kynde of Nobilitie is saide to be that whiche of all others is moste excellente as when anye man dothe exceede or farre passe others in honestie gentlenesse or noblenesse of harte and dothe trauaile by the puissance of his owne renoume And he truely is to be called Noble whom not other mennes but his owne vertue hathe aduanced vnto glorie To these foure kindes Aristotle addeth the fifth that is to saie of them which did florishe in highe learninge and knowledge of thinges wonderfull and suche by righte ought to be called Noble men because they doo not only ennoblish their owne Houses whereof they descended but also make honorable the Cities and CouÌ„tries wherein they were borne as for example Iuba the sonne of Iube kinge of Numidia beinge a childe and also a captiue Iulij Caesaris triumphum Africannm secutus est And although he thus had loste his Kingedome and libertie and was spoyled of all his honour and glorie yet he thought not vtterly to lose all his estimation Wherefore he earnestly applied him selfe to the studie of good learnynge wherein he so muche profited that in fewe yeares he attained to such knowledge as thereby he was accoumpted amongest the moste learned Writers of all Greece So that what so euer fortune had abated of his Nobilitie the same did the learning of good artes more abundantly restore to the greate augmentation of his honour Semblably Hannibal of Carthage in his greate miserie aduersitie and olde age learned the Greeke tongue and became so eloquent that he moste wisely did bothe write the actes and deedes of certaine Emperours and also noble Bookes of Martiall policie whereby he deserued righte highe commendation and aduancemente to his former Nobilitie whiche consisted not in the ancient Linage or dignitie of his Auncetours but in the greate learninge wisedome and vertue which in him was very Nobilitie and that Nobilitie brought him to dignitie Virtute decet non sanguine niti Nam genus proauos quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco The woordes of that prince of Oratours Cicero in his second Booke of Offices which he writte vnto his sonne Cicero doth admonish vs not onely to consider the name or fame of our parentes or Auncetours but that we must diligently take heede that we commit nothinge whereby we maie be thought vnwoorthy to beare the Ensignes of our Progenitours These are his woordes vnto his sonne If any from the beginninge of his youthe hathe the title of honorable name either receiued of his Father which to thee my Cicero I thinke to haue happened or by any chaunce or fortune on him all men caste their eyesâ— and of him there is seachinge what he doothe and howe he liueth And so as thoughe he shoulde leade his life in moste open lighte neither woorde nor deed of his can be vnknowne Thus it is proued that Noble men muste haue especial regarde that they maie be thought woorthy to beare that whiche they receiued of theire Grandsiers For their faultes or vices are of all men euen of the basest sorte bothe noted and reported and for theire honorable doinges and deseruinges are likewise of them commended praised Wherefore it is expediente for all those of the Nobilitie and suche as desire to beare the names of Gentlemen especially aboue all others to be circumspecte in their liuinge and manners and to walke as in the day lighte Nobilitas sola est atque vnicae virtus Finis Libri primi NVMER 2. Euerie man of the children of Israell shall pitche vnder his owne Standerde and vnder the Armes of their Father Houses ¶ The second boke entituled The Armorie of Honour ¶ What they were who in olde time did beare tokens or signes of Armes NObilitie as Boetius in his thirde Booke De Consolatione Philosophiae defineth it Est laus quaedam proueniens ex meritis Parentum It is also a dignitie of Byrthe and Linage Aristotle saithe in his fourth Booke Politicorum that is Virtus diuitae antiquae The whiche definitions teach vnto vs the true knowledg of very Nobilitie which diuerse sundrie persons haue and doo yet attaine vnto by the name and good fame of their parentes other by chaunce or fortune some for theire studies some by feates of armes some for their great possessioÌ„s or long continuance of theire bloude and aunciente house in one name and lynage and also many for their vertues onely which aboue al other ought euer to haue preheminence in praise commendation And therfore to y t kind or lynage of those men were armes first giueÌ„ as to them which excelled al others in vertue prowes goodnes of kind and such were called noble persons or gentle they did beare in their shields on their helmetê or other armor certain signes or tokens to be knowne by Vt passim videre licet apud Poetas Pallas that mightie Goddesse of Battaile wisedome for because shee woulde seeme more terrible in battaile did beare for her Ensigne the monstrous and Serpentines heade of Gorgon Bacchus the sonne of Iupiter by Semeles daughter of Cadmus who wente a greate parte of the world destroyinge Tyrantes and Monsters and conquered the Countrie of India did beare vpon his Helmet the hornes of an Oxe whiche was his Creaste as it is nowe termed of the Heraultes Mars Hercules for that theire strengthe power force shoulde be well knowne did beare on theire Armour the skinnes of Lyons in Latin called Leonum exuuiae Iupiter also the sonne of Saturnus who for his prowes wisedome after his death was of all the Greekes honoured as a God called Father kinge of Gods did beare for his Ensigne a Swanne his heade with the necke All whiche Ensignes and tokens by them deliuered to theire successours Nobilitatis quòd ab heroibus nati essent specimen dabant Porus the king of the Indians when he ordered his battaile against y e greate Alexander did beare in his standerd the Image of Hercules for an encouragement of his souldiers to fight well for a note of reproufe and infamie to them that shoulde flye from the same and losse of life to them that left it in the fielde Suche veneration and Religion the Indians conceiued of Hercules that sommetime had bene their enimie Thus by whom tokens of Armes in old time were borne may partly be perceiued But yet the goodly order trade in bearing ordering of them was not then suche as it is nowe For of these before recited I finde no mention made of mettall colour terme or any other rule in what fourme they did beare them ¶ Of the fourme of Scutcheons To sette foorthe here the fourme of Scutcheons it needeth not For of sundrie fashions thereof in especially mene may plainely be seene in the booke entituled The Accidence of Armorie And therefore firste I will declare in howe sundrie
bodely persones of reason .2 It is profitable to health agaynst y e passions of sorie mens hartes .3 It is nedefull and noble in staunchyng of blode there els to moche woulde oute runne The bearer thereof shoulde be stedfast amiable and in peace vertuous also with longe cōtinuance in mekenes that mother is of all vertues shewing mercy pitye with the harte towardes all men embracing also peace and folowing it Therefore let all gentlemen suffer in no wyse thys iewell the Margarite to bee blemished as nighe as they maye but with harte and mynde studye to optayne the vertues that thereby are signified and so through grace for theire seruice they shalbe hyghely aduaunced H. Beareth Ermyne a Pale verte semie de daysie propre Chaucer writeth moche of thys floure in many places of hys workes and in especially in hys preface to the legend of good weomen where he sayeth of hym selfe beynge in loue with thys floure in the moneth of Maye Leanynge on my elbowe and my syde The longe day I shope me for to abide For nothing els and I shall not lye But for to looke vpon the Deysie That well by reason men it call maye The days eye or els th'eye of the daye The empresse and floure of floures all I pray to God that faire mought she fall And all that loue floures for her sake But natheles ne wene not that I Make In praysinge of the floure agayne the lefe No more than of the corne agayne the shefe And the sayd Chaucer writeth in a goodly Balade of hys also of the Daysie where he calleth it Daysie of lighte verie grounde of comforte The sonnes daughter ye hyghte as I rede For when he westreth farewel your disporte By your nature anone righte for pure drede Of the rude nighte that with hys boistous wede Of darkenes shadoweth our emispere Then closen ye my lyues Ladye dere Floures do wel become louers for that they take therein delite and therefore are of greate dignitie in signes Armoriall The certayne quantitie of thys Planet is vnknowne to earthely dwellers The Sonne but he shine saieth Chaucer for sonne is not accōpted so vertue but it stretcheth in goodnes or profit to an other is no vertue but into hys contrarie the name shalbe reuersed The fielde is of the Perle two Spurres in Pale Rubye Hys creste a mollet blemished Topaze set on a wreath Perle and Diamonde manteled Saphyre dobled Topaze Chaucer sayeth that habite maketh no mōcke ne wearing of gyite Spurres maketh no knyghte These were th'armes of Tydeus the kinges sonne of Calcedonye whiche hee did beare in hys shielde at the destruction of the Citye Thebes The Bore is called Aper a feritate ablata F. littera subrogata P. Vnde apud Graecos Syagros id est ferus dicitur Thys Beaste is armed in hys mouthe with two croked tuskes whiche are right strong and sharpe and the same he vseth in steade of a sworde and hys ryghte shulder is harde brode and thicke whiche he occupieth as a shielde to defende hym withal putting that brawne for his chefe armoure against hys weapon that pursueth hym The Bore fighteth with the Wolffe and hateth hym by kynde For the wolffe lyeth in awayte for hys chyldren stealeth them full ofte The fielde is of the Topaze a Dragon Emeraude Thys was th'Armes of Ethyocles kynge of Thebes which he did beare in hys shielde whan he fought with hys brother Polymyte for the kyngdome wherefore the one of thē slue the other K. Beareth Azure a Cathedre or chaire Royal d'Or adourned with Rubies propre Suche a chaire is descryued by Chaucer in the thirde boke of Fame where hee sayeth Fame satte in a seate Imperiall That made was of Rubye royall Whiche that a Carboncle is I called And there she was perpetually istalled The fielde is Sol a Bores heade coped Saturne These were th'Armes of Sir Thopas as in the metre made of hym maye appeare at large in the workes of Chaucer And for hys creste he bare a Tower Wherein sticked a Lillye floure Of coloures all most propre ¶ Here note th'antiquitie of Creastes L. beareth Sable and gules parted per Fesse an Annu◠let d'Or hauing the gemme Asterites propre Thys is a precious stone and is whyte and conteanethe as it were lyghte therein enclosed or lyke a Sterre goyng within it and maketh the Sunne beames white whereof also it taketh hys name Of hys vertues I neade not to speake hys beautie and fayrenes bringeth hym commendacion sufficient And of the geuing of Annullettes or rynges there may be founde diuerse hystories amongest whō I haue noted thys one Lucius Sylla beyng dictator of the Romaynes gaue vnto Roscius a player in Comedyes a ryng of golde whiche was the token of a knyghte at that tyme as a coler or cheyne of golde is at thys time Thys Roscius for his excellencie in pronunciation and gesture the noble Cicero called hys Iewell and so muche delited in hym that he contended with hym whether Roscius coulde set forthe one sentence in more fashions of gesture and contenance or he expresse the same sentence in a more diuersitie of eloquente wordes And touching the token borne in the saide cote armour yf a Crosse Sterre Cressante or anie floure were figured on the same Annulet it were a great beautefiynge of the sayde Armes and no lyttle commendacion to the bearer Thys maye bee taken for a good token in armes as of liberalitie whā the same is not shutte But being knitte and so borne it is a token of auarice for so Chaucer writeth in the boke entituled the Romante of the Rose where he sayeth Auarice helde in her hande A pursse that hounge by a bande And that she hidde bounde so stronge Men must abide wondre longe Out of the pursse ere there came ought For that ne commeth in her thoughte It was not certaine her entente That from that pursse a penny wente And further the same Chaucer sayth in the sayde boke That a full greate foole is he ywis That both riche poore nigarde is A Lorde may haue no maner of vice That greueth more than auarice For nigarde neuer with strengthe of hande May winne him great Lordshippe or lande And whoso will haue frendes here He maye not holde his treasure dere For by ensample tell I this Righte as an Adamante Ywis Can drawe to him full subtillye The yron that is layde therebye So draweth folkes hertes ywys Siluer golde that yeuen is M. Beareth verte a kynge armed at all poynctes d'Argent bearynge a sceptre and crowne Or wynged d'Ermyne Thys maye bee taken for the God Mercurie God of eloquence for to diuerse he hath appeared as hauing wynges so in hystories of hym may be redde Thys was the Banner of Theseus whan he came to the destruction of Thebes Citye slue Creon kynge thereof And thus Chaucer wryteth
Workes of Armorie deuyded into three bookes entituled the Concordes of Armorie the Armorie of Honor and of Coates and Creastes collected and gathered by Iohn Bossewell Gentleman In aedibus Richardi Totelli Anno domini 1572. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum To the right honorable and his singuler good lorde Sir William Cecil Baron of Burghleigh Knight of the moste noble order of the Garter Lorde highe Treasorer of Englande master of the courtes of wardes and Liueries Chauncellour of the Uniuersitie of Cambridge and one of the Queenes Maiesties priuie Counsaile Iohn Bossewel wisheth long healthe with encrease of honor RIght honorable and my singuler good Lorde I haue marueled vpon occasion of late that amonge the numbers of bookes in their seueral kyndes not onely by their auctors diligently deuised but surely by the printers of these dais for the most part procured and to theire exceeding great charges faythfullye exactlye published I finde so fewe that I coulde almoste haue saide none to haue written in our natiue tongue of the science and skill of Armory Truely in my oppinion a very fruitefull necessary and honorable argument but might I deeme or were it rashnesse as Tullye in his Tusculans in the comparison betweene the Romains Grecians which might excede other or be more auncient in knowledge sayth of such as of theÌ„ lay neglecte Honos alit artes omnesque incendunt ' ad studia gloria Surely not vnlike but as in al other things so in science what auayleth seruice where soueraigntie is neglected what actiuitie where men lie downe to sleepe with sloth what loue what frendship where no man buildes on fayth or credyt so takè honor from lawe rewarde from Phificke admiration from Mathematicalls humilitie and zeale from heauenly science and who sets his sonne to schoole for them no doubt Tully saide ful wisely keepe backe rewarde and learning adew Yet somme there are that feede not altogether of this humor and they rake together the fewe sparcles of knowledge hyd and almoste dead in the ashes of obliuion and eyther them selfes builde a fyer therof or geeue occasion to others such one was of late specially in this kind of Herehaultry a very fruteful and worthy writer master Gerard Leigh and suche do I offer my self at this preseÌ„t meaning to adde somewhat farther or geeue occasion to others not drawen by hope of reward which rather would haue kept me back but honor of the science loue of my couÌ„trey and especially my bounden and duitifull estimacion of your honorable fauor wherunto as I do with reuerence offer and dedicate thys simple thing scarce worthe the reading in respect of the handeling yet for the substaÌ„ce not to be altogether neglected so I most humbly beseech your honor to accept the same and bee Patron thereof wherby you shal not onely staye and rere vp this declining knowledge to your great renowme but bind me for euer by al maner of duities and specially to pray for your honorable estate long to continue in fauor with God credyt with youre soueraigne honour wyth your countrie fidelitye wyth your Peeres and loue towardes Armorye Cilenus censure of the aucthor in his high court of Herehaultry A Court ther staÌ„ds twixt heaueÌ„ erth al gorgeous to behold of royal state in second spheare a hugie building olde Portcolized bard with bolts of gold resplendant bright of glistering geÌ„mes through Pallas power bedazeling eche y t no maÌ„ may com in except he haue y e perfit skil maÌ„s sight of Herehauts art and climbed hath Parnassus sacred hill Within this stately court like number roomes are founde like number flags like number armes as realmes vpon y e ground About y e walls more woÌ„derous work then framd by mortal haÌ„d eche Herehauts liuely counterfet in seemely sort doth stand within these seuerd romes through wals ibuilt of Christal cleare Eche thing that longs to Herehauts art doth perfectly appeare There leger bookes of auncient gestes ywrit by Pallas hand there campinges mornings musterings there pedegrees do stand There cuÌ„bats fierce there suÌ„moÌ„s bold there triuÌ„phs passing braue of trowning kings of dubbing knights the orders ther they haue Both single coates and martialed of eche renowmed wight with visitacions which allottes to ech desert his right Reuersed coates not hidden there bewray disloyall deedes Caparisons ther fixed hang and bardings strong of steedes With armors fully furnished and gauntlets vnredemd suche vncouth sights eche office holdes as cannot be estemde At vpper ende of al this court as seuerd from the rest with flaunting Penon standes a house as famous as the best Where portraied are y e English armes froÌ„ which depeÌ„deth braue a golden garter in the whiche a golden George they haue Unto this place assembled was eche wight within this hall and did admire a golden booke whiche fell amongst them all Blown vp by blast of flying fame which tooke her tromp in hand of burnisht golde whereto she plyde her lips as she dyd stand in Brutus realme whereon when they a litle space had pride abashed at the hidden skill which in that woorke they spide They staÌ„pt they starde they fret they fumde al in one they ioiÌ„d vpon the aucthor to complaine because he had purloind Their secresies when sodainly from highest regall throne was drawne a trauerse ritche wherwith they whusted euery one Within this farre more stately court are rich acheuemeÌ„ts braue and none but Gods or fellow mates to gods as there may haue there armesâ—there both Alcides spoiles Iasonâ— fleese remaynde with Gorgons hedd and Perseus prayse whoe so earst had gaynd A noble name eternizd was for there did splendant shine the auncient Pegasus whiche earst Minerua dame diuine To inner Temples martyall gaue to whose redoubted grace in honor Ioue in prowes Mars in wyt her selfe geues place â–ª No god ne wight of worthy fame but hath purtraied there the field the shield the coat y e crest which he of right should beare Their shiuered shafts and broken bow beres Ioue subdued in field and Mars that sind with Venus once his dreadful geuly shield hath chargde with furs a note whereby to knowe a lechers life Thiestes there a difference hath which lay with brothers wife Eche vice detected there by blazons arte at point deuise and all the walles with imagery were grauen storie wise The siege of Thebes the fall of Troy in beaten massie golde dan Vulcane hath set out at large full geazon to beholde Eche thing that hapt vntill this day did plainly there appeare Thenthronizing of Ioue and eake Saturnus mornful cheare that was exilde how the gods bewailde that dismoale day when Mars and Venus wounded were by Diomede in fraye And Phebus wayling 〈◊〉 and pomp of triumphs proude for daunt of Giatmâ—s sterne which fall of mightie Ioue had vowde All this engrauen was in precious stones of proudest price Ech thing set out in colours due to thinke a quaint deuice In midst whereof
Cura because that in it abideth all carefulnesse all regarde of God and godlynesse and also the cause of all knowledge and wisedome The harte of man declinethe more towarde the lefte side then of any other liuinge creature for to them it is sette in the middle of the bodye The causes of the one or of the other it appertaineth not here to recite And as the same is of no very great quantitie so is it in fourme more rounde then longe Yet in the lower parte thereof it gathereth sharpe Exitque pene in mucronem It is the well of life and all fealinge and mouinge is therein Amongest al members the harte of man is most noble and therefore it is sette in the moste excellente place of the body as it is moste needefull For no member is so needefull to the life of man as is the harte I haue displayed the saide Harte peirced with Dartes to declare thereby oure mortalitie in that we see if the same be striken wounded or grieued with sorrowe wee then can haue no longer pleasure or delighte to liue I reade also that Aristomenes a man of Messene whiche was called Iustissimus Moste iuste when he was deade was founde to haue his Harte all hearye The Harpe is a token not vnmeete to be borne in chiefe of the saide Cote armoure beinge an instrumente like to a mannes breaste For likewise as the voice commeth of the breast so the notes comme of the Harpe and hathe therefore in Latin that name Cythara for the breaste is called Cythara in Dorica lingua This instrumente is seene sometime to haue foure corners but moste commonly three In olde times Harpes hadde but seuen stringes and so Virgili saithe Septem sunt soni septem discrimina vocum A Stringe in Latin is called Corda of Corde the harte For as the pulse of the Harte is in the breaste so the pulse of the stringes is in the Harpe Cordas autem primus Mercurius excogitauit idemque prior in neruos sonum strinxit His fielde is of the Saphyre a Psalterie in Bend sinister Topaze His crest a wrest in Crosse Sol set on a chapâ—au Mars turned vp Ermynes manteled Rubie doubled Ermynes Isidore saithe that Psalterium quod vulgo Canticum dicitur à psallendo nominatum hathe his name of singynge Quòd ad eius vocem Chorus consonando respondeat The Harpe is like to the Psaltrie in sounde but betwene them this is the difference In the Psaltrie is an holowe tree and of that same tree the sounde commeth vpwarde and the stringes beinge smitten downewarde Desuper sonant And in the Harpe the holownesse of the tree is beneathe The Hebrewes vsed to call the Psaltrie Decacordon propter numerum decalogum Legis And this Instrumente hathe but tenne stringes The best stringes for the Psaltrie are made of Siluer yet those bene good whiche bene made of Laton The Wreste in Latin highte Plectrum And whereas I descriued the saide Wreaste in Crosse yet take the same not to be twoo but one Wreste because a certaine holownesse muste be seene at euery pointe of the Crosse wherewith the pinnes of y e Psaltrie must be wrested diuersly as they are of bignesse Mercurius inuented the sundry kindes of stringes and he firste streined them and made them to sounde This Cote armoure of the saide Christian kinge I noted as I founde the same painted amonge the reste of the Cotes of all Christian Princes vpon the couer of the Fonte in the Cathedral churche of Yorke Yet Munsterus in his booke of Cosmographie figurethe vnto the same Prince an other Cote armour Videlicet a Lyon Rampante vpon a Crosse the mettall or colours of the fielde or tokens borne in the same he describeth not The other as I haue seene the same is rightly displayed bothe of the fielde and the signes borne therein Wherefore I mynde here to speake but of the droppes vpon the saide Crosse beinge blazed Guttie and no mention made of coloure whiche I thinke needeth not to be rehearsed for that these droppes are of theire proper coloure and are to be taken for droppes of bloude And therefore in an other manner take the blazon of the same noble kinge his armes who beareth Mars on a Crosse Solis guttie This name Christus of the fielde within a Crowne d'Espines proper The droppes also here descriued haue a spirituall interpretation whiche euery true and christian harte maie rightly vnderstande what they signifie Other droppes there be as droppes of raine and dewe Suche droppes feede and nourishe fishe in the sea make Oysters fatte and breede in them Pearles and Pretious stones as Isidore saithe and namely the droppes of the morninge dewe And althoughe a droppe be most neshe yet by ofte fallinge it pierceth that thinge that is righte harde as this verse saithe Gutta cauat lapidem non vi sed saepè cadendo The harde stone is pierced with droppinge Not by strength but by ofte fallinge The fielde is Uerte Stillie d'Argente This is a righte little parte of water or rayne departed by somme violence from the whole and is called Gutta when it standeth or hangeth on eauesinges or of trees and when it falleth it is called Stilla and thereof commeth Stillicidium as it were a fallinge droppe A droppe hanginge fallinge or standinge is in substance moste cleare rounde in fourme small and strayte in the ouer parte little in quantitie and greate in vertue For it moysteth the earthe that it falleth vpon and maketh it plenteous and fruitefull feedeth and nourisheth rootes and seedes and maketh them growe and quickeneth and preserueth greenesse in trees hearbes grasse Therefore I haue descriued these styles in theire proper fielde G. beareth Azure a Barre Gemewe Or betwene three handes sinister d'Argente The Tymbre a palme of an hande dexter d'Ermyne sette on a Wreath Or and Sable manteled Azure doubled Argente The token borne in this Cote armour is a lefte hand For it suffereth the righte handes woorke and hathe that name Sinistra of Sinere to suffer And the hande highte Palma when the fingers benne streithte foorthe as it were boughes or braunches sprayed The Trewell is an auncient addition of Armorie What a Manche is taken to bee I haue shewed in the first boke entituled the Concordes of Armorie And touchyng the Margarites wherewith y e sayd Manche is poudered Chaucer in hys seconde and thirde bokes entituled the Testament of loue maketh a great processe of them as gemmes very precious clere and little And thus descriueth them as he readeth in the workes of great clerkes whyche entreate of the kyndes and propreties of thynges sayng that the Margarite is a little whyte pearle throughout holowe and rounde and verteous And on the Sea sides in great Britayne in Muscle shelles of the heauenly dewe the beste bene engendred in whiche by experience bene founde thre faire vertues One is it geeueth comforte to the felynge spirites in
of the sayde Theseus hys banner and penon in these wordes The redde statue of Mars with spere targe So shyneth in hys whyte Banner large That all the fieldes glitteren vp downe And by hys Banner borne is hys penon Of golde full riche in whiche there was ybete The Minotaure that he wan in Crete Thus it maye appere that armes were long borne in good ordre before the siege of Troye for the destruction of the citye Thebes was before that siege as Ihon Lydegate doth affirme Chaucer also in the tale of the knyghte describeth what token Lycurge the great kyng of Thrace dyd beare in the fielde These be hys wordes In steade of a Cote armour ouer his harneys With nayles yealowe and bright as any golde He hath a Beares skinnne cole blacke for olde This litle Historie is not vnworthy to be had in remembraunce N. beareth Sable three Owsles d'Argente beaked and legged Or. The tymbre a Bull gardant Argente armed and vnguled Gules sette on a Wreathe Sable manteled Azure doubled Argente The Owsle or Blacke byrde singeth pleasantly and therefore is ofte taken and kepte in cage This byrde althoughe shee bee in all Countries blacke yet in Achaiae shee is white as Isidore saithe This Creaste for the saide Cote armour is a white Bul. Iupiter turned him into the similitude thereof when louinge the faire mayde Isis he could not otherwise haue his will of her This signifieth that beautie maie ouercome the beste The wholesome doctrine of S. Paule is of all faithfull and obediente subiectes to be receiued and embraced where he saithe Wilte thou be without feare of the power Doo well then thou shalte haue praise of the same for he is the minister of God for thy wealthe But if thou doo euill then feare for he beareth not the sworde for naught For he is the minister of God a taker of vengeance to ponishe him that dothe euill c. His fielde is Iouis twoo pillers Lunae Diuerse Emperours and puissante Conquerous haue erected Pillers in theire Empiers and kingedomes for sundrie and weightie causes and pourposes some to declare the extentes and lymittes of theire Landes and Kingedomes somme to shewe the expeditions of theire iourneyes and voyages somme to sette forthe the places of theire burialles somme to figure therein theire Actes and valiaunt deedes to the encouragemente of those that shoulde succeede them to doo the like And other somme haue written therein the secret knowledge of certaine sciences and letters as in diuerse Histories maie be readde And more of Pillers ye maie reade in the nexte booke folowinge This in Latin is called Rastrum militare siue Politicum serueth for defense in the gatê of Citties Castles Portes Towres For the same being loosed or let downe it letteth or rather oppresseth them that woulde enter thereby Eiusmodi ad portas militare obstaculum Romae factum fuisse scribit Appianus Res Roman Ciuili dissidio vrgente Imperium sibi vendicante Sylla Sustulit hoc maleficium Carboniana turba quam dum conarentur per portam Collinam irruptionem facere Sylla repressit laxatisque insidiarijs Rastris intrò latebat quorum iniuria lapsu Senatores ipsi nonnulli qui se in Carbonianam libertatem adseruerant oppressi sunt When he is pursued of hunters and seeth he cannot escape he taketh stones with his hoofe casteth againste his enimies and oftentimes hurteth them When he is killed there is founde stones and yron in his stomake whiche he consumeth after longe digestion He hatethe the Horse by kinde I founde him figured in the Cosmographie of Munster as before is descriued Q. beareth Geules on a Bende betwene twoo Cotizes d'Argente thre Siphons Sable Isidore saithe that the Siphon is a certaine vessell whiche men of the Easte countries vse to occupie and fill with water especially when houses beene on fire to quenche the same The fourme I haue descriued here as Paradyne figureth it amonge his diuises Heroiques R. beareth Saturne and Mars parted per Pale twoo Partizantes Lunae in Saltier These weapons are commonly knowne and borne about the persons of Princes Nobles and Captaines S. beareth Syluer a Launce betweene twoo Flaunches Sable and on the Flaunches twoo Gauntlettes as the fielde The especial token borne in this Ensigne is taken for a Dimilaunce staffe whiche beinge the chiefeste weapon of the horseman is therefore congruently placed betwene twoo Gauntlettes the moste especiall armoure of the handes T. beareth Gold on a Scocheon Gules a key d'argent wrapped about with a Serpent Uert This Cote armour touching the fielde is one of the honorable ordinaries charged When as Quintus Fabius beyng Dictator or principall capitayne of the Romaynes had trayned drawne Anniball hys hoste into a fielde inclosed about with mountaines and depe ryuers where Fabius had so enuiroÌ„ned him and hys armye that they were in ieopardye eyther to bee famished for lacke of vitaile or els in flying to be slayne by the Romaines Anniball perceauing these dangers coÌ„maunded to be brought afore hym in the depe of the night whan nothing was stirrynge about two thousande great oxen and bulles which a little before hys men had taken in forrageyng and caused fagottes made of drie stickes to be fastened vnto theire hornes and sett on fyre The beastes troubled with the flambe of fire ranne as they were woode vp towarde the mouÌ„taynes whereas laye the hoste of the Romaynes Anniball with hys whole armye folowing in araye The Romaines whiche kepte the mountaynes being sore afrayde of this newe and terrible sight forsoke theire places And Fabius dreading the deceiptfull witte of Anniball kept hys armye within the trenche and so through policie Anniball with his hoste escaped without damage Thus ye maye vnderstande as I sayde before how greatly histories do geue lighte to the hydde secrettes of Armorie The Eagle whan he hathe gathered muche duste in hys fethers doth then withoute feare set vpon the Harte and falleth euen betwene hys braÌ„ches and beatinge with hys wynges so stoppeth the Hartes eyes with duste vntill at length he falleth hedlonge from some hyghe hyll or rocke and so becommeth a praye to the Eagle Industrie labor diligence is to be vsed whan difficulte weightie hyghe matters are to be ouercome P. Beareth Gules and Sable parted per bende sinistre a Lyon rampaunt d'Or vibrante a sworde d'Argente Pompey the great had suche a Lyon grauen in hys signet vide in vitis Plutarchi The fielde is partie per baste barre vndade Argente and Uerte a shippe vnder sayle in her ruffe Sable The vse of shippes and of theire ordinance is knowne to all men He beareth Or thre Anckers in bende sinistre betwene two Gartiers azure Th'Ancker is especially ascribed to Admiralles in signum vt apparet officij sui in expeditionibus prouincijsque naualibus
He beareth partie per pale Nebule Saturne and Venus two maces bellicall Solis circumliged with braunches of Oliue propre The token borne in thys cote armoure is called in latyn Claua bellica whiche beyng bounde about Oliuae ramusculo may exhibite vnto them to whom it is offered a signe aswell of peace as of warre whiche to take is at his pleasure to whome it is offered The Harrowe is a noble addicion of Armorie was borne as Froyssarde sayeth of William the sonne of Albert duke of Bauarie in hys auncient about the yere of oure Lord God .1390 And the same Harrowe he did aduaunce in his voyage with the CristiaÌ„s aduersus Aphricam Barbariae ciuitatem The office of the Harrowe is to breake and resolue the harde lumpes and cloddes of earth QuemadmoduÌ„ autem glebas grumos agrorum proscindit resoluit rastrum aratorium ita facilè est vero principi legum Sanctionum atque cautionum seu Decretorum aequitate ditionis suae improbos factiosos rebelles tumultuarios quique contra suam autoritatem ac dignitatem iniquè se opponunt coercere He beareth partie per Cheuron embatiled Or Azure three Leures contrechanged of the fielde The tokeÌ„ borne in thys Scocheon is well knowne to all gentlemen Fawkeners The worde or Poesie that mighte ryghtely be applied to thys cote armoure is thys Spe illect at inani The dexteritie of Domitiane th'Emperoure in castynge of the darte is worthie of remeÌ„berance who in the huntyng of a certayne wilde beaste threwe two dartes at hym so directly that the beaste semed to stande hauyng hornes on hys heade wheras nature had geuen hym none Paradyne figureth the heade of the beaste as hauyng two dartes in place where hornes shoulde growe Plutarche writeth that when Scylurus Chaeronensis was about to dye hauinge fower score goodly chyldreÌ„ and of greate strength he offered to euerye one of them a Bondell of dartes or roddes to breake which whan they endeuored themselfes to doe they coulde not He than sayde vnto them that the dartes and roddes so made faste and knitte together could in no maner of wise be broken But the father vnlosing the Bondle befor theÌ„ did take one rodde after an other and without any great force or busynes did breake the same aduertisinge them hereby that they all shoulde continue and remayne for euer vnuanquished and not able to be ouercome as longe as they agreed and were surely knitte in brotherly loue and perfecte concorde But yf they deuided them selues or parted with sedition and debate that then they shoulde perishe and quickely fall into the handes of theire enemies A goodly example to embrace concorde By the Serpente about the dartes may be signified that which Christe spoke in the gospell to his disciples saiyng Be ye wise as Serpentes c. Therfore note that there be many significatioÌ„s and secrete mysteries in bearing signes and tokens of armorye U. beareth barrie vndie 6. pieces d'Ermine and azure the prore of a shippe d'Or in chefe gules one hounde passante Argent The token in thys escocheon is the fore parte of a shippe and is garded with a dogge on chefe as it were to watche the same Suche a like ensigne did Sergius Galba the Emperour vse to beare W. Beareth per pale Rubye and Diamonde an Eagle d'Ermine encorporate with a Dragon Solis These are enemies alwayes the one to the other The Dragon greately desiring the egges of the Eagle deuoureth and eateth vp the same wherefore the Eagle wheresoeuer he seeth hym fighteth with him and in theire fight he is often wrapped with the DragoÌ„s taile and so falling downe the one is destroyed of the other Eadem elatis ac superbioribus inter se contendentibus ruina solet vsu venire The Cocke is a Royal foule and naturally beareth on hys heade a creaste of Rubye coloure in stede of a Crowne or diademe He distinguisheth tymes seazons and houres both of the daye and nyghte crowynge or rather syngyng moste clerely and strongely The Lyon dreadeth the white Cocke because he bredeth a precious stone called Allectricium like to the stone that highte Calcedoneus And for that the Cocke beareth suche a stone the Lyon specially abhorreth hym Ab Galli alitis tubaeque horologio non difficile relinquitur iudicare quantum intersit inter belli pacis conditiones The cocke is messenger of the daye lyght he singeth whan he hath the victorye being ouercome he hydeth hymselfe Lucemque hominum aspectum refugit W. beareth verte an arming Sworde in pale d'Argent crowned at the poyncte in â—hefe betwene two floures de Lucies d'Or The sworde in thys cote armoure is a protection to the floures therein borne The fielde is Gules a Tergate d'Or transfixed with a Raper Argente Thys maye bee taken for the ensigne of some noble capitayne who had valiauntly behaued and borne hymselfe in the fielde with losse also of hys lyfe Oure master Christe beyng the sonne of God and God was constreigned to beare an heauy crosse on his shoulder in suche fashion as is before descriued wherein afterward both hys haÌ„des and fete were nayled with longe and great nayles of yron and the crosse with hys naked and bloodie bodie beyng lifte vpon height was let fall with violence into a mortayse that all hys ioynctes were dissolued And notwithstandinge all thys torment hee neuer grudged but liftyng vp hys eyes vnto heauen he prayed for hys enemies saynge Father forgiue them for they knowe not what they do Thys was the charitie moste incomparable of the sonne of God employde for the redemption of mankynde Y. Hys fielde is of y e Pearle two pillers of Porpherie in Saltier I nede not here to blaze the colour of the Pillers beynge Porpherie whiche is a stone alwayes of purple coloure Let the bearer therof see that he be specially endowed with the vertue Fortitude Hanniball for a testimonie of the victorye he had of the Romaynes in Italye sente 3. Bushels of golden rynges to Carthage whiche he had taken plucket of the handes of the Romayne knyghtes capteynes and senators Let the bearer of such a coate as is before displayde reioyce in aduersitie The fielde is Checkey gules and ermynes a boke Or with claspes d'Argente A Boke is to be borne of hym whiche is studious of anye the sciences or tongues and which hath a certayne excellencie therein aboue others Cato called Vticensis was so muche enflamed in the desire of learninge that as Suetonius writeth he coulde not tempre hym selfe in readinge Greke bokes whiles the Senate was sitting Thys Cato was named the chiefe piller of the publike weale of the Romaines These be water Horsses called Hippotami and are chefely sene in the studdes of Nile Gange Munsterus describeth these beastes and sayeth they haue two hoofes like an Oxe the backe mayne and neiyng of an Horsse a wrigled tayle croked
Leonum animi iudex est canda sicut equorum aures If he be moued or stirred Primum cauda verberat terrâ—m deinde crescente ira flagellat tergum He long reteyneth his wrathe as it were paciently suffring y e iniurie done vnto hym Mars occupieth the fielde of the saide coate armour and the content therin is Solis wherby prowesse is signified with desire of fame It is borne by the name of Fitzherbert 1 He beareth two demie Lions passant gardant de Or by the name of Hache 2 His fielde is de Argent a Lyon saliant Gules debrused with a Barre de Azure betweene three cressants and as many Estoiles montans of the seconde borne by the name of Dillon The said coate armor is borne by the name of Strangwayes 1 He beareth Sable a Cheuron betwene three Sinistre handes copie de argent This was the coate of Gilbert at Hall yate of Shireburne in Elmet a GentlemaÌ„ of auncient name and also coate armour as is recorded of him in many writings yet apparant 2 His fielde is of Gules a Fesse betwene three Cressaunts de Or borne by the name of Okeham The saide coate armoure is borne by the name of Sache uerell Thus those prises in coates armoures whiche are of many called Fusils that is to saye Spyndles may aptly be taken for pillers Fusille in latin Columnae fuse aut fusiles and so to bee blazed in armes since that suche a mighty conquerour and prince moste prudent as Charles the great was thought good to erect Pillors fusible of stone verie preprecious in perpetual remembrance of spynners crafte This coate beinge charged on the Fesse beautifiethe it muche so as the armorie can not bee but perfite and good if it be well considered of A water boudge also parted per Pale of the mettal and colour aforesaide maye congruently stande for a creast of the saide coate armour Note also that there may be vsed in coate armour particion per Squere although it be rare seene 1 Argent a Cheuron Gules borne by the name of Stoket 2 ArgeÌ„t a Cheuron Sable by the name of Mordante 3 Or a Cheuron de Azure by the name of Clopton 4 Or a Cheuron Uerte by the name of Iudge Of the like particioÌ„ be these which folow the fields wher of occupy sundry tokens as the reader maye easelye perceyue the soueraygntie of the same particions 1 Argent a CheuroÌ„ betwen thre Martelets Sable borne by the name of Apton 2 Argent a Cheuron Gules betweene three Hurtes by the name of Baskeruile 3 Gules a Cheuron Argent betwene three Escallops de Or by the name of Chamberleyne 4 Uert a Cheuron betwene three Mulletes de Or persed by the name of Pudsey 5 Sable a Cheuron betweene three Trefoiles de Argent by the name of Vurgy Atque altam supra volat Ardea nubem The Heron aboue the highe cloudes dothe flye so as one can scarce her decerne with eye Vocatur etiam ob id ardea qd ardua suo volatu petat She maketh her nest on highe trees and hathe a naturall hatred to the Hauke Sicut vicissim accipiter exitium illius coÌ„tinuo querÃt For they skirmishing on high in the aire go about this one thing whether of them in flyinge highest can exceede the other If the the Hauke optaine the higher place she ouerthroweth the Heron vehemently and sleeth her but if the Heron do get aboue the Hauke she defileth her with her excrement and killethe her for her dung is poyson to the Hauke and rotteth her fethers The sayde coate is borne by the name of Heron. These instruments are beste knowne to suche as worke in Tymber and are verie auncient addycions in armorye ¶ He beareth quarterly d'or azure 3. flours de luce on a a bende of the first second The said coate armour apperteineth to master Iohn Bye 2 ¶ He beareth a shielde quartered of the Topaze Saphire a Chalcelet on the first quarter Diamonde Thys birde is seldom seene for she frequenteth the moÌ„taines as Aristotle saieth and is longe and blacke like to a certaine Hawke called Palumbarius or to the birde called Ptynge that flieth the most parte by night taketh his praye more Aquilae fighteth so cruelly with the Eagle that they being wounden together fall downe both to the grouÌ„de and so are taken of shepherdes on liue Chalcis non clare videt The signe borne in thys cote armour is a right haÌ„de called in latine Dextera and hath y e name of Dare to giue for suretie of peace is geeuen therewith and it is also the witnesse of faith and truste hoc est illud apud Tullium fideÌ„ publicaÌ„ iussu senatus dedi id est dexteram And y e apostle Paule saieth Iames Cephas Ihon whih semed to be pillers gaue me Barnabas the right haÌ„ds agreed with vs that we shuld preache among the heathen they among the Iewes c. The fiste desplaied for the creaste aforesaid is called Pugnu â–ª in Latine because the fingers be clighte in Pugnus autem a pugilla dictus sicut palma ab expausis palmae ramis This coate hath bene borne by the name of Barkley and whereas in the said martiale fielde there is displaid three Crosses the same do put me in remembrauÌ„ce of a certaine miraculous fortune whiche happened vnto the Romaine Emperour Tiberius a prince vpright in iustice pure in life cleane in conscience who gouerned the whole empire so prudently syncerely that no man was able to reproue him if the histories whiche are written of him do not deceiue vs. Paulus Diaconus in hys xviij booke which he writte de Romanorum gestis doth declare that this Emperour Tiberius spent so great treasours about the repairinge his decaied palaces to redeme poore captiues to builde hospitals to erect monasteries to marie prouide for the orphanes widowes in all which he was so bountiful that vnneth he had any thing left to mainteine hys Royall estate householde Truely thys was a blessed necessitie for what can be better bestowed than that which is emploied in the seruice of Christe And of thys pouertie the Emperoure was not ashamed but thought it a great glorie yet one thig greued hym moche whiche was to see Sophia the empresse reioiâ—e so moche at hys miserie For the highe and noble hartes which feele themselues wounded do not so moche esteme theire own paine as they do to see theire enemies reioyce at theire griefe But God neuer forsoke them that for his sake became poore as it appeareth by thys It chaunced one daye that euen as this Emperour Tiberius walked in the middest of his palace he espied at hys feete a marble stone whiche was in fourme like vnto a Crosse and because he thought it an vnmete thiÌ„g to haue the same spurned with soule feete whiche was so victorious triuÌ„phant a signe he caused the stone to be taken vp not
Gules c. The Barbes of thys floure haue no vsual woordes in blazon for that they abide alwaies of theire proper coloure which is greene enuiron the leaues of the floure as it were gardinge theÌ„ from falling The saide Saltier being of the furre called Uerrey is alwaies found to be d'azure and argent or els d'argent azure For as maâ—ster Gerard Leighe saieth in hys accidence of Armorie where the matter is doubtefull there the mettall hath of rightâ— the preheminence And I finde a Saltier varrey d'argent azure in a fielde gules borne by the name of Willington I finde thys coate blazed otherwise as thus ¶ Hee beareth Sable and Ermine partie per Fesse contrecolored in 6. quarters thre Scallops argent in the firste Where he saith in the firste hee meaneth that the Escalloppes stande in Sable which is first named in the blazon and the same I do commende for that he which vsed hys blazon was an Heraulte and wel learned in theire mysteries These coates thus parted as aforesaide are most commendably borne whan they are charged but with one token as in triangle and not with two which to moche augmenteth the Blazon the same abidinge in so manye quarters These also whiche folowe are of the like bearinge in order and coÌ„mixtion with two of the honorable ordinaries 1 ArgeÌ„t fretie gules a cheife d'azure borne by the name of Curteyn 2 Sable fretie d'or a chiefe d'ermine 3 Uerte fretie d'Ermine a chiefe d'argent 4 Or. fretie d'azure a chiefe d'ermines 5 Gules fretie d'argent a cheife d'or I here vse in the blazon of these coates Fretie because they be of more pieces then viij accordinge to the rule of master Gerard Leighe in hys Accidence of armorie wher he treateth of coates commixte with two of the honorable ordinaries Hee beareth gules a BeÌ„de engrailed d'or Thys was the coate armoure of a noble knight named Sir WilliaÌ„ Marshall And as these bendes are seene often thus engrailed so are they founde moste vsually plaine in thys wise 1 Or a bende sable borne by the name of Bonauile 2 Argent a Bende verte by the name of Kendal 3 Sable a Bende d'argent by the name of Antingham 4 Argent a bende sable by the name of Malley 5 Or a Bende dazure by the name of Carthorpe ¶ What a Cheuron is also a Cressant I haue therof sufficieÌ„tly before made meÌ„tion yet the saide ensigne beynge one of the most worthie particions take these also to be of y e same bearing whiche folowe 1 Gules a cheuron betweene 3. cressantes d'or 2 Argent a cheuron betweene three cressantes d'azure 3 Uert a cheuron betwene thre cressants d'argent 4 Ermine a cheuron betwene 3. cressants d'ermines 5 Azure a cheuron betwene three cressantes d'Ermine 6 Or a cheuron betwene 3. cressants vert The attire of thys Buckes heade differeth proprely for challenge Thys weapon before displaid is called Securis bellica and y â— bearer Securigeâ— which hath bene and is an office of hyghe credit especial aboute Princes martial affaires It doth demonstrate aucthoritie to commitie persons offending the lawes to the execution of death for the suertie of y e prince quietnes of the common weale This is the ensigne of master William Fleetewood Esquier Recorder of y e noble citie of London Also Marton beareth argent ij Barres Gules The sayde coate is bone by the name of Wynter Also I finde Argent and Sable Checkey a Fesse Gules borne by the name of AkeloÌ„d These perteined to master Frauncis Furbisher of Don caster in the county of York a right worshipful Esquyer and iust Iusticer also when hee liued hee was one of the Queenes Maiesties 〈◊〉 rable counsell established in the 〈◊〉 partes a 〈◊〉 whiche loued righteousnes and 〈…〉 countrey doth worthely reporte of 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 sent daies Thys deuise is straunge moche to be meruaâ—led at coÌ„sidering that the token borne therein hath hys head adourned Diadematè modo Romanorum Pontificum It mighte therefore bee applied to bee th'engsine of some Romishe bishoppe fraudulently aspiring thereunto liuyng moste lasciuiously and therefore deposed worthely That excellent clerke Bocatius an ItaliaÌ„ borne in his treatise which he writeth of the fall of Princes maketh meÌ„tion of a woman that was pope and what befell of her and how she was put downe The whiche hystorie I wil here set forth as it is translated or rather metrized out of Latine into our English tongue by Iohn Lidgate wher he writeth that after the miserable ende of many notable prouinces ¶ Came a creature Like a Bishoppe rounded shorne And as a priest she had a brode tonsure Her apparaile outwarde vesture BeiÌ„g a womaÌ„ wherof Bochas toke good hede Like a Prelate shape was her wede ¶ She was the same that of yore agon Vnworthely satt in Peters place And was afterwarde called pope Iohn A berdeles prelate no heare seene on her face Of her birth named was the place Magunce a citie not standinge in Itaile But on the Rhine full famous of vitaile ¶ In her youth in her tender age Forsooke her kinne in especial Caste she wolde for her aduantage Gyue her to cunninge bodie harte all And in the sciences called liberall In all seuen by famous excellence By great studie she had experience ¶ Her name couth in manie lande To shewe her cunninge firste when she began Serching prouinces came into Englande No wighte supposing but that she was a man Came to Rome her storie tell can Taughte Grammer Sophisterie and Logick Red in schooles openly Rhethorick ¶ In the time of Emperour Lotharie After the death as made is mencion From mine aucthour if I shall not varie That the pope which called was Leon The saide woman by election Istalled was no wighte supposing than By no token but that she was a man ¶ The boke of sortes after that anon Of auenture turned vp so downe She was named called Pope Ihon â–ª Of whose natural disposition Fâ—ll by processe into temptacion Quicke with child the houre came on her thaÌ„ was deliuered at Sainct Ihon Lateran After put downe for her great outrage I will on her spende no more labor But passe ouer all the surplusage Of her liuing and of her great errour Of this monstre it needeth not to shewe any further significacion the matter whereupon it dependeth beynge knowne to all that be christians and whiche abhorre the tiranny of that Romishe Sea But note heare touchinge the saide tripled Crowne wherewith the Goates head is ensigned I reade that the kinge and people of that famous citie in Indie the more called Calechut woorship the deuill in a wodderfull and horrible forme moste lothsome to be recited and hauing a Diademe on his hed as the popishe prelates vsethe and that whiche is more Ternis insignitur cornibus And this deuill hathe also hys priestes called Bramini whiche do make cleane and take awaye the spottes of
it and stande vp as it shoulde doo Propterea in certaminibus Palmam signum esse placuit victoriae quoniam ingenium eiusmodi ligni est vt vrgentibus prementibusque non cedat I haue here caused to be figured vpon the said Cote armour a Swalowe of colour as ye maie see on a wreathe Or and Uerte Aristotle saithe that there be in the Ile Samo white Swalowes Quibus excaecatis lumen iterum restituitur Cecina Volaterranus comprehensus hirundines nuntias belli mittebat amicis in nidum pristinum redire solitas They will not enter into the Citie of Thebes because that Citie hathe bene so often taken and ransacked They are not in daunger to the Rauen of other byrdes Nec vnquam praeda est Therefore the Scrowe whiche shee beareth in her beake manifestly declareth the same Nulli praeda that shee is praye to none If by mans handes they be caught they die because they cannot be broughte to feede on any thinge but that whiche them selues can catche flyinge in the ayre Excaecatis Pullorum oculis herba Chelidonia visum restituunt Cyrus king of the Persians what time he was readie to die gaue in charge by his wil to make or ordayne no other Sepulchre or Tombe for hym but only to be buried and laide in the earth whiche bringeth foorthe grasse and floures then the which no thing can be founde more excellente que he nor that can better become a gaue The Cofer in Latin is called Scrinium and is a necessarye thynge made for the safe keepynge of Iewelles or Ornamentes as also of Bookes Euidences Recordes of Iudgementes or Enrolmentes Plini writeth in his naturall Historie that amonge all the spoyles whiche Alexander the greate gotte of Darius kinge of Persia he liked one moste especially whiche was a Cofer of sweete Oyntementes verye sumptuous and of great valour bothe in Golde pretious Stones and Pearles and shewinge the same to diuerse his friendes and louers he questioned with them to what pourpose it woulde beste serue After diuerse and contrary reasons by them therein declared shewed he saide it would best serue for the safe keping of the bookes of Homere as the most excellent worke for the declaration of mans mind iudging no treasure more pretious then it Ita visum est iuueni qui se totum ad exemplar Achillis componebat Cofers or Cheastes are for many good purposes and respectes to be borne in Armorie For diligence and vertuous studie is therby signified represented and not negligence or niggishe keepinge of worldely pelfre and mucke The Bison here figured for a Creaste on a Torce Argente and Gules is a Beaste hauinge one horne standinge betweene his eares and a verye longe mayne In shape he is like to an Harte but in somme Countries he is blacke I reade that there is greate stoare of them in Germanie Yet this is not the Beaste whiche somme take to be the same that is named Bubalus a Bugle or wilde Oxe For the Poete Martialis maketh them vnlike as this his Uerse folowinge doth declare Illi cessit atrox Bubalus atque Bison The fierce Bugle to him gaue place And also the Bison in his race A shooe too large for thy foote It cannot but thee ouerthrowe If too little it be agayne It vexeth thee with greater payne A Shooe on a mannes foote maye seeme good and â—itte yet where it greeueth no man can tell but the wearer Paulus Aemylius Sonne of Lucius Paulus a Consull moste excellente amonge the Romaines hearinge hys Wife Papyria the daughter also of a Consull commended for her beautie Noblenesse of byrthe modestie and fruitefulnesse shewed his shooe to them that praised her and asked howe they liked it They answeared it was a good shooe and well made Sed qua parte pedem meum distorquet nescitis But none of you dothe knowe saithe he where it wringeth me Meaninge that he alone felte it The Patten is a commendable token and maie well beseeme a Cote armour Who is the bearer hereof as none is in fighte on foote muste seeme to haue the maisterie Here is also seene volante on a wreathe Or and Sable an Agathal d'Argent guttie beaked and legged Uerte gesante an Alimon proper The byrde called Agathallus hathe natural enimitie with an other byrde called Achanthylis so that if the bloude of them be forcibly mixte together they will after seuer eche from other The Herbe aforesaide which he beareth is of that nature that it will not suffer them that taste it to be hungrye For the Creaste here is to be seene a Bugles heade rassed d'Argente a braunche of Iuniper tree proper This tree accustomably groweth in sandye places The leaues and braunches therof is continually grene It will not putrifie or stynke Non floret It hathe no floures It is of the same vertue or strengthe as is the Ceder tree The Pithe thereof also is euery where more sounde then is the Ceder and the woode principallye harde as Mantuane reporteth It is greate beyonde measure and huge in Spayne and growethe beste on the hilles hauinge prickâ—es in steade of leaues It is crooked and wrapped together Beinge burnte it is verye odoriferous and purgeth the corrupted Ayre It is a sweete busshe in this Realme and woorthye greate commendation In London it is beste solde Who so beareth this in any signe or token Armoriall oughte to be a man of an excellente and prompte witte apte to do Iustice without corruption parcialitie or fauour Wherfore this Apothegme is added Aequitas lucet per se. This building here described is in our english tongue to be taken for a Steeple which is a great buildinge made of stone or other mattier and is fourmed broade foure square beneath and vpwardes small and sharpe as it were y e flame of fire whiche endeth sharpe This is a Cote of greate excellencie and who so euer should beare the same ought in al thinges to be found discrete and constant and to abide therein The Hybre which here is assigned for y e Crest is a kind of Haukes whiche very seldome or neuer is seene to flye in the day time but seeketh his praye in the night Pugnat cum Aquila acriter adeò vt ambae mutuo assultu implexae quandoque deferantur in terram On a Torce Argent and Uert here is ensigned twoo Armes sleues and ruffes Ermyne set within a Crowne d'Or holding in the handes proper two SerpeÌ„tes Azure I reade that Iphiclus sonne of Alcmena borne with Hercules at one byrth But Hercules was gotten by Iupiter and Iphiclus by Amphitrio And when twoo Serpentes came to the Cradle of Iphiclus slue him after when they came to Hercules he tooke in either of his handes one and slue them Touching that the Torce is of white and greene Darius the king of Persia at what time he arayed battaile againste the Greate Alexander did weare a Roule of the same colours aboute the Diademe vpon his heade called by the Persians