Analogia honorum, or, A treatise of honour and nobility, according to the laws and customes of England collected out of the most authentick authors, both ancient and modern : in two parts : the first containing honour military, and relateth to war, the second, honour civil, and relateth

Ladies in Reputation.

THE Wife or Widow of the Son and Heir of a Duke or Earl in the life time of his Father, is a Lady by Courtesie of Speech and Honour, and taketh place ac∣cording as in ancient time hath been per∣mitted by the Sovereign Prince, and allow∣ance of the Heralds; but in legal proceed∣ings they are not Priviledged, nor to be named according to such Names of Digni∣ty. But the King may at his pleasure cre∣ate such Men, in the life of their Ancestors, unto degrees of Lord's of his Parliament, and then the Law is otherwise.

If a Noble Woman of Spain come into this Realm by safe Conduct, or otherwise, though in the Letters of safe Conduct by the King she be styled by such her Sove∣reign Title; yet in the King's Courts of Ju∣stice she shall not be named by such Title, though in common Speech she is styled a Lady.

An English Woman born doth taken to her Husband a French or Spanish Duke, though he be made a Denizen, yet she shall not bear his Title of Dignity in Legal Proceed∣ings.

A German Woman is married to a Peer of the Realm, and unless she be made a Denizen, she cannot lawfully claim the Pri∣viledges or Titles of her Husband, no more than she can to have Dower or Joynture from him.

An English Woman doth take to her Hus∣band an Irish Earl; or if a Lord of Scot∣land (though he be a Postnatus) take an English Woman to his Wife, their Wives shall not participate of their Husbands Titles of Dignity.

But if the King do create one of his Sub∣jects of Scotland or Ireland a Peer of this Realm, then shall he and his Wife enjoy all the Priviledges of a Nobleman. But if an Eng∣lish man by the Emperor be made an Earl of the Empire, his Wife shall not bear that Title of Honour.

All the Daughters of Dukes, Marquisses, and Earls are by the ancient Custome of the Realm styled Ladies, and have prece∣dency according to the Degrees of their Pa∣rents; And of this Custome the Laws do take notice, and give allowance for Honour and Decency: But nevertheless in the King's Courts of Justice they bear not those Titles of Honour, no more than the Sons of such Noble persons may do: So in this point the Law is one way, and the Honour and Cour∣tesie of Ladies another. And as a Civilian in like Case saith, Aliud est jus, & aliud privilegium; nevertheless the Books of our Law do make mention thereof, and al∣low of it as a Courtesie, though not as a Law.

Thus much of Women: If I have been too large upon this Subject, I crave their pardons; and if too short, I wish I had been more large for their Honour: Yet let them compare their Conditions with that of their Neighbouring Nations, and 'tis believed they have reason to judge themselves the happiest Women in the World; but Nemo sua sorte contentus.

None truly value what they do possess: Birth, Beauty, Titles, Riches in excess, Are all a Plague, if ought else we desire; The loss of that makes all our joys on fire.

[illustration]

The Right Noble Frances Stewart dutchess dowager of Richmond and Lenox &••^a.

[illustration]

The R^t. hon^ble. Ann Stuart Baroness of Cas∣tle Stuart in y^e. Kingdome of Ireland Relict of y^e R^t. hon^ble. Iosias Baron of Castle Stuart and Daughter of Iohn Maddē of Rousky Castle in y^e. County of Fermenaugh•••• y^• s^d. Kingdome Esq^r

[illustration]

Katherine Gam's daughter and Coheire of Hoo Gam's of Newton in Brecknock shire Esq^r, Grand daughter to S^r. Iohn Gam's discended by the elder house from the mighty S^r. David Gam'•• of Newton afores^• who did wonders at y^e battle of Agencourt, who was discended from Tudor y^e grea•• King of South Wales. The occation of wearing y^e Leek was from y^t family. vide see•• chap^t. 4.

[illustration]

Katherine Sedley sole daughter and heyre of S^r. Charles Sedley of South fleet in Kent Baronet.