Ensign of Regall Authority was the Scepter which is every where spoken of both in the Scriptures and profane Stories There is another Ensign of their Authority which is a Globe with a Cross in use amongst us ever since Edward the Confessor which is placed in the left hand as is seen in most of their Coyns the Cross denoting his Faith and the Globe his Empire both by Sea and Land as it is said of Justinian who was the first Emperor that ever had it At the Coronation of the Emperor it is carried by the Count Palatine of the Rhine where they call it Pomum Imperiale This power dignity and state hath been enjoyed by the Female sex as heirs descending by the common right of Inheritance and not onely in our parts but many others as at this day in Swethen when there is not the least punctilio of a diminution in respect of the Sex Besides for an addition to the honor of a King there is the same state allowed to a Queen during the life of her husband as to a Queen absolute almost and is allowed a Crown She is called Queen from the Saxon word Cuningine as King from Cuning onely by variation of the gender as it was their manner in such cases She is permitted to sit in State at the King 's right hand and to keep a Court distinct from the King although she be but the daughter of an Earl But this was in the time of King Edgbert prohibited and so for a long time continued by reason of Eadburgh who poysoned her husband King Brithick of the West-Saxons And if she be the daughter of a King Superior to her husband she may retain the dignity of her father's daughter and in this case the daughter hath preceded the mother And although in these latter times our Monarchy hath been reduced under the circumference of one Crown Imperiall no others having any other substitute Governors crowned Yet formerly both Scotland and Ireland had King's distinct whilst they acknowledged homage to the Crown of England as also the isles of Man and Wight The Kings of Man were first subject to the Kings of Norway then to the Crown of England and after to the Kings of Scotland and since again to the Kings of England Dominus hujus Insulae Rex vocatur cui fas est Corona aurea coronari The Lord of the Isle is called King and it is lawfull for him to be crowned with a Crown of gold Henry the second allowed with the same honor Roderig of Conaght to be King paying a homagery Tribute The Lord Beauchamp Earl of Warwick under Henry the sixth was in the like manner crowned King of the Isle of Wight Which is enough in this place as to the Dignity of a King Of the Emperor THe originall of this Title as it was long amongst the Romans denoted onely a Generall of an Army and not till the time of Julius Caesar translated to an honorary Title who being made perpetuall Dictator took also that of Imperator into his Title which hath continued in his Successors untill this day and became Superior to the Title of King that before was but substitute under it being yearly created in January and ended in September Which great change hapned upon the Victory of Caesar against Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalia This Title was onely taken up to supply that of King which had not long before been thrown out by Brutus and was supposed by the Usurper to be yet fresh in their memories and odious amongst them and it was long after before they used the Title of King though their power were as much and the Ceremonies and Ensignes of Regality the same and the Emperor's Throne at Rome was called Sedile regni But at last it grew to be as one and then the Emperor of Rome having subjected under his Jurisdiction many Kingdoms thought it however a title of more eminence and so retained it And though the title has not been so generally appropriated to our Crown yet our Kings have been styled Emperors and this Realm of England called an Empire So have the Kings of Spain and France But it is more peculiarly allowed or assumed by the Emperors of Germany who suppose that they have a right to the government of the whole world This Empire after it was divided to Constantinople and Rome and then again that Constantinople had lost it to the Turks it was removed to Germany and in the reign of Otho the third the Election granted to seven Princes of Germany the Archbishops of Mentz Trevers Cullen the Count Palatine of Rhine the Duke of Saxony the Marquesse Brandenburgh and the King of Bohemia then called Duke of Bohemia He hath had also the Superiority allowed him by all Secular Princes and whereas other Princes of Regall Authority are crowned with but one Crown he is with three the first of Iron which he receives of the Bishop of Cullen at Aquisgrane the second of Silver which he receives at Modena from the Bishop of Millan the third is of Gold wherewith he is crowned at Rome by the Pope And in latter Ages the title of King of the Romans is given to the Heir or him that is made or chosen Heir of the Empire and he is crowned and Jura Regalia given him though not so absolute as not to have a dependence on the Empire See Mr. Selden part 2. chap 1. The Ensignes of his Imperiall Dignity are a Crosse a Launce and a Sword a Scepter a Mond and a Crown and he is styled 〈◊〉 The Emperor of Russia is not Crowned but is adorned with a rich Cap of Purple neither is the Greek Sultan but vested with a mighty rich Tulipant But there though the Emperor have no Diadem yet the Sultanesse is adorned with a Rich Crown or Diadem Thus have I run through all the degrees of Honor and with as much brevity as so copious a Theam would allow of and for matter of precedency I think the method I have taken will save me the labour and I am unwilling to trouble the brains of the Ingenuous Reader with an unnecessary prolixity onely as to Offices of State because I have omitted them altogether I shall set down their places as in Princely Solemnities they are to be disposed In which those of the Crown are to precede all other of the Nobility that are not except the Blood Royall As the Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurer Lord President of the Privy Councel Lord Privy Seal These six also are placed next the Lord Privy Seal thus according to their state of dignity that is If he be a Baron to sit above all Barons if an Earl above all Earls Lord Great Chamberlain of England Lord High Constable of England Lord Marshall of England Lord Admirall of England Lord Great Master or Steward of the King's House Lord Chamberlain of the King's House So the King 's principall Secretary being a
Bordures here is exemplified nine distinct In the first is a Bordure counter-compounded Or and Gules the second a Bordure Purflew of Vayre the third quarterly composed of Ermin and Checky Or and Azure the fourth Gobbonated Or and Sables the fifth Sables Entoyre of eight Bezants the sixth Or a Bordure Gules charged with three Bendlets Sables the seventh Azure Enaleuron of eight Martlets Or the eighth quarterly the first Gules Enurney of three Lyoncels passant guardant Or the second Azure Verdoy of as many Flowerdelis the third as the second the fourth as the first which with a Field Argent was the Coat-Armor of Henry Courtney Earl of Devonshire Marquesse of Exon. This may be blazoned short by England and France The ninth is a Bordure Gules Diapred Entoyre Enurney Enaleuron and Verdoy This kind of Bordure may be of any two or other set number of these also Now to the intent that Coat-Armor might descend to the Posterity with safety and free from dissention of strife Distinctions were invented which I have here set down to the number Nine By which differences the Bearer is understood of what degree or line of Consanguinity he is if he be of the second third or fourth House and what brother of that House by charging his Coat with the difference appertaining and if a younger brother of a younger House then by charging the difference of the House with difference of Line of Fraternity There being so much care taken for the preserving the honor of the entire Coats that the eldest son of the first House during the life of his father so of the rest cannot bear it without his distinction and for this reason hath the Nephew of the first the father being dead been always preferred before the Uncle of the second c. and taketh place before him By the way also we are to take notice that if all the brethren die without issue and leave sisters behind as they are co-inheritors of the Lands and Estare so shall they be of the Coat-Armor also without any distinction at all to either of them because by them the name of the House cannot be preserved they being all reckoned but as one Heir Again if they be not heirs they are not admitted to the bearing of the Coat-Armor for saith Sir John Fern Arma non transeunt ad agnatos affines Yet their husbands are admitted to adjoyn the Arms of their wives families in the sinister side of their Escutcheons with their own but if they have none of their own then not at all Now there is none of those signs but are sometimes born in Arms as Charges of the Coat but when they are distinctions it is easily known by their singularity either of place position or diminutive proportion A The Dexter chief B The precise middle chief C The Sinister chief D The Honor point E The Fesse point F TheNombril point G The Dexter Base H The precise middle Base I The Sinister Base 1 Invecked 2 Ingrayled 3 Wavy 4 Nebule 5 Embattaild or Crenelle 6 Indented 7 Dancette Of these lines the two first differ onely in this that the points of the ingrailed line are turned into the field and the other contrary into the ordinary that those lines do make The two last are both one secundùm quale onely differing secundùm quantum the one being onely wider and deeper then the other And when any of these Ordinaries are drawn withthese lines the Blazoner is to say A Bend Chief Pale or what it is Invecked Ingrayled Wavy or the like But if plain then onely to name the Ordinary with its colours according to the following examples 1 A Crosse. 2 A Chief 3 A Pale 4 A Bend. 5 a Fesse 6 An Inescutcheon 7 A Cheveron 8 A Saltyr 9 A Barre The last of which Ordinaries may easily be mistaken for the same or at least a diminutive of the fifth but it is not and they are distinguished by the space they possesse in the field and also by this difference the Barre hath liberty all over the field with its diminutions the Fesse onely one proper place These Ordinaries according to Leigh do possesse these proportions of the field Crosse containeth uncharged the fifth part but charged the third the Chief the third part the Pale the third part the Bend the fifth uncharged but charged the third the Fesse the third part the Innescut the fifth part the Chever the fifth part the Saltyr the fifth uncharged but charged the third the Barre the fifth part Of these Ordinaries some have their diminutives as the Barre a Closset a Barralet the Bend both Dexter and Sinister the Dexter hath a Bendlet Garter single and double Cottises and a Ribbon the Sinister Bend a Scarp and a 〈◊〉 a Cheveron hath its Cheveronels And here now I shall desire to be excused for digressing from the method of other men especially Mr. Guillim and first to take notice of some other forms near relating to the Ordinaries for their shape and proportion on which are oftentimes rewards and additions of Honor placed in Coats as also the abatements of Honor for misdemeanor and dishonorable actions that afterwards I may not have any thing to interrupt a methodicall proceeding in the rest The first of which are those on which most commonly additions are given which are these The first is a Bordure spoken of before The second a Quarter The third a Canton The fourth a Gyron The fifth a Pile The sixth two Flasques The seventh two Flanches The eighth two Voyders which saith Leigh is the way of bearing a reward given to a Woman The ninth is Ernoin an Inescutcheon Gules named also a Scutcheon of Pretence On any of these may an addition of Honor be placed according to the pleasure of the Prince or the fancy of the Herald that is left to the designing Which reward remains to the posterity of the Atchiever and none of the descendants of his family but his own line may bear it In which manner I have seen the Arms of a Kingdom given to a private Subject nay and sometimes to a Stranger as in the example of Sir Henry St. George Norroy King of Arms who upon an Embassie into Sweden was honored by the King of the Swethes with the addition of the Arms of Swethen in a Canton The Marquesse of Exeter gave the Arms of England in a Bordure as in the Escutcheon of Bordures is seen in the eighth quarter being given him by Henry the eighth Now the Laws of honor having by a continued succession of time maintained and refined these rules of Nobility for the encouragement of brave and generous spirits So foreseeing the pronenesse of all men being apter to fall and decline from the vertues and bravenesse of their Ancestors and to bury the honor of the deceased Purchasers in the dust than to improve the Talent of Renown Time hath entrusted them with as a correction to such dunghill-spirits there is provided a method
in defence of his Law King and Country And then receiving a kisse from all the rest of the order in testimony of the amity betwixt them he is compleat Other orders there are there as that of Cavaleri Armadi Cavaleri 〈◊〉 Alarde and some more antient as the Order os the Dove or Holy Ghost in Castile of St. Saviour of Mont Real in Aragon but these are either out of date or of low reputation Knights of the Annuntiation THis Order saith Sir William Segar was erected about the same time with that of St. Michael but how I shall engage my faith to this article I know not for I find much uncertainty in the relation the institution of St. Michael being in an 1469. according to his own account and of the Annuntiation an 1434. Besides there is a greater error yet in computation for Monsieur Favin who hath some reason in this case to be understood aud hath been esteemed authentick affirms it to be by Amedis the fifth called also the Green or Verd whom he Chronologizes to live in an 1355. which makes a vast difference and again Aubertus Maereus in his Symbola Equest Ordinum gives the honor of its birth to Amedis the sixth Earl of 〈◊〉 by which I must confesse so great an uncertainty appears as affrights me from any conclusion but that by their general 〈◊〉 defacto I am assured such an Order was And that in memory of Amedis the fifth who most couragiously defended Rhodes against the Turks where he took the bearing of Gules a plain crosse Argent which the Dukes of Savoy have continued till this day This order was first called of the snares of love from the receiving from his Lady the favour of a bracelet made of her hair into love-knots and it was constantly celebrated on St. Maurices day who is Patron-Saint of Savoy He composed it to consist of fifteen Knights comprehending himself a chief Master The place of their celebration is the Church of Pietra in the Castle of Bellies unto which at the institution of this Order was given certain lands for the maintenance of fifteen Chaplains and continually every Knight at his death gives to the Church an hundred Florins And one other Article was that at the funeral of every Knight ceremoniously performed at the Castle of Pietra every Knight of the order should wear black whereas their mourning was a white Gown and leave off the Collar for certain dayes and that at the enterment of the Soveraign every Knight according to their seniority in order should offer up his Collar Every Knight was sworn to wear this order dayly and to accept of no other And that no person stained with reproach or dishonor should be admitted or if found so after to be degraded Of these past Knighthoods these four of the Garter in England the Toyzon in Burgndy St. Michael and of St. Esprit in France and this of the 〈◊〉 in Savoy are the most honorable and yet in being Of the Knights Templars THis Order as it hath been most famous in the world though now extinct I think ought to be preserved with an honorable memory It was erected in a pious design perpetrated with a glorious fame though extinguished in an ignoble and injust stratagem of the Devil the Pope and the King of France Its first rise was from an accident of certain Gentlemen meeting in the Holy Land some say nine an 1117. Who hearing of the great disturbance of the Country by the incursion of Turks and swarmings of Pickaroons engaged a confederacy with the hazzard of their lives to suppresse them Which resolution being known was so approved of by the Patriarch that he commanded accommodation for them in the Temple neer the Sepulchre And the King of Jerusalem appointed them all appertinencies for so religious an enterprize From whence they received the name of Knights-Templars And thus going on with much resolution and courage many Christians came in to thrir assistance and many brave exploits were performed by them Insomuch that in nine years time they had erected such a structure of honor as set all the world at gaze and establisht their Countrey in a happy peace For a reward whereof Pope Honorius at the suit of the Patriarchof Jerusalem prescribed unto them a peculiar Order of life and distinguished their order by wearing a white Garment and Pope Eugenius added a red Crosse after which prosperity they elected a Head whom they called Great Master Yet not long after this Jerusalem and a great part of the Countrey was lost for want of supply from other parts of Christendome However they still made war upon the Turks for 120. years and added new breath to the Trump of Fame purchasing large revenues to the Order in most Kingdoms of Europe being the exercise of love in all Christian Princes and of emulation in every Heroick spirit Insomuch that Vitriacus gives this character of them they were saith he Leones in bello agni mansueti in domo in expeditione milites asperi in Ecclesia vel ut Eremitae Monachi inimicis Christi duri feroces Christianis autem benigni mites c. But this great glory could not shine for ever without an eclipse nor such favorites of fortune live without envy as well as emulation and their fall was so much the more sodain and violent by how much their fame was higher For in England France and almost all parts of Christendome was it at an instant as it were and in one very day by sentence of Pope Clement the first to satisfie the the base avarice of Philip de Beau the Roy of France totally disolved and supprest The pretence was upon certain Articles exhibited against them which have been by all the world almost not only adjudged false but ridiculous As that they used Pagan ceremonies in the election of their great Master that they lost the Holy Land when they alone endeavoured to preserve it that they held some Heretical opinions that they worshipped an Image apparelled in a mans skin and that they drunk mans blood to confirm their oath of Confederacy When indeed itwas most certain that the crime for which they suffered was their vast wealth and their fidelity to the Patriarch whom they owned before the Pope cause sufficient to set the one to solicite and the other to grant a monstrous doom which they suffered under for what will not pride and avarice do The Great Master himselfe and sixty others of the Order were commited to the mercy of fire in Paris at one time and the rest persecuted if not executed in most places all of them dying without any acknowledgement of any one allegation and with the same Christian and heroick spirits they had lived in and by the account of Favin a French writer and one I think in this not too impartial there was at twice after one hundred or above burned to death in Paris all dying with innocence in their
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
And there are commonly two Pursevants extraordinary whose names I finde to have varved therefore I name them not The Office of Garter was first instituted by Henry the fifth and though the other received Ordination long before yet is honored with the precedency and hath the prehemimency in all Charters and Assemblies Creations of Nobility and honorable processions especially all concernments of the order of the Garter either in Elections or Funerals The other of Clarenceux and Norroy by 〈◊〉 have power Clarenceux over all England on this side 〈◊〉 Norry beyond to enter into all Churches Castles Houses and any other places to survey and review all Arms Recognizances and Crests to make visitations and to register the pedegrees and marriages of the Nobility and Gentry and at their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or upon suit in their Office to punish with disgrace and 〈◊〉 all such as shall intrude so much upon Honor as to usurp other mens Atchievements or phansie to themselves new against the law of Armes to reverse and 〈◊〉 them and to make infamous by 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 or Sessions all such as 〈◊〉 unduly take upon them the title of Esquire or Gentleman and such as shall use or wear mourning Apparell as Gown Hoods c. contrary to the Order limited in the time of Henry the seventh and to 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 and other Artificers in the setting 〈◊〉 of Arms. In the execution of which commission they have power to command all Justices Sheriffes Mayors Baliffs and other officers and subiects to be aiding and assisting to them And if upon summons any Knight Esquire or Gentleman do refuse to come and appear before him and give an account of their Arms and Gentility they have power in their respective Provinces to summon them by a Suppaena of what penalty they think sit before the Earl Marshal of England for their 〈◊〉 therein And they have the ordering of all Funerals of the Gentry within their respective Province from a Baron downwards taking other Heralds in their courses with them As also the ordering of all Combats Lists and Triumphs with the Fees belonging to them And they have for stipend out of the Exchequer 100 marks a piece annuity The six Heralds are all in equall degree only preceding according to the seniority of their creation their Patents being under the 〈◊〉 Seal of England and their annual stipend is forty marks besides theirs profits and Fees The 〈◊〉 have their Patents in like 〈◊〉 a stipend of twenty pound per annum out of the Exchequer but those extraordinary have neither Patent nor Fee The Arms of the Office is Arg. a Crosse 〈◊〉 between four 〈◊〉 Azure The whole Company are subordinate unto the High Constable or Earl Marshall of England and by him every of them is at his first entry commended to the King by a Bill signed with his hand Which done the King signes the same and so it passes the Privy Seal and broad Seal and that once obtained they are to be 〈◊〉 and created by the King himself or the Earl Martiall in 〈◊〉 following A King of Arms is brought into the King 〈◊〉 Lord Marshall led between a King and a Herald or two Heralds in their Coats the other Heralds 〈◊〉 Pursevants going before in their Coats carrying the severall necessary instruments to 〈◊〉 used on 〈◊〉 the Coat of Arms wherewith 〈◊〉 new King is to be invested another 〈◊〉 Crown another the Patent another he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 another the Book and Sword another the Book where his Oath is received all making severall 〈◊〉 and then he kneels down with those two that led him one of which holds the Book and 〈◊〉 whereon he swears the other speaks his Oath then his Patent is read and at the word Creamus and Investimus his Coat is put on and at non violante nomine c. the the water is poured on his head and then he is perfect There is belonging to this Office a Register Marshal and other officers and servants and amongst those Painters called Heralds-Painters every King of Arms hath power to Commission one whom he pleases as appropriate to his businesse and so much for Heralds And thus much for Heraldry The Names of the several Houses and Innes of Court Chancery and other Hostels in and about the City of LONDON Two called Serjeants Inne 1. In 〈◊〉 2. In Chancery lane The two Temples Inner Temple Middle Temple Lyncolns Inne Grays Inne Innes of Chancery Davies Inne Furnivals Inne Bernards Inne Staple Inne Cliffords Inne Clements Inne New Inne Lyons Inne Chesters or Strond Inne The six Clerks Office or Inne Cursiters Inne The Rolls Doctors Commons Gresham Colledge The Exhequer Office Osbournes Office St. Kather. by the Tower The Inns of Court and Chancery in their order FIrst it is to be understood the four Colledges or Innes of Court may be tearmed Collegia Jurisconsultorum that is Colledges of Lawyers The Romans did call such houses Diversoria ordained to entertain strangers which in our English are called Inns and have been acknowledged with us in England to be the residing houses of the Noblest Peers viz. Oxford Inn Warwick Inn Ely Inn and now called Oxford house Warwick house and Ely house Somewhat according to the French whose houses of Nobility in Paris are called Hostels in Latine Hospitium in English Inns. In London and thereabouts there are fourteen two Serjeants Innes four Innes of Court and eight Innes of Chancery The most antient Inne of Court and wherein Serjeants of Law had their first residence was sometimes over against Saint Andrews Church in Holborn and was known by the name of Serjeants Inne which afterwards came to be the Scroop's who then were have since continued Barons of this land and it was called Scroops Iune which is called by another name the possession being likewise altered out of that Family And although the Innes of the Serjeants be somwhat antient for time as also of modern age too yet it must be granted that in respect of some others they must be respected but of a noval foundation Yet forasmuch as they are receptacles and lodging places of the most reverend Judges and grave Barons of the Exchequer and other Judge in Office and Serjeants at Law they are by way of decency to be reckoned in the first rank That Hostel or Inne which now is commonly called Serjeants Inne in Fleetstreet was sometime a Messuage appertaining unto the Dean and Prebends of York And afterwards purchased by the Judges and Serjeants at Law that lived in the Reign of King Henry the eighth for a place of residence for them in Tearm time And that other called Serjeants Inne in Chancery lane was somtimes a Mesluage belonging unto the Bishops of See of Ely as appeareth by Records In these said Houses or Innes of Court commonly called Serjeants Inne the reverend Judges of this land and the Serjeants at Law have for many years lived and have been lodged within the same Being in very deed although