The furrs
Ge. Though that so well happened, yet I haue read of one Candaulus a king of the Lidians, who for the pride he had in the beautie of his wife, she-wed her naked to his fellowe Giges, whereon hee was so much enamored, and shee likewise in such fort displeased therewith, that through both their consents in short time after, he wan from him his king-Fol. 75r kingdome, his wife, & life, & altogether. But to pro-ceede of armory, which is our special talke: I meane to shew you a further lesson, & that by the number of ix. as hereafter followeth. There are nine sundrie furres, which in scocheons are called by ix. proper names, & in mantels, they are called doublings.
The first.
This is the first & the chiefest of the rest, and is called Ermine, for thus shall you say. He beareth Ermine, & not Argent, powdred with Sable. It is the skinne of a little beast, lesser thẽ a Squi-rell, his being is in woods in the lãd of Armony, wher of he taketh his name. It hath a tail of a thomb-lẽgth and is browne. Till of late the whole skinne with the taile, was set in furre, as I haue seene a mantell Emperiall, that was _Sigifmondes_ with the like furre and the tailes pendant to euerie skinne. But since his time there hath beene a better order taken, that is, an Emperour, a King, and a Prince, may haue these powders in their apparel as thick set together as they will. A Duke may haue but his mantelles cape with foure ranges of them. A Marques may haue his mantels cape, but with three ranges, and a halfe. An Earle, his mantels cape with three ranges, otherwise termed Rankes. In some cote they are told, but then they are not to the number of tenne.
Fol. 75v The second.
The second is called Ar-gent, & is vsed for a doub-ling, & taken for the Lit-tuits skin. But in blazon it is termed by the name of Argent, for the honour thereof, _Christine_ saith, yee shall not offende to call a doubling white.
The third.
The third doubling, is cal-led Ermines. You shall not saye Sable poudred with Argent, be-cause Ermines is his pro-per name.
The fourth.
The fourth doubling, is properly called Ermines. This differeth from Er-mine, for on euery side of the prouders, there is one heare of Geules.
Fol. 76r The fift.
The fift doubling is Or, powdred with Sable, and must bee called properly Erminoys. Though this bee rich in Armes, yet in doubling it is not so rich, but as it followeth in nũ-ber, so differeth it in de-gree.
The sixth.
The sixth doubling, is cal-led Pean, which is the field Sable, & the powdres Or, After this furre, as many as are out of these orders aforesaid, shall be named of the colour and mettall they are of, and haue bin commonly called Grytty of Herehaughts.
The seuenth.
The seventh doubling is properly called Verrey & is on this fashion, Argent, and Azure, or else Azure and argent. But where the matter is doubtfull the mettal hath the prehemi-nence.
Fol. 76v The eight.
The eight doubling is ver-ry, and is so properly cal-led, although it be Or, and Vert, or else Vert and Or. In these the blazour hath the curtesie of blazon, so that he set mettall first.
The ninth.
The ninth and last of all, is called vaire, which is of all colours, except these two before rehearsed. It may be also of three sun-drie colours, which when so euer it happeneth, the colours must be tolde, as this is blazed. He beareth vaire of Argent, Geulcs, Or, and Sable. **Le.** Are all the good furres? **Ge.** Yea they are both auncient cotes and good furres. But now adayes if he be a meane man, either of birth or linnage, he will beare none of these, but Ermine, and Argent, & very seldome you shall see any mantell doubled with Ermins. For euerie man will weare as the best doth without all order. For now we haue a cõmon saying, win golde and weare it.