BOOK 3, CHAP. 15.
Section I. Let vs now in this chapter consider of such things as beare a representation, to the worth and dignity of learneing, and navigation; the first attained by bookes, the Later by shipping: now the seuerall parts and parcelles, also the same in the whole; as I find them borne in coate Armour, take in these few following examples.
Books and manuscripts Book III, Chapter 15, Section 1
The Instrument appropriated to Letters, for the Learned to make books, and note things, for future ages; were of diuerse kinds, according to the countreys, customs, and tymes, wherein used; as the examples will shew.
Poitrel
1. In this quarter are three things
usefull for writing and frameing of
Letters, a Poitrell, a pen Knife, and
an Inke horne, all which I shall in
particular desine vnto you.
First the Poitrell or Pointrell, is a
brasse Instrument formerly used to writ
withall on tables (before the Invention
of paper) for that end one end was
sharpe to make the letters, the other
end broad with an edge, to scrape what
was amise, out againe.
For the Auncients used first to writ on Beech boards, which they called tables, Luk, 1.63.; to which Solomon aludeth when he saith Write thy law on the table of my heart. Pro. 3. 3. and 7. 3.
Then after they made use of Broad leaves of trees, and then vpon the barks of trees, to be kept in perpetuall remembrance.
After that in Egypt was found a shrub called papirus, on which the Egyptians writ, in rome therof we use paper giueing it that name from the said shrub.
After that at the citty Pergamus, was found out the makeing of Vellum, and parchement, of the skins of calues and sheepe; which from the place, is in Latine called, pergamena.
Now last of all is used paper, which is made of linnen rags moulded into sheets, from thence into quires : from quires into Reames, and so from Reames into Bales which containeth ten Reames, yet it is called paper from the Egyptian shrub ; for as papyrus was the name of that broad rush, called paper, whereon they writ ; so papyrus is the Latine for that paper on which we now writ.
Pen knife
The Pen Knife is that with which
we make the pen, or writting Pen, by
which (with Inke) we writt or make
letters on paper, parchment or vellume.
It is a thing so well knowne amongst
all sorts of Persones that I need say
noe more of it. The haft hath a long
pointell at the end of it, to make and
slitt the nick in the neb on the pen.
Inkhorn
The Inkehorne, with its Stopple on
the top of it, as it was by all scriveners,
clerkes, and others used in former
dayes. But this fashion of Horne (for
they were all made of that) is now
converted into Lead, and hath the
denomination of a standish : or of tyn,
and soe haue both Inke place, sand
box, candle stick and a long box to
lay wax, pens, and Knife in : all fixt
togather, yet all but a standish : or
Inkehorne ; for the old name will still
be retained.
Feathered pen
2. He beareth a feathered pen in
cheife, and vnder it a sand box,
In the pen there is the nick or slip or
slit, called the neb; the end in which
the slit is, is called the cheeks; and
the shoulders is the highest cut.
The nilotick reed or quill was used
for a pen before the use of the Goose
quill.
Sand box
The sand box or dust box followeth
the pen, and secureth (by dusting the
writting) the strokes of the letters, that
they receiue noe blotts in the closeing
of it togather. For that end clerkes
haue it constantly supplyed with sand,
or fine dust of Oare.
Standish
3. He beareth a pan in a
standish, with a sockett or candle stick
fixed therevnto, haueing a candle in it.
Ink horn and penner
4. He beareth an Inke-horne
and penner.
These are the badges whereby not onely Novices, but practitioners of the pen were in former tymes knowne, haueing the same hung at their side, by a girdle, but now such clerks hide their skill, as if it were not used by them, till golden Angells appeare, to draw such kind of Learneing out of their pocketts.
Ink horn and penner
5. He beareth an Ink-horne
and penner: stringed; ....
Sealed letter
... in chiefe a letter foulded vp and
sealed. Borne by the name of
Ignorance, for in these symbols of
Learneing and Industry, what may else
be concluded but Art concealed: for
what is a greater enimy to science, then
Ignorance; and what is the cause
thereof, but letters sealed vp and the
pen imprisoned.
Open letter
[Additional image, not on plate]
Roll of paper
6. He beareth a Roll, or a
roll of paper or parchment.
Scroll
7. He beareth an Escrowle,
foulding or turneing.
Scroll
8. He beareth an Escrowle
double foulded or turned.
This represents an open roll, which by
reason of its foulding, is apt to run
togather, and retaine its crisps.
Writ
Image from proof plateIn the base of this long square, is a writt sealed vp, haueing two taggs or Labells.
Indenture
9. He beareth an old deed or
Indenture with a labell pendant,
and a wax fixed thereon sealed with a
rose. this is the cognisance of an
Antiquarie if he can well read the
same.
Deed
10 He beareth an old deed,
an Auncient Charter, or Chart, evidence,
or writting with three labells and seales.
Deed
11. He beareth a deed or
Charter fouled up, or turned togather
in forme of a letter, with a seale of
Armorie fixed vpon the label thereof, the
ends flying open.
Untranscribed item(s) Deeds and seals origins (Beginning of deed and seales)
Pocket ink horn
12. He beareth in this quarter two
sorts of writters Inke-hornes, and in
the sinister side, a parcell of old deeds
or evidences tyed vp togather, of which
we shall speak seuerally.
The first Inke-horne, is termed a pockett Inkhorne with a round belly, and the penner, or top screwed on it. This is onely for a private persons use, which is not much used to writting, but keepeth it about him, for occasion when it is offered. Herein is but little Inke, and but one pen, if it hold two, that is the most.
Long round inkhorn
The second Inke-horne is termed a
long round Inke-horne, some haue
onely a screw at each end, one for
Inke, the other to put in the pens:
for these penners will hold five or six
pens. Others haue the Inke and a sand
box, at one end: and a wafer box at
the other.
Bundle of writings
The third, is a Bundle of writting
tyed about the midle haueing the seales
and labells pendant togather. Thus
many Antiquerys tye and Bundle
auncient deeds and evidences togather,
which concerne one and the same
towneship, or of one and the same
rights, and privileges, Homage and
service. &c.
Related text(s) Standing inkhorn Ancient terms in deeds
Bible
13. He beareth a Bible, or
Booke, or a Bible clasped.
If books be borne in Armes open, they are termed expansed; if shut, clasped: saith Mr Morgan. lib. 1. fo. 17. the one Implying Manifestation, the other Counsell: but both secret and divine. Dan. 12. 4. 9.
Bible
14. He beareth a Bible.
Related text(s) Book size Book shape Book types manuscript Book types printed Book parts outward
Untranscribed item(s) Book parts inward (Inward )
Book
15. He beareth a booke.
Books
Image from proof plate16. He beareth a pile of Bookes.
Books on a shelf
Image from proof plate17. He beareth on a shilfe, or shilve extended supported with two Braggotts two folio bookes betweene six other decreasing lesser bookes.
Ledger book
18. He beareth an old Leger
booke, with turned vp leaues and a
swayed or bent back. A Leger
booke is such as was formerly kept in
Monasteries, abbies, frieries and such
like place wherein was written or coppyed from the originalls, all the deeds,
gifts, grants and what else was in any
wise belonging to the said place.
Reading desk
In the next place, in this quarter is
on a reading deske, a Booke expansed, or
opened.
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