A display of heraldrie

SECT. I. CHAP. V.

HAving hitherto handled the first part of the distribution before deli∣vered touching the Accidents, viz. Tincture: I will now go forward to handle that other member of the same, namely, Differences; shewing first what Differences are; and so proceed in order to the Division of them.

But before I proceed to the definition and division of them, it is not unnecessary to observe, That Armes may be resembled to Arithmeticall numbers, for like as in numbers, the addition, or substraction of an uni∣ty, maketh the said number to receive a diverse forme, from that it hath before; in like manner the apposition to, or exemption of any one thing from the Coat-Armour, be it either difference, or whatsoever else, the Coat-Armour is not the same; but varieth from that it was before. This variation (occasioned by the addition, or exemption of some adventi∣tious

thing) neverthelesse altereth not the substance of the Coat-Ar∣mour; but maketh the same to differ in forme onely from that it was before, for these adventitious Appositions are of the nature of Accidents, whose property is Adesse & abesse sine subjecti corruptione; as I have for∣merly shewed out of Porphyrus, p. 16.

Differences have no existence of themselves, but are of the quality of Adjectives, which need the aide and support of some substantive, to be annexed to them, and were devised, for the distinguishing of Coat-Ar∣mour, of particular persons, of one and the same Family, each from other among themselves, according to that saying of Cass. Differentiae sunt quae∣dam accidentia per se non existentia, quae inducunt diversitatem separativam, per quam dignoscuntur talia Arma, in qu bus sunt inserta, ab armis alterius. But I will proceed to the definition and division of Differences.

Differences are extraordinary additaments, whereby Bearers of the same Coat-Armour are distinguished each from others, and their nearnesse to the principall Bearer is demonstrated.

Of Differences some are

• ...Ancient.
• ...Modern.

Those I call Ancient differences, that were used in ancient time for the distinguishing, not onely of one Nation or Tribe from another; but also to note a diversity between particular persons also, descended out of one Fami∣ly, and from the same Parents. Such are bordures and imborduring of all sorts. The Bordures that were annexed unto Coat-Armours, in the begin∣ning were plain, and (in all likelihood) were of some one of the colours or metals before spoken of: But afterwards in processe of time (by reason of the multiplication of persons and of Families) men were constrained to devise other sorts of bordures; to induce a variety, whereby each particu∣lar person might be distinctly known, and differenced ab omnibus & singu∣lis ejusdem domus & familiae. Of these there are divers formes, as by these examples following may appear.

* 1.1

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

The first devised Bordures were borne plain, after the manner of this, which is thus blazoned. He beareth Argent,* 1.2 a bordure Gules. Here you shall not need to mention the plainnesse of the bordure: for when you say a bordure of this or that colour or metall, and no more, then it is alwayes understood to be plain, albeit the same be not so expressed. But if it have any other form than plain, in such case, you must not omit to make ex∣press mention of the fashion thereof.

The plain bordure, used for differing of Coat-Ar∣mour is resembled to those Fimbria's, or Bordures, that Almighty God by the mouth of his servant Moses commanded the Israelites to wear about the skirts of their Garments, to put in mind of their duties touching their observation of his precepts; In respect that the people were yet rude, and unexercised in obedience, therefore was this ordinance prescribed unto them; As Saint Hierom noteth in these words. Rudi adhuc populo, & hominibus ad obedientiam insuetis, per Moysen, imperatur a Domino: ut in fig∣num memoriae quod praecepta Domini recordentur, per singulas vestimentorum fimbrias habeant cum cocco Hyacinthini coloris Insignia, ut etiam casu huc il∣lucque respicientibus oculis, mandatorum Coelestium memoria nascatur. Of these Bordures were the Pharisees reproved by Christ, because they

perverted the use thereof, by wearing them, not for the putting of them in mind of the observation of Gods precepts, but for a bravery, and their own vain ostentation, and to the end they would seem more strict and se∣vere observers of Gods precepts than others were.

The content of the Bordures, (saith Leigh) is the fifth part of the Field.* 1.3 Also it is to be observed, that when the Field and the Circumference or Tract, about the same, drawn (as in this example) be both of one metal, co∣lour or furre, then shall you not term it a bordure, but you shall say, that he beareth such metall, colour, or furre, imbordured. Leigh reckoneth this sort of imborduring, here spoken of, to be of the number of differences of bre∣thren; but Bartol (saith he) hath committed the distribution thereof to the Heraulds.

Before I proceed to the Compound bordures above specified,* 1.4 I will give some few examples of other severall formes of simple bordures; (Quia sim∣pli i•• p••iora fuerunt compositis,) as followeth.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Sable, a bordure ingrailed, argent; This word ingrailed, is derived from the Latine word In∣gredior, which signifieth to enter, or goe in; Quia ista sinea ex qua conficitur Bordura, C••mpum plus aequo ingre∣diatur: or else it is derived of Gradu••, which signifieth a step or degree, and therefore it is called a bordure in∣grailed, Quia (as Ʋpton noteth) ejus color gradatim in∣fertur in campum Armorum.

The next sort of Bordure that I will note unto you,* 1.5 is a bordure invecked, and the same is formed as appear∣eth in this next Escocheon.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

This bordure is formed meerly contrary to the last precedent, and is blazoned in this manner. He beareth Or, a border invecked, Gules. As the former doth di∣late it self by way of incroaching into the Field, con∣trariwise this doth contract it self by inversion of the points into it self; in regard whereof (it seemeth) it receiveth his denomination, and is called Invecked, of the Latine word Inveho, which signifieth, To car∣ry in, Quia ipsa linea gibbosa, in borduram plus aequo in∣vehatur.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

This bordure differeth in form from both the other,* 1.6 and is thus blazoned; he beareth, Gules, a bordure in∣dented, Argent. Mr. Wyrly, in his Book intituled,* 1.7 The true use of Armes, treating of the honourable life, and languishing death of Sir John de Gralhye, Capitoll de Buz, and one of the Knights elected at the first foun∣dation of the Garter, by that victorious King Edward the third, doth therein make mention of one Sir Per∣ducas Dalbreth, to whom this Coat-armour did properly appertain, and describeth the same in this manner.

Sir Perducas Dalbreth to the French return'd,

Who Guly shield about his neck did fling Wrapt with dent bordure silver shining.

This bordure is said to be indented, because it seemeth to be composed (as it were) of teeth, whereof the same hath a resemblance as well in pro∣perty

as in form: for teeth (especially those of beasts of ravenous kind, or of prey) have that part of their teeth next to their gums, broad and strong and their points sharp after the manner above specified;* 1.8 and they are cal∣led in Latine dentes à demendo (as Isiodorus noteth) which signifieth to take away or diminish, Quia a••iquid de cibis s••mper demu••t. In the same manner also doe every of these I••dentings, entring into the Field, lessen and take away some part of them as they goe.

* 1.9Note that all sorts of bordu es are subject to charging with things, as well Artificial, as Natura••l; as by examples following, in part shall appear; wherein I purpose not to be curious, either in their number, or yet in their order; but as they shall come to hand, so will I set them down in their proper places.

Hitherto of bordures simple, now of such as are compounded, as fol∣loweth,

* 1.10

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, a bordure countercomponed, Or, and Gules, which is as much to say, as compounded of these two Colours counterly placed. Note that Countercompony consisteth evermore of two tracts only and no more. Note further, that the manner of differencing of Coat-Armours by bordure is very ancient, but if you re∣spect their particular formes and charge, they are not so.

* 1.11

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Gules, a bordure perflewe, Verrey. Note here that, this term perflewe, is common to all the Furs before handled, so often as they are used in bordures. Therefore whensoever you shall find a bordure of any of these severall kinds, you must (for the more cer∣tainty of the blazon) express by name of what sort of Furres the same is, if there be a peculiar name appro∣priate thereunto. Otherwise if it be one of those kinds, that have no certain name, whereby it may be di∣stinctly known from the rest; or if it be so, that the bordure be composed of some such of the Furres as doe comprehend under one name, divers and distinct Colours, then must you of necessity particu∣larly name the Colours whereof every such bordure is so composed, except it consisteth of Argent and Azure, as this doth, and then it sufficeth to call it onely verrey; as in this example I have done.

* 1.12

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Gules, a Bordure checkie, Or, and Azure. Albeit this hath a near resemblance of counter-com∣pony before handled, yet is it not the same, for that never exceedeth two tracts or panes, and this is never lesse than of three: therefore you must take speciall heed to the number of the Tracts in Blazon, else may you easily erre in mistaking the one for the other. And this Rule holdeth not alone in Bordures, but also in Bends, Fesses, Bars, &c. borne after those man∣ners.

Sometimes you shall find the Bordures cha••ged with things living, as in these examples.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

The Field is Argent, a Bordure, Azure, charged with Enaluron of Martlets, to the number of eight, Or: In your blazoning of bordures of this kind of bearing, you must mention what sort of Fowle or Bird your bordure is charged withall, for that this term serveth generally for all kinds of bordures charged with things of this kind.

A like bordure did Jasper Earle of Pembroke bear,* 1.13 that was half-brother to King Henry the Sixth, and was created Duke of Bedford, by that most prudent Prince King Henry the Seventh.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Azure, a bordure, Gules, Enurny of eight Li∣oncels passant, Or. Otherwise thus. He beareth Azure,* 1.14 a Bordure, Gules, charged with eight Lioncels passant, Or: Such a bordure is set forth for Hamlyne Plantagenet that was base-brother to King Henry the Second. This term Enurny is proper to all bordures charged with any beasts, whose kinds, must be specially observed, and expressed in blazon, for the more certainty thereof.

Sometimes you shall find two of these sorts of bor∣dures before handled, commixt in one, as in these next examples following.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Argent, a bordure quarterly, as followeth:* 1.15 Th first Gules, enur••y of three Lioncels passant guardant, Or. The second, Azure, verdoy, of as many Flowers de Lis, Or. The third as the second: The fourth as the first. Such a bordure did Henry Courtney, Earle of Devon, and Marquesse of Exceter, bear, (who lived in the time of King Henry the Eighth) environing the Royall Armes of England, which he received as an augmen∣tation of Honour. And this Coat-Armour may also be thus shortly blazoned, Argent, a bordure quarterly England and France.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Gules, a bordure, quarterly composed of purflewe, Ermyne, and Counter-compony, Or, and Azure,* 1.16 Such a Bordure did Henry Fitz-roy bear, who was Duke of Richmond and Somerset, as also Earle of Nottingham. He was base son unto King Henry the Eighth. Some∣times you shall find Bordures charged with leaves or flowers, and other vegetables, as in example.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Sable, a bordure, Or,* 1.17 charged with Ver∣doy, of Trefoiles, slipped to the number of 8. proper. Note that this term Verdoy is appropried to all bordures charged with leaves, flowers, fruits, and other the like vegetables. Wherefore, to make your blazon more cer∣tain, it behoveth, that you should expresly mention what kind of vegetable the bordure is charged with∣all.

* 1.18Otherwhiles you shall have bordures charged with other sorts of things inanimate, or without life, as in this next example.

* 1.19

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, a bordure, Sable, charged with Entoyre of 8. Besants. Such a bordure did Richard Plantagenet, King of the Romans, and Earle of Cornwall bear, that was Son unto King John, and Brother to King Henry the third. Note, that this term Entoyre is proper to all bordures charged with dead things:* 1.20 therefore you must name what kind of Entoyre the bordure is charged with, whether with Roundles, Crescents, Mullets, Annulets, or whatsoever other dead thing. A Beisaunte, or (as some call them) a Talent, is taken for a Massive Plate or Bul∣lion of Gold, containing (according to Leigh) of Troy weight, 104 l. and two ounces, and is in value 3750 l. sterling, and had for the most part no similitude or representation upon it (as some hold) but only fashioned round and smooth, as if it were fitted and prepared to receive some kind of stamp But others are of opinion, that they were stamped, and that they were called bezants (or rather bizants) of bizantium, the place where they were anciently coyned. Note, that whensoever you shall find any Bezants or Talents borne in Armes, you shall not need to make mention of their colour in blazoning of them, because they be evermore understood to be Gold.

* 1.21

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

Sometimes you shall find bordures gobonated of two colours, as in this next example. He beareth Ermyne, a bordure gobonated, Or and Sable: and such a bearing is so tearmed, because it is divided in such sorts, as if it were cut into small Gobbets.

As this Bordure is gobonated, so shall you find Bor∣dures, either Bendy, or Bendwaies, or charged with Bends, as in this next Escocheon in part may appear.

* 1.22

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Gules, a bordure, Sable, charged with three Bends, Argent. I give it this blazon in respect that the Sable doth surmount the Argent, and stand∣eth (as it were) instead of a Field, but if they both were of even peeces, then should I have tearmed it a bodure-bendee or bend-waies, of so many pieces Ar∣gent and Sable, or Sable and Argent, as it should happen.

There resteth yet one example more of bordurings, which I have here placed, to the end the same may serve instead of many particular demonstrations, otherwise requisite for the full understanding of the manifold severall sorts of diapering, that may be used in bordures, as in example.

[illustration] example of blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Argent a Bordure, Gules Diapered,* 1.23 Entoy∣re, Enurny, Enaluron, Verdoy, &c. Note, that you may have diaper of any two, three or more of these, or any other their like, in one bordure, and that not onely bordures, but also Fields of Coat-armours, are found diapered. That Field or bordure is properly said to be diapered, which being fretted all over, hath something quick or dead, appearing within the Frets. And albeit things having life and sense, or their parts, may be borne diapered, yet Plants, Fruits, Leaves, Flowers, and other Vegetables, are (in the opinion of some Armorists) judged to be more fit for such kind of bearing.

This kind of bearing diaper in coat-armour, is sometimes seen in Coats of France, and Belgia, but very rare or never in England, as Sir John Ferne no∣teth. Diaper (saith he) is known of every man to be a fantasticall work of knots, within which are wrought the signes or formes of things either quick or dead, according to the invention of the work-master, as it is well known in Ypres, Bruges, and some Cities of Heynault. In the blazon of such Coats you must first name the colour or metall of the Field.

As touching their first severall Charges imposed upon these bordures a∣fore-handled, I should not (I acknowledge) have made mention of them at all in this place (the order of my Method respected) sed propter necessita∣tem nonnunquam recedendum est à regulis. But the occasion offered to treat of the differences of bordures in this place, enforced me to make untimely mention of those Charges, to the intent I might yeeld some satisfaction to the Reader touching these variable formes, which I could no way better perform than by demonstrative examples: Exempla enim ponimus, ut sentiant addiscentes.

Notwithstanding, that I take here onely mentioned a bordure and im∣borduring, for Ancient differences, yet I doe not thereupon conclude,* 1.24 that Antiquity was not acquainted with any other than these; but the reason that I doe not particularly here discourse at large of those other Ancient differences, is, because the use of divers of them now, as differences, is an∣tiquated, and some of them are now used, as Ordinaries, or some other Charge of the Field; which I shall afterward handle, but not here, because it sutes not with my intended method; others of those Ancient ones are still in use, as differences; but to demonstrate some other younger bro∣ther than anciently they did, and therefore now tearmed modern, by changing of their first use. Let it therefore suffice onely to name some of those first sort here mentioned as Orles, Cotizes, Bends, &c. Which how they then were disposed of, in the Terminall, Collaterall and Fixall Coat-Armours, I refer you to Sir John Ferne and others, who have writ plen∣tifully of them; In those elder times also, the variation of Metall or Colour, Transposition of Charge, yea, sometime change of the Charge, or of part of the Charge, transmutation of Metall into Furre, and such like, were used for distinctions of Families, as you may observe in divers Authors, and in the Coat-Armours of younger branches of many Ancient Families.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Plaine.
• * 1.2

  Rule.
• * 1.3

  Rule. The content of a bordure.
• * 1.4

  Simple bor∣dures.
• * 1.5

  Bordures in∣vecked.
• * 1.6

  Dent border.
• * 1.7

  Wyrly.
• * 1.8

  Isiodor.
• * 1.9

  Note.
• * 1.10

  Bordure countercom∣poned.
• * 1.11

  Bordure pur∣flewe of vaire, Rule.
• * 1.12

  Bordure checkie.
• * 1.13

  Iasper Earle of Pembroke. Bordure Ena∣luron of Mart∣lets.
• * 1.14

  Hamlyne plan∣tagenet, base brother to King Henry the second.
• * 1.15

  Examples of Bordures charged with living and ve∣getable things. Hen. Courtney Earle of Devon, and Marquess of Exceter.
• * 1.16

  Hen. Fitz-roy Duke of Rich∣mond.
• * 1.17

  Bordure ver∣doy.
• * 1.18

  Bordure char∣ged with things inani∣mate.
• * 1.19

  Richard Plan∣t••genet King of the Romans.
• * 1.20

  Entoyre. Note.
• * 1.21

  Bordure gobo∣nated.
• * 1.22

  Bordure Ben∣dy.
• * 1.23

  Bordure dia∣pered. Note.
• * 1.24

  Ancien diffe∣rences, their first use Anti∣quated.