The academy of armory, or, A storehouse of armory and blazon containing the several variety of created beings, and how born in coats of arms, both foreign and domestick : with the instruments used in all trades and sciences, together with their their terms of art : also the etymologies, definitions, and historical observations on the same, explicated and explained according to our modern language : very usefel [sic] for all gentlemen, scholars, divines, and all such as desire any knowledge in arts and sciences
Holme, Randle, 1627-1699.
Page  5
TO THE MAYOR, RECORDER, and JUSTICES; THE Sheriffs, Aldermen, Gentry, and Counsel, with the rest of the Citizens: OF THE Honourable and Loyal City of CHESTER. WHen the whole Kingdom was on Fire, through an home-bred War, and each took up Arms for the defence of his Place, and Person; altho tender Age made me uncapa∣ble of that Action: Yet then it was my study to follow my Predecessors in that way which tend∣ed to Marshal (as well as Civil) Discipline, viz. Arms, and Herauldry. Whose Endeavours (as a lover of, and a Free-born Citizen) I do humbly present to all the Loyal, True-hearted, Inhabitants; with my Prayers for the prosperous and flourishing Estate thereof: Whose Servant in all things I am. R. H.

CHAP. II.

A Shield, or Buckler, is an offensive (in some sence) and defensive Arms; by which we dint and blunt the edg of our Enemies Sword, and keep our Bodies from Blows and Wounds.

Names of Shields.

2. THE Latines gave several Denominations to Tar∣gets, Shields and Bucklers, according to their use; as,

  • Albosia, Shields or Targets.
  • Clypeus, a Shield, Target, or Buckler, used by the Footmen only: So termed from its painting and engraving.
  • Scutum, is also a Target or Shield, used especially for an Horseman.
  • Ancile, a Shield without Corners.
  • Pelta, a Target, or Buckler, like an half-moon, used by Footmen.
  • Cetra, is a light Target, whereof the Poet maketh men∣tion: Levam cetra tegit.
  • Parma, is also a Target, or Buckler, which Footmen use.

But the English give the name Target (or Tergate, as some write it) from the British word Tarian; and the French Thiros which as Pausanius saith, is the Buckler in use amongst the old Gauls.

3. An Escochion is the form or representation of a Shield, and is so called from the Latin word Scutum, which hath the same signification: Also the Target is not unaptly deduced from the word, Trgus, a Beast Hide, whereof at first Shields were made, or covered; upon which in after Ages, every Warrier had a device drawn by which he might be known, and this he called his Coat of Arms.

Shields of what anciently made.

4. Shields, or Bucklers, at first were made of Osi∣ers, or Twigs woven together, and then covered: Sometimes they were made of Wood, or the large Scales of Beasts, or Fish, as of the Rhinoceros, the Tortois, and such like. But they most commonly were made of raw Oxe Hides, or pieces of Leather doubled, (as Ovid saith); for Ajax had a seven-fold Buckler, and that Achilles had one was ten, and that done over with Brass besides: As also elsewhere he describes a Target, duo taurea terga; they were made of two Oxe Hides. Whereupon Pliny saith, Tergus ad scuta galeasque impnetrabile, an impe∣netrable Hide fit to make a Shield. And the Poet Statius saith, Caesis clypos vestire juventis, that with Bullocks Hides they clad their Shields. The Carthagenians were wont to make their Targets of beaten Gold.

Page  6

The several sorts of Shields of Arms.

5. IT is a common Saying, in relation to our first Pa∣rents, in the contempt of Shields, Arms, and Gen∣try: That

When Adam Digged, and Eye Span,
Who was then the Gentleman?
Albeit there doth from thence arise no degrees of Gentry, and Noble-Blood, or Coat-Armour, as our Armourists, Ferne and Gwilliam set forth, viz. from the Spde and Spindle: Yet from thence we may gather the Antiquity, the Forms and Fashions of Shields and Targets; which was the first degree, and from whence Nobility did arise.

I. Adam's Spade then we must set down for the first and most ancient form of a Shield, whose bottom sheweth the making of an Escochion, being a Fosile.

II. Eve's Spindle, being the form of a Fusil, is the se∣cond sort of Shield, by which mankind is generally saved, and preserved from the furious strokes of Frost, Snow, and cold Winds. Now, as these two plead antiquity above all others, so they continue to this day for the same defence, and without which neither Prince nor People can be in safety. For saith Solomon, Eccles. 5.8. & Prov. 31.19, 21, 22, 23. The King is maintained by the Spade; and the Spindle pricureth the Womans honour: Perhaps to denote that Mans Atchievements is to be gained in the Field, be∣cause he was formed there; and the Honour of Woman to be at Home, she being formed in Paradice.

III. But those Shields pertaining to War, this third Fi∣gure is presented to us for the ancientest fashion; of which the Poets make mention in this wise: King Phocus had three Daughters, Medusa, Stena, and Euriale. Neptune God of the Sea, committed Adultery with Medusa in the Temple of Minerva; who in revenge thereof turned the Adulteress into an ugly monsterous shape, and her golden Hair into loathsom Serpents: Minerva yet seeking farther revenge, sought by all means how she might take away this Monsters life, gave a Christal Shield to her Lieutenant Perseus, the Paladian Knight, wherewith when he had slain the horrible Gorgon Medusa, consecrated the same Shield to the Goddess Pallas. This Shield (the very pat∣tern whereof is presented to your Eye) was taken out of the City of Troy, about the Year of the World 1774, and before the Birth of Christ 1189 years.

This Goddess Pallas, taught to the Libians all things ap∣pertaining to War: So that I take her to be the Goddess of Herauldry and Arms.

IV. This is by some Authors supposed (nay set down) to be the true form of Minerva's Shield which she gave to Perseus: But whether so or not, I will not dispute it, how∣ever they may be taken one for the other, as having a near resemblance.

V. It is written of one Asterial, the Father of Olibion, who made a Target or Shield for his Son, when he war∣red against the cursed Seed of Ham, who greatly troubled them, this Shield was made of an Olive-tree after this form, two corners above his Face, and one to the ground∣ward, in token that he was the chief of the Blood of the three Sons of Noah: This Shield was used some hundreds of years after the Deluge.

VI. This is the form of the Shield used by the People that now inhabit Mesopotamia, otherwise of the French∣men called Dier-bechias: They of old have used this fa∣shion of Shields, which (is thought) was from the Trojans. It was brought into England, by the Ancestors of us Eng∣lish-men, when they came out of Germany into Britain; which was about the year of our Lord 450, as Verstegan, in his Book of Antiquities, pag. 117. maketh mention: These People were descended of Gomar, whose Posterity used it as in the Figure before.

VII. This is a kind of Target used by the Catelines, whose Leader was that worthy Captain Catulus that sub∣dued the Cimbrians, which was 10 years before the Birth of Christ: This noble man reproved Silla, for killing of a 1000 Prisoners (when he had given them their Lives in the Battle); saying with whom shall we live, if in War we kill the armed, and in Peace the unarmed: The People of the Isle of Sardinia used Shields of this fashion, who hardned them so by art, that they were impenetrable by Sword or Lance.

VIII. The round fashioned Shield, we read of in Holy Scripture, 1 King. 10.16, 17. that King Solomon caused to be made 300 of beaten Gold; 600 Shekels of Gold ment to the making of one Target: Which Targets or Shields were taken away from Ierusalem in the first year of Rehoboam, by Shishak King of Egypt, when he took the City of David; instead of which Shields King Rehobiam made Shields of Brass, 1 King. 14.25, 26, 27. The old Bri∣tains used Shields after this form, and was of them called Parma, (quia a m•••io in omnes partes it par) being equal in all parts from its Center, like a Buckler.

King David furnished a Tower with a 1000 of them, and depicted the Arms and Devices of Princes on them; as Sir Iohn Ferne testifieth, in Lac. nbil. pag. 76. which round form, is in Blazon called a Roundset, which is a mark of better Dignity than some take it to be.

IX. Shields of this fashion were used by the People inha∣biting the Isle of Sardinia, called Sardalaries: This People did, by art, so harden their Shields (which were made of the wood of Saunders) that they could neither be cut with Swords, nor pierced with any Spea or Lance what∣soever.

X. This is that kind of Shield, which belonged to the most renowned Prince, Edward Prince of Wales; whose Tomb is in the goodly Cathedral Church of Canteruy, (as saith Mr. Bolton in his Elements of Armory, pag. 67.) there (with his quilted Coat-Armour, with its half-Sleeves, tabered fashion, and his triangular Shield, both of them painted with the Royal Arms of England) hangs this kind of Pavis or Target, curiously emboss'd, and painted with the Escocheon of the Arms of England in the midst there∣of, which I omit and only give you the bare shape and form of the Shield of this victorious Black-Prince, for so was he commonly called: He died 1376.

XI. This is also another kind of Shield, used by the aforesaid Sardinians, spoken of in the ninth form of Shields.

XII. This kind of Shield was used by the Ancestors of the aforesaid Edward the Black-Prince; as Willam the Conqueror, William Rufus, and Stephen Kings of Eng∣land, as our Chronoligers and Antiquaries testify, who lived in and about the years 1066, and 1200, it may be called an Oval-Escochion Shield.

I find the Description of another such-like Shield as this, in Speed's Chron. fol. 455. only it was not so round at the Page  [unnumbered]

[illustration]
Page  8 top, but flat and then comes with a turning instead of the two Corners: It was much used about King Henry the Second's dayes, Anno 1175.

XIII. This Shield was used by that valiant Captain An∣tonius, a brown man of colour, and very hardy, and of an undaunted Spirit; who married the famous Cleopatra that Royal Queen of Egypt. Amongst other of his victo∣ries he took the King of Armenia, and tyed him in bands and fetters of Silver. He lived about the year of the worlds Creation 3900.

XIIII. This Shield hath a near resemblence to the pre∣sident before, which was used by Antonius. Shields of this fashion were in use in Asia and the Eastern parts of the world; But when or where my Author is silent.

XV. This Shield may pass for a Couzen removed to the two next figures of Shields followig it, Being likewise (as is by some Authors) supposed to be another kind of Shield used by the Coribants. For it may not be thought, that all the People of one Kingdom had all their Shields and Bucklers alike, but that there may be some variation; as we may see by theirs in the Roman Empire.

Note, Here the Engraver hath omitted the figures 16, and 17. so that I must begin the next form of Shields at 18.

XVIII. This is a form of Shield which is near 3999 years since it was first used; for Iasius who was King of Italy, had a Son that succeeded him called Coribant, he called his People after his own name Coribants, who used these kind of Shields with two Darts; and by the strength of their Arms would cast them very violently.

XIX. This form of Shield was used by the Cimbrians, Ambrians, and the Teutons, which came to inhabite the west parts of Italy. Iustus Lipsius hath delivered it upon his credit, that this is the true Portraicture of those kind of Shields: And besides this his Testimony, we do find upon the ancient Roman Monies this Impression of a Gim∣brian Pavis or Target; which shape answers Virgil's De∣scription of the Gallick's Shields, in this his three quarter verse,

—Scutis protecti corpora longis.

XX. The Romans used their Shields in the form of O∣vals, much after this manner; and the Inhabitants of China, do display their tokens of Honour and Arms, in Shields or Escochions, made after this manner; as Marcus Velserus, a learned and principal Gentleman of Auspurg hath declared for an absolute Truth. The like hath one Iosephus Acasta diligently noted, that the Nobility and Gentry of Mexico and Peru, hae their Arms in Escochi∣ons after the form of an Oval which gives us to under∣stand that the Shields heretofore used by them, were after the same fashion.

XXI. The Romans in their Barriers, and Plays, had Shields and Bucklers after this form: As Iustus Lipsius, in his Saturnalium Sermonum, lb. 2. cap. 4. relateth, and is there by figures (in Copper Cuts) expressed.

XXII. This form of Shield, as Authors say, was used at the Siege of Troy, by the Trojan Horsemen that then were clad all in Mail-Coats, having one of these Targets fixed before their Breasts somewhat toward the left Shoul∣der. In the Raign of Numa King of the Romans, there fell a Shield out of the Air, which is said to be a Shield without Corners, so that I cannot discern (saith Leigh, pag. 20.) but it might be after this form and fashion.

XXIII. This form of Shield, I find by some Writers to be used by the aforesaid Trojans; and also by the Ro∣mans in their Saturnal Sports: As I. Lipsius, lib. 2. cap. 21. describeth them.

XXIV. This form of Target is much between the two former, and was given me by an Acquaintance, a lover of Herauldry; but no time mentioned by him when, or by what kind of People used.

XXV. This form of Shield appertained to Iohn of Gaunt, the King of Castile; and Lion Duke of Lancaster, &c. who was third Brother to the most victorious Edward the Black-Prince, eldest Son to King Edward the Third.

This honourable Shield hangs at the Tomb of the said Duke, in St. Paul's in London, (as Dugdale's History of St. Paul's testifieth, fol. 90.) and Mr. Boltin in his Elements of Armory, pag. 68. where 'tis very exactly drawn out for the benefit of future Ages.

XXVI. This form of Shield is far different from any of the former, and was found engraven in the Column of Antonius, at Rome; which Column was raised long before Constantine the Great was born, which is now near 1378 years: Which shews it to be of great antiquity and stand∣ing. Iustus Lipsius (as saith Mr. Bolton, pag. 148.) think∣eth that the Souldier which beared this Shield was a Cap∣tain, and Commander of a Legion, being made out of two parts: And his reason was, because an Eagle display'd having two Heads was figured upon the same, signifying that two parts of Eagles seemed (as it were) to be joined in one entire Body; or two broken Legions made into one.

XXVII. This was the fashion of the Shield, depicted by the Saxon's God of Battle, named Woden; who was whilst he lived, a most valiant and victorious Prince, and Cap∣tain of the ancient Teutonicks, inhabiting a part of Germa∣ny; who after his Death erected his Image in honour of him, which like to other Heathenish People they adored as a God, and our fourth day of the Week, they called by his name Wodens-day, now Wednesday, dedicating it to his Service; (as Verstegan, pag. 72. relateth) which by com∣putation of time is above 1800 years since.

XXVIII. This is the Shield of Osyris, otherwise named Iupiter King of Egypt, which for antiquity is not inferiour to any; for this Osyris lived not many years after Noah's Flood, in whose time this kind of Target, and the other following were invented, (as my Author Diodorus Siculus tells) which is from this time near 3800 years.

XXIX. This was the shape of the Shield of that valiant Souldier Anubis, Son of Osyris, sirnamed Iupiter the Iust, of the Off-spring of Ham the cursed Son of Noah: Which said Osyris (as the aforesaid Author saith) being plentiful of Children, and by reason of the Curse fallen upon his Fa∣ther, was banished from the blessed Tents of Shem and Ia∣phat, and constrained to win himself and Children a dwel∣ling place, in which War this form of Target was used, on which were painted signs and figures of Birds, Fish, and Beasts, or what the bearer pleased, and thought best to fit his Estate and Condition: Which signs were after called Arms. This form of Target by ancient Bla∣zoners was called a Sarcote, but upon what grounds I know not.

XXX. In the time of Numa Pampilius this form of Shield was used, (the Story take thus) in his time there hap∣pened a contagious Sickness amongst the Rmans, which no Sacrifice could remove; and at that time there fell a cer∣tain Page  9 brazen Target, or Escochion (called in Latin Aenea pelta, or Ancile, big at both ends (after this form) and cut like a half Moon on both sides) from Heaven into Numa's Hand, with a certain Voice, promising all Health to Rome so long as they could keep that safe, &c. Read the far∣ther prosecution of the Story in Goodwin's Antiquities of Rome.

XXXI. This Shield is in fashion like those used by the Greeks at the Siege of Troy; and was also in after Ages used by them, and among the Morisco Horsemen: Which is born by them in such sort that it is a good defence for their Bodies, for it guardeth the Breast, and left Side, with the Head and Shoulders, which generally lies most open to the assaults of an Enemy.

XXXII. This is another fashion of the Morisco Targets, and is for likeness as the aforesaid, only this difference, that being a kind of a half round, this flat or straight.

XXXIII. This is said to be the Roman Souldier's Foot∣men's Shield (as some give it forth) but I rather take them to be the Shields of the Knights Templers: And so I have seen several of their Monuments with Shields of this man∣ner of form on their Arm, and before their Breast, bending as it were half round. See Weever's Funeral Monuments or the Diocess of London.

XXXIII.* Though Shields were at first used by Horse∣men, yet since their first Invention, they have been much used by Footmen, which were made of a longer size, than Horsemen could well manage; for short ones were best for them, and long for Footmen: Which did contain near six foot long, and two foot in breadth. For the largeness of these kind of Shields, we have many Examples in ancient Histories; for Sir Iohn Froysart, who writ of the great Bat∣tle of Poicture, fought by the Flower of Chivalry, Edward, sirnamed the Black-Prince, who commanded the Body of the Lord Richard Duras should be laid on a Shield or Tar∣get, and that five Men might bear the same to the Cardi∣nal of Peregorth for a Present, &c. And in the latter end of the Raign of King Edward the Third, the Frenchmen to save themselves from the liberal Shot of the English Ar∣chers, had Shields made of Elme-wood seven foot in length, and three in breadth, and an Inch in thickness, which were made sharp at the point to pitch into the Ground. Yet Mr. Bolton is of Judgment that the Shields there spoken of, were of the shape and fashion of the 10th Figure in the Copper Plate, before shewed. But for the largeness of Shields several Histories make mention (as witnesseth that of Alexander the Great) for his Shield was so great, that it served him instead of a Boat, to carry him over a great River, when he went against the puissant King Poru.

XXXIV. This form of Shield I found drawn in an old Manuscript, written about 200 years since, but by whom it was used or first invented, I find nothing: Yet (in my Author's Judgment) it is not inferiour to any for the defence of the whole Body, either being on Horse-back or on Foot; for the top is (like the Bever of an Helmet) with holes through, to see how to offend an Enemy, or defend his own Body: Likewise the bottom is so contrived, that the Bearer may either set his Foot forward or backward to his best advantage, and yet be a sure guard and defence for those parts.

XXXV. And XXXVI. These were Shields used by the ancient Romans, and were first invented (as Iust. Lipsius, l. 1. c. 8. and others believe) for their exercise in their Sa∣turnal Sports and Plays; and after used for defence against their Enemies, both in Battles, single-Deuels, and Com∣bates: The latter whereof they took much delight in, ne∣ver accounting him a Man worthy of Honour, 'till he had vanquished or slain one in single Combate.

XXXVII. This is also another fashion of a Target, used by the aforesaid Romans, and is described to us by I. Lipsi∣us, l. 1. c. 8. in his Saturnalium Sermonum, with Figures also of them engraven on Copper Plates: Beside him, if any one desire further satisfaction herein, and of their Laws, Sports, and Exercises in Feats of Arms, with their divers sorts of Weapons: They may peruse the Book entituled, The History of the Roman Customs.

XXXVIII. This sort of Shield was of no small account amongst the Romans, whereas it hath a rebatement on the one side of it, so was it their use and custom to rebate it (ac∣cording as the Warrier was either right or left handed) on that side as was most suitable thereunto, and this they did only by altering of the Handle, and Arm-stay, on the back∣side of it; as is seen in the 63d and 61st Figures on the Plate belonging to this Chapter.

XXXIX. This form of Shield, is of the Latins called Tesserae, and at this day (using the French Term) we call the same a Lozenge, which Word (of Latin) doth signify any thing four-square, being born with the two sharpest points, one above, and another beneath: But this fashion of Shield was long agoe out of all use in Wars, because of the unfitness of its service, it being the least and worst of all Shields, for a Souldier's use, either to offend his Enemy, or defend himself.

Therefore it is set a-part, and allowed only for Maids, Heir-trixes, Co-Heirs, and Widdows; also to Women de∣scended of Noble-Blood, that on them they may set forth the Arms and Ensigns of the Houses they proceeded from: Women being a Sex unfit for War or Battle, of whom we shall speak more hereafter.

XL. This is the fashion of the Chinense's Shield, being a long square; with which, a Dart, and Curtle-Axe, they hold themselves well armed: And this is used altogether in the whole Empire of China.

XLI. This form of Shield is used by the People of, and about, the Friggid Zone; called the Ice-land and Lap-land People: And beside that for the defence of the Body, a∣gainst the shot of the Enemies Arrows (for in those places Shooting is altogather in use) they served also for other pur∣poses; for they are made after such a manner, that they will transport the Bearer over a River, Pond, or any other place of Water.

XLII. This form of Shield, I find was used by some of those Roman Legion Souldiers, which lived in the time of King Herod, who under the Roman Empire, exercised power and authority over Iudea, and the unbelieving Jews, whom God cast off to the hardness of their own Hearts: This Herod lived in the time of our Saviour's being upon Earth. And also in the first Persecution of the Church of Christ, in his Members the Apostles and Disciples, which is from this time, near 1680 years.

XLIII. This is the form of the Shield used by the Indi∣ans and Moores, a rude and barbarous People on the bor∣ders of Asia and Africa; and is to this day used by them, they being as yet but little acquainted with the Gun: Their fighting is with Swords, Darts and Arrows. This kind of Shield is four-square, but made after such a manner, that it turns half round, as if it were a defence only for the Breast, and no more.

Page  10On Squares, especially in quartered Coats of a Family, we of the western parts of the World, do depict or paint our Coats of Arms.

XLIV. This is another sort of Shield, I am informed doth belong to the Indians; and especially to him that is of any authority among them, as being their Head or su∣pream Governour. Whether this be so I dare not averr; but this sufficient Authors affirm, that the Amazonian Wo∣men, in imitation of Diana, the Goddess, or Patroness of Women, were armed with Moon-like Shields, and were buried under Lozenge Monuments.

XLV. This is a form of Shield used by the Inhabi∣tants of the Island of Iapan, in America, as Historians do inform.

XLVI. This is the shape and fashion of the Shields used by the Inhabtants of the West-Indies, or Guinny-Islands.

XLVII. This form of Shield (as I was informed) be loned to the Knights-Templers; but the truth thereof I will not verify: Because I have seen Monuments of Knights-Templers, whose Shields are much after the man∣ner of the English Foot-men's, described in the Plate, un∣der the two 33 Figures; only this difference, that the Knights-Templers were half round, and the English and French Shields were straight.

These three foregoing Targets were shewed me by a Traveller, and a gather of Rareties, who lived near Fox-Hall, over against Westminster in South-warck; (with ano∣ther Shield like to the 31st Figure in the Plate) which he said was also another form of Shield belonging to the Knights-Templers. But by his favour, in this, I shall not take his Word.

XLVIII. This kind of Shield, I find fixed on the Monu∣ment of Mahomet the great Emperour of Turkey, who was the greatest Scourge to Christendom of all that had been before him; for he subdued Mentesia, Pera, Peleponesus, and Castria, wone Constantinople, overcame Craa, took Orno, and so going against the Caranianian King, died: To whose Memory, they of his Empire erected a Monu∣ment, by whose Side this kind of Shield was placed, (with a great Battle-Axe in his Hand) having thereon the Arms of his said Empire: Which was done in the year 1481. But whether this was a Shield used by him, or the fancy of the Workman, I leave others to judge.

XLIX. This is also the Shield of Tamberlain Emperour of Trtaria, called the Wrath of God, and Terrour of the World: He overthrew, and took Prisoner, Baazet, the Great Emperour of the Srazens and Turks, whose Army con∣sisted of 100000 Men, and shut him up in an Iron Cage. He also conquered Mesopotamia, Babylon, and the King∣dom of Persia. He died, as some affirm, in the year 1402. After whose death his Statue was erected, with this Shield by his left Side, and a Trunchion in his right Hand. But (as to the former Shield) so to this, a question may be made, whether such an one was used by him, or only the Invention of the Cutter? If so, then the shapes and forms of Shields, Targets, and Bucklers, would be as many as Cavers, Stone-cutters, Engravers, and Painters please: the variety whereof it is impossble to describe, neither is it my intention, but only give such forms as have been in use by People and Nations, as they have been delivered to us by good Authors, and Men of credit.

L. This represents the form of Shields for Footmen, be∣fore described, Numb. 33. * save this hath an oval-like hollowness, or vacancy on the right side of it; through which, I suppose, the Archer had a liberty to send forth his Arrow, or Souldier to manage his Spear: These were used by the ancient Saxons in their Wars near 1000 years since.

LI. This form of Shield, I had out of Mr. Morgan's Sphere of the Gentry, l. 3. fol. 54. which he tells me is a form of Pelta, or a Shield gathered out of old and decay∣ed Monuments: Et laeva Ancile gerabat, according to Vir∣gil's Aen. lib. 9.

LII. This (as the French Armorist informs me) was a kind of Target used by the ancient Romans: But this I take to be a Workman's device, as well as many others, which were never really in use for War.

LIII. Mr. Dugdale in his Description of Warwick-shire, fol. 434. gives me the form of this Shield, which was taken from a Monument, in a Glass-Window, in the Church of Compton-Murdack, with these Arms, Gules besantee a Canton Ermin: Which Glass-Window shews great antiquity, even to the time of Edward the third, above 300 years old.

LIV. This is the form of the Shield of the Earl of Flan∣ders, as is described by Peter Balthazar, in the Lives and Genealogies of the Earls of Flanders, fol. 67. where he sets down the Effigies (with this shape of Shield) belonging to Baldwin de Bonnaire, the seventh Earl, who lived about the year 1006.

LV. This is a form of Target, which is set forth by a French Armourist, to be the Shield of Sir Bruor le Noir, one of the Knights of the Round-Table, to King Arthur of Britain, above 1100 years since.

[illustration]
To the aforesaid fifty five, may be added these two, which I took out of Sir Iohn Fern's Glory of Generosity, p. 154, 155. which he presents there as an ancient form of a Shield.

[illustration]
This (by old Heraulds) was termed a Tabard, a kind of Shield resembling or re∣presenting a Garment, which in old times was worn of the Female Sex: And in that form of Shield it was thought fit that Wo∣men should have their Coats of Arms de∣picted.

And here I shall conclude the forms and fashions of Shields, with the advice of Sir Iohn Ferne, in his Lacies Nobility, p. 76. (though Leigh makes but 9 fashions, and I have produced 57.) Yet I am not so wedded to that opi∣nion as to think there is no more, for there is no Kingdom, People, or Country, but they have their several forms and fashions: So that for 57 we may reckon up fifty times fifty seven; for as Men have altered in their civil Apparel or Vestures, so have they in all Ages, as phantastically, in their forms of Shields, Targets, Bucklers, and Esco∣chions.

6. These foresaid Shields, or the most of them, which were used by the private Souldiers, were generally plain, without any Work or Embossments, till by their Swords they had meritted some Honour, whereby they were ad∣vanced to higher places; then had they devices, and ••∣kens of Honour bestowed upon them by their Soveraign Page  11 the General, or his Vice-Roy: Which token they bore on their Shields, as a reward of their adventurous and noble Acts, which being continued by their Successors; at length became Hereditary.

7. Notwithstanding I have seen Shields of that form and make, as have by Plates, Studds, Embossments, with o∣ther curious sorts of Workmanship made upon them, both in Steel and Brass, as hath made them look very lovely in the Beholder's Eyes; as the examples shewed by these fol∣lowing Figures in the Plate.

LVI. All which doth manifest, how Shields (which had no Device, or Coat of Arms de∣picted on them) were adorned in former time.

LVII. All which doth manifest, how Shields (which had no Device, or Coat of Arms de∣picted on them) were adorned in former time.

LVIII. All which doth manifest, how Shields (which had no Device, or Coat of Arms de∣picted on them) were adorned in former time.

LIX. All which doth manifest, how Shields (which had no Device, or Coat of Arms de∣picted on them) were adorned in former time.

LX. All which doth manifest, how Shields (which had no Device, or Coat of Arms de∣picted on them) were adorned in former time.

LXI. All which doth manifest, how Shields (which had no Device, or Coat of Arms de∣picted on them) were adorned in former time.

How Shields were used for a Souldiers Defence.

8. EVery Shield had upon the back-side of it a double buckled Leather, through which they put the Arm and the Hand, which kept it stedfast to the Arm; and so, through the active use of the Shoulder and Elbow, it was managed too and fro according to pleasure: Those Shields or Targets which had double stays for the Arm and Hand were for Horse-men; but such as had only one andle were Bucklers for Foot-men. As the Figures doth mani∣fest.

LXII. Foot-men's Bucklers with one Handle.

LXIV. Foot-men's Bucklers with one Handle.

LXIII. Horsemen's Shields with two Stays:

LXV. Horsemen's Shields with two Stays:

And these Shields and Bucklers thus supported, were by the Bearers thereof so managed, that by the skill and dex∣terity of the Souldier, he was able to ward and defend his whole Body from all the Blows of his Enemy. Blows be∣ing over it was cast upon the Back, where it hung by a Lea∣ther Girdle.

Of the Colours of Shields.

9. THey were for the most part of one Colour (if they were plain); and the reason thereof was, that till some Feats of Chivalry were performed, Devices were not to be put thereon: And that they were before that time of one Colour is apparent from ancient History. For King Solomon made 200 Targets of beaten Gold; and that 600 Shekels of Gold went to one Target: And also that he made 300 Shields of beaten Gold, and that three pound of Gold went to each Shield, 1 King. 10.16, 17. These were Scuta, Escochions, or Targets for Horse-men; and the latter Pelta, or Bucklers for Foot-men: As Boswell in his Armory of Ho∣nour, pag. 19. explains it.

10. Alexander the Great (as Iustin writeth) in a certain triumphant Journey of his, bestowed Shields of white Plate upon his Souldiers. In the Prophecy of Nahum, amongst the Books of Holy Scripture, it is said, Nah. 2.3. that The Shields of the Mighty are become Red. And our Saxon Ancestors used to cover their Shields with tann'd Hides, which are generally of reddish Colour.

11. We find also that the Grecians used Russet Shields; the People of Lucania, in Italy, had their Shields wrought of Osiers or Twiggs, 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 effu∣sion of their Blood should not easily be discovered (when they received any Wound) either to the discouragment of themselves, or animating of their Enemies. Moreover, they used Scarlet, and red Colours in their Military Gar∣ments, and Shields, to the end they might thereby strike the greater terrour and astonishment into the Hearts of their Enemies.

12. I find in a Note worthy of credit among the Arms of several Nobles and Gentlemen that attended on King Henry the First (in his expedition that he made into the parts of Scotland, to the Siege of Kalaverock) that one Eumenius de la Brect, did bear in his Shield only Gules.

To bear nothing in a Shield is now accounted dishonour∣able, though the Heraulds of old were esteemed ingenious that gave the Field Sable to Gown-men; the Field Gules to them in favour, rich, and honourable: The Field Argent to Divines and Innocent Persons. So the plainer the Coat, the nearest Antiquity; the simpler the form, the more gentile the Person.

13. Yet after Ages conceived it convenient, by outward marks, signs or tokens, to be set on Shields, thereby not only to distinguish the Bearers thereof as well one from a∣nother, but also to denote the Honour and Quality of the Person bearing it.

14. Our ancient Britains (besides other their Ensigns) had their Shields painted Blew: Perhaps (and as some do conjecture) because the Isle is invironed with the like co∣loured Ocean. So were the Shields of the German Ari (as witnesseth Cornelius Tacitus) painted Black.

15. And that this general way of bearing Shields of one Colour, was not only to the Souldiers, but we rad of se∣veral chief Commanders, who had their Shields of one Colour, not putting any Device thereon, till by their Va∣lour they had merited the same.

16. The King of Portugal (as saith Andreas Rescendius) wore nothing at first but a white Flag, till by reason of a Victory obtained against five Morisco Kings, the five Es∣cochions Azure were by King Alphonso added. So that Auristamb, that was so much admired by the French, was but of one colour, a square red Syndon Banner, which was thought to have been sent from Heaven, to lead the French Hoast: As the Shield at Rome, for staying of the Plague.

17. Likewise the Arms of Araon, as they were said to be long since, was only a Field Or: Not charged with four Pallets as now it is blazoned, which happened at such time as one of the Kings thereof dipped his Fingers in the Blood of a new slain Sarazen. (Or as others say) Lewis the Emperour, in the Wounds of Conde de Barcelona, fighting on his part against the Normans, ennobled that yel∣low Standard, by drawing upon it those bloody marks which now it hath.

18. So we read of Helenor, described by Virgil, to wear a white Shield, till he had atchieved some honourable Note to put upon it. So Agripas had his Banner of an Azure Colour, being given him for a symbolical Argu∣ment of Manhood, shewed at Sea. So also was the Ban∣ner of Navarr all Red, and (as it is said) continued so till Sanchez le Fort King thereof, who added those golden Or∣naments which now do shine therein. Also Simon the Page  12 High-Priest of the Iews, sent with Numenius a Shield of great value to the Romans, to confirm the League of Friendship between them, which contained 1000 pound in weight. It may be probably conjectured that there was no Portraicture thereon, in that there is no mention of it.

19. Also all the Seiges of Tamberlain the Great, he ne∣ver used any Flags but of White or Red; but these we must not take to be Coats of Arms, but Flags of Truce, or Signs of bloody War: Neither can a plain Field be called a Coat of Arms, without extream abuse of Speech; more than a plain piece of Wax, a Seal; or a Sheet of unwritten Paper, a Letter. But we must hold such things (as them of one colour) as Plato did of his Abrase Ta∣bles, to be fit and capable of any Form: And till the re∣ceiving of such Forms, we must account them as rude and improprious things.

The Significations of the Colours used in Arms.

20. THE Signification, and Names by which each Colour is distinguished, is first by Mettle or Co∣lour; the second by precious Stones: And thirdly, by Ce∣lestial Planets, as the Examples following will demon∣strate.

LXVI. Is the colour White, which is termed in Blazon Argent; derived from the Latin Word Argentum, Sil∣ver: And by the precious Stone, is understood by Pearl: And by the Planet, Luna. The colour White, resem∣bleth the Light, and is by Scribonius thus defined, Albedo est color simplex, &c. White is a simple colour, and sub∣ject to every stain, except great care be taken of those that wear or bear the same; for in Blazoning it betokeneth In∣nocency, Cleanness of Life, and Chastity.

LXVII. Is the colour Red, and is termed Gules: By the precious Stone, Ruby: And by the Planet, Mars. This colour Vermilion, or Red, is the chief amongst colours, forasmuch as it representeth the Fire, which of all other Elements is the most lightsome, and approacheth nearest to the quality of the Sun: In regard whereof it was order∣ed, that none should bear this colour but Persons of noble Birth and Rank, and Men of special Desert; for it signi∣fyeth Dignity.

LXVIII. Is the colour Blew, and is termed Azure: By the precious Stone, Saphire: And by the Planet, Iu∣piter. This colour Blew doth represent the Sky in a clear Sun-shining Day, when all Clouds are exiled. Iob speak∣ing to the busy Searchers of God's Misteries, saith, Iob 11.17. That then shall the residue of their Lives, be as clear as the Noon-day. Which to the Judgment of Men (through the pureness of the Air) is of an Azure colour, or light Blew: And signifyeth Piety, and Sincerity.

LXIX. Is the colour Black, and is termed in Blazon by the Word, Sable; and is derived of the Latin Word Sabulum, which signifieth gross Sand, or Gravel, in re∣spect of its heavy and earthy substance: The Blazon by precious Stones, is Diamond: And the Planet, Saturn. This colour Black, is contrary to White, having no par∣ticipation with Light: And is by Scribonius thus defined, Nigrido est color in corpore, &c. For what thing soever there is, that hath either Life, Light, or Heat, if the same be once extinct, the thing it self forthwith becometh Black. This is said to be the colour of Horrour and Destruction; in which respect Mourning Garments are made of this co∣lour, which signifieth and represents to us the horrour of Death and Corruption: As also Counsel and Antiquity.

LXX. Is the colour Green, and is termed by the Word, Uert, of Veridis; which signifies fresh and Green: By the precious Stone Emyrald: And the Planet, Venus. This colour Green, consisteth of Yellow and Blew, and is the first and principal of those mixt colours used in Herauldry. Which colour Gwilliam Terms, Colores medii, not being colours of themselves, but mixt of two Simples. It sig∣nifieth Felicity and Pleasure.

LXXI. Is the colour Purpure, or Purple, and is termed in Blazon, Purpure: By the precious Stone, Amethist: And by the Planet, Mercury. The Purple colour is ano∣ther mixt colour, and consisteth of much red, and a small quantity of black. Cassaneus saith, that these six colours White, Black, Red, Yellow, Blew and Green; being compounded and mixt together according to art and pro∣portion, doth make a good Purple colour. This colour is by Ferne termed Plumby, (but this, and the two colours next nominated, being Murrey or Sanguine, and Tawny; are not in use in English Coats, but much used by the Dutch and French Gentry) it is, and in ancient time was, of that precious esteem, that none but Kings and Princes, and their Favourites, might be admitted to wear the same: As we may see, Dan. 5.16. 1 Mac. 10.20. For it signifieth Ho∣nour and Dignity.

21. Sanguine or Murrey▪ is a colour termed in Blazon, Sanguine: By the precious Stone, Sardnyx: And the Star, Dragons Tail. It is a colour compounded of Red and Blew, a Princely colour, in high esteem amongst Men of great degree; and by some old Heraulds is termed Synamer. (As Sir I. Ferne, Glo. 147. saith) But being a colour not in use with us in England, I forbear to put it in the Plate.

22. Tawny or Orange colour, is in Blazon termed, Tenne: by the precious Stone, Iacynthe: And by the Star, Dragons Head. This is a colour of worship (and is in Glo. 147.) termed by some old Heraulds, Bruske: Being compounded of two bright colours, viz. much Yellow, and a little Red. This colour is much in use by the Dutch and German People, but being out of use with us, I do not set it down in the Plate.

LXXII. Is the colour Yellow, or Gold colour, and is termed by the Mettle, Or; derived from the Latin word Aurm, Gold: By the precious Stone, Topaze: And the Planet, Sol. Because this excellent Mettle doth represent the colour of the glorious Sun; the possession thereof (as the Wiseman saith, Eccl. 20.29.) inchanteth the Heart of Fools, and blindeth the Eyes of the Wise. And therefore such is the worthyness of this colour, which doth resemble Gold, that (as Christine de Price saith) none ought to bear the same in Arms, but Emperours and Kings, and such as be of the Blood-Royal: Though now it is of more common use.

23. These are the colours (being six in number) whereof Fields ought to be made; but as for the Charges in the Fields, their colours may be sixty times six: For every thing that is born in a Coat of Arms, may be figured out in its proper and natural colour, which may be many and di∣vers. And because for them we are allowed no terms of Blazon, therefore they are all comprehended under this word, Proper: As painted in its natural and proper co∣lour.

Page  13

Colours derived from them used in Herauldry.

From Yellow.

24. YEllow, or a perfect bright Yellow.

Gold Yellow is a deeper Yellow.

Fire colour, or Flame colour, a more reddish Yellow.

Lemon colour, is a more pale Yellow.

Box or Straw colour, a weak or imperfect Yellow.

Brimstone colour, a whitish and pale Yellow.

Bright-bay or Pheasant colour, a deep reddish Yellow.

Colours derived from White.

25. WHite, or the most perfect Snow White.

Ivory White.

Silver colour,

Milk White, a blewish White.

Hoary colour, or white-haired, a mixture of White and Black.

Ash colour, more blackish than White.

Grey, or Crane colour.

Russet.

Colours derived from Red.

26. RED, a pure bright Red.

Scarlet, a Vermilion Red.

Crimson or Stamell.

Carnation or Rose colour.

Flesh or Horse-flesh colour.

Bay colour, a colour of a Horse, being a reddish brown.

Fox colour, more Red than Yellow.

Orenge colour, red Ortment colour.

Bole colour, or Brick colour.

Clay colour.

Colours derived from Blew.

27. BLew, or a bright Blew.

Sky colour, or a light welmish Blew.

Watchet colour, a more light whitish Blew.

Sea-water Blew, or a waterish Blew.

Marble colour.

A Venice or Blunket colour Blew.

Colours derived from Green.

28. GReen, or Grass-Green.

Pine-Leaf Green.

Willow Green, or Willow colour, a whitish Green.

Sea-water-Green.

Venice-Green.

Popinjay-Green.

Pink-Green, a Green inclining to a Yellow.

Watchet-Green, a light colour between Green and Blew.

Colours derived from Black.

29. BLack, or Ivory-Black.

Jet-black, or a shining Velvet-black.

Ibony, black as Pitch, Satin-black.

Iron colour, or Iron-Grey.

Buck colour, between a Russet and Black.

Deep-Russet.

Rats colour.

Turky colour.

Silver Rabet colour.

Colours derived from Purple.

30. PVrple or Murrey, Blush colour, lighter.

Violet colour, more lighter.

Peach colour, a more light bright coloured Violet.

Bruse or Bruise colour, of Black, Blew and Yellow.

Motley colour, any mixt colours.

Gredeline, pale Peach.

Isabella.

Colours derived from Sanguine.

31. SAnguine, or a blood Red.

Rudy colour.

Deep Red.

Dragons blood colour.

Swart, or Swarvy Red.

Saffron colour.

Synaper, or Lake colour.

Colours derived from Tawny.

32. TAwny, or Swarthy colour, a blackish Yellow.

Hair colour.

Dun colour.

Mouse colour.

Chesnut colour.

Fallow or Dear colour.

Swart, Swarvy or Tawny-moor colour.

Lion colour.

Bay Copper colour, a deep yellowish Red.

33. The signification of the bearing of these aforesaid Mettles and Colours, and how the Bearers Mind should be endowed with Vertue, according to the colours of his Coat; I refer you to Leigh's Accidence of Armory, pag. 3. to 13. and Gwilliam's Display of Herauldry, f. 18. to 22. As also the Etemologies or Significations of the compositions and joinings of Mettles and Colours one with another.

Of the Worthiness of Colours.

34. IN the bearing of Arms, there are sundry degrees of the Worthyness thereof, and they are all of the Superlative Degree; As followeth,

  • 1. Most Ancient.
  • 2. Most Glittering.
  • 3. Most Rich.
  • 4. Most Fair.
  • 5. Most Glorious.
  • 6. Most Honourable.
  • 7. Most Lovely.
  • 8. Most Delightsome.

35. Now you shall understand, that that Field and Charge which consisteth of Black and White, that Coat is most Ancient: Because Light and Darkness, represented by White and Black, are the most ancient Colours of all others, and therefore are accounted more worthy than any in respect of their Antiquity.

Page  1436. When the Field and Charge is Gold and Green, it is esteemed most Glittering, taken from a Saying, in Eccl. 10.19. As the Smaradge that is set in Gold; so is the mirth of Musick, by the mirth of Wine. By which com∣parison, you may see that Uert and Gold is very spright∣ful, glittering and lively.

37. When the Field and Charge is Gold and Black, that Coat is esteemed most Rich; taken from the Dia∣mond set in Gold, where the Mettle honoureth the Stone (which is black) and the Stone the Mettle; both which enricheth each other: So that these colours of all other are the most Richest.

38. When the Field and Charge is White and Red, that is of all colours accounted most Fair and Beautiful; because the same is so held, especially being well mixt in a Womans Face.

39. When the Field and Charge is Gold and Blew, it is most Glorious; for what is more transcendent in brightness and glory (within this visible World) than the shining Sun, in the Azury Firmament.

40. When the Field and Charge is Gold and Red, that Coat is esteemed most Honourable, or most Royal; as an Imperial Majesty, being dect in Scarlet, and adorned with the purest Gold of Opire.

41. When the Field and Charge is White and Blew, that is most Lovely: because when Aurora's Morning Cur∣tains are dipt within that changeable Die, that day is most pleasant, lovely, and admired by the beholders.

42. When the Field and Charge is White and Green, that Coat is accounted ever most Delightsome; and that especially when Hyems hath cast away his Furr'd Gown, and Lady Ver begins to deck the Fields and Trees, with Leaves and Flowers: O then! How delightsome is it to see, and smell the same, when the Earth is of such a Hue.

43. I do confess, in one thing herein named, I do vary from Leigh, who terms Black and White most Fair, which I hold most Ancient: And I'le leave it to any Persons Judgment (for the Reasons therein said) whether is the most agreeable to Truth and Reason.

Of the Points of an Escochion.

44. BEfore you enter into the Rules of Blazoning, you must be informed what is an Escochion: And how many several Points are therein contained. For that end, view the 73d Example in the Plate of this Chap∣ter.

LXXIII. An Escochion is a triangular form, having two corners above, and one below; the Ancients did usually make it three corner'd, with a little swelling out of the Sides, much like the 5th Figure: But our Modern He∣raulds draw it streight down in the Sides, and then com∣pass it to a Point in the bottom, like the 6th Figure: Or else more round, as the 33d *, and 50th Figures in the Plate.

45. For the several points of the Escochion, I have by Letters set in the parts thereof, expressed the names given to each place. As,

  • A, Signifieth the Dexter Chief Point.
  • B, Signifieth the Precise middle Chief Point, or Chief Point.
  • C, Signifieth the Sinister Chief Point.
  • D, Signifieth the Fesse Point, or Honour Point.
  • E, Signifieth the Dexter Base Point.
  • F, Signifieth the Exact middle Base Point, termed the Base Point.
  • G, Signifieth the Sinister Base Point.

46. The knowledg of these Points is very requisite, in respect, that when diverse of these Points are occupied, with sundry things of divers kinds and different natures (as oft-times it falleth out in some Escochions, and Coats of Arms) then you may be able thereby to assign unto each Charge, its apt Point, and peculiar Name, according to the dignity of his Place: For no Man can perfectly blazon any such Coat, unless he do rightly understand the parti∣cular Points of the Escochion.

A E, Signifieth the Dexter Side of the Escochion.

C G, Signifieth the Sinister Side of the Escochion.

And that is mentioned only when the Charge doth oc∣cupy, or is contained in the whole side of the Escochion.

47. Mr. Gwilliam and Leigh makes mention of other Points, which they call the Honour Point, above the Fesse Point: And the Nombril Point, under the Fesse Point. In place whereof, I have set * Stars, but give them no Names, because I hold them needless, and superfluous; and to burden the Memory with that as is of no concernmenment is troublesome. Therefore I have omit∣ted them, holding no Point more deserving the Honour Point than the Fesse Point. For I never yet saw that Coat of Arms (let it be of what kind soever) but without the help of those two Points, I could give an intelligible bla∣zon to it, so that any Person that is skilled therein, may trick the same exactly and truly.