Baron of the Parliament hath place above all Barons and if he be of a higher degree according to the former rule The Spirituall Nobility are thus placed The Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of York Bishop of London Bishop of Durham Bishop of Winchester The two first are placed according to ancient dignity and the three last by act of Parliament and the rest of the Bishops to take their places according to the seniority of Consecration Segar lib. 4. cap. 24. By an Act of Parliament An. 31. Hen. 8. See the Act in Mr. Selden's Titles of Honor. So all men serving near unto the Prince's Person either Civil or Military are allowed a precedency in pari dignitate and themselves according to his seniority of place As to their precedency otherwise Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons are to take their places according to the antiquity of their Title and their Ancestor's creation and their Wives accordingly A Duke's eldest son takes place as a Marquesle but beneath him and his Wife beneath a Marchionesse and if she be the daughter and heir of a Duke she shall go before all Duke's eldest sons wives and however are equall to a Marchionesse but to go beneath them and the younger sons of Dukes are in equall degree with an Earl but to go beneath him and Marquesles eldest sons and their Ladies to take place accordingly So the eldest son of a Marquesse as an Earl and the younger as Viscounts and their Ladies and sisters to take place accordingly as before An Earl's eldest son takes place as a youngest Viscount and the younger as Barons their wives and sisters accordingly Viscounts eldest sons as Barons and their youngest sons to take place with Barons eldest sons above Knights Baronets by an Act of King James and above all Bannerets but those made by the King himself under the Stander and all Knights Batchelers Of Women NOw lest I should be thought malitious to a Sex I owe much honor to before I conclude I shall take some short observations more then already I have And first that although they are not allowed to sit in Parliament yet do they enjoy almost all priviledges due to the other Sex The honorable Feminine Dignities are Princesse Dutchesse Marchionesse Countesse Vicountesse and Baronesse Which are either by Creation by Descent or by Marriage This honor by Creation as it is rare amongst us so it is more rarely taken notice of though many examples have been as Richard the second created Margaret Countesse of Norfolk into the title of Dutchess of Norfolk See the Charter in Mr. Selden Anne Bullen was created Marchionesse of Pembrook by Hen. 8. limited to her and the heirs males of her body to be begotten with creation-mony of twenty five pounds per annum and the ceremony of Mantle and Coronet The Lady Finch was by King James created Vicountesse of Maidston to her and her heirs of her body with speciall clause that her heirs male should have a voice in Parliament and afterward she was likewise made Countesse of Winchester c. Of these Titles thus conferred Sir John Fern takes no notice though else he discourses largely enough By Descent we have continuall examples When any daughter of an Earl or Vicount shall continue a Virgin or marry an Esquire she shall retain that honor that springs from her father's blood take place according and be saluted by the Title of Lady Which word Lady came from Hleafdian or Leafdian by contraction in the Teutonick and so Lafdy and thence Lady as from Laford Lord. The word Laf signifying bread and Dian serve It seems from that they called those persons that for their quality could entertain others and distribute corn and bread to their neighbours by that Title And of old though in the Empire and here the word Dominus was used in generall for salutation amongst men of all sorts yet Domina onely to persons of honor amongst women as the widows of all Tenants in chief and daughters and heirs of all Knights c. The heirs females of any Count or Baron shall enjoy both the Estate divided and Titles too if they be to be divided and they shall be enjoyed by their husbands if they marry in the right of their wives So that if there be two or three or more sisters to share the estate and the honors and dignities inherent be enough they shall enjoy every one one as in the case of the Earldom of Pembrooke in the time of Edward the third and now the Lord Darcy of the North by the same right enjoys the title of the Lord Conyers But this holds not when the title is held by Jus gladii or Knight's service or if the Honor be in any Castle or place onely it cannot be divided but falls and dissolves in the Crown or left to the disposing of the King And again if the estate of honor and dignity be not descending to the heirs generall but entail'd to the heirs male it cannot be the inheritance of a daughter as many times it is But we may understand this the better by that more eminent demonstration of high Offices of the Kingdom which descending by inheritance on the heirs generall have been challenged by the husbands of heirs female in right of their wives the Descent-male failing as in the case of the Duke of Buckingham in the time of Henry the eighth challenging the Office of High-Constableship of England The Office of Lord Steward descended to Blaunch daughter of Hen. Earl of Lancaster in whose right Joh. of Gaunt her husband enjoy'd it So the Office of Earl Marshall descended to the house of Norfolk by an heir female afterward being forfeited by treason was conferred to the Lords Howards of Arundell And in this and all such Descents where there are not dignities enough to allow a partition to all the Sisters but the Honor shall be undividable it shall descend to the eldest or be disposed by the King to which he please And for ennobling by birth these rules are observed That if a Gentleman Knight or Baron do marry a wife of ignoble parents she shall enjoy the title name and dignity of her husband For saith Sir John Fern let the wife be shining and glorious with the dignities of her husband Whereas on the contrary if a Gentlewoman of blood and Coat-Armor shall marry a Francklin Yeoman or the like that is ignoble having no Coat-Armor his condition is no whit advanced by marriage in point of honor Although let him be inferior to her whom she shall marry yet she shall retain the honor state and dignity she was born to But there is this Law for them to walk by too that is Si mulier nobilis nupserit ignobili desinit esse nobilis that is If a Noble-woman marry with an ignoble her nobility is extinguished for she is under the power of her husband and ought not to be in
of eight pieces Gules and Or by the name of Holland The sixth is paly-bendy Or and Sables The seventh is paly of six Argent and Gules on a chief as the field as many crescents all counter-changed The eighth is barry of six Argent and Sables indented one in the other The ninth is barry bendy Arg. and Sables Thus I have run through all the bearings of the Ordinaries both plain and in their variety together with the partitions and counter-changes I shall now as concisely lay down all the Ordinary bearings as well of Natural and Celestial things as all Sublunaries of Beasts Birds Fishes Vegetables and Artificials in the best method I can according to the Blazon of Leigh 〈◊〉 Guillim and others the best I could consult in this study Of Celestialls As for Celestialls I shall skip over some of them as Angells Cherubims and the like because they are obvious enough to every man's judgment when ever they are met with as some of these examples are also The first of these quarterings shews the example of Gules an Increscent Or by the name of Descus The second Azure the Sun in its full glory by the name of St. Cleere The third is Azure the Moon decrescent proper where the difference from the first is from the contrary position of them which is the same in the Firmament And by this rule any man at the first sight may know in what state the Moon is though he never saw an Almanack The fourth is Azure a Moon in her complement proper The fifth Or the Sun eclipsed Sables The sixth is Argent the Moon in her Eclipse Sables The seventh Azure a Ray of the Sun issuing out of the dexter corner of the Escutcheon bend-wayes proper by the name of Aldham The eighth is Gules a chief Argent at the lower part thereof the Rayes of the Sun issuing out of a Clowd proper by the name of Lesone of Northamptonshire The ninth is Azure a Comet Or streaming proper And unto these I have added one more Escutcheon of the like bearings because of the rareness of them The first is Azure Jupiters Thunderbolt in Pale Or enflamed at both ends proper shafted Saltyre-wayes and winged Fesse-wayes Argent The second Argent a Rain-bowe proper issuing out of two peteet clowds in fesse Azure The third Gules a chief Argent over all an Escarbuncle of eight staves-pommette and Florette Or which saith Guillim was the Coat-Armor of the Earls of Anjou of whom was Geoffry Plantagenet The fourth is Or six fire-brands enflamed proper The fifth Sables a bend Or between six Fountains proper by the Lord Sturton The sixth Argent a Cheveron Sables between three flames of fire proper The seventh is Sables a Star of eight points Or between two Flanches Ermin and a Canton of Ulster by Sir John Hubbart of Norfolk The eighth party per bend Crenelle pointed the one in the other Argent Azure four Crescents by couples enterlaced counterchanged The ninth Ermin on a chief Sab. three Crescents arg Of Beasts NExt of Beafts as in my opinion the most proper to order as the more noble creatures though I confesse it is contrary to Mr. Guillims Method And of those in the first place Lions as the principall of them which are diversly born and from their severall postures receive a severall character of blazoning which is cautiously to be observed as well as in other things and it is not difficult for any indifferent genius without much discourse which would but make up a tedious prolixity to little or no purpose when Verbum sapienti sat est is a Proverb in every man's mouth The first example is of Azure a Lion Rampant Argent being the Coat-Armor of Roger de Montealto who was a Benefactor to Westminster-Abbey The second is Or a Lion Sayliant Gules The third is Gules a Lion passant Guardant Or which being the Coat-Armor of the Dukes of Aquitane was joyned with the Coat of the Kings of England by the 〈◊〉 of Henry the second being before two Lions the posture and colours one then indeed called Leopards as they are most properly so called where they are not of Royall bearing if they be more then one in a field and Guardant as 〈◊〉 would have it This same single Lion passant guardant onely the colours contrary as Or a Lion passant guardant Gules says the Welch petegree was the Coat-Armor of Roderick the great Prince of Wales in the year 843. By which account Coat-Armor hath gained a great Antiquity The fourth example is of Lions passant and not guardant which is Gules two barres Ermin in chief a Lion passant party per pal Or Argent by the name of Hill of Norfolk The fifth is Gules a Lion Seiant Argent The sixth is Or a Lion Couchant Gul. The seventh is Azure a Lion Dormant Or. The eighth is Or a Lion Rampant regarding Coward Sables The last is Gules a tri-corporated Lion issuing out of three corners of the field and meeting under one head in fesse Or which was the Coat-Armor of Edward Crouchback Earl of Lancaster Lions are sometimes with the tail elevated over the head sometimes with the tail forked and sometimes you shall meet with Demy-Lions which is half Lions passant and Rampant and sometimes heads erased or couped but if Cabossed then they are ever 〈◊〉 Leopards heads as in these examples The first Azure on a chief Or a Demy-Lion Rampant issuant out Gules languid and armed of the first by the name of Markham The second is Azure three Demy-Lions passant guardant Or languid and armed Gules by the name of Hammon of Acris in Kent Now the French are so severe that they will not allow the tearms of Lion to any either Whole or Demy that are guardant but I think without reason The third is Or out of the midst of a Fesse Sable a Demy-Lion Rampant Naissant Gules languid and armed Azure Where it is proper to take notice that if it be armed or languid by any other colour than the body unlesse Gules it is a blemish to it but Gules signifying blood addes to it So it is an abatement if it be without tongue teeth or claws The fourth is Verry Argent Azure on a pale Gules three Leopards heads Or by the name of Ockould The fifth is Azure three Leopards heads cooped Or. This Coat is in the Walk under Lincolns Inne Chappel and I think is very rare The sixth is Azure a Cheveron betwixt three Lions he ids erased Ermin crowned Or the Coat-Armor of 〈◊〉 worthy Benefactor of Pauls Sir Paul Pindar The seventh is Sables three Lions tails erased Argent by the name of Cork The eighth is Gules a Cheveron betwixt three Lions paws erected and erased within a bordure Argent in a chief of the second an Eagle displayed Sables by the name of Brown The ninth is Sables two Lions paws one issuing out of the Dexter the other out of the Sinister point of the Escutcheon in
much honor of all men and maintained out of the Publique Treasury In Rome and most other places they carryed as Ensignes of their Office 〈◊〉 Rods in imitation of the Poeticall fiction of Mercury who is styled the Herald of the Gods those of Rome wreathed with two Serpents and the ancient Druides of wreaths of Vervine imitating the same In France where a long time this office hath been in much honor not only 〈◊〉 St. Dennis the principal King of Arms but the other Heralds and Pursevants are to be of noble 〈◊〉 and Mountjoy to be of three descents as well of his Fathers as of his Mothers side of Noble linage and Coat-Armor Their Office or Colledge is in the Church of St. Anthony the lesse in Paris And they are allowed the priviledge of entrance into any Prince's Court and an injury offered to them is a publique injury in all parts of the world But I do not finde they were in this 〈◊〉 and establishment till the time of Philip de Valloys The revenues of them in France was very great as to Mountjoy in particular 2000. l. Lands in free tenure and 1000 pound per annum stipend as Favin relates And the others 1000 pound per annum stipend besides other profits and they are many besides their priviledges are very great which in the same Author are at large set down in which Author I cannot but observe the ridiculousnesse of their humor in the christening of their Pursevants for they call it christening and the Ceremony is performed with the powring a pot of Wine on their heads they name them at their own pleasure and some they call Plain-way Jolly-heart No-lyar Tell-troth Chearfulnesse Fair-seeming Loftyfoot and the like But to come neerer to our own concernment I think to proceed with the same Office in our own Nation where they are now in lesse esteem I confesse then they have been in former ages yet have ever been honored with messages between Potentates for matter of Honor and Arms. Ceremoniarum Ministri as in the Coronation of Kings and Queens enstalment of Princes and creation of Noble dignities of honor in Triumphs Justs Combats Marriages Christenings Interments and to attend all solemn Assemblies of State and honor and by some of them ought the proclamations of all great matters of State to be promulged causes of Chivalry and Gentility are referred to their care as in the right of bearing of Arms in Shields Scutcheons Targets Banners Penons Coats and such like correcting of Arms in visitations and observing descents and pedigrees of Noblemen and Gentlemen They are the Protonotaries Griffiers and Registers of all acts and proceedings in the Court of the High 〈◊〉 and Lord Marshall of Engiand or of such as have their authority and in their books and Records they are to preserve to perpetuall memory all facts and memorable designments of honor and Arms. They have been long establisht in England but I find not that they were incorporated into a Collegiate Society till Richard the third's time when they were incorporated by Charter and placed at Coleharbor from whence they often removed untill they became setled where now at this time they are placed by the honorable endeavour of that Illustrious family of the Howards formerly Dukes of Norfolk and Earls Marshals of England the house being before called Darby house Which was established to them in the time of King Philip and Queen Mary and in these tearms incorporated by the names of Garter King of Arms of England Clarenceux King of Arms of the South parts and the Heralds and Pursevants for ever and to have and use a common Seal to purchase Lands to sue and be sued by Edward the sixth in his third year granted them many priviledges viz. In these words Forasmuch as sundry records and testimonies of great antiquity and of no lesse credit have now lately reduced to our perfect knowledge the Kings of Armes Heralds and 〈◊〉 of Arms elected as persons vertuous and for their good qualites knowledge and experience to serve in the affairs of the Common-wealth have been alwayes heretofore by Emperors Kings and Princes of Christian Realms upon most worthy and just considerations not only maintained and supported as well with yearly stipends and pensions as daily profits advantages and commodities sufficient to the necessity of the decent and convenient living of them and theirs in honest state Which daily profits advantages and commodities are now lately much decayed to their hindrance especially in this our Realm but also have been by the said Emperors Kings and Princes enriched and adorned time out of mans memory with divers kinds of priviledges liberties and franchises as among others that they and every of them be free exempt quite and discharged not only from subsidies dismes fifths tenths reliefs contributions taxes profits grants benevolences and generally from all other manner of charges as well in time of War as Peace in all such Realms and Dominions wherein they made their demour but also in all Market Towns and all other places from Tolls Fines Customes Impositions and Demands and aswell from Watch and Ward in all Cities Towns and Castles Borroughs and Villages and from the election or appointment to any Office of Mayor Sheriff Bayliffe Constable Scavenger Church-warden or any other publick Office in Citties Towns Castles 〈◊〉 and Villages whatsoever And forasmuch also as we understand all Kings of Arms Heralds c. have alwayes heretofore from the beginning of the Office of Arms enjoyed and do presently enjoy all and singular the priviledges liberties and franchises aforesaid with many other in all Christian Realms without any disturbance 〈◊〉 or molestation We therefore considering the same and earnestly minding as well the advancement of the said Office of Arms as the quiet and honest supportance of our Servants and Ministers thereof do of our speciall Grace certain knowledge and meer motion by the advice and consent of our most dearly beloved Uncle Edward Duke of Somerset and our Protector of our Realms and Dominions and Subjects and of the rest of our Councel by these 〈◊〉 not only confesse and generally approve give grant and confirm to the said Kings Heralds c. and to every of them and their successors for ever for us and our Successors all and singular the premises before recited although here not recited as have been of honorable antiquity upon just 〈◊〉 to them granted by Emperors Kings and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 right famous memory heretofore But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 especially by these presents pardon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utterly for us and our heires release the said Kings of Arms Heralds c. aswell all 〈◊〉 sums of money and demands whatsoever 〈◊〉 assessed c. The Officers are thus distinguished Kings of Arms Garter General indefinite Of the south p. of Eng. Beyond Trent northw 〈◊〉 Norroy Heralds York sometimes styled Dukes of Arms. 〈◊〉 Windsor Lancaste Richmond Chester Pursevants Portcullis  Blewmantle  Raugh dragon  〈◊〉 croixe Â
deeds in the possession of the late right honorable Gilbert Earl of Shrewbury doth appear Bernards Inne Beareth party per pale indented Ermin and Sab. a Cheveron Gul. fretty This house was in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Henry the sixth a messuage belonging to one John Mackworth then Dean of the Cathedral Church of Lincoln and in that time in the holding of one Lyonel Bernard who next before the conversion thereof into an Inne of Chancery dwelt there And it hath ever since retained the name of Bernards Inne or Bernards house Staple Inne Port de vert un pacquet de doyne Arg. This House was sometimes belonging to the English Merchants of the Staple as it hath been by ancient Tradition held It is of late adorned with a convenient large Garden-plot to walk in and is at this day rightly esteemed for the most ample and beautifull Inne of Chancery within this Academy Clifford's Inne Reareth Checky Or Azure of fesse Gul. within a bordure of the third charged with a Bezanet This House albeit it followeth in an after rank from the former yet it is worthy to be reputed amongst the formest as being in reputation with the best both for conveniency and quiet situation thereof as for worth and good government It was also sometime the dwelling house of Maccoln de Hersey and came to the King for debts and was after sometimes the house of the Lord Clifford as by Inquisition which was taken that year and remaining on Record doth appeare which hath these words Isabella quae fuit Roberti Clifford 〈◊〉 cum pertinent quod Robertus habuit in parochia Sancti Dunstani West ' in suburb Londini c. tenuit illud demisit post mortem dicti Roberti 〈◊〉 de Bancho pro 〈◊〉 l. per annum c. ut pat per Inquisitionem cap. 18. Edwardi 3. post mortem dict Roberti Clifford This House at this day is the Inheritance of that antient and right honorable family of Cliffords Earls of Cumberland for which there is an annual Rent still rendered to the Earles of Cumberland for the time being Clements Inne Beareth Argent Anchor without a stock in pale proper entertaining a C. for Clement into the body thereof This House sometimes was a messuage belonging to the Parish Church of St. Clement Danes from whence it took its denomination neer to this house is that Fountain which is called Clements Well This Anchor is engraven in stone over the gate of the first entrance into the house and is an Hieroglyphick figuring thereby that Pope Clement as he was Pope was reputed Caput Ecclesiae Romanae for the Roman Priesthood or Anchorage of Christendome figured by the Anchor and by the text C. the Sacerdotal dignity Some hold that the device of the Anchor was rather invented upon this reason of the Martyrdome of Pope Clement as Jacobus de Voragia writeth that he received his Martyrdome being bound to a great Anchor and cast into the Sea by the command of the Emperor Trajane New Inne Beareth Vert a Flower-pot Arg. maintaining Jully flowers Gules This house is so called by reason of its then late or new Creation being in the reign of King Henry the seventh therefore the same is not of late a foundation as some imagine which is that the late dissolution of Strond Inne being by the Duke of Somerset Uncle to King Edward the sixth this house in lieu thereof was instituted for the dispersed Gentlemen Professors and Students of the Common Laws of this Realm It is certain that Sir Thomas Moor Knight Lord Chancellor of England in the reign of King Henry the seventh was a fellow student of this Society and in the reign of King Henry the eighth removed his study into that of Lincolns Inne This house was sometimes called by the name of our Ladies Inne for that the Picture of our Lady was pourtraicted at the doore thereof And in the reign of King Edward the fourth was 〈◊〉 by Sir John Fyncaullxe Knight Chief Justice of England or of the Kings Bench or 6. l. per annum wherein he placed Students and practisers of the Common Lawes who before that time had a house in the 〈◊〉 Bayly called St. Georges Inne the passage thereunto was over against St. Sepulchers Church and by some is reputed to be the first and most ancient of all other Innes of Chancery but the same house at this day is converted into severall Tenements and Garden plots Lyons Inne Beareth Checkie Or and Arg a Lyon Saliant Sab. langued and armed Gules This house received its foundation of modern time and lately before the acquiring thereof it was a dwelling house known by the name of the Black Lyon and in the reign of King Henry the seventh was purchased by divers Gentlemen Students and Professors of the common Lawes The first Treasurer of this Society was one John Bidwell The greatest number of this Society are the natives of the West parts viz Devonshire and Cornwall but for the most part Devonshire Gentlemen Chesters Inne or Strond Inne Beareth Azure within a bordure Gules three garbes Or in a bend of the second In the reign of King Henry the eighth this house for that Sir Bevis St. Marrour Knight Duke of Somerset kept there his Court was an Inne of Chancery called Strond Inne and before that time belonged to the Bishop of Chester after to the Bishop of Worcester and unto the Bishop of Landaffe with the Parochiall Church of St. Maries adjoyning thereunto All which were swallowed up in An Dom. 1549. for to build an ample and spacious Edifice to the use of the said Duke the maternall Uncle to King Edward the sixth The Six Clerkes Office otherwise called Riderminster's Inne Beareth Azure two Cheveronels Or between three Bezants Arg. charged with eight pellets This House though it be not saluted by the name of an Inne of Chancery as the others are which are of like name and nature yet is the same more properly to be called an Inne of Chancery then any of the rest for that the Chancery Officers do there reside namely Attourneys commonly called the Six Clerks of the Chancery and are to this day a society of Gentlemen well learned in the Laws These were at the first Sacerdotall and therefore called Clerks And in those days when the Institution of them was first established they were all of them Church-men This house was acquired and gotten for the society by one John Riderminster Esquire a member thereof who in his time was a very skilfull and well Learned man and both faithfull and just as well to his Client as to his friend It was antiently the Inne or the Mansion of the Abbot of Norton in Lincolnshire and since that time it hath been the dwelling-house of one Andrew Hersfleet and is most proper to be called an Inne of Chancery for the Officers of Chancery only reside there the House is situate in Chancery lane where the causes appertaining to