1. IN Blazoning you must use an advised Deliberation before you enter thereinto, for having once begun, it argues an inconsiderate Folly to recall what you have said.
2. The fewer Words you make use of in blazoning a Coat, the better it is blazoned; Be cautious however, that while you endeavour to be short, you are not mysterious, and that you omit nothing which ought to be mention’d.
3. In Blazon you must take special Heed to Words, for Arms differently blazoned cease to be the same; and tho’ one Coat may be blazoned two ways, yet they do then both come to the same, the Phrase only chang’d, as in the Arms of Akelont of Gloucestersh. in the following Sheets.
4. You must not be too full of Conceits in Blazon, nor over forward of Speech.
5. You must use no Repetition of Words, in the self same Coat, viz. the Names of Metals, Colours or Furrs, the Numbers of Ordinaries or Charges; but especially not of the Words
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For the Repetition of these, is reckon’d |
How to vary your Words, to avoid this Fault, you may see among others in the Arms of Cecil E. of Salisbury, Addison, Atkins of Saperton.
6. In blazoning you must have Regard to the things that are born in Arms, and to what they may be resembled, whether Natural or Artifical, and so commend them accordingly.
7. Begin to blazon with the Field, then proceed to the Charge, if any be: Also, if there be more Charges page xii than one, you must evermore name that first, which is suppos’d to lie nearest the Field; see the Arms of Dyxeon, Capt. Aldridge, Villiers E. of Jersey, &c.
8. The Arms of Gentlemen, Knights, and all Persons not enobled, are to be blazoned by Metals and Colours; all the Degrees of Nobility have their Arms blazoned by Precious Stones; Emperors, Kings and Princes, by Planets; as hereafter will appear more plainly, by Rule and Example.