“Powerful Arms and Fertile Soil” English Identity and the Law of Arms in Early Modern England Claire Renée Kennedy A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History and Philosophy of Science University of Sydney 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My greatest thanks and appreciation to Ofer Gal, who supervised my PhD with constant interest, insightfulness and support. This thesis owes so much to his helpful conversation and encouraging supervision and guidance. I have benefitted immensely from the suggestions and criticisms of my examiners, John Sutton, Nick Wilding, and Anthony Grafton, to whom I owe a particular debt. Grafton’s suggestion during the very early stages of my candidature that the quarrel between William Camden and Ralph Brooke might provide a promising avenue for research provided much inspiration for the larger project. I am greatly indebted to the staff in the Unit for History and Philosophy of Science: in particular, Hans Pols for his unwavering support and encouragement; Daniela Helbig, for providing some much-needed motivation during the home-stretch; and Debbie Castle, for her encouraging and reassuring presence. I have benefitted immensely from conversations with friends, in and outside the Unit for HPS. This includes, (but is not limited to): Megan Baumhammer, Sahar Tavakoli, Ian Lawson, Nick Bozic, Gemma Lucy Smart, Georg Repnikov, Anson Fehross, Caitrin Donovan, Stefan Gawronski, Angus Cornwell, Brenda Rosales and Carrie Hardie. My particular thanks to Kathryn Ticehurst and Laura Sumrall, for their willingness to read drafts, to listen, and to help me clarify my thoughts and ideas. My thanks also to the Centre for Editing Lives and Letters, University College London, and the History of Science Program, Princeton University, where I benefitted from spending time as a visiting research student. Finally, I would never have been able to complete this project, had it not been for the unfailing support and understanding of my family. This thesis is dedicated to Robyn, Phillip, Adam, David, Katy, and Carly. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................ iii INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER I: BLOOD, LAND, AND HONOUR ................................................................................. 8 HUMOURAL THEORY ............................................................................................................................... 9 Blood, Fluids & Heat ......................................................................................................................11 Reproduction ................................................................................................................................... 12 Inheritance ...................................................................................................................................... 15 GEO-HUMOURALISM .............................................................................................................................. 16 Identities: Cultural & Personal .................................................................................................. 18 Manliness ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Generation ...................................................................................................................................... 23 HEAT & “CIVILIZING” ............................................................................................................................ 26 Malleable Mettle ............................................................................................................................ 28 GENTILITY .............................................................................................................................................. 33 Knowing & Being Known ............................................................................................................. 36 Gentility & Violence ...................................................................................................................... 39 Blood & Spirit ................................................................................................................................. 41 WOMEN’S BODIES ................................................................................................................................... 44 Case Study: The Abergavenny Peerage ................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER II: THE COLLEGE OF ARMS ........................................................................................ 62 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 62 MESSENGERS OF MARS .......................................................................................................................... 68 Kings of Arms ................................................................................................................................. 77 Heralds in Ordinary ..................................................................................................................... 78 Pursuivants ..................................................................................................................................... 79 VISITATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 79 Visitation, in Practice ................................................................................................................... 84 COURT OF CHIVALRY ............................................................................................................................ 98 The Law of Arms in England ...................................................................................................... 105 Conflict in the College of Arms ................................................................................................ ..110 Whose Authority? ........................................................................................................................ ..116 GRANTS OF ARMS ................................................................................................................................... 122 Shakespeare’s Arms ..................................................................................................................... 124 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 131 CHAPTER III: WILLIAM CAMDEN AND RALPH BROOKE ..................................................... 132 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 132 The Conflict .................................................................................................................................. 135 WILLIAM CAMDEN ................................................................................................................................ 139 i Oxford ............................................................................................................................................ 141 Inns of Court ................................................................................................................................. 143 Law & Order ...................................................................................................................................... 148 Westminster .................................................................................................................................. 155 RALPH BROOKE .................................................................................................................................... 162 Brooke vs. Segar .......................................................................................................................... 164 Brooke, Etc. .................................................................................................................................. 167 CAMDEN AND BROOKE. ........................................................................................................................ 169 Epistemological Concerns ........................................................................................................ 172 Concerns of Office ................................................................................................................................. 173 Legitimacy ........................................................................................................................................... 177 Camden & the College of Arms ................................................................................................ 182 Brooke: Round 2 .......................................................................................................................... 183 CONCLUSIONS .....................................................................................................................................