First given to (or rather assumed by) King James I.[178]--GRACE was
the old Title.--MAJESTY succeeded to it at the latter end of the
Reign of Henry VIII.[179]
[178] Mortimer's Dictionary, in voce _Sacred_.
[179] Mortimer's Dictionary.
HIS CATHOLIC MAJESTY.
(SPAIN.)
About the year 1493, Pope Alexander VI. gave to Ferdinand, King of
Spain, the Title of _Catholick King_, in memory and acknowledgment
of the many Victories he had obtained over the Moors[180].
[180] Platina.
ON THE
VIRTUES
OF
The Royal Touch.
KINGS OF ENGLAND.
As the following subject, which has exercised the faith and
incredulity of mankind for so many ages, comes before me in the
light of a religious ceremonial, I shall not attempt to defend or
depreciate the validity of this gift; though it may be necessary to
observe some circumstances as they occur, which may point different
ways. Well-attested instances of the effect of this power of healing
may be produced; though other examples are too ludicrous and futile
to attract serious attention. We may, however, in these enlightened
and unsuperstitious times, speak freely on a subject, which for
many years, I may say centuries, absorbed the faith of whole
Nations; _viz._ the Cure of the King's Evil by the Royal Touch. As
Mr. Addison, in the quality of The Spectator, professed a modest
veneration for a couple of sticks, if concealed under petticoats;
so am I loyally and religiously induced to "honour the King," as a
part of our excellent Constitution: but why Kings should have in
themselves a preternatural gift above other men, by healing the most
stubborn of all diseases, exceeds my comprehension. Every body is,
at this time, I dare believe, of the same opinion; and this foolish
affectation of a divine inherent power has wisely been laid aside,
ever since the accession of the House of Hanover.
If Kings really possessed such an uncommon, such a wonderful gift,
why has it been taken away? The same legal rights remain in the
Royal Person now that have adhered to it for ages--while this
Divine Prerogative has fallen away; or rather let us say, that the
incredulity of the world has increased.
The cases brought forward by the advocates for this Gift are
exceedingly strong and well attested; but yet there is something
so palpably absurd in the mere supposition, that the evidence,
when brought forward, will be found to destroy itself on a
cross-examination.
As to the subject, and all its wonderful consequences, I have just
as much faith as I have in the two following circumstances:
Lord Bolingbroke tells us, from Bodin, Amyot, and other writers,
that Ferdinand King of Spain, and Alphonsus King of Naples,
were cured of desperate distempers by reading Livy and Quintus
Curtius[181]. Again, there was such astonishing virtue in Quintus
Curtius, that we are further told, Alphonsus IX. King of Spain[182]
was healed by reading his works, after having in vain read the Bible
throughout fourteen times[183]. _Credat qui vult._ And yet I
could as soon subscribe to these, as to the cures performed by the
Royal Touch.
[181] Bolingbroke, on the Study of History, p. 22.
[182] Obiit 1214. Query if not the same as Alphonsus above?
[183] Warton's History of English Poetry, p. 133.
Anciently there was great reputed sanative virtue in a seventh
son; and he was looked upon as a heaven-born Doctor, and those
his medical abilities were reverenced for that reason only by the
common people. So far the Doctor would be safe, and might kill with
impunity; but it was a crime to heal.
Thus I have a case before me in the Reign of King Charles I. where
a poor unfortunate man, who was the seventh son of a seventh
son, and never killed any body (for he was a gardener, and not a
physician), was severely treated, because he pretended to have in
him the faculty of healing several disorders, and especially the
King's Evil, by the Touch or stroking of his hand. This man was
imprudent enough to depreciate the Royal Touch; otherwise, at that
time, he might have obtained a comfortable subsistence from his
credulous patients; but that unfortunate intrenchment on the Royal
Prerogative drew down upon him the double vengeance of the Court of
Star-Chamber, and of the College of Physicians; which last, in the
most courtly manner, denounced him to be an impostor[184]. _Delenda
est Carthago._ It was highly necessary for the reputation of the
Royal pretensions that this man should be proscribed.
[184] See the story at large in Granger, from Dr. Charles Goodall's
Works.
The next person who appears to have usurped this Gift was Mr.
Valentine Greatrackes, a gentleman of Ireland, who first practised
his art of healing by the Touch in his own country; and afterwards
came into England, where, at first, he obtained great reputation,
which fell off by degrees, so that there was no occasion for any
violent measures to prevent his intrenching on the Royal Prerogative.
This gentleman wrote an account of his several cures, in a Letter to
the Honourable Robert Boyle, which was printed in 1668. Whether Mr.
Boyle was a believer I know not; but it was at a time when the King
practised, so that he might think it prudent to conceal his real
sentiments.
How far imagination will operate in such cases, as the old women,
even of this age, contend it does in Agues, is a question not for me
to discuss; but it tempts me to transcribe the following story, as
given by Mr. Granger, vol. IV. p. 32.
"I was myself a witness of the powerful workings of imagination in
the populace, when the waters of Glastonbury were at the height of
their reputation. The virtues of the spring there were supposed to
be supernatural, and to have been discovered by a revelation made in
a dream to one Matthew Chancellor. The people did not only expect
to be cured of such distempers as were in their nature incurable,
but even to recover their lost eyes, and their mutilated limbs.
The following story, which scarce exceeds what I observed upon the
spot, was told me by a gentleman of character. 'An old woman in the
workhouse at Yeovil, who had long been a cripple, and made use of
crutches, was strongly inclined to drink of the Glastonbury waters,
which she was assured would cure her of her lameness. The master of
the workhouse procured her several bottles of water, which had such
an effect, that she soon laid aside one crutch, and not long after,
the other. This was extolled, as a miraculous cure. But the man
protested to his friends, that he had imposed upon her, and fetched
the water from an ordinary spring.' I need not inform the Reader,
that when the force of imagination had spent itself, she relapsed
into her former infirmity."
FRENCH KINGS.
Whether the French Kings possessed this Gift in a greater or less
degree than our own, I cannot decide; but in point of antiquity, by
the accounts of their Historians, they exceed us by many centuries.
The advocates for the priority of the Kings of England in this
wonderful Gift, tell you, that the French, seeing it with a jealous
eye, invented a tale, and carried their claim up to Clovis, the
first of that name in France, and their first Christian King, who
acceded to the Throne A. D. 481; whereas we do not pretend to go
higher than Edward the Confessor, who died in 1066.
In reward for Clovis's faith and conversion, this Gift was bestowed
upon him at his baptism, A. D. 496; and which he accordingly
exercised immediately on one of his favourites[185].
[185] See Mezeray. The name of this person was Lancinet.
How it was first discovered to be inherent in the French King we are
not told; though we are assured as to our own, that the knowledge of
such power in King Edward was discovered, like many other similar
wonders, from a dream.
The usual date of the introduction of this miraculous Gift
into France is fixed in the Reign of St. Louis [_i. e._ IX], a
contemporary with our Henry III. about 160 years after the death of
the Confessor[186].
[186] Browne's "Adenochoiradelogia," 1684. See hereafter, under
Charles II.
Unfortunately for the French Kings, there is a story extant, which
overthrows their healing power, in a palpable instance which
happened to Louis XI. who having had an apoplexy, sent for a famous
man to cure him, by name Francis of Poul. Francis, unhappily, had
the Evil; but, alas! the Saint could not cure the King; and, what
was worse, the King could not cure the Saint[187].
[187] Davies, ii. 181.
On the other hand, as the French Kings possessed the faculty sooner
than our Kings, so did it last longer; for King George I. had the
good sense not to pretend to it; whereas the French Kings kept
up the farce at least till 1775, though with some address in the
words spoken by the King; _viz._ "The King touches you, and may
God heal you!" ["Le Roy te touche, Dieu te guerisse."] So that, in
case the Touch fails, it is known where the blame is to lie; which
is to be attributed to the anger of God, or the want of faith in
the party[188]. The French Kings gave alms on the occasion; but
I find no mention of particular pieces, as was the custom with
us. I do not find that the French Kings ever touched, except upon
Coronations; though it was a repeated, if not an annual ceremony
with us, performed daily for a certain season[189], attended with a
Form of Prayer, compiled for the purpose, which I shall hereafter
preserve at length in the Appendix, together with the Ceremonial,
after having given such accounts of the Practice itself, under the
respective Kings, as are recorded by Writers on the subject.
[188] Louis XVI. of France went through this ceremony, as appears
from the Formule of his Coronation, published at the time, A. D.
1775. Louis XV. touched no less than 2000 persons, and Louis XIV.
upwards of 2500.
Gemelli(the famous Traveller) gives an account of 1600 persons being
presented for this purpose to Louis XIV. on Easter Sunday 1686.
Every Frenchman received 15 sous, and every Foreigner 30.
In "De mirabili Strumas Sanandi vi solis Galliæ Regibus
Christianissimis Divinitus concessa. Authore Andreâ Laurentio, Regis
Consiliario et Medico Primario, 1609," is a very curious Print,
representing King Henry IV. touching for the Evil; in which are
introduced many Patients and Officers of the Court.
The French confined their expression to the word _Touch_, though we
use the term _Heal_.
[189] See Browne.
EDWARD THE CONFESSOR[190].
To begin in order of time, I shall give you the narrative in Mr.
Stowe's words, from the Latin account by Alfred, Abbot of Rivaulx.
Thus then it is:
"A young woman, married, but without children, had a disease about
her jawes, and under her cheeke, like unto kernels, which they
termed akornes, and this disease so corrupted her face with stench,
that shee coulde scarce without great shame speake to any man. This
woman was admonished in her sleepe, to go to King Edwarde, and get
him to washe her face with water, and shee shoulde bee whole. To
the Court shee came; and the King hearing of this matter, disdained
not to doe it; having a bason of water brought unto him, hee dipped
his hand therein, and washed the womannes face, and touched the
diseased place; and this hee did oftentimes, sometimes also signing
it with the signe of the Crosse, which after hee hadde thus washed
it, the hard crust or skinne was softened and dissolved; and drawing
his hand by divers of the holes, out of the kernels came little
wormes, whereof they were full with corrupt matter and blood, the
King still pressed it with his handes to bring forth the corruption,
and disdained not to suffer the stench of the disease, untill hee
hadde brought forth all the corruption with pressing: this done,
hee commanded her a sufficient allowance every day for all thinges
necessary, untill she hadd received perfect health, which was within
a weeke after; and whereas shee was ever beefore barren, within one
yeere shee had a childe by her husband. And although this thing
seeme strange, yet the Normans sayde that hee often did the like in
his youth, when he was in Normandy[191]."
[190] Dr. Plot, in his Natural History of Oxfordshire, c. 10, § 125,
Plate 16, No. 5, gives a Drawing of the Touch-piece, supposed to
have been given by Edward the Confessor. The ribbon, he says, was
white.
[191] Stowe's Annals, p. 98.
It does not appear that the King knew of this Gift before; but he
continued to use it ever after, and his successors followed him in
the practice.
But this is not all: for Stowe affords us but one instance of the
cure of a blind man by King Edward; whereas the Abbot's account[192]
extends to six men totally blind, besides another who had lost one
of his eyes; all of whom were restored to perfect sight by the
King[193].
[192] See the "Decem Scriptores."
[193] Mr. Browne likewise believes that several blind persons were
restored to sight by King Charles II.
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
Had business enough upon his hands to employ his time, without
thinking of such a matter as this; but however, that he might, in
quieter times, enjoy this Kingly attribute (though only a Bastard
Son of a Territorial Duke), Voltaire tells us, that some dependants
endeavoured to persuade the world, that this Gift was bestowed upon
him from Heaven[194]. Whether he ever exercised it does not appear.
Nothing but a special bounty of Heaven could convey to him this
privilege; and such interference was necessary; for it was anciently
held not to be inherent in any but lawful Kings, and not to extend
to Usurpers; so that it must have slept during all the wars between
the Houses of York and Lancaster, till resumed by Henry VII. as will
be mentioned in its place.
EDWARD III.
Mr. Joshua Barnes, the most copious Historiographer of this Reign,
does not positively say that King Edward exercised this Gift,
presuming only that he had a double right to it, as Heir to both the
Realms of England and of France; and, consequently, more eminently
endowed than Philip of Valois, the then French King[195]. The
French, no doubt, would deny it to him, as an usurping claimant of
their Crown; though they could not refuse his right, as derived to
him as a legal King of England.
[194] See Davies, ii. 180.
[195] Barnes's History, b. ii. ch. 7. sect. 5.
HENRY VI.
I have already conceived the Gift of healing by the Touch to have
been, as it were, in abeyance during the Civil Wars between the
Houses of York and Lancaster; and therefore have found no historical
record of Cures performed by this _Saint-like_ King, who had such
ample religious claims. I have called him Saint-like, because he
never was canonized, though it was attempted and refused by the Pope
in the Reign of Henry VII. for reasons to be seen in Fuller's Church
History of Britain[196].
[196] Book iv. p. 154.
Two reasons against the canonization are suggested by different
Writers:--1. That the then Pope thought King Henry VI. too simple
to be sainted:--2. That the contingent expence amounted to more than
King Henry VII. was willing to defray, being not less than 1500
ducats of gold, a large sum at that time of day[197].
[197] Id. in eod.
But, however, although King Henry VI. performed no Cures in his
life-time, yet was a man miraculously saved from death at the
gallows by the appearance of the King, 40 years after his demise (in
the 10th year of Henry VII.), by which intervention the halter had
no effect; for the convict was found alive, after having hung the
usual hour, and went speedily (as in duty bound) to return thanks
at the King's Tomb at Chertsey, for such a wonderful deliverance.
The Story states, that the man was really innocent, though, from
circumstantial evidence, presumed to have been guilty; otherwise the
Ghost of so pious and merciful a King had doubtless never appeared
to him and interposed.
HENRY VII.
It is evident, from various concurrent circumstances, that this King
touched for the Evil, as the Religious Ceremonial used upon those
occasions, such as Prayers, Benedictions, Suffrages, &c. during
his Reign, are to be found not only in MS. in the British Museum,
but were afterwards printed by order of King James II. A. D. 1686;
both in Latin. Another proof arises from charges made for pieces of
money delivered for this purpose in that Reign; for, in the 18th
year of Henry VII. we find a disbursement of 20 shillings, made by
John Heron, "for heling 3 seke folks;" and again, "13_s._ 4_d._
for heling 2 seke folks." From these sums it is evident, that the
Touch-pieces given were Nobles, or 6_s._ 8_d._ in value[198]. The
accounts of this John Heron are preserved, together with those of
divers others, in the office of the Remembrancer of the Exchequer.
The fact is further established from the testimony of Polydore
Vergil, who wrote his History at the command of King Henry VII.
(though it was not made public till the following Reign); wherein
the Writer, after going a little into the origin of this Gift,
adds, that the Kings of England, even in his time, healed persons
afflicted with this disease ["Nam Reges Angliæ _etiam nunc_ Tactu
strumosos sanant."] He further subjoins, that the exercise of it was
attended with hymns, and other devout cæremonies; meaning, no doubt,
those above-mentioned: ["quibusdam hymnis non sine ceremoniis prius
recitatis[199]."] From looking over the Ceremonial, I conceive that
by hymns, Polydore Vergil means the Gospel, which at that time was
_sung_, or the suffrages, which might be chanted.
[198] In the Ceremonial, the King crossed the Sore of the Sick
Person, with an _Angel-Noble_.
[199] Polydore Vergil, p. 143. Basil edit 1546.
Fabian Philips, in his Treatise on Purveyance, p. 257, asserts,
"that the Angels issued by the Kings of England on these occasions,
amounted to a charge of three thousand pounds _per annum_."]
I shall give a transcript of the service appropriated to this
occasion in the Appendix, (No. I.) as the printed copies are very
scarce.
I cannot dismiss this Reign without observing that the learned
Editor of the Northumberland Household Book[200] is hereby proved to
have been very inattentive, when he says that "this miraculous Gift
was left to be claimed by the _Stuarts_; our ancient _Plantagenets_
were humbly content to cure the _Cramp_[201]."
[200] The late truly venerable Bishop Percy.
[201] Notes to p. 334.--This Ceremony of consecrating the
_Cramp-Rings_ will be added to this account of the King's Evil. See
Appendix, No. III.
What part the _Plantagenets_ took in this business, for want of
information, must be left doubtful; but ample proof has been
offered, that the _Tudors_ possessed the Gift of Healing.
EDWARD VI.
The King now before us, though he kept a journal of all material
occurrences, does not, however, once hint that he touched for the
Evil, as probably his natural piety would have led him to have
done, had it ever taken place; but, if there be any truth in the
immediate prevalence of prayer on the ears of Heaven, an instance is
recorded wherein the King obtained his request, in a more notable
instance than any cure he might have performed by the operation
of his Touch. Sir John Cheke, his Tutor for the Greek language,
lay very dangerously ill, to the great disquiet and concern of the
King, who, after frequent and daily inquiries, learned from the
Physicians at last that there was not the least hope of life. "No,"
said the King, "he will not die now; for this morning I begged his
life from God in my prayers, and obtained it." This accordingly came
to pass; and Sir John recovered speedily, contrary to all medical
expectations. The truth was ascertained by an ear-witness, the Earl
of Huntingdon, who related it to the grandson of Sir John Cheke
(Sir Thomas Cheke, of Pirgo, Essex), by whom it was mentioned to my
Author[202].
[202] Fuller's Church History of Britain, book vii. p. 425.
"Nec Deus intersit nisi dignus vindice Nodus;"
and, if ever necessary, it was on this occasion; though the King
lived but one year afterwards; and Cheke survived, to disgrace the
Protestant Religion by his revolt.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
That the Queen touched, is acknowledged; but it is as evident that
she had no high opinion of the efficacy of such operation; for she
once threw out an expression tending much to disparage the validity
of it. Being on a Progress in Gloucestershire, her Majesty was
so pestered with applications from diseased people, who pressed
about her person in hopes of obtaining the Royal Touch, that she
unguardedly, and in an ill-humour, exclaimed, "Alas, poor people,
_I_ cannot, _I_ cannot cure you; it is God alone who can do it."
This was interpreted by some, as a renunciation of the Gift; but,
nevertheless, the Queen afterwards admitted a general resort
to her for the purpose of being touched, and one in particular
was healed[203]. On this, or some other occasion, a rigid Papist
was under a necessity of applying for the Queen's Touch, after
having tried every other means in vain; and was, says my Author,
perfectly healed. This happening soon after the Pope had denounced
the sentence of Excommunication against her Majesty, raised the
reputation of this Gift in the Royal Line of England; seeing that
the Pope had no power to divest the Queen of it[204].
[203] Browne, book iii. p. 124.
[204] Browne in eod.; and Tooker's "Charisma," ch. 6.
The Queen, at another time, A. D. 1575, being on a Progress in
Warwickshire, where she was entertained by the Earl of Leicester at
Kenilworth Castle, during her abode there, "touched nine for the
King's Evil[205]."
[205] Strype's Annals, iv. p. 394.
JAMES I.
It does not appear that the Kings of Scotland ever pretended to this
Gift; but when their James VI. came to the Throne of England, the
virtue appeared in him; and he exercised it, as is evident from a
passage in Macbeth[206], and still more strongly from Proclamations
in this Reign, still extant[207].
[206] Davies, ii. 179.
[207] By a Proclamation, March 25, 1616, it appears that the Kings
of England would not permit patients to approach them during the
summer.
Being lineally descended from Henry the Seventh's Daughter,
Margaret, this King had the same title to the Gift as Henry himself,
who, as has been seen, used it, though descended from a line of
Usurpers.
CHARLES I.
So pious a King, and so jealous of every prerogatory right,
divine and human, could not fail to exercise this preternatural
endowment[208]; and accordingly we find him regulating the manner
and time that persons shall be admitted to the Royal Touch, by
divers Proclamations[209]. One is dated soon after his Accession,
in 1621[210]; another in 1626; and a third in 1628[211]. He cured by
his words only[212].
[208] The following interesting remarks on this subject were
communicated to Mr. Nichols, in 1781, by the learned and very
ingenious Dr. Aikin. "Though the superstitious notions respecting
the cure of the King's Evil by the Touch of our English Kings are
probably at present entirely eradicated, it is still a curious and
not uninstructive object of enquiry, by what means they were so
long supported, and by what kind of evidence they have been able to
gain credit even in the dawning of a more enlightened period. The
testimony of Richard Wiseman, Serjeant-Surgeon to King Charles I.
has been alleged as one of the strongest and most unexceptionable
in favour of the Touch. He was a man of the greatest eminence
in his profession; and his Works (collected in a folio volume,
intituled, "Several Chirurgical Treatises, by Richard Wiseman,
Serjeant-Chirurgeon, 1676") bear all the marks of an honest and
upright disposition in their author. On the subject of the Royal
Touch he delivers himself in the following strong and unequivocal
terms: 'I myself have been a frequent eye-witness of many hundreds
of cures performed by his Majesty's Touch alone, without any
assistance of Chirurgery; and those many of them such as had tired
out the endeavours of able Chirurgeons before they came thither.
It were endless to recite what I myself have seen, and what I have
received acknowledgments of by letter, not only from the several
parts of the Nation, but also from Ireland, Scotland, Jersey, and
Guernsey.' The question which will naturally arise upon this passage
is, Did Wiseman really believe what he asserted, or was he knowingly
promoting an imposture? Both suppositions have their difficulties;
yet both are in some degree probable. His warm attachment to the
Royal Family, and early prejudices, might in some measure make his
faith preponderate against his judgment; and, on the other hand,
certain passages in his treatise necessarily shew a consciousness
of collusion and fraudulent pretensions. It was his business, as
Serjeant-surgeon, to select such afflicted objects as were proper
to be presented for the Royal Touch. In the history of the disease,
relating its various states and appearances, he says, 'Those which
we present to his Majesty are chiefly such as have this kind of
tumour about the _musculus mastoideus_, or neck, with whatever
other circumstances they are accompanied; nor are we difficult in
admitting the thick-chapped upper lips, and eyes affected with a
_lippitudo;_ in other cases we give our judgment more warily.'
Here is a selection of the slightest cases, and a manifest doubt
expressed concerning the success in more inveterate ones. A little
below, observing that the _strumæ_ will often be suppurated, or
resolved unexpectedly from accidental ferments, he says, 'In case
of the King's Touch, the resolution doth often happen where our
endeavours have signified nothing; yea, the very _gummata;_ insomuch
that I am cautious of predicting concerning them (though they appear
never so bad) till 14 days be over.' From this we learn, that the
Touch was by no means infallible, and that the pretence of its
succeeding was not given up till a fortnight had passed without
any change for the better. Indeed it appears very plain, that the
worst kind of cases were seldom or never offered the Touch; for in
no disease does Wiseman produce more observations from his practice
of difficult and dangerous chirurgical treatment, and in not one
of these did he call in the assistance of the Royal Hand. It was
indeed proposed in a single instance, but under such circumstances
as furnish a stronger proof of imposture than any thing hitherto
related. A young gentlewoman had an obstinate scrophulous tumour
in the right side of the neck, under the maxilla. Wiseman applied
a large caustic to it, brought it to suppuration, treated it with
escharotics, and cured it. 'About a year after,' he says, 'I saw her
again in town, and felt a small gland, of the bigness of a lupin,
lying lower on that side of the neck. I would have persuaded her
to admit of a resolvent emplaster, and to be touched; but she did
not, as she said, believe it to be the King's Evil.' Here, after
allowing his patient to undergo a course of very severe surgery, he
is willing to trust the relics of the disease to the Royal Touch,
assisted by a resolving plaster; but the complaint was now too
trifling to engage her attention. Surely the greatest opponent of
the Touch will not place it in a more contemptible light!"
[209] By a Proclamation, June 18, 1626, it is ordered, that no one
shall apply for this purpose, who does not bring a certificate that
he was never touched before; a regulation which undoubtedly arose
from some supposed patients, who had attempted to receive the bit of
gold more than once.
[210] Rymer, tom, xviii. p. 118.
[211] Id. p. 1023.
[212] Browne, book iii. p. 135.
One would naturally be surprized to read of such numbers who
received the Royal Touch in the 17th century, when the disease is
now so nearly worn out; but Mr. Browne tells us it raged remarkably
at the period when he lived.
As to the giving of a piece of Gold, Mr. Browne says, "it only shews
his Majestie's Royal well-wishes towards the recovery of those
who come thus to be healed." In other parts of his book, however,
he tells us that "some, losing their Gold[213], their diseases
have seized them afresh; when, upon obtaining a second Touch, and
new Gold, their diseases have been seen to vanish." Again, as to
the virtue contained in the Gold, he relates a story of a father
and a son, who both were afflicted with the Evil, for which the
former was touched, and received a piece of Gold; but the latter
never was touched, and had no Gold; upon which the son borrows
the father's Gold, and received great relief from it. During this
interval the father grew worse, received back his Gold, and, after
wearing it a little time, became better; and this practice was
pursued for several years. Mr. Browne likewise gives other examples
of the operation of the Gold, on, persons who had never received
the Touch.--Though we have called it Gold, which, in itself, was
anciently reckoned to have a sanative quality in itself, yet Silver
would do as well; for Mr. Browne does not deny but that a Silver
two-pence has effectually done the business. The case was, that the
King (Charles I.), who was the Operator, was then a Prisoner at
Hampton Court, and perhaps had no Gold to spare; and therefore, in
several instances, he used Silver, with which many were known to
have been cured:--but, after all, by way of salvo, Mr. Browne adds,
that such as failed of their cure--_wanted Faith_. From another
passage in Mr. Browne's preface, one would be tempted to think that
the virtue neither consisted in the Gold or the Silver, but in the
Ribbon to which it was pendent; for he assures those who contended
that a _second_ piece of _Gold_ was necessary on a _second_ Touch,
that the same Gold, newly strung upon a White Ribbon, would work as
effectually as a fresh piece of Gold. Some, he tells us, have been
cured with the Touch only, without Gold or Silver.
[213] Sir Kenelm Digby informed Mons. Monconys, that if the person
had lost the piece of gold, the complaint immediately returned.
Among other salvos in case of failure of the Touch, added to the
want of faith, is, that the disease was mistaken in many instances;
and that the Patients did not labour under the Struma, or Evil, but
some other similar disorder, over which the Royal Hand had no divine
influence.
There was such sympathy between the Royal Hand and the part touched,
that Mr. Browne seems to believe a case that had been sent to him,
of a woman, at a distance from London, who had formerly been cured
by King Charles I. and whose sores broke out afresh upon the day of
the King's death, though she was so ignorant of the world as not to
know that it was to take place. But she soon recovered her health.
The effect of this Divine Emanation has been said even to extend
beyond the life of this unfortunate Monarch; for part of the blood
of this King being preserved on a piece of linen dipped therein, was
found to have the same effect as the Touch, or his Prayers, when he
was living[214].
[214] Browne, book iii. p. 109.
A wen is said to be cured by the hand of a dead man while hanging on
the gallows. This is still a superstitious notion among the common
people at this day; and a child's cawl is a preservative against
drowning in the notions of sailors (who are extremely credulous in
general): one often sees them advertised for sale; and, if bought at
all, they find a vent, no doubt, at Wapping.
A wedding ring of gold, rubbed on a stye upon the eyelid, used to
be esteemed a sovereign remedy; but, if I mistake not, it must be
applied nine times.
CHARLES II.
In January 1683, the following Proclamation was ordered to be
published in every Parish in the Kingdom[215].
[215] One of these is still preserved in a frame in the Vestry of
St. Martin's Church at Leicester, placed there by the Rev. Samuel
Carte, Vicar of that Parish, and brother of Mr. Thomas Carte the
Historian.
"At the Court at Whitehall, 9th of January 1683. Present, the
King's Most Excellent Majesty; Lord Keeper, Lord Privy Seal,
Duke of Ormond, Duke of Beaufort, Earl of Oxford, Earl of
Huntingdon, Earl of Bridgewater, Earl of Peterborow, Earl of
Chesterfield, Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Bathe, Earl of Craven,
Earl of Nottingham, Earl of Rochester, Lord Bishop of London,
Mr. Secretary Jenkins, Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy, Lord Chief
Justice Jeffryes, Mr. Godolphin. Whereas, by the grace and
blessing of God, the Kings and Queens of this Realm, by many
ages past, have had the happiness, by their sacred Touch, and
invocation of the name of God, to cure those who are afflicted
with the disease called the King's Evil; and his Majesty, in
no less measure than any of his Royal Predecessors, having
had good success therein; and, in his most gracious and pious
disposition, being as ready and willing as any King or Queen
of this Realm ever was, in any thing to relieve the distresses
and necessities of his good subjects; yet, in his princely
wisdom, foreseeing that in this (as in all other things) order
is to be observed, and fit times are necessary to be appointed
for the performing of this great work of charity, his Majesty
was therefore this day pleased to declare in Council his Royal
will and pleasure to be, That (in regard heretofore the usual
times of presenting such persons for this purpose have been
prefixed by his Royal Predecessors) the times of public healings
shall from henceforth be from the Feast of All-Saints, commonly
called Alhallow-tide, till a week before Christmas; and after
Christmas, until the first day of March, and then to cease
till the Passion-week, being times most convenient, both for
the temperature of the season, and in respect of contagion,
which may happen in this near access to his Majesty's sacred
Person. And when his Majesty shall at any time think fit to go
any progress, he will be pleased to appoint such other times
for healing as shall be most convenient. And his Majesty doth
hereby accordingly order and command, that, from the time of
publishing this his Majesty's order, none presume to repair to
his Majesty's Court to be healed of the said disease, but only
at or within the times for that purpose hereby appointed as
aforesaid. And his Majesty was farther pleased to order, that
all such as shall hereafter come or repair to the Court for
this purpose, shall bring with them certificates, under the
hands and seals of the parson, vicar, or minister, and of both
or one of the churchwardens of the respective parishes where
they dwell, and from whence they come, testifying, according to
the truth, that they have not, at any time before, been touched
by his Majesty, to the intent to be healed of their disease.
And all ministers and churchwardens are hereby required to be
very careful to examine into the truth before they give such
certificates; and also to keep a register of all certificates
they shall from time to time give. And, to the end that all his
Majesty's loving subjects may the better take knowledge of this
his Majesty's command, his Majesty was pleased to direct, that
this Order be read publicly in all parish-churches, and then be
affixed to some conspicuous place there; and for that end the
same be printed, and a convenient number of copies sent to the
Most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury,
and the Lord Archbishop of York, who are to take care that
the same be delivered to all parishes within their respective
provinces.
LOYD.
"London, printed by the Assigns of John Bill, deceased, and by
Henry Hills, Printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty."
A regular Notice to the same effect was published by authority in
the London Gazette.
In 1684, John Browne, Sworn Chirurgeon in Ordinary to the King's
Most Excellent Majesty, published a work, not now easily to be
met with, except in the Libraries of the curious; and perhaps,
for its general subjects, exploded at this day, as the fashion
of physick has much altered, as well as many new and important
discoveries been made, since it was written. It is in three Books.
The Titles to the three Books are--1. "_Adenochoiradelogia_; or,
an Anatomick-Chyrurgical Treatise of Glandules and Strumaes, or
King's Evil Swellings. Together with the Royal Gift of Healing or
Cure thereof, by contact or imposition of Hands, performed for above
640 years by our Kings of England, continued with their admirable
Effects and miraculous Events; and concluded with many wonderful
Examples of Cures by their Sacred Touch; all which are succinctly
described by John Browne, one of His Majesty's Chyrurgeons in
Ordinary, and Chyrurgeon of his Majesty's Hospital; published
with His Majesty's Royal Approbation: Together with the Testimony
of many eminent Doctors and Chyrurgeons. Sold by Samuel Lowndes,
over-against Exeter Change in the Strand." 2. "_Chæradelogia_; or
an Exact Discourse of Strumaes, or King's Evil Swellings; wherein
are discovered their Names and Natures, Differences, Causes, Signs,
Presages, and Cure, in that modest and plain Dress, that the meanest
capacity may hereby find out the Disease." 3. _Charisma Basilicon_;
or, the Royal Gift of Healing Strumaes, or King's Evil, Swellings,
by Contact or Imposition of the Sacred Hands of our Kings of
England and of France, given them at their Inaugurations. Shewing
the Gift itself, and its continued Use, declaring all Persons Healed
thereby, without any respect either to their Age, Sex, Temper,
or Constitution; with the Manner, Form, and Ceremonies thereof;
and divers general Rules for the meanest capacity to find out the
Disease. The best expedient to prevent poor People from unnecessary
Journeys. The whole concluded with above Sixty admirable Cures,
performed with and without Gold, by His Majesty's Benediction;
by His Late Majesty's precious Blood; and the like." Prefixed to
the work is a portrait of Browne, engraved by R. White, inscribed
"Johannes Browne, Regis Britannici necnon Nosocomii sui Chirurgus
Ordinarius;" and a curious frontispiece, also engraved by White,
entitled "The Royal Gift of Healing," representing Charles II.
seated on his Throne, surrounded by his Court, touching for the
King's Evil.
This ceremony seems to have been in high vogue during this reign.
"The King gives freely," says Mr. Browne, "not calling the Angels
to witness, nor sinking so low as others do, to perform the
same by Black Art or Inchantment. He does it with a pure heart,
in the presence of the Almighty, who knows all things, without
superstition, curing all that approach his Royal Touch. And this
I may frankly presume to aver, that never any of his Predecessors
have ever exercised it more, or more willingly or freely, whose
wonderful effects, and certainty of cure, we must and shall ever
acknowledge[216]."
[216] Browne, book iii. p. 126.
This is followed by accounts of about 70 "wonderful and miraculous
cures, performed by his Majesty's Sacred Hands;" and also by "An
Account of the Number of Persons touched for the King's Evil, from
May 1660 to September 1664, from the Registers kept by Thomas
Haynes, Esq. Serjeant of the Chapel Royal; from which I shall copy
the totals of each year:
1660 6725
1661 4619
1662 4275
1663 4667
1664 3335
Another account, kept by Mr. Thomas Donkley, Keeper of his Majesty's
Closet belonging to the Chapel Royal, continues the Numbers as
follows:
1667 3078
1668 3543
1669 2983
1670 3377
1671 3568
1672 3771
1673 4457
1674 5079
1675 3471
1676 4454
1677 4607
1678 3456
1679 3752
1680 3796
1681 2461
1682 8577
Summa Totalis 92,107
QUEEN ANNE.
It appears by the Newspapers of the time, that on the 30th of
March, 1714, _two hundred_ persons were touched by Queen Anne[217].
Amongst these was _Samuel Johnson_, afterwards the justly celebrated
Moral Writer. He was sent by the advice of Sir John Floyer, then a
Physician at Lichfield; and many years afterwards, being asked if he
could remember Queen Anne, said, "he had a confused, but somehow a
sort of solemn recollection of a Lady in diamonds, and a long black
hood."
[217] The Ceremony used in this Reign is given in the Appendix, No.
II.
The Honourable Daines Barrington[218] has preserved an anecdote,
which he heard from an old man who was witness in a cause with
respect to this supposed miraculous power of Healing. "He had, by
his evidence, fixed the time of a fact, by Queen Anne's having
been at Oxford, and touched him, whilst a child, for the Evil.
When he had finished his evidence, I had an opportunity of asking
him, whether he was really cured? Upon which he answered, with a
significant smile, "that he believed himself to have never had any
complaint that deserved to be considered as the Evil; but that his
parents were poor, _and had no objection to the bit of gold_."
[218] Observations on the Statutes.
The learned and honourable Writer very properly observes on this
occasion, "that this piece of gold, which was given to those who
were touched, accounts for the great resort upon this occasion, and
the supposed afterwards miraculous cures."
GEORGE I.
Although this Monarch, who succeeded to the Crown in 1714, had the
good sense not to pretend to this miraculous Gift, it was assumed by
the Descendants of the race of Stuarts. And it is well recollected,
that Mr. Carte's (in other respects very excellent) "History of
England" fell into almost immediate disrepute, on his making, in
one of his notes, a bold assertion, the substance of which shall be
here given:
"Whatever is to be said in favour of its being appropriated to
the eldest Descendant of the first branch of the Royal Line of
the Kings of France, England, &c. I have _myself_ seen a very
remarkable instance of such a cure, which could not possibly be
ascribed to the Royal _Unction_. One Christopher Lovel, born at
Wells in Somersetshire, but when he grew up residing in the City
of Bristol, where he got his living by labour, was extremely
afflicted for many years with that distemper, and such a flow
of the scrophulous humour, that, though it found a vent by five
running sores about his breast, neck, and arms, there was such
a tumour on one side of his neck, as left no hollow between his
cheek and the upper part of his left shoulder, and forced him
to keep his head always awry. The young man was reduced, by
the virulence of the humour, to the lowest state of weakness;
appeared a miserable object in the eyes of all the inhabitants
of that populous city; and, having for many years tried all
the remedies which the art of physic could administer, without
receiving any benefit, resolved at last to go _abroad_ to be
touched. He had an uncle in the place, who was an old seaman,
and carried him from Bristol, at the end of August, A. D. 1716,
along with him to Cork in Ireland, where he put him on board a
ship that was bound to St. Martin's in the Isle of Ree. From
thence Christopher made his way first to Paris, and thence to
the place where he was touched, in the beginning of November
following, by the eldest lineal Descendant of a race of Kings,
who had, indeed, for a long succession of ages, cured that
distemper by the _Royal Touch_. But this descendant and next
heir of their blood had not, at least at that time, been crowned
or _anointed_. The usual effect, however, followed: from the
moment that the man was touched and invested with the narrow
riband, to which a small piece of silver was pendant, according
to the rites prescribed in the office appointed by the Church
for that solemnity, the humour dispersed insensibly, his sores
healed up, and he recovered strength daily, till he arrived
in perfect health, in the beginning of January following, at
Bristol, having spent only four months and some few days in his
voyage. There it was, and in the week preceding St. Paul's fair,
that I saw the man, in his recovered vigour of body, without
any remains of his complaint, but what were to be seen in the
red scars then left upon the five places where the sharp humour
had found a vent, but which were otherwise entirely healed, and
as sound as any other part of his body. Dr. Lane, an eminent
physician in the place, whom I visited on my arrival, told me of
this cure, as the most wonderful thing that ever happened; and
pressed me as well to see the man upon whom it was performed,
as to talk about his case with Mr. Samuel Pye, a very skilful
surgeon, and I believe still living in that city, who had tried
in vain, for three years together, to cure the man by physical
remedies. I had an opportunity of doing both; and Mr. Pye, after
dining together, carrying me to the man, I examined and informed
myself fully of all particulars, relating as well to his illness
as his cure; and found upon the whole, that if it is not to be
deemed miraculous, it at least deserved the character given it
by Dr. Lane, of being one of the most wonderful events that has
ever happened."
APPENDIX, No. I.
_The Ceremonies for the Healing of them that be diseased with the
King's Evil, as they were practised in the time of King Henry
VII_[219].
[219] Published by Command of King Charles II.; and printed by
Henry Hills, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, for his
Household and Chapel, 1686.
_Rubrick._--First, the King, kneeling, shall begin, and say,
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritûs Sancti. Amen.
_Rubrick._--And so soon as He hath said that, He shall say,
Benedicite.
_Rubrick._--The Chaplain, kneeling before the King, having a stole
about his neck, shall answer, and say,
Dominus sit in corde tuo et labiis tuis, ad confitendum omnia
peccata tua, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritûs Sancti. Amen.
_Rubrick._--Or else to say,
Jesus nos exaudiat, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritûs Sancti.
_Rubrick._--Then by and by the King shall say, Confiteor Deo, Beatæ
Mariæ Virgini, Omnibus Sanctis, et Vobis, quia peccavi nimis in
cogitatione, locutione, et opere, mea culpa [sic.] Precor Sanctam
Mariam, omnes Sanctos Dei, et Vos, orare pro me.
_Rubrick._--The Chaplain shall answer, and say,
Misereatur Vestri Omnipotens Deus, et demittat Vobis omnia peccata
Vestra, liberet Vos ab omni malo, salvet et confirmet in bono, et ad
vitam perducat æternam. Amen.
Absolutionem et Remissionem omnium peccatorum Vestrorum, spatium
veræ pœnitentiæ, et emendationem vitæ, gratiam et consolationem
Sancti Spiritûs, tribuat Vobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.
Amen.
_Rubrick._--This done, the Chaplain shall say, Dominus Vobiscum.
_Rubrick._--The King shall answer,
Et cum Spiritu tuo.
_Rubrick._--The Chaplain.
Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundùm Marcum.
_Rubrick._--The King shall answer.
Gloria tibi, Domine.
_Rubrick._--The Chaplain shall read the Gospel.
In illo tempore, recumbentibus undecim Discipulis apparuit illis
Jesus; et exprobavit incredulitatem eorum, et duritiem cordis, qui
iis qui viderant eum resurrexisse, non crediderunt. Et dixit eis,
Euntes in mundum universum, prædicate Evangelium omni creaturæ.
Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, salvus erit; qui verò non
crediderit, condemnabitur. Signa autem eos, qui crediderint, hæc
sequentur: In nomine meo dæmonia ejicient, linguis loquentur novis,
serpentes tollent; et si mortiferum quid biberint non eis nocebit;
super ægros manus imponent, et bene [seipsos] habebunt.
_Rubrick._--Which clause [super ægros, &c.] the Chaplain repeats as
long as the King is handling the Sick Person. And in the time of
the repeating the aforesaid words [super ægros, &c.] the Clerk of
the Closet shall kneel before the King, having the Sick Person upon
the right hand, and the Sick Person shall likewise kneel before the
King; and then the King shall lay his hand upon the Sore of the Sick
Person. This done, the Chaplain shall make an end of the Gospel;
and in the mean time the Chirurgeon shall lead away the Sick Person
from the King.
--Et Dominus quidem Jesus, postquam locutus est eis, assumptus
est in cœlum, et sedet à dextris Dei. Illi autem profecti,
prædicaverunt ubique, Domino cooperante, et sermonem confirmante,
sequentibus signis.
_Rubrick._--Then the Chaplain shall begin to say again, Dominus
Vobiscum.
_Rubrick._--The King shall answer,
Et cum spiritu tuo.
_Rubrick._--The Chaplain. Initium Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.
_Rubrick._--The King shall say.
Gloria tibi, Domine.
_Rubrick._--The Chaplain then shall say this Gospel following.
In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat
Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt;
et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est: in ipso vita erat,
et vita erat Lux hominum; et Lux in tenebris lucet, et Tenebræ
eam non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat
Joannes. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de
lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille Lux, sed ut
testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat Lux vera quæ illuminat omnem
hominem venientem in hunc mundum.
_Rubrick._--Which last clause [Erat Lux vera, &c.] shall still be
repeated so long as the King shall be crossing the Sore of the Sick
Person with an Angel Noble. And the Sick Person to have the same
Angel hanged about his neck, and to wear it until he be full whole.
This done, the Chirurgeon shall lead away the Sick Person, as he did
before; and then the Chaplain shall make an end of the Gospel.
--In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non
cognovit. In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quot quot
autem receperunt eum dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui
credunt in nomine ejus, qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate
carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt. Et Verbum
caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis; et vidimus gloriam ejus,
gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiæ et veritatis.
_Rubrick._--Then the Chaplain shall say,
Sit nomen Domini benedictum.
_Rubrick._--The King shall answer,
Ex hoc nunc et usque in seculum.
_Rubrick._--Then shall the Chaplain say this Collect following,
praying for the Sick Person or Persons.
Domine exaudi orationem meam [nostram].
_Rubrick._--The King shall answer,
Et clamor meus [noster] ad te veniat. Oremus.
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, salus æterna credentium, exaudi nos pro
famulis tuis, pro quibus misericordiæ tuæ imploramus auxilium, ut,
redditâ sibi sanitate, tibi in Ecclesiâ tuâ referant actiones. Per
Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
_Rubrick._--This Prayer is to be said secretly, after the Sick
Persons are departed from the King, at his pleasure.
Dominator Domine Deus Omnipotens, cujus benignitate cæci vident,
surdi audiunt, muti loquuntur, claudi ambulant, leprosi mundantur,
omnes infirmorum curantur languores, et à quo solo donum Sanationis
humano generi etiam tribuitur, et tanta gratia pro incredibili tuâ
ergà hoc regnum bonitate, Regibus ejusdem concessa est, ut solâ
manuum illorum impositione, morbus gravissimus fœtidissimusque
depellatur: concede propitius ut tibi propterea gratias agamus, et
pro isto singulari beneficio in nos collato, non nobis ipsis, sed
nomini tuo assiduè gloriam demus, nosque sic ad pietatem semper
exerceamus, ut tuam nobis donatam gratiam non solùm diligenter
conservare, sed indies magis magisque adaugere laboremus; et præsta
ut quorumcunque corporibus in nomine tuo manus imposuerimus, hâc
tuâ virtute in illis operante et nobis ministrantibus, ad pristinam
sanitatem restituantur, eam conservent, et pro eâdem tibi, ut summo
Medico et omnium morborum depulsori, perpetuò nobiscum gratias
agant; sicque deinceps vitam instituant, ut non corpus solùm ab
infirmitate, sed anima etiam à peccato omnino sanata videatur.
Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit
et regnat in unitate Sancti Spiritûs, per omnia secula seculorum.
Amen.[220]
[220] "Ritualia Varia," in the British Museum.
APPENDIX, No. II.
From a FOLIO PRAYER BOOK, printed 1710.
_At the Healing._
Prevent us, O Lord, &c.
Gospel.
From the 16th Chapter of St. Mark, beginning at the 14th Verse:
"Afterwards he appeared, &c." to the end of the Chapter: "and
confirming the Word with Signs following."
Let us pray.
Lord have mercy upon us.
Christ, &c.
Lord, &c.
Our Father, &c.
--[Then shall the Infirm Persons, one by one, be presented to the
Queen upon_Rubrick._ their Knees; and, as every one is presented,
and while the Queen is laying her Hands upon them, and putting the
Gold about their necks, the Chaplain that officiates, turning
himself to her Majesty, shall say these words following:]
God give a Blessing to this Work; and grant that _these_ Sick
Persons, on whom the Queen lays her Hands, may recover, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Rubrick._--[After all have been presented, the Chaplain shall say,]
_Verse._--O Lord, save thy Servants;
_Resp._--Who put their Trust in Thee.
_Verse._--Send them Help from thy Holy Place.
_Resp._--And evermore mightily defend them.
_Verse._--Help us, O God of our Salvation.
_Resp._--And, for the Glory of thy Name deliver us, and be merciful
to us Sinners for thy Name's Sake.
_Verse._--O Lord, hear our Prayers.
_Resp._--And let our Cry come unto Thee.
_Rubrick._--[These answers are to be made by them that come to be
healed.]
Let us pray.
O Almighty God, who art the Giver of all Health, and the Aid of them
that seek to thee for Succour, we call upon thee for thy Health and
Goodness mercifully to be shewed upon these thy Servants, that they,
being healed of their Infirmities, may give Thanks unto thee in thy
Holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_Rubrick._--[Then the Chaplain, standing with his face towards them
that come to be healed, shall say,]
The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong Tower to all them that put
their Trust in him; to whom all things in Heaven, in Earth, and
under the Earth, do bow and obey, be now and evermore your Defence;
and make you know and feel, that there is none other Name under
Heaven given to Man, in whom, and through whom, you may receive
Health and Salvation, but only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Grace of our Lord, &c. Amen.
APPENDIX, No. III.
_The Ceremonies of Blessing Cramp-Rings on Good-Friday, used by the
Catholick Kings of England._
The Psalme "Deus misereatur nostri," &c. with the "Gloria Patri."
May God take pity upon us, and blesse us;* may he send forth the
light of his face upon us, and take pity on us.
That we may know thy ways on earth* among all nations thy salvation.
May people acknowledge thee, O God:* may all people acknowledge thee.
Let nations reioice, and be glad, because thou iudgest people with
equity,* and doest guide nations on the earth.
May people acknowledge thee, O God, may all people acknowledge
thee,* the earth has sent forth her fruit.
May God blesse us, that God who is ours: may that God blesse us,*
and may all the bounds of the earth feare him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever,* and for ever, and
ever. Amen.
Then the King reades this Prayer:
Almighty eternal God, who by the most copious gifts of thy grace,
flowing from the unexhausted fountain of thy bounty, hast been
graciously pleased, for the comfort of mankind, continually to grant
us many and various meanes to relieve us in our miseries; and art
willing to make those the instruments and channels of thy gifts, and
to grace those persons with more excellent favours, whom thou hast
raised to the Royal dignity; to the end that, as by Thee they Reign,
and govern others, so by Thee they may prove beneficial to them, and
bestow thy favours on the people: Graciously heare our prayers, and
favourably receive those vows we powre forth with humility, that
Thou mayst grant to us, who beg with the same confidence the favour
which our Ancestours, by their hopes in thy mercy have obtained:
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rings lying in one bason or more, this prayer is to be said over
them:
O God, the Maker of heavenly and earthly creatures, and the most
gracious Restorer of mankind, the Dispenser of spiritual grace, and
the Origin of all blessings; send downe from heaven thy Holy Spirit
the Comforter upon these Rings, artificially fram'd by the workman;
and by thy greate power purify them so, that all the malice of the
fowle and venomous Serpent be driven out; and so the metal, which by
Thee was created, may remaine pure, and free from all dregs of the
enemy: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing of the Rings.
O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, heare mercifully
our prayers. Spare those who feare Thee. Be propitious to thy
suppliants; and graciously be pleased to send downe from Heaven
thy holy Angel, that he may sanctify ++ and blesse ++ these Rings;
to the end they may prove a healthy remedy to such as implore thy
name with humility, and accuse themselves of the sins which ly
upon their conscience: who deplore their crimes in the sight of thy
divine clemency, and beseech, with earnestness and humility, thy
most serene piety. May they in fine, by the invocation of thy holy
name, become profitable to all such as weare them, for the health of
their soule and body, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Blessing.
O God, who hast manifested the greatest wonders of thy power by the
cure of diseases, and who were pleased that Rings should be a pledge
of fidelity in the Patriark Judah, a priestly ornament in Aaron,
the mark of a faithful guardian in Darius, and in this Kingdom a
remedy for divers diseases; graciously be pleased to blesse ++ and
sanctify ++ these Rings; to the end that all such who weare them may
be free from all snares of the Devil, may be defended by the power
of celestial armour; and that no contraction of the nerves, or any
danger of the falling-sickness, may infest them; but that in all
sort of diseases by thy help they may find relief. In the name of
the Father, ++ and of the Son, ++ and of the Holy Ghost. ++ Amen.
Blesse, O my soule, the Lord,* and let all things which are within
me praise his holy name.
Blesse, O my soule, the Lord,* and do not forget all his favours.
He forgives all thy iniquities,* he heales all thy infirmities.
He redeemes thy life from ruin,* he crownes thee with mercy and
commiseration.
He fils thy desires with what is good:* thy youth, like that of the
eagle, shall be renewed.
The Lord is he who does mercy,* and does, iustice to those who
suffer wrong.
The merciful and pitying Lord:* the long sufferer, and most mighty
merciful.
He wil not continue his anger for ever;* neither wil he threaten for
ever.
He has not dealt with us in proportion to our sins;* nor has he
rendered unto us according to our offences.
Because according to the distance of heaven from earth,* so has he
enforced his mercies, upon those who feare him.
As far distant as the east is from the west,* so far has he divided
our offences from us.
After the manner that a Father takes pity of his sons; so has the
Lord taken pity of those who feare him;* because he knows what we
are made of.
He remembers that we are but dust. Man, like hay, such are his
days;* like the flower in the field, so wil he fade away.
Because his breath wil passe away through him, and he wil not be
able to subsist,* and it wil find no longer its owne place.
But the mercy of the Lord is from all eternity;* and wil be for ever
upon those who feare him.
And his iustice comes upon the children of their children,* to those
who keep his wil.
And are mindful of his commandments,* to performe them.
The Lord in heaven has prepared himself a throne, and his kingdom
shall reign over all.
Blesse yee the Lord, all yee Angels of his; yee who are powerful in
strength:* who execute his commands, at the hearing of his voice
when he speakes.
Blesse yee the Lord, all yee vertues of his:* yee Ministers who
execute his wil.
Blesse yee the Lord, all yee works of his throughout all places of
his dominions:* my Soule praise thou the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, and now and ever,* and for ever and
ever. Amen.
Wee humbly implore, O merciful God, thy infinit clemency; that as we
come to Thee with a confident soule, and sincere faith, and a pious
assurance of mind: with the like devotion thy beleevers may follow
on these tokens of thy grace. May all superstition be banished
hence; far be all suspicion of any diabolical fraud; and to the
glory of thy name let all things succeede: to the end thy beleevers
may understand Thee to be the dispenser of all good; and may be
sensible, and publish, that whatsoever is profitable to soule or
body, is derived from Thee: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
These Prayers being said, the King's Highnes rubbeth the Rings
between his hands, saying,
Sanctify, O Lord, these Rings, and graciously bedew them with the
dew of thy benediction, and consecrate them by the rubbing of our
hands, which thou hast been pleased according to our ministery to
sanctify by an external effusion of holy oyle upon them: to the end
that what the nature of the mettal is not able to performe, may be
wrought by the greatnes of thy grace: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then must holy water be cast on the Rings, saying,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
O Lord, the only begotten Son of God, Mediatour of God and men,
Jesus Christ, in whose name alone salvation is sought for; and to
such as hope in thee givest an easy acces to thy Father: who, when
conversing among men, thyself a man, didst promise, by an assured
oracle flowing from thy sacred mouth, that thy Father should grant
whatever was asked him in thy name: Lend a gracious eare of pity to
these prayers of ours; to the end that, approaching with confidence
to the throne of thy grace, the beleevers may find, by the benefits
conferr'd upon them, that by thy mediation we have obtained what we
have most humbly begd in thy name: who livest and reignest with God
the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God for ever and
ever. Amen.
Wee beseech thee, O Lord, that the Spirit, which proceedes from
thee, may prevent and follow on our desires; to the end that
what we beg with confidence for the good of the faithful, we may
efficaciously obtaine by thy gracious gift: through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O most clement God; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; wee supplicate and
beseech thee, that what is here performed by pious ceremonies to
the sanctifying of thy name, may be prevalent to the defense of our
soule and body on earth; and profitable to a more ample felicity in
heaven: who livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.
Stemmata Magnatum.
ORIGIN OF THE TITLES
OF SOME OF THE
ENGLISH NOBILITY.
"When Adam dolve, and Eva span,
Who was then a Gentleman?
Then came the Churle, and gather'd Good;
And thence arose the Gentle Blood."
"It is an ancient received saying, that there is no Poverty but is
descended of Nobility; nor no Nobility but is descended of Beggary."
History of the Gwedir Family, p. 94.
WESTMORELAND, Earl.--From the County.
_Burghersh_[221], Baron (_Fane_).--Bartholomew, Baron of Burghersh,
was the Tenth Knight of the Order of the Garter, at the Institution
1350; who left a Daughter and Heir, who married Edward Le Despenser;
which official Title was afterwards erected into a Barony by
Summons, A. D. 1285; and was for a long time merged in the Family
of Fane, Earl of Westmoreland, till the failure of Male Issue in a
direct line, 1762. The Earldom and Barony of Burghersh passed to a
distant branch, of the name of Fane; but the Barony of Le Despenser
went by a Female to Sir Francis Dashwood, Bart. in right of his
Mother.
[221] A corruption of Burghwash, a little Village in Sussex, on the
River Rother. See Camden's Brit.
LE DESPENSER, Baron (STAPLETON).--A nominal Title from official
derivation. It was held originally by Descent and Summons, A.D.
1295. Anno 23 Edward I. it passed by Marriage to the Earl of
Westmoreland; and, being a Fee, descended to Sir Francis Dashwood,
Bart.; and after him to his Sister, Lady Austen, and now, 1788, is
vested in Sir Thomas Stapleton, Bart. of Oxfordshire.
WENTWORTH[222], Viscount (NOEL).--After the Barony of _Wentworth_
had continued for several successions in the name of _Wentworth_,
of Nettlestead in Suffolk, the Title devolved on Anne, the Wife of
John Lord Lovelace, whose Daughter Martha inherited the Barony of
_Wentworth_, and to whom the Title was confirmed, by Descent, in
Parliament, A.D. 1702; and she walked at the Coronation of Queen
Anne as Baroness _Wentworth_ in her own right. She dying without
Issue, 1745, the Title devolved on the Descendants of Sir William
_Noel_, Bart. who had married Margaret, another Daughter of Lord
Lovelace, by Anne, the Heiress of Wentworth Lord _Wentworth_. Hence
the Title passed to Edward, the eldest Son of Sir Clobery _Noel_,
Bart. who succeeded to his Father's Title of Baronet, 1733; and
to the Barony of _Wentworth_, as Heir of Margaret, 1745. He was
created Viscount Wentworth of Wellesborough, co. Leic. 1762.
[222] The Ancestor of this Family was Thomas Wentworth, _Earl of
Cleveland;_ which Title became extinct, for want of Male Issue,
1667. The Barony passed as above.
HOWLAND, Baron (RUSSELL).--A Barony in the Duke of Bedford, granted
in honour of Elizabeth, Daughter of John Howland, Esq. of Streatham
in Surrey (by whom the Family acquired that estate), who married
Wriothesley, Grandson of the first Duke of Bedford, and the eldest
Son of Lord William Russell, who was beheaded 1683[223].
[223] See Collins's Baronage, i. 267, 272.
NORMANBY, Marquis, extinct (SHEFFIELD).--The second Title of
Sheffield Duke of Buckingham, taken from an obscure place in
Lincolnshire.
CHANDOS, Duke (BRYDGES).--The Patent is dated April 29, 1719,
wherein the Grantee is styled "Duke of Chandos in the County of
Hereford." The Dukedom became extinct, by the death of James the
third Duke, s. p. 1789. The Barony exists (1790), if a claim to it
can be established, as that creation bears date A. D. 1554.
ARUNDEL OF WARDOUR, Baron (ARUNDEL[224]).--From Wardour Castle in
Wiltshire. He is a Count of the Empire by Grant of Rodolph II. A. D.
1595[225].
[224] See Camden's Britannia, col. 112.
[225] See Camden, for the words of the Patent.
SONDES, Baron (WATSON).--A revived Title, from the inheritance of
part of the estates of Lewis Watson, Earl of Rockingham and Viscount
_Sondes_. Lewis Watson, having married the Heiress of Sir George
_Sondes_, K.B. was created Earl of Rockingham and Viscount _Sondes_,
in honour of his Wife's Father, 1714; so that the present Title is
nominal. The Estate at Lees-Court in Kent came by the above marriage.
ONSLOW AND CRANLEY, Baron (ONSLOW).--This Barony is both nominal and
local, for the Family came from Onslow in Shropshire. Their first
settlement in Surrey was at Knowle, in the Parish of _Cranley_,
whence came the second Barony by creation to George Onslow, the Son
of Arthur (the Speaker), in the life-time of his Cousin Richard,
then Lord Onslow, 1776. The original Patent, 1716, to Richard (who
was Speaker also) the eldest Son of Sir Arthur Onslow, Bart. was
limited to the Heirs Male of his Father, which carried the Title of
Baron Onslow of Onslow and Clendon[226], to the Son of Arthur (the
Speaker), on the death of his Cousin Richard Lord Onslow, 1776[227].
[226] Clendon is the Seat of the Family in Surrey.
[227] See Camden's Brit. col. 182, as to the Family.
N.B. George Lord Onslow and _Cranley_ was created into the latter
Title, May 14, 1776; and succeeded his Cousin Richard in the Title
of Onslow, on the 8th of the following October.
BERKELEY, Earl.--From Berkeley Castle, the present Seat of the
Family, in Gloucestershire. The Barony of Berkeley is a Feudal
Honour by the Tenure of the Castle of Berkeley; and the Possessor
of it had Summons to Parliament as a Baron by that Tenure, anno 23
Edward I.[228]
[228] Dale's Catalogue of the Nobility, 1697, p. 72.
DURSLEY, Viscount.--From Dursley in Gloucestershire, the original
Seat of the Family.
DE CLIFFORD, Baron (SOUTHWELL).--From Clifford Castle in
Herefordshire; where Walter Fitz-Ponce, whose Father possessed it
by marriage, resided, and took the name of Clifford. The first
Fitz-Ponce came hither with the Conqueror, to whom he was related.
The Barony passed in the Female Line to the Family of Southwell, to
which it was confirmed A.D. 1775. The first Summons to Parliament
was anno 23 Edward I. 1295.
DUCIE, Baron, OF MORTON AND TORTWORTH (REYNOLDS).--The Peer of the
name of _Ducie_ was descended from Sir Robert Ducie, Lord Mayor
of London, 1631; and who had been created a Baronet[229]. The
Issue Male of the name of _Ducie_ failing, the Title was renewed
by Patent, 1763, to Matthew Ducie, Lord Ducie of _Morton_ in
Staffordshire; with a Limitation to Thomas and Francis _Reynolds_,
his Nephews, and their Heirs Male successively, by the Style of Lord
Ducie of _Tortworth_ in Gloucestershire. _Thomas_ Reynolds succeeded
to this Title on the death of his Uncle, 1770; and dying without
Issue 1785, it devolved on his Brother _Francis;_ who dying in 1808,
was succeeded by his Son Thomas, present Lord Ducie.
[229] Pennant's London, fourth edition, p. 346.
POWIS, Earl (HERBERT).--Powis is a part of Shropshire bordering on
Wales; and was formerly a little Kingdom, still known by the name of
Powis-Land. The first Baron was created by Henry I. on a surrender
of the actual Territory, and an acknowledgment of service[230].
[230] Pennant's Tour in North Wales, vol. II. p. 436.
LUDLOW, Viscount.--From the Town of that name in Shropshire[231].
[231] The Barony of Herbert of Cherbury was revived in this Branch
in 1743.
AUDLEY, Baron (THICKNESSE-TOUCHET). Audley is in Staffordshire. John
Touchet married Joan, eldest Daughter of Lord Audley of Heleigh,
whose Descendant was found Heir, and had Summons to Parliament,
A.D. 1296[232]. The honour of Peerage in the name of Touchet, who
was also Earl of Castlehaven in Ireland, ended in a Daughter (Lady
Elizabeth), who married Philip Thicknesse, Esq. and died in 1762,
leaving Issue; the Barony (being a Fee) passed to George Thicknesse,
her Son, on the death of the Earl of Castlehaven, 1777; and who has
taken, by sign-manual, 1784, the additional name of Touchet. The
Earldom is extinct.
[232] Collins's Peerage.
ABERGAVENNY, Earl (NEVILE).--This is a Title derived from a Lord
Marcher, and taken, among many others now merged or extinct, from
the place conquered. Mr. Pennant says, it is the only surviving
Title of that nature[233].
[233] Tour in North Wales, vol. II. p. 439, 4to.
NEVILE, Viscount.--From the Name.
MIDDLETON, Baron (WILLOUGHBY).--From an obscure Village, near
Sutton-Coldfield, in Warwickshire[234].
[234] Pennant's Journey from Chester to London, 4to, 1782, p. 127.
COVENTRY, Earl.--From the City, or the Name.
DEERHURST, Viscount (COVENTRY).--From a place in Gloucestershire.
STANHOPE, Earl.--A nominal Title. The first Peer of this Branch was
created Viscount Stanhope of Mahon, and Baron Stanhope of Elvaston,
in the County of Derby, 1717, from his having taken Port-Mahon, in
the Island of Minorca, 1708.
MAHON, Viscount (STANHOPE).--The same Peer was created Earl Stanhope
1718, by which his second Title became "Viscount Mahon."
DUDLEY AND WARD, Viscount (WARD).--The Barony of _Ward_ is nominal,
and was conferred in 1644. The Viscounty (by creation in 1763) is
derived from a Village near Birmingham in Warwickshire.
N. B. The Viscounty includes both Honours; the Title being Viscount
_Dudley and Ward_.
DORCHESTER, Earl (DAMER).--Lord Milton, a Baron both of England and
Ireland, was created Earl of Dorchester in _Dorsetshire_, 1792.
MILTON, Viscount.--From Milton Abbey, the Seat of the Family, in
Dorsetshire. The Title of Viscount was granted by the Patent in
1792.
DORCHESTER, Baron[235] (CARLETON).--Sir Guy Carleton, K. B. was
created Baron of Dorchester in _Oxfordshire_, 1786. Sir Dudley
Carleton was created Baron Carleton 1626, and Viscount Dorchester in
_Oxfordshire_ 1628. It is, however, denied by the Heralds that Sir
Guy is of that Family.
[235] The Marquisate of Dorchester, which was in the late Dukes of
Kingston, was from Dorchester, Dorset.
LEEDS, Duke (OSBORNE).--From the Town of Leeds in Yorkshire.
CARMARTHEN, Marquis.--From Carmarthen in Wales.
DANBY, Earl.--From a Castle of the name in Cleveland, a District of
Yorkshire.
ALBEMARLE, Earl.--otherwise Aumerle, and Aumale [Albo Marla, or
White Marle], from a Town in Normandy, which gave Title to a Peer of
France. It was conferred by William III. when at war with Louis XIV.
BURY, Viscount (KEPPEL).--In Suffolk.
HARRINGTON, Earl (STANHOPE[236]).--From a Village in
Northamptonshire.
[236] Sir Michael Stanhope, of Harington in Northamptonshire, was
the common Ancestor of the Earls of Chesterfield and of Harrington;
as also of Earl Stanhope.
PETERSHAM, Viscount (STANHOPE).--A Village near Richmond in
Surrey[237].
[237] At Petersham was a Villa belonging to the Earl of Rochester,
which was burnt down in 1721; after which the Earl of Harrington
possessed and took it for his second Title in 1742.
SUFFOLK, Earl.--From the County.
BINDON, Viscount (HOWARD).--In Dorsetshire. It was the Seat of Lord
Marney (A. D. 1607); and came to this Branch of the Family of Howard
by a Marriage with the Heiress of Lord Marney[238].
[238] Camden, col. 57.
SHIPBROOKE, Viscount.--Richard Vernon was possessed of the Barony of
Shipbroke, in Cheshire, in the time of Richard the First[239].
[239] Pennant's Journey from Chester, 1782, p. 19.
ORWELL, Baron (VERNON).--Vernon, Baron of Shipbroke, was one of the
Barons (of the Palatinate of Chester) created by Hugh Lupus, the
first Norman Earl of Chester. Extinct[240].
[240] Pennant's Tour in North Wales, 1778, p. 125.
BEAULIEU, Earl; BEAULIEU, Baron (HUSSEY-MONTAGUE).--Beaulieu is an
Abbey in Hampshire, and was part of the Estate of John (Montagu)
Duke of Montagu, inherited by his Daughter and Co-heiress the
Duchess of Manchester, who married Sir Edward Hussey, K. B. Upon
this marriage he took the additional name of Montague.
VERNON, Baron (VERNON).--The Title is nominal and local,
from _Vernon_ in Normandy[241]. The Descent is from Hamon de
Massie-Venables, of Kinderton, in Cheshire, who was one of Hugh
Lupus's Palatinate Barons, as Earl of Chester.
[241] Collins's Peerage, 1779.
HARCOURT, Earl.--The Title is from the Name, which is local, from a
Town in Normandy, and which is also the Title of a French Dukedom.
NUNEHAM, Viscount (HARCOURT).--From the Earl's Seat in Oxfordshire.
The Earldom was erected in 1749.
GRAFTON, Duke.--From a Village in Northamptonshire, which was
erected into an Honour, and conferred by King Charles II. on his
Natural Son by the Duchess of Cleveland.
EUSTON, Earl (FITZROY).--From the Seat in Suffolk.
DEVONSHIRE, Duke (CAVENDISH).--From the County. Descended from a
Gentleman Usher to Cardinal Wolsey[242].
[242] See Cavendish's Life of Wolsey. Collins's Collections.
HARTINGTON, Marquis (CAVENDISH).--From an obscure Village (the
Property of the Duke) in the Peak of Derbyshire.
DORSET, Duke.--From the County. Sir Lionel Cranfield, Knight, Lord
Cranfield, &c. was a Shop-keeper in London, as his Father had been
before him[243].
[243] Bibl. Top. Brit. vol. VI. No XV. from D'Ewes's MS Journal in
the British Museum.
EFFINGHAM, Earl (HOWARD).--From Effingham in Surrey, a Seat of this
Branch of the Family, and where there was a Castle.
SUSSEX, Earl.--From the County.
LONGUEVILLE, Viscount (YELVERTON).--Sir Henry Yelverton, the Second
Baronet, married Susan Baroness Grey of Ruthyn, Daughter and sole
Heiress of Charles Longueville, Lord Grey of Ruthyn. To this Title
the eldest Son of Sir Henry succeeded on the death of his Mother
(being a Barony in Fee); and was followed by his Brother Henry, who
was created Viscount Longueville 1690. Talbot Yelverton, the eldest
Son of Henry, was created Earl of Sussex in 1717.
BEAUFORT, Duke.--Henry Beaufort, third Duke of Somerset, temp.
Henry VII. had a Natural Son, to whom he gave the names of Charles
Somerset (afterwards a Knight), whose Descendant was created Duke
of Beaufort. Thus, by a Child of Casualty, the Name and Title have
changed positions; as what was Beaufort Duke of Somerset is now
Somerset Duke of Beaufort.
WORCESTER, Marquis (SOMERSET). From the City.
MANCHESTER, Duke.--From the Town.
MANDEVILLE, Viscount (MONTAGU).--A nominal Title from Geoffrey de
Mandeville, who possessed Kimbolton, the Seat of the Family, temp.
Guil. Conq.[244]
[244] Kelham's Key to Domesday Book, p. 35.
Mandeville is a Village in Normandy (a corruption of Magnaville,
_i. e._ Magna Villa), which gave name to the person who accompanied
William the Conqueror[245].
[245] Vincent on Brooke.
WALDEGRAVE, Earl.--Waldegrave is a Village in Northamptonshire.
CHEWTON, Viscount (WALDEGRAVE).--From a place in Somersetshire[246].
[246] Camden's Britannia, col. 85.
MOUNT-EDGECUMBE, Earl.--Baron Edgecumbe by Creation, 1742. Earl of
Mount-Edgecumbe by Creation, 1789. From the Family Seat in Cornwall.
VALLETORT, Viscount (EDGECUMBE).--From an old Norman Barony (De
Valle Tortâ), with Lands annexed, in Devonshire, the property of the
Family[247].
[247] Ibid. col. 21.
GAINSBOROUGH, Earl.--From the Town.
CAMPDEN, Viscount (NOEL).--Campden is in Gloucestershire.
Sir Baptist Hicks, created Viscount Campden 1628, left two
Daughters, the elder of whom married Lord Noel, one of whose
Descendants (Edward) was created Earl of Gainsborough 1682.
DIGBY, Earl.--This Title, when a Barony, was nominal (though local
in itself, from Digby, co. Lincoln) till Henry, the late Peer, was
created Earl of Digby in 1790. He dying in 1793, was succeeded by
Edward the present Earl.
COLESHILL, Viscount (DIGBY).--In Warwickshire. The Manor of
Coleshill was forfeited by Sir Simon Montfort, on a charge of High
Treason in supporting Perkin Warbeck; when it was given to Simon
Digby, then Deputy Constable of Coleshill Castle[248].
[248] Pennant's Journey from Chester, p. 129.
MONTAGU, or MONTACUTE, Viscount (BROWNE).--From a high Hill in a
Village in Somersetshire; where William Earl of Moreton, Maternal
Brother to William the Conqueror, built a Castle, which, as it
rises from its base to a sharp point, he called _Mons acutus_. Thus
far the tradition; and Bishop Gibson, in his Edition of Camden's
Britannia, allows this to have been the place from which Sir Anthony
Browne, the first Viscount, had the Title[249].
[249] Camden's Britannia, col. 72.
RUTLAND, Duke.--From the County.
GRANBY, Marquis (MANNERS).--From a Village in Nottinghamshire.
The Barony of Roos of Hamlake[250] gives Title to the eldest Son of
a Marquis of Granby, in his Father's life-time.
[250] Collins, in his Peerage 1735, says, that _Hamlake_ is the same
as _Hemsley_ in Yorkshire (North Riding).
KENT, Duke.--From the County.
HAROLD, Earl (GREY), Extinct.--From a place of the name in
Bedfordshire.
There was in this Family the Viscounty of _Gooderich_, from
_Gooderich_ Castle in Herefordshire.
ABINGDON, Earl.--In Berkshire.
NORREYS, Baron (BERTIE).--James Bertie, the first Earl of Abingdon
(who was the second Son of Montagu Bertie, the second Earl of
Lindsey) was the Issue of a second Wife; _viz._ Bridget Baroness
Norreys of Rycote in her own right. He had Summons to Parliament as
Baron Norreys in 1572, and was created Earl of Abingdon in 1682[251].
[251] See Camden's Britannia, col. 315.
DACRE, Baron (ROPER, late BARRETT-LEONARD).--Originally both nominal
and local, the first Peer having been _Dacre_ of _Dacre_ Castle in
Cumberland.
Being a Barony in Fee, it has had owners of different names[252].
[252] There were two Barons of this Title existing at the same time;
_viz._ Lord Dacre of the North, and Lord Dacre of the South. Both at
length centered in Barrett-Leonard Lord Dacre.
GODOLPHIN, Earl.--From a Hill (perhaps anciently a Seigniory)
in Cornwall. The proper name is _Godolcan_, corrupted into
_Godolphin_. The word signifies, in the Cornish language, "White
Eagle;" agreeably to which, the Arms of the Family are, "Gules, an
Eagle displayed between three Fleurs de Lis Argent [253]."
[253] See Camden's Britannia, col. 14.
RIALTON, Viscount.--From a Village in Cornwall[254].
[254] On the death of Francis Earl of Godolphin, 1766, the Barony
devolved to Francis, his first cousin; and on his death, in 1785,
became extinct.
TANKERVILLE, Earl.--Originally from a Town and Castle in
Normandy[255]. The present Title is derived from Ford Lord Grey
of Werk, who was created Earl of Tankerville (a dormant Title in
his Family) in 1695. This Earl left an only Daughter, who married
Charles Bennet, Baron of Ussulston, who was afterwards (1714)
created Earl of Tankerville.
[255] See Peerage, 1711, vol. II.
USSULSTON, Baron (BENNET).--From one of the Hundreds of Middlesex.
ARLINGTON, Earl.--The Title was derived from Arlington in Middlesex,
the Seat of Sir Henry Bennet, who was created Baron Arlington 1664,
and Earl of Arlington in 1672. He died in 1685.
THETFORD, Viscount (BENNET), Extinct.--In Norfolk.
BRIDGEWATER, Duke (EGERTON).--The Lord Chancellor was the founder
of this Family, and was a Natural Son of Sir Richard Egerton,
Knight, of Ridley in Cheshire, by the Daughter of one Sparks of
Bickerton[256].
[256] For other circumstances see Mr. Pennant's Tour in North
Wales, vol. I. p. 105; and vol. II. p. 187, in the corrections and
additions to vol. I.
GREY DE WILTON, Baron (EGERTON).--The present Peer (Sir Thomas
Egerton, Bart.) is descended from Bridget, sole Sister and Heir to
Thomas Lord Grey of Wilton, a Female Barony, denominated from Wilton
in the County of Hereford[257].
[257] The Barony was conferred upon Sir Thomas Egerton by Creation
in 1784, notwithstanding his claim by Descent.--His Lordship was in
1801 advanced to the Titles of Viscount Grey de Wilton, and Earl of
Wilton.
HERTFORD, Earl.--From the Town.
BEAUCHAMP, Viscount (CONWAY).--Nominal and local, from a place in
Normandy.
SCARBOROUGH, Earl.--From Scarborough in Yorkshire.
LUMLEY, Viscount (LUMLEY, with the additional name of
SANDERSON).--From Lumley Castle, in the Bishoprick of Durham.
RIVERS, Baron (PITT).--The first of the name, _De Redvers_, came
hither with William the Conqueror, and was made Earl of Devonshire.
Baldwin de _Redveriis_ (or _Riveriis_), Earl of Devonshire, had
Estates in the neighbourhood of Exeter[258].
[258] See Tanner's Notitia.--The name is written _Ridvers_, alias
_Redvers_, in Camden's Brit. col. 156.
George Pitt, Ancestor of the present Lord Rivers (created in 1776),
married Jane Daughter of Savage, Earl Rivers of Rock-Savage in
Cheshire, Relict of George, the sixth Lord Chandos. She brought a
large Estate to her second Husband, partly as Heiress of Savage Earl
Rivers, and partly from her first Husband.
DARLINGTON, Earl.--From Darlington, in the Bishoprick of Durham.
BARNARD, Viscount (VANE).--From Barnard-Castle, in the Bishoprick of
Durham.
BROWNLOW, Baron (CUST).--A nominal Title; for Sir Richard Cust,
Bart. married Anne Daughter of Sir William Brownlow, Bart. Sister,
and at length Heir, to John Brownlow, Viscount Tyrconnel, of the
Kingdom of Ireland, seated at Belton in Lincolnshire.
HAWKESBURY, Baron (JENKINSON).--Though this Family is styled of
Walcot in Oxfordshire, it was originally seated at Hawkesbury in
Gloucestershire.
HEATHFIELD, Baron (ELIOT).--Sir George Augustus Eliot, K. B. who
commanded at Gibraltar during the celebrated Siege, chose this
place in Sussex (his property) for his Title. It is said that the
decisive Battle, called "The Battle of Hastings," was fought on this
spot[259].
[259] East-Bourne Guide, p. 73.
CAMDEN, Marquis.--From his House at Chislehurst in Kent, formerly
the residence of Camden the celebrated Antiquary, and now called
Camden Place.
BAYHAM, Viscount (PRATT).--From Bayham Abbey, in Sussex, an Estate
in the Family of Pratt, and now in possession of the Marquis.
DYNEVOR, Baroness (RICE and DE CARDONEL).--From Dinevawr in
Caermarthenshire. She is the Daughter of the first Earl Talbot,
and Widow of George Rice, Esquire. In the year 1780 the Earl was
created Baron of Dinevawr, with limitation to his Daughter and her
Issue male; and which took place on the Earl's death, in 1782. She
enjoyed the Title till her death, 1793, when it descended to her
eldest Son George Talbot Rice, who, in pursuance of the Will of
his Grandmother, Lady Talbot (whose maiden name was De Cardonel),
changed his Name, Arms, and Crest, to those of De Cardonel only, by
Sign Manual, in May 1793 [See the Gazette].[260]
[260] The Baroness had taken the Name and Arms of De Cardonel on the
death of her Mother in 1787. The Barony of Talbot, on the Earl's
death, passed to his Nephew, though the Earldom became extinct, but
was afterwards revived.
NEWCASTLE, Duke (HOLLES).--From Sir William Holles, Lord Mayor of
London[261].
[261] See Collins's Collections.
HOLDERNESS, Earl (DARCY), Extinct.--For the origin of the Family,
see Leland's Itinerary, vol. VI. p. 24.
NORTHAMPTON, Marquis (PARR), Extinct.--For the origin of this
Family, see also Leland's Itinerary, vol. VIII. p. 96.
English Armorial Bearings.
_Edward_ IV. is by Shakespeare made to say that he would bear Three
fair shining Suns on his Target, from the time he is said to have
seen Three Suns at one time. (Hen. VI. Part III. Act ii. Sc. i.)[262]
[262] Consult Sandford, &c. for his Armorial Bearings.
_Monteagle._--Stanley, Baron of Monteagle, so entitled for his
valour at Flodden Field, because his Ancestors bore an Eagle for
their Crest. Vide Hon. Anglic, p. 109.
_Carey.--_In the Reign of Henry V. was held, at Smithfield, a Just
between Robert Carey _of the West_, Son of Sir John Carey, Knight,
and a Foreign Knight, of the Kingdom of Aragon. Carey vanquished
the Aragonese, and took his Coat Armour in lieu of his own; _viz._
"Argent, on a Bend Sable, Three Roses of the First:" which have ever
since been borne by the name of _Carey_, whose antient Coat was
"Gules, a Chevron between Three Swans Proper, one whereof they still
retain in their Crest[263]."
[263] Stowe's History of London, Book iii. p. 239.
N. B. These are the Arms of _Carey_; though, from the words "_of the
West_," one would think _Carew_ was intended. But the account agrees
with the Arms of Viscount _Falkland_.
_Cooper_ and _Cowper_.--Cooper Earl of Shaftesbury bears Three
Bulls: Cowper Earl Cowper does not.
"The Eagle and Child" having been adopted as the Crest of the Earl
of _Derby_, its Origin is a circumstance of no small curiosity.
Nothing is more common than for a Tenant or Dependant to take the
Crest of his Lord or Chief for a Sign; which will account for the
greatest part of the Bulls' Heads, Griffins, Falcons, Lions,
Boars, &c. in the Kingdom. Thus from one quarter they straggled
into different places, as those people who had occasion for Signs
emigrated from their own Counties and Districts. Amongst these the
Sign in question is one; and is to be found in various places that
have no present connexion with the original, the Importer of such
Device being, perhaps, long since dead. This, being the Crest or
Cognizance of the Stanleys, Earls of Derby, it most probably was
first used in Lancashire, and the parts contiguous, as a Sign.
I at first conceived it to be a fabulous affair; but find, from
good and respectable authorities, that there is not only probable,
but substantial History contained in it; as the major part of the
Estate is derived to the Family from the Issue of the very Child
in question. The first account of this matter I shall give from "A
Survey of the _Isle of Man_[264]," of which the _Stanleys_ were for
several ages Kings and Lords, holding of the Kings of England,
by Grant of Henry IV. (anno 7), by Homage and the Service of a
[265]Cast (of Falcons), payable on Coronations. The _Stanleys_
were Kings as much as any Tributary King whatsoever, making Laws,
&c. They appeared on a certain day in Royal Array, sitting in a
Chair, covered with a Royal Cloth and Cushions, with their Visage
to the East; the Sword borne before them, with the point upwards;
with their Barons, Knights, Squires, &c. about them. Such were the
Descendants of the Child we are going to speak of more largely.
[264] By William Sacheverell, Esq. late Governor of the Island,
printed at London, 1702.
[265] _i. e._ Two Falcons. Dugdale's Baronage.
_Sir John Stanley_ (temp. Richard II.) was a Knight of the greatest
fame in matters of Chivalry; who, having been a great Traveller,
was known for his prowess in most parts of Europe. On his return,
he was followed by a _Frenchman_, who challenged the whole English
Nation. _Sir John_ accepted his challenge, fought, and slew him
in the presence of the King. This addition to his fame raised his
reputation among the men, and procured him so much favour with the
ladies, that he attracted the particular attention of the Heiress
of the Family of _Latham_, who was young, rich, and beautiful. _Sir
John_, with the true spirit of Errantry, declared it was for her he
fought; and at length, contrary to the inclination of her Father,
married the Lady.
Mr. Sacheverell then relates the story which gave birth to this
appendage to the Armorial Bearing of the _Stanley_ Family. These are
his words:
"The Lord of _Latham_ and his Lady, being Childless, as they were
walking in the Park, heard a Child crying in an Eagle's nest:
they immediately ordered their servants to search the Eyery, who
presented them with a beautiful Boy, in rich swadling-cloaths. The
good old lady looked upon it as a present sent from Heaven, ordered
it to be carefully educated, and gave it the Surname of _Latham_.
He (the Child) was knighted by King Edward III. by the name of Sir
_Oskytel Latham_, and left sole Heir of that vast estate. He had one
daughter, named _Isabella_, who by marriage brought the honours of
_Latham_ and _Knowsley_, with many other Lordships, to _Sir John
Stanley_."
Mr. Sacheverell goes no further into the Story; and the Reader
will be naturally inclined to know whose Child this was, and how
it was conveyed into the Eagle's nest. For this we must have
recourse to Sir William Dugdale[266], who relates the Story more
circumstantially, and, as he says, upon credible tradition; _viz._
That a _Sir Thomas de Latham_ had a natural Son, called _Oskytel_,
by an obscure woman, who lived near him; and, "having no Child by
his Lady, he designed to adopt this _Oskytel_ for his Heir; but so
that he himself might not be suspected to have been the Father.
Observing, therefore, that an Eagle had built her Nest in a large
spread oak within his Park at Lathom, he caused the Child in
swadling cloaths to be privily conveyed thither; and (as a wonder)
presently called forth his Wife to see it; representing to her,
that, having no Issue, God Almighty had thus sent him a Male Child,
and so preserved, that he looked upon it as a miracle; disguising
the truth so artificially from her, that she forthwith took him (the
Child) with great fondness into the house, educating him with no
less affection than if she had been his natural Mother; whereupon he
became Heir to that fair inheritance; and that, in token thereof,
not only his Descendants, whilst the Male Line endured, but the
_Stanleys_ proceeding from the said Isabel (the Heir Female), have
ever since borne the Child in the Eagle's Nest, with the Eagle
thereon, for their Crest.
[266] Baronage, vol. II. p. 257.
* * * * *
_Francis Bourgeois_, Member of the Royal Academy, had leave from
King George III. to wear the Polish Order "Merentibus." The Diploma
is dated Warsaw, February 16, 1791. Ordered to be registered in the
College of Arms.
ORIGIN AND DERIVATION
OF A FEW
Remarkable Surnames.
_Lewkenor._--Sir Lewis, Master of the Ceremonies; from one of the
Hundreds of Lincolnshire, called anciently _Levechenora_[267].
[267] Brady's History of England, General Preface, p. 50.
_Kempe._--The same as _Champion_. The Danish word[268].
[268] Brady's Preface to the Norman History, p. 150.
_Misenor._--From _Mesonero_, an Inn-keeper; Spanish.
_Muncaster._--The old name of Newcastle upon Tyne; quasi
_Monk-Caster_. The present name was perhaps taken on its being
rebuilt.
_Mease._--From _Meze_, a messuage[269].
[269] See Blount's Dict.
_Hugesson._--Cardinal _Hugezun_ came over as the Pope's Legate,
temp. Henry II.[270]
[270] Brady's Hist. p. 415.
_Dempster._--The Judges of the Isle of Man were called
Deemsters[271].
[271] Sacheverell's History of the Island, p. 2.
_Eldred._--There was an Archbishop of York of the name of _Aldred_,
temp. William the Conqueror. Perhaps contracted from _Alured_, the
Latin of Alfred.
_Brettell._--There is a Seignory in Normandy of the name of
Bretteville. So we have corrupted the name of _Frescheville_ into
_Fretwell_.
_Belassis._--Something of this name may be seen in Brady's History,
p. 196.
_Larpent._--From the French, _L'Arpent_; _Arpent_ signifying an
acre. We drop the apostrophe.
_Duppa._--_De Uphaugh_ and, by apostrophe, _D'Uphaugh_, according to
Anthony Wood.
_Firmin._--From St. Fermin in France.
_Paliser._--An official name of such person or persons who had the
care of the pales of a forest[272].
[272] Manwood's Forest Laws.
_Ord._--Signifies a Promontory in the Highland; and, I presume, is
Erse[273].
[273] Pennant's Tour, p. 158.
_Bownas_ and _Bonas_.--Corrupted from _Buchan-Ness_, the seat of the
Earl of Errol[274].
[274] Ibid. p. 124.
_Ridgeway._--A local term for the way of the ford, or passage over a
stream. _Ryd_ and _Rith_ signifying a ford[275].
[275] Hasted's History of Kent.
_Fitzherbert._--It is written Filius-Herberti in very old
deeds[276]. The _Finches_ were called _Finch-Herbert_ formerly;
which led Daniel Earl of Winchelsea to think he was related to
the Fitzherberts. Thus Leland: "The Finches that be now, say,
that theire propre name is _Hereberte_; and that with mariage of
the Finche-Heyre, they tooke the Finche's name, and were called
Finche-Herebert, joining booth names[277]."
[276] Ex inform. Dom. Gul. Fitzherbert, Baronetti.
[277] Itinerary, VI. 52.
_Herbert_ of Kent married the heiress of Finch, and took that name
as a prefix, which they soon corrupted into _Fitz-herbert_. But the
Fitzherberts were a family before the _Finches_ were fledged; and
in old deeds the name is given _Filius Herberti_.
_Champernoun._--Devonshire: a corruption of _Campernulph_, or _De
Campo Arnulphi_; called, says Camden, _Champernoun_[278].
[278] Britannia, col. 35.
_Smelt._--Ralph Luvel (or Lovel) an ancestor of the Percivals, was,
in the time of King Stephen, called also _Simelt_, for which no
reason is given[279].
[279] See Collins's Peerage, 1779, art. _Lovel and Holland_.
Names of Men, of Places, and Things, have changed, and by seeming
corruption have come right again.
Thus, for Men.
Tollemache Talmash Tollemache
Legarde Ledgiard Legarde
Lyttelton Littleton Lyttelton
Fauconberg Falconbridge Fauconberg[280]
Cholmondeley Cholmley Cholmondeley
Osbaldiston. Osberton Osbaldiston.
[280] So Shakspeare has it.
I take this to be a local name, from _Osbaldiston_ in Lancashire, q.
_Osbald his Town_. There is in Yorkshire _Osbaldwick_, pronounced
_Osberwick_. It should be _Oswald_, a Bishop of York and Martyr, in
both cases.
We have the name _Bernardiston_, from a place of the name in
Suffolk[281].
[281] For both the places see Spelman's Villare.
* * * * *
_Robertsbridge_, in Sussex, appears to be a corruption of
_Rothersbridge_, as it was long called, and with plausibility; for
it is situated on the river _Rother_: but the former is the truth,
as I have been informed that in old Latin deeds it is styled _Pons
Roberti_.
* * * * *
There are some terms which, by a double corruption, have got
home again; as _Crevisses_, in Derbyshire; where _Crevise_, the
word for a _Cray-fish_, is a corruption: but it gets home by it;
for the French word from whence _cray-fish_ was first formed, is
_ecrevisse_. This too is the radical word; for the lobster is but a
species of it, and called _l'ecrevisse de mer_, or _sea-cray-fish_;
what is now called the sea-cray-fish, is properly the lobster. This
difference consists in the want of claws.
Symbola Scotica;
OR,
An Attempt to Elucidate some of the more Obscure Armorial Bearings,
principally the MOTTOES used by many of the Scottish Families.
_In a Letter to the Earl of LEICESTER, President of the Society of
Antiquaries,_
"Arma Viramque."
There seems to be something peculiarly significant and quaint in
the greatest part of the Mottoes and Devices used by the Scottish
Nobility, and perhaps in those of many Families of inferior Rank;
though these last do not so easily come under our observation.
My intention is, to trouble your Lordship with my thoughts on
a few of these Mottoes (as we call them); and refer to your
extensive knowledge in the science of Heraldry, and your love of
investigation, for the rest of these obscure impreses.
We must, however, distinguish between the Motto and the _Slug horn_
(or, as Sir George Mackenzie gives it, upon the more Southern
pronunciation, _Slogan_[282]); the latter being a _cry de guerre_,
whereas the former (though one may sometimes answer both purposes)
seems more to relate to some historical circumstance by which the
Family have been signalized. The original idea of these words, I
have no doubt, related to War, and operated as what we now call the
Watch-Word, and more emphatically _the Word_ by the circulation
of which the King can, at this day, call his guards about him, as
the Chiefs of Scotland formerly assembled their Vassals in their
respective divisions or clans. The French call it a _Mot_; and the
Italians, by an augmentation, _Motto_; which last we have adopted
when we speak in an heraldic style. The true Scottish term is a
_Ditton_, the _Slughorn_ being properly the _cry de Guerre_. Not
to go into the antiquity of Mottoes, or Armory, further than the
subject in question shall lead me, I shall content myself with
observing that Armorial Bearings in general, with us in England,
have little more than the fancy of the party, with Heraldic
sanction, for their foundation; or some distant allusion to the
name. Take one singular instance of this last case, which Mr. Boyer
(in his Theatre of Honour) gives, as a whimsical bearing. The Arms
of the name of _Matthias_ are three Dice (sixes as the highest
throw), having, I make no doubt (though Mr. Boyer gives no reason
for it), a reference to the election of St. Matthias into the
Apostleship: "And the lot fell upon Matthias." One of the writers
in the Antiquarian Discourses (Mr. Agarde) thinks the old Motto of
the _Caves_, of Stanford, in Northamptonshire, a happy conceit;
the ancient Crest being a Grey-hound currant, with a label issuing
out of its mouth, with these words, "Adsum; Cave." Had the _Cavè_
stood alone, without the Dog or the _Adsum_, it might have been
very well, and have operated religiously, morally, or politically:
but otherwise the Dog seems to run away with the Wit. The Family,
since Mr. Agarde's time, appear to have been sensible of this
awkward compound, and have adopted the French word _Gardez_ for
the Motto; though I think they had better have kept the _Cavè_ (as
I have observed), and hanged the Grey-hound; though perhaps it was
conceived at the time the _Adsum_ was dropped, that Ca-vè, in the
Latin, might be confounded with the English, _Cave_; and that it
would have appeared as if they had taken the name for the Motto,
without another Latin word to denote that language; and therefore
might take _Gardez_, which shews itself to be French.
[282] The Glossary to Douglas's Virgil adduces the Term from the
Anglo-Saxon _Slegan_, interficere.
Mr. Agarde's own Motto is much more apposite to his name; which,
he tells us at the end of his Memoir, was, _Dieu me Garde_; but
at the same time this would have admitted of improvement; for the
French verb _Garder_ was originally _Agarder_, which, had he known
it, would have enabled him to have made the pun complete--_Dieu
m'Agarde_.
Before I quit the subject in general, I cannot help mentioning
a _bon mot_ of a friend of mine (and he has so much wit that I
shall not rob him in the least by the repetition), on his visiting
Chatsworth, to see the house. The Motto of the noble owner is,
as your Lordship well knows, _Cavendo Tutus_, to which the Family
has happily adhered in their Political concerns. The state rooms
in that house are floored with old oak, waxed, and very slippery,
in consequence of which my friend had very near fallen down; when,
recovering his equilibrium, he observed, "that he rather supposed
the Motto related to the floors than the name."
* * * * *
But it is time to lead to the matter I proposed, _viz._ the SCOTTISH
MOTTOES; and yet, before I proceed to them, I wish to premise
something on the grounds of a few of the ARMORIAL BEARINGS among the
most ancient Scottish Families, which have originated from History.
* * * * *
The principal Family of the name of
DOUGLAS
carries "A Man's Heart Gules," as a fixed principal Charge, because
the Good Sir James Douglas, as he is styled, carried the Heart
of King Robert I. (of the name of Bruce) to Jerusalem, and there
interred it[283]. The original Coat Armour of Douglas was, "Azure,
in chief Three Stars Argent[284]." The Heart is now imperially
crowned; but that is a later introduction[285], not borne at least
by those who merely quartered the Arms.
[283] Nisbet's Cadencies, p. 178.
[284] Idem, p, 208.
[285] Nisbet, Armories, p. 199.
CAMPBELL,
Duke of Argyle, Marquis of Lorn, &c. bears in the Second and Third
Quarters (for the Lordship of Lorn) a Feudal Charge of "Or, a
Limphad (or small Ship) Sable, with Flames of Fire issuing out of
the Top of the Mast, and from the Fore and Hindermost Parts of the
Ship:" which Fire, says my Author, was called in old blazonry St.
Anthony's Fire. The reason is, that, as the Territory lay upon the
Coast, this Bearing was indicative of the Tenure by which the Lands
were held in capite; _viz_. by supplying a Ship with twenty Oars in
time of War, if required. The _Reddendum_ runs, for the provision
of "Unam navem viginti Remorum, si petatur, tempore Belli, &c."[286]
[286] Nisbet, Armories, p. 203.
By Marriage, this Lordship, after many generations, came into the
Family of Campbell, then Earl of Argyle; but, in process of time,
the Flames issuing from the Ship have been extinguished.
This was not an uncommon Armorial Appendage to other Feudal Lords,
and Lordships similarly situated.
Thus the Arms of the Isle of Arran are, "Argent, a Ship, with its
Sails furled, Sable."
The Earls of Orkney and Caithness have the Bearing of a Ship for the
like reason; being Lordships, or Feudal Earldoms, situate on the
Coast; but with Differences.
The Earl of Orkney (and from thence the Earl of Caithness) bears a
Ship of a more modern form, with three Masts; but it has the honour
of being within a double Tressure, counter-fleured, to shew its
connexion with Royalty.
DRUMMOND
carries, "Or, Three Bars wavy Gules." This simple Bearing, we are
told, involves a Piece of History; for that an Hungarian Gentleman,
of the name of Maurice, in the Reign of Malcolm III. had the
command of a Ship in which Edgar Atheline, his Mother Agatha, and
his Sisters Margaret and Christian, were embarked, in their return
from England to Hungary. A Storm arose, and drove them on the
Coast of Scotland, where they were landed in the Frith of Forth,
and entertained by the King, who afterwards married Margaret. This
Maurice so ingratiated himself with King Malcolm, that he was
solicited by the King to settle in Scotland, which he did, and had
grants of many Lands; and particularly those at Drymen or Drummond,
of which last he took the name. Drummond, as we must now call him,
was afterwards appointed Seneschal of Lenox; and the King assigned
him the above Arms, alluding to his original Profession of a Naval
Officer, and in memory of his having conducted the then Queen safe
through the Storm into the Port in Scotland[287].
[287] Douglas's Peerage, p. 547. The Scottish Writers give different
Derivations of the Name of Drummond, not to our present purpose;
though all seem to agree as to the reason of the Armorial Bearing of
the Family. See the Works of Drummond of Hawthornden.
SETON EARL OF WINTON.
The Paternal Arms of Seton, afterwards Earls of Winton, were
_Crescents_, for which no particular reason appears: but the Lords
of Seton have for some hundreds of years carried, "Or, a Sword
erected in pale, supporting an Imperial Crown Proper, betwixt
Three Crescents within a Double Tressure, counter-fleured, Gules."
This honourable Augmentation was granted by Robert the Bruce to
his Nephew Sir Alexander Seton, of that Ilk, for the special and
seasonable services performed by him and his Father Sir Christopher
to that Monarch during the time of his troubles. Sir Christopher
Seton, it seems, had lost two Estates of great value, one in
Scotland, the other in England, together with his Life, in the
Service of his King and Country; upon which account King Robert
(whose Sister, Christian Bruce, Sir Christopher had married), when
he had overcome his Enemies, restored his Nephew, Sir Alexander
Seton, to the Lands in Scotland which his Father had lost, though
he could not re-possess him of the English Estate; granted the
Augmentation of the _Sword and Crown_ to his Paternal Coat-Armour,
to perpetuate their gallant Actions; and added the Double Tressure,
which at that time was given to none but such as had married, or
were descended from, Daughters of the Blood-Royal[288]. One branch
of the Family, _viz._ Sir Alexander Seton of Pitwedden (at one time
a Lord of Session), upon the event of the death of his Father,
who, in the Reign of King Charles I. (during the Civil Commotions)
was killed by a Shot from the King's Enemies, with a Banner in his
hand, assumed the Armorial Bearing of "An Heart distilling Drops of
Blood[289]."
[288] Nisbet, Cadencies, p. 191.
[289] Ibid. p. 200.
These, my Lord, I offer in the line of _Nobility_, as Historical
Bearings; but many may likewise be found among the _Gentry_, who
have Armorial Devices allusive to gallant actions, high employments,
or other honourable circumstances.
Of those, the few that follow, most easily occur, from the works of
that laborious Herald, Mr. Alexander Nisbet.
GRAHAM
of Inchbrackie, descended of an eldest Son, of a second Marriage, of
the first Earl of Montrose, gives, "Or, a Dyke [or Wall] fess-wise,
Azure, broken down in several parts, &c." The Dyke there is assumed,
to difference the Bearer from his Chief, and to perpetuate that
action of Gramus (one of the Predecessors of the noble Family of
Graham) in pulling down the Wall [anno 420] built by the Roman
Emperor Severus, which was thereafter called "Graham's Dyke."
N. B. By the Dyke the Scots seem to mean the Wall, _i.e._ the
Vallum, which is formed out of the Dyke.
CLARK
of Pennycuik. Sir John Clark, of Pennycuik, had this Motto, "Free
for a Blast," which is explained in part by the Crest, which is a
Man blowing a Horn: but for both the Crest itself, and the Motto, we
must look into the Tenure of the Estate, which they derived, most
probably by Marriage, from the Pennycuiks of that Ilk, an old Family
in Mid-Lothian, who bore "Or, a Fess between Three Hunting Horns
Sable, stringed Gules;" and, by the ancient Tenure of their Lands,
were obliged, once a year, to attend in the Forest of Drumsleich,
since called Barrowmuir, to give a Blast of a Horn at the King's
Hunting.
The _Clarks_, holding by the same Tenure, preserved the Motto.
KIRKPATRICK,
who gave the last Blow to Cummin, supposed to have been slain, cried
out, "Lest he should not be quite dead, _I will secure him_," and
stabbed him with his Dagger. Hence the Family took the Crest of "A
Hand holding a Dagger in Pale, distilling Drops of Blood;" and with
the Motto "I'll make sicker (sure);" or, "I'll make sure."[290]
[290] Nisbet, p. 147. See also Hume's History, ch. xiii.
CARRICK.
STEWART, Earl of Carrick. The Paternal Arms of Stewart, out of which
was a _Lion naissant_, all within a Double Tressure, counter-fleured
Gules: the Lion naissant intimating his original right to the
Crown[291].
[291] Nisbet, Cadencies, p. 33.
FARQUHARSON,
of Invercald, carries, in addition to his Paternal Coat, "Argent, a
Fir Tree growing out of a Mount Proper on a Chief Gules,--the Banner
of Scotland in Bend, and on a Canton of the first (_viz._ Or), a
Dexter Hand couped at the wrist, grasping a Dagger, point downwards,
Gules." Mr. Nisbet says[292], they carried the Fir Trees because
their Country abounded with such Trees; the Hand grasping a Dagger,
for killing the Cumming; and the Banner is lately added, because
the Grand-father of the present John Farquharson (1702) was killed
at the Battle of Pinkie, carrying the Banner of Scotland.
[292] Cadencies, p. 196.
WOOD.
The Chiefs of this name have given Trees in different forms; but
Wood of Largoe placed his Tree between Two Ships under sail, as
Admiral to King James III. and IV. in whose reigns he defeated the
English with an inferior Force. Another Branch of the Family gave a
Hunting-horn hanging upon the Branch of a Tree, to shew he was the
King's Forester[293].
[293] Nisbet, Cadencies, p. 202.
FORBES,
of Watertown, charges his Coat with an "Escocheon Argent, a Sword
and Key in Saltire Gules," as being Constable of Aberdeen: and for a
Difference from the Grays, places a Quill or Pen in the Paw of the
Lion in the Arms of Gray, because his Ancestor was Sheriff's Clerk
of Angus[294].
[294] Idem, p. 203.
JOHN RAMSAY,