A display of heraldrie

SECT. III. CHAP. III.

THus farre of such Starres which we called fixed: Now of those Planets whose shapes are of most use in Heraldry;* 1.1 I meane those two glorious Lights, the one for the Day, the other for the Night: for, as for the other five planets, because their aspect is lesse to the view, therefore they cannot easily admit a different form from the fixed Stars. The Sun is the very fountain of Light, and (as some Philosophers think) of Heat also; and all the splendor which the Moone hath, it borroweth from the Sun, and therefore as the Sun goeth further off, or neerer to her, so her light doth increase or diminish.* 1.2 And betweene both these and the Stars there is a great confor∣mity, in respect of their sparkling and resplendent beames, which are in appearance more evident, and in operation more effectuall, or at least more palpably discerned in these, by reason of their neerenesse unto us,

than of those that are from us so far remote. But herein they are unlike, that the beautifull and blazing brightnesse of these is oftentimes subject to the passion of darkning or eclipsing. Of whose glistering, eclipsing and variety of forms, we have bearing, these and other like examples follow∣ing.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, a Sun in his glory,* 1.3 by the name of S. Cleere. To expresse the colour of the Sun being thus borne, I hold it needlesse: for who knoweth not that the chiefest glory and highest commendation that may be given to the Sun doth consist in this, that he is beautified with the brightnesse of his proper beames: which cannot be better expressed than by the colour Gold, or Gold-yellow. But if it be borne of any other than this, which is his natural colour, then must the same be expresly mentioned, as in due place shall appear. The Sun is called in Latine Sol, according to some Authors, vel quia solus ex omnibus sideribus est tantus, vel quia quum est exortus, obscuratis a∣liis solus apparet: for that only he is so great, or for that when he is risen, he so darkneth all the rest with his splendor, as that he alone appeareth in Heaven, as a Monarch in his Kingdome. Of the glory and excellency of the Sun, it is said, Eccl. 42.16. The Sun that shineth, looketh on all things, and all the works thereof are full of the glory of the Lord. And again, Eccl. 43.2. The Sun also,* 1.4 a marvellous instrument, when he appeareth, declareth at his going out the work of the most high. At noon it burneth the Country, and who may abide for the heat thereof? ver. 3. The Sun burneth the Mountains three times more than he that keepeth a fur∣nace with continual heat. It casteth out the fiery vapours, and with the shining beams blindeth the eyes. Great is the Lord that made it, and by his commandment he causeth it to run hastily. And if we consider how many foggy mists it dis∣pelleth, how many noysome vapours it consumeth, and how all creatures are overcome with the heat thereof, we shall find that King David did ve∣ry aptly compare it to a Giant (for strength) refreshed with wine (for the heat) to run his course, for his swift motion.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Gules, a chief, Argent, on the lower part thereof a cloud, the Suns resplendent Raies there∣out issuing, Proper, by the name of Lesone of Whit∣field in Northampton-shire. The former example where∣in the Sun is borne, doth represent a visible form of a corporeal shape of a body, from which these Raies or beams here demonstrated may be apparently seen to issue; And these are as it were strained through a Cloud. Sometime one Raie or beame of this glorious Planet is borne in Coat-Armour, without any other charge, as in this next example.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, one ray of the Sun, issuing out of the dexter corner of the Escocheon Bend-waies, proper by the name of Aldam. Here I do not in the blazon make any mention of the three points or lines which are on either side of the Raie, for in Nature they have no essence, but proceed from the weaknesse of the Eye, which is not able to behold so glorious an object as the Sun.

* 1.5

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, a Sunne eclipsed, Sable. If this colour were not accidentall in respect of the eclipse of the Sun, the same should not have been named. The Suns eclipse is occasioned by the Interposition of the Moone, which though it be farre lesse in quantity, yet comming be∣twixt us and the Body of the Sun, it doth divert the Beames thereof, and debarreth us of the sight of them, even as the interposition of our hand, or any other small body, before our eyes, doth debarre us from the sight of some greater Mountaine. For to thinke that the Sun doth lose his light by the Eclipse, as doth a candle being extinct, procedeth out of meere rustick ignorance: as the like errour is in those, who thinke the Sunne loseth his light, or goeth to bed every night, wher∣as it doth onely remove it selfe from our Horizon, to inlighten other Countries situated in other parts of the world. As was well expressed by Secundus the Philosopher, who being demanded by Adrian the Emperour, what the Sunne was, taking his Tables in hand, wrote in this manner, Sol est Coeli oculus, caloris circuitus, splendor sine occasu, dici ornatus, horarum distri∣butor: It is the eye of heaven, the Circuit of heat, a shining without decay, the dayes Ornament, the houres distributer. The most miraculous eclipse of the Sunne that ever was, happened then when that Sun of Righteousnesse, the Sonne of God, was on the Crosse, when all the earth was so benighted at noone-day, that Dionysius Areopagita a Heathen Athenian cried out, Either the world was at an end, or the Maker of it was suffering some great agonie. The Starres and Planets hitherto spoken of do shine alike, or after one manner. Now others there are which shine after a divers sort: such are the Moone, and Comets, which we call Blazing Starres. Neither are we ignorant, that in proper speech, and truth of Philosophie, Comets are not Stars, but Meteors: yet the Vulgar opinion, and the received name and shape used in Heraldrie, may warrant me for thus ranking them amongst the Stars. But as touching the Moone, her light is meerely reflective, as the brightnesse of a Looking-glasse against the Sun; and in respect that her substance is very unequall, as in some parts of thicker substance, and in some parts thinner, therefore she is unequally inlightned by the Sun-beams, which maketh the weak eye, and weaker judgment, to fancy a face of a man in the Moon: whence we have gotten the fashion of representing the Moon with a face. But why the Sun should have the like, I wote not, unlesse it be that he should not be outfaced by the Moon being his inferiour. The most wise and pro∣vident God, before the creation of his other works, did first create the Light, to teach man to lay the first foundation of all his actions in the light of true knowledge, thereby to direct his wayes aright, and that his doings be not reproved as works of darknesse: especially sith God would not suf∣fer the Night it self to be so wrapt in darknesse, but that the Moon and stars should somewhat illuminate it. And according to the divers appari∣tions of the Moon, hath she her divers denominations in Heraldry; as her Increment, in her increase; her Complement when she is at Full; her Decremen••, in her Waning; and her detriment, in her Change and Eclipse. And accor∣ding to these varieties, is she also diversly borne in Coat-Armour, as the examples following will shew.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Gules, an Incressant, Or,* 1.6 by the name of Deseus. This is the state of the Moon from her entrance into her first Quarter, which is most usually the seventh day after the change, unto her full. In which time she is more and more illuminated, untill she hath filled her Circle. This word Incressant signi∣fieth the Moons Increment, or increasing estate, and it may fitly represent the rising fortunes of some hope∣full spark illightned and honoured by the gracious aspect and beams of his Soveraign, who is the bright Sun, and fountain of all the light of glorious Nobility, and may confer the Raies of his grace on whom it best pleaseth him.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Ermyne, three Incressants, Gules. This Coat pertaineth to the Family of the Symmes of Daventree in the County of Northampton.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azre,* 1.7 a Moon in her Complement (which is as much to say, as the Moon illustrated with her full light) proper. Here you need not to name the colour of the Moon, for the reason before delivered in the first example of the Sun.* 1.8 The proper colour of the Moon we in Heraldry take to be Argent, both for the weaknesse of the light, and also for distinction betwixt the blazoning of it and the Sun; and therefore when we blazon by Planets, we name Gold Sol, and Silver Luna. Concerning the use of the Moon, it is said,* 1.9 Eccl. 43.6. The Moon also hath he made to appear according to her season, that it should be a declaration of the Time, and a sign for the World, Verse 7. The Feasts are appointed by the Moon, the light thereof diminisheth unto the end, ver. 8. The Moon is called after the name thereof, and groweth wonderfully in her changing. The Moon is the Mistresse by which all moist,* 1.10 mutable and uncon∣stant things are ruled; as Mulier, Mare, Flumina, Fontes: a Woman, and the Sea, Rivers, and Fountains: the ebbing and flowing of the Sea following the motions of the Moon.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Azure, a Moon decressant, Proper,* 1.11 by the name of Delaluna. This is the state of the Waning Moon, when she declineth from her-Full, and draw∣eth to her last Quarter, which is accomplished most commonly the seventh day after she hath attained the Full, and receiveth a diminution of her light, to the wasting of the one half thereof; and from the said seventh day after her Full, she diminisheth conti∣nually more and more, untill she become again (as many honest men are) corniculata, sharp-horned, and suffereth continually diminution unto the instant of her Change; and diffe∣reth

from her prime state after the Change, onely in this, that the first (repre∣sented by the first of these Examples) is turned to the right hand of the Escocheon, and this other to the left. And hitherto I have proposed examples of her naturall aspects, you shall now see her accidentall forme, as in example.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, a Moon in her detriment or Eclipse,* 1.12 Sable: the Moon is Eclipsed onely at such time as she is at her full state: and diametrically opposite unto the Sunne; when by interposition of the Earth betweene them, she seemeth to our sight for the time to be deprived of her light, through the shadow of the grosse body of the Earth. This is a passive forme of the Moon; and such her Passions are called in La∣tine, Labores Lunae, the throwes or pangs of the Moone. In former time the old Germans thought the Moon was in a Trance, and used to shout and make a noise with Basons, to wake her: or else they supposed she was angry with them,* 1.13 and therefore they how∣led till she looked cheerefully on them againe. Of this mutable state of the Moon, thus writeth the Poet:

Nec par aut eadem nocturnae forma Dianae, Esse potest usquam, semper hodierna s••quente:

Dame Cynthia imitates the Dames of our Nation; Every day she attires her selfe in a new fashion.

* 1.14Which occasioned a witty Morall related by Plutarch (as I thinke) how on a time the Moon sent for a Taylor to make her a Gown, but he could ne∣ver fit her, for it was ever either too little, or too bigge for her; which was not the Tailors fault but her owne inconstancie: so impossible a thing it is to fit the humours of one that is fickle and unstable.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He Beareth, Or, thre Starres issuant from as many Cressants, Gules, by the name of Bateman, and was borne by Robert Bateman Esquier, Chamberlaine of London, who left a hopefull and flourishing issue, viz. Richard Batemam, William Bateman, Anthony Bateman, now Sheriff of London, 1658. and Thomas Bateman, all Merchants and Members of that noble City.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, on a Fesse indented, Azure, three Stars, Argent, a Canton, of the second, charged with a Sun in glory by the name of Thompson, being thus borne by William Thompson now Alderman of London, Colonel George Thompson, and Maurice Thompson Esq Governour of the East-India Company, sons of Robert Thompson of Wotton in Hertfordshire, Gentlemen of much worth and quality.

Sometimes you shall finde all these severall kinds of Lights before ex∣pressed, borne together in one Escocheon, as in example.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, the Sun, the Full Moon,* 1.15 and the seven Stars, Or, the two first in Chief, and the last of orbicular forme in base. It is said that this Coat-Armour pertained to Johannes de fontibus, sixth Bishop of Ely; who had that (after a sort) in his Escocheon which Joseph had in his dream, Gen. 37.9. where the Sun, Moon, and eleven Stars did do him reverence; sig∣nifying, his Father, Mother, and eleven Brethren. For as in Scripture, so in Heathenish devotions also, the Sun and Moon were accounted the Male and Fe∣male, and sometimes Man and Wife; and as the Moon hath all her light from the Sun, so hath the Wife from the Husband; and as the Moon is ever lighter on that side which looks towards the Sun, so should the wife stu∣dy to be fairest in her husbands eye. And many wives in their husbands ab∣sence do truly imitate the Moon in this, that they are lightest when their Sun is farthest from them. Howsoever this marriage betwixt Sun and Moon was made up, it is certain that once the Banes were forbidden; as appeareth by one, who speaking of Queen Maries dayes, and of her Mar∣riage relateth, how when the Sun went first a woing to the Lady Moon,* 1.16 all Nations (especially those of hot Countries) preferred a petition to Jupiter, to hinder the Nuptials; alleadging, that there then being but one Sun, yet he scorched and burned all, but if he should marry, and get other Suns, the heat would so increase, as all must needs perish: whereupon Jupiter, stay∣ed the match for that time; or at least, was so propitious, that no issue came of the conjunction of those fiery flames. The severall states of the Moon increasing and decreasing before handled, are now very rare in bearings and in manner antiquated: inasmuch as in these dayes, not onely their shapes, but their very names also are extinct, and instead of them we have another new coined form, having neither the name, shape, nor yet so much as the shadow of the former remaining, as may be seen in the next Escocheon.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Argent, three Cressants, Gules, by the name of Butuillaine of Northampton-shire.* 1.17 At this day we take no notice of any other form, either of the increasing or decreasing Moon, but onely of this depra∣ved shape, which corrupt custome hath rashly hatched, as a form much differing from those before exem∣plified, if not meerely repugnant to Nature. The pa∣tricians of Rome used to wear the badge of the Moon, on their shooes: as these Cressants are, sometimes the sole Charge of the Field, as in this last Escocheon; so they are also borne upon the honourable Ordinaries as in this next ex∣ample.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Ermyne, on a Chief, Sable, three Cres∣sants, Or, by the name of Preston of Suffolk as appea∣reth in diverse ancient Books remaining in the Of∣fice of Armes. Concerning the chief and furs demon∣strated in this Coat-Armour, I have elsewhere at large spoken of them in their proper places.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Azure, a Crescent Argent; This is the Coat of Lucas Lucy of London Merchant, and Ri∣chard Lucy his Brother, a Gentleman of much worth and credit in this City.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Azure, three Crescents, Or, and is the Coat-Armour of the ancient Family of Rider, originally of the North, of which Family is that discreetly accomplisht Gentleman Captain William Rider of London Merchant.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, on a Chief, Sable, three Crescents, Argent, by the name of Harvey, and is the Coat-Ar∣mour of Master John Harvy of Antwerpe, Daniel Harvy of Combe Nevill in Surrey, Eliab Harvy of London, and Michael Harvy, Esquires, Sons of four of those seven Harvies Brethren, so eminent some years since in and about this City, the eldest of which was that pro∣foundly learned Doctor William Harvy, the second Thomas Father of John above mentioned, the third John a member of the Parliament the third of Novem∣ber, 1640. the fourth Daniel father of Daniel above mentioned, late high Sheriff of Surrey, who hath to wife the Daughter of Edward Lord Mounta∣gue of Boughton. The fifth Brother is Eliab Harvy of Broadstreet London Esquire, the onely surviving of the seven, Father of Eliab abovesaid, which latter a while since married Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Thomas Whitmore of Aply in Shropshire, Knight and Baronet, not long after his Sister Mistresse Mary Harvy had been marryed to Sir William Whitmore Ba∣ronet, son of the said Sir Thomas. The sixth and seventh of these brethren were Matthew and Michaell Harvy twins, whereof the former dyed with∣out issue, as also did the first and third; But Michaell (whose widow is re∣married to William Steele Chancellour of Ireland) had issue Michael afore∣said, who hath late marryed the Daughter of William Ʋnderwood Sheriff of London, 1652. which Family is a hopefull and spreading Ornament to this Kingdome.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, two Bars in Chief, three Crescents, Gules, by the name of Nowers.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Sable, a Crosse engrailed between four Crescents, Argent, borne by Robert Barnham of Kent Esquire, eldest Son of Sir Francis Barnham descended from Stephen Barnham of Southwick in the County of Southampton, of whom it is thus remembred; Hic Stephanus Barnham oriundus erat ab Waltero Barnham, Capitali Baroni de Scaccario Domini Regis Temopre R. 2. militi.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Argent, three Crescents parted paly wavy, Gules, Azure, by the name of Haynes, which Family is not a little splendid by the actions of two persons of it, Father and Son, whose conduct and management in their commands, at Jamaica, where the noble Colonel unfortunately though honourably fell, and lately at Dunkirke by the Son, may not sleep in Oblivion.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Argent, a Fesse, between three Cres∣cents, Sable, this is the Coat of that accomplished Gentleman Sir Henry Lee Baronet (who marryed Anne Daughter of Sir John Danvers of Dautsey) and was Son of Sir Henry Son of another Sir Henry Lee of Quarenden in Buckinghamshire, created Baronet June 29. 1611. whose widow was secondly marryed to the Earle of Sussex, and thirdly to Robert Earle of Warwick.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Argent, a Cheuron, Gules, between three Crescents, Sable, by the name of Withers, of which Family is Master Withers of Wandesworth now living in good account and estimation; this is borne also by Captain George Withers wel known and much celebrated for his Britains Remembrancer, and other Poems.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Azure, a Star issuant from between the Hornes of a Cressent, Argent, this is the Coat of the ancient Family of Minshall of Cheshire; of which is Sir Richard Minshall Knight, a great incourager of Arts and Industry.

The other sort of Stars, that do shine after a diverse sort, are those that we call comets or Blazing-stars, whose Form is commonly as in this next Escocheon is represented.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, a Blazing-star, or Comet strea∣ming in Bend,* 1.18 proper. The Comet is not of an orbicu∣lar shape, as other the celestiall natures are; but doth protract his light in length like to a beard, or rather dilate it in the midst like a hairy bush, and growing thence Taperwise, after the manner of a Fox-tail, and it doth contract his substance or matter from a slimy exhalation, and hath not his being from the creation, neither is it numbred amongst the things naturall, mentioned in the History of Genesis, but is Aliquid praeter naturam; and yet placed with the heavenly bodies, because they seem to us to be of that kind. They are supposed to prognosticate dreadfull and horrible events of things to come: whereupon Lucan saith,

Ignota obscurae viderunt sydera noctes, Ardentemque polum flammis, coeloque volantes Obliquas per inane faces, crinemque timendi Sideris, & terris minitantem Regna Cometam.

In sable nights new stars of uncouth sight, And fearfull flames all o're the Heavens appear, With fiery Drakes, and Blazing bearded light, Which fright the World, and Kingdomes threat with fear.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The aspect of the Planets is lesse to the view.
• * 1.2

  The borrow∣ed light of the Moon. Con∣formity of pla∣nets with Pla∣nets.
• * 1.3

  The Sun in his glory.
• * 1.4

  The forcible power of the Sun.
• * 1.5

  Occasion of the Suns E∣clipse.
• * 1.6

  Entry of the Moon into her first quar∣ter.
• * 1.7

  Complement of the Moon what.
• * 1.8

  Proper colour of the Moon.
• * 1.9

  Use of the Moon.
• * 1.10

  The Moon Mistresse of mutability.
• * 1.11

  The Moon in her decrement.
• * 1.12

  The Moone in her detriment.
• * 1.13

  Passive formes of the Moone.
• * 1.14

  Witty morall.
• * 1.15

  Sun, Moon, and seven Stars.
• * 1.16

  Holinsheds Chron. in Q. Mary.
• * 1.17

  Comets.
• * 1.18

  Comets.