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
Chancery are only handled and discust Cursitors Inne Beareth Gules on a chief Arg. two Mullets Sables within a bordure Compone Or and Azure This Edifice was in 〈◊〉 dayes of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory built by the Right Honourable and Grave Counsellor of State Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Lord keeper of the Great Seal of England for the benefit and decency of a new contrived Office now called Cursitors therein to lodge and to keep their severall Offices These Cursitors have the making of all Originall Writs according to the Register which are sued out and taken forth in causes commenced by the Students at the common Law In times past the chiefe Officer of the Court of Chancery was ever a Bishop and termed Cancellarius because he sat in Cancellis that is to say in Chancels or places letticed after the manner of Chancels in Churches as Petrus 〈◊〉 a learned writer hath left to posterity The Masters of this Court were for the most part Doctors of Divinity and had Prebendaries in Churches and other dignities and promotions The Cursitors or rather the Choristers as it befitteth a Chorus there being no honourable Cathedrall or Collegiate Church la Esglise which can be vvell without them And in former dayes both antient and modern the Ghostly Fathers or Confessors were examiners in Chancery as men held most conscionable and thereupon fittest for that function But fince in those dayes all the former Ecclesiasticall persons are become meerly lay-men and yet no doubt held to be as Godly Conscionable and Honest as any provided ever that they be men of skill persons who are of great Integrity and able of understanding Nam ad pietatem requiritur Scientia The Colledge called Doctors Commons Beareth Gules on a bend Argent three treefoils within a bordure Vert. The Professors of the Civil Law or the Imperial being also in some sort Canonists and professors of the Laws 〈◊〉 have their Hostels or residing place upon St. Bennets hill neer Pauls Chain This house was by the industry and cost of Mr. Henry Harvey Doctor of the Civil or Canon Law and at that time Master 〈◊〉 Trinity 〈◊〉 in Cambridge and Dean of the Arches instituted for the Company and Society of the said Doctors professors of the same study Gresham Colledge Beareth Argent a 〈◊〉 Erminoys between three Mullets Sables This famous work and most worthy Colledge scituate in Bishopsgate street had its foundation laid by that worthy Merchant Sir Thomas Gresham Knight about the year of our Lord 1579. who ordained therein seven Lectures of seven severall Arts to be there publickly read 〈◊〉 Divinity Civill Law Phyfick Rhetorick Astronomy Geometry Musick And this to be performed by seven severall persons learned professors thereof only in the time of the Terms at Westminster The annual stipendary to every Lecturer is 50. l. by annual pay and each of the Lecturers hath a convenient lodging provided for his use there in the same Colledge The Office of the Remembrancers of the Exchequer at Westminster Beareth Or a Cheveron Gules and a Canton Ermin in a bordure Compony Argent and Azure This house wherein now the Kings Remembrancer keepeth his Office was sometimes antiently the Inne belonging to the Barons of Stafford was in former time called Staffords Inne which said house and that other in Ivie-lane where Mr. Osborn the King's Remembrancer keepeth his Office or rather the Lord Treasurers Remembrancer and the house called Hospitium Johannis de 〈◊〉 Laurentio wherein 〈◊〉 Brainthwait Serjeant at the Law 〈◊〉 his abode and dwelling in Amen-Corner the Bishop of Elyes house now Stationers-hall the Three Tuns Tavern the Bull-head Tavern the Chamber belonging to Diana the next house to Doctors Commons called the old Camera 〈◊〉 were of antient times the lodging for the Residents and Canons and Prebends of St. Pauls who belonged unto that famous Cathedrall Church of St. Paul St. Katherine's Hospitall Beareth party per fesse Gules and Azure in 〈◊〉 a Sword bar-wise Argent pomelled and hilt Or in poynt a demy Catharine wheel of the fourth By the Licence of the Prior of the Covent and the Society of holy Trinity in London the said Hospitall called St. Katherines was founded by Queen Matilda wife to King Stephen The ground whereon this Hospitall is 〈◊〉 was then the proper inheritance of the said Prior and Covent and the said Hospitall was after enlarged by Queen Elianor Wife to Edward the first and after Philippa Wife to Edward the third founded there a Chancery and it hath been of late a free Chappell or Hospital for poor sisters FINIS ERRATA Page 41. l. 4. a mistake in the last quarter of the cut p. 52. a mistake in the cut the eighth quarter should have been the last Fern. Glo. Gen. p. 4. Seg. Hon. mil. civ l. 4. c. 5. Bartol de Dig. l. 12. Seld. 〈◊〉 of Hon. c. 〈◊〉 p. 4. Drus. observat lib. 3. cap. 19. Psal. 49. 2. Fern. l. gen p. 9. Pro. 17. 6. Fern p. 13 Fern. Selden p. 856 Aristot. l. 4. de pol. Fern. p. 14 Segar l 4. p. 226. Bart. l. 1. cap. de dig 12. Seg. p. 〈◊〉 Ibid. Fern p. 1. Noble by Merit Nobility mixt Sir J. Fern. Segar l. 4 c. 15. Seld. Tit. of Hon. c. 8 p. 853. p. 832. Rot. Vasco 24 Hen. 6. M. 7. N. 3. Sel. p. 870. C. Theod. l. 6. 〈◊〉 21. l. 1. Sir J. 〈◊〉 Form l. 3. p. 382. Edit Rom. 1621. Seld. Tit. of Hon. c. 〈◊〉 f. 858. Seld. Tit. of Hon. pag. 862. pag. 864. Ibid. p. 865. Sir John 〈◊〉 p. 37 Ibid. p. 36. Aug. de Civ Dei lib. 4. cap. 4 Cypr. lib. de 12. Abusionibus Sir John Fern. Ibid. Poetrie Ibid. Painting Vid. Paul Lomazzo p. 14. History Sir John 〈◊〉 Ferne. Ibid. Sir John Ferne. p. 61. Ibid. Bart. in l. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ibid. li. de capitu Ferne p. 86. 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Vid. Fortescue de laud. Ang. cap. 49. Sir John Feine p. 95. M. Seld. Tit. of Ho. p. 555. * Cam. fol. 176. †lib. 4. p. 507. Ad 〈◊〉 Brit. Art 88. Verst p. 322. Sir Tho. Smith de Rep. Aug. * p. 667. 〈◊〉 Sir John Ferne. p. 100. Camb. de Ordin p. 117. de reliquiis p. 23. Spel. Glos. p. 51. Segar p. 224. ibid. Spelm. p. 10. c. 2. ibid. Segar Ferne. Spel. p. 51. Segar l. 4. p. 246. Seld. Tit. Ho. p. 769. Camb. Brit. p. 170. Segar ch 1 p. 51. Will. of Malmsb. de gest Reg. l. 〈◊〉 c. 6. Seld. 〈◊〉 of Hon. p. 773. p. 778 Ibid. p. 779 Bract. 〈◊〉 36. Cook 5. Jacobi part 6. Selden p. 772. Mat. Patis Sir 10. Fern Glo. of Genere Cam. Brit. p. 74. pag. 175. Vid. Stat. de An. 23. H. 6. c. 15. Seg. lib. 2. lin 2. Vid. Mills fol. S 〈◊〉 4 Ed 4. 20 See Stow in Anal. p. 693. 694. edit vet in 4. Dor. Cl. 〈◊〉 20 Hen 7. 20 Sep. For K. of the Bath see Far. f. 65. 5 Book Mr. Seld. fol. 790.
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