This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this text, in whole or in part. Please contact project staff at eebotcp-info@umich.edu for further information or permissions.
THe giving of Coats of Arms belongeth to the Prince, or else licensed by his Letters Pattents, the Herauld onely deviseth; in which Device he ought to have these consi∣derations to the party that is to have Arms, and to give such Coats as suits with the par∣ties qualifications, viz.
1. He is to enquire whether he that shall bear them desires it, and honours Gentility, and will keep them from dishonour.
2. Whether he be able to declare his pede∣gree.
3. He much search for his pedigree, and see whether in right he may bear, and whe∣ther his Ancestors were Gentlemen, and to give the same with augmentation, which is a congruent difference.
4. His condition, whether clean of life, just in promise; whether cunning in all, or any one of the liberal Sciences, or in Divini∣ty, Philosophy, &c.
5. Of whom he had praise of good works done, or of acts performed, whether of men of wit or women.
6. To whom he had done service, either to King, Prince, &c. And what service.
7. How he had served, whether in War, or as an Embassador, or as a Counsellor at Carpet.
There are likewise several things belongs to the Herauld, as to be ready in his apparel, at all Coronations to be expert, in betrothing of Princes, and not to disclose the secrets of Ladies. There are many secrets in Herauldry which they ought not to disclose.
It is to be conceived, that in Charges the bearer hath his own device, and sometime Coats of Devices.
Coats of Armes were invented
Heraulds of Armes were first instituted by Ascanius, and renewed by King Numa; they were called Feciales.