WHosoever shall address himself to write of matters of Instruction , or of any other Argument of importance , it behoveth , that before he enter thereinto , he should resolutely determine with himself , in what order he will handle the same : So shall he best accomplish that he hath undertaken , and inform the understanding , and help the memory of the Reader . For so doth Chassaneus admonish us ; saying , Priusquam ad scientiam perveniatur , bonum est , modum praescribere docendi , & ordinem ; quia per ordinem res intellectae magis delectant animos , mentes nutriunt , sensus magis illuminant , & memoriam reddunt , clariorem . Such order and course of Writing doth also procure in the Reader a facility of apprehension , as Erasmus noteth ; saying , Faciliùs discimus quae congruo dicuntur ordine , quam quae sparsìm & confusìm .

What Order is , St. Augustine doth inform us ; saying , Ordo est parium , dispariumque rerum distributio . This Order is twofold ; the one of Nature , the other of Discipline : the order of Nature ( as Doctor Casius noteth ) is a progression from Simples to things Compound : contrariwise , the order of Discipline is a proceeding from things Compound to Simples . As touching the order that I have prefixed to my self in this Display of Heraldry , you shall understand , that forasmuch as the handling of one of these alone , sufficeth not to the effecting of my intended Method , I must of force make use of them both in some sort according to their distinct kinds . Wherein albeit the order of Nature in right should have the precedence , as the more worthy , quia Natura regitur ab intelligentia non errante : nevertheless in regard my principal purpose tendeth to the prescribing of a form of Discipline , whereunto these tokens which we call Arms must be reduced , and therein to manifest rather their Location than their Generation , their Use than their Essence , their Shadow than their Substance ; I am constrained to prefer the latter ( which serveth directly for my purpose ) before the former , which tendeth thereto but collaterally ; whose dignity notwithstanding I purpose regardfully to observe , when I shall come to the distribution of things Natural in their proper places .

But before I enter my Method , I hold it expedient ( though I do somewhat digress ) by way of introduction to the better conceiving and understanding of that which shall be herein handled , briefly to offer to the consideration of the Judicious Reader , some few things of necessary note , touching the Subject of this Work : Such are those ensigns or marks which we call Arms in English , and in Latine Arma ; which being a word of equivocation or ambiguity , needeth some explication ; Digredi enim quandoque licet ex caus● , non autem divagari : for so it is very requisite , to the end it may be certainly known in what sense this word is to be here taken , quia discenti ponenda sunt vera & certa .

It is therefore to be observed that this word Arma in Latine is sometimes taken for very natural instruments , and in this sense doth Doctor Casius use the same , where he saith , Arma belluis natura dedit , ut Leoni dentes , Serpenti aculeum , &c. Sometimes it is taken for all manner of instruments pertaining to Mechanical Trades , as Arma Rusticorum , Rastra , Ligones , & hujus●●odi . Also Arma Coquinaria , lebes , patella , tripus , olla , &c. And Virg. Aeneid . 5. speaking of the necessaries pertaining to Shipping , saith , Colligere arma jubet , validisque incumbere remis .

Sometimes it is taken for all sorts of warlike instruments ; and in this sense doth Doctor Casius take it , saying , At hominibus arma industria finxit , eóque finxit , ut pro imperio rationis eis uteretur . But this word Arma here meant is not understood in any of these significations , but must be taken in a metaphorical sense , for that they do assume a borrowed name ( by way of figure called Metonymia Subjecti ) from the Shields , Targets , Banners , Military Cassocks , and other Martial Instruments , whereupon they were engraven , embossed , embroidered or depicted : which kinds of furniture and habiliments are peculiar unto Martial men and professed Souldiers , to whom only it pertaineth to bear Armour ; which even at this day we do usually call by the name of Arms. And of them in process of time did these ensigns or marks receive their denomination , and were called Arma , in English Arms , as Abra. Fra. noteth , saying , Arma appellantur , quòd olim solis militibus data fuerunt , qui arma gerere solent . Nam cum ista sit gloria armis , ut instrumentis comparata , placuit ipsam quoque mercedem arma appellare .

Claudius Fauchet saith , that Arms have their Appellation or Denomination , because Military men bare their Devices , or Inventions depicted upon their Coat-Armours , and in and upon their shields : Claudius Fauchet .

Arms were called Symbola , which signifieth Signs , Tokens , or Marks , given in time of Hostility , or of Civil Tumults , by Captains to their Souldiers , or by the Authors of Rebellion to their pernicious Associates and Confederates , for distinguishing of particular persons , as well among themselves , as from their Enemies ; for the better avoiding such inconveniencies ( as I shall presently shew when I come to speak of them , and use of Arms. )

These Armorial Notes ( so much in use with us at this day ) are oftentimes called Insignia , which name , as Aldrovandus supposeth , proceeded of the barrenness of the Latine tongue ; his words are these , Insignium nomen ex linguae Latinae videtur fluxisse inopia , & certè vix aliud vocabulum huic magis quadrat , quod haec praecipuè virtutis & gentilitatis sive nota sive signum sit .

How far the extent of this word Insignia , or Ensigns , doth dilate it self , we may perceive by this , that it compriseth generally all Signs , Marks , and Tokens of Honour , due to well deserving persons , either in respect of their Government , Learning , Wisdom , Magnanimity , &c. These albeit they have no government annexed to them , yet have they in them much honour , and estimation , as were those Pontifical Ornaments , and Ensigns , wherewith Simeon the High Priest was adorned and furnished at such time as he went to meet Alexander , by means whereof his f●ry was appeased . In the like sort did Pope Leo attire himself , when he went to meet Attila the Scythian Prince ; who having subdued the Country of Hungary , and destroyed Aquileia in Italy , came forwards to Rome with like intent . So also did Pope Benedict mitigate the fury of Totila , as if there lurked some secret force and majesty in the very Ornaments and Ensigns .

Of the number of these Ensigns , are those notes , marks , and shapes of Animals , that Martial men used to adorn the Crests of their Helmets withal , to make themselves more eminent in the Field : and to the end there might be better notice taken of their valorous actions , when they encountred their Enemies in Battel : or should draw on their Forces to fight . Whereof we shall have cause to speak hereafter in place more convenient , when we shall come to Treat of them particularly .

The use of these was yet extended farther than the adorning of Shields and Helmets only : For Ships also and other Navigable Vessels , were also garnished and beautified in their Fore-decks , yea , and that in very ancient time , for the distinguishing of one Ship from another ; as we may see , Acts 28. 11. Where Paul saith , he went in a Ship whose badge was Castor and Pollux . Also the Fore-deck of the Ship that carried away Europa , had a form of a Bull painted thereon , which gave occasion to the Fable , that a Bull had stollen away Europa . Neither did the Ancients only use this , but it hath been a received Custome in all Ages sithence , and yet continued with us unto this day . Hereof it cometh that we give the Ships the names of the things that are depicted upon them , as the Bull , Bear , Lyon , Tyger , &c.

Arms then as they are here meant , according to their Original and first Use , may be thus defined : Arms are tokens or resemblances , signifying some act or quality of the Bearer . Or thus , These Signs called Arms are nothing else but Demonstrations and Testimonies of Nobility and of Worthy prowesful exploits performed in Martial services , especially if they be ancient , and bestowed by a Noble and Renowned Prince ; And this is according to their use in the time of Alexander the Great , and since , until of later times ; But according to their modern ( I mean since the time of Charles the Fourth ) and present use , Arms may be said to be Hieroglyphical or Enigmatical Symbols or Signs , testifying and demonstrating the Nobility or Gentry , acquired by the vertue and good service performed by their Bearer or some of his Ancestors , either in Martial Exploits abroad , or by their Learning and Wisdom , which they attained to , by spending their bodies and spirits in continual study , to make themselves fit for the patronage and defence of the Weal-Publick at home .

How great the dignity and estimation of Arms ever hath been , and yet is , we may easily conceive by this , that they do delight the beholders , and greatly grace and beautifie the places wherein they are erected ; so also they do occasion their spectators to make serious inquisition , whose they are , who is the owner of the house wherein they are set up , of what Family their Bearer is descended , and who were his next , and who are his remote Parents or Ancestors .

It is very probable that these Signs , which we call Arms at this day , howsoever in former Ages they have been named ( whether Emblems or Pictures , graven , painted , or embossed , or notes representing some secret or hidden Mystery ; as Hieroglyphicks , or Enigmatical , or hidden conceits ) they were external notes of the inward disposition of the mind , manifesting in some sort the natural qualities of their Bearers , yet so as they were hidden from the vulgar sort , and known to the judicious only , experimented in the knowledg of the natural vertues and dispositions of Bodies Celestial , of Animals , and of Vegetables , &c.

These in their beginning and first institution , were not bestowed upon vulgar persons , neither were their intendments fitted for common capacity , but such as were extracted out of the bowels , and very entrails of Nature , and were neither obscure to the Learned , nor over-familiar to the Common sort .

Between Arms and Names there is a certain conformity , so that as it is a thing unlawful for a man ( but upon great occasion ) to change his name ; Sic neque arma ( saith Chassan . ) mutare licet , nisi magna & honorifica causa accesserit ; and another saith , A Nominibus ad Arma bonum deducitur Argumentum .

There are sometimes Arms born that may seem to have been devised ( in their first institution ) according to the Surnames of the Bearers , as a Bear for Vrsonne , three Castles for Castleton , three Conies for Conesby , &c. Whether these be either better or more ancient than other Arms , it is a question of more difficulty to be resolved , than commodious if it were known .

If there were two distinct Families of one Surname , yet bearing several Coat-Armours , it is no consequence that they are originally issued from the same Ancestours ; for their agreement of their Surnames may be said to be a probability , but yet it is no proof , that they are both extracted from the same Ancestours , unless there be withal a resemblance of their Coat-Armours , which are the express notes of distinction .

In case where there are two Families , diverse in Name , and issued from several Parents ; and both of them do bear one and the self same Coat-Armour , and the Name of one of them is agreable to the Coat-Armour , and the other dissonant from the same ; the same being in question to whether of them this Coat doth properly appertain : it may be probably conjectured , that he is interes●ed in the Coat-Armour whose appellation is agreable therewith ; rather than he , whose name hath no conformity with it . For Names were instituted for differencing of each person from other severally , according to the saying , Sicut Nomina inventa sunt ad cognoscendos homines : Ita Arma & Insignia ad recognoscendum homines sunt inventa .

If two men of several Families shall bear one Coat-Armour , and have their abode in one Country or Territory ; and one of them can produce no more proof why he doth arrogate the propriety thereof , than the other can ; in such case the cause shall be questioned before the Soveraign , or before such as do from him derive their authority , for the hearing , examining , and determining cases of this nature ; Otherwise , if either of them can prove that his Ancestors received the same of the Kings Gift , as a remuneration for service done , the Arms shall be adjudged to be his .

Also there is between these Arms and their Bearers a kind of Sympathy or natural participation of qualities , insomuch as who so dishonourably or unreverently useth the Arms of any man ; seemeth to have offered indignity to the person of their Bearer , so as ( according to some Authors ) their owner shall right himself against such an offender , or wrong-doer , Actione Injuriarum .

As touching the Antiquity of these Signs which we call Arms , Diodorus Siculus maketh mention , that Osyris surnamed Iupiter the Iust , Son to Cham the Cursed Son of Noah , called of the Gentiles Ianus , being banished from the blessed Tents of Shem and Iaphet ; by reason of the Curse fallen upon his Father , was constrained to seek some remote place wherein he might settle himself , his children , and people : for which purpose he assembled a great Army , and appointed Hercules his Eldest Son Captain . And in this so ancient an expedition of Wars , as well Osyris himself as Hercules , Macedon and Anubis his Sons and others , did Paint certain Signs upon their Shields , Bucklers , and other Weapons ; which Signs were after called Arms : As for example Osyris bare a Scepter Royal , insigned on the top with an Eye ; Hercules a Lion Rampant holding a Battle-axe ; Macedon a Wolf , and Anubis a Dog . And we find in Homer and in Virgil , that the Hero's had their Signs or Marks , whereby their persons were distinctly known , and discerned in Battel , as well as their Kings and Commons had their Publick Ensigns : For the Athenians bare the Owl , the Persians an Anchor or Sagittary stamped on their Coins the Romans bare in Eagle , Minotaur , and sundry other shapes , which ( according to Pliuy ) they bare in Battel unto the time of Marius , who bare in his Ensign an Eagle , Argent , Figured and Embossed , Sus une haute longue , as may be seen in ancient Medals , and chiefly in which is found this world , Allocutio .

Paulus Aemilius saith , that anciently the French Kings did bear , Argent , three Diadems , Gules . Others say they bare three Toads , Sable , in a field , Vert , alias Sinople , which cannot be good Armory , as the Masters of that Mystery do hold , because of Colour upon Colour .

Whence they received those Arms is not certainly known , unless they had them from the Romans .

But their opinion is more probable who by the Blazon of the Shield of France , would shew that the first Franks consisting of Sicambri ( a people of Germany , inhabiting the Marches of Frizeland towards Holland , Zealand , and Gelderland ) gave unto them Azure , which resembleth the water ( which being calm representeth the colour of the Heavens ) and therein three Flowers de Lis Or , which do grow plentifully in those Marches , and do flourish in May and Iune .

Others affirm , that the same was sent by an Angel from Heaven to Clovis , the first Christian King of France .

But Gregory of Tours in his History mentioned no such thing , neither doth it appear that they bare those Arms before the time of King Pepin , but after the time of Lewis le Grosse : at which time it seemeth that Armories began to become hereditary , and were transferred from Father to Son in each Family .

In the first assumption of these Signs , every man did take to himself some such Beast , Bird , Fish , Serpent , or other Creature as he thought best fitted his Estate , or whose nature and quality did in some sort quadrate with his own , or whereunto himself was in some respect in quality like , or wished to be resembled unto . Ex iis quibus quisque maxime delectatur qualis etiam sit ipse cognoscitur . The reason is , for that no man is delighted but with things that are like himself . Therefore wherein any man is specially delighted , himself also is found to be in quality much like unto them . Zanchius de immortalitate Animarum 133.

Whereof it cometh that our Souls albeit they are naturally delighted with things that please , and delight the External Senses , yet shall we find that by how much the mind is more generous and noble , by so much the more doth it apprehend a more solid delight in things pertaining to the inward faculties , than in such as pertain to the exterior senses , as we may see in those Arts wherein the Phantasie is chiefly exercised ; whereby they receive a greater contentment of things pertaining to the mind , that is to say , as well Moral , as Natural , and Supernatural Philosophy . For like as our exteriour senses are delighted with corporal , and corruptible things ; so in like manner are our minds affected to things Spiritual and eternal , and are wonderfully delighted in them by reason of the Sympathy of their natural qualities . Similitudo non currit quatuor pedibus ( ut aiunt in Scholis ) many things may be like , yet nothing like in all points or respects .

As their Institution is not new , but very ancient , derived almost from the beginning of the world ; so their use was not limited , or restrained to some few particular Nations , Kingdoms and Countries , but most largely spread all the World over , insomuch , as there is no Nation , Country or People , so savage or barbarous , but that they have their particular Signs , whereby they may particularly and distinctly be known and discerned from others . As in Example .

The Nations of the Israelites Bare for their Ensigns The Hebr. Letter Tau , Scythians A Thunderbolt , Egyptians An Oxe , Phrygians A Swine , Thracians Mars , Romans An Eagle , Persians Bow and Arrows , Corali a Savage people of Pontus bare 2 Wheels .

And Plutarch in the life of Marius saith , that the Cimbrians , a People inhabiting the parts of Denmark , Norway , and the Almains , which in those days were cruel , and barbarous , nevertheless had their Shields adorned with the forms and shapes of savage and cruel beasts , as also their Targets , and other Military Instruments suited accordingly , and that in such multitudes , and in such glorious and glistering manner , that they dazled the eyes of the beholders .

Neither were these Signs particularly restrained unto Nations , Countries , and Provinces but they were so universal , as that there was no Tribe , particular Person or Family , but had their Armorial Signs or Notes , whereby they were not only distinctly known , and discerned from other forreign Tribes and Families ; but also apparently discerned ( amongst themselves ) one from another , by means of interposition of some minute or small differences , which after-comers were forced to devise for the preservation of Common peace and unity , when the multitude of Bearers ( through long tract of time ) increased excessively .

Achilles had his Shield beautifully adorned with great variety of things Celestial , as the motion of the Sun , Moon , Stars , Planets , and other the Celestial Spheres , the Scituation of the Earth , and the adjacent Islands , the Seas with the ebbing and flowing thereof , &c. whereof I shall have better occasion offered to speak more at large hereafter . Also Amphiaraus ( as Pindarus the Theban Poet affirmeth ) in his expedition to Thebes , bare in his Shield a painted Dragon . Capaneus one of the seven Captains that besieged Thebes , bare the manifold headed Hydra that Hercules fought withal , as Statius the Neapolitan Poet reported . Polynices a Sphynx . Agamemnon in the Trojan Wars bare in his Shield a Lion , with this Epigram , Terror hic est hominum , & qui nunc gerit est Agamemnon .

Vlysses bare a Dolphin , and a Typhon breathing out flames of fire ; Perseus Medusa's head ; Autiochus a Lion with a white wand ; Theseus an Oxe ; Seleucus a Bull ; Augustus a Sphinx , with infinite others which I purposely overpass .

These Signs or Tokens were in their first production rough-hewen ( as I may term them ) and rude , as also those other notes of signs that we now call Badges or Cognizances : so as they may be said to have been rather painted Emblems , than exquisite tokens of honour , or absolute signs or badges : in the time of their first institution they received divers denominations , as Signs , Ensigns , Tokens , Marks , Cognizances , &c. But when in After-ages they had been polished and refined , then were these Tokens or Signs , that had been formerly ( after a rude fashion ) handled together , more carefully distinguished , so as those which we now call Crests or Cognizances , worn upon the helmets of Military persons in the field , were distinctly known from those that were born in the Shields and Targets , which we now call Arms in English , and in Latin Arma. Men of ancient times devised and invented many things ingenuously and with great care and consideration , but finished them not ; but recommended them to posterity , to be by them brought to perfection , according to that saying , Invenit antiquitas , posteri perfecerunt , neither doth this derogate ought from the studious , and industry of the Ancient , neither is this any indignity unto them ; Non erubescat antiquitas ( saith Chassaneus ) si quid melius horum quae ipsa tradidit , Novitas adinvenit : for nothing is devised and perfected at an instant , but it is continuance of time , and much labour and industry that brings it to perfection .

These Signs , Marks , Notes , Ensigns , or whatsoever else you please to name them , are not all of one sort , for some of them may be applied to peace , and others to military use ; and of each of these there are divers kinds or sorts : For some of them are express notes of government and authority or jurisdiction , others have no authority at all annexed to them .

Like as there is an absolute Authority or Jurisdiction Royal , free from all limitation , and another said to be a mixt government ; yea , and that as well in Civil Policy , as in Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction : so are also the Ensigns several , as well those that pertain to the City , or Common-wealth , as also those that belong to Ecclesiastical Government .

Those Ensigns that are remote or exempted from Government and Authority are diverse , according to the diversity of conceipts of the first institutors or devisers of them . For some of them are in manner Vulgar and Common , and such as may fall to the lot of a person of mean condition : others again of more subtile and deep invention ; exquisite , beautiful , and honourable , and are remunerations or rewards of some noble exploits , of meer divine wits , or of some rare or excellent vertue , as a recompence of memorable and worthy deserts .

I know some are of opinion that these tokens or signs , which we do call Arms , were utterly unknown to the ancient Greeks and Romans ; and their memory not to be found with their Nations : They do confess that the Romans did make the same use of their Images that we do at this day by our Arms , viz. to produce them for testimonies of their generous race .