THE ELEMENTS OF ARMOURIES.  
AT LONDON Printed by GEORGE ELD. 1610.   

C. SALLUSTIUS CRISPUS.  
Verumenimuerò is demùm mihi vivere, et frui animâ videtur, qui aliquo negotio intentus, praeclari facinoris, aut ARTIS BONAE famam quaerit.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, HENRY, EARL OF NORTHAMPTON, BARON HOWARD OF MARNHILL; LORD PRIVY SEALT; LORD WARDEN OF THE CINQVE FORTS; ONE OF THE LORDS, COMMISSIONERS FOR THE EARLE-MARSHALSHIP OF ENGLAND; KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER: WORTHY OF ALL THE HONOURS DUE TO HIGH WISDOM, VIRTVE, AND LEARNING; HIS MOST HONOURED GOOD LORD.  
E. B. WILLINGLY, HUMBLY, AND deservedly, DEDICATETH THESE HIS ELEMENTS OF ARMOURIES.   

The Opinions, and Offices of sundry choice, and qualified Gentlemen, friends to the Author, touching these his ELEMENTS of ARMOURIES.  

A Letter to the Author from the worthy, WILLIAM SEGAR Esquire, GARTER, principal King of Arms.  
SIR, I have viewed your Elementary Book of Armouries, and, in my poor judgement, do approve the same no less singular for the device, then general for the matter, and absolutely the best of any in that kind. Your labours deserve encouragements by how much they are written freely, and ingeniously, and may be called as well the ALIMENTS as the ELEMENTS of ARMOURIES, for that they nourish the mind of the Reader with a profitable, and pleasing satiety of excellent matter. Finis coronat opus, Your good Wine needs no Garland. Yet because it was your pleasure I should deliver you mine opinion thereof, I have adventured to say thus much. And with the same recommend my love unto you.  
14. April. 1610. Your loving friend WILLIAM SEGAR, GARTER   

A Letter to the Author from the excellently learned in our Antiquities and in all other human literature WILLIAM CAMDEN Esquire, CLARENCEUX King of Arms.  
SIR, whereas your desire is that I should deliver my full opinion of your Book which you lately sent, and submitted to my censure. I assure you if my judgement be any (which I acknowledge to be very little) you have with that judicious learning, & insight handled armory the subject of my profession▪ that I cannot but approve it, as both learnedly, and diligently discovered from his first cradle: And could not but allow it, if I were Censor librorum publicâ authoritate constitutus, as you know I am not. Pardon me that I am so brief, for neither my head, nor my hand can as yet perform that which they should, and would, until the Almighty shall restore me to former (health) to whose protection I commend you, and yours, resting  
11. june. 1609. Your loving friend WILLIAM, CAMDEN, CLARENCEUX.   

A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR FROM HIS LATE DEAR FRIEND the Grave, and Courtly THOMAS BEDINGFIELD Esquire, late Master of his majesties Tents, and Toilz etc. deceased.  
SIR, your ELEMENTS of ARMOURIES, I have seen, but censure them I dare not: Blind eyes can judge no colours, and ignorance may not meddle with excellent conceit. This only: I will admire your Work, & wish you to proceed. If you permit these discourses to wander abroad, they shall meet with more men to marvel, then understand them. That is the worst: I returned them in haste; fearing to foul the paper, or injury the Inck.  
From Clerckenwel. 27. Mar. 1609. Your very loving friend THOMAS BEDINGFIELD.  
Postscr.  
SIR, if you add, or write more, I pray you make me a partaker. I say with petrarch.  Stanco non satio may.  

A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR, from the learned young Gentleman. I. B. of Grace-dieu in the County of LEICESTER Esquire.  
SIR, I have here with many thanks returned to you, your profound discourse of the ELEMENTS of ARMOURIES, which I have read over with great profit, & delight: for, I confess, that till now I never saw any thing in this kind worthy the entertainment of a studious mind, wherein you have most commendably showed your skill, finding out rare, and unknown beauties in an Art, whose highest perfection, the meanest wits, if they could blazon, and repeat Pedigrees, durst heretofore (but shall not now) challenge. Our sight (which of all senses we hold the dearest) you have made more precious unto us, by teaching us the excellent proportions of our visible objects. In performance whereof as you have followed none, so have you left it at a rash, and desperate adventure for any to follow you: For he, that only considers your choice copy of matter without forcing, will find it an hard talk to equal your Invention, not to speak of your judicial Method, wherein you have made your Workmanship excel your Subject, though it be most worthy of all ingenuous industry. Believe me SIR in a word, I cannot but highly admire your attempt so well performed, and among many others will be an earnest furtherer of that benefit, which this dull age of ours (in this our country, careless of all but gainful Arts) claimeth at your hands. In which hope I rest.  
29. Novemb. 1609. Your most loving friend JOHN BEAUMONT.   

H. C. To the Gentleman Reader.  
IF thou desire to know the reason why,  
Thou dost in Shield the Arms of honour bear,  
This Book will say that they by nature were  
The HIEROGLYPHICS of Nobility.  
It shows beside, how Art doth beautify  
What Nature doth inspire, and how each-where  
All Arts conioned in this Art do appear,  
By structure of a choice Philosophy.  
GEOMETRY gives Lines in ordered Place,  
Numbers ARITHMETIC, and thou mayst see  
How all in OPTIC Colours honour thee.  
But since that Virtue which adorned the race  
From whence thou didst descend was ground of all,  
Have care to follow it, or all will fall.   

M r. HUGH HOLLAND To his learned friend Mr. E. B. the Author upon his ELEMENTS of ARMORIE'S.  
MY master CAMDEN, sacred King of Arms,  
Who bounds with heaven, aswell as sea our soil,  
So prosed and so praised hath thy toil,  
As here no need is of my sorry charms.  
To boast it though, my brains APOLLO warms,  
Where (like in JOVE'S) MINERVA keeps a coil,  
Yet I a Drone shall but thy Honey spoil,  
Thou art the 
* E.B. per Anagramatismum vel Metathesin.  Master- BE of all the swarms.  
Deep is his judgement, spacious is his wit,  
And high his fame that can in Arms enfold  
What either Sea, or Land, or Heaven hold:  
Philosophers are in a grievous fit  
To see (whilst Envy doth with Reason Storm)  
New ELEMENTS, new MATTER, and new FORM.   

Another of the same by Apostrophe to PHOEBUS, finishing in a symbolical allusion, to the most noble Earl of NORTHHAMPTON.  
ON, bolt on PHOEBUS, spend thy golden Shafts,  
And gild these Papers with thy glorious rays:  
Crown every leaf with leaves of flowering Bays,  
And crown the Author with thy laurel grafts.  
They treat the mystical'st of generous Crafts,  
That shows what Arms were born in antic days,  
By whom, & where, why, and how many ways,  
On Shields, and blades not set in dudgeon haftes.  
Thou, & MINERVA grace them in the sight  
Of that great Lord, whose judgement they rely on,  
For as no Eye dare face thy glorious light  
When as Thou reignest in the golden Lion.  
So dare no Cur against them open his jaw,  
Once seized into the SILVER LION'S Paw.    

The Author To the generous, and learned READER.  
IN four books it seemed to me, that the matter of Armo'ries (never as yet delivered in the better, and remoter parts thereof, but even until this day (for aught that ever I could gather to the contrary) remaining altogether untouched) was aptly (as in a PANDECT, or DIGEST) comprehensible. And those Four (as I conceived) might be these:  
Their 

1. ELEMENTS.  
2. FABRIC.  
3. MYSTERIES.  
4. VINDEX.    
1. The ELEMENTS teaching the simple, abstract, pure, and remote materials, and causes of Armo'ries, of which (as words of letters) they consist.  
2. The FABRIC teaching the putting-together of those Elements, and how they constitute Armorial bodies; with other speculations proper to the compositive part.  
3. The MYSTERIES teaching what those armorial bodies so constituted do purport, mean, or signify; all cleared with Rules, and Examples.  
4. The VINDEX, Assertor, or Champion, teaching how this PHILOSOPHY may be freed from contempt, and who is truly Noble, and worthy to be honoured with Armouries.  
But, generous, and learned Reader (for to such only doth this part of human letters appertain) of those four in project (through manifold Inter-turbations) there is only, and scarce performed unto thee the first: The Elements of Armouries; which here thou hast.  
My farther scope, and counsels thou shalt be privy unto▪ if thou make the tenth Chapter of the Book worthy thy thorough-view; whether I transmit thee. Only I must not here forget, that (without respect to my private) I have, upon occasion in all the course of my present youth spent much time, and coin, to view in person the chief places of ENGLAND, and IRELAND, to converse the better with our Antiquities in that kind, aswell to perfect thereby mine own speculations, as that I might (when opportunity would) deliver unto thee things certain & pure, without abuse, or innovation.  
Other things briefly to praemonish thee of are these.  
1. That a competent Reader cannot lack so much language as may serve to interpret between himself, and some few harder words, or places in the Book.  
2. That language only, or common diligence can make no Armorist without Genius, and a Master.  
3. That the way to learn excellently, is to believe excellently, for a mean conceit of a profession begets but a small proficience.  
4. That in the delivery of Elementary matter I have, for thy cause, rather used interlocution, then set, or continuous speech, as more apt to enter a Learner, for whose cause also at the end of the Book are annexed sundry Tables.  
5. That at the first reading to lay them down, or away, either as too hard, or as now too stale, doth argue alike vanity, the one of too much abjection, the other of too little steadfastness.  
6. That if thou wilt use the pleasant objects, and condimentall parts thereof to relish, and draw-on the rest the better, thou holdest the right Rule of profiting thyself.  
7. That all is properly meant, and written herein to them that are filii Artis, and willing to coöperate with the favour of the armorial Muse.  
How thou (my READER) dost in present think of Armouries, and what mind thou bringest with thee, as I know not, so (howsoever) I may yet say a little in this place, notwithstanding that which is spoken throughout my whole Book, to the same purpose, considering the general state of opinions touching them, that thou may'st the rather be induced to think thy diligence in perusal of the whole, not ill-emploid; or I, in thy riper, and sounder judgement stand the more justified, or at leastwise the less condemned for having taken so much pain to pleasure thee.  
Armouries therefore occurring everywhere, in seals, in frontes of buildings, in utensils, in all things; Monarchs' using them, mighty Peers, and in brief, all the noble tàm maiorum, quam minorum gentium, from Caesar to the simplest Gentleman, yet all of them (for the more part) most unknowingly, very few (even of the most studious) do seldom go any farther than to fill up a wide Wardrobe with particular Coats: whose zeal notwithstanding is worthy to know the▪ better things thereof: that other being no more the thing, than books not understood are learning.  
For in them (I may without racking the value affirm) are all the Thames', and Theorems of generous knowledges, from whence doth breath so sweet an aër of humanity as thy manners cannot but take, and mix thereby with true gentility, and noblesse.  
The outward parts of her palace are beautified with infinite objects full of all variety & comeliness: the walks▪ & mazes which she useth are those enwrapped circles of ingenuous sciences which the learned do entitle CYCLOPAEDIE: her Presence, and most inward retirements have all the most CHRISTIAN, Haeroick, and Cardinal virtues, & for Handmaids excellent affections, without which the arguments, & external testimonies of noblesse are nothing worth.  
He that in the trust of any auditories ignorance, or baseness shall say, All this is vain, must be answered, that this is no otherwise vain then as Omnia vanitas.  
In any other good or honourable sense thou canst not (I think) but confess that armory is a Majesty worthy thy service: whereunto if names of men, rather than things themselves can persuade, thou canst not be unknowing how many of our late, and presently both greatest, and wisest have heretofore, and now in present do honour it. Neither doth She want her part also in our Cōmon-weal●● and they, who sit chief in the primum mobile of state, be think themselves, how to enlighten BRITAIN with the beams of restored honour.  
To praeöcupate more satisfaction till thy mind be farther known, were merely for me to divine of objections, but when thou expoundest thyself unto Me, thou shalt be most assured of my farthest diligence to keep thee Mine.  
FAREWELL.   

THE ELEMENTS OF ARMO'RIES.  

The Contents.  
1. The conference between two Knights, Sir EUSTACE, and Sir AMIAS, begun by Apostrophe. 2. The motives thereof. 3. Single coats, and their Elements the matter. 4. ULYSSES taxation of his Antagonist proper to our ignorant Gentlemen. 5. The masters high persuasion of the study. 6. Wisdom in it. 7. Marbles, coins, characterismes, Hieroglyphics, and the like, not so worthy of observation. 8. The Master gives his laws of hearing, and is endented-with for a familiar method.  
CHAP. 1.  EUSTACE. 
But Sir, the happy confederacy of fit time, and place with my desires, having brought you into those straits out of which there is no evasion, save only by the abrupt of discourtesy; I must briefly press you concerning the ELEMENTS of ARMOIRIES.  A. 
I perceive you are loath (good Sir EUSTACE) to be any longer ignorant.  E. 
How can I choose but be very loath, having accidentally the other day seen at your hands a sample of the ware, and since found it full of rich metal, and not to be base Marckasite, or stuff unworthy the garnish of honour: as also no less, for that now I can never close up a letter, but my very seal, though dumb, as it is, upbraids mine ignorance, wherein when I behold mine Ancestors peculiar coat of Arms, I must confess they have left me that, by which though I claim to be a Gentleman, yet neither know I what it symboliseth, nor out of what ELEMENTS, reasons, or grounds of Art, (your promised and singled undertaking) mine or the like are composed.  A. 
And what though you know not?  E. 
Marry, I might very well resemble myself to one of those blew-gowned Targat-bearers, who in LONDON upon their Lord Mayor's day, bear shields of Arms, with as little knowledge what they are, as propriety in them: standing dully thereby (as hitherto I have done) within full distance of that scorn, — neque enim clypei caelamina-norit, wherewith the prudent GREEK taxed his Antagonist, in the strife of ACHILLES shield.  A. 
Somewhat you say now Sir EUSTACE: and as for me, my youth, and leisure have ever, I must confess (to deal ingenuously with you) been taken with the study, as with that which seemed, even at first, the proper of noblesse, but afterward, of wisdom also. Which speculation, as ordinary diligence can hardly reach unto, so yet, if it shall not be found eccentric to the Philosopher's greatest circle, but moving upon the self-same axle with universal knowledge (I will not say comprehending it) neither may the speculation beforesaid seem illusive, nor he, who neglects their deeper sense (seeing arms have their certain principles, method, use, and theory) and yet will challenge the honourable right of bearing them, disdain to hear with the same Antagonist, Postulat ut capiat quae non intelligit arma.  E. 
It can therefore be no unjust complaint, that no man hath hitherto handled this whole argument according to the dignity, as if the fate thereof, and of our country's History were the same, which as yet hath found no Muse.  A. 
An hard fate, you will easily confess.  E. 
A very hard, and very unworthy. If therefore I can be content for the antiquities sake, to poor on a coin halfe-worne out, or (for like reason) on a Marble, where (though the letters were whole, and undefaced) yet the antic character would make it hard to read, why not then as soon on the Hieroglyphics of arms, seeing arms, or armoiries, are no less properly the cipher of true Armorists, then Hierogramms of the EGYPTIAN Sages?  A. 
True.  E. 
So shall it be my contentment (gentle Sir AMIAS) to obtain by your friendship, the lustre, and advantage which knowledge gives to them that have it, above others.  A. 
Yet so, as still I submit myself, and judgement to theirs, that are indeed true Masters of this mystery. Only look not here in the proof of doctrines for vouchments of many authors (which are but as rubs in a familiar discourse, and the proper ambition of Scholars) but rather in a place by themselves, if need require hereafter. For, seeing you will needs draw me into this new, and perilous Sand, you are not as yet to hope any higher privilege then as of a puny auditor, whose chief part is to believe. How-beit (not altogether to tyrannize your obedience) take unto you the liberty of demand, and, where I chance to be Magistral, rest assured, that it is far from imposture in me, or wilful negligence. Although you might look that I should perhaps have been more exact, and punctual, had I made it the main of my course, and not Parergon, Landskep, and By-worke only; but much more, for that misdoubting my youth, and judgement, I had laid the thought thereof aside for the ninth years censure. A rule not less important, and necessary for him that shall dare so high, and new a way in this kind, as for those who meditate matter for eternity in Poems.  E. 
I accept the law you give. Nevertheless, though it be not a scholars office to prescribe a method to the Doctor, yet, because it is a principal rule of Decorun to speak to the understanding of the party, and I know best what suits myself; use I pray so mere a catechizing method, as if you would instruct me how to spell the crosse-row of Arms, for perhaps it may do good the rather.  A. 
I am not afraid lest my plainness may be called insufficiency.   

The contents.  
2. What the Master understands here by Armoiries, and Gentlemen 2. Of their supposed first devisers. 3. That in God only their original is to be found. 4. The notion of ensignement, natural.  
CHAP. 2.  EUSTACE. 
WHat therefore mean you by Arms?  A. 
Such painted, hereditable, and armorial marks, as by which Gentlemen are known, first from the ignoble, and then one from the other.  E. 
Why say you painted?  A. 
Because colours give them life, and they seem not alive, but (like the PROMETHEAN man of clay) both blind, and dead as it were, till quickened with the light of colours, as the other with fire from heaven.  E. 
Why hereditable rather than hereditary?  A. 
As well for that those Armoiries which are of the first bearing, as those which escheat, or are buried with the Owners for want of heirs, are not hereditary, though both of them are hereditable: For they of the first sort came not from Ancestors, and yet may descend, (that is, may be inherited, if the prime atchiever, or purchasour have a line all successor) & if the other do not descend, it is only through a fail, or fault in the bearer: But, howsoever, if they answer not the rules of Armoury (a word of large content, and comprehension) and that also with such Analogy as the qualities of circumstances do require (in which the reason of bearing lives, and whereof the skill is properly an appurtenance of symbolical philosophy, which handleth the causes and mysteries of Arms) all the rest are nothing.  E. 
Who is then your Gentleman?  A. 
Simply, and only for the present, the lawful bearer of such marks, or tokens of Noblesse.  E. 
Who first ordained them?  A. 
Mean you what man, or woman?  E. 
I do.  A. 
You think that thing is known to Heralds, or to Armorists, but I suppose it is not. For, neither OLYBION, nor ASTERIAL, nor any such cloud-borne creature ever did, as I conceive, ordain them. Although, I cannot be ignorant, that the glory hereof is given by HERODOTUS to the CARES (people of ASIA the less) by others to the EGYPTIANS: but both, with like proof, as the invention of letters to the PHOENICIANS, unless we confess them more ancient than the HEBREWS.  E. 
Indeed the Chiefs, and, as they are called, Coryphes in every profession, are commonly blazed the founders, as ATLAS in Astronomy, AESCULAPIUS in Medicine, whose only fortune it was, to come after their forefathers observations, with bettered wits, and more diligence. When as indeed, Sciences have their foundations in nature, and neither grow, nor decrease, but only to us, to whom time, and observation do unlock them.  A. 
Be that as it will, or may, I, for my part, know not him (to speak after my manner, that is, plainly) who first bore Arms (to use the vulgar word) nor do I acknowledge any primary author, but in almighty God, the Prototypon, Arch-type, or original pattern.  E. 
No? how then?  A. 
Had Arms, or ensigns (like Heresies, or some mechanical crafts, as printing, and artillery) any first certain author, it were a plain demonstration against their primaevity; but, if you will have me declare myself, my opinion is, that the notion of ensignement is universal, and natural, and that use in war did first deduce, or communicate distinguished shields, from that notion, & (after bloody war) that ambition, to retain in peace the honours, gotten by Arms, might take them down from their triumphant Tholes, and sacred Trophaees, and so convey them to posterity; the son, holding himself, no less the heir of his Ancestors glory, then of his name, and lands, by which, things have in time grown so exact, and complete, as now we see.  E. 
Your opinion leads mine, though it seems you strain the word Arms beyond the proper use.  A. 
To march strong toward my justification, I therefore added Ensignement, or Ensign, which comprehends the other, being in itself equivocal to armouries, and all other notes of noblesse, honour, or pre-eminence.  E. 
So as you would be thus understood, that Ensigns, or Ensignement, began with the creation of things, and that the notion is imprinted in nature, though the whole use, and limitation (as to the purpose of our present Armouries) be not.  A. 
You have taken the just height of my meaning.   

The Contents.  
1. The known use of Arms, as ancient at least as MOSES. 2. Unknown to the Master, by what degrees they came to their present excellence. 3. Not very much to be found of them in remotest antiquities. 4. The masters opinion of some shields in the famous old Poets. 5. About the time of CHARLES the Great, they began to take a rule, and in these later ages perfection. 6. The Fucus, and unsure gloss of doubtful, or forged antiquities disavowed.  
CHAP. 3.  EUSTACE. 
Arms then, even in our sense, have been of long continuance.  A. 
They have: for they who, out of singularity, or waxen seals about the NORMAN conquest, argue to the contrary, do make their flight but with ICARUS wings.  E. 
When began they?  A. 
That also is to me unknown, but the eldest, and best record of their general use, is in the sacred stories written by MOSES. But I can aswell show the growth of a flower, or the instances of motion in the shadow of a Dial, as suddenly how, or when they came by degrees to the present magnificence, and flourishing estate wherein they are.  E. 
Hath the increase been so insensible?  A. 
The want of written monuments makes it seem so.  E. 
Certainly, the greeks, with whom hath been the universal Staple of antiquities (for, as for the LATINS (who but as it were a while since came to be learned) they have not much, and the SYRIAN, Chaldean, and more profoundly learned EGYPTIAN (as the people, among whom the HEBREWS, Gods own Scholars, dwelled) have little obvious) do here, and there, make famous commemoration of Shields, and Crests.  A. 
They do. But those devices were, for the more part, arbitrary, not armorially formal. For, neither had ACHILLES shield in HOMER, nor that more artificial one (if it be lawful to commit two such Poets together) of AENEAS in VIRGIL, any thing, almost, of that which Armorists call a coat, and whereof we entreat, but were rather, certain places of Art, for disposition, & conveyance, where the Poets took occasion to utter some majestical invention, by way, either of abridgement, induction, recapitulation, or the like. Nor let any one imagine, that AGAMEMNON'S devise (or other described by HOMER) was precisely a fair coat of arms, unless you would take some one, or two principal things of many; and the like is to be said of those in VIRGIL. Neverthelsse their examples do strongly convince the antiquity, or antienty of arms, which from the time of CHARLES the Great have both grown more familiar, 
Henricus Auceps say some.  & by industrious men from time to time (the care of CHRISTIAN honour then most flourishing) been refined, laws established for their due bearing, and finally augmented with observations, applied to the several dignities of several persons. So that now I see not why we should not think them absolute in all their numbers, as one of the things (among very few) reserved to be finished in these our days.  E. 
The common opinion is, that arms had a more certain beginning.  A. 
Perhaps so; for there are not wanting, who do say that almost before the flowed, such a Prince, commonweal, or Kingdom bore such, and such a Shield, or painted Symbol. In so much, that I, for my part, have ever looked, when on a sudden these marvelous men would as readily tell us what arms, or badge NOAH'S Ark itself did carry in the stern, as we out of the Acts of the Apostles written by S. LUKE, can inform ourselves what name the ship which transported S. PAUL was known by. And albeit I am exceedingly far from dishonouring, or from not zealously honouring, any venerable monuments of wit, or antiquity, yet am I as far from promiscuous subscription to uncertain glosses, or of vouching them to make a Fucus.   

The Contents.  
1. The master is necessarily drawn back to demonstrate that the notion of Ensignement (true fountain of Armoiries) is natural▪ 2. Scene in the heavens and countenances of men. 3. Proved in natures own practice, marking out her chief works with notes of noblesse, 4. Examples, ALEXANDER the Monarch, OCTAVIUS CESAR, and our sovereign, King JAMES himself. 5. Their native marks. 6. Instinct, and common notion causes of like arms to TYDEUS, and MIRAMAMMOLINE. 7. The like of CASPAR, and BALTHASAR two of the Mages, or Kings in S. MATHEWS Gospel.  
CHAP. 4.  E. 
May I believe that arms and ensigns, and the notion of ennobling by notes is universal, and so, primarily founded in nature?  A. 
I intent not, as I said before, to encumber the level of my present way with many proofs; and yet it should seem, like one of the incredulous, you crave a sign. ELEMENTS are the polestar of my voyage; ELEMENTS the subject matter of my discourse, and you may safely, in the mean space, believe.  E. 
Yet a slight taste of this truth would do well.  A. 
Whatsoever is universally so taken up, as that it is found, and practised (at leastwise in proportion to their knowledges) among all nations, aswell civil as Barbarous, that (undoubtedly) hath foundation in nature, and therefore ennoblishment by external notes as well as embasements, or brandings: For of contraries the reason is the same.  E. 
Your antecedent is granted, but, that ensignement is universal, and the notion thereof (true fountain of armouries as you pretend) natural, which you assume to prove, how doth that appear?  A. 
It will appear as soon as you but cast your eye (though without enlarging spectacles) upon the goodly book of the world, the noble creatures wherein are admirably distinguished, with signs of that nobility. The heavens have their ensigns, and notes, their colours, and charges, and of them some apparently more excellent than the other: And (not to make an exact enumeration of parts) do but behold the countenances of men, how, like to several coats of arms, by complexion, lineament, and a thousand alterations of aspect, they are diversified, and that with degrees of dignity, one from the other. Nature herself, for farther confirmation, shall present unto you figures, wrought by her own hand, and penicill, as marking out by them her chief Maister-peeces. For, of what other sort are (I beseech you) the genitivall notes printed upon some supereminent princes in their mother's womb? ALEXANDER the great was borne with the impression of a Lion, if I mistake not the figure: Nor less to be admired was that, which SVETONIUS writes of OCTAVIUS CESAR, upon whose breast, & belly Genitivae notae. as he calls them, were so dispeirst, as they imitated, both in their order, and number, the stars in the celestial Bear. But I were too inofficious, if I should not here remember our own most renowned King, with those two, the principal Majesties of the former worlds, for so much as, upon him also, the figure of a Lion was alike naturally set.  E. 
We have here (in mine understanding) natures Heraldry in her own works.  A. 
Which works as she hath thus ennobled, so Common notion (derived out of her) taught TYDEUS (if I mis-remember not his arms in AESCHYLUS) and MIRAMAMMOLINE, a King of MOORS 
TYDEUS MIRAMAMMOLINE.  (if SPANISH Heralds say true) to bear, in their several shields, the resemblances of the starry firmament with slender variations: Though men so far in sunder as THEBES, and TOLEDO, farther in time, farthest in knowledge one of the other. Their countries, their languages, their religions, their habits, their manners, (the one a GREEK, the other a BARBARIAN) being most discrepant. Which effect of Common notion (having so celestial a pattern) is the more to be wondered at, if two of the Kings (commonly called of COLEIN, for that belike their relics are there) who guided by the oriental star came to worship our SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, bore the like arguments in their shields as VIRGILIUS PICTOr the Norimberger, 
CASPAR. BALTHASAR.  in his book of printed scucheons bears us in hand. The pictures of which (more for pleasure in the variety, then for any canonical proof, although I neither can, nor do disprove them) I have here bestowed upon you. And thus much credit beside, must I needs do this tradition, that in the most noble mother Church of our nation, CANTERBURY, you may upon a wall, on the left hand, as you enter into the North I'll of the first Choir, behold in very ancient work, two armouries like to these, plainly painted in the Banners of those Kings, where the whole story of their coming to adore our LORD, then newly borne, is portrayed: which doth sufficiently discharge that Norimberger from having first devised them, those paintings being undoubtedly far older than his Grand-great-grand-father.   

The Contents.  
1. The state of things, in their first rudeness, surest Test to try the former proposition. 2. The necessity shows their universality. 3. How far we are to extend the word barbarous in speaking of the BARBAROUS, or SAVAGES. 4. The Analogy of outward distinctions, with the persons by them distinguished. 5. Names among the BARBAROUS. King HOLATA OUTINA his distinctive notes. 7. The Nobles of MEXICO. 8. A secret fountain of true Armouries.  
CHAP. 5.  EUSTACE. 
IF I saw the use universal I could not but believe that the Notion were natural.  A. 
The universality of the use of Ensignements, or of ennoblishing by outward notes, is not hardly proved. Let the civil worlds, and people pass, as in the which it may truly be objected, that there (like other ornaments) they might be perhaps excogitated, and reflect we but upon Tramountain antiquities, or the state of people, and things such as they were in their first rudeness, as the surest Test, and Touch to try this proposition by, nothing then will we be more demonstrable. For, from pole to pole, and over the whole globe ordained for the dwellings of men, no people is so forlorn, which affords not proof to this point, nor that as it were by a contagion, or taking from one and other, but merely out of Common notion, which concluding the necessity of outward distinctions (for how otherwise shall the Sovereign be known from the subject, or one worthy subject from another? & my hope is that no man will be so super-paradoxall, as to deny a subordination in nature among men, and differences of degrees, and states, as there are of use, and merit) by that Natural light disposeth of those shapes which imagination tendereth for useful, and that also with some Analogy between the quality of the person bearing, and the ensign borne. For when we talk of Barbarous nations, no man of any judgement deprives them of their reasonable part, though they want elegancy, and civil forms, or knowledges. This therefore being a matter falling necessarily into common sense, and use, he were very unmindful of the honour of our creation, who should imagine that any people (how brutish soever) could be without ensignement, & several external notes, and those also (out of the same natural ground) not wanting the Analogy, and proportion whereof we formerly spoke. Which we may gather by the names among the savage INDIANS, those of their Princes, and peers being found to bear lofty significations, but the vulgar not so. And so far forth doth nature instruct men to be observant hereof, that the very CANNIBALS (Anthropophages, or Men-eaters of AMERICA) are called among themselves by the names of cruel beasts. Hence it is that you shall not truly read, or hear, that among any barbarous, the Lion's skin, or like spoils of the nobler creatures, are the indument of an ordinary groom; or that every common soldier doth wear such feather, colour, or other distinction with those of prime quality. So, HOLATA OUTINA (interpreted (I think) King of Kings) in FLORIDA was painted red, and none but he were so coloured, save only some such choice young soldiers as were of principal agility. Common sense tells the rudest nations, that names of high signification (such as glorious star, light of the world, lamp of glory, or as of their Gods themselves, as was used in MEXICO, where all the noble had denomination of some one, or other of their Idols) do no way sort with a worthless groundling, or ignoble companion. But of this (as a secret fountain of true Armouries, and not the least mystery in the wisdom of nature, taught us in Symbolical Philosophy, in which the matter of arms is truly comprehended) elsewhere. Hereby it is (as I conjecture) cleared, that the notion is universal, and therefore natural, and again (turning but as it were the tables) we may say natural and therefore universal. Many fest examples whereof it were not hard to depourtray unto you out of the Barbarous worlds; the same being no less verifiable in the civil. And from this common notion; impressed in nature, Arms, or Armouries (the present matter of our conference) claim their parentage.   

The Contents.  
1. Things Elementary to the Elements of Armouries. 2. The Master refuseth not farther to demonstrate their universality, 3. Without help of examples from the HEBREWS, GREEKS, or ROMANS. 4. INDIAN Anthropophages, FLORIDIANS', and VIRGINIANS. 5. Their marks. 6. Notes of vassalage no original of arms. 7. The Master begins his universal Survey. 8. The BRIGANTS, & other BRITANNS. 9 Resembled by a famous ancient writer to the old worthies at TROY. 10. Blue colour symbolical to the BRITAN'S. 11. The AGATHYRSIAN Paintings. 12. GILDAS vouched. 13. Probable that the BRITAN'S had figures aswell as colours upon their bodies, and Bucklers, 14. And the PICTS, or PIGHTIAD. 15. TOMITANS, or GETESES. 16. Of the GERMANS, and SAXONS. 17. A famous place in TACITUS of the GERMANE shields, seconded with some other from thence of strange seeming purport. 18. Our HENGIST the SAXON his name, and probable arms. 19 In the rear of examples, CIMBERS, AMBRONS, TEUTONS. 20. A CIMBRIAN pavis, or target. 21. The devise of a CELT. 22. The GALLS had peculiarly painted arms. 23. The shield of a SAGUNTINE. 24. From EUROPE into AFRICA.  
CHAP. 6.  EUSTACE. 
SHall I deal ingenuously with you (Sir AMIAS) for mine own better instruction?  A. 
In any wise I beseech.  E. 
First, Sir than I must needs confess, and do, that these are very sound sinews of argument for so much, but because the farther handling of the natural original of ensignements seems to me a matter of very special moment rightly to induce your future speech of the Elements of Armouries, as being Elementary even to those elements, I could desire a more spread, and dilated proof, altogether suitable to mine ignorances, did I not fear your to much trouble.  A. 
You mean, it should seem, by a more spread, and d●lated proof, the view be like of some particular examples of Ensignement in all ages, and places.  E. 
I do indeed. For so I may behold not only the infancy, and cradle-age of armouries, but also what they were in their embryon, nay, what they were in their seed.  A. 
You hope to much Sir EUSTACE. Nevertheless I may not envy some touches of example unto you out of the Barbarous, and less civil worlds, as most forcible: Sequestering the HEBREWS, GREEKS, and ROMANS, as to polit for that purpose, and as reserved for some more eminent uses: Though you turn me thereby to the University again as it were, for that I cannot satisfy your allowable desire, but by the use of some such picked flowers, as heretofore, in that sweet nursery of generous knowledges, came to my hand howsoever.  E. 
They can hardly be better employed.  A. 
The new worlds therefore (as is said) are instead of all, as presenting to us the prime simplicity of our creation, where, upon the first discoveries, nothing being superinduced by commerce, were not yet the said Barbarous, and more than Barbarous CANNIBALS, or TOVOUPINAMBAULTS found with distinctions among them, and (in their kind) cognisances upon them? The shoulders of the naked FLORIDIANS' are badged with the marks of their Lords. But I had rather (for that they are known unto us by the noble travails of our ENGLISH) exemplify the like out of the descriptions of VIRGINIA.  
 
This mark consisting of three parallel Arrows traversed barre-wayes as you see, is the branded badge of sundry principal men in SECOTA, and set upon the backs of their vassals there. And this of the chief Lords in POMEIOOC, and AQVASGACOCK. The like usage was among the ROMANS, and others of old (who yet never heard, nor dreamt of AMERICA, neither do all of us (as I suppose) believe, that PLATO his ATLANTIC Island was it) as may most authentically be proved. Let any one now show to me what other ground can be given for this, but common notion?  E. 
These (by your favour) seem to countenance merchants marks, rather than the arms of Gentlemen.  A. 
I imagined by your smiling that you had some such conceit. But Sir (by your favour) in these rude scores I truly see the seed of arms, for nature (like a raw Scholar) began in these to practise her notion. Neither are they of so diverse form from Arms, or Armouries in their perfection, as an excellent piece of Architecture from the first elements of Geometry, out of which notwithstanding it rose. As for the countenance you think may come from these sorry liveries to merchants oker-marks, if it be any, let them enjoy it.  E. 
Indeed they cannot give much, for they are notes of vassalage, not of honour, therefore Arms (I hope) have no such original.  A. 
That which DIODORUS SICULUS reports of the GALLS (the most probable Forefathers of the BRITAN'S) I may not omit, as coming nearest to the quick of our purpose, for they (saith he) had shields 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which whether by way of superior assignation, private assumption, hereditary devolution, or howsoever, were variously painted with some devise peculiar to the bearer. Our GREEK Master made it in LATIN, word for word, thus: Variegata proprio modo.  
The SAGUNTINE in SILIUS, bare in his shield the semblants of an hundredth snakes. His words are Centùm angues idem caelatum ensign ferebat. But many years before that Poet was borne, VIRGIL had those Centùm angues— in a shield, which devise, and words the other doth rather seem to transcribe then imitate. And here, for that from SPAIN (where famous SAGUNTUM once did stand) the cut is short out of EUROPE, we will waft over into AFRICA.   

The contents.  
1. AMAZONS, their helms, and shields called Pelts. 2. Other AFRICANS in general, their helms, and crests. 3. CARTHAGINERS. 4. BARCHINUS ASDRUBAL his image in a silver shield of great weight. 5. Ancient EGYPTIANS. 6. ARMS had not their original from HIEROGLYPHICS. 7. Ought to relish of HIEROGLYPICKS as well as, or rather than Imprese. 8: PROTEUS his transfigurations. 9 The ancient, and modern AFRICAN shields. 10. Referment to the late discoveries. 11. From afric into ASIA.  
CHAP. 7.  EUSTACE. 
WE are now therefore in old AFRICA.  A. 
It is anciently written (in DIODO●VS) that the LYBIAN AMAZONS went armed with the scaly skins of serpents. If you suspect that it was for defence, not distinction, doubt you not but that the noblest Ladies among them had the most dreadful helmets. The AMAZONS had also a peculiar kind of round shield called Pelta, and, we should be very strict, if allowing to them of LIBYA the like, we should deny them distinctive notes. CLAUDIANUS (most neat, and courtly Poet) reports in general of the AFRICANS, that their casks or helms were of such stuff, Serpentum gestant patulos pro casside rictus. The words in him sound thus much; that they armed their heads with the heads of those hideous monsters. But I could rather suppose that they were the crests of their Nobles, & that the shutting-up of the wearers heads in the sloughs, spoils or cases of serpents, is but a Poetical fineness. STATIUS (most near imitator of incomparable VIRGIL) saith of the PARTHIANS 
o'er ferarum,  
Et rictu horrificant galeas—  which being rightly marked confirms my conjecture, for it seems they drew the skins flayed from the heads of savage beasts, over their helmets, to make them appear more terrible: For otherwise I should suppose that the scalp of a gaping beast, would prove both a brittle, and uneasy headpiece, and their hides a worse. In this part of the world stood the dangerous great rival City to ROME, CARTHAGE, whose Citizens, and subjects were so magnificent, and sumptuous in the matter of ensignments, as that in ASDRUBALS' Camp, when he was slain, and the Camp was spoiled by the ROMANS, there was found an honorary shield of pure silver, with the image of BARCHINUS ASD●VBAL upon it, which (saith LIVIUS) weighed one hundredth, thirty and eight pounds. The ancient EGYPTIANS (sharers in AFRICAN foil) afford so great proof for our purpose, as some learned (PIERIUS for one) have held that we deduce our armouries from their hieratical figures, or sacred sculptures, though it be far otherwise: Yet is it not to be denied that some Armouries have been even copied by Hierogrammes, or coined out of them, & armouries indeed, as well as, or rather than Imprese ought to taste of them, for that they are mute bodies only without any Mott, or Word to enspirit them. The famous transfigurations of PROTEUS King of EGYPT, were not feigned upon other ground (witness all Mythologers) than his frequent shifting of crests, and ensigns of Majesty. Nor was it singular in him, if (as SVIDAS writes) GERYON was fabled to have three heads, for that he wore three crests. But the AFRICANS in general had painted shields, and by a proper name called cetrae, as the AMAZONIAN were named pettae. Of these AFRICAN discoloured shields, the noble-borne, and thrice-honorable SILIUS sung, Versicolor contrà cetra— which shields, only a little changed, they at this day retain, and engrave, or paint with sundry forms. To be short, examine the first state, & face of things in CONGO, and all the Provinces of AFRICA lately discovered, and you shall easily tract out among them these effects of natural instinct concerning Ensignments, one or other.   

The Contents.  
1. Somewhat about the holy land. 2. Sir AMIAS his vertical point to inflame with love of honour to a truly CHRISTIAN end. 3. Force of examples drawn in ASIA. 4. The BABYLONIANS. 5. Their ensigns. 6. The place of the Prophet JEREMY concerning SEMIRAMIS. 7. Her arms, and name agreeing. 8. CUROPALATES of the ASSYRIANS ensign. 9 XENOPHON of the PERSIAN. 10. Symbolical images in holy scripture. 11. The fiercer ASIATIC nations. 12. The TURKS ensigns. 13. The CHESELBAS', or modern PERSIAN. 14. A rare example of arms out of CHINA. 15. Sparkles of divine essence. 16. From ASIA into AMERICA.  
CHAP. 8.  AMIAS. 
PALESTINE (once gem, and eye of ASIA) may not be overpast without tears, for that in stead of the most triumphal Cross (glory of so many crests, and coats of right CHRISTIAN arms) a lewd TURKISH Ensign stands. Which one day yet (o God) thou wilt raze by the martial arms of some zealous Prince, who shall bear it in the canton of his royal coat-armour for perpetual memory of the conquest. To such a most glorious enterprise the love of honour must needs be very available, toward the kindling of which so noble, and excellent affection I wish my labours could but give the hope of a little spark. Thereunto certainly shall both this our conference, and all other our like endeavours (as unto their vertical point) aspire, there being no felicity, but as we may, to seek the glory of God.  
The rest of ASIA (for PALESTINE is but a very little speck) would answer the hugeness of her comprehension with the multitude of examples fit for our purpose, but I will not surbate your attention too much.  
The BABYLONIANS (ancient Citizens of ASSYRIA) walked not (as saith HERODOTUS) without their sceptres, or rods, on the tops whereof some symbolical Images, or other (as of a bird, a fish, a flower, a star or the like) were fixed, which as you may in them (being noted for such studies) take to be some superstitious rite, so I could rather incline to think them ensigns, borne after that manner in times of peace to distinguish the honourable from the vulgar. The terrible dove in JEREMY, whose words are Facta est terra eorum in desolationem a fancy irae COLUMBAE, is taken (as I have heard) to be meant by SEMIRAMIS, Queen of that BABYLON, whose symbol, or Arms (as they are in tradition) were a Dove, which also her name signifies, for SEMIRAMIS (saith ancient DIODORUS) is in the SYRIAC a Dove. It were pleasing but not much pertinent here, out of one authentic Author to declare that the ASSYRIANS bore a Dragon, out of another that CYRUS the PERSIAN Monarch bore a golden Eagle, and the like innumerable. Many prophecies of holy Scripture are full of allusions concerning the Princes, and people of ASIA, painted out unto us in symbolical images, which yet I do not say were their Arms. More for our present purpose are the ancient fiercer nations of ASIA; SCYTHIANS, PARTHIANS, BACTRIANS, HIRCANS, SOGDIANS, and the like in great numbers, to whose antiquities I refer you, and those which yet retain their whole barbarisms, as the TARTARS which are still a puissant people. The TURKS (a crooked slip of a SCYTHIAN crab) have their golden Globes, their crescents, their Coloured Horsehairs (a most ancient ornament for crests) and the like ensignements, into which whether you will account the red caps, which the PERSIANS have taken up to wear, and of them are called in their own tongue CHESELBAS', to distinguish them from their contrary sect in MAHUMETISM, I leave to yourself. Not to be any longer, but to quit ASIA (CHINA is in ASIA) look upon this shield.  E. 
I do behold it.  A 
My friend Master CAMDEN, CLARENCEUX, showed it to Me out of MARCUS VELSERUS (a learned, and a principal Gentleman of AUGSPURG) who delivers it for Armouries belonging to a CHINOI, having in it for the main charge a Panther, and besides that, Helm, Crest, and mantle, in a manner resembling ours of EUROPE. At which a man may worthily wonder, for that VELSERUS is plain, that it never proceeded from imitation, but from wise nature, or more immediately, and truly from almighty God himself, as planting in his best mortal work, but not in his mortal part, certain sparks of the divine intelligence to Enlumin the Microcosm. By the only light whereof, nations most distant touch often upon the same things, without having the least correspondence one with the other. As these of CHINA do not only concur with us in the notion of ensignement, but also in the regularity, and whole complement of Arms. Which yet were the more to be admired, if (as is constantly reported) they had not already been before us in our two most eminent, and principal late inventions, Artillery, and Typography.   

The Contents.  
1. Examples of special moment in AMERICA. 2. Of PARACOUSSI in BRASILIA. 3. The INGVA'S Kings of PERV, their Arms. 4. Of ACAMAPIXTLI, first king of MEXICO. 5. The MEXICAINS (once NAVATALCAS) were not from EUROPE. 6. Pengwin an AMERICAN bird with a WELSH name. 7. Whole books of the MEXICAIN Armouries. 9 The ensign of their City, and the cause why it was borne. 10. The artic, and ANTARCTIC worlds. 11. A strange kind of Inlayes, and embossments on shields. 12. The Survey ends.  
CHAP. 7.  EUSTACE. 
EEUROPE, afric, and ASIA being thus with great pleasure glanced over, we may now almost ferry into AMERICA.  A. 
Those therefore of PERV, and MEXICO had very Armouries as JOSEPHUS ACOSTA diligently notes, and as in sundry other books is most apparent. One, or two of a multitude I will spare you for the rarity, and at which you may justly marvel. INGVA was the hereditary name of the PERV Kings, and the gentilitial arms of the INGVAS were a rainbow with two snakes extended.  
Here we will take leave of AMERICA, and return: For, to make farther demonstration of the universality of ensignements (to convince the naturalness of the notion) out of those icy worlds which lie under either pole, it is meet we stay till they be discovered, but as little as yet they are known, they will not fail to concur. So confident I am that no people which had any form of commonweal, and that did but worship any thing whatsoever, were it but SLATA BABA, the Idol of the golden witch (with the Hordes of hors-fed TARTAS) or a square red cloth for the Sun (with the furred Savages near to the icy, and Hyperborean Sea,) either did, or could be destitute of the notion of ensignement, and external variation. And neither they, nor other barbarous having shields, but are likely both to use EMBLEMS (taking the word with LUCILIUS for Inlayes, or Marquetry) and embossments also, that you may not be ignorant of their Elegancies. For they who know not how to draw lines, or temper colours, can beat grains of gold, or other glittering stuff into them, or fix the heads, or paws of conquered beasts upon them. Thus having in a less time than DRAKE, or CANDISH compassed the whole terrestrial Globe, we are returned.   

The contents.  
1. An external sign set upon man almost before mankind. 2. The rainbow after the Flood. 3. Sir EUSTACE sums the survey. 4. The less proved in the more. 5. Praeoccupation of some foreseen reproofs. 6. VITELLIUS his new MINERVA'S shield, and PLAUTUS his epistles, fit Arms, and study-books for whom. 7. Some principal common places of discourse belonging to the present, briefly touched. 8. The value of heroical literature depends not upon opinion. 9 Satisfaction tendered for refusal to expatiate farther. 10. Sir EUSTACE confesseth his former doubts cleared, but maintains their causes were just. 11. The masters short conclusion of the praemis●es, and Simile of painting. 12. What of Arms remains with art and use. 13. Elephantine births. 14. Indentment for a familiar method renewed.  
CHAP. 10.  EUSTACE. 
YOu have superabounded (Sir AMIAS) in your performances, having brought the whole world as it were, out of the gloom of Antiquity to witness with you not only for the universal practice of rude Ensignments, but somewhat also for Armouries.  A. 
Yet have I not put you in mind of one instance of personal outward Marks, even before NOAAHS' flood, nay almost before mankind.  E. 
May it be?  A. 
God himself set a mark upon CAIN. But you perhaps will say, that was Stigma, and not Digma, a brand, not an ornament. Whether it were or no, it values alike much for our purpose, according to the rule of contraries. And that, whose examples are drawn from God (the author of nature) is much the more in nature. The rainbow set in the clouds immediately after the Deluge (from which some derive an authority wherewith to grace Imprese, and heroical devices) was indeed a sign, but of a far different kind from these of ours, & therefore not at all to be screwed into our discourse for farther countenance or confirmation.  E. 
It were absolutely needless. For what can be more apparent, after so many most lightful demonstrations, then that the notion of Ensignment is universal, and consequently natural? Give me leave now, as well for settling my memory, as for crowning your assertion, summarely to bind up into a garland the principal of those culled flowers which out of the Paradises of Antiquity, you have strewed the threshold, or porch of honour with. To this purpose the names of the barbarous answring the Analogy of nature in their significations, and the brands of the VIRGINIANS pointed unto by you, suiting the practice of the ROMANS, are very pertinent. In EUROPE I see the azure targets of the BRITAN'S, and allow your well-grounded divinations, that they had other, and those lineamentall, or figured distinctions. Much the rather, for that you have invincibly confirmed unto me, that the GALLS, and GERMANS had. The rest of proofs which troup-up close to their quarter, and which you produce out of the shrines of EUROPEAN monuments, who can but embrace? The famous CARTHAGENIANS rise with honour, and allowance thereunto. Nor are the most ancient MIZRAIM, or EGYPTIANS, second to any, and PROTEUS cannot there so disguise, and transfigure himself as to escape the use you put him to; all AFRICANS subscribing. In spacious ASIA (where your piety took occasion to express itself) the BABYLONIANS, sundry great Princes, and other ASIATIC nations make a strong squadron for your party, not meanly flankred by the rare example out of CHINA. As for AMERICA, it exceeds all expectation in her INGVAS, and MEXICAINS, and I most willingly allow your conjecture of barbarous Elegancies, touching Inlays, & Embossments. The whole sum being sealed-up with the most authentic antiquity of the marks of CAIN.  
In all which, this is worthily to be accounted rare, that no example there, is so young as a thousand years, excepting those of the new worlds, in whose novelty we do not only see Antiquities of a thousand years, but Antiquity itself.  A. 
Your memory deals truly with you in your rehearsal. But whereas our intended matter is of the Elements of armouries, that is to say of such ensignements as now are in use, and the main difficulty lying between your sight, and their original, being only the doubt of the universality of ensignement in general, for bailing you from that doubt I needed not (so as I have done) to have made my demonstrations so much wider than the last, as to have given you them out of examples, which are in a sort of the same kind with perfect Armouries. Yet I hope I shall not stand accused of excess, or failing in the point, it being most true that the less (to weet, those rude first draughts, natural essays, and overtures of true Armouries, which you (& not improperly) called elementary to our elements) is fully proved in the more, that is to say, in showing honourable marks upon shields; they being among the most perfect bodies that are made according to Symbolical doctrine. Nevertheless that I may not stand accountable for wilful waist, having so far exceeded in my proofs (the charge which lay upon me urging no farther than to make plain that Ensignements in general, of what kind soever, were universal) that use may be drawn from those scattered shadows, and limbs of our elements, as by planting the eye at the true place of sight, may give a fair, and complete body in Perspective, answerable in all the lineaments to the Idea which I follow.  E. 
It is a noble use, and the Art not common, considering that those shadows (as you call them) and preceding examples are dispersed among so many worlds, and in so different ages. But why make you a sudden pause, or stand? or what may be the reason of your almost frowning silence?  A. 
The fear lest that some, seeming, and affecting to seem wise, will censure all our diligence vain, though employed in the proper subject of honour, which the most high, and noble Philosopher PLATO rightfully calleth Divinum bonum.  E. 
Trouble not yourself (good Sir AMIAS,) for I have found out a new MINERVA'S shield for such Censors, which will be more gracious to them then any coat of Arms, or point of Noblesse. SVETONIUS is mine Author, that in one consecrated dish, or charger (which the gluttonous Emperor VITELLIUS for the vast bigness thereof called MINERVA'S shield) such strange, & costly delicacies, fetched from the utmost bounds of the ROMAN world, were serued-in, as that this one salad royal (or salad BELIAL, whither you will) was judged to have gone far beyond his brother's feast of welcome, wherein (it is said) there were two thousand choicest fishes (wonder you Gourmôns) and seven thousand fowls. And for the use of their more retired studies, and profoundest meditations, I could assign those 
— Literatas fictiles epistolas  
Pice signatas—  which the smart, and savoury PLAUTUS puts into the mouth of SYNCERASTUS in his POHNULUS, that is to say, notable deep pitchers, and court-iacks full of wine.  A. 
In very faith (Sir EUSTACE) you have found out an Arms will better please then the resplendent Target of PALLAS, and such a library as, I dare undertake, they had rather toss then to be Deipnosophists in ATHENAEUS, or glow-worms in the MEDICAEAN, or VATICAN, the most renowned armaries of books in all the world. But Epicures (O good Sir EUSTACE) are not the only renegadoes to the dignities of their creation, by eschewing the natural splendour of testified virtue, and the shine which the studies of honour do illumine the soul of man with. There are many factions beside. Some of which might deserve to be recalled, but that in the compass of life they constitute a false centre, as if wisdom were always to grovel with them in immoderate cares for things of present use, & they never to aspire to her high throne with the humble service of all they have; and finally, for that they mask their neglect of Arms, & of heroic virtue itself (the only competent weilder of arms) under the goodly visors of accidental debasements, such as vulgarization, disproportion, and like moss grown upon them in tract of time, by a fortune not more fatally theirs, than other noble knowledges. By which prejudice they mingle sacred, & profane, and proclaim new tables as it were, to all goodness, and glory. Admit that precious metal were dropped in into the cinders; who throws away gold for the dross it is wrapped in? If the mysteries of honour lie contemned in the husk, and bran of vulgarity, or of other casual debasement, which sets foot on the neck of glory: must they to whom the protection, and profession thereof belongs run mad with the multitude? The holy, and most majestical name of GOD almighty hath fallen in our days, by manifold devolutions of impiety, into such blasphemous abuses, as we all of us have lately seen it fain to be rescued from those indignities (or sacrileges rather) by main act of Parliament. Should that rule then be the measure of worth, in an age so blank, and famously bare of all heroic qualities, as, ours where should any beam, or smallest timber of the whole frame of virtue be seen to stand? should not Angels, Men, & Things detorted, or degenerated from their first institution, be so cast of? And should not so an utter voidness be brought upon humanity? Therefore the rise, or fall of men's opinions concerning things which borrow not their value by estimation, as Pearl, and Stone, but contain it in themselves, as Wisdom, & Virtue, are but a very Carpenter's bevill, a false, leaden, and LESBIAN rule to measure by, and the ready way (in constituting multitudes our judges) to assubiect ourselves to the worst tribunal of the world, mere popularity. As for the rust, or fog of contempt which sits thick upon this, & all other generous science, Honour hath long supplicated Majesty for an hand to mount by, and cannot be ever without it. Mean while, no iniquity of men, or times can give from us, to enjoy the secret nourishment of noble thoughts, without imprudently slightng the present sway (though of most corrupted judgements) or without frailty contemning ourselves. For we are such, and so taught, as must not like chapmen ask how the market goes, thereby to lay out our time upon a parcel of virtue, or honour, so, as we may in a mount-banke fashion gain an opinion by retail thereof above our value, but really embrace it for itself, and earnestly favour, and foster it in others, that (if cause require) we may afford to our country, and to other our obligers, true offices, and not deceivable. As for one ordinary cavil used by many, concerning the vulgarization of notes of honour, that certainly doth not trouble me, for Good (simply such) is bettered in proportion to the community thereof, and how happy were the nation which had as many noble in parts, as in marks? But it is far otherwise, God knows, whose, and the work of sovereign Princes the reformation is, and not of a satire, wherein I have no kind of skill, and much less, wil In present let not any suppose (for I will make a short turn out of moral discourse into Armorial) that I create these Elements of myself. For they who first skored the heavens with Mathematical and imaginary lines, made not the heavens, nor any part of them, no more than he made speech, who first devised Grammar; both they, and these having their true state, and condition of being in their several subject matters, though to us eclypst, and shadowed: Much less ought it be conceived, that in the farther, and final prosecution of this affair, I ought be tied to quotations, where never Author hath gone before: seeing frequent, and filled observation is the only proper key to enlarge these Elements out of their Chaos, and imprisonment, and not variety of readings, where (for any thing is known to me on the contrary) all books fail. Which whether it shall happen to be imputed as an youthly over-hardinesse, or reputed for praise-worthinesse, I must put in hazard.  
The things themselves, that is to say, innumerable Armouries, duly, and perpetually considered, and not any Master, have been the flint, and steel to hammer out this whatsoever light; a Genius (with the stay, and lamp of the acuter knowledges) being thereunto more available, then infinite volumes.  E. 
I acknowledge it, and therefore long to be under sail.  A. 
You shall immediately, as soon, as I have taken a little farther order with you, for answering some objections, or expectations rather, of Methodists, lest not having discharged custom answerable to the parcels requisite in such a cocquet, I be laid aboard by critical searches, or raked through the sides with their shot. Our conference therefore being of such quality as you see to weet, concerning the Elements of present and complete Armouries, they will perhaps contend, that I ought not put into the deep, till I had gone farther in their pedigree, bringing it down from those first rude draughts to the present: Which they may suppose not to be altogether the most impossible, for that the face (or remains at least) of symbols do continually glimmer in histories, though sparingly, because the records of the proper Officers of Arms among the Ancients, are quite lost, and all sorts of learning maimed in the irrecoverable decays of infinite volumes, which hath settled a notable darkness upon the greater, & better part of Things, the riches of oblivion surmounting those of memory. They may also farther allege that we should parallelize our Arms with those of the HEBREWS, GREEKS and ROMANS, hitherto of purpose by me omitted, as more exact in their institutions, than stood with the necessary proof of the assumed proposition (best maintained by examples out of rudest nations) or at least wise show of what nature they were, & how, wherein, & when dissonant, or concording with the modern; they might also expect sundry other things, as logical divisions, and subdivisions of symbolical notes, comparisons, or parellelisations of ancient seals among those three politest nations with shields, their several stuff, figures, uses, with innumerable other points sufficient to moor-up our discourse to an unreasonable tarriance. To all which I answer briefly, & truly, that every one of these being in a manner an whole work, & the masters intention, not other men's expectations, being the proper limit of voluntary undertake, I acknowledge myself to have already trespassed in the excess, & out of this plain praeocupation I pray excuse me to yourself. Marry, if you as yet be entangled, or unsatisfied in any of the dilated praemises, let me know, for I mean not to take you into the Armorists ARGO till you see the weather unlike to overcast, at leastwise in that coast which we leave behind.  E. 
There is no cloud in that particular horizon which you have not cleared my prospect from. Nevertheless I hold, that my scruple concerning the naturality, and universal practice of Ensignements was at first just in me, for they (as I myself did) who at a glimpse, or inconsiderately view the present multitudes of Armouries, their formal elegancies, and settled order, which all speak nothing but Art, would verily think that they were even at the first but the work of wit, without any springhead to be found for them upon so high an ALPHONSO, as God himself.  A. 
I grant, and think you justify yourself, very seasonably. But let no man be troubled (good Sir EUSTACE) when he beholds the wondrous work of Arms, (so DAEDALEAN, and so various) raised out of that one true natural ground, as if it were not the ground, for all the lights thereof are kindled (as you see) at that one ray of universal notion. Which nevertheless to weak eyes seems wrapped up, or rather lost in the many folds of Art, but will most readily appear if thus sought. For as to imitate is generally impressed in the nature of man, so picture (derived from that property) was yet at first (notwithstanding the naturality, and universality thereof) but of that kind only which the GRECIANS call Monogrammos, or lineary, & afterward from Monogrammos spread itself into that which PLINY calleth Monochroma, that is to say, from consisting of one line, to consisting of one colour, and from Monochroma did by degrees ascend to such excellence, as rather more than moulding, or imagery contended with spirit, or life itself, and is productive of as many several forms, as the eye, or imagination hath objects. He therefore, that by example of Picture, or of any other like flourishing invention, which hath complement from Art, but original from Nature, shall lift his sight over to the first state of things, must confess, that the present glory, and method of Armouries, no more then of those other can take away the grant of a ground, fountain of the one and of the other. But in Arms we owe nothing more truly to nature then the very light of differencing worths by outward notes. The invention, application, and disposition notwithstanding of those notes are merely with Art, and Use; which two mighty Powers after a very long space of time (for excellent things are of Elephantine birth) did at last with infinite labour, and like felicity, first gather the scattred-materials, such as that universal notion of ensignement had rudely in several ages afforded, and afterward so admirably wrought-out perfect Symbols, and absolute Armouries as we now behold. Our next step is into the main of our business, GOD permitting.  E. 
Never too soon, so as you but hold the course for which at first I capitulated with you, that is to say, so mere a catechizing method as if you would instruct me how to spell the very crosse-rowe of Arms.  A. 
Though it may seem a great stoop from the high pitch, which contemplation lies at to the nearer points of practice, and that the tenor you exact, will but appear like the bare Skeleton, or cage-worke of ribs, and bones, before any flesh, or fashion be over-laid, in regard as it were of the sanguine complexion, and complete body of a full discourse: Yet forsomuch as those nearer points of practice are the Lists more proper to enter a young beginner, in the noble study of armory, and that the aspiring to other more mounted, and towering eminencies of speculation, comprehending innumerable mysteries, in any other sort then as by the due degrees of the Elementary, compositive, and other parts thereof, is but to cast a man up into the wind, there to hover emptily like one of those flying, or floating paper-birds, (not made with that Art as the Automs of DAEDALUS which hung aloft by means of equal poises) but which we have seen boys raise by a string (after they are once mounted) to an incredible height in the air. Therefore (presupposing withal, that you forget not what in the beginning of our conference I delivered to be my sense for the present, concerning ARMS, and GENTLEMEN) I will (according also as at first I yielded) gratify you with the course for which you capitulate, without fearing lest my profitable, and needful plainness take a rub, or twenty, at the suspicion of insufficiency.   

The Contents.  
1. This part peeced to the beginning with repetitions concerning Arms, and Gentlemen. 2. Blazon. 3. The two first considerations. 4. The Continent of Armouries. 5. The Triangular, or SAMNITE shield ours. 6. The ancient usual stuff of shields. 7. The black Princes honorary Target at CANTERBURY. 8. FROISARD cited. 9 A zealous digression to our Prince. 10. JOHN of GAUNTS' honorary Shield in Saint PAUL'S. 11. The like in antiquity. 10. Blazon makes nothing to the present purpose.  
CHAP. 11.  EUSTACE. 
I Forget not what you delivered in the beginning, and think it worth the labour to approve my memory unto you therein by repetition. ARMS (speaking in the vulgar, and equivocal extension of the word) were, you said, certain painted, hereditable, and armorial marks of honour, by which Gentlemen were distinguished first from the vulgar, and then one from the other: and GENTLEMEN (simply, and for the present only, for it is to be supposed that you would give a more exquisie Idea, did you depourtray him unto us in his perfection) were the bearers of such marks, or tokens. To these, if you think good to add for me the knowledge of what BLAZON is before you proceed any farther, I shall seem to have the whole praeparatorie generalities of matter to ensue.  A. 
BLAZON is the description of Arms, and their appurtenances, by the received terms, or other apt expression of things by words.  E. 
To blaze then is in Armoury the same, which in other faculties is to describe, and BLAZON, and description are univocal.  A. 
So I suppose, though some Masters teach, that we must not before a sovereign Prince use the term (blaze) but (descrive) so as then an Armorist shall not be said to blaze, but to descriue a coat.  E. 
What things are first now in the name of GOD, to be considered?  A. 
Two. The Continent and the Content.  E. 
Are there any such terms in Armoury, or do you only borrow them to express yourself.  A. 
Borrow them only, as I shall perhaps be enforced to do many others. Which all men that write either new things, or newly of old matters will not only pardon, but approve.  E. 
What do you call the Continent in Armouries?  A. 
The very same which the word importeth, and no other, that is, the shield, or containing part of itself considered, without any mixture or mark.  E. 
What form hath the shield?  A. 
It hath as many as Carvers, or Painters please, but this triangular is become most usual, and in a sort the proper, for that the shield in general, being invented for defence of the body of man, and applied thereunto, carries a three-cornerd, or triquet-figure, the body of man decreasing as it were in latitude from the shoulders downward. And as the chief of ROMAN historians (SALLUST) writes, that his nation borrowed their arms, and military weapons from the SAMNITES, so was this the peculiar figure of the SAMNITE shield, as the noble Author TITUS LIVIUS PATAVINUS describes it, and gives the reason of that shaping, to be Mobilitatis causâ. The ROMANS digressed notwithstanding from this pattern, rather using Oual, Imbricate, and other figures. here I could create a new Work, did I take occasion to dilate of the figures of Shields, which were scarce the same in any two nations. POLYBIUS', and other famous writers make it clear, that the hides of beasts were the common coverings of shields, the ordinary stuff underneath being some tough wood, or other, as Sallow, and sometime for the more lightness, twigs woven, for so I understand that of LUCAN. 
— nudâ iam crate fluëntes  
Inuadunt clypeos—  Our SAXON ancestors used shields of skin, among whom for that the Artificer put sheep-fells to that purpose, the great ATHELSTANE King of ENGLAND, utterly forbade by a law such deceit, as in the printed book of SAXON laws is extant to be seen. With this usage of agglewing, or fastening hard tanned hides for defence, agrees their Etymology, who derive Scutum the LATIN of a shield, from the GREEK word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a skin. The Triangular (or SAMNIT) was universally among us the ancient fashion of shields for men of Arms, but not the only. For assurance whereof, I will delight you with two diverse proportions, the one of an honorary belonging to the most renowned EDWARD, Prince of WALES, the other (an honorary also) appertaining to his third brother, King of CASTILLE, and LeON, Duke of LANCASTER. The said victorious Prince's tomb, is in the goodly Cathedral Church erected to the honour of CHRIST in CANTERBURY: There (beside his quilted coat-armour with halfe-sleeves, Taberd-fashion, and his Triangular shield, both of them painted with the royal Armouries of our Kings, and differenced with silver labels) hangs this kind of Pavis, or Target, curiously (for those times) embossed, and painted, the Scucheon in the boss being worn out, and the Arms (which it seems were the same with his coat-armour, and not any peculiar devise) defaced, and is altogether of the same kind with that, upon which (FROISARD reports) the dead body of the Lord ROBERT of DURAS, and nephew to the Cardinal of PIERREGOURT was laid, and sent unto that Cardinal, from the battle of POITIERS, where the Black Prince obtained a victory, the renown whereof is immortal. I can hardly here contain myself from offering up a duty of praise to the remembrance of this matchless Gentleman, Lamb in peace, Lion in war, and of all the world in his time the most martial Worthy, and most fortunate General. Aspire right excellent HENRY (o let it need no expiation, that thy great Fathers most lowly subject should thus presume) by his example (to whose Title, and Principality thou art lineal successor) to things greater than the example. That as thou art the proper blossom of all the royal HENRY'S, and EDWARD'S of this thy Father's inheritance, so we may in thee acknowledge the sum of all their CHRISTIAN virtues, proving thyself thereby a greater Thing then to be the Monarch, not only of all great BRITAIN, but of all the World.  
The other honorary shield is in the most magnificent Temple dedicated to the memory of the glorious Apostle Saint PAUL in LONDON, where it hangs at the said Duke's Monument, and is far different from the first. In the curious near view, and handling whereof, as I took singular delight, so was it worthy no less diligence, and therefore I will here show you both the Figure, and Fabric. It is very convex toward the bearer, whether by warping through age, or as made of purpose. It hath in dimension more than three quarters of a yard of length, & above half a yard in breadth; next to the body is a canvas glued to a board, upon that thin board are broad thin axicles, slices, or plates of horn, nailed fast, and again over them twenty and six thick pieces of the like, all meeting, or centring about a round plate of the same, in the navel of the shield, and over all is a leather clozed fast to them with glue, or other holding stuff, upon which his Armouries were painted, but now they, with the leather itself, have very lately and very lewdly been utterly spoiled. Now as some learned understand that old GREEK adage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (meant of such as are astonished at the sudden sight of a thing) of the ugly fearful figures limned upon shields covered with them, so certainly in the rare fabric hereof, their Etymus is approved, who with VARRO (the most learned ROMAN) derive Scutum from sectures, slices, or pieces, of which we behold the strength of this massy shield belonging to the said great Prince, JOHN surnamed of GAUNT, doth consist. The like was also among the Ancient. AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS writes that JULIANUS (before he was Emperor) in an exercise of war at PARIS shook his shield so sternly, that Axiculis queis orbis erat compaginatus— the axicles, plates, or pieces of which it was compact, flew abroad into the field, leaving nothing but the handle in his gripe.  
The figure of shields now used in painting is (as hath been before declared) Triangular, which we intent not to vary from.  E. 
I understand you, and know now what the Continent in Armouries is, and the usual figure of present shields in painting. But what is the Content?  A. 
You shall know before long.  E. 
Mean you not at all to instruct me in Blazon?  A. 
No indeed, as well because the particulars are innumerable, and either now are, or will shortly by some other be so taught, as little help will serve, but principally for that it is only conversant in descriptions of the superficial, and mechanical parts of Armouries, which set no sharp edge upon the wit, as having little in them abstract, or deep.   

The contents.  
1. Of beginning at the Crosse. 2. Figured in CONSTANTINE the Great's shield 3. A conjecture concerning our ENGLISH cross. 4. The three legs in the Arms of the I'll of MAN, and the old GREEK coins of SICILIA. 5. The Cross improper to the Elementary part which deals with no Charges.  
CHAP. 12.  EUSTACE. 
HAd you been so pleased I could tell where I would have had you begun.  A. 
Where?  E. 
At the CHRISTIAN sign of the Crosse.  A. 
So GERARD LEIGH hath done very commendably, as well because we are CHRISTIANS, as also because (his discourse or book being of Arms borne, & how they were to be blazed) that sign is in CHRISTIAN Armouries most honourable. Nor know I a better omen to begin with, for it was an happy presage to great CONSTANTINE, who therefore in the silver boss of his imperial shield, bore a Cross, as NICETAS CONIATES writes, the colour of which Cross though NICETAS name not, yet was it in likelihood of none other than of the same which is now in the flag of ENGLAND (red in white) where (when it was old BRITAIN) himself a BRITAIN was borne.  E. 
It may be thence it is that ENGLAND bears it in honour of him, casting the title erroneously upon S. GEORG.  A. 
I say not absolutely so, though it is evident (according to EUSEBIUS one of CONSTANTINE'S Bishops) that it appeared to him very miraculously when it was now a little past noon, and above the sun, consisting wholly of shining light, with a GREEK sentence importing victory against MAXENTIUS, and his other enemies, and that in religious, and grateful memory thereof, he bore it in his imperial Standard, or LABARUM, as also in like memory of CHRISTE'S appearing to him in a vision the same night, he caused his moneys to be honoured with symbolical characters, as by his coin yet extant may be collected, being (as here you see) a stamp compounded of the two first GREEK capitals in CHRIST'S name.  
With more vehemency of likelihood we may affirm, that the Armouries of the I'll of man were derived from the semblable figure which the GRECIANS in SICILIA did long since use upon their coins.  E. 
I remember to have seen them not without some wonder.  A. 
The cause in them was elegant, but nothing agreeable to the Kingdom, or I'll of man, though somewhat to the three Realms (ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, and IRELAND) which it respects.  E. 
What was the cause?  A. 
The three Legs meeting so in the centre did symbolise, or signify the three corners, capes, or promontories of that Island, which was therefore called TRINACRIA.  E. 
The cause was apt indeed, and would well correspond to our Penile of ENGLAND, which is triquet or triangular.  A. 
It would. But surely in those moneys this was also strange, that in the very juncture of the Legs, you should sometime see a MERCURIES head, betokening (as it seems) the witty arts of the Islanders, sometime the head of CERES to signify the fertility, or rape of PROSERPINA, and sometime other things. Yea, the imitation of the like in Armouries to that public devise of legs hath crept into private families, for the TREMAINS (a CORNISH, or western house of Gentlemen) bear three arms so disposed, the hands directed toward the angles of the Shield. But we have once again almost lost ourselves.  E. 
the time so spent is not lost, but gained.  A. 
As for beginning at the Cross (which were, I yield, not only auspicious, but pious) we have a great journey thither, because it falls not to be handled till we come (if we do come at all) to treat of Charges or Armorial bearings, and is the last part of this argument, save the mystical which openeth the significations.   

The Contents.  
1. The Content of Armouries. 2. BRUTUS. 3. The Continent, and Content explained in MOVBRAY'S coat. 4. A seeming contradiction crept-out-of by the Master. 5. Imagination, the organon here of understanding. 6. Continents distinguished. 7. The Bounding line or Perimeter in a coat of Arms.  
CHAP. 13.  EUSTACE. 
ABout what most is your present doctrine conversant?  A. 
About the Content of Armouries, and subject of blazon.  E. 
What (good Sir AMIAS) is the Content of Armouries?  A. 
That which it is in other things, to weet, the thing contained. For example. In the Armouries credited for BRVTE'S, by VPTON following ARCHITRENIUS, and other, who in those days were so far from making doubt of BRUTUS, as that they, and he affirm, there were eight Kings lineally from him descending, and farther, that the Lions in the Armouries both of SCOTLAND, and WALES, were contrived out of this, being, Or, a Lion passant gardant gules. Howbeit, because we deal upon demonstration, which is ever of certainties, let this be the example.  
 E. 
Whose coat is this?  A. 
It belonged to the noble name, and family of MOWBRAY, Dukes of NORFOLK, and quartered at this day by the illustrious, and Princely house of HOWARDS'.  E. 
Which is the Continent, and which is the Content herein?  A. 
The Continent is left to imagination, being only so much as the Content covers, which is here the matter of the Armouries, to weet, the Field, and the Lion. And you must understand, once for all, that I speak not any where of an Arms, as it is only painted on a paper, but do always suppose a subject shield.  E. 
You taught me before, that the Continent was the shield, or thing containing, and now you say that the Field, and the Lion are the Content, which being so, then are the Content, and the Continent (because the Field contains the Lion) either confounded, or there are two Continents, one which comprehends the whole Armouries, and the other which contains a part.  A. 
My assertion is true. For the field (that is the superficies) is no part of the Continent in my meaning, but is itself contained, as the Lion is: And yet your averment is not absurd, for, severing the Charge from the Field (which here is red) you may, and that not altogether the most improperly hold, that the Field is the Continent of the contained body, be it Lion, or whatsoever else.  E. 
I do not fully conceive it.  A. 
Reflect but upon the description which I gave you of the Continent, and there you shall learn to bring with you an abstractive, or Mathematical consideration, for although a Shield, being a solid, and Geometrical body, hath in it three dimensions, yet know withal that it hath a superficies as of itself, which is nothing to the making up of Armouries, because thereupon may be painted any thing else, and a shield of any matter whatsoever, timber, metal, horn, shell, hath nothing of a coat but only potentially, and in power.  E. 
This I apprehend.  A. 
Let me here how.  E. 
We must (Sir) by imagination sever the Content of Armouries from the matter, or thing whereupon they are, yet so, as by the being of Armouries upon it, the shield immediately becomes the containing part of the whole arms.  A. 
True, as I suppose. For let an Arms painted on a Surcoat, Tabard, or Shield be blotted out, the privation of the Armouries, makes no privation of the Continent, though not as the Continent of Armouries, but as a substance of itself, and if the blazon of the coat be known, though by reason of that privation it appear not to the eye, yet to the intelligent it abideth, and preserves the notice both of the matter, and form in the mind, though so I do no more take it to be an actual Arms, than the dream, or Idea of a building is an house.  E. 
It is clear then that the Content of a painted arms is all that whereof the eye takes view within the bounding line, whereof that line is a part.  A. 
I say not so. For whither you thereby understand the purfle, or visible line, which circumscribes the whole, as a perimeter, and is drawn with Pen, Penicil, or howsoever: or whether you only mean that invisible, imaginary ducture, having neither breadth, nor depth, nor is separable from the thing in which it is imagined, I cannot directly affirm, that it is any more a part of an Arms, than a communis terminus is of that which went before, or of that which came after; or then the unexpressible point of time which divides the new year from the old, is a portion of the new, or of the old: The bounding line (in my conceit) being common as well to the Continent, as to the Content.  E. 
How then?  A. 
Where the error breeds no danger, it is best there to follow common opinion, and seeing these things are not wont to be so narrowly sifted, it is enough to take it, as it is most usually taken.  E. 
How is that?  A. 
As a part of the Coat.  E. 
Then have we a bounding line, or perimeter, to be added to the Content of every Armouries.  A. 
I easily grant it to your sharpness.   

The Contents.  
1. Great odds between Parts, and Elements. 2. Elements of Armouries what. 3. LUCRETIUS his note of Grammatical Elements. 4. Armorial Elements four. 5. Demonstrated in the given example, and infallibly holding in all.  
CHAP. 14.  EUSTACE. 
THus far we are proceeded happily. What shall I now be to you next indebted for?  A. 
If you call it a debt, then for that which is next in the nature of our subject, so far as the nature of this place will bear, which is only to show you in general, that the parts in the Content of arms are diverse.  E. 
Unfold that I pray, so far as you think good.  A. 
The parts in the Content of Arms are diverse, but between the Parts, and the Elements of a body, there is great difference. For the parts of a man are the head, the neck, the arms, the hands, and so forth, and again, those parts have their parts, as the head hath eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, etc. and those parts have yet again their parts similar, and dissimilar, or (as they speak in Schools) Homogenean, & Heterogenean: but the Elements are another thing, and common with man to all other breathing creatures in the world. It is therefore absolutely necessary, before we come to entreat of the total, & partil, similar, & dissimilar parts of Armouries, that we first deliver the Elemental.  E. 
What are Elements than I pray?  A. 
The Elements of Armouries are such, as into which all Armouries may be resolved, as into their common principles, grounds, or beginnings.  E. 
The Elements than are the common grounds, and beginnings of Armouries.  A. 
They are, both as the word imports, and as it signifies in other things. So syllables may be resolved into letters, their Elements (of which all voices under heaven consist, Tantum elementa queunt permutato ordine solo) and all compounded things into their simples.  E. 
Which then are those Elements of Armouries?  A. 
These LINES of all sorts, simple COLOUR, or tincture, in which words I comprehend aswell the two metals in Arms, as all armorial colours. To which you must add NUMBER, or rather unity (which is the fountain of number) for to it may all Charges, whereof there is any numeration in Arms, be reduced, and lastly POSITION, that is, the manner of setting, disposing, ordering, or placing tokens of honour in their proper subject, a Shield.  E. 
LINES, COLOUR, NUMBER, and POSITION, are then the Elements of Armouries, which in their Quadruple number are equal to the natural, fire, air, earth, and water, or to the humours in an human body. But can you for examples sake show them to me in the most noble coat of famous MOWBRAY?  A. 
Most easily, for they hold infallibly in all. Lines, and Colour you confess are therein apparent, and in that the Lion is single, and not more than one, the Element of number is manifested, and whereas lastly he is rampant, or erected, and neither passant, couchant, yssant, or of any other sort, position is most evidently Elemental.   

The Contents.  
1. A flitting eye sees little the more herein for seeing. 2. Lines the first armorial Element. 3. Why. 4. Lines in Arms, as Place is in the Physics. 5. Of Purfles, of the word filum in ancient LATIN poesy, and other Synonimas of armorial lines. 6. The first distribution of lines. 7. The second. 8. The third. 9 A necessary provision about the true understanding of armorial lines. 10. Mathematical subtility in speaking of our lines avoided. 11. armory Queen of liberal knowledges. 12. As incentive to Virtue as Statues. 13. Arms well read, fittest books for the noble. 14. Some Methods rather Mazes. 15. Armouries, the only remaining customary evidences of honour. 16. The Earl of NORTHAMPTONS' piety to our Sovereign Lord King JAMES at GREENWICH tower. 17. Blazon the least, and meanest part of armory.  
CHAP. 15.  EUSTACE. 
THe mystical chain, in which all four are linked together, I cannot but acknowledge, for it is (as yourself have said) most apparent. But do you not purpose (good Sir AMIAS) to handle all four severally?  A. 
How else? For if I did not, you would take-in but small store of light at this casement, and even then also a flitting eye (howsoever it may idly soothe itself) shall see little the more, but all shall still be to him, as it were Sub enigmate, Or (as the very great Philosopher wrote in excuse, or defence of himself for publishing his works) they shall remain as if they were not published, though published. LINES therefore are the first Element of the four, as (taken in the vulgar sense, not in the more Mathematical, and penetrating) they precede colours in work, as that kind of drawing beforesaid which the GREEKS called Monogrammos, was before colouring, as colouring itself was before light, and shadow in artificial painting, as also light, and shadow were before those things which PLINY saith the GRECIANS called Tonos and Harmoge, the former being the heightening of light, and the other the commissure, slide, or passing of colours into other colours, or by what name soever our modern Artists know them by. And all Painters we see do first make a rude draft with chalk, coal, lead or the like, before they limn a Picture, or lay a Colour.  E. 
Notwithstanding, how I pray are Lines an Element of Armouries? or why?  A. 
Because a coat can be no more without lines, then without colour.  E. 
Lines than do form an Arms, and give them to be.  A. 
Certainly.  E. 
Is there any known number, or set fashion of lines required?  E. 
You know right well (Sir EUSTACE) how in few words to demand enough. Your question is perplex, and cannot be satisfied without some diligence. First therefore of Armorial Lines in general.  E. 
I hearken curiously, therefore on I pray.  A. 
There is nothing infinite in the works of Art, or Nature, but there must of necessity be limits, terms, extremities, or bounds.  E. 
Undoubtedly.  A. 
Which limits, or extremities are either understood, & by imagination comprehended, or made subject to the eye by lines. Those lines are that in Armouries which place is in the Physics: Armouries then, and the figures, portions, or proportions in them being artificial bodies, or semblants of bodies, must needs have limits, bounds, or circumscriptions.  E. 
The necessity is apparent.  A. 
Nor can those limits, rightly put, be transpassed, or exceeded, but the limited thing itself must be monstrous, and deformed, and as those ductures, or draughts of lines are shapen, so are the figures (which they circumscribe, and limit) well, or ill.  E. 
Nothing is more evident.  A. 
The painters of Arms do call these lines (as I think) the purfle, or perfil (which also the SPANIARDS blaze, as a several part of the Armouries) and sounds as if it were per filum (which word filum LUCRETIUS doth use for the outermost bounds, or ductures of lines in figures, or for the figures themselves; 
Debent nimirùm non omnibus omnia prorsùm  
Esse pari filo similique affecta figurâ)  They also call it quartering when they put the last hand to the work, drawing the black lines, which give the shape, and lastly they sometime call it a Trick, and Armorists in other cases call them Vmbratures.  E. 
Of how many sorts are armorial lines?  A. 
The doctrine of lines in armouries distinguisheth first of their form, and secondly of their number.  E. 
What saith it concerning their form?  A. 
Armorial Lines are in their first division Strait, or Crooked. Again the Strait are either Direct, or Oblique; Direct as in the first example, Oblique as Moreover the Oblique are either strait, or crooked. The Crooked are subdivided infinitely, but the more usual, and universal may be reduced to these heads, that is, circular, angular, waving, and mixed, and briefly are all such as are not strait. But before you proceed any farther, my charity cannot forbear to give you here a cautel for prevention of straying from my sense, and one error not met-with in the beginning, multiplies itself into innumerable. Therefore when we speak of Armorial Lines either here, or any where, I do not mean of them otherwise then as of terminations, or common limits of Armorial bodies; and when we say lines are strait▪ or crooked, of this, or that form, I pray understand that I mean the Armorial bodies which they terminate are such. For though Lines are the inseparable circumscriptions of forms, or figures in shields, as of shields themselves, giving them (at leastwise to our sight) to Be, yet it is the body, or space comprehended which casts them out into the extremities, whereby they become their visible limits, which albeit we are enforced in flat pictures, and plain tables to express by lines, yet in carved, or embossed objects of arms, no other lines are drawn then such, as the body itself so cut, embossed, or carved, terminates our sight with, which lines shift with our station. Doubtless, in the Idea, or mental shape before it come as it were into act, by being painted, cut, or carved, those terminating, and truly Mathematical lines, abstractedly considered, are manifest, adhering (or inhering rather) without any possibility of separation from the conceived Image. Whereas also the lines drawn in the former coats (for they are coats of Arms, very fair, and good, as well as examples of Lines) seem to apportion the said coats, yet are they (I mean the parted, and diuers-coloured moieties of the several shields) but several solid pieces, or faces of differently coloured bodies, meeting in such a seam of separation (in my conceit of them) as necessarily produce, and present unto us such, or such a line. Nevertheless for more familiar perspicuity in teaching, I am to retain to speak as the vulgar, without daring to use the more penetrating point of spirit, it being also not in the skill of man to draw a line (how admirably small soever) without any latitude, such as the subtlety of the Mathematics doth require.  E. 
I am well satisfied.  A. 
You shall be else for the honour of so Gentlemanly science, which just Antiquity would have enstiled Mistress, and Queen of liberal knowledges. For that in it all the fair Arts seem to assemble, and every Grace, or (as the LATINS speak) every VENUS of invention (not blurred with obscuring commentaries) glitters there in open manner, with much significancy, ornament, and utility. For albeit the sense be somewhat abstruse, and hidden, yet, who (specially with any interest in them) can behold the renowned Armouries of HOWARD, TALBOT, or the like great Worthies, who presently reflects not upon the Bearers? or is not (so as instruction, or capacity want not) stirred up thereby to virtue? Because (as it is in that most excellent Historian SALLUST) if FABIUS, if SCIPIO, & other heroic ROMANS were wont to say, that their minds were most vehemently set on fire with noble thoughts, when they beheld the Images of their renowned ancestors, not for that the stuff, or workmanship had any such efficacy, but for that the memory of their immortal actions, reviving thereby, enlarged the flame of honour in courageous breasts; Then surely, as those Conquerors (for it is indeed the noble temper only which can be apt to kindle at such objects) were so stirred at the view of those dumb statues, what able man should not as fruitfully from a coat of Arms take occasion to describe, and blaze to a young Lord his own particular offices, & expected habits of Noblesse?  
So much the rather, for that the pleasing aspect of Armouries, and signs of honour in them representing some meaning or other, the spectators readily know not what, procures a delight, and so prepares the mind with a willingness to be instructed. Why might not also the same able man repeat (upon like occasion) the whole memories of his forefathers? showing that these Armouries of theirs have these, or these Elements, & parts, were displayed in standard, banner or howsoever, in such a battle, such a siege, or service, that this or that colour, figure or devise therein came thus, or thus, & well fitted such a person of the family, such a virtue, such a fortune in him, with innumerable other branches of discourse springing from such an opportunity, as from a root. And yet farther, if the Tutor's skill would serve him to interpret the Coat itself, and to deliver out of it those divine, moral, natural, & liberal notions, tending to sharpen wit, and ennoble mental habits, O! how easily might he bring all Princely knowledges within the sphere of his activity? how easily avoid the iading of hopeful spirits with the torment, & rack of new devised methods, (mazes rather) & sapless documents?  E. 
He should greatly bind me to him that would give me the copy of such a lecture, the bare mention whereof hath so inflamed me.  A. 
Undoubtedly in the due time (that is, when by former necessary instructions you are enabled to conceive) you may. Howsoever (as I said at first) my youth hath ever held these considerations in Armouries very worthy the study, and leisure of a freeborn man, & the rather to, for that Arms are in a sort the only remaining customary evidences, or testimonies of Noblesse, now that neither Statues, Arcks, Obelisks, Tropheas, Spires nor other public magnificent erections are in use, neither can be recalled into practice by one, though most commendable, and noble example at the Tower of GREENWICH.  
Our age therefore, affecting compendious ways of eternization, all testimonies, are in a manner reduced to this one of ARMS, or ARMOURIES, which also are indeed worth them all. But if (as some very foolishly suppose) the Terms, & use of Blazon, which (as is already said) comprehends but the description of the mechanical parts, were all; who would not then think but that a Nomenclator, or physician, that knew but the words most frequent in his own profession, did deserve as great applause as our blazoner? which is as far from the thing (nor doth affection abuse me herein) as signs from substances.  
This short excursion (Sir EUSTACE) I call mine, which pardoned, shall trusse-together all desire to exspatiate farther, and settle us from henceforth closely to our business, not only till the intricate matter of Lines be sufficiently explained, but till the rest of the Elements, and the whole intended argument be discussed, in proportion to the present uses.  E. 
You do not only merit pardon, but many thanks, for such a repast, given to us upon the way, and not by going out of the way.  A. 
Which you shall the more grace, (admit we have forsaken the Bias of our course, and run out a little) if you be pleased to remember that our last talk was of Crooked lines.   

The Contents.  
1. Of crooked lines. 2. They improper to Geometry. 3. Are exemplifide. 4. VPTONS' Blazons of some of our crooked lines antiquated.  
CHAP. 16.  EUSTACE. 
WHat Circles, Angles, & the like, are in Geometry, I do already partly understand; But what are they in armory?  A. 
here are examples of the four kinds of our crooked lines, with which Geometry hath nothing to do.  
 E. 
Are these their names in armory?  A. 
Nothing less, for they have other very different: They are all parted per pale, or (to use SCOHIERS' word) mipartie, that is, parted longwise in the midst, or perpendicularly parted, but yet severally affected in the partings, for which I refer you to GERARD LEIGH, and other blazoners: Only this I will note, that whereas the second partition of the four is now blazed endenteé, Antiquity (or at leastwise VPTON about two hundredth years since) blazed that raseè, and this which is with us embatteled, he called per pale endenteè, and not embatteled.   

The Contents.  
1. Another distribution of lines armorial. 2. Much of the doctrine of Lines, put over to their more proper place. 3. The totum compositum of Arms. 4. A new division of integral lines into Pertransients, and Pertingents. 5. Saint OSWALD'S Banner. 6. Both sorts of lines described.  
CHAP. 17.  EUSTACE. 
PRoceed I pray, for I understand thus much.  A. 
Lines by a second division are one in a coat of Arms, or more, which is a division, the handling whereof belongs to the Arithmetical, and Compositive part. Therefore to set down what sorts, and parts of lines are in Shields, and how one of them stand with the other, be altogether points of another text, as where those Elements are made use of, and the totum compositum (to weet a good coat of Arms, what good coat of Arms soever) is described, or dissected as in Anatomy. Nevertheless for your farther light, I will not stick summarily to deliver somewhat more concerning lines armorial: which, first, are either Entire, and Pertransient, or Entire and Pertingent, or parts of them.  E. 
Which is the Entire Pertransient?  A. 
The whole, or Entire Pertransient, is that which crosseth the middle of the Shield, and runs diametrically the longest way of her position, as here in this example following, and such other. here I cannot but by occasion of this, remember what our countryman, venerable BEDE, writeth (in his History) of King OSWALDS' banner, which, saith he, being of Gold, and Purple, was hung over his tomb, and (as I think) is the eldest authentic record of honourable Ensigns in that kind among us, and in my opinion not unlikely to be of this sort, party per pale, Or and Purple, rather than of any other. This by the way. The entire Pertingent is that which passeth from one side of the comprehended space, but not through the midst thereof, as the Entire Pertransient, which passing, or not passing through the midst, or centre, is the true difference between the Entire of one sort, and of the other.   

The Contents.  
1. Entire Pertingents subdistinguished. 2. Their sorts described. 3. An obscure blazon out of SCOHIER. 4. How Pertingents come to be Pertransients.  
CHAP. 18.  EUSTACE. 
Have Entire Pertransients any other member of division?  A. 
No, for they are single, pure, and immutable, fully answering in their nature to Dimetients, or Diameters: But Entire, or whole Pertingents have, and are subdistinguished in their longitude: For they run the longest way of their position, or not the longest.  E. 
Which are the Entire Pertingents that run the longest way of their position in the Shield, without touching, or piercing the Centre, and are Entire Pertingents of the first sort?  A. 
These. for they cross not the midst, and yet are drawn the longest way of their position, obliquely shooting from the Angles in chief, and meeting in point base. Therefore both those Lines are Pertingents of the first kind, and the partition itself is the only one of all partitions, which toucheth all the points of the Escutcheon, as you may see this doth.  E. 
Which is the Entire Pertingent of the second sort, that shoots not forth the longest way of his position?  A. 
That which shoots not forth to the full length of an Entire Pertingent, (as straightened by the narrow limits of the Shield in that place, where it is situate) can rarely be found single in any Coat: But SCOHIER gives us examples, as here in a direct line, which (somewhat obscurly) he blazeth a Sinister, and again of an Oblique line in this. which he (how clerckly soever) calleth Emmanchè au dextrè. Both which lines are Pertingents of the second sort, entire, integral, continuous or whole, and passing withal from one side of the shield to the other, yet not by the longest way of their position, as diameters: For if they did, than the one should be party per pale or Mipartie, the other Party per bend sinister, as is most apparent, the longest ways of their positions being through the midst, or centre of their comprehending spaces, the first perpendicularly, the other laterallie, as here you may behold.   

The Contents.  
1. The more essential differences of lines entire among themselves. 2. The quality of Pertransients. 3. The more noted properties of Pertingent lines.  
CHAP. 19  EUSTACE. 
WHat can be said more concerning this lineary element.  A. 
Incredibly to much for this place. Let it therefore suffice in present, that out of the most spacious storehousen of glorious Arms I sparingly afford you somewhat, & rather as a taste then a feast.  E. 
What then are the more noted properties of these Armorial lines?  A. 
Your question is apt. For having thus in general described the sorts of Integrals, or lines entire, as well pertransient as pertingent, it is secondarily convenient that I should instruct you a little in those properties, wherein more essentially they differ among themselves. I will therefore briefly show you first the quality of lines pertransient, as those which are of most honour, & state. Pertransients (the chief of lines entire) do either touch some one Angle of the shield, or touch not, none of them touching two, or more.  E. 
Which of the Pertransients touch?  A. 
Or rather which do not? For as there are but four sorts of Pertransients, armorial Dimetients, or Diameters, so the touching of an Angle, one, or other, is inseparable to all of them, excepting to one only, and to no more, for any thing I remember, which is in party per fez, and this Pertransient (as you see) passeth in breadth of the Shield through the umbilick, or middle point, as an Entire Pertransient ought, yet without touching any Angle thereof.  E. 
What are the more noted properties (now) of lines pertingent?  A. 
The quite contrary property to the other. For as all pertransients (only that one excepted which I have already showed to you) pass the Centre, and touch one Angle, or other, & never but one, so no Pertingents do either cross the midst, or touch an Angle: But the more essential property of Pertingents is not to cross the midst: Though in both respects there want not exceptions, there being a Pertingent (and but one) which crosseth the Centre, as the Pile-line (a Pertingent also) toucheth an Angle.   

The Contents.  
1. Another division of lines entire. 2. An exemption of circular lines from that division. 3. A Pertingent of a singular property. 5. EUCLIDS Elements not much more perplex.  
CHAP. 20.  EUSTACE. 
Have Integrals, Entire, or Whole lines, any subdivision?  A. 
They have. For Integrals (such I mean as are bounded in the perimeter, or extremity of the shield) do either touch the Directly opposite parts of a Coat, or the Obliquely opposite, as the former examples partly show.  
From which rule notwithstanding this arching line doth differ, and makes a notable exception, for it terminates itself in the same side where it began, not withstanding it be not interrupted, but continuous, and entire. Which Arching lines are of two sorts, for they either touch an Angle, and touch not the Centre, but withal do terminate themselves in the same side, according to the rule formerly given, or else they touch not an Angle. Of both kinds that one shall be enough to exemplify the exception by, if it may be called an exception, which is not of the selfe-nature of which the rule is, the rule being meant of Strait lines only, so as Arching lines do rather exact a particular handling, and place.  E. 
What line is that which being a Pertingent partakes not with the common quality of lines Pertingent, which ought not to touch the midst in passing, nor determine in an Angle?  A. 
Lo here.  
 E. 
What is this?  A. 
A Line Pertingent you confess, for that it goeth not the longest way of the position, but toucheth not the Opposite sides, and yet, (which a pure Pertingent should not do) it crosseth the midst: And as the pile-lines (before exemplifide) balk the Centre, but touch the Angle-lines, so this balks the Angles, but not the Centre. But were it set upon the same Axel as now it hath, and extended the longest way of his position, it should one way be a partion per pale, and the other a partition per bend. This line itself is seen in a Gyron of odd pieces, but never single, and therefore being in composition only, I may yet demur upon the admittance thereof, as an exception against the rule of Pertingents in general.  E. 
The matter of Lines in Arms doth (I see) extend itself far, and (as partaking the subtleties of EUCLIDS Geometrical Elements) is involved, and manifold.  A. 
You may well say so, for that we have all this while handled only certain single, and more principal Lines.   

The Contents.  
1. Parts of lines pertransient, and pertingent. 2. Their more common causes. 3. And chief properties. 4. A line for every day according to that of APELLES.. 5. Sir EUSTACE stayed a while from analysing the premises. 6. Casualty, & Fortune in Armouries. 7. Blazon referred to blazoners. 8. Single Lines not subject to that casualty. 9 Double Lines divided. 10. Parallels, Diallels, and Neuters.  
CHAP. 21.  E. 
It remaineth now that you teach me (if you please) the doctrine of the other member, or branch in your first distribution, concerning the parts of Pertransients, and Pertingents.  A. 
The Doctrine is short, and easy, for such Lines have one chief property, that they ever make an Angle in the shield, as here: But being drawn through, they for the more part discover themselves to be but parts, or beginnings of other Armorial bodies, by imitation, defect, or redundance. As, draw the half-lines or semidiameters of the first quite through the shield, they beget this first mixed partition, & then (in the second) by extending the chevern-lines into the chief-points party per saltoir, is produced, as followeth.  
 E. 
In this place therefore you make these semi-diametrs to be parts of Lines, which meeting in the Escutcheon, and near some part of the midst thereof, or in the midst itself, bring forth an Angle, or rather a quadrangular, or triangular Proportion, as the place will bear.  A. 
So as these parts of Lines entire (contrary to the nature of Pertransients, and Pertingents) do each of them touch his side only of the Shield, and withal, either settle in the very midst of the Arms, or fall short thereof, or otherwise shoot by it, or lastly touch an Angle: which is a property only seen (so far as I remember) in a Gusset, or a Gyron, which Gyron is half a Cabe, or quarter cut off by an oblique or diagonal line, as followeth.  
 E. 
There is no part of this your last Paragraph, or Section, which needs not very particular demonstration, before I can be made capable thereof, it hath so many folds, for which I doubt not there will be a time. In the mean season I perceive that this doctrine will afford a line for every day in the year, so as none need pass contrary to the great Painter's precept, who bade no day should pass without a line.  A. 
here then shall be the period of my present handling the Element of lines, so far as they are Elementary in the first degree, for you seem weary.  E. 
At no hand (good Sir EUSTACE) unless the matter stretch itself no farther. But to let you understand how I profit, I will draw a Table or Analysis of this which you have already delivered.  A. 
Do that hereafter when you come to the close, which now after a short strain, or two, will be presently. Now that you may understand how casualty works in all things, behold it spareth not armorial lines, which are cut off sometime, before they can arrive at any side of the Shield.  E. 
Fortune (as the vulgar phrase is) which sports herself with the Owners, and Lords of Coate-Armours, may very well make bold with the notes of honour which they bear: Nor abludeth it from conveniency, that if men suffer her force in their lives, Shields and Armouries should not claim a privilege above them.  A. 
Of that maimed, or truncked kind, are this, and the like.  
 E. 
What call you this?  A. 
Remember I protest against encroachment, but refer you for Blazon to Blazoners, the terms of that Art being of no use in considerations such as these, which set not down the things themselves as they are Armouries, but by abstraction of Elements from Bodies, do give examples as they primitively concur to their making, which subtilize the wit, and formalize the object: Therefore to comprehend the Particulars of one nature under their more general, subaltern, or other kinds, doth exact words fit for such purposes, which wanting (as they are) must of necessity be devised, and imposed, or the Art be lame in that point. Blazoners call that Bearing, or Charge in Arms, an Haumed, or Humet. But Single Lines are never subject to this violence, or casualty, whereof we spoke before, but only the double, which are either Parallel, Intersecant, or neither.  E. 
Which double Lines are Parallel, or fellow in Armouries?  A. 
Those which are such in other subjects, as in the Sphere. In Armouries they are these, & the like which side one by the other without meeting according to the true property of Parallels, which may in other words be called geminels or twins▪  E. 
Which Armorial lines are Intersecant?  A. 
As Parallels are commonly Pertingents only, so single Intersecants are generally Pertransients, so in the former examples which I gave you of Parallels, you see they are Pertingents. Intersecants be Pertransients which cross one the other, and are these, or the like.  
 E. 
But are there some entire armorial Lines which be neither Parallel, nor Intersecant, and yet are pairs?  A. 
There are, as in the former example of party per pile in points you may perceive, for there the Lines meet, and therefore are not parallel, though pairs, and yet cross not one the other, and therefore are not intersecant, which considerations belong to the generation, or composition of Armouries, and are there, not here, to be entreated off.   

The Contents.  
1. The Master called back to english himself about the causes of some Armorial bodies. 2. A Canton one of them. 3. A Pile another. 4. Sir EUSTACES supposal of an abortion in Art.  
CHAP. 22.  EUSTACE. 
Sir, I pray let me call you back to english yourself, where teaching the parts of Lines you said that the armorial bodies which they made were parts, or beginnings of other Armorial bodies, or deduced howsoever one out of the other.  A. 
Yourself will easily be able to answer yourself when you shall hereafter know what figures, and proportions the skill of commendable Armouries doth admit. For what is a Canton but a Quartar contracted, or abridged? And this, as I take it, is an armorial body drawn from a Quarter by defect, or imitation, or both ways.  E. 
How is one of those less Armorial bodies whereof you spoke made by redundance?  A. 
That may appear unto you in a pile, as I conceive, for the pile-lines shooting on either side, & beyond the fesse or middle point, & meeting afterward together under the nombril, or base of the fesse, yet not extended to the lowest, or base point of the shield, create a new Armorial figure by redundance.  
 E. 
Of what armorial body seems this a redundance?  A. 
Of a Gyron, or the like.  E. 
It seems to me that it may be by defect, aswell as by redundance. For where (like nature failing of her end) these lines fall short of the lowest point of the shield, called the base, or last point, and clozing before their time beget this figure, which (otherwise) running Parallel, and equidistant from their beginning would produce a pale, so may this pile appear, in the final intention of failing Art, to be a pale abortive, or miscarrying.  A. 
Saving the honour of your witty error the pile is an armorial body of itself.   

The Contents.  
1. The intended matter of Lines at an end. 2. All their sorts not regularly comprehensible. 3. The linearie premises begun to be recapitulated. 4. Complimental passages between the two Knights. 5. The Master finds fault, and supplies the wants. 6. The soft-wax table of memory. 7. The necessary use of certain marks upon the Slate, with sundry methodical considerations alike necessary.  
CHAP. 23.  EUSTACE. 
THe matter of Lines is now, it should seem, at an end.  A. 
The intended matter (that is, to show how they are elementary to the lineal part of the faculty) is at an end. But these Lines of which hitherto we have entreated, are only some of the main, for example's sake brought hither, and which the SPANISH Herald very often blazeth by the name of Perfill (as is said) or as we say Purfle, Or, Argent, Sable, or so forth.  E. 
Then belike there are more Lines of all sorts in Armouries?  A. 
There are more, & those not comprehensible within these rules. For neither can Lion, nor Eagle, nor Tree, nor Flowers, nor any other distinct representation be expressed in Armouries without Lines, either drawn or conceived, according to that which we have heretofore delivered.  E. 
Shall I now recapitulate the points of this as it were Geometrical Element of Armouries?  A. 
Very willingly, and as you go make demonstrations upon this Slate.  E. 
First therefore it is plain that Lines are a principal Element of Armouries, in which they are either strait, or crooked. The strait are direct, or oblique, and again, the oblique are either strait, or crooked.  A. 
Thus far your memory can sustain no reproach.  E. 
Crooked are manifold, as thus, and thus, and thus.  A. 
Hitherto the mute Slate shall witness with you against forgetfulness.  E. 
Lines by a second division of yours are one, or more than one in an Arms.  A. 
Show how.  E. 
O (Sir AMIAS) did you not adjourn the demonstration of that part to another time? and I am but your spring-water which naturally can mount no higher than the head from whence it came.  A. 
You have too great a memory not to be dangerous.  E. 
For all that you will not me thinks forbear to speak things worthy of table-books, and the next morning's meditation.  A. 
Meanwhile (for I acknowledge no such happiness) run over the rest of the lecture of lines, if you please.  E. 
As ambitiously, assure yourself, as if the Chair became my skill.  
Lines therefore, you farther said, were either Pertransient in the nature of diameters (and of those Pertransients you remembered no greater a number then four) or else Pertingent, as thus, and thus. You also touched some special properties of them all, handling by the way some other things, and concluding that Lines in composition (which part you did also put over, as more proper to be taught in another place) were either parallel, intersecant, or neutral.  A. 
Here like a young Courser that hath no certain pace, you shuffle. If therefore you will render yourself sufficient for the understanding of monuments Armorial, it would behove you to spell, and con them thoroughly, and often, and that you may do it with the more effect, myself will not fail to give you my best furtherance. As for the present, I will once more view the Slate, whereupon you have cyphred your remembered parts of the lecture, and therein supply what is wanting, that you may have all the passed examples together, and in sight at once upon one Plane, and by them (as by so many places of artificial memory) both call them to your mind the better, and hold the depending doctrines the surer.  
 E. 
It is a singular good course, and a sure, for the soft-wax table of memory retains not without sealing, and nothing is worth attention which is not worth remembering. But why have you noted some with Asterisks, or Starrulets? some with hands pointing? and others with trefoils slipped?  A. 
Every Starrulet shows a passing, or transition from one different matter to another, according to our discourse itself, where were sundry branches, exceptions, and theorems. The marginal hands show, that at the Escutcheon to which they severally point, begins a general comprehension of all the particulars of one nature, which follow between that hand, and the next, and is a more light than in the handling was given. For of those Elementary Lines (and primely Elemental are none but the single) which we have exemplified, the first sort are Elemental, and considerable in regard of their form, as strait, crooked: Those of the second degree are Lines considerable in this Element in regard of their position, or manner of placing in Escutcheons, as direct, and oblique, or, as in the more, or less length of their ducture. The third, and last are lines considerable in regard of their plurality, and therefore worthily adjourned to be discourse for the Fabric, or compositive part of Arms, or Armouries, in which they mix, and concur to the enshaping of proportions and figures upon Shields.  E. 
Wherefore serve the Trefoils?  A. 
To signify such examples as are occasional, and come in but upon the by: As party per pale embatteled (for so much therein as concerns the forms, or affections of lines) is comprehended within the Angular, and is not a sort of itself: So the two Escutcheons which do immediately follow the two Pertingents of the second sort, that is to say parts of Pertingents, are to show (as before they did show) how they become Pertransient. Yet the former divisions hold: For all between hand and hand are in one predicament of Armoury, and every Starrulet is the sign of a different matter: The exceptions, and incidencies beforesaid, being most aptly notwithstanding comprehensible under their several heads.  E. 
The Element of lines thus happily finished, the most beautiful Element of colours, doth next present itself to handling.   

The Contents.  
1. Admired PLATO vouched for entrance into the Element of colours. 2. Why colours are elemental to Armouries. 3. armorial colours twofold. 4. The vulgar error of bearing in proper. 5. Seven chief armorial colours. 6. The Master doubtful how to marshal them. 7. Antiquities for the honour of White colour out of PLATO and SVETONIUS. 8. Rare scorn of human pride out of colours, one very late of ABDELA the Morisco Emperor. 9 National as well as personal respects in the use of colours. 10. Two considerations in the marshalling of Armorial colours. 11. JULIUS SCALIGER bowled with ARISTOTLE. 12. The Arms of Doctor BARTOLUS one of the first gownemen which bore any. 13. Certain scales of colours. 14. The differences between two Authors cited in those scales, and the reason. 15. Concerning the place of Gules, and Azure.  
CHAP. 24.  AMIAS. 
WHite (saith PLATO) is the fittest colour for God. Having here but named PLATO, it seems to me that I have withal let in a great deal of light, and gracefulness, and therefore gladly use that sentence of his as a garland, to adorn the entrance of this part of our discourse concerning Armorial colours.  E. 
You have done well, and I rise up in honour of his memory.  A. 
The beautiful, and vital Element of colour is in hand. But before (either with PLATO, or any one) we define which colour is best, let us not unskilfully overslip the handling of such matters as ought necessarily precede.  
You are therefore (as a general rule) to remember that by the word Colour, I understand all sorts of colours in Arms, as well as those which are called metals, as the rest. For gold, and silver do but in better stuff express the tinctures which they hold, and yellow hath precedence of white rather for the dignity of the metal which sets it forth, then as it is a colour, in respect whereof it is not comparable to the chaste, and virgin purity of white.  E. 
Why are colours elemental to Arms?  A. 
For that as lines give them shape, or circumcsription, so without Colour (as hath been said) they neither have life, nor distinction.  E. 
Hath the natural Philosopher, who teacheth the causes, and generations of colours any employment in this subject?  A. 
What liberal profession hath not? but yet not in every time, or place, and therefore not now, nor here, no more than their materials, as ceruse, lamp-black, vermilion, and the like: Because those colours are only for our turn which already have their being, and are agreed upon in common practice.  E. 
How many armorial Colours are there then?  A. 
All colours upon occasion be used in Armouries, as the thing which is to be painted doth require. Therefore all colours are armorial in the largest sense, which you may easily perceive in those shields, where the Charge being of several colours (as a Peacock, a Culuer, a Chameleon, a Rainbow, or the like) is set forth according to life, which as seldom, so it is of little grace in Armoury, whose liking is chiefly of those which being principal, and Colours as it were of themselves are withal most different one from the other. Of them (as the humours of this artificial body) it is enough if we deal only with such as are most noble, and usual, which are seven. For that the bearing of things in their proper colours should be best, as it is I confess somewhat commonly held, so is it a common error, and but among the Commons, because those of the upper-house of skill know it is far otherwise, the reasons of Arms, and Nature being so different. A blue, or green Lion (which are as improper colours for that beast as can be) are of better bearing than a natural: How-beit if that vulgar conceit have any ground, it is in the use of the predominant colour of a creature whose image is borne in Armouries; as a golden Lion rather than any other, because Yellow is predominant in him.  
So that at most it can be said, That creature is best borne, or borne in his most dignity, which is advanced in the predominant colour thereof, which also I must demur upon, for I believe it not yet, and the reason will appear elsewhere, for this is but by the way,  E. 
Which then are the seven chief armorial Colours?  A. 
I am troubled at your question, as not knowing which to set down first, the order in naming them is so diverse, and in the march of Arms to rrespasse against true Marshalling is an error which I am not willing to commit. To make Antiquity arbitress of this difference will perhaps not serve, because custom (which hath dominion over matters of this kind) hath prevailed to the contrary, our whole speech being but of the chief armorial colours. PLATO (laying White aside, as a sacred colour, and symbolicallie reserved to the service of powers divine) leaves all the rest unto us for military Ensigns. Among the ROMANS it had signification of sovereignty itself, for (as it is in SVETONIUS) a crown of laurel bound-up with a label, or ribbon of white, and set upon a statue of the first perpetual Dictator JULIUS CEASAR, the Tribunes commanded the said lace, or label to be taken away, and the fellow to be put in prison, as one who had therein gone about to erect a King, and so far as was in him proclaimed CEASAR; a matter as then high treason against the State. DOMITIAN in like sort for that his brother's son in law had Albatos ministros. took it very heinously, as if by the use of that colour were ambitiously implied a pretence, or right to share in imperial dignity, chastising it therefore with HOMER'S 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inferring that as many Kings marred all, there ought to be but one, so that his Niece's husband meant to make one.  
Of these and the like were no end, and yet the present controversy of praecedence in colours should rest undecided. Which if any man shall despise, he doth not know that nothing is of so small moment (which I speak not as a matter for men to be proud of, or wherein they have cause to glory) which is fit for us Mortals to contemn, whose most weighty enterprises by a colour, a shadow, or less, are not seldom interuerted, or swayed, to the singular scorn both of human wisdom, and of what their other force soever.  
We have heard of a King who seeing the ship wherein his son went upon the dangerous adventure of encountering the MINOTAUR of CRETE, return with black sails, as it went forth (the colours of victory being forgotten to be displayed, as was agreed) impatiently, and suddenly destroyed himself, as supposing him to be slain.  
Fresh accidents are most forcible.  
Very lately in BARBARY a white skarcrow was enough to start an Emperor from his imperial seat, and make him to fly. Thus it happened. In the late famous furies of that country between the three brethren, HAMET BOSONNE their cousin made head for himself, and drew toward MOROCCO or MORVECOS the principal city, not far from from which, ABDELA lay in camp, from whence a fellow being seen upon an hill with a spear in his hand, and a white linen upon it as a flag, the Emperor ABDELA thought HAMET BOSONNE to be at hand with his whole force, whereupon in all haste taking up some of his Tents, but the greater part left standing, he fearfully ran away: And what was this terrible apparition do you imagine? a poor MORE washing his nappery, and for the speedier drying thereof using his spear to hang it in the sun. Let examples pass: who sees not the natural effect of colours? At the approach of light whose senses are not cheered? In darkness who feels not a kind of horror? Have the White of a delicate face, and the blackness of a NEGRO alike admittance to our eye? or allowance in the mind? What innumerable affections are raised in the soul by colours, all admirers of beauty can tell, and I see not what the pride of life is more ambitious in, or studious for, witness the marvelous valuations of pearl, and stone (chiefly for the various shine of their colours, their lustre, or water as they call it) the pomp of clothes, the ornament of building, and innumerable other: All which are unto the blind worth nothing indeed, but to those who have the use of sight, a main cause why they desire to live and be.  
Symbolical philosophy will teach us wonders concerning these, and other matters. Who dares in TURKEY wear green, the colour of MAHOMET, but the SULTAN himself, or those of his blood? He that had lived when red, and white in the like-coloured roses were fatal to the royal families of ENGLAND, would have been very loath to have encountered with his contrary colour upon disadvantage. White, and black long harassed some parts of ITALY in the famous factions of B●ANC●I, and NERI. It was but only a false fear which COMMINES in his eighth book writes that his FRENCH were put into by the white banner of a principal Leader of theirs, the same having been used by the MARQVES of MANTVA their enemy. The particular praeference which is given to this, or that colour, above the rest by several persons, how, or whence doth it come? That there is a national as well as a personal respect cannot be denied, and colours rather than other are vulgarly appropriated to special uses, as symbolical to them, so far forth as a kind of superstition is grown upon the avoiding, for you shall seldom see a Bridegroom wed in yellow, or a forsaken Lover walk in blue. To mourn in black is as national a custom, as for the grave, and civil to go therein. Who sees not what a religion there is, as it were, in the use of colours? At a Saint GEORGE'S feast, a tilt, or triumph no man will usurp his majesties known colours, yellow & red.  
Is there a gracious servant in Court who will dare to mount any other Colour into his hat, then that which his Lady, and Mistress best approves, and useth? There is scarce any Noble person who doth not affect one colour, and prefer it before another in his fancy, though himself can render no reason for it.  E. 
As how? or among which of them?  A. 
VPTON a Canon of Sarum and Wells, in his learned work of Arms, dedicated to his Lord, and Patron HUMPHREY Duke of GLOUCESTER, cities them otherwise then GERARD LEIGH, who simply hath the most, and best collections for Blazon, and (notwithstanding his Pythagoracisms in affecting certain numbers, and his no good choice in matters of Antiquity) doth best apply himself to the capacity of a learner, who is ignorant in other good letters. BOSWELL in one place follows GERARD LEIGH, but JOHN de Scohier Beaumontois differs from them all, and other Masters (as Sir JOHN FERNE Knight) have their peculiar marshallings. The three first I have thought good to comprehend in this figure of sundry scales.  
 E. 
But what say you?  A. 
First, observe wherein they differ, and wherein they agree. About the place of metals there is no altercation, for all give praecedence to gold, as to the more worthy metal, but about the colours they vary: For VPTON assigns the third place to Azure, which LEIGH, and SCOHIER do post into the fourth: VPTON enstalleth gules in the fourth; LEIGH, and SCOHIER in the third: Purple, according to VPTON is fifth, but according to LEIGH and SCOHIER, seventh. In Vert, VPTON, and LEIGH do accord: Sable is put last by VPTON, which LEIGH thinks worthy to be fifth.  E. 
May VPTON, and LEIGH be reconciled or no?  A. 
The matter is to be fetched somewhat farther of, that is, you must first consider them simply, and as of themselves for colours, in which sense VPTON rather speaks, then as they are in Armouries, in which sense GERARD LEIGH: and so, they two having their several reasons, their several marshallings may be defended.  E. 
How do you consider them as they are colours?  A. 
White certainly is in his proper nature most excellent, as being most pure and splendent. For it is plain that Yellow hath somewhat in it less pure, and is a degree (though yet the next degree) to white, and as for the third place which is by VPTON given to blue, and by LEIGH to red, VPTON, who knew much better the reasons, and causes of colours, did see that a bright blew had more of white in it then red had, & red, though a very bright colour, yet participated more yellow than blue hath, yet because it hath most of the second colour, and consequently not any thing of White but secondarily, therefore did VPTON following the order of nature marshal blew third, and GERARD LEIGH having reference to the dignity of Yellow, as it is expressed in metal, placed red, where far more learned VPTON putteth blue, which is in the third place, as also renowned BARTOLUS, though not in respect of itself (as VPTON doth dispose thereof) but in regard of the aër which it figureth.   

The Contents.  
1. Concerning the place of Purple. 2. VPTON in one respect preferred before LEIGH in the matter of colours. 3. Yellow not advanced above white, in regard of itself. 4. Caesarean Lawyers commended. 5. Doctor BARTOLUS not diligent, nor exact in armorial colours. In how many sorts their praecedency is considerable. 7. Sir EUSTACE spared as a learner.  
CHAP. 25.  EUSTACE. 
I Am satisfied in this, so far as concerns the reconciliation, or reason of those two first Authors VPTON, and LEIGH in their first difference. The second difference is about Purple, which in VPTONS' Obelisk, or Scale is fifth, but in LEIGHS seventh.  A. 
There is no doubt but that VPTON with good judgement did marshal it so, considering his persuasion of their order in nature. For red being with him the mean, and equidistant colour in the said order, between the two extremes of white, and black, what can be more aptly placed then purple next to red? for somuch as purple hath in it a kind of deepness, which makes it incline to a degree of black.  E. 
Do you think that VPTON had as good reason for the other particulars in his Scale of colours?  A. 
Altogether as good, considering his persuasion of the order of colours in nature.  E. 
Then you prefer his judgement before LEIGHS in the first consideration, though it should seem that even his Scale also doth not merely, and purely answer the said consideration, forsomuch as white, being according to nature, the most excellent of colours, hath not priority of yellow, which it ought to have, being of itself pondered, VPTON respecting the honour of the metal which yellow representeth, or in which it is represented, and therefore his marshalling is not simply natural.  A. 
Your observation is true, and by the leave of Civilians (an order of men which rightly instituted is able and worthy to govern the world) I will add somewhat farther concerning BARTOLUS: who making his distinction of colours as we have done, and first (which also factious methodists would carp as preposterous) declaring which colours are in his opinion most noble in respect of things which they represent, instead of prosecuting the other member of his division, that is to say, instead of showing which colours are most noble in respect of themselves, makes some of us doubt whether he hath therein performed any thing at all, or not confounded the second member with the foremost. For coming to that point thus he disputes, as light is most noble (saith he) so her contrary, which is darkness, is most base, then in colours as they are to be considered as of themselves, (for that is the point) Color albus est nobilior quia magis appropinquat luci.  
If therefore (o renowned BARTOLUS) white is more noble, (as you affirm) for the more dearness which it hath to light, than it is not in respect of itself more noble, but in respect of that more nearness (that is, in respect of another) and so we seem to be forsaken by you in this second point: For neither is light, nor darkness a colour, nor measuring causes of the dignities of colours, nor was it the question which of them two was most noble, but whether this, or that colour. Yea, a curious sister might hazard all the first division by this, or make a fight between them, I mean between the first, and this: For if there be but one rule of praecedence in colours, as they are considerable in respect of things which they resemble, or allude unto according to the first division, than either white is chief even in that respect, and to be preferred before golden, purple, and azure, contrary to the collection which he makes, or this is no apt resemblance which is brought by him of light, and darkness. But if there are two rules of such precedency, then certainly, colours as they are considerable in respect of others, are to be considered after a double manner, even according to the first division, the one manner superior, the other inferior, and the second consideration which is of colours as they are of themselves is to be sought out in natural Philosophy, not in resemblance, nor allusions. But I may not entangle you at first with these subtleties.   

The Contents.  
1. The masters great opinion of Purple. 2. The wonderful honour which Antiquity had it in. 3. Conjectures why that colour hath now lost the praecedence. 4. The admirable beauty set forth by Hyperbole. 5. The masters wish for restoring it to the ancient glory. 6. The two vegetous souls of Armouries.  
CHAP. 26.  EUSTACE. 
YOu favour me therein (good Sir AMIAS) therefore if you please, and that the Entrance, Cue, and Turn thereof be yet, I would be glad to understand somewhat concerning colours as they are in Armouries.  A. 
I affect not the maintenance of forced paradoxes in matter concerning them, nevertheless before I entered farther I would gladly that purple were restored to the own place.  E. 
Indeed I marvel seeing the best, and most ancient Authors speak of purple, as of an Imperial, and most reserved colour, peculiar to the CAESAR'S, and other Sovereign Princes, how it hath lost the praecedence?  A. 
You may well say it was peculiar indeed, when in the phrase of JUSTINIANS CODE, the shellfish wherein it grew is called sacer murex, and the crime of using it in cloak, or other garment by an imperial edict dated at CONSTANTINOPLE equalled to treason, and the appropriation thereof to them of the blood only, is honoured therein with no meaner, nor less holy a word than Dedication, which yet is but according to the Analogy of the whole use, if the colour were sacred, nay; if I forget not greatly, the State therein grew so precise, that to use but guards, laces, or strings dipped with that die was capital, though the great and glorious Emperor JUSTINIAN remitted the rigour of those Edicts made by his praedecessors.  
The reason why it hath lost praecedence is because we have lost the colour itself, since (as some think) the TURKS have come into possession of the fishings at Tyre, and other places where the Welks or Shellfish grew in which purple was found, or because though the fish be not extinguished, yet the Art itself of drawing, and keeping it is utterly perished: For it is not (GOD knows) that bastard die which is in Grocer's turnsol, a mixture of vermilion, and blew-bysse, or cynaber, or the colour in violets, but a most precious, bright and admirable; which (saith PANCEROLLUS) is now to be only guest at in the ITALIAN ielliflowre, & seems not in some judgements to be that of the Amethyst, but that of the Ruby, Pyropus or Carbuncle, or (as saith BARTOLUS) of Elemental fire, or rather of the Empyraean heaven itself.  
If the true, and TYRIAN purple were not lost, I perceive you would not fear to advance it in dignity above white and yellow, that is above the metals in Armouries, gold and silver.  A. 
I durst certainly. But forsomuch as those colours are in the Court of honour exempt from the name, and nature of colours, being the vegetative souls of Armouries, and so reputed, we put them apart as agreed upon for the purpose of armory.   

The Contents.  
1. Of sable and white the two extremes of colours. 2. Their order in nature not the rule of their dignity. 3. BARTOLUS wherein ignorant. 4. SCALIGER'S scale of colours. 5 which are the baste Armouries. 6. The reason of Arms, and nature is diverse. 7. Of the Roman Eagle. 8. The same imperial Bird with two heads found borne in-remote Antiquity. 9 The dignity of Sable. 10. Praecedence captious. 11. Reflections upon the humours of the Time. 12. Of Azure and the place thereof.  
CHAP. 27.  EUSTACE. 
OR and Argent, and their co●lours yellow and white being agreed upon (as you say) and their places resting out of controversy, the dignity of metal carrying it from the priority in nature, or excellency in that respect, seeing also that the true SIDONIAN, or TYRIAN purple is lost, though yet it retains an opinion of royal estate, or Majesty, what is your conceit of the rest in the scale of colours, that is to say, Sable, Azure, Gules, & Vert, or howsoever otherwise you or others please to marshal them?  A. 
I will tell you. Nothing is more plain (as I suppose) than that black is, as it were, the basis or pedestal of colours, and white the crown-point, or top, there being a kind of levity, beside purity in the one, and an heaviness, or obscurity in the other, white (according to books, and reason) being capable of all colours, and black containing all. And if in this speculation we may feign a sursum, and deorsum, an ascence, and descence, an aspiring, and rest, a centre and a summitie, the same must needs hold very well in black, and white, and in the relations which intermedious colours have in their distances, and mixtures with either. VPTONS' scale therefore (saving in the praecedence of yellow before white for the cause before said) is best fitted to the order of Nature. You might ask now why the order of Nature should not also be the order of Honour, and Dignity.  
But if that were so then among all other incongruities, sable as it is the basis, or foot of colours, so should it also be the basest in Armouries, which BARTOLUS (ignorant of Armorial speculations, for now I am compelled to go so far) doth not stick to affirm.  E. 
And why is not I beseech you?  A. 
For your better understanding thereof put VPTONS' scale into a line, thus. or if you will (with great learned JULIUS SCALIGER in a philosophical, sharp, and clearkly manner disputing of colours) thus.  
 E. 
I think it best.  A. 
Grant now that there are two terms, or extremes of colours.  E. 
It is granted.  A. 
Grant also that the reasons of Arms, and Nature are several.  E. 
Be it so.  A. 
Then, as in nature there is no excellency but in extremes, and as the final cause of Arms is one principal rule of excellence in armory, white being the one extreme, black the other; Moreover the final cause of Arms borne openly in the field, or elsewhere, being manifestation, where black for the solemn deepness thereof is a colour altogether as far to be seen, if not farther than white, for which cause also black, and bright in composition are held the sovereign superlatives: our understanding therefore must necessarily be convinced, that in the armorial placings of colours, sable, next to the metals, is best, no Herald (as I take it) doubting that these the present Armouries of the ROMAN Empire are for such and other good reasons, according to Blazon, chief.  E. 
I could with a very good will step aside here into a question, or two if you would allow thereof, upon occasion of this double-headed Bird, for that though you hold it so excellent, yet to me (in the rudeness of my noviceship) it seems monstrous and unnatural.  A. 
JUSTUS' LIPSIUS thinks that the soldier (for it was a private devise) who bore this shield, was of a Legion made out of two, for that two Eagles seem mixed as it were in one, nor have I in present any better conjecture to bring, though I would he had delivered his conceit what the Crown over it might mean.  
Nevertheless it should appear, that the motion which RHENANUS speaks of, was not then first made, for the Armouries of FRIDERICK the second, revived among the rest at WESTMINSTER and there written Emperor, have it but with one head, and the same seems alike anciently painted, or stained in the glass window over it, and this was in the reign of HENRY the third King of ENGLAND, about four hundrerh years past: Other take it to proceed out of the engravers error, or that he was only King of ROMANS at the time of the Armouries there cut, or painted, and consequently in right thereof had only the Eagle with the single head, but afterward (the writing being more easily changed then the sculpture) the Armouries remaining still the same, he had the title of Emperor added, as that which had accrued to him after their affixation, or setting there. But I may not tolerate these or the like digressions: You see therefore (contrary to Doctor BARTOLUS) the cause why Black, though the basis of colours, is not yet the basest colour, but shares with white, or hath the next room thereunto.  E. 
If you were marshal in the court of armory, I perceive there would be some little alteration.  A. 
Sir, the matter of praecedence is captious, and I would be loath to make a Grammar-warre in Heraldry.  E. 
Is there any cause of fear?  A. 
That note of a degenerous mind, is not too much mine; howbeit, no man thinks it safe to offend many.  E. 
Will any be offended?  A. 
May be that some for their own Coats sakes will complain of injury done to their colours.  E. 
Indeed with as much cause as a Poet may be challenged for his Idea, by such as acknowledge their own part of vice in a figured person.  A. 
What may not men fear in so sickly a judgement as the worlds? But, if I should put gules after azure, what could you pick out of that? you perhaps will answer, nothing.  E. 
I should make that answer, for I could pick nothing out of it.  A. 
No? were it not to embase ENGLAND, and to over-glorifie FRANCE, because the ENGLISH field is gules, and the FRENCH field azure? Or should I not do wrong to Camps, and Parliaments, robbing soldiers, and upper-house men of their colour? would it not be said I were malicious?  E. 
O poor construction!  A. 
Poor indeed: But what so foolish that is not among men? But azure being the colour of the starred heaven, and showing more clearly than any of the other with either metal, and (according to BARTOL) figuring the aër, might warrant such a praeference: yet I could discover another dangerous exception.  E. 
What is that?  A. 
That in putting azure before gules, I should plainly prefer speculation before practise, the civil contemplator before the martial commander, and so renew the old theomachy of HOMER, setting debate between MINERVA, and VENUS, or rake out of urns, and cinder the ancient quarrel of Cedant arma toge— which conspiracy against common quiet, I will not be guilty of for a colours sake.  E. 
Then azure you could wish were fourth?  A. 
If there be prescription to the contrary, I will not contend against custom.   

The Contents.  
1. The great honour of Gules. 2. Of Vert, and Purple, neither of them usual in ENGLISH Armouries. 3. The superfluous understand not the value of time. 4. The judgement of the places of colours is hard. 5. Colours in Arms to be understood of the best in their several kinds. 6. A throne of armorial colour's according to the masters conceit. 7. Why Gules hath priority of Azure. 8. CHAUCER, and the Lord MANWOOD for red colour in gold. 9 Why vulgar Purple is put after Vert.  
CHAP. 28.  EUSTACE. 
YOu have been very silent concerning gules, and vert.  A. 
They have their Turns, and I forget them not. Certainly the credit of gules hath worthily been very great among the ancient, and (I believe) more used than any other of the colours, excepting those of the two metals: Witnesses hereof are all the ancient lists, and rolls of Armouries, in which there are scarce any two, or three together which have it not, and this was chiefly (as among martial Gentlemen) in regard of the resemblance it had to blood, and battle, there being also in it a kind of glowing brightness like to fire. As for vert (in which word (as in the other of sable, azure, gules, are only, and properly understood the black, blue, and red peculiar to Armouries only) is meant the green used in armes-painting, or which ought to be used, and is the very best) that is as rarely found in Coat-armours, as gules is often found: and yet Purple, aswell for the reasons beforesaid, as because (for so it seems) the whole honour thereof was transferred to gules, more rarely in our ENGLISH bearings, hachments, or notes of honour: Which is notwithstanding no disreputation to either. Vert in Armouries hath always had the betokning of a joyous, youthly, fresh, & flourishing state of bearing, and is therefore in that respect advanced to the honour of a superlative, vert in or, being entitled most joyous. I can apprehend no greater reason of the rarity, than the stern, rough temper of the former Worlds, which delighted not in amorous, or pleasant devices, as a-symbolous to the use of war.  E. 
Afford me now I pray a Scale of colours, according to your particular opinion of their civil dignity, without regard either to custom, or nature.  A. 
It were a curiosity of little use, and I might do it with as little allowance of others. For I should not therein doubt to call up purple to the highest end of the table, setting Or, and Argent beneath, but (that we may not seem not to understand the price of time) let us be compendious, and consider colours as they are in present Armouries.  E. 
Vouchsafe then to me a scale which best answers both the order of nature, and the order of dignity, according to the which I may make a rule to myself concerning the use of their priority, or posteriority in Armouries.  A. 
Or, and Argent are yielded unto for the two first places, and (upon the warranty of such reasons as you have heard) I have worthily restored sable to the third. The controversies then that are, rest between azure, and gules, and between vert, and vulgar purple, and in the decision of those controversies a doubt ariseth, which, or what shall be the rule to decide them by, authority? arguments? or common opinion? All which being full of uncertainties, I will therefore place the seven principal armorial colours, which are every one of them understood to be the best of their several kinds (as the brighest yellow, purest white, deepest black, and so forth) upon a throne of four steps, according to my present conceit, and judgement of their order, leaving others notwithstanding to their particular opinions, which I do the more willingly, because I would not tyre your spirits in the maze of scruples, and not (were there any authentic, or set form for ordering them) for that I would imitate the licence of the age wherein we live, in rejecting whatsoever stands not with present use, and fantasy, and the reason of this my marshalling may partly be gathered out of the premises. The throne of colours is this. Or, Argent, and Sable, admitting (in my opinion) no controversy, I have yielded gules a place before azure. Not for that azure hath not more of white then gules, if the order of nature were the only rule of armorial dignity, or for that it representeth not a nobler body than it (and that azure is borne out of white appeareth, for that white mixed therewith, doth but weaken the blueness, abating it to a watchet, and so to other degrees of paleness, as the mixture bears) but therefore gules precedes, for that true purple is lost, into all whose honours gules seemeth to succeed, is more often observed in ancient Armouries than any other of the colours, participateth much of gold, or yellow, gold itself, aswell among the learned, as unlearned, being not rarely called red, with the Poets, rutilum is a familiar epithet, or attribure of aurum, and for our vulgar, CHAUCER'S rhyme of Sir THOPAS, shall give you an authority, where it is said, His shield it was of gold so red, And this common conceit made MANWOOD Lord chief Baron, call golden coin (as I have heard reported) by an alluding byname Ruddocks; and finally, gules therefore is suffered to precede, for that most properly it resembleth MARS, and is most aptly appliable to martial behoofs: That it is a child, or near cozen to yellow (as azure is of white) may be manifested thus, forsomuch as to abate, and allay the fullness of red, we do not see white used (as a colour too remote) but rather yellow, and that so farforth as some do grind a Chive of Saffron with Vermilion, to make it the more pleasant, whereas white in like proportion mixed, would dim, and decay it, as yellow would spoil azure, and turn it green, these in Armorial speculations seeming to be of their kind, which in Natural are by the learned, called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And so, admitting yellow to be the chief of armorial colours for the metals sake which representeth it, rightly is gules preferred before azure, in that it partakes so much of yellow. Lastly, I have put vert before vulgar purple, for that vert is simply, and indeed, a colour reputed as it were of it itself, and coming such to us out of his minerals, or materials, whereas vulgar purple is not (I presume) found in any one single substance, whether mineral, or other material, but is made by mixture, in like sort as Orenge-tawnie is of certain quantities of yellow and red mixed together. And this is the Table of armorial colours, wherein all respects, as well natural, representative, or customary, so far as I can presently collect, are best satisfied, which likewise I intent to follow, being thus marshaled, Or, Argent, Sable, Gules, Azure, Vert, and vulgar Purple.   

The Contents.  
1. The, as it were, complexions of Armouries. 2. One colour cannot be an Arms. 3. Physical disputes of colours omitted. 4. Atoms are colourlesse. 5. The old term of Claurie in blazon. 6. Reason's why one colour cannot be an Arms (7.) Examples to the contrary (8.) out of the Prophet NAHUM (9) and Peerless VIRGIL, (10.) Of ALEXANDER Magnus (11.) AUGUSTUS' CAESAR, (12.) TAMORLAN (13.) the ancient banner of PORTUGAL, (14.) the Auriflamb of FRANCE, (15.) The old banner of ARRAGON, with the memorable cause of red Pallets therein. (16.) De la BRECTE under EDWARD the first. (17.) The Master easily puts by the point of these exeptions, (18.) of honourable Additions, (19) Admirable modesty of old, in assuming Armouries. (20.) The white Knight in IRELAND, (21.) The old banner of NAVARRE (22.) What we are to judge of a blank or empty superficies (24.) No good Armouries without metal. (24.) ROKESLEYS coat, (25.) Extravagants, (26.) Metal the vegetative soul of Arms. (27.) armorial Harmony.  
CHAP. 29.  EUSTACE. 
YOu have been bountiful to me in this delightful argument (worthy Sir AMIAS) and greatly opened mine understanding of them.  A. 
It would require much more, even as colours are Elemental unto Armouries.  E. 
As how I beseech you?  A. 
In respect of their conjunctions one with another, by which (in proportion of the quantities of colours in those conjunctions) the, as it were, complexion of a Coat is made up, whereas here the armorial colours are only considered as they are single, and of themselves, and as single notes are no concord's, nor proportions in music, so single colours have no armorial harmony. In which respect they neither are, nor can be in Arms, for of one colour only no coat can consist. We will not here touch at the subtleties of the Physics concerning colours, nor dispute whither LUCRETIUS his atomical Elements, or seeds of things have any colour, a matter by him forbidden to be credited, saying — colore cave contingas semina rerum.  E. 
Wherefore then cannot a coat of Arms consist of one colour?  A. 
For innumerable causes. First to maintain the matter of the Elements now in hand, for if we admit such an absurdity as the subsistence of a coat, being barely a shield of one colour (which kind of bearing the ancient Armorists called Claurie, as I think of the clearness) without any other distinction, we utterly make void the whole doctrine of armorial Elements, at leastwise two of them (that is to say number, & position) are discarded. Then, for that a coat of Arms is an artificial distinct, & compounded body & can no more consist, or be of one colour, them a man of one Element. And to be brief, for that a coat of one colour is no coat at all, but a colour only, or such as SCOHIER saith are Tables d' attentes, for the colour thereof being metal, it is nothing but, as it were, all light, without shadow, or life without body, and being not metal but colour only, it is all nothing but as it were shadow only, and a soulless body.  E. 
Yet are there some examples to the contrary?  A. 
Examples are not proves, and I can call to mind some particulars, wherein this rule seems to be infringed after several manners. In the prophesy of NAHUM, among the books of holy scripture it is said, that the shields of the mighty were become red, as some translate. In profane authors, that of the ROMAN Poet (whom by JUSTINIANS imperial rule, when no name is added to signify which of the Latin Poets we mean, can be none but incomparable VIRGIL) is worthily most memorable, where HELENOR son to the King of MEONIA, stolen from his friends by the servile LICYMNIA, and sent to the wars of TROY, was — parmâ inglorius albâ. ALEXANDER Magnus also (as it is in JUSTIN) in a certain triumphant journey of his, bestowed Shields of white-plate (Silver-shields) upon his Soldiers, whom he therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
It is furthermore in learning that AUGUSTUS CAESAR, after a victory by him obtained in the SICILIAN Sea, honoured MARCUS AGRIPPA with an azure Banner, — vexillo caeruleo. TAMORLAN the SCYTHIAN (if that be any thing to the purpose) hung out (as some report) upon several days flags of several colours, Symbolical to his designs. We may not in this number forget what ANDREA'S RESCENDIUS is said to write, that is, that the Arms of the Kingdom of PORTUGAL, were nothing at first but a white flag, till by occasion of a victory obtained by King ALPHONSO, against five Moriseo Kings, the five Escutcheons azure were added. The celestial auriflamb so by the FRENCH admired, was also but of one colour, a square red Syndon Banner. What can we do less than report the Arms of ARRAGON, as they were said long since to have been? to wit, only, or, that is, a field, or rather a superficies or, not charged with pallets, as they now are Blazed, which happened at such time as one of the Kings thereof dipping his fingers in the blood of new slain SARACENS, or (as others say) LEWIS Emperor in the wounds of ill Conde de BARCELONA, fight on his side against the NORMANS, ennobled that yellow standard, by drawing upon it those bloody marks which now it hath. Many the like examples might be found, and I have seen an old record in FRENCH verses, that at KARLAVAROCK in SCOTLAND in the time of King EDWARD the first, EUMENIONS de la Brecte, (so is he there named) bore Gules, and no more: The words are, 
Mais Eumenions de la Brecte,  
La Baniere eut toute rougecte.   E. 
And do not all these examples which affront your proposition move you?  A. 
Were their files doubled, and trebled with the like to these, they could not move me, for of all these there is not one Coat of Arms, & so I have no reason to move, or to remove. For first the place in NAHUM belongs but to the description of a dreadful conquering host there meant, and had nothing private but national to the ASSYRIANS. HELENOR in VIRGIL was but a novice in Arms, without having achieved any honourable note, and therefore his shield was White. As for ALEXANDER'S Argyraspides, who sees not it was a riotous ostentation, no assignatation of peculiar notes of noblesse? AGRIPPA'S azure Banner here depainted, as it was given him for a Symbolical argument of manhood showed at sea, so was it but in the nature of other military graces, and signs of service valiantly performed, and if these were yielded to be in the nature of an Arms, than would one man be found among the old ROMANS that had a multitude of Arms given him as testimonies of his heroic virtues, contrary to their very nature, use, and institution, which is to be but single and one unto one person, and that also to descend unto posterity. Though I am not ignorant that for more honours sake an whole Coat hath been given to a Name as an augmentation beside the original Coat, as that which in the quarterings of the CLIFFORDS, Earls of CUMBERLAND is borne second, in which notwithstanding it hath, and bears but the nature of a Chief, or a Canton, or the like additions of honour in the same Armouries, or Shield: No more than this empalement, which his Majesty gave to Sir JOHN RAMSEY, now Viscount HADDINGTON. The supposed flags of TAMORLAN at his leaguers, or sieges, were no otherwise any Coats of Arms, then at this day flags of truce, or bloody colours. That the white-banner of PORTUGAL was but a symbolical Colour, not an Arms, appears in this, for that then first it changed the inglorious state thereof, and came to be Armorial, when it had those notes of honour added: As first, the said five Escutcheons in cross charged severally with plates in Saltoir, and afterward eight golden Castellets in a border Gules, in remembrance (say some) of the Kingdom of the ALGARBES, wherein were so many principal cities, all annexed by conquest from the MOORS to the Crown of PORTUGAL, or (as my worthy friend Master CAMDEN admonished me) in respect (say others) that PORTUGAL was feudum CASTILIAE, and held thereof, the Armouries of CASTILLE being a Castle triple-towred, and of like colours with the others border, that is to say, Gold in Gules. To the famous Auriflamb of FRANCE, though recorded to have been sent from heaven (in a more celestial manner than the Ancile of anciont ROME) as a sanctified banner to lead the FRENCH hosts fortunately while they lived well, I have nothing here to say, for that it presseth not the place with any forcible argument, or other, which by the same reasons with the former is not fully satisfied. The objection countenanced under the Standard of ARRAGON is answered, & avoided as that of PORTUGAL: without calling into the least doubt that the Ensign of the one nation was wholly yellow, & the other wholly white, till occasionally they thus became distinguished with signs of Noblesse; Only I may not overslip one observation for the honour of Arms: For if these two Kingdoms (which may also be presumed to have laid down their ancient Ensigns, as foiled, eclipsed, & shamed by the overrunning of Infidels, & BARBARIANS) made such a religion (upon coming to new heads) of taking unto them any devise of Arms to distinguish themselves by, that they had rather ingloriously advance a single colour, than not attend an occasion of worthily assuming them, O! who can enough admire the truly ingenuous & liberal state of minds in divine Antiquity? In the rearguard, & as it were last hope of the battle, appears the Example of EUMENIONS de la BRECTE, which whatsoever it means, certainly I deny not but that a Gentleman in exercises of Arms may upon a private conceit (as the la BRECTE) not only paint his Banner & shield, but his whole Armour with Vermilion, or any other colour, leaving off his own Coat of Arms for the time, either upon vow, singularity, or otherwise: And of such disguizes we have heard, and from thence perhaps at first descended to MAC GIBBON the title, who lately was white Knight in IRELAND, & is an hereditary byname to that house of the GERALDINES, but could he show no other, nor more significative note of honour, he would never among the learned be registered a Gentleman of Arms. As de la BRECTES, so also was the Banner of NAVARRE all Gules, & (as is written) continued such till SANCHEZ le fort, King thereof, added those golden ornaments which now do shine therein: But I can no more call the one, or the other a Coat of Arms, without extreme impropriety, and abuse of speech, than a plain piece of Virgin-wax a seal, or a sheet of unwritten paper a letter, or a maid a wife.  E. 
So than if it fortune us to meet with some other such examples, we are taught hereby to hold them but like PLATO his abrase tables, which are indifferently capable of any form, till when, they are as certain embryos, rude projections, or things in power. To induce, and settle which form two colours are absolutely necessary, or more than two.  A. 
Most true: and according to the received grounds of the knowledge, of those two colours one must be a metal. Contrary to which grounds though there may be some examples even in Antiquity, and of those specially where colour is upon colour, yet enlumined nevertheless with metal in one part, or other, as in this, borne by the name of ROKESLEY, & quartered by PAULET, L. marquess of WINCHESTER, they notwithstanding may pass like Heteroclits, and Extravagants into a place by themselves, as not triable by the general Test of Armouries: For metal is their vegetative soul, and as no body can move of itself without life, so no Armouries are proper without it, or can be said to live being destitute of that as it were vitality, and quickening clearness which from thence it borroweth.  E. 
The number therefore of the chief armorial colours; their order according to several marshallings, and your own; how the differences are reconciliable; many other particular matters concerning particular colours, and things, as I well understand by the premises; so in one matter which you did but touch at, I conceive nothing except the bare name; for thus you said, as single notes are no concord's, nor proportions in Music, so single colours have no armorial harmony. Is there then any armorial harmony?  A. 
First learn that there are elements, and so you may come to the harmony the better, for (to answer you directly) there is such a thing, not only in marriages, or alliances of one colour with another, as they are matched in Arms (which show well, or ill, according to their distances, and degrees of lightness, or sadness) but also in the quantities, and proportions themselves, wherein they stand honoured with no less diversity, than the countenance of man: Which as it is fairly apparent in every particular good Coat, so much the more, where multitudes stand together as in painted tables, rolls of Arms, and Lig●er-bookes, or Hachments, where many fair are quartered: The pleasing and wondrous varieties whereof, to such as did ever study the secret, and reason of those concord's, are not only (as to the unlearned) an entertainment of the eye, but a food, and music to the mind: The skill whereof being abstruse, but very demonstrable, some other greater Clerks may teach.   

The Contents.  
1. Of the fur Ermine. 2. The strange property of furs in Armouries. 3. Vulgar conceits about Ermine. 4. The Coat of BRITAIN, and short Blazon thereof. 5. Sir JOHN FERN'S conceit of Ermine. 6. Of PLATO'S Hermes, and of Hermathenes. 7. Doctor red SMITHS fine allusion to Ermine. 8. GERARD LEIGH. 9 Sir EUSTACE reproved for Criticism. 10. The masters judgement of Ermine. 11. TACITUS for it. 12. The native soil of Ermine, and most ancient use thereof in GERMANY. 13. The Rational soul of Armouries.  
CHAP. 30.  EUSTACE. 
BEfore you altogether cease to speak of this second Element, I would be glad to hear somewhat of furs in Armouries, and what they are.  A. 
Honourable, and ancient, but because they all consist of more colours than one, and therefore want that simpleness of being, which single colours have, they refuse to be handled here, or are refused rather. The two principal furs are Ermine, and Vary.  E. 
Are furs neither metal, nor colour?  A. 
It is said of the Planet MERCURY, that he is affected as the celestial bodies, with whom he is; good with the good, and bad with the bad: So (by a kind of Antithesis) the furs in Arms, are as metal with colour, and of the nature of colour when the rest is metal.  E. 
You report a strange property. Princes, and great States, in Caps of honour, robes, and mantles use Ermine, is it that which is used in Armouries?  A. 
I see your drift Sir EUSTACE is to make me deal upon a commodity of skins. To satisfy you, it is the very same.  E. 
They are commonly called polwdred Ermine, and both the white, and black in them are skin with the hairs on, for I have seen a royal satin mantle, the fur whereof was the whole cases of Ermine, their tail-tips (all that was black in them) not stitched in, but Pendent, and Dangling, and the Dukes of BRITAIN Armorick did give (as I hear) nothing else for their Arms: And (to utter all my little commodities of learning, or observation in this kind at once) I must tell you also that I have heard Pellions say that there is a counterfeit sort, which notwithstanding is very rich, made of the soft white bellies of Squirrel, Minever, and the like, drawn-in, and powldred with little specks of black ITALIAN budge. The form of true Ermine I have often observed in old clothes of ARRAS, and the like Court-hanging, and were such as these:  A. 
The Coat of BRITAIN in FRANCE is as you say, and (as VPTON writes) taken for Arms, because (saith he) Ermine were much found there, commending the Coat itself for one of the best, aswell for that it is of shortest Blazon (for in the word Ermine is all) is soon made at need, and being made is farthest discerned. As clear notwithstanding as we make it, all do not agree in the quality of the stuff, or in this fur. For Sir JOHN FERNE (out of CASSANAEUS) saith, that they are called Hermines (aspirating the word) of Hermae, which worthily admired PLATO in his HIPPARCHUS doth say, were erected, by PISISTRATUS the son of PHILEDONICUS, in every three-way-leet, and Tribe of ATHENS, and engraven with moral verses of most excellent sense: MARSILIUS FICINUS upon this place saith, that these Hermae were certain squared stones in manner of a statue without an head, set in public ways, and dedicated to MERCURY: But they (as some more probably report) did resemble MERCURIES head, and were of HERMES (another name of his) called Hermae, as Hermathenae had their names from the heads of MERCURY, and MINERVA joined, as their names are joined in the word; ATHENE signifying the same that MINERVA, as HERMES doth MERCURY; and these Hermae were used as well in the adorning of libraries, as sepulchres. So as in this hardy derivation, every spot of Ermine in an Arms, should stand for a several Herm, or shadow thereof, turning thereby a painted Target into a ROMAN Atrium, which contained the Images of Ancestors: Very pretty was that conceit, which my friend Master SEGAR, GARTER, principal King of Arms, related to me as Doctor RED-SMITHS, concerning Ermine: For (said he) seeing colours are resembled to planets, Ermine ought to be Hermoys, of HERMES; for Quicksilver (being so appropriated to MERCURY as it bears his very name) breaks into drops, resembling Hermin in Armouries: But we that are no scholars must not (lest we should cum ratione insanire) sore so high into learning for a thing before our eyes, and palpable. GERARD LEIGH holds that the Ermine is a little beast in the land of ARMONIE (so he sounds it) & is from thence denominated, so Ermine should according to him be Armin of ARMENIA; certainly as I cannot control this Etymology, so among the RUSSES, it is not the word as it seems, for they (If I mis-understand not the book of the RUFF commonweal) call them Gurnstais, so 
* In our old English, Ermine, signifies poor, but ask Verstegan how that agrees with Armorial Ermine.  as Ermine is plainly a word of another root.  E. 
It should seem that the propinquity of the words, Ermine, Hermae, Hermes, Armenia, gave occasion of those other opinions. Therefore I marvel that none have added that Ermine were called Heremins of woods, & desert places as hermits are.  A. 
You must not (Sir EUSTACE) play the Censor so soon: PYTHAGORAS would have set a fine on your head, and made you expiate for it to his goddess Silence. The conicctures of Masters are to be reverenced of beginners: And yet I hold your conceit not the most absurd: the word now used in armory is Ermine, and as I think of the beast itself so called. CORNELIUS TACITUS shows them to us among the old GERMANS. His words are these: Eligunt feras, & detracta velamina spargunt maculis, pellibusque belluarum quas exterior Oceanus & ignotum mare gignit.  
By them it is plain that the choice skins only were by those GERMANS powdered with spots. They cull, or choose (saith the most profoundly prudent Historiograper) and powder with spots, and not only with spots but with skins, so as they powdered those choice skins with other skins. And this I take to be our Ermine. The place seems also to point out their native soil, for by Exterior Oceanus, & ignotum mare, he means such countries as lie between GERMANY, & the Northermost sea, that is to say the huge vast Provinces of MOSCOVIA, RUSSIA, and the rest of that icy world, whence all our excellent furs come, from even as far as PERMIA, which bordereth on that Exterior Ocean, and uncouth Sea. Thus far have you trained me forth to hunt the Ermine, whose skin is not often found in ancient Armouries, but in Cantons, or other additions of honour, and rewards of service.  E. 
The Element of colours is then at an end, and we are now to be acquainted with Number, the next of four. But before you pass the Musive, or pleasant Mosaic work of colours, as you have been very satisfactory in fur, and royal Ermine, as in all the other, so help me I pray out of a special scruple. You said, that metal was the vegetous soul of Arms: Have Arms any other soul then vegetative? as either sensitive, or rational?  A. 
It hath a rational soul, in a borrowed, and alluding sense, for as metal quickeneth an Arms to the eye, so the reason, meaning, proportion, and apt correspondence of parts, is to Arms, as a reasonable soul is to man: And now once more I must become a suitor to you, that you would forbear to draw me into digressions, as in the last question, which is merely a part of Symbolical Philosophy, and I am now content to be thought not unwilling to draw toward my port.   

The Contents.  
1. Number an Element. 2. Demonstrated in a Pertransient. 3. A division of armorial Elements. 4 Position or Place another of the Elements. 5. Demonstrated in the remove of the same Pertransient. 6. The rare effect of Position.  
CHAP. 31.  EUSTACE. 
NVmber, and Position, are the two remaining Elements, now that Lines, and Colours are discussed, but why, or how come Number, and Position to be of the Quorum in this discourse?  A. 
As no Armouries can be without lines, and colours, (the first of which armorial Elements gives circumscription, the other conspicuity) so neither can they want Number, and Position: For example: In a Coat-armour where there is but one Pertransient (which is the plainest, purest, and most primitive bearing) as in party per fez, this line being a Pertransient, and not two, or more, but single, causeth a partition, and two colours to be in the Coat, which otherwise should be no Armouries at all, wherein Number is most evidently Elemental, yet so, as that Lines, and Colours may be said to be primarily such, but Number, and Position secondarily, for that Lines, & Colours are as it were of the matter of Armouries, but Number and Place are of order, and disposition.  E. 
It is undeniable.  A. 
And as for Position, or the necessity thereof, the only drawing of the single Pertransient beforesaid over the field in traverse, and not in bias, is the very cause why it is party per fez, which line being once removed, either upon, or from her centre, begets another nature, and blazon to the Coat. So much it concerneth to observe how many things for their number, and in what manner for their position, they are, or aught to be in Arms.  E. 
What mean you by removing it upon the Centre?  A. 
I mean the middlemost point of the Eschucheon, from which if you lift it higher, mutation of the place, as here makes that which was a Partition to be a Chief, the Pertransient being turned by such a remove to a Pertingent, so great power there is in position as to the purpose of Arms, which can no more Subsist, or be at all without Position, then without lines, colours, or number.   

The Contents.  
1. A question moved about Number, and Numeration. 2. Ciphers in Armouries as well as Letters. 3. The more any thing is one, the more it is excellent. 4. Numbered things in Armoury divided. 5. Finite which. 6. Indeffinite. 7. Infinite difference betwixt Infinite and Indefinite. 8. Nothing Infinite in Arms. 9 Finite and Indefinite subdivided. 10. The odd number principal. 11. Even articulate Number is best. 12. A reversed Pyramid. 13. Which even- digit-number is chief. 14. Fifteen, how the most of Finite. 15. Of the Odd and their graduation. 16. Even not so capable of diverse forms as Odd. 17. Delivered in a Rule. 18. Rare examples out of VPTON and the Gallery at THEOBALD'S. 19 Rule defended against them. 20. Dignity thereof.  
CHAP. 32.  EUSTACE. 
WHereas you say that number is an Element of Armouries, mean you that the figures of Arithmetic are in Arms, or the use of Numeration only?  A. 
Numeration only, as one, two, or more of this or that kind, & yet the figures, or characters themselves may (I do not altogether deny) be in Coats of Arms, so well as Letters, or the like, though with little grace.  E. 
Led me I pray into this other Revestrie, or secret place of Armouries.  A. 
Unity is perfection, and the more any thing is one, the more it is excellent: But we are to let that pass which concerneth excellency, and finish the matter of our Elements. Number, or rather numbered things in Armouries are finite, or indefinite. Finite are such whose number is certain, as two, three, or more: Indefinite, whose number is uncertain: Between which, and finite, is infinite difference. For though indefinite be uncertain, yet is it numerable, but nothing infinite can be in Arms, no more then in Nature, for infinite is incomprehensible.  E. 
How are finite, and indefinite subdivided in their armorial use?  A. 
As they are in their own kind, according to which they are either even, or odd, of which the odd are best.  E. 
You will come within the verge of forbidden Magic shortly, which altogether works upon the odd.  A. 
To the purpose (Sir EUSTACE) to the purpose. Of what nature therefore, condition, or state soever Armouries be, whether composed of Lines only, or filled with resemblances of things, or both, number is always in use, and makes one; Art marshalling that number. Of the even the most armorial, and harmonious is that, which decreasing in every file, or rank one to the base point, produceth an Odd.  E. 
Which even number is that?  A. 
The first, and chief is the number of six, which (according to the description I gave) decreaseth in every rank one to the base point, and produceth an Odd, imitating in Geometrical proportions, a reversed Pyramid, as followeth, which no other articulate number can effect, for which reason also they are not used of themselves in principal good Armouries, but either with, or upon other things.  E. 
Why should Six be the best of even numbers? Or rather why is the Odd in the point base so requisite?  A. 
For decency, because it falleth most aptly with the figure of a triangular Shield, and for that there are manifold, and worthy speculations in number, and position.  E. 
What other even numbers, or even numbered things do admit the like?  A. 
The first of digit numbers is Ten, as ensueth, which also partakes those excellencies whereof the number Six doth boast.  
 E. 
What other even number have you observed?  A. 
Seldom any but Six, and Ten, unless accompanied with some other things, as in MEMORANCIES coat, wherein with a Cross are sixteen Eaglets: And I also think it a true Theorem, that no even number is capable of those forms which diversity of Position gives to the Odd.  E. 
Which are the armorial Odd?  A. 
One is odd, and One is only best: next to that the Trias, Ternio, or number three, and so the rest of the Odd to Fifteen: For I have not observed any things of one kind in one Arms, not being semi, above that number without some other charge or counterchange. But in some such manner you shall perhaps meet with a few; as I remember one in the North-east window of the Cathedral church of BRISTOL, which the sacrileges committed upon Monuments hath not defaced, and seems both ancient, and honourable in the owner, for that it is there mounted among Benefactors of note, wherein are eighteen Lilies after a strange way, as 44.4.3.2.1.  
 E. 
Which is the first of the Odd that decreaseth according to your description?  E. 
The number Three, which being placed two, and one, and thereby cast out toward the Angles of the Shield is called an Armorial Triangle.  E. 
Which next to the Ternio, or Three, of all the Odd decreaseth in every rank one to the point base? being that form which seems the most amiable, and comely comportment of things in one kind, in one Arms.  A. 
It seems, and is: But from Three to Fifteen there is no number of all the Odd so happy, and that you may find among the royal bearings of this our country in the Armouries of the Duchy of CORNWALL, now a parcel of the inheritances of the Crown.  
 E. 
But why is not the even number capable of so many forms of Position as the Odd?  A. 
The reason belongs to the mystical part, but I will show it is not so capable, and give you my rule thus: No even number in things of one kind, possessing the whole field only, and alone, and keeping all of them one state, or way, with requisite distance, can be capable of such diversity of forms in position, as the odd be. An even number therefore cannot be disposed into a Cross, or Saltoir, as the odd can, and is. But if the same state, or way of placing be not maintained, than I can demonstrate in an example or two, that the number four, being the first, & sovereign of square, or cubick numbers, may be capable of like forms as the Odd, as in the coat which NICHOLAS VPTON doth say was put unto him at LONDON by an Herald of BRITAIN ARMORICK, or little BRITAIN, and which hath since I perceive been given to a family in CHESHIRE, for borne it is as both by the painted tree of that County in THEOBALD'S, as otherwise is apparent: The Coat is very rare, and of a strange invention, to the which we will add for variety's sake another called TRUBSHAWES being quarterly gules and vert, four pheons argent in cross, their points in the fez point of the shield  E. 
The Coats though the number of their charges be even are very odd, & altogether such as any man would think were likely enough to be exceptions against Rules so soon as he saw them. But your Rule holds good against them, because they keep not one state, position, or way.  A. 
It doth, and yet the quality of the Charge may be such as that the rule may be infringed in that point, as in this Bearing  E. 
How can you keep it off then, from entering upon your Rule?  A. 
It could draw small forces after, did it enter, and no bar is commonly so general, which some particular, or other will not transcend: Yet this doth not, for when you suppose it is gotten in, it is kept off with the end of the former rule, for want of requisite distance. And though in the last Arms there are indeed four of one kind, wherein the number, and quality are great, yet being not dispersed into the Shield, they are but in the nature of a single Lorange, or Rhombus, which figure they produce, though placed in Crosse.  E. 
I must therefore yet once again entreat to know some little cause of this effect, that is to say, why even numbers are not so fairly capable of different situations as the odd?  A. 
The reason is plain: For the mids of the Shield must not be empty, nor yawning, and in that respect, place things of one kind in Cross, in Saltoir, in Fez, or after any form, or other of the honourable ordinaries, as in Bend, in Pale, and so forth (so as you place them armorially) and assure yourself the even number is excluded. If you demand why the middle may not be empty, destitute or yawning? I answer, because that part being possessed, all the rest may be the rather vacant: For the fesse-point, or milieu of the Shield (as HIEROME BARA calls it) is the glory thereof, and dispierceth beams into every part about, as the centre, heart, or axle of all armorial beauties.   

The Contents.  
1. Mysteries in Armorial numbers. 2. Concord's, or Discords in Armouries. 3. Visible Music. 4. Reason must give laws to examples. 5. The measuring rules of Concord's, or Discords in Armouries. 6. Of the number Three. 7. The causes of Armorial Beauties, Fullness, Distance, and Idemtity. 8. Exemplified.  
CHAP. 33.  EUSTACE. 
THere are, no doubt, many excellent observations in armorial numbers, not without mystery.  A. 
Most true: specially in the finite. For of them some exercise, as it were, an Antipathy, or war with fair Armouries, when they only occupy the whole Field. The dual, or number of two is such.  E. 
Is it for that discontinuance hath taken it away? or is there a reason in nature?  A. 
In the nature of Armouries there is. As the proportion, or disproportion of distances in sound make concord's or discords in Music (whence it is that an Unison, or Diapason, because of that proportion in the distances of notes, is called an eighth, Diapentè a fifth, Diatesseron a fourth, and so of the rest) so those, and other musical proportions it were not impossible to show in Armouries. In which there must not only be a proportion in the number, but also in the number with the figure of the Shield, the comely filling whereof with comely arguments is like a full stroke wherein all the strings are sweetly touched together: As therefore the dual, or number Two having nothing between cannot be said to have any distance, much less proportion, and for default thereof cannot decently possess the whole Field, it is, by necessary sequel, a discord in that kind, & cannot sympathise of itself with perfectly fair Armouries, unless somewhat, though of a different sort, or condition be interiected, or in company, and this as of itself, that is, where no other thing doth possess the Field.  E. 
If you did nothing but run division upon this one ground only, there were no music to match it, for this is visible music, and not only audible. But are there not examples to infringe these, and the like considerations?  A. 
Reason in these things must give rules to examples, and not examples to reason. I stay not therefore at such, because the ignorance of many men hath checked and fallen upon the breaches of rules, which to countenance with credit above general grounds were absurd. I say, that Distance, Fullness, and Idemtitie (pardon these, and other words where the matter enforceth) are the measuring rules of Concord's, or Discords in Armouries, which I would not have you be ignorant of, and therefore shall think it time well spent, voluntarily to interpret myself. A Trias, Ternio, or the number of Three in Armoury is second in honour to One, yet without Distance it were but a discord, as if two Crosslets formee (as Blazon speaks) were in chief of the field, and a third in Caeur of the same, yet for want of spreading Distance it were but harsh, and nothing graceful, for that the Arms are deprived of Fullness thereby, as you see. Again, let all three be in chief, as here, though the Coat be warrantable, and good, as having requisite Distance in regard of themselves, yet (destitute of Fullness in respect of the whole Shield) it faileth of complete beauty. And the reason is strongly drawn from a final cause of Arms, which is manifestation. The more extension therefore, or dilatation that there is of things in the Shield, the more manifest it needs must be, and there the dilatation is most, where every point or angular portion of the Coat, can answer the eye with an object: In other bearings of that kind there still seems somewhat wanting.  E. 
But what imports the other thing which you call Idemtitie?  A. 
Let things in Armouries have Distance, and the Coat Fullness, yet if they be not of one sort, which state I call Idemtitie, I hold it a discord, and eclipse, let the several Charges be never so noble, whereof you may make your eye judge in this, and the like. But Distance, Fullness, and Idemtitie are but causes of armorial beauties, and not elements: Therefore here I will mark the chase, and change a side.   

The Contents.  
1. Indefinite in Armouries defined. 2. Of the term Semi in Blazon. 3. Exemplified. 4. A second kind of Indefinites. 5. Gerattings. 6. A third sort of Indefinites. 7. Semi, and Sans number. 8. Exemplified.  
CHAP. 34.  EUSTACE. 
IT remaineth now (Sir AMIAS) that you would be pleased to show what Indefinite is, the second part of the Arithmetical Element of Armouries.  A. 
Indefinite, as also the word imports, is that whose number is uncertain, and vndefined, and hath in Blazon the name of Semi, which, whether derived from the LATIN verb seminare, or from the word, which both of itself, and in compositions doth signify the half of a thing, as in semisomnis, semissis, or the like (in the first derivations sense, for that the Charges are sown over the field of the Coat as seed, and in the other, for that the half parts of such things appear in the sides of the Escutcheon, or in both respects, as both are true in such Armouries) shall be the task of curious Etymologers. The thing itself is as followeth, in this Coat quartered by RATCLIFF Earl of SUSSEX, as heretofore belonging to the name of MORTIMER of NORFOLK, and blazed, Or▪ semi of lilies sable. Another kind of the Indefinite there is, when beside the main charge, the Field is scattered over with other smaller things, which Blazoners term Gerattings, and is a bearing goodly, and ancient as in PERPOINCTS Coat. or in any other the like, where the number, and order of the Gerattings are not taught: & where the number is counted, there their order must be blazed: But the unlike rule takes place, where (without a principal Charge of another kind as in MORTIMER'S Armouries beforesaid) things are seminated over the field, and neither set, nor blazed to be set in Orl, or other certain order; For there no regard is taken of their number, and they are altogether left to the will of Art to scatter them so in painting as may best become the superficies of shields. Now as Indefinite is in Powlders, or Geratting, so is it sometime also in those Charges which represent no living creature, or natural thing, as in the diminutives of honourable ordinaries, whose pieces when they are not counted, as in this, the ancient Armouries of the HODLESTONES, and the like, neither are they termed semi, but sans number. The famous Armouries of AIMERIE de Valence, anciently Earl of Pembroke, is thought also to be of this kind in the pieces of it, which (without declaring their number) the Sages in blazon used to term Burruleè. I will demonstrate to you both the kinds of Indefinites (semi, and sans number) in one Coat borne by the name of THORNTON, and quartered (as I remember) by the Lord LUMLEY. An Armouries very fair, and goodly, showing to you semi in the cinquefoils, sans number in the frets.   

The Contents.  
1. Of Position, or Place. 2. Demonstrated in a little movable Instrument. 3. Round bodies cannot be reversed. 4. Use of the armorial Mill The rare effects of Position. 6. Sir AMIAS pitcheth down one of his Columns.  
CHAP. 35.  EUSTACE. 
LInes, Colour, Number, thus prosperously overcome, there only remains the Element Position, last of four.  A. 
Concerning Position it shall suffice (instead of all other demonstrations) to give you the use, and admirable effects thereof in a little movable instrument of mine own devise.  
 E. 
How doth this Mill show the use of Position? or why have you chosen to set round bodies therein, rather than any other of the armorial?  A. 
Round bodies cannot be reversed, & therefore in the turning no deformity can follow. The use is briefly this. Open, or display the Instrument one way, and it produceth five Cinque foils in Crosse. Open, or display it another way, and they present five cinque foils in Saltoir. Move them clozed, and without displaying, if toward the fesse-point they tender to you three cinquefoils in fesse: Shift their station from thence upward into the dexter obliquity they are three cinquefoils in Bend. Bring it about to a perpendicular position they are in pale. And yet a little farther into the sinister point, we are lastly afforded three cinquefoils in bend sinister.  
Thus much for Position, the last Element of the four: And here (by your good favour) I will pitch-up one of my Columns.   
Deo gratias.   

A Short Table of some hard words and phrases, with a few brief notes.  
I Have so nearly as I could, and even as much as TIBERIUS CAESAR himself (who would not endure the word Monopoly, because it was not LATIN) avoided all endenization of words: which hath moved me in most places of my Book to add other more clear, to interpret by them such as may seem to thee obscure, as thou mayst everywhere observe: for albeit (as in my Epistle) I wish such a Reader as need not an Interpreter, yet I must not neglect such as I have. Though there are scarce any words of mine (howsoever they may perhaps seem strange) which other writers in our language have not formerly made familiar, and those few which are not altogether so (for the which also I have more than once asked pardon in my Book itself) I have here for thy uses, collected, and (by conference with the learned) so far only interpreted, as is necessary to understand my meaning in the places where I use them: for to interpret them at large and in all their senses were to take SCAPVLA'S, or THOMASIUS offices out of their hands. My care is chiefly to have thee know mine. FAREWELL.  

A.  APOSTROPHE. 
An abrupt, or sudden turning of our speech from one matter or person to another. Poets and Orators, are full of that vehement kind of figure: and Strophe, and Antistrophe (in the GREEK Lyrics) do signify other turnings, or changes of speech, and station, as we are taught. GR.  ANALOGY. 
The just proportion, correspondence, and measure which the object, or subject holds with the true reason required therein: An agreement, harmony, or apt answering of the Thing to the considerations proper thereunto. GR.  ANALYSIS. 
A resolving or distribution of the whole into the parts. GR.  ANTITHESIS 
A contrary position, or an opposition. GR.  AUTOMS. 
The word imports artificial bodies made by DAEDALUS, or by any other of like skill, which move alone, or hover of themselves in the air, without the support of any other thing. Such were not the Horti pencils, or Hanging gardens of SEMIRAMIS, for they stood upon pillars: Nor the ICARUS in OVID, or in SVETONIUS; for the one was but (as the fable of PHAETON) a picture of unfortunate ambition; the other the true story of the break-neck fall of SIMON MAGUS the Sorcerer, under the name of ICARUS, at ROME: Nor MAHOMET'S iron coffin at MECCA: for that (as the fame, or fable is) it hangs in the Temple, by reason of certain proportionable quantities of Loadstone which hold it up by equal attractions. The perpetual motion (when it is found) is such.  ATOMIE. 
As Anatomy is a resection, or such a cutting-up as Surgeons use in human bodies at their Hall, so Atoms are those things, of which, by reason of their inexplicable smallness there cannot be any section. The LATINS call it Individuum, and LUCRETIUS semen rerum: Individuum, because it was so little as it could not be parted, or divided, and semen rerum (seed of things) for that they were (according to the conceit of EPICURUS) the common matter of all things.  artic. 
That which is of, or appertaineth to the Northern sign of the Celestial Bear. So the ARCTIC Circle is the bound of the Cold Zone upon Earth, and of the Northern constellations in Heaven. The whole North is denominated of that imagined figure. The fable of that Bear is famous among Poets. So the Arctic Hemisphere is that half of the world which is between the North-pole, and the equinoctial Line. GRE.  * ANTARCTICK. 
* Contrary, or opposite to Arctic. Southern, G  ARGO. 
The name of the Ship, or Argose, in which JASON sailed to COLCHIS for conquest of the golden Fleece, and which by the power of Poesy is turned to an Asterism, or a Celestial figure of Stars in the South-sky. The Armorists ARGO, is in my meaning, no more, but the business of armory which is in handling, and in which Sir AMIAS is shipped, or embarked.  ARRAS. 
Cloth of Arras, tapistry, or hangings wrought at the City of ARRAS in ARTOIS, one of the seventeen Provinces, and at this present is under the ARCHDUKES' ALBERTUS and his wife ISABELLA.   

B.  BASIS. 
A word in Architecture. The bottom-part of a Column, or Pillar, and figuratively the supporture, stay, groundwork or foundation of any thing.  BEVIL. 
Every Carpenter can tell you what it is. Being a Squire, or Square of two equal pieces, and moving upon a joint, or pin from the Angle wherein they are joined.   

C.  CHAOS. 
OVID calls the rude, and undigested first heap of natural Elements, Chaos. In the Impress, Symbol, or devise upon the front of my Book, I have followed the common placing of the four common Simples, and Elements; about the which, in so many Scucheons, are set the seven chief armorial Colours, which men may observe in the natural Elements. In fire, yellow, red, and Purple: In aër; white: In water; blue: In earth, green, and sable. The sentence is is out of some the first verses in the Metamorphosis, where it is said 
unus erat toto naturae vultus in orb,  
Quem dixere CHAOS—  The sense of the whole Impreze is plain.  COCKET. 
A certificate from the customer of a Port that the parcels comprehended in that Certificate, or Bill have been customed, or have paid custom. The word is dearly wel-knowne to Marchant-venturers.  CONVEX. 
Conuexity is the outside of an hollow body, as concavity the inside. In a painted Globe of the world the descriptions are upon the convexity thereof, and that face is convex, the rest is belly or concave.  CORYPHAE. 
The Chief, or principal in any kind. GR.   

D  DIALLELS. 
As Parallels are lines running one by the other without meeting, so Diallels are lines which run one through the other, that is, do cross, intersecate, or cut. G.R.  DIAGONAL. 
Is a line which passeth from one corner or one angle of a Geometrical body to another corner or angle of the same. GR.  DEIPNOSOPHISTS. 
ATHENAEUS his great learned books carry that title, importing a conference, discourse, or Inter-speach among wisemen at a supper.  DIAMETER. 
EUCLYD (who best knew) defineth it thus. The diameter of a circle, is a certain strait line drawn through the centre, and of both sides bounded in the compass of the circle, which cuts, or divides the circle into two portions.   

E.  EQVIVOCAL. 
An Equivocal word is that which containeth more significations than one, or that which in the sense, or meaning thereof doth equally extend itself as well to one as to another. As the word (Arms) in our vulgar use thereof doth equally signify those parts of our body so called, or weapons, or tokens of honour, and with an aspiration (which is an ELENCK or deceit in the Accent) Harms.  EMPYREAN 
Fiery. It is among the old Divines taken for the Sphere of the blessed, or the Heaven of the triumphant.   

F  FOLKMOTE. 
A meeting of the people, which the LATINS called Concio, and in a more spacious word Comitia. For Concio was any auditory before, or unto whom a speech was used, aswell as the speech itself, both which Concio signified; but Comitia did import a general assembly of the people of ROME to make laws etc. Or FOLKMOTE may be either.   

G  GEMINELS. 
Twins, Pairs, Matches, or Likes.  GOURMONS. 
Great eaters; Gluttons, Norman, Gourmon, is a speech (I hear▪) by which the Normans are taxed for great feeding, and gourmondize.  GRAMMAR. 

Who knows not that this word signifies the Art of letters, and speech: Yet it is mere GREEK in the original; but now so familiar in our tongue even in the most uplandish countries as it need no Interpreter.  
Those who will persuade us to turn back to our old language for avoiding the loan of words, and phrases, may from hence learn, that use makes all things familiar; Frivolous it is to wish (when things are daily new) to dream of a certain state of words, or speech; that is, That the number of ENGLISH words should be definite, and certain.  
And what shall we say of reviving old and forgotten words? That cannot avoid obscurity but will induce it rather, our helps being fewer to understand them, than the GREEK, LATIN, or other famous languages: It is our sloth which suffers so many of our own words to live only among the Arts, and Mysteries where they are commonly known, like DUTCH coins which are not current out of their own Cities, or Territories▪ Industry, and Wisdom would that we should not borrow till our own store were empty, or worn bare, which is to ourselves unknown for want of observation. Therefore I could wish there were a Tribunal, and Magistrate for words, that it might not be in every witts-will, donare civitate ANGLIANA, to make words, phrase-free of ENGLAND.    

H  hieroglyphics. 
Hallowed Ingravements, or sacred Sculptures; as hieratical figures are sacred figures; and Hierogramms sacred letters or writings. In all which words the mystical ciphers or records of the EGYPTIAN rites, and Philosophy, were signified to be comprised.  HYPERBORCANS. 
Septentrional. Due North: Under the North-pole.  HORD. 
A TARTARIAN word: and as (I think) doth import a Clan, Race, or Family under some one Chief or other, which conducts the troop after their barbarous usage from county to country.  HONORARY 
HORD is the whole company of so many TARTARS flitting, up and down where they can find new feedings. That which is made for honour, more than for use.   

I  IMBRICATE. 
Square, and bend like to a Roofe-tile, which the LATINS call Imbrex.  INLAYES. 
At St. OLAVES in SOUTHWARK you shall learn among the joiners what Inlayes and Marquetrie mean. Inlay (as the word imports) is a laying of coloured wood in their Wainscoat works, Bedsteads, Cupboards, Chairs and the like.   

L  LANDSKEP. 

The same that Parergon, which in one word I call By-work; wherein though I render the GREEK Parergon fully, and truly, yet (for that it is not received in such a sense among us) it doth not show the thing.  
All that, which in a picture is not of the body, or argument thereof, is LANDSKEP, Parergon, or By-work. As in the table of our saviours passion; The picture of CHRIST upon the Rood (which is the proper ENGLISH word for Cross) the two thieves, the blessed Virgin MARIE, and Saint JOHN, are the argument: But the City JERUSALEM, the country about, the Clouds, and the like are By-work.   LAUREATED LETTERS. 
letters bound about with laurel, which the ROMAN Generals sent to the Senate when their contents were victory, and conquest newly by them obtained.  LABARUM. 
EUSEBIUS PAMPHILUS in his first book of the life of great CONSTANTINE describes this peculiar Standard very curiously. The common form thou mayst behold in the 163. page of my Elements. In the LABARUM these things are more. First the Banner was of Purple, where the pictures of the Emperor and his Children were wrought in gold, and stone of wonderful value and beauty; above the crosse-beam, or traverse-staffe of the banner stood those two first Greek Capitals of CHRISTE'S name which you may see in my Elements, and on the point, or top of the Lance, or Staff imperial, was advanced a crown of gold set with precious stone. All in honour of his miraculous conversion upon the apparition of the CROSS. Which as it consisted of shining light, and was seen above the Sun, it being now past Noon, so there was very lately in our time seen by honourable personages, and others at Saint LEONARD'S by NEWARKE upon TRENT, the like figure of the Cross above the Moon at night, in colour brighter than the Moon, whose paler body was between their sight, and the lower part of the long beam of the Crosse.   

M.  MOTT. 
Is (in general) FRENCH for (a Word) but in a restrained sense is properly now among us the Word, or Sentence applied to an Impress, or Heroic devise.  MYTHOLOLOGERS. 
Moral Interpreters of Poetical Histories, or of the wise Fables of AESOP, which sort of invention the greeks call an Apologus. GR.  MIZRAIM. 
The Hebrew, or MOSAICAL name of the EGYPTIANS, which I use, the rather to signify thereby those EGYPTIANS that were of the oldest times. HEB.  MATHEMATICAL. 
Sciential. Mathemata are generally all sorts of liberal knowledges, but for their excellency appropriated more specially to these four, ARITHMETIC, MUSIC, GEOMETRY, ASTRONOMY. GR.  MARQVETRY 
See INLAY.   

N.  NOMENCLATOR. 
An officer among the ROMANS whose it was to call, cite, or rehearse every one of the Senators, Guests, etc. by their several names. LAT.  NEGRO. 
A black Moor, whom the DUCHESS call a Swart, and NEGROES in the plural, Swarts.   

O.  OVAL. 
A figure round like an Egg, an oblong round.   

P.  PERIMETER. 
The out-most line of any solid body, or other figure. The Compass, or bounding Tract.  PYTHAGORACISM. 
In my sense is an imitation of PYTHAGORAS his superstitions in numbers; to the which PYTHAGORAS attributed too much.  PHYSIOLOGERS. 
Natural Philosophers; or discoursers of natural matters.  PHYSICS. 

Natural Philosophy. Natural.  
The word Physician we do vulgarly abuse (as we do very many other) for a Leech, or Medicus, but not altogether intolerably, because it is a trite, and a true saying, that Vbi desinit Philosophus incipit Medicus, where the Naturalist (for there the word Philosopher stands for a Physiologer) ends, there the Medicus begins; so as if an expert Leech must needs be expert in the Physics (that is, in those speculations which concern the works of nature) the nearest word to fall with our tongue, yet not far from the thing, was Physician, for Medicus could not well brook any flexion among us.    

R.  RENEGADO. 
One that renyes, or renounceth the faith, that is (in the received sense of the word) the CHRISTIAN faith. An Apostata: by which word the Emperor JULIANUS for his special malice to CHRISTIANITY, was surnamed.   

S.  SAND. 
Here it signifies that famous place which the ROMANS by a LATIN word of the same signification called Arena, for that it (being the ground within an amphitheatre) was sanded over both for sure footing, and the sooner to drink up the blood of men, & beasts their shed in fight for entertaintment of the people. Figuratively, it is taken for any subject of Trial, as Province for a business.  SYMBOL. 
Of all our ENGLISH words, none comes nearer to express it, than TOKEN, so as we understand thereby such a TOKEN, as in which there is always some portrait, figure, or image. Symbol (in my sense) is a figure, or shape which relateth to some cause, reason, quality, nature, or History, proper to this, or that Bearer, or family. To symbolise, is so to beetoken, or so, and in that sort, to answer, or agree-with. Many frauds you shall read in PLAUTUS, plotted, and acted by counterfeiting, and sly conveyance of these Symbols, or Tokens, wherein there was ever some image, or other. So the Symbol of AMPHITRVON in that tragicomedy was, Sol cum quadrigis, The Sun in his Chariot drawn with four horse, PYRGOPOLINICES, the bragging Soldier, had his own lovely self with great Decorum, drawn in his Signet for a Symbol. Symbolical Philosophy therefore is that kind of learning, and wisdom, which knowing the causes, and proprieties of of things natural, and supernatural, doth teach how to make, or to expound those mystical, and artificial bodies, called Symbols, of what kind soever.  SKELETON. 

Is that which the vulgar call an Anatomy: Skeleton is the whole Fabric, or dry frame of human Bones. The dry carcase of a man, or woman, without Arteries, Muscles, or other natural appurtenances.  
Skeletoes in GREEK is bony, or dry as a Bone.   SURCOAT. 
A Coat of Arms to were over Armour.   

T.  TABERD. 
VERSTEGAN'S words in his ancient ENGLISH Alphabet are these. A Tabert, anciently a short gown, that reached no further than to the midleg, In ENGLAND it is now the name only of an Herald's Coat.  THOLES. 
Places in Temples where Donaries, and such gifts as are presented there, be hung up.   
FINIS.   

Erratata.  
In my Epistle to the Reader, for Haeroick, read Heroick. In Master Holland's Sonnet line. 8 for thou art, read, that art. Pag. 55. l. 17. deal in p. 56. l 23. for frailty, read fraily. P. 144 the strings of Colours false placed, the highest for lowest. p. 148. The Cutter hath in the Schucheon for S. put A. & for V. put O. The Coat of the Duchy of Conwall, is, Sable, fifteen Besants. 54.3 2.1. p. 177. for Heremins, read Eremins, & for hermits, Eremites. p. 187. for Lorange, r. Lozenge.   

A TABLE OF MATTERS, THOSE PRINcipally which are not in the Contents of the Chapters.  

A.  
Abstractive considerations in Armouries. pag. 79  
Antiquity not the only arbitress of Armorial colours. p. 128.  
Antiquity in novelty. p. 52.  
armory a Gentlemanly science. p. 91.  
armory a word of large content. p. 6.  
Armouries have their certain principles. p. 3.  
armorial marks described. pag. 6.  
Armouries very ancient. p. 9 when they grew to a perfection. p. 10. are absolute Symbolical bodies. p. 53.  
Arguments in ancient GERMANE Armouries. p. 30.  
Armouries not the mere work of Art, p. 60. mental, or actual, p. 80, their notions sharpen wit. p. 91. the only remaining evidences of Nobility. p. 92.  
Auriflamb of FRANCE. p. 166.   

B.  
Banner of CONSTANTINE'S standard. Table of words, in LABARUM.  
BARTOL wrote not exactly of Armorial colours. p. 139  
Barbarous people, and their notes. p. 20. wore painted Arms. p. 34.  
Bearing in proper not the best kind of bearing. p. 127.  
Beauty's armorial. p. 193.  
Blazon blazed. p. 64.  
Black the basis of colours, p. 149.  
Black sails tragical. p. 129.  
Blue Shields. p. 23.  
Blue colour symbolical to what. p. 131.  
Body's Armorial. pag. 115. 116. 117.  
BRITAN'S painted. p. 131. less barbarous than CAESAR writes of them. p. 27. their Chariot-fights. p. 23.   

C.  
Censors deserving censure. p. 53.  
Centre of moral life. p. 55.  
CHRIST'S Church in CANTERB. shields there. p. 15. 66.  
CHRIST'S appearing to CONSTANTINE. p. 73.  
Coats of Arms cannot consist of one colour. p. 159.  
Colour an Element Armorial. p. 126. vital, and beautiful, p 125.  
Colours armorial seven principal. p. 127. 157.  
Colours without metal, a body without soul. pa. 160. colours strangely affect the soul. p. 130. 131. A twofold consideration of colours. p. 132. Gules and Azure examined. p. 136. Of Purple. 138. 140. 141. 153. of Sable. p. 144. of Vert. 152. captious points about colours. pag. 151. a treble respect in their marshalling. p. 157.  
Contraries have the same rule. p. 22.  
Continent, and content in Arms what. p. 64. 70.  
Crosses, CHRISTIAN Symbols. p. 39 72. 73.   

D.  
devices heroic in HOMER not Armorial. p. 9  
Describe, a Term of royal blazon. p. 64.  
Demonstration deals upon certainties. p. 77.  
Diameters Armorial. p. 120  
Divinations of the author. 51  
Distance armorial what. 190  
Discords in Armouries. ibid.  
Diminutives of honourable Ordinaries. p. 195.  
Double-headed Eagle monstrous in nature but not in Arms. p 146. 147.  
Dragon's heads for helmets. p. 37.   

E.  
Eagle in the MEXICAIN Ensign. p. 48.  
Elements of Armouries, what. p. 82. and how many. p. 83.  
Elements Armorial primary, and secundany. p. 177.  
Elements abstract from bodies. p. 112.  
Elementary discourse in Armoury concerns not charges, p. 48.  
Empalement given for honour, p. 165.  
Empire symbolised by white colour. p. 128.  
Ensignements in general. 50  
Ensignements there, where any Religion, or Government. p. 48▪  
Ermine. 171▪ their true form 172. skins of beasts. p. 175.  
Even numbers in Arms. 181  
Extravagants armorial. 168   

F.  
Fabric of a rare shield in PAUL'S. p. 69.  
Final cause of Arms. p. 143.  
Fifteen the most of odd Armorial numbers. 183.  
Finites in Armouries. p. 180.  
Fingers dipped in blood, used for penicills. p. 161.  
Flags of TAMOR LANE. 165.  
Forms of Shields. 65. 66. 67  
Four in Armouries. p. 185.  
Furs Armorial. p. 171.  
Fullness in Arms, what. 190   

G.  
Gentlemen in the largest sense. p. 6. 63.  
GERARD LEIGH rightly judged of. p. 134.  
Saint GEORGE'S Arms for CONSTANTINE'S. p. 73.  
Glory, CAESAR'S goddess. 27  
God, first author of Armouries. pag. 7. his holy name vindicated of late by Parliament. pag. 55.  
Gules familiar in Antiquity. p. 152.   

H.  
Hanging Gardens. Table of words, in AUTOMS.  
Harmony Armorial p. 169.  
HENRY our most noble Prince. p. 68  
Herms, and Hermathenes. pag. 173.  
Heteroclyte Armorial. 168  
HODLESTONE'S Coat. p. 196.  
honorary Targets. 67. 69.  
human image on a Shield. pag. 38.   

I.  
ICARUSSES two. Table of words, in AUTOMS.  
Idemtitie In Arms, what. pag. 190.  
Ignorance falls upon breach of rules. p. 190.  
Imitation no cause of Ensignements. p. 46.  
Improper to call a single colour a Coat. p. 168.  
Impreze of the author expounded. Table of words in CHAOS.  
Indefinits Armorial. p. 180. 193. 194. 195.  
Inlanders of old BRITAIN savage. p. 29.  
Intersecant lines in armory. p. 114.   

K.  
Kings of COLEIN, and their Armouries. p. 15.  
Knighthood coniecturallie in C. TACITUS. p. 30.   

L.  
Lateral Lines. p. 101.  
Lines an Element Armorial. p. 85. their first sorts. 87. 88 doubly considered. pag. 89. four crooked sorts. p. 93. considered again in their number. p. 96. and longitude. p. 97. 98.  
Lines of most honour, and state, which. p. 102. parts of lines, p. 108. double, or twofold lines divided into three sorts. p. 112. extraregular. p. 119.  
Lions in the Coats of WALES. p. 77.  
Lists proper to enter a learner. p. 62.  
Local cause of Armouries. 47.  
Love of honour available to high designs. p. 40.   

M  
MAC GIBBON, white Knight of MONSTER. p. 167.  
Marcks of Merchants. p. 22.  
Manifestation a final cause of Arms. p. 192.  
MAHOMET'S hanging Coffin. Table in AUTOMS.  
Many Kings mar al. 129.  
Marriages of colours. p. 169.  
Materials of Armouries collected by Art. p. 61.  
MEXICO founded by oracle. 47  
Metal without colour like a body without soul. p. 160.  
Metal the vegetative soul of Arms. p. 168.  
Middle of the shield not to be vacant. p. 188.  
MOSAIC or MUSIVE works. pag. 176.  
MORTIMER of Norfolk. 194  
Mysteries of honour not to be contemned for the abuse. 55   

N  
Natural Analogy. p. 17.  
Nature's Heraldry. p. 13.  
Nature's Maister-peices. 12.  
NORTH, Seminary of new plantations. p. 46.  
Notion of Ensignement natural. p. 12.  
Number an Element Armorial. p. 177. of even, and odd. p. 185.   

O  
Observation the key of these Elements. p. 57  
One only BRITAIN of note taken in both JULIUS CAESAR'S invasions. p. 27.  
Oldest Record of ENGLISH bearings. p. 97.  
One Arms to one man. 164.  
Odd numbers in Armouries. 181  
Outward personal Marks before NOAH. p. 50.   

P  
Paintings of AGATHYRSIANS▪ p. 24. and of other rude nations. ibid.  
Parallels in armory. p. 123.  
Praecedency of Armorial Colours. p. 137.  
Predicaments of Colours Armorial. p. 124.  
PERPOINCTS Coat. p. 195.  
Pertingent line of a rare kind. p. 106.  
Pertransients only 4. p. 103.  
Perfection in unity. p 180.  
Proportions Armorial. 189.  
Position an Element of Armouries. p. 178.  
Published works not published, which p. 85.   

Q  
Quadruple number. p 83.  
Quicksilver drops resembled by Destor SMYTH, called Doctor red SMYTH p. 177   

R  
Rainbow, after the flood▪ 50  
Rainbow in an INDIAN shield. p: 45  
Reason wherein to suspect JULIUS CAESAR'S reports. p. 28  
Reason of Arms, and nature not the same. p. 143  
Religion in assuming notes of honour. p. 167  
Rites of EGYPTIANS how recorded. Table, in HIEROGLYPHICS.  
Rite of first taking Arms in GERMANY. p 30  
Rome to be left for ALBA intolerable. p. 148   

S  
Salad royal, or BELIAL. p. 54  
satire no fit reformer of Arms. p. 57  
Scale of colours according to several authors. p. 135  
Secret fountain of true Armouries. p. 18  
Semi in Arms. p. 193  
SEMIRAMIS▪ her Gardens. Table of words in AUTOMS.  
Ship in heaven. Table of words, in ARGO.  
SIMON MAGUS an ICARUS. Table, in AUTOMS.  
Single colour constitutes no Armouries. p. 155  
Slate a table of recapitulation. p. 123  
Studies of honour enlumen the soul. p. 54  
Symbolical images in Scripture. p. 41   

V  
Vegetative souls of armory. p. 142  
Vert in Armouries. p. 152  
Virtues value in itself. p. 56  
Universality of ensignements. p. 60.  
Volumes decayed cause of great obscurity. p. 58.  
Use of Recapitulation. p. 123.   

W  
Wainscoat works: Table of words in INLAYES.  
White colour. p. 125  
White capable of all colours. p. 144. symbolical to things divine. 128  
Wishes for an HOLY WAR. p. 40  
Wonderful things of Arms in the INDIES. p. 42. 44. 45.  
Words like DUTCH coins. Table, in GRAMMAR.  
Words need a Magistrate. ibid.   

Y  
Yellow hairs of the BRITAN'S. p. 26   
FINIS.