, are remaining in the said Churches at this present day; such is the de∣spight not so much of Time, as of maleuolent people to all Antiquities, especially of this kind.

In Saint Pauls.

IN this Cathedrall Church, and neere vnto Sir Iohn Beauchamps Tomb, (commonly called Duke Vmfreys) vpon a faire marble stone, inlaid all ouer with brasse, (of all which, nothing but the heads of a few brazen nailes are at this day visible) and engrauen with the representation and cote-Armes of the party defunct. Thus much of a mangled funerall In∣scription was of late time perspicuous to be read, as followeth.

Hic iacet Paganus Roet miles Guyenne Rex Armorum Pater Catherine Ducisse Lancastrie ......* 1.1

This Sir Payne Roet had issue, the aforesaid Dutchesse, and Anne who was married to Geffrey Chaucer,* 1.2 our famous English Poet, who by her had issue. Sir Thomas Chaucer, whose daughter Alice was married to Thomas Montacute, Earle of Salisbury, by whom she had no issue, and after to Wil∣liam de la Pole Duke of Suffolke, and by him had Iohn Duke of Suffolke and others.

The abouesaid Katherine, eldest daughter of this King of Armes, was first married to Sir Otes Swynford Knight, and after to Iohn of Gaunt the great Duke of Lancaster; of whose issue by her is obserued to be descended a most royall and illustrious of spring; videlicet, Eight Kings, foure Queenes, and fiue Princes of England; Sixe Kings, and three Queenes of Scotland; two Cardinals, aboue twenty Dukes, and almost as many Dutches of the king∣dome of England; diuers Dukes of Scotland, and most of all the now anci∣ent Nobilitie of both these Kingdomes, besides many other potent Princes, and eminent nobility of forraigne parts.

Saint Giles Criplegate.

Here vnder a large marble stone (whereupon no Inscription is at this day remaining, neither any Effigies of the deceased left; both of which were in∣laid and engrauen vpon the monument as I was credibly informed) lieth interred the body of Sir Iohn Wriothesley Knight, alias, Garter, principall King at Armes, Father of William Wriothesley, Yorke Herald; who had is∣sue, Thomas Wriothesley, Knight of the Garter, Lord Chancellor of Eng∣land, and the first of that sirname, Earle of Southampton.

His creation was the eighteenth yeare of the raigne of King Ed. 4. as ap∣peares by this his Patent following.

Pat. 18. Ed. 4. m. 28. part 2.

* 2.1Rex omnnibus ad quos &c. Salutem. Sciatis quod cum non sit no••ū, set iam diu ab antiquis tēporibus vsitatū, quod inter ceteros Officiales & Ministros quos Principū lateribus pro corū magnificencia at{que} gloria, adherere decet eorū officij Armorū cura cōmittitur copiā habere debeat, vt nec tēpus bellorū qui∣bus ne{que} pacis sine cōuenientibus & aptis Ministris debeat preteriri. Nos igitur cōsiderationis actē in laudabilia seruicia que delectus nobis Iohannes * 2.2 Wrythe, alias nuper dictus Norrey, Rex Armorū parciū Borialiū Regni nostri Anglie, in hijs que ad officium illud spectare intelliguntur, exercuit, dirigentes eund. propterea, & non minus ob solerciam et sagacitatem quas in eo satis habemus exploratas, in principalem Haraldum & Officiarium incliti nostri Ordinis Garterij, Armorumque Regem Anglicorum, ex gracia nostra speciali erexi∣mus, fecimus, constituimus, ordinauimus, creauimus, et coronauimus; ac per presentes erigimus, facimus, constituimus, ordinamus, creamus, & corona∣mus, ac ei officium illud, nec non nomen le Garter, Stilum titulum libertates & preeminencias, huiusmodi officio conueniencia et concordancia, ac ab an∣tiquo consueta, damus et concedimus, ac ipsum in eisdem realiter inuestimus. Habend. occupand. et exercend. Officium illud, ac nomen, stilum, titulum & preeminencias predict. eidem Iohanni pro termino vise sue, cum omnibus iu∣ribus, proficuis, commoditatibus & emolumentis eidem officio qualiter cum∣que debit pertinen, siue spectan. Et vlterius concessimus et per presentes con∣cedimus prefato Iohanni in Regem Armorum Anglicorum vt prefertur erect. Quadraginta libras per annum racione et causa officij illius. Percipiend. ei∣dem Iohanni singullis annis durante vita sua, pro vadijs, & feodis officij pre∣dicti, de parua customa nostra, in portu ciuitatis nostre London, per manus custumariorum siue collectorum custuine predicte, in portu predicto pro tem∣pore existen. ad terminos Sancti Michaelis et Pasche per equales porciones, v∣na cum tali Liberatura Vesture, qualem, et eisdem modo et forma prout aliquis alius huiusmodi Rex Armorum siue principalis Haraldus tempore Domini Edwardi nuper Regis Anglie teroij progenitoris nostri habuit et per∣cepit. Habend & percipiend▪ annuatim Liberaturam huiusmodi, eidem Io∣hanni singulis annis ad terminum vite sue ad magnam Garderobam nostram per manus custodis eiusdem pro tempore existentis. Eo quod expressa mencio de vero valore annuo premissorum, seu alicuius eorum, aut de alijs donis siue concessionibus eidem Iohanni per nos ante hec tempora fact▪ in presentibus mi∣nime fact. existit. Aut aliquo Statuto, actu, ordinacione, prouisione, seu re∣strictione in contrarium fact. edit. ordinat seu prouis. Aut aliqua alia re, causa vel materia quacumque non astant: In cuius, &c. Teste R. apud Westm. sexto die Iulij per ipsum Regem & de data predict.

Now here I haue iust occasiō giuen me, to set down the manner of the cre∣ation or crowning of Garter, principal K. of Arms, & of Clarentieux & Nor∣roy, Prouinciall Kings of Armes; as also the creation of Heralds, & Pursui∣uants of Armes: which anciently was done by the King, but of later times is performed by the Earle Marshall, hauing an especiall Commission therefore

signed by the King for euery particular Creation. And first I will begin with Garter, and shew what necessaries are to be prouided for him, at the time he shall be crowned, which are these following.

A Booke and a Sword to be sworne vpon.

A Crowne guilt.

A Collar of Esses▪

A Bowle of wine, which Bowle is fee to the new created King.

And a Coat of Armes of veluet richly enbroydered.

The creation or crowning of Garter, as well anciently as in these daies, was, and is on this manner. I will instance with Sir Gilbert Dethick knight, who was created Garter principall king of Armes, on Sunday the twentieth day of Aprill, in the fourth of Ed. the sixt.

First, the said Garter kneeled downe before the Kings maiestie, and the Kings Sword was holden on a booke, and the said Garter laid his hand vpon the booke, and also vpon the sword, whiles Clarentieux, king of armes, read the oath. And when the oath was red, and the said Garter had kissed the booke and the sword, then the said Clarentieux read the let∣ters patents of his office; (which were dated the 29. of April in the yeare aforesaid) In the reading whereof, as the words doe follow in order, so did the Kings maiestie first take the cup of wine, and pouring it on his head, named him Garter. After that, his Maiestie put on him his coat of Armes, and the collar of SS about his neck, and lastly the crowne vpon his head, and so finished the ceremony.

The oath of Garter principall King of armes at a Chapter holden at Greenwich in the 28 yeare of King Henry the eight.

Ye shall take the oath that ye shall obey first of all the supreme head of this most noble Order, and after him, the other knights of the same, namely, in such things as shall belong to your office, and shall bee found reasonable. And because ye be taken in here, as to be priuie of counsell here to bee ta∣ken. Ye shall sweare that ye shall be a man of silence, true and faithfull in all things here to be done, and shall in no wise disclose any part thereof.

Ye shall sweare also, that yee shall faithfully and diligently, fulfill per∣forme and execute such things as shall be committed, put in credit, or charge vnto you. And ye shall diligently enquire of all noble and notable acts of any, and of euery of the Knights of this most noble Order; and yee shall certifie the Register thereof, that he may the better describe and com∣mend the same to memory.

Moreouer, if any Knight of this order die, yee shall incontinent vpon knowledge thereof, cause the Soueraigne, and after him the other Knights, then aliue, to be ascertayned thereof.

And finally, ye shall sweare, that ye shall truly and faithfully, vse and ex∣ercise this same your office. So God you helpe, and this holy Euangely.

The creation of the Prouinciall Kings of Armes, viz. Claren∣cieux and Norroy, for which are to be prouided.

First, his Letters Patents.

Item, a Booke to take his oath vpon.

Item, a Sword, which is to be drawne, and laid crosse on the booke.

Item, a Crowne, which must be set on his head.

Item, a Collar of SS about his neck.

Item, a Bowle of wine, which must bee poured on his head, and that Bowle is fee to the new created King.

Item, a Coat of Armes of Veluet richly embrodered.

The manner of the creation of a Prouinciall King of Armes.

He shall be brought into the presence of the King, or his Earle Mar∣shall, or the Earle Marshals Deputie, by the two other Kings, all the He∣ralds and Pursuiuants following. Then he kneeleth downe, while Garter readeth the articles of his oath, holding his hand vpon a booke and sword. That done, he kisseth the booke, and hilts of the sword. Then his patent is read by an Herald, and as the words following bee read, his Coat is first put on by the King, his Marshall or Deputy, then the Collar of SS put a∣about his necke, then the Crowne on his head, and lastly the Bowle of wine poured on his head, calling him by his name, as Clarencieux, or Norroy.

• 1 Investimus—tunica Armorum.
• 2 Erigimus—Collari.
• 3 Coronamus—appositione Corone.
• 4 Et nomen ei imponimus N.

The Oath of the King of Armes at the time when he shall be crowned.

Ye shall sweare by the Oath that ye receiued when yee were created He∣rald, and by the faith that ye owe vnto the King our Soueraigne Lord, whose Armes you beare, that you shall truly keepe such things as bene comprised in these articles following.

First, whensoeuer the King shall command you to doe any message to a∣ny other King, Prince, Estate, or any other person out of this Realme; or to any person, of what Estate, degree, or condition he bee of within the same, that ye shall doe it as honourablie and truly as your wit and reason can serue you; And as greatly to the aduentage of our Soueraigne Lord the King, and this his Realme, and true report bring againe to his High∣nesse

of your messages, and as neere to the charge to you committed, in word, and in substance, as your said reason may attaine vnto. Alway kee∣ping your selfe secret for any manner of motion, saue to such persons as ye be commanded to vtter your charge vnto.

Secondly, ye shall doe your true deuoir euery day to be more cunning then other in the office of Armes, so that ye may bee the better furnished to teach other in the office of Armes vnder you, and execute with more wisdome and eloquence, such charges as our Soueraigne Lord, or any No∣bleman of his Realme, shall lay vnto you, by vertue of the office the which his Highnesse will elect you to at this time. Discouering in no wise that ye are charged to keepe close, vnlesse it be preiudiciall vnto the King our Soueraigne Lord, and to his Realme.

Thirdly, ye shall doe your full diligence to haue knowledge of all the Noble Gentlemen within your Marches, which should beare coates in the field, in the seruice of our Soueraigne Lord, his Liuetenants, Officers, or Commissioners, and them with their Issues truly to register, and such Armes as they beare with their differences due in Armes to bee giuen, and to enquire if any of them hold by any seruice, as by Knights Fee, whereby they should doe the King our Soueraigne Lord seruice in the defence of this his Realme, which also ye shall truly and indifferently note and register.

Fourthly, ye shall not be strange to teach Pursuiuants or Heralds, ne to ease them in such doubts concerning the office of Armes as they shall moue you vnto, and such as cannot be eased by you, ye shall shew to the Consta∣ble or Marshall; or if any Pursuiuant aske any doubt of you, yee shall aske him first whether he haue desired any of the Heralds to instruct him in the same; and if hee say nay, ye shall limit him to one of them, or ease him if you can. And if you cannot, to moue the said cause at the next Chapter, and if the said doubt be not there determined, by the said Chapter, then to shew it to the Constable or Marshall. Also ye shall keepe duly in your Mar∣ches (if ye be present in the precincts thereof) your Chapters, to the encrease of cunning in the office of Armes, and the doubts that there cannot bee ea∣sed, ye shall moue vnto the Constable or Marshall.

Fiftly, ye shall obserue and keepe to your cunnning and power, all such Oathes as ye made when ye were created Herald, to the honour and wor∣ship of Nobles, and integritie of liuing. Namely, in eschuing of dislande∣red places and persons reproached, and to bee more ready to excuse then to blame any Noble person, vnlesse ye be charged to say the sooth by the King, Constable, or Marshall, in place Iudiciall. And also yee shall promise truly to register all acts of honour in manner and forme as they bee done, as farre forth as your cunning and power may extend. So help you God and the holy Euangeles, and by the crosse of this Sword, that longeth to Knighthode.

Necessaries to be prouided for the Creation of an Herald of Armes.

First, a Booke, whereon he must take his oath:

Item, a Sword, which must be drawne.

Item, his Letters Patents, which must be read by an Officer.

Item, a Collar of SS of siluer, to put about his neck.

Item, a Bowle of wine to poure vpon his head, which Bowle the new Herald is to haue.

Item, his Coat of Armes, which must be Satten embroydered, and en∣riched with gold.

The manner of the Heralds creation.

The Herald of Armes is brought into the presence of the King or his Earle Marshall, or the Earle Marshals Deputy, by two of the eldest He∣ralds, the Kings of Armes going before them, and all the Heralds and Pur∣suiuants following, all making their due reuerence. Then hee kneeleth downe, and his oath being read by Garter, he sweareth to the contens by kissing both the Booke and crosse of the Sword hilt. The Patent is read by one of the Heralds, and at Investimus, the king or the Earle Marshall tur∣neth the Coat Sleeues to the sides, and putteth the Collar of SS about his neck, whereby he is created an Esquire; but of late times the Coate is car∣ried in by an Herald of Armes, and after by him presented to the Earle Marshall, who immediatly inuesteth the new Herald therewith; and at No∣men imponimus, he poureth the wine vpon his head, and calleth him by his name, as Lancaster, or otherwise, as his office doth require.

The Oath of the Herald at the time of his cre∣ation before his Soueraigne.

First, ye shall sweare that ye shall be true to the most high and mighty Prince the King, our Soueraigne Lord. And if you haue any knowledge, or heare any imagination of treason, or language, or words that might sound to the derogation or hurt of his estate and highnesse (which God defend) ye shall in that case as hastily, and as soone as it is to you possible, discouer and shew it vnto his highnesse, or to his noble and discreet Councell: and to conceale it in no wise.

Also, ye shall promise and sweare that ye shall bee conuersant, and ser∣uiceable to all Gentlemen, to doe their commands to their worship and knighthood, by your good counsell that God hath sent you, and euer ready to offer your seruice vnto them.

Also ye shall promise and sweare to be secret, and to keepe the secrets of

Knights, Esquires, Ladies, and Gentlewomen, as a confessour of armes; and not to discouer them in any wise, except it bee for treason, as it is be∣fore said.

Also ye shall promise and sweare, if fortune fall you in diuers Lands and Countries wherein you goe or ride, that you finde any gentleman of name, and of armes, that hath lost his goods in worship and knighthood, in the Kings seruice, or in any other place of worship, and is fallen into pouertie, ye shall aide, support, and succour him in that ye may, and if he aske you of your good to his sustenance, ye shall giue him part of such good as God hath sent you, to your power, and as you may beare.

Also ye shall promise and sweare, if you be in any place, that you heare any language betweene party and party, that is not worshipfull, profitable, nor vertuous, that you keepe your mouth close, and report it not forth, but to their worship, and the best.

Also ye shall promise and sweare, if so be you be in any place, that you heare any debate or language dishonest betweene gentleman and gentlewo∣man, the which ye be priuy to, if so be ye be required by Prince, Iudge, or any othere to beare witnesse, vnlesse that the law will needs compell you so to doe: you shall not without licence of both parties; and when yee haue leaue, ye shall not for any fauour, loue, or awe, but say the sooth to your knowledge.

Also ye shall promise and sweare, to be true and secret to all gentlewo∣men, widdowes, and maydens, and in case that any man would doe them wrong, or force them, or disinherite them of their Liuelyhood, and they haue no good to pursue them for their right to Princes, or Iudges: if they require you of supportation, ye shall support them, with your good wise∣dome and counsell to Princes and Iudges.

Also ye shall promise and sweare, that you shall forsake all places of dis∣honesty, the play of Hazardy, and the common haunt of going vnto Ta∣uernes, and other places of debates, eschuing vices, and taking you to ver∣tues to your power. This article, and all other articles aboue said, ye shall truly keepe, so God you helpe, and holydoome, and by this Booke, and Crosse of this Sword, that belongeth to Knighthood.

Things necessarie to be prouided for the Creation of a Pursuiuant at Armes.

First a Booke, whereon he must take his Oath.

Item, his Letters Patents which must be read by an Officer.

Item, His coat of Armes of Dammaske embroydered.

Item, a Bowle of wine to be poured on his head, and that Bowle is to be taken by the new Pursuiuant of Armes.

The manner of the Pursuiuants Creation.

The Pursuiuant of armes shall be brought into the presence of the King, (or his Earle Marshall, or the Earle Marshals Deputy) betweene two of

the eldest Pursuiuants, and kneele downe before him, laying his hand vpon the booke, Garter principall King of armes reads the oath vnder written; and so hee kisseth the booke. Then his letters Paten••s shall bee read by an Herald, and when he saith Creamus, the King or the Earle Marshall put∣teth on his Coat of armes, with the sleeue before. And when he saith Nec non nomen vulgariter &c. the King or the Earle Marshall poureth the Bowle of wine vpon his head, calling him by his name, as Portcullis, or otherwise as his office requireth.

The aduertisment and oath of a Pursuiuant of Armes at the time of his creation.

First ye shall sweare that ye shall be true to the most high, most mighty, and most excellent Prince the King, our Soueraigne Lord. And if you haue any knowledge, or heare any imagination of treason, or language, or word, that shall sound to the derogation or hurt of his Estate and Highnesse (which God defend) ye shall in that case as hastily, and as soone, as it is to you possible, discouer and shew it to his Highnesse, or to his noble and discreet Counsell.

Also ye shall dispose you to be lowly, humble, and seruiceable to all E∣states vniuersall that Christian bene, not lying in waite to blame, ne hurt none of the said Estates in any thing that may touch their honours.

Also ye shall dispose you to bee secret and sober in your port, and not too busie in language, ready to commend, and loath to blame; and dili∣gent in your seruice, eschuing from vices, and taking you to vertues, and true in your reports, and so to exercise, while ye be in the Office of a Pur∣suiuant, that your merits may cause your more preferring in the Office of Armes in time comming.

All such Articles and things as belongeth to a Pursuiuant of Armes to keepe, you shall well and truly obserue and keepe. So helpe you God, and Holydome, and by this Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sir Payne Roet King of Armes.
• * 1.2

  Geffrey Chaucer Brother in Law by marri∣age to Iohn, Duke of Lan∣caster.
• * 2.1

  Ex Arch. Turr. Lond.
• * 2.2

  Wryothesley.