BLAZONRY* 317 



jargon of blazonry, was in common ufe in the 

 eleventh century, when that art began to be in 

 rogue, for then the laltiers, fufils, guirons, ruf- 

 tres, &c. were parts of the armour worn by 

 knights : and we find no author who has men- 

 tioned this art before the year 1 1 50. 



VIIT. With regard to the manner of ranging 

 thefe figures and colours, the principal rule is, 

 always to put metal upon colour, or colour upon 

 metal , and if any example of the contrary is 

 met with, it is from a particular caufe which is 

 to be inquired into. The reafon they give for 

 this rule is, that the ancient drefs was compofed 

 of party-coloured fluffs fewed together, or of 

 cloth of gold or filver ; and that they put pieces 

 of gold and filver on the colours, and colours on 

 the gold. Blazonary gives a great number of 

 particular rules for the manner of arranging 

 thcfe figures i for quartering and dfminifhing 

 arms, &c. 



IX. Coats of arms have hkewife ornaments 

 that may be called exterior, and are accompanied 

 with marks of honour , fuch as crowns and co- 

 ronets, colars of the orders of knighthood, en- 

 Cgns ot employment, fupporters, the helmet, 

 crcft, and mantle. Crowns and coronets have 

 not been placed on fcutcheons till within two 

 hundred years pad: they arc the- diftinguilhing 

 marks of Ibvercings and of the nobility j as pope, 



cm- 



