Aving hitherto handled the first part of the distribution before delivered pag.7. touching the Accidents of Armes, viz. Tincture: I will now goe forward to handle that other member of the same, namely, Differences; shewing first what Differences are, and so proceede in order to the Division of them.

Differences are extraordinarie additaments, whereby bearers of the same Coate-armour are distinguished each from others, and their neerenesse to the principall bearer is demonstrated.

Of Differences some are

{ Ancient,
{
{ Moderne.

Those I call Ancient differences that were used in ancient time for the distinguishing, not onely of one Nation or Tribe from another; but also to note a diversity betweene particular persons also, descended out of one Family, and from the same Parents. Such are bordures and imborduring of all sorts. The Bordures that were annexed unto Coate-armours, in the beginning were plaine, and (in all likelihood) were of some of one the colours or metals before spoken of: But afterwards in processe of time, (by reason of the multiplication of persons and of Families) men were constrained to devise other sorts of bordures; to induce a variety, whereby each particular person might be distinctly knowen and differenced Ab omnibus & singulis eiusdem domus & familiæ. Of these there are divers formes, as by these examples following may appeare.

The first devised Bordures were borne plaine, after the manner of this, which is thus blazoned. He beareth Argent, a bordure Gules. Heere you shall not need to mention the plainesse of the bordure; for when you say a bordure of this or that colour or metall, and no more, then it is alwaies understood to be plaine, albeit the same be not so expressed. But if it have any other forme then plaine, in such case, you must not omit to make expresse mention of the fashion thereof. The content of the Bordures, (saith Leigh) is the fifth part of the Field. Also it is to be observed, that when the Field and the Circumference or Tract about the same, drawne (as in this example) be both of one metall, colour or furre, then shall you not terme it a bordure, but you shall say, that he beareth such metall, colour or furre imbordured. Leigh reckoneth this sort of imborduring heere spoken of, to be of the number of differences of brethren; but Bartol (saith hee) hath committed the distribution thereof to the Heralds.

Before I proceed to the Compound bordures above specified, I will give some fewe examples of other severall formes of simple borders; (Quia simplicia priora fuerunt compositis,) as followeth.

He beareth Sable, a bordure ingrailed, Argent; This word ingrailed, is derived from the latine word Ingredior, which signifieth to enter, or goe in; Quia ist a linea ex qua conficitur Bordura, Campum plus æquo ingrediatur: or else it is derived of Gradus, which signifieth a step or degree, and thereof it is called a border ingrailed, Quia (as Upton noteth) eius color gradatim infertur in campum Armorum.

The next sort of Bordure that I will note unto you, is a Bordure invecked, and the same is formed as appeareth in this next Escocheon.

This Bordure is formed meerely contrary to the last precedent, and is blazoned in this manner. He beareth Or, a bordure invecked, Gules. As the former doth dilate it selfe by way of incroaching into the Field, contrariwise this doth contract it selfe by inversion of the points into it selfe; In regard whereof (it seemeth) it receiveth his denomination, and is called Invecked of the latine word Inveho, which signifieth, To carry in, Quia ipsa linea gibbosa, in Borduram plus æquo invehatur.

This bordure differeth in forme from both the other, and is thus blazoned; he beareth Gules a bordure indented Argent. M^r. Wyrly, in his booke intituled, The true use of Armes, treating of the honourable life, and languishing death of Sir John de Gralhye, Capitoll de Buz, and one of the Knights elected at the first foundation of the Garter, by that victorious King Edward the third, doth therein make mention of one Sir Perducas Dalbreth, to whom his Coate-armour did properly appertaine, and describeth the same in this manner:

Sir Perducas Dalbreth to the French returned,
Who Guly shield about his necke did fling
Wrapt with dent-bordure silver shining.

This bordure is said to be indented, because it seemeth to bee composed (as it were) of teeth, whereof the same hath a resemblance aswell in property as in forme: for teeth (especially those of beasts of ravenous kind, or of pray) have that part of their teeth next to their gums, broad and strong, and their points sharpe after the manner above specified, and they are called in latine Dentes à demendo (as Isiodorus noteth) which signifieth to take away or diminish, Quia aliquid de cibis semper demunt. In the same manner also doe every of these Indentings, entering into the Field, lessen and take away some part thereof as they goe.

Note that al sorts of Bordures are subject to charging with things aswell Artificiall, as Naturall; as by examples following, in part shall appeare; wherein I purpose not to be curious, either in their number, or yet in their order; but as they shall come to hand, so will I let them down in their proper places.

He beareth Azure a Bordure counter-componed: Or, and Gules; which is asmuch to say, as Compounded of these two Colours counterly placed. Note that Counter-compony consisteth evermore of two tracts onely and no more. Note further, that the maner of differencing of Coate Armours by bordures is very ancient, but if you respect their particular formes and charge they are not so.

He beareth Gules, a bordure purflewe, Vaire, Argent, and Azure. Note heere that this terme purflewe, is common to all the Furres before handled, so often as they are used in Bordures. Therefore whensoever you shall finde a Bordure of any of these severall kinds, you must (for the more certainety of the blazon) expresse by name of what sort of Furres the same is, if there bee a peculiar name appropriate thereunto. Otherwise if it bee one of those kindes, that have noe certaine name, whereby it may be distinctly knowen from the rest; or if it be so, that the Bordure be composed of some such of the Furres as do comprehend under one name, divers and distinct colours, as (for example) Vaire doth: then must you of necessitie particularly name the Colours whereof every such Bordure is so composed, as in this example I have done.

Hee beareth Gules, a Bordure checkie, Or, and Azure. Albeit this hath a neere resemblance of counter-componie before handled, yet is it not the same; for that never exceedeth two tracts or panes, and this is never lesse then of three: therefore you must take speciall heed to the number of the Tracts in Blazon, else may you easily erre in mistaking the one for the other. And this Rule holdeth not alone in Bordures, but also in Bends, Fesses, Barres, &c. borne after those manners.

Sometimes you shall finde the Bordures charged with things living, as in these examples.

The Field is Argent, a Bordure azure charged with Enaluron of Martlets, to the number of eight, Or. In your blazoning of Bordures of this kinde of bearing, you mention what sort of fowle or bird your Bordure is charged withal, for that this terme serveth generally for all kindes of Bordures charged with things of this kinde.

A like Bordure did Jasper Earle of Pembroke beare, that was halfe-brother to King Henry the Sixth and was created Duke of Bedford by that most prudent Prince King Henry the Seventh.

He beareth Azure, a Bordure, Gules, Enurny of eight Lioncels, Or. Such a Bordure is set foorth for Hamlyne Plantagenet that was base-brother to King Henry the Second. This terme enurny is proper to all Bordures charged with any beasts, whose kindes must bee specially observed, and expressed in blazon, for the more certaintie thereof.

Sometimes you shall finde two of these sorts of Bordures before handled, commixt in one, as in these next examples following.

He beareth Argent a bordure quarterly, as followeth: The first, Gules enurny of three Lioncels passant guardant, Or. The second, azure, verdoy, of as many Flowers de Lices, Or. The third as the second: The fourth as the first. Such a Bordure did Henry Courtney Earle of Devon, and Marquesse of Exceter, beare, (who lived in the time of King Henrie the Eighth) environing the Royall Armes of England, which he received as an augmentation of honour.

He beareth Gules, a Bordure quarterly composed of purflew, Ermyne, and Counter-componie, Or, and Azure. Such a Bordure did Henrie Fitz-roy beare, who was Duke of Richmond and Somerset, as also Earle of Nottingham. Hee was base sonne unto King Henry the Eighth. Sometimes you shall finde Bordures charged with leaves or flowers, and other vegetables, as in example.

He beareth Sable, a Bordure, Or, charged with Verdoy of Trefoiles, slipped to the number of 8. proper. Note, that this terme Verdoy is appropried to all Bordures charged with leaves, flowers, fruits, and other the like vegetables. Wherefore, to make your Blazon more certaine, it behooveth, that you should expresly mention what kinde of vegetable the Bordure is charged withall.

Otherwhiles you shall have Bordures charged with other sorts of things inanimate, or without life, as in this next example.

He beareth Or, a Bordure, Sable, charged with Entoyre of 8. Besants. Such a Bordure did Richard Plantagenet, King of the Romans, and Earle of Cornwall, beare, that was sonne unto King John, and brother to King Henry the Third. Note, that this terme Entoyre is proper to all Bordures charged with dead things: therefore you must name what kinde of Entoyre the Bordure is charged with, whether with Roundels, Cressants, Mollets, Annulets, or whatsoever other dead thing,. A Beisaunte, or (as some call them) a Talent, is taken for a Massive Plate or Bullion of Gold, containing (according to Leigh) of Troy waight 104.^li. and two ounces, and is in valew 3750.^li. sterling, and had for the most part no similtude or representation upon it (as some hold) but onely fashioned round and smooth, as if it were fitted and prepared to receive some kinde of stampe. But others are of opinion, that they were stamped, and that they were called Bezants (or rather Bizants) of Bizantium, the place where they were anciently coined. Note, that whensoever you shall find any Bezants or Talents born in Armes, you shal not need to make mention of their color in blazoning of them, because they be evermore understood to be Gold.

Sometimes you shall finde Bordures gobonated of two colours, as in this next example. Hee beareth Ermyne, a Bordure gobonated, Or, and Sable: and such a bearing is so termed, because it is divided in such sort, as if it were cut into small Gobbets.

As this Bordure is gobonated, so shall you finde Bordures, either Bendy, or Bend-waies, or charged with Bende-lets, as in this next Escocheon in part may appeare.

He beareth Gules, a Bordure Sable, charged with three Bendlets Argent. I give it this Blazon in respect that the Sable doth surmount the Argent, and standeth (as it were) in stead of a Field. But if they both were of even peeces, then should I have termed it a Bordure-Bendie, or Bend-waies, of so many peeces Argent and Sable, or Sable and Argent, as it should happen.

There resteth yet one example more of Bordurings, which I have here placed, to the end the same may serve in stead of many particular demonstrations, otherwise requisite for the full understanding of the manifold severall sorts of diapering, that may be used in Bordures, as in example.

He beareth Argent, a Bordure, Gules diapered, Entoyre, Enurny, Enaluron, Verdoy, &c. Note, that you may have diaper of any two, three, or more of these, or any other their like, in one Bordure: and that not onely Bordures, but also Fields of Coat-armours are found diapered. That Field or Bordure is properly said to be diapered, which being fretted all over, hath some thing quicke or dead appearing within the Frets. And albeit things having life and sense, or their parts, may bee borne diapered; yet Plants, Fruits, Leaves, Flowers and other Vegetables, are (in the opinion of some Armorists) judged to be more fit for such kinde of bearing.

This kinde of bearing of diaper in coat-armour, is sometimes seene in Coats of France and Belgia, but very rare or never in England, as Sir John Ferne noteth. Diaper (saith he) is knowen of every man to be a fantasticall worke of knots, within which are wrought the signes or formes of things either quicke or dead, according to the invention of the worke-master, as it is well knowen in Ypres, Bruges, and some Cities of Heynault. In the blazon of such Coats you must first name the colour or metall of the Field.

As touching their severall Charges imposed upon these Borders afore handled, I should not (I acknowledge) have made mention of them at all in this place (the order of my Method respected) sed propter necessitatem nonnumquam recedendum est à regulis. But the occasion offred to treat of the differences of Borders in this place, inforced mee to make untimely mention of those Charges, to the intent I might yeeld some satisfaction to the Reader touching these variable formes, which I could no way better performe then by demonstrative examples: Exempla enim ponimus, ut sentiant addiscentes.