Estates of Man Book III, Chapter 3, Section 1
Chapter 3, Item 9a
Mayoral office
The Office of a Mayor of a Corporation.
The Mayor of a City is the Kings Lieutenant, and doth give place to none save the King and Prince, his Heir. He with the Recorder, Aldermen and common Council (as it were King, Lords and Commons in Parliament) can make Laws called By-Laws, for the Weal and good Government of the City. The Mayor is for his time (which is but for one Year) Justice of the Coram, Judge of the Court, a Determiner of Matters, and doth mitigate the Rigor of the Law.
The Government of Boroughs and other Towns corporate, is much after the same Manner. In some there is a Mayor and Sheriffs: In others a Mayor and two Bailiffs: In others a Bailiff and two Serjeants: and in other places two Bailiffs: which have equal power within their Limits to a Mayor and Sheriffs; and dureing their Office are Justices of the Peace, having the same power, as Justices of the Peace have in the country.
The Government of Villages, is usually by the Lords of the said places who keep Court-Leets, and Court-Barons (because anciently such Lords were called Barons) that is Court of Freeholders to which they own suit and service, where there may be tried smaller matters happening within the Manner, as Debts, Trespasses, Escheats upon Felonies, Wafes or other accidents, Custody of Infants, Lunaticks, power of passing Estates, admitting of Tenants, Reliefs, Hariots, etc. Under the Lord is a Constable or Headborough, or Petty Constable, chosen every Year, whose office is to keep the Peace, in case of quarrels, to search any house for Robbers, Murtherers, or other Malefactors, to raise hue and cry after such upon their flying, to seize on them, keep them in the Stocks, or other Prison, till they can bring them to a Justice of Peace, and so carry them by their command to the common Prison.
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Chapter 3, Item 9b
Corporation officers
The Officers of a Coporation with their Habits.
A Mayor, is a Person elected for the chief Governor of a civil Society or Body corporate, who is usually known by those Emblems of Magistracy carried before him: as a Virge, or white Rod, or Staff: and in most great Corporation, according to days, hath distinctions of Gowne, as a Morning or Walking Gown, which is a light loose Gown, made according to his own Fancie; a black Gown, a Murrey or Purple Gown, and a Scarlet Gown, all which are of one fashion, either Garded with Velvet, or lined with Furr, called Foines.
Sheriffs, they are the Posse Commitatis, the conservers of the Peace, the Executioners of all Writs, and punisher of all offenders. They are in some places called Bailiffs: But in Cities and grand Corporations they weare Gowns, and White Rods in their Hands, like the Mayor.
A Recorder is the Mouth of the Mayor, and Cittizens: and Minister of the Law for the distribution of Justice and Judgment. These are generally Men Learned in the Law, whose habit or fashion of Gown is after the manner of the figure set down, numb.11.
An Alderman, and Justice of the Peace, is such an one, as hath born the Office of a Mayor of a City, or Corporation. Whose Gown is the like to that of the chief Magistrate, or Mayor.
An Alderman or a Single Alderman, is one that is called to that place but as yet hath not been Mayor, yet is capable of it, and in Election for it: His Gown is black, garded and faced with Velvet. But when the Mayor is in Scarlet, his Gown is Purple, faced with Foines.
A Council, in some places is called a Livery Man; is such a Person, as is of the House, in time of their meeting or Assemblies, for the Weal and behoof of the Corporation: with us they are called a Forty Man, because the common Council consists just of Forty: out of which number all Superior Officers are chosen. Their Gowns have no Shoulders but open at that place, having the Sleeves hanging on the Back, garnished with tufted Buttons and Loops, and faced with Stuff or Silk, or Satinesco.
A Treasurer, is an office for the receiving of the Rents, and disburshing Money, for the concerns of the Corporation: which with us, is generally chosen out of such as are single Aldermen, or such as have been Sheriffs.
A Leaveholder, is an Office in Chester, but rare in any other City (as I could ever hear off) they are chosen out of the Forty: to gather and receive all customs due to the City, for goods brought there for sale, either by Sea or Land; which receits are disbursed for the City Affairs but chiefly for the Repairs of the City Walls.
A Murenger, is one chosen out of the Aldermen and Justice of the Peace, whose Office and care it is to look after the City Walls, to keep them in good repair, and if any breaches be, to built it up again: for which end, there is a City Mason to do the work, who besides his Wages daily hath an Yearly Sallery, and a City Paver to keep the Streets, Lanes and High-ways in good Repair, who hath also a City Sallery.
A Crowner or Coroner, whose Office is out of such as have been Sheriffs. They examine all Murtherers, Felo de Se's, accidental Deaths, &c. And accordingly bring in their Presentments.
A Constable, of which there are several in a Corporation: two or three in each division or ward, whose Office it is to preserve the Kings Peace, make hue and cry after Malefactors, search and fetch Offenders to the Seat of Justice, Imprison or bring to places of punishment such as deserve it. With an hundred other things whose Office it is to perform, but few know the power of their place.
A Goaler, is the keeper of the Prison, where all criminal Offender are secured, and Man for debt are Imprisoned.
A Keeper of the House of Correction, to keep the Poor on work, and to punish Stubborn and Rebellious Apprentices, Idle Rogues and Vagabonds: where they are bridled, stockt, and whipped.
A Fraternity, or Society, or Brotherhood, or Company: are such in a Corporation, that are of one and the same trade, or occupation, who being joyned together by oath and covenant, do follow such orders and rules, as are made, or to be made for the good order, rule, and support, of such and every of their occupations. Their several Fraternities are generally governed by one or two Masters, and two Wardens, but most Companies with us by two Aldermen, and two Stewards, the later, being to receive and pay what concerns them.
A Sword-Bearer, is him that carrieth the Sword of state before the Mayor or his Deputy.
A Mace-Bearer, is him that carrieth the Mace of Authority before the said Mayor: both these Officers wear in the Execution of their Office Silk Gowns, or Stuff Gowns trimed with Buttons and Loops, and faced with Silks, like to the Council or Freemans Gown.
A Town Clerk, who is the City Secretary, and Keeper of the Records of the Courts within the Corporation, Enters all Actions, and prepares causes to the pleadings, &c. We call such, the Clerk of the Pentice.
A Officer, or City Attorney, or Mayors Officers, are such as give Summons to Persons, and do Attach others, for their appearance in the City Courts: in some places they are called Catch-Poles, or Bailles. But the Gentle name is Serjeants at Mace.
A Sheriffs Officer, doth (besides Summons and Arrest) serve all Writs of Execution, as Atachments, Judgments, Rebellions, &c.
A Cryer, is only in use in tome of Court holding, to command silence, call Juries, swear them, and witnesses, with several other things belonging to his Office; he weareth a Gown, and carieth a Mace.
A Porter, his Office is to keep the Court of Council-House Door, and the Mayors-House Door; he weareth a Gown of Cloth faced with black Furr, Fitchet or Coney Furr: and carrieth a Porters Staff.
A Beadle, or Bang-Begger; is to keep the City clear of poor strangers, and send such a packing to the places from whence they came, they have Coats gathered about the Waste, and a Badge of the Arms of the Corporation on their left Arm.
A Beadsman, such as live in Hospitals, and have an allowance for their maintenance, being old and infirme: in some places called the Poor Knights of Windsor, or Hospitallers, and Almesmen. These with us go in Gowns, and go two and two before the Mayor on several Feastival Days in the Year.
A Scavenger, such as make the Streets clean, and carry away the Dirt.
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Chapter 3, Item 12a
City Companies
The Traders of London are divided into several companies or corporations, and are so many Bodies politique, all which have Assembly places (as I said) called Halls, and each Company or Mistery hath a Master (or two) annually chosen from amongst themselves, by which the said Societies are regulated and Governed, and all Misdemeanors corrected and punished, by Fines and Forfeitures: and in each Company there is other subordinate Officers, called Wardens (or Stewards in some) or assistance [sic]; The remaining part of the Hall, or Member of the Trades are termed Livery-Men, or Gown-Men: So that each Brotherhood do exactly correspond to the General Government of the City by a Lord Mayor, Alderman, and common Council.
Now these Livery-Men or Gown-Men are not admitted as Fellows of the Hall and to wear Gowns, as soon as made free of the Hall: but are counted as Freemen, and have liberty to follow their Trads for a considerable time, till they be Selected and by the Votes of the Hall, they be brought in to be Gown-Men, and (as it were) Council Men of their said Societies. And out of these Livery men in each Hall, is again selected such Persons as are thought fit to make Council-Men for the City: which by degrees advance higher and higher till they be Sheriffs, Aldermen etc.
During their time of being Livery-Men, they wear on the left Shoulder of their Gowns, an Hood behind with a long Tippet at it down before of two coulours, one half Scarlet, the other green Silk: but when chosen to be of the City Council, they wear a long Tippet of the same colours about their Necks, reaching down before to the middle of the Belly.
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Chapter 3, Item 13a
Hospitals
Hospitals are of several Natures according to the Institutions of their Benefactors, some are for Poor People and Orphan Children, in which they are brought up to Learning, have Meat, Drink and Cloaths provided for them, Men and Women servants to look to them: besides other officers pertaining to the said Hospital or Almonary: as
The Benefactors that Builds, Erects and Endues the place.
The Trustees or Overseers, to look after the Revenue, to place in, and put out.
The Steward and Caterer, that receives and layeth out for the necessaries of the place.
The Cooke, Butler and Baker, that orders Meat and Drink.
The Washers and House-Keepers, to make and keep all clean.
The Masters to teach, and his Usher to enter the Boys into the first rudiments.
The Chaplain to Pray and Preach, all which and more is necessary for a well Beneficed Hospital.
Other Hospitals are for old and aged men: Others for old Women, and some for both, as the Hospital in Chester called the Fraternity of the Brothers and Sisters of St Anne.
Others for Sick, Sore and Lunitick Persons, who are kept and maintained at the Hospital's charge till recovery, then sent away: as the Hospital at the Savoy and Bethelem in London, and St Egitha for Lezars near Chester.
These that are called Alms-Houses, are of another Nature, which have some of them Houses to dwell in or Chambers to lodge in, and an Yearly Stipend to buy them their own Meat and Cloaths, of such we have several in our City.
Others of these Alms People have only small Houses to dwell in, and have no other provision made for them, but what they get by begging, of these kind ar the poor Mendicants, who get their living by going from Door to Door.
Others there are which have neither House nor Harbour, but what they Rent, yet have Yearly Maintenance for the Support in old Age and Caps and Gowns every second or third Year, to keep them Warm, and these are generally called Beadsmen, or such as are lotted to have Poor Mens Gowns: which I have observed in several Towns upon Set or Principal Days, to walk before the Magistrates, or Benefactors by two and two. And in some places to go in the same order before Dead Persons carried to their Funerals.
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Chapter 3, Item 14a
Esquire degrees
Several Degrees of Esquires.
1. Of this Title by the common Law of this land, all the Sons of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, are Esquires, and no more.
2. The next of this Title are the Eldest and Younger Sons of all Viscounts and Barons: and the eldest Sons of their Younger Sons and their Elder Sons for ever.
...
7. An Esquire by Repute, is such a Person who bath been, and is of an ancient Family, and considerable Estate, though neither himself, or any of his Ancestors have born any public Office, yet such by the curtesie of England, and out of respect to their Family, are called Esquires.
8. To these may be joyned Councellors at Law, Bachelors of Divinity, Law and Physick, who take upon them the Title of Esquire, are reputed Edauiers, or equal to Esquires, although none of them are really so.
Of this Degree, with each particular circumstance about it, you may peruse thes Authors.
Seldens Title of Honor, fol. 555
Ferns Glory of Generosity, pag. 100
Spelmans Glossary, fol. 51
Salters Analysis of Honor, pag. 26 [in error for Carter]
Chamberlains Present State of England, pag. 280
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Chapter 3, Item 16a
Gentry degrees
The Several Degrees of Gentility.
The first is a Gentleman of Blood, termed Gentilitas Nativa; to the making of which Gentleman perfect in his Blood, is required a Lineal descent on his Fathers side to the fift Generation, as Father, Grand-Father, Great-Grand-Father, Great-Grand-Fathers-Father, and Great-Grand-Fathers-Grand-Father: And as much on the Mothers side, this doth not only make a Gentleman of Blood perfect, but of Ancestors too.
A Gentleman by prescription, is when for a long time and many Years, to the beginning whereof the Memory of Man runneth not to the contrary, causeth him that can duely without any intermission of time, challenge the same prescription, ought to be had and reputed as rightly Noble and Gentle, as him that can shew it by Blood. For this Immemorable, hath the force of a Law & is Masqued, with the Title of Justice, of Priviledge, and of Truth: for our Legist doth tell us, Magis relucet, a Parentibus, per tempus immemoriale, Nobilitas recta, quam a Principe, sine Virtute Donata; So that his Nobleness or Gentry by prescription, is as all one, agreeing with that Gentleness of Stock or Linage.
Now this Gentility by Blood, if seconded by Merit and Virtue, is justly esteemed the most worthy & honorable: and certainly is the least if attended by vicious actions; for the Glory they shine in, being but the reflections of their Ancestors, and not their own proper Rays.
The second is Gentilitas Dativa, a Gentleman made so by the gift or bounty of the Prince: Examples of many of this Nature Mr. Seldon shows in King Richard the Second, Henry the Sixth, King James, and by Forreign Princes, the Emperor, King of France and others: Titles of Honor, fols, 832, 853, 870 Where Men have been ennabled by Letters Patents for their Princes, though they have no Superior Titles added : Yet thereby they have been received into the State of Gentlemen, and are Stiled Gentlemen of Paper and War, Glo: pag.61.
In General if any Person be Advanced by Lawful Commission of his Prince to any Office, Dignity or publick Administration, be it either Ecclesiastical, Military, or Civil, so that the said Office comprehend in it, Dignitatem, or Dignitatis Titulum, the Title or Stile of Dignity, he ought to be Matriculated into the rank of Gentility.
So the King may make or create a Gentleman, and give him a Coat of Arms, though he be a single Subject, or unworthy of the same: but this is Counterfeit Gentility, and only shrouds him from the name of a Plebeian: Such not exerciseing the Qualities beseeming them, bring to the Purchaser but little more then the shadow of Honor, being excluded from the Priviledges of Gentility, nay ought, as saith Sir William Segar: to be deprived of his Title of Gentleman, if he behave not himself virtuously according to his Title.
The third is Atchieved, or Merited Gentility: this is nobleness of proper Virtue, which is certainly to be esteemed above the other, for as Kingdoms happiness, and safety depends upon the Wisdom, Counsel, and Courage of the Virtuous, Ecclesiastes 9. 15, 16, 18. When the vain boasts of an ancient Stock or Linage, where Virtue fails; doth add nothing to the relief of a Countrey in time of need.
What these Virtues are, Sir John Fern pag.30. 31. 96. 97. hath taken great care to set down: which we shall pass over and note notice only of these two Cardinal Virtue, Prudence and Fortitude; the merit achived by the Pike and Pen, Learning and Soldiery. Now to which of these the precedency should be allowed, hath ever been the despute, some gives it to the Scholar, others to the Soldier; one preferrs the Doctor before the Knight, yet most esteem the latter predominate to the former, to which I do rather adhere.
For to obtain the Estate of Gentility by Learning, and discovering the Secrets of Heaven is certainly very Honorable: But to Atchieve it by Service in his Sovereigns Wars, the defence of the Church, King and Country, is of all most excellent and worthy: In as much as War is permitted by the Law of God, taught by the Law of Nature, and commanded by the Law of Nations, Anal: of Honor pag.10.
For the Soldiery, they who by their Valour and Service, done in the Soveraigns Wars, do defend the Church, King and Country, are worthy of their atcheived Honor and ought to be stiled Gentlemen, which is peculiar to all Listed, and are called Gentlemen Soldiers: of which these more especially (let their Original be what it will) may be admitted to bear Arms in the Military or Marshal Government, viz. The General, High Constable, Lieutenant-General, Governers of Guardians of Frontiers, and March Countreys, Marshalls, Maiors-general, of Horse and Foot, Masters of the Artillery, Collonells, Maiors, Captaines, Provosts, Serjeant-Maiors, Lieutenants, and such commissionated Officers in Martial Affairs.
For the State Ecclesiastical, these in the Church being Officers of Dignity do merit Gentleness, and Coat Armour, as Patriarches, Primats, Arch-Bishops, Cardinals, Bishops, also all Vicars-General, Gardians or Keeper of Spiritualites, Deans of Cathedral Churches, Arch-Deacons, Chancellors, Registers, Treasurers, Chantors, Advocats, Doctors, likewise all Rectors, provosts, Deans of Governors of Collegial Assemblies with diverse others in the Church, which are to this place, to be referred.
For the Civil or Political Estate, diverse Officers of Dignity and Worship do merit Coats of Arms: as the Chancellor, President, Treasurer; with such as occupy the Seat of Judgment, as Judges, Justices, Chief Officers in the Soveraigns Pallace, Secretaires of the Estate: also all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs of Cities and ancient Burroughs or Towns incorporated, Prothonotories, and Chief Remembrancers, to High Court of Justice, with many other to long to receit.
Also Gentleness or the bearing of Arms may be obtained by the Service of the Soveraign, or any of his Superior Officers, according to this Rule. Adherentes lateri Principis & Officialis, & eisdem, in Officio quocumque minimo, Ministrantes nobilitantur.
From which we may conclude that all the Officers in the King Houshold, as Buttler, Cooke, Baker, Groom of the Chamber, Keeper of the Wardrobe, and the like: also the Officers of Chief note belonging to Justices of Superior Courts, and Cities, as Sword-bearers, Mace-bearers, Marshals, Ushers, Messengers, Serjeants at Mace, and such like.
For the Liberal Sciences which are the Mistresses of all Vertues, Letters, and good Learning: the Excellencies whereof worthily deserve the Title of Nobleness, therefore merit a Coat of Arms. They are called liberal Sciences, for four reasons. Because the study of them required a free and liberal mind. Because of putting a difference between them and other Servile Arts, called Mechanical Arts, which require more the service of the Body, then travail of the Wit. Because Children of Freemen ought to be put to the learning of them. And lastly because they are lawful, and may be learned without servitude of Sin or Superstition. These Sciences whereby the Ancients termed seven, to which may be added an eight (saith Sir John Fern) pag.32. and that is Theologia a Science of God, and Heavenly things, surpassing Nature and the capacitie of Nature. However we may pass it under the Science of Letters and Learning, the Professors thereof having received their Degrees, meriteth sufficiently (though they were ungentle born) to obtain Arms and have the Honor to be called a Gentleman: as Masters of Art, Batchelers of Divinity, Doctors of Divinity, Law and Physick, Rhetorick, Logique, Mathematick, Musick, Geometry, Astronomy and Astrology, also the Poets Histiographers and such like, being most necessary in Cities, and common Weales, and accounted off amoungst the Learned, and not excluded from the hope of Honor, therefore unto such must be due the Ensigns of Gentry, as the desert of their parts and callings shall require.
The fourthe is Gentilitas Adoptiva, a Gentility arising from Adoption: this is, when a Gentleman of Blood and Coat Armour, for some special affection which he beareth to one, neither allied to him by Blood, nor a Gentleman otherways, adopteth a Stranger to be his Son, and constituteth him to succeed; as well in his Estate of Gentry, as to his name, Coat of Arms, and Possessions. This is termed a Gentleman by Adoption.
There is another kind of Gentility of this Nature, called Nobilitas Feudalis, or Ratione Feudi: a Gentleman of Purchase, as having a Possession bought by himself being both large and fair: as if a Merchant, Artificer, Burgess or Farmer purchaseth a Signiory or Lordship from the King. By reason the owner died without Heir, or fell to him by an Attenture: this purchasing from the King, may also be confirmed by the Law of Arms, the Coat Armour of the Owner of the Lordship: which he may bear as his own to himself, and his Posterity.
For Mechanical Sciences, though their Professors in some respects be debarred the preheminence of Gentry, yet it will not be denied, but that some such notable and collateral Merits, and worthiness may appear in them that they shall duely obtain the name of Gentles, and have a Coat of Arms: of these Mechanick Trades (my Author Sir John Fern pag.70) will admit but of seven, which have the Title of Necessity, Honesty and Laudableness; which are first Agriculture, which is the Tillage, Culture, and Manurance of the Earth. This is Sowing of Corn and Seeds, Planting of Trees of all sorts: Grafting of Orchards, and making of Gardens: and Pasturing and Feeding of Cattle, which is all comprehended in the word Husbandry.
The second is Lanificium, the skill in Weaving and Making of Cloath, or any such like Matter, in which is comprehended all the Arts of Spinning, Weaving, Fulling, Dressing and Sowing.
The third is Architecture, or the skill in Building, Frameing and Erecting of Temples, Theaters, Pyramides, Castles, Forts, Bastilions, Pallaces, Houses, and all sorts of Edifices: which is divided into Cementurie, Masonrie, and Carpentary, the first working in Stone, or Brick; the latter in Wood.
The fourth is Mercatura, the Trade of Merchandizeing, or Buying and Selling; exchanging of Goods Forraign for Domestick: by which that Noble Art of Navigation hath been maintained, which did breed the two famous skills of Cosmography, and Geometry.
The fift Mechanick Art is Armatura, the skill of working in all sorts of Mettles: as the Forging of Weapons, Armour, and of other Instruments for Artists: which is comprehended under these two Heads; Malleatoria, the skill to work with Hammers, and Files: and the other Fusoria, which is casting Mettles into Molds.
The sixt is Ars Venatoria, the Art of Hunting, which is a Gentlemans Occupation in England, France and Germany: It is divided into three Arts, Ferina, the killing of wild Beast; Aucupiun, the killing of Fowl: and Piscatoria, the taking of Fish.
The seventh and last, is called Theatrca, the Art and skill of Plays practized in Theaters, or exposed to publick view: of which there are four sorts, as Ludus Gymnicus, the skill and activitie of Wrestling, Leaping, Running, Casting the Dart, &c. And Ludus Circensis, the Running of a Chariott, or Horse in a Ring swiftly; then Ludus Gladiatorius, the Art of Fencing, or skill to use any Weapon, either for the defence of our selves, or offence of our enemies: And lastly Ludus Torneamenti, the Game and Play of Turney and Barriers, a most warlike and Military Exercise.
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Chapter 3, Item 16b
Gentry honours and exemptions
Honours and Exemptions proper to Gentility.
The Lower Degrees of Nobility have less and fewer priviledges than those in other Monarchies, see Glo: of Generosity, pag. 77 etc: by which I mean Baronets, Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen.
If a Knight be under Age, bet he shall be out of Wardship, both for Lands, Body and Marriage.
A Knight is excused from attendance at Court Leets.
A Knight and his Eldest Son, not compellable to find pledges at the Visus Franchi Plegii
A Knight by Magna Charta, chap 21. ar so freed that no demesn Cart of theirs may be taken.
A Son or Brother of a Knight; by Statute Law is capacitated to hold more than one Benefice Ecclesiastical.
A Knight and his Son, though he cannot spend 10l. per annum, nor be worth 200l. may keep Greyhounds, Setting-Dogs and Nets to take Pheasants and Partriges. Stat. 1. Jac.
Anciently if an Ignoble Person did strike a Gentleman in England, he was to loose his hand.
A Gentleman may not be compelled to serve in Husbandry.
A Child of a Gentleman brought up to sing, can not be taken without the Parents consent to serve in the Kings Chappel, as others may.
An Horse of a Gentleman, may not be taken to ride Post.
A Gentleman having his Honor detracted by a Churle, his remedy is an Action of Trespass: but if one Gentleman shall detract from the Honor of another, then combate was engaged.
The Ungentle, is bound to yield obedience to a Gentleman in these things, to keep silence whilst a Gentleman speaks, to stand while he is in presence, to give him the right hand in going, and the chief Seat in sitting.
A Gentleman to Write his Name in any Instrument or Solemn Act, next after the Bishop, or Prelate.
If in Common Elections for Officers, Votes be equal, than them of the most Gentlemen shall prevail.
A Gentleman is Honored with the Attire of his Body, to whom it is lawful to bear Silk and Purple colour.
A Gentleman is Honored with a Title to his name, even as a Bishop and Doctor are not spoken too, but with this Title (most Reverend) so Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen, without an Addition of Sir, Worship, or Master.
It is the duty of the unnoble to Honor and Salute a Gentleman with the Gestures of his Body.
The word of a Gentleman is of as much Validity, as his deed, confirmed with Witnesses and Seal. The Laws presuming they had or ought to have a reverent regard to the preservation of their promise in all sincerity.
A Gentleman ought to be preferred to Offices before the unnoble.
The Testimony of two Gentlemen by oath before the Judge as Witnesses, is of more Credence than a multitude of ungentle Persons.
A Gentleman might erect Images, and Statues of their Ancestors and himself, which the Laws do mightily defend.
To deface the Arms of a Benefactor out of a publick work is punishable; but to wipe out the mark of a Merchant, or Artificer, is not.
The ungentle may not challenge a Gentleman to the Combate.
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Chapter 3, Item 16c
Gentry virtues
Vertues to be Imbraced by the Gentry.
All Gentlemen by the observing of nine Vertues, with the avoiding of nine Vices following will leave an Honorable Memory of his Gentle conversation to all Men: and these extend not only to the Simple Gentleman, but to each degree of Nobleness, even to the Soveraign: because they bear Coat Armours.
1. to be Meek, Dutiful, and Obedient to Gods Laws.
2. To be Free from Oaths, Swearing, and Blasphemies.
3. To be Fearful, or Dreading to offend the King, and his Commands.
4. To know thy self and thy original Birth, and so accordingly to behave thy self towards all Men.
These are the Soveraign Vertues, which tend chiefly to the rectifying of the Soul. These following are called the Amarous Vertues, because they win Love, and a good Report at all Mens hands: a matter worthy the observation of all that desire, to seek to be Gentlemen.
1. To be of a Cheerful, and Lixam Countenance.
2. To be Affable, and Tractable in his Language.
3. To be Wise and Discreet in his Answers.
4. To be Just, and Perfect in his Rule, and Government.
5. To be Careful to bear good Will and Affection to Faithfullness.
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Chapter 3, Item 16d
Gentry vices
Vices to be Eschewed by the Gentry.
Gentlemen are to fly from all Vices & Wickedness for that is a great Rebatement of his Honor, and Stains his Coat of Arms, making his Gentleness Ungentle and especially in these nine things.
1. To fly from his Severaigns Banner in the Field.
2 To Revoke or Forsake his own Challenge.
3. To Slay his Prisoner with his own Hands, when he humbly yieldeth himself.
4. To tell his Soveraign false Tails.
These are called Terminata, Vices Terminable, because they are determined by sharp Punishments according to the Law of Arms. These following are Indeterminable.
1. To be full of Lechery, giving his Body to Whoredom, and Uncleaness.
2. To be a Subject to Bacchus, a Riotous, Drunken, and Intemperate Person.
3. To be Slothful in the Warrs, or about the Kings Business.
4. To be a Boasters of Man-hood.
5. To be Cowardly in the Face of the Enemy.
Of these things concerning the Gentry, peruse Ferns Glory of Genrosity, pag.14 to 98. Chamberlains Present State, pag.280. Spelmans Glossary in Verbo, Generosus.
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Chapter 3, Item 17a
Yeomen and other commonalty
Under the Title of Yeoman, in Latin Villani, is comprehended the Husbandman, Country man, a Franklein, a Farmer, or any other sort of People, busie in Culture, or Tillage of the Earth.
The next to the lower Nobility, and first degree of the Commons or Plebeans, are the Freeholders; commonly called Yeomen: It is a name from the High Dutch (Gemen or Gemain) in English Common. In the Kings Court, it is an Officer set in a middle Station between a Serjeant and a Groom. And they are termed Freeholders, because they hold Lands and Tenements inheritable, by a perpetual right to them and their Heirs for ever. This Tenure is called a Fee-Tail.
Others Freeholders there are by Copy-hold, such are they who hold some Lands within a Manner or Lordship, only by Coppy of Court-roll of the said Mannor, &c. And have perpetual right, and Lords Utileg; though no absolute Freeholders or direct Lord of what he holdeth; seeing he holdeth by Sute and Service, Herriots, and Fines; some rateable, others certain, and some customarie. This is also called a Freehold by Law.
An other sort of Freehold is by Lease for Lives, or Lives Absolute: These are such Freeholders as are capable of giving Votes for Elections of Parliament Men; to serve upon Juries; to bear the Offices of Constable, and Church-Warden. This is called a Freehold by Deed, or for Life.
The next sort of commonlty is the Farmer, or Racker, or Dairy-Man, which are such as hold Lands and Livings, Farms and Demesnes, from the Lord thereof, upon the Rack, or half Rack, that is upon the Yearly value, or half value: having no certain term of holding, but from Year to Year: or from three to three Years, avoiding at the Land-lords pleasure at such expirations of times.
The next Tradesmen are reconned as of the commonalty of England, which are such as live by buying and selling, amongst whom Merchants of Foreign Traffick, have for their great benefit to the publick, and for their great endowments and Generous living, been of best repute in England, and have got great and vast Estates. But amongst Tradesmen there are Wholesale-Men, then Retailers, and lastly Mechanicks or Handy-crafts-men. These are all capable of bearing some sway, or office, in Cities and Towns Corporate. Yet notwithstanding, the Law of Arms hath forbidden these sorts of commoners, both from Honor, and the Ensigns of Nobility, till atchived by other mains, or offices, as is afore shewed.
The third sort of People Ungentle, and of the Commonalty also; are those which are called Nativi and Servi, Natives or home born People, yet Servants and Slaves to their Lords and Masters: in the English they are called Villains, such as live without Liberty and Freedom: Bondsmen, Apprentices: because during a certain time, they are bound to Service, for the attaining, and apprehending that Craft or Mistery, they are set unto: dureing which time they are little better in Quality and Condition then Servile Slaves, and Vassels.
The lowest Members, the Feet of the Body pollitick, are the Day-Labourers; who have no constant Master, but follow labouring from House to House, for Daily Wages: but of these see more numb.21.
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Chapter 3, Item 18a
Page
A Page, is in some Sense taken to be an Office of Servile Imploy and to follow business as in the Kings House, there are in several places Yeomen, Grooms, Pages, as in the Pantry, Cellar, Buttery, Pitcher House, or where they are to bear, and carry, and come and go at the Masters command. But Pages in the best acceptation, are young Youths of good Birth and Quality, which wait and attend upon Lords and Ladies, Kings and Princes, etc. none under the degree of a Lord having such a person, and by such a Title to attend him. Their Habit is trunk Breeches, answerable to the figgure of the Men before and after, numb 17, 19.
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Chapter 3, Item 18b
Footman
A Footman, is generally, for the ease of his speedy going, clothed in light thin cloaths, and all in white, as Doublet slashed or open, Breeches or Drawers and Stockings of the same, with thin soled Shooes called Pumps; these Men run by their Lords Coach, or Horses side, and are ready to wait on him, and fetch and bring on all occasions; and sometimes make and maintain Foot Races.
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Chapter 3, Item 18c
Querrie
A Querrie, is an Officer or Servant under the Master of the Horse to the King, and noe other; they are after the nature of Foot-men, whose Office is to attend the King in his Progress or Hunting, or on any occasion of Riding abroad, to help his Majesty up and down from his Horse, they generally go in the Kings Livery, and are 12 in number.
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Chapter 3, Item 18d
Lacky
A Lacky is the same for Office and imploy as the precedent, only he hath not as yet attained his Age; yet for Archness he exceeds, for it is seldom known but such Boys are as full of Roguery, as an Egg is full of Meat: While they are Boys or Youths, they are generally termed Lacky; but when they come to riper Years, then Foot-men
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Chapter 3, Item 20a
Waiting man
A Waiting Man, is such a person as goeth abroad with his Master or Mistriss as a Companion, Managing or taking her by the hand in all dangerous places, for fear of a slip or fall; the Waiting Man is a degree above a Servant or a Lacky, they following their Ladies and Mistresses, but he goeth before them.
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Chapter 3, Item 20b
Gentleman usher
A Gentleman Usher, is an Office belonging to him that attends, and waiteth on Persons of Quality, none under the degree of a Lady to have such a person as is termed a Gentleman Usher.
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Chapter 3, Item 20c
Servant
A Servant, is such an one as doth follow Manual Imploys, and do the Work of the House, and are under Wages for such Drudgery Work as belongs to Families; they are commonly Hired by the Year, at the end whereof they may be Free to go and do Service for another Master. It is accounted discourteous and unfriendly, to take another Mans Servant before he hath fairly parted with his Master; and indiscreet to take a Servant without Certificate of his diligence and faithfulness to his former Master.
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Chapter 3, Item 20d
Apprentice
A Servant, or an Apprentice, is a Servant for a certain space of time, as 5, 7, or 9 years, by Covenant, for the Exercise and Learning of Arts, Misteries, and Trades; these for that time carry the Mark of Villains and Bond Slaves, being subject to Correction for their Faults, by their Masters and Mistresses; and resistance in a Servant, is punished with a severe punishment; and to take away either of their Lives, is Petty Treason, and hath a peculiar Punishment.
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Chapter 3, Item 20e
Slave
A Slave, from Foreign parts, we have none since Christianity, and any brought into England, are upon Landing Ipso Facto, Free from Slavery, but not from Ordinary Service.
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