VVorkes of armorie deuyded into three bookes, entituled, the concordes of armorie, the armorie of honor, and of coates and creastes, collected and gathered by Iohn Bossewell Gentleman.

¶Of Signes borne in Armes.

* 1.1There be diuers, & sundrie signes borne in Armes, as of beastes, the Lyon, Tyger, Panther, Parde, Leoparde, Rhynoceron, Eliphante, Gryphen, Cameleon, Cameleo∣parde, Linx, Beuer, Beare, Wolfe, Greyhounde, Hound, Foxe, Ape, Satyre, Histrix, Euydros, Leontophon, Mu∣sion, &c. These properly be called beastes, and no other. For (as Isidore saithe) Bestiarum vocabulum propriè conuenit Leonibus,* 1.2 Pardis, Tygribus, Lupis, & Vulpibus, & caeteris, quae vel ore, vel vnguibus saeuiunt: exceptis Serpentibus. Bestiae autem dictae, à vi quae sauiunt.

Also euery other beast, thē these especially before named, ought not to be tearmed in Armes, Beastes, but by theire

proper names, as a Bull, a Busse, in Latin called Taran∣dulus, an Horse, Mule, Asse, Ramme, Goate, Hart, Hynd, Bucke, Bore, Hare, Conye, &c. These in Latin are called Pecora, aut Pecudes, Iumenta, & Quadrupedia. Armenta e∣quorum, & boum sunt, quòd his in arm••s vtimur. And howe they differ in, or touching their names, maie easily be vn∣derstande by Isidore, who so will reade him, Libro 12. Cap. 1. Etymo. titul. De Pecoribus, & Iumentis.

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

Of Fisshes,* 1.3 these are especially borne, the Delphine, Luce, Whale, Bocas, Pearche, Roche, Glade, Mullet, Amyon, Melanure, Balene, Mugill, Crabbe, &c. And of Shell fishe, the Escalop is chiefely borne in Armes.

Of Fowles,* 1.4 or Byrdes these are principally borne: the Eagle, Gossehauke, Fawcon, Marlet, Swanne, Crane, Storke, in Latin called Ciconia, Curlewe, Ostriche, Phe∣nix, Pellicane, Peacock, Hernesewe, in Latin called Ar∣dea. The Rauen, Crowe, Pye, Backe, otherwise called Uespertilion, or Reymouse. The Nightingale, Turtle, Kaladre, Owle, Kite, Swalowe, Onacracle, Martyn, Myredromble, Lare, Phesante, Partriche, &c. These bir∣des, & many moe are borne in Armes. Yea the Bee, But∣terflie, Grashopper, & Waspe are borne of diuers: as also y^e Scarabie,* 1.5 which is a fly hauing hornes like to an harte.

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

Of Floures,* 1.6 Hearbes, & their Leaues, an infinite num∣ber are borne: as y^e Rose doble & single, Alleluya, Marigold

the Lily, y^e Safron floure, Celidō, Amomū, Merche, in Latin called Apiū, Artemesia, Agnus castus, y^e herbe called Dipta∣nū, or Diptanus in latin, in english Diptanee, or Detanee: Milfoile y^e great, Lupoine, y^e floure de Luce, Cinquefoile, Quaterfoile, Trifoile, Daisy, Iacinth, Senuy, Uiolet, &c.

* 1.7Of fruit{is} especially are borne the Pomgranade, in latin called Malū granatū, the Oreng, Peare, Apple, the bery of the tree called Morus, & the leafe also is borne in armes, &c.

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

Pellicane, Phenix, and Swanne haue chiefe dignitie.

Of Serpentes, the Basiliske and Dragon. Of Fisshes, the Delphine, Luce, and Glade. Of Trees, the Palme, and Oliue. Of some the Lawrel is preferred. Of Floures, the Rose, Lilye, or Floure de Luce. Of Deade thinges, Crownes, and Beasantes. Of Fruites, the Pomgranade beareth the preheminence.

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

[illustration]

Kinge Arthur, that mightie conquerour, & worthy, had so greate affection & loue to this signe,* 1.8 that he lefte his Armes whiche he bare before, where∣in was figured 3. dragons, an other of 3. Crownes, & assum∣pted, or tooke to his armes, as proper to his desire, a Crosse Siluer, in a field vert: & on the first quarter therof, was figu∣red an Image of oure Ladye, with her sonne in her armes. And bearinge that signe, he did many marueiles in Ar∣mes, as in his Bookes of Actes, and valiant Conquestes are remembred.

Thus in olde time it maye be perceiued, what Prin∣ces thoughte of the Crosse. So hathe it beene thoughte

good to the wisedome of God, that Christe shoulde sub∣dewe the vniuersall worlde throughe the Hornes of the Crosse.* 1.9

Many of the Iewes, whiche crucified that innocente Lambe, and our Sauioure Iesus Christe on the Crosse, when he was deliuered vnto them,* 1.10 wisshing his bloude to light vpon them, & their children, to y^e destruction of them¦selues, and their successours, did afterwardes worship the Crosse, which before cried in the multitude, Up with him, vp with him, crucifie him. The Crosse being afore odious & a thinge of reproche,* 1.11 was made by Christ, a triumphant signe, wherunto the world boweth down the head, which Angels doo worship, & Diuels doo feare. Hereon he van∣quished the power of the tyran Sathan, & all the puissance of this world. In this signe it behoueth vs therfore to get the victorie, & not otherwise to triumphe, then vnder this standerde of our Heauenly Prince, which is Christe.

[illustration]

It is also to be read, that this signe of the Crosse was sente from God to that blessed man Mercurie,* 1.12 as Vincentius in Spe∣culo historiali,* 1.13 of the maruelous deathe of Iulian the Apostata, Libro. 15. saithe, that an Angell broughte vnto the saide Mer∣curie, all armoure necessarye for him, with a Shielde of A∣zure, and thereon figured a Crosse flowrie, betwene foure Roses, Golde. As it is writ∣ten, that this Shield, with the signe of the Crosse therein, was sente from Heauen: so I reade in the Chronicle of Gawyne, whiche he writeth Super Francorum gestis, that in the time of the Frenche Kinge Charles, the seuenth of that name, the Sunne shininge, and the Elemente beinge

fayre and cleare, there appeared, and was seene bothe of the Englishe men, and Frenche, a white Crosse in the cleare firmamente. Whiche heauenly signe so seene on bothe Nations, they of the Frenche, whiche as then mo∣ued Rebellion againste theire Prince, did take as an ad∣monishemente from Heauen, of theire duetie and obedi∣ence due vnto him. Suche veneration by them was gi∣uen vnto the signe of the Crosse, fearinge the persecu∣tion, and pounishemente that woulde fall vpon them, for suche theire Rebellion, as they had then alreadie com∣mitted.

Thus it maie be seene,* 1.14 that the Religion whiche they conceiued at the sighte of the signe of the Crosse, didde so alter theire mindes, and mollifie theire hartes, that they did returne from theire wicked practises of Rebellion, vnto theire obedience, with crauinge pardon.

As this signe of the Crosse was then sene of the French in the Elemente, whiche was (as I collecte) in the time of the noble and puissant Prince, kinge Edwarde the third. So the saide Gaguine reciteth in his Chronicles, that the Armes which the Frenche kinges nowe beare, were sent from Heauen to Clodoueus then kinge of Fraunce,* 1.15 when he was baptised, & became a Christian. id est, 3. Lilia aurea quibus subest caeli sereni color, quem Azurum Franci dicunt. That is to saie, three Lilies Golde, in the coloure of the fayre, and cleare Frmamente, whiche in Frenche is cal∣led Azure.

And of the saide miraculous Ensignes Gaguine wri∣teth these twoo verses, as ensue.

Haec sunt Francorum celebranda insignia Regum, Quae demissa Polo, sustinet alma fides.

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

At nobis caelica dona, Et pia Francorum placeant insignia Regum. Aurea caelesti primum suffulta colore Lilia, Caesareis olim iam credita ceruis. Auri flamma dehinc, veterum victoria Regum.

These yet remaine to the French kinges for their En∣signes: where before Clodoueus time,* 1.16 they did beare three Todes, as witnesseth the saide Gaguine in the first booke of his Chronicles. Fol. 5. pag. 2.

And of their Auriflambe y^e same Gaguine writeth thus. Traditum quoque est pannum sericeum rubrum,* 1.17 instar signi mi∣litaris quadratū, miro fulgore splendentem diuinitus esse exceptū. Quo in expeditionib{us} contra fidei christiane hostes pro signo Fran∣ci Reges vterentur, buic{que} vexillo nomen Auriflammā hactenus permāsisse. Deni{que} à Dionisianis caenobitis asseruatā esse. Sed ab∣utentibus signo aduersus Christicolas Regibus illud euanuisse. Thus of their Armes and Auriflambe, howe they had the same, appeareth. Yet here is to be noted, that when they aduanced their Auriflambe, which was their standerd, in battaile against the Christians, it vanished awaie (as Ga∣guine declareth) and they had the same no more againe. For what commeth, or is sente from Heauen (as they al∣lege the same was) muste be godly, rightuously, and ver∣tuously borne, vsed, and ordered. Yet notwithstanding when that was gone, they did newe make an other (as he reporteth) Non dissimili forma: Not vnlike vnto the first, whiche was halowed by theire Bishoppes, and kepte, In∣ter sacra.

Thus thir owne Chronicler dothe declare, howe theire Auriflambe did vanishe awaie, Almightie God being dis∣pleased with them, when they aduanced the same against their Christian neighbours, and were gladde to counter∣feite an other. Euen so likewise for theire vntruthe, infi∣delitie, and treacherie, he hathe taken from them theire Armes, (whiche also they saie were sente them from Hea∣uen) and hathe iustely, as a rightuous Iudge, giuen them

to our kinges of this Realme of Englande, to enoblishe them withall, and as theire owne righte, and Enheri∣taunce, whiche moste puissantly, and valiauntely they haue borne, and doo beare, he therefore be praised, Qui est Rex Regum, & Dominus dominantium.

[illustration]

Nowe to retourne to the signe of the Crosse, from the whiche I haue so muche di∣gressed. The Armes whiche of olde Heraultes are called Saincte George his Armes,* 1.18 are thus to be blazed, Latinè, Portat vnum Scutum de Argen∣to cum quadam Cruce plana de Rubio. Anglicè: He beareth a Shielde Argente, thereon a plaine Crosse Gules.

The Ensigne of the noble Cittie of London hathe the like fielde and Crosse,* 1.19 sauing that on the dexter parte thereof is seene a Daggare, co∣lour of the Crosse.

[illustration]

Semblablye the Cittye of Yorke hathe the same fielde,* 1.20 and Crosse, bothe in mettall, and coloure, but the Crosse is charged with fiue Lyons Pas∣sante, Gardante d'Or, as here appeareth.

[illustration]

This noble Baron beareth Argēt, a Crosse ragueled Sa∣ble. I find it blazed in French thus: Le Syre Sandes, port d'Ar∣gent, vne croix recopee Sable. This Crosse is two trees,* 1.21 the boughes beinge cutte of.

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

* 1.22

[illustration]

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

It is to bee knowne, also, that the sayde crosse, (as ma∣ny other signes in armes) maye bee shadowed. That is to saye. That of whatsoeuer colour the fielde is of, the vmbre or shadowe of the token or signe borne in the fielde, is tra∣ced of a contrarie color,* 1.23 and the bodye of the thinge sha∣dowed, is of the color with the fielde. And this crosse so vmbrated, is thus to bee blazed. A. beareth Or, a crosse Moloyne Umbre.

Yet here is to bee noted, that yf anye suche cote armoure be honored with a chefe, the thing so borne in cheefe shall not bee vmbrated, but abyde perfect in metall and coloure as it was before, leste suche a cote should lose all together hys dignitie, or worthynes. Therefore Blazors of ar∣mes must bewaire of these ensignes which are borne vm∣brated,* 1.24 and not to thincke of them, as of coloures transmu¦ted:

[illustration]

For as I fynde written in an auncient aucthor, there ha∣ue bene certaine nobles, and gentlemen in thys realme, the whiche did bere diuerse sha∣dowes in theire armes, as of the Lyō, Antelope, Greyhoun∣de, &c. And of hym that beareth suche a Lyon, thys is the bla∣zon. M. beareth Sable, a Lyon rampant, Umbre.

And it is to bee considered, that suche gentlemen, as did beare theire armes shadowed, had theire progenitours, bearinge the same not shadowed, but whole and perfecte. And because theire possessions and patrimonyes descen∣ded to other men, then the neuewes or kynsmen of suche gentlemen, lyuynge in good hope, and trustinge to haue the possessions and patrimonies so descended to other men agayne, did in the meane while beare theire progenitors

armes vmbrated, leauing all other differences. For when at anye tyme suche theire inheritance, to them reuerted, then myght they beare that Lyon, or other beaste, in suche forme, fielde and coloure, as theire progenitors did firste beare the same. And note, it is more worship and moche better for them, to beare theire armes so vmbrated or sha∣dowed, then wholy to leaue th'ensignes of theire progeni∣tours. But yet in my iudgement, they myghte alwayes (with conuenient differences) haue borne the same whole, and not vmbrate: and inespecially they must be so ordered at theire funerals, notwithstanding the bearinge of them otherwise in theire lyfe tyme. And herein the iudgemente and sentence of the kynges at armes,* 1.25 muste chefely take place, and haue vigor and force: for the distribucion of this difference before spoken of, onely belongeth and appertei¦neth vnto them.

[illustration]

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

and the direction therof, whan they can iustely fynde any faulte in thynges apperteynyng to Armorie.

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

Notes

• * 1.1

  Beastes.
• * 1.2

  Isidor. Li. 1••. Cap. 2. Etym.
• * 1.3

  Fishes.
• * 1.4

  Fowles.
• * 1.5

  Trees.
• * 1.6

  Floures.
• * 1.7

  Fruites.
• * 1.8

  Kinge Ar∣thure his Armes.
• * 1.9

  Eras. in Luc. 24. c.
• * 1.10

  Idem in Matth. 27. c.
• * 1.11

  Idem Iohan. 19. ca.
• * 1.12

  Crucis sign••̄.
• * 1.13

  Beati Mer∣curij insignia
• * 1.14

  Religion con∣ceiued of the signe of the Crosse.
• * 1.15

  Lilia coelo demissa. The Armes of the French kinge.
• * 1.16

  Buffones. 3.
• * 1.17

  Auriflam∣ma.
• * 1.18

  Crux Sancti Georgij.
• * 1.19

  Insignia Ci∣uitatis Lon∣don.
• * 1.20

  Insignia Ci∣uitatis Ebo∣raci.
• * 1.21

  L. Sandes.
• * 1.22

  Crosse Mo∣lyne.
• * 1.23

  Crosse vmbre
• * 1.24

  Chiefe.
• * 1.25

  Kinges at Armes.