Honor rediviuus [sic] or An analysis of honor and armory. by Matt: Carter Esq.

Of Helmets.

THe differences of Helms is always exprest, when the Crest is given: and by this diffe∣rence a Gentleman is known in his degree by his hatchment, as much as these following ex∣amples 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

These Helmets are sometimes called cask and timbers; by the French, Helenum; by the Ro∣mans, Cassidem; by the Greeks, Galeam, a Co∣vering for the head in time of war; and our man∣ner of bearing crests on them is from their an∣cient fancy of adorning their Helmets with some kind of monstrous Device: as the Head or mouth of a Lyon, the paws or horns of cer∣tain beasts; to appear more terrible. And that which we call Mantle, is not, as some doe ridiculously suppose, the Vestment which they usually had to wear over their atms in War; or, as some would have it, to secure their shield from weather; but from this originall, that Princes and chief Commanders used to adorn their Helmets (according to their qualities) with rich buckles, studs, and circlets of gold, garnished with rich and costly stones, and on

the top or crests of them, wreaths of corded * 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉; being the Liveries of their Ladies and Mistrisses, as also some curled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of hair, and those Cordons (like waving scarfs) dangled down behinde them on the Cruppers of their Horses, the ends being fairly tasselled and en∣riched, many times with Pearls and precious Stones: and thus especially they rid upon dayes of Triumph.

But in Germany and many other places where the laws of Honour and Armory are severely ob∣setved, a mean Gentleman or new Atchiever is * 1.2 not permitted to bear Helm, Mantle, or Crest, but by special favour.

[illustration]

The first differs from the 2. in that it is a side

standing helmet with the Beaver close, which is for all Esquires and Gentlemen.

The second, is the common fashion of Knights, which is a helmet standing direct forward with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 open without guards.

The third, is a side-helmet open-faced guarde∣visure, which is proper for all persons of the Nobility, beneath a Duke and above a Knight.

The fourth is the Helmet of Persons exe∣cuting Soveraign Authority, which is a Helmet which is full forward open-faced, guarde-vi∣sure: which belongeth also to Princes and Dukes.

In this manner are all Degrees obviously differenced to every mans judgement in all hatchments. And, if they be above the degree of a Knight, that these do not distinguish to par∣ticulars; then they are also understood by their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Crowns.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Favin p. 1. ca. 3. fol. 24
• * 1.2

  Ib. p. 25.