John Guillim

**John Guillim**

#### English original

From *Beasts* of the *Field*, and *Beasts* of the *Forest*, which are indeed *tame* and *sociable* in respect of those we call *savage*; we shall go on to give some few *Examples* of such as are in a kind of *middle State*, between *Gentle* and *Fierce*; and these are the *Unicorn* and the *Camel*. We shall not stand there disputing, as some do, whether there be any such Creature as an *Unicorn* (the Decision of that Controversy being beside our present Purpose) but take it for granted, that there are, seeing we have so often beheld their Forms in *Escocheons*, and been told so by the Learned in *Natural History*.

The *Field* is Argent, an *Unicorn seiant* Sable, *armed* and *unguled* Or; by the Name of *Harling*. The *Unicorn* hath his Name of the *one Horn* in his Forehead, which *Horn*, is not only of great *Strength*, but also of excellent *Virtue*; insomuch that the fame is accounted the most powerful *Antidote* against *Poison*. From whence the *Bearing* of the *Unicorn* is a Representation both of *Strength* and *Courage*, and also of *virtuous Dispositions* and *Ability* to do Good; for to have *Strength* of *Body*, without the *Gifts* and *good Qualities* of the *Mind*, is but the Quality of the *Ox*: But where both concur, that may truly be called *Manliness*.

He beareth Gules, an *Unicorn tripping* Argent, *armed* and *unguled* Or; by the Name of *Musterton*. *Farnesius* seems to intimate, that the *Unicorn* is a proper *Bearing* for a *valiant Soldier*; for (saith he) such is the Greatness of his Mind, that he chuseth rather to die, than to be taken alive: In like Manner, the *valiant* Man doth so far contemn Death, that he chuses to lose his Life, rather than be compelled to any base *Servitude* or *Bondage*.

He beareth Azure, an Unicorn tripping Argent; by the Name of *Bernard* of *France*.

The *Field* is Sable, *three Unicorns in Pale*, *current* Argent, *armed* Or; by the Name of *Farrington* of *Berkshire*. This *Beast* was highly honoured in being the *Supports* of the Sovereign Ensigns of the Kingdom of *Scotland*; and from hence it is, that (according to *Smithurst*, who often has a shrewd Guess at Truth) the *Bearing* of *him* in *Armes* is taken to signify *Service* done *in* or *to* that Kingdom.

He beareth Gules, *three Unicorns Heads couped* Or; by the Name of *Paris* of *Cambridgeshire*. *Motto*, Vive ut Vivas. *Robert Paris* of *Hildersham*, was High-Sheriff of this County and *Huntingdonshire*, 10 *Rich.* 2. Dr. *Fuller* believes, and not without Reason, that *Matthew Paris* the Historian, was of this Family, because he was born in the next County.— He was a Monk at St. *Alban's*, skilled in Poetry, Oratory and Divinity, as also in Painting, Graving, &c. but this chief *Genius* was in writing of *Histories*, wherein he wrote a large Chronicle, from the *Conquest* to the Year of our Lord 1250. where he concludes with this Distich:

>
> *Siste tui metas studii,* Matthæe*, quietas,*
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> *Nec ventura petas, quæ postera proferat ætas.*
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> *Matthew* here cease thy Pen in Peace, and study on no more,
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> Nor do thou aim at Things to come, which next Age hath in Store.
>
>
>
>

Yet, resuming the Work, he continu'd it to 1259. 40 *Hen.* 3. in which Year he left off, both living and writing.

He beareth Argent, three Unicorns Heads couped Gules; by the Name of *Cottingham* of *Surrey*.

*Shelley*; Gules, three Unicorns Heads couped Argent.

*Preston*; Argent, three Unicorns Heads couped Sable.

### A display of heraldry

#### English original

He beareth Argent, an Unicorn Seiant, Sable, armed and unguled, Or, by the Name of *Harling*. The Unicorn hath his name of his one horn on his forehead. There is another Beast of a huge strength and greatness, which hath but one horn, but that is growing on his Snout, whence he is called *Rinoceros*, and both are named *Monoceros*, or *One-horned*. It hath been much questioned amongst Naturalists, which it is that is properly called the Unicorn: and some have made doubt whether there be any such Beast as this, or no. But the great esteem of his horn (in many places to be seen) may take away that needless scruple.

He beareth Gules, an Unicorn tripping, Argent, Armed and Unguled, Or, by the Name of *Musterton*. Touching the invincible Nature of this Beast, *Job* saith, *Wilt thou trust him because his strength is great, and cast thy labour unto him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy Barn?* And this Vertue is no less famoused than his Strength, in that his horn is supposed to be the most powerful Antidote against Poison: Insomuch as the general conceit is, That the wild Beasts of the Wilderness use not to drink of the Pools, for fear of venomous Serpents there breeding, before the Unicorn hath stirred it with his horn. Howsoever it be, this Charge may very well be a representation both of strength or courage, and also of vertuous dispositions and ability to do good; for to have strength of body without the gifts and good qualities of the mind, is but the property of an Ox, but where both occur, that may truly be called manliness. And that these two should consort together, the Ancients did signifie, when they made this one word, *Virtus*, to imply both the strength of body, and vertue of the mind.

He beareth Sable, three Unicorns in Pale, current, Argent, Armed, Or, by the Name of *Farrington*. It seemeth by a question moved by *Farnesius*, That the Unicorn is never taken alive; and the reason being demanded, it is answered, That the greatness of his mind is such, that the chuseth rather to die than to be taken alive: wherein (saith he) the Unicorn and the valiant minded Souldier are alike, which both contemn death, and rather than they will be compelled to undergo any base servitude or bondage, they will lose their lives.

He beareth Gules, 3 Unicors heads, couped, Argent, by the Name of *Shelly*. The Unicorn is an untamable Beast by nature, as may be gathered by the words of *Job, chap. 39. Will the Unicorn serve thee, or will he tarry by thy crib? Canst thou bind the Unicorn with his band to labour in the furrow, or will he plough the valleys after thee?*

He beareth Argent, a Cheveron, Ermyns, between three Unicorns heads couped, Sable, by the Nae of *Head*, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir *Richard Head* of the City of *Rochester* in *Kent*, Baronet.

## External links

* The Banner Display'd in the Internet Archive
* A Display of Heraldry in the Internet Archive