Itherto of the ancient manner of differencing Coat-armours: Next, such as we call moderne differences, come in order to be handled. I call those moderne differences, that are of a latter institution, and put in use sithence the invention of Borders. Such are these that follow, and their like: viz. the File, Crescent, Mullet, Martlet, Annulet, Flower de-lice, &c.

What these Files are, I cannot certainly avouch, because I finde that divers Authors, and those very judiciall in matters of this kinde, doe diversly judge of them, according to their severall conceits. Upton, a man much commended for his skill in Blazon, and of some Armorists supposed to have beene the first that made observation of their use, (but they are therein much deceived, for that such use was made of them many ages before Uptons time) calleth them Points, such as men usually fasten their garments withall, and saith, they may be borne either even or odde, to the number of nine. Budæus, an ancient Writer, affirmeth them to bee Tongs, and that they may not bee borne but odde. Alciatus in his Parergon nameth them Plaitez or Ploits of Garments. Bartolus calleth them Candles. Some other Authors call them Files, and others Lambeaux or Labels. In this so great uncertaintie, I forbeare to determine any thing, seeing those so learned cannot certainly resolve among themselves what they are. Only concerning their divers manner of bearing, these examples following will give light: wherein I will begin with their single bearing, and so will I proceed to their compound use.

The Field is Argent, a File, with one Labell, Gules. This forme of bearing is found in the Chapell of the Castle of Camphire, alias Trevoir, in Zeland. Such is the dignitie of the File, as that the Heralds in their sound discretion, have caused many poore decaied gentlemen, and persons newly risen, to lay aside the bearing thereof, because of the dignitie of the same, being such, as the sonne of an Emperour cannot beare a difference of higher esteeme, during the life of his father.

Upton saith, that Files are not borne for Armes, but for differences of Armes: Tales lingulæ sive labellæ (saith he) non dicuntur proprie signa, sed differentiæ signorum. Neverthelesse in practise it falleth out otherwise, as in this Coate here expressed, and others following may be seen. For we finde that Labels are borne both single & manifold without any other maner of Charge; so that it is cleere, that they are borne sometimes for Armes, and not alwaies for Differences of Armes; as by the second Eschocheon following more plainely appeareth.

He beareth Azure a File of three Lambeaux Argent: this, saith Leigh, is the first of the nine Differences of brethren, and serveth for the heire or eldest sonne, the father living. Honorius saith, that one of the Labels betokneth his father, the other his mother, and the middlemost signifieth himselfe.

He beareth Argent a File of five points, or Lambeaux Azure : this seemeth to me a perfect Coate of it selfe, for so I finde the same anciently set up in a glasse window in the Church of Estington in the County of Glocester, and is borne by the name of Henlington. Whence may appeare that this File is borne as a Charge sometimes, and not for a Difference of Coate-amour alwaies. The File of five Lambeaux, saith Leigh is the difference of the Heire whilst the Grandfather liveth; but his Grandfather being deceased, then he leaveth this, and taketh that of three, which was his fathers Difference. But heerein his Rule faileth; for that they have beene anciently borne with five points for the Difference of the Eldest sonne in the time of King Edward the first, as appeareth by divers Seales, and other good autentique proofes of Antiquity.

Note, that as the Bordures before mentioned, so also these Files are oftentimes charged with things aswell quicke as dead, whereof I will give you some fewe examples in these next Escocheons.

He beareth Argent a File of three Lambeaux Azure, each charged with as many flower delices Or. Such a File did Henry the fourth Duke of Lancaster beare, (over the Armes of England) who was sonne to Henry Earle of Lancaster, whose father was Edmund surnamed Crookbacke that was first Earle of Lancaster; and sonne to Kinge Henry the third.

Hee beareth Azure a File of three Lambeaux Argent, each charged on the dexter side of the foote thereof with a canton Gules. A like File did Lionell Plantaginet beare (who was third sonne unto King Edward the third) over the Armes of France and England, saving that those Cantons were placed in the highest part of his Labels aforesaid.

The Labell of the Heire apparent, (saith Wyrley) is seldome transferred unto the second brother; but when the Inheritance goeth to the daughters of the Elder brother: in which case, it was permitted unto him, to beare the File as heire male of his family, and as one that remained in expectancie of the Inheritance, if the issue of his Neeces should faile. Note, that the second brother might not intrude himselfe into the absolute Signes of his familie, the Inheritance being in his Neeces or kinswomen.

The Field is Vert. A File of three points parted per pale Gules and Argent. On the first six towres Or, and the second as many Lionceaux rampant purpure. Such a File was borne by Edward Plantaginet sonne and heire to Edmund of Langly Duke of Yorke, which Edward lived in the time of King Richard the second, by whom hee was created Duke of Aubemarle, and was slaine in the battle of Agincourte in the time of King Henry the fifth.

He beareth Argent a File of three Lambeaux, Gules each charged with as many towres Or. Such a File did Robert D'artois beare, who guided King Edward the third in all his warres against the French. This Robert was a Frenchman, and was thought to have beene the first that moved King Edward the third to make his challenge to the Crowne of France. Many more examples might be given of the divers manner of bearing and charging of Files, but these heere expressed may suffice to informe the reader that they are no lesse subject to Charges then the Bordures before expressed: as also to move him to take a more strict observation of them as they shall come to hand.

Beside these Differences before mentioned, other sorts of moderne differences were devised for the distinguishing of brethren and persons issued out of one Familie, which for the reach they extend unto, doe more manifestly expresse, and (as it were) point out with the finger, how farre their severall bearers are distant in degree from their originall ancestors; as also, how each of them standeth in degree one to another among themselves; as by the examples ensuing may appeare.

To these single differences expressed in the first of these Rankes doth Gerad Leigh adde three other to make up the number of nine; which Number hee laboured much to make complete throughout all his booke. The forme of which three, are these: viz. the Rose, the Crosse Molline, and the Double Cater-foile.

It hath beene evermore an observation with Nations in bearing of Armes, that as every particular family (saith Sir John Ferne) did beare Armes different in substance from those of other families, so those that are descended of the selfe same blood, should likewise beare the Armes of that House and Familie whereof they are descended, in a different manner each from other, (not in substance but in accidents) for the distinguishing of their Line of Agnation. And the apposition of these Differences, albeit they seeme to make some alteration in the Coate-armours whereunto they are annexed, yet is the same but meerelie Accidentall, the substance still remaining as it was before; the nature of these Appositions being such as is of all other Accidents, Ut possunt abesse & adesse sine subjecti interitu.

And these differences annexed to Coate-armour are of some Authors tearmed (and that not improperly) Diminutiones armorum, in respect they doe derogate from the dignity of the Armes whereto they are added, as expresly manifesting them to bee of lesse esteeme then those from which they are derived: Multiplicitas enim individuorum, in eadem specie diminutionem arguit. But doubtlesse, the conceite of Apposition of these differences to Coate-armours was grounded upon the necessity (the common Parent of all inventions) aswell that thereby all confused bearing of Armes might bee avoided; as also that the prerogative of the Eldest sonne should be preserved inviolable. And for this cause hath the Eldest of every noble and generous Family, his peculiar manner of sole and plaine bearing, which he will in no case permit any other man to use, though he bee of the same Family and Surname, but with addition of some kind of Difference, because the sole bearing of Armes pertaineth onely to the first begotten: In primogenito enim (saith Lyra) tanquam in capite stat & remanet splendor genituræ.

As touching the dignity of the first begotten, Tremelius in his Annotantions upon the 49. of Genesis maketh mention of two chiefe Prerogatives, due unto Ruben, had he not defiled his fathers bed; the one of Honour, whereby hee had his brethren in Subjection unto him; the other of strength, by reason of his double portion of Inheritance. And Cassaneus saith, Ea quæ acquiruntur Primogenito, acquiruntur titulo universali, item acquiruntur ut constituto in dignitate. For these respects the Armes of the Family ought to remaine entire to the Eldest, because the second, third and fourth begotten sonnes, cannot arrogate to themselves any such Prerogative, and therefore may not beare their Coate but with Difference.

Furthermore, these differences heere spoken of, are of some Authors called Doctrinæ Armorum, and that very aptly, in regard that by the apposition of them to Coate-Armours, our understanding (upon sight of them) is informed from what Line of Consanguinitie the bearer of such difference doth abstract himselfe; whether from the line ascending, descending, or collaterall; as also; in what degree he standeth; as, whether hee be the second, third, or fourth begotten childe of such Parent. And such apposition is no lesse lawfull, then is the addition of names of Baptisme unto the surname of the Familie: Sicut enim nomina inventa sunt ad cognoscendos homines, ita arma vel insignia ad familias & personas distinguendas singulatim.

There is yet a further use of these differences, in that they serve to prevent and avoid dissensions, debates, challenges, combats, and slaughters. For as to all brethren there is but one surname allowed, yet for difference, that one of them may be discerned from another, there is added unto each brother a prænomen, or name of Baptisme; so is it necessarie, that sithence the Coate-Armour of the Ancestor is competible to all the children (as the marke of the familie whereof they are descended) that a difference should bee added to the Coat-Armour of every brother, to marke and limit out to all mens sight the diversitie of their Birth and Line whereupon they depend, that so all occasion of challenge may be prevented, when each man knoweth not only his place of precedence, but also his neerenesse and place of title to the Inheritance.

Whereas I have formerly among the examples of Borders, used demonstrations of differences in the bloud-royall, of some of the younger sonnes of Kings; I hold it fit before I conclude this Tract of differences, to give a little touch of the necessitie why these should be more eminent then those of ordinarie use, with persons of inferiour state. First, in regard that if the Coat-Armour of others should have too neere a conformity & resemblance with the Soveraigne Ensignes, the vulgar sort perhaps might (in some cases or pretenses) be seduced to follow such a one as were not their King, to the great disturbance of the State, and no lesse perill to the person of their lawfull Soveraigne. And not only is it so in Coats pertaining to the bloud-royall, but also in other inferiour callings: For in ancient time (saith Wyrley) when men could not sufficiently distinguish their Coat-Armours by changing their devices into other colours, for the number of leaders, that many times were of one house or familie; then were they forced to vary their markes by the said Additions. And very seldome should you see in those times, Cressants, Mollets, or such small things borne for a difference: or if any such were, they were made so large, that they might easily be discerned by the distance of fortie foot. Furthermore, the Soveraigne estate and dignitie being compared with the qualitie of any Subject, the difference will be found so great betweene them, and the one so farre surmounting the other of them, as that reason it selfe willeth that so great a difference should bee put betweene the Royall Ensignes and the Armes of a Subject, as there is betweene their estates and degrees, sith those Ensignes are the markes of their worthinesse and esteeme.

For these and other respects, it hath beene, and yet still is in use, that in addition of differences to the Armes of Kings younger children, the skilfull Heralds have given some of the Honourable Ordinaries, for more apparant distinctions, as a Fesse, Cheife, Bend, Pile, Bordure, and such like, as we may manifestly see in divers ancient Coats borne by such noble Personages as have descended from the collaterall lines of the Kings of England, France, Scotland, &c.

Concerning those moderne differences before expressed in the forme of sixe rankes, pag.28.viz.Crescents, Mollets, Martlets, &c. notwithstanding their institution was ingenious, yet hath tract of time discovered their use to be dangerous, especially in Martiall affaires, by reason of their darknesse and unapparant formes, occasioned by imposition of one difference upon another: the perill whereof hath not a little extenuated their estimation. Neverthelesse, their invention is not therefore to bee condemned, inasmuch as the events have not fallen out answerable to the invention of their first Deviser: Neither can it be therefore justly said to be done without ground of reason, as a certaine Author noteth: Si finis in intellectu operantis sit rationabilis, etiamsi non sequatur quod intenditur, non idcircò dicetur irrationabiliter operari.

Heere it is to be observed, that differences doe in no waies appertaine unto Sisters, for that they are reputed to be separated and divided from the familie whereof they are descended, inasmuch as when they are once maried, they doe lose their owne surname, and doe receive their denomination from the Familie whereof their husbands are descended. And so much doth the word Soror notifie unto us, as Sosinus saith: Soror est seorsim nata, & à familia separata.

To Daughters it is permitted to beare the Armes of their Father, even as the elder brother doth after his Fathers decease, without any scandall or challenge of their elder brother, for that to daughters never were any differences allowed, and that for three causes. First, because their Coats are never, or very seldome advanced in the Field, forasmuch as to that sex warre is reputed odious. Secondly, for that the Coat-Armour is no longer borne by them then during their life, for the same extendeth not to their Issue. Lastly, because so long as Issue continueth of any of the Brethrens Lines, they are debarred from the Inheritence. Yet in some cases they shall beare the Coat-Armour to them and their heires, as in example: If all the issue of the Brethren happen to become extinct, then the Daughters shall Inherit the Land of their Ancestor. In which case, they may therewithall assume his Coat-Armour, and beare the same by themselves and their heires for ever. But betwixt those Sisters bee allowed no differences or badges of Pedegrees: the reason whereof is, for that sithence by them the Name of the House cannot bee preserved, therefore they are admitted to the Inheritance equally, and are adjudged but one Heire to all intents and purposes, in Lawes as well Martiall as Civill, without any eminent prerogative either of Honour or Possession, betwixt Elder and Younger.