Thomas Arundell (c1560-1639) was the son and heir of Sir Thomas Arundell, of Wardour Castle. His Catholic zeal sent him to prison in 1580 but he regained favor by contributing financially to the defeat of the Armada. In 1595, supposedly with the recommendation of Elizabeth I, he went to serve the Emperor in the fight against the Turks, and distinguished himself in the capture of Esztergom. The Emperor made him a count, but upon his return to England Queen Elizabeth I made her displeasure known (see the quote of Selden below). He was created a baron by James I in 1605. His family continued as one of the most prominent Catholic families in post-Reformation England. (Source: ODNB).
The text of the diploma conferring the title of count of the Holy Roman Empire on Thomas Arundell follows.
The source is John Selden: Titles
of Honour. 1672, p. 347-49, who copied it from the
autograph original in the possession of the family. A copy was
also deposited at the College of Arms, in London. My translation
of the Latin is shown alongside. The pages of Selden's book can
be seen here and here.
Selden begins:
| Insignes etiam virtutes quibus
illustre genus tuum magis ac magis domi
forisque illustras, ut liberalibus primum disciplinis pectus imbueris,
peregrinas Provincias adieris, multorum mores , multorum & Urbes
videris, magnúmque rerum usum acquisieris, ut denique tandem hoc
sacro, quod contra communem Christiani nominis hostem Turcam gerimus,
bello raro ac singulari zelo excitus tam longinquis & remotis ex
partibus in Hungariam propriis stipendiis nobis militatum veneris,
téque in apertis præliis in Civitatum & Castrorum
oppugnationibus fortiter ac strenuè gesseris, ut omnibus
nationibus admirationi Nobísque & à Serenissimo
Principe Archiduce Mathia fratre nostro charissimo & à
primariis exercitus nostri præfectis majorem in modum commendatus
fueris, insigni hoc inter alia exemplo spectato quod in expugnatione
oppidi Aquatici juxta Strigonium, Vexillum Turcis tua manu eripueris
& in principiis tempore pugnæ te spectandum præbueris ,
prætermittere noluimus quin te posterósque tuos legitimos
insigni aliquo gratiæ nostræ documento benignè
decoremus; |
We have desired not
to forget the notable virtues by which more and more you bring honour
to your distinguished race at home and abroad, as when first you imbued
your mind with the liberal arts, you went to foreign provinces, you saw
many customs and many cities, you learned the use of great things, and
finally out of such distant and remote places you came animated by a
rare and singular zeal in Hungary at your own expense to this sacred
war that we are waging against the Turkish host, common enemy of the
Christian name; you conducted yourself bravely and vigorously in open
battles and in sieges, that you were greatly commended by the
Most Serene Prince Archduke Mathias our dearest brother and by the
first commanders of our army to Our admiration and that of all nations,
for this notable example among others observed in the storming of the
citadel of Víziváros near Esztergom, when you seized the Turkish
standard with your own hand and offered yourself to be seen at the very
beginning of the battle, but we have desired to kindly honour you and
your legitimate descendants by some eminent mark of our grace; |
| Motu itaque propria, ex certa nostra scientiâ, animo bene deliberato, ac sano accedente consilio, deque Cæsareæ autoritatis atque potestatis nostræ plenitudine, te supradictum Thomam Arundelium qui jam antè Comitum consanguinitatem à majoribus acceptam in Anglia obtines, omnesque &singulos liberos hæredes, posteros & descendentes tuos legitimos utriusqne sexus natos æternáque serie nascituros, etiam veros sacros [sic; recte Sacri?] Romani Imperii Comites & Comitissas creavimus, fecimus & nominavimus, Titulóque honore & dignitate Comitatus Imperialis auximus atque insignivimus sicut vigore præsentium creamus, facimus & nominanus, augemus & insignimus, volentes præsentique Edicto nostro Cæsareo imperpetuum valituro firmiter & expresse decernentes quod tu, supradicte Thoma Arundelie, unà cum universa prole atque posteritate legitima mascula & foeminea in infinitum titulum, nomen, & dignitatem Comitum Imperii perpetuis deinceps temporibus habere & obtinere & deferre eóque tam in literis quam nuncupatione verbali in rebus Spiritualibus & temporalibus, Ecclesiasticis & Prophanis honorari appellari & reputari ac denique onmibus & singulis honoribus, ornamentis, dignitatibus, gratiis, libertatibus, privilegiis, juribus, indultis, consuetudinibus, præeminentiis & prærogativis liberè & citra cujuslibet impedimentum uti, frui, potiri & gaudere possitis & debeatis quibus cæteri nostri Sacri Imperii Comites fruuntur, potiuntur & gaudent jure vel consuetudine. | Therefore of our own motion,
certain knowledge, mature deliberation and
with good counsel, and in the plenitude of our Imperial authority and
power, We have created, made and appointed you, the said Thomas
Arundell , whose kinship with counts is already accepted by the more
prominent in England, and to all and singular your natural heirs,
successors and legitimate descendants of either sex to be born in
perpetual succession, true Counts and Countesses of the Holy Roman
Empire, and by this title, honour and dignity of Imperial Count we have
raised and distinguished you, as by these present we create, make,
appoint,
raise and distinguish you, willing and by this our imperial edict valid
in
perpetuity ordaining firmly and expressly that you, said Thomas
Arundell, and all your issue and legitimate posterity male and female
in infinity might and shall hold, receive and obtain the name and
dignity of Count of the Empire henceforth for all times and be honored,
called and known by it in all pronouncements written and verbal in all
matters spiritual and temporal, ecclesiastic and lay, and finally that
you might and shall use, enjoy, and possess, freely and without
any
impediment, all honors, ornaments, dignities, graces, liberties,
privileges, rights, concessions, customs, preeminences and prerogatives
such as our other Counts of the Holy Roman Empire use, enjoy, and
possess,by right or custom. |
| Non obstantibus in contrarium facientibus quibuscumque etiamsi talia forent de quibus in præsentibus specialis & expressa mentio fieri deberet , quibus omnibus & singulis quatenus obstarent seu obstare quovismodo possent Cæsarea auctoritate nostra scienter derogamus sufficientérque derogatum esse volumus & declaramus per præsentes ; Serenissime tamen Princìpis & Dominæ Elizabethæ, Reginæ Angliæ, Franciæ & Hiberniæ sororis & consanguineæ nostræ charissimæ juribus ac superioritatibus semper illæsis ac salvis. | Notwithstanding any thing to the
contrary even if such should exist of which in these present special
and express mention should have been made, to which any and all things
insofar as they are or could in any way be contrary we of our imperial
authority knowingly derogate and want and declare by these present that
have been sufficiently derogated; and the rights and superiorities of
the Most Serene Princess and Lady Elizabeth, queen of England, France
and Ireland our dearest sister and cousin always inviolate and saved. |
| Nulli ergo omninò hominum, cujuscunque gradus, status, ordinis, conditionis et dignitatis extiterint et quacunque præfulgeant emìnentia, liceat hanc nostræ confirmationis, ratificationis, approbationis, corroborationis, erectionis, autoritatis, voluntatis, gratiæ & decreti paginam infringere aut et quovis ausu temerario contravenire. | And thus be it permitted to no
man of whatever rank, status, order, condition and dignity they might
be or whatever eminence they might hold, to transgress or be so
bold as to dare contravene this page of our confirmation, ratification,
approbation, corroboration, erection, authority, will, grace and decree. |
| Quisquis vero id fecerit, is noverit sese ex ipso facto in nostram & Sacri Romani Imperii indignationem gravissimam ac poenam centum Marcarum auri puri (quarum mediam partem fisco nostro imperiali, residuam verò injuriam passorum usibus solvendam et applicandam decernimus omni veniæ seu remissionis spe prorsus sublatâ) incursurum. Harum testimonio literarum manu nostra subscriptarum et sigilli nostri Cæsarei appensione munitarum. | And whosoever should do so, he
will find himself incuring our most serious wrath and that of the Holy
Roman Empire and the pain of one hundred marks of pure gold, of which
half we grant to our imperial treasury and the rest to the usage of
those who have suffered injury, removing any hope of relief or
pardon. In witness these letters signed by our hand and our
Imperial seal appended. |
| Datum in Arce Nostra Regia
Pragæ, die decima quarta mensis Decembris
Anno Domini Millesimo quingentesimo nonagesimo quinto, Regnorum
nostrorum Romani vicesimo primo, Hungarici vicesimo quarto et Bohemici
itidem vicesimo primo. |
Given in our royal city of
Prague, the 14th day of December the year of the Lord 1595, of our
reign of the Romans the 21st, of Hungary the 24th and of Bohemia the
21st. |
| Rudolphus. Ad mandatum Sac. Cæs. Majestatis proprium Jo. Barvitius. |
Rudolph By his Imperial Majesty's command Johann Barwitz |
[172] ...This yeare [39th] returned
Thomas Arundell of Wadour, whom the Emperour
created Earle of the Holy Empire, and all and euery one of his Heires,
his Posterity, and those that shall descend from him, lawfully begotten
of either sex, Earles and Countesses of the Holy Empire; for because
the Queene in her Letters had commended him as her kinsman: and because
he had deserued so great an honour in his braue behauiour in the
Hungary warre against the Turke. This title whosoeuer is master of, are
said to enioy by vertue thereof these priuiledges, that in all
Imperiall Diets they haue both place and voyce, they may purchase Land
in the Empire, they may muster vp Voluntaries, and need not to appeare
being cited to iudgement, but onely in the Imperiall Chamber. When he
(after his returne) grew somewhat famous among the common people, by
reason of this Title there arose vpon it a question presently,
whether a Subiect ought to admit of any such Honour or Title from a
forreine Prince, his owne Prince being not acquainted with it? There
were indeed those that thought that such rewards for valour were to be
allowed of, from what Prince soeuer they were bestowed, by reason that
vertue growes lanke without her rewards of merit, vrging the example of
Henry the third King of England, who very thankfully acknowledged
Reginald Mohune, made Earle of Somerset by the Apostolike authority of
the Bishop of Rome. Also of Henry the eight, who did so congratulate
Robert Curson, whom Maximilian the first Emperour, had created Lord of
the Holy Empire, for his warlike valour, that he reckoned him amongst
his Lords of England· and allowed him an annuall pension for the
better [173] maintenance of his dignity. Besides they vrged
some braue Scottish Souldiers, as of Archibald Duglasse of Wigtone, who
receiued the Title of Duke of Tours from the French King: and of Iohn
Steward, who was by the King of France made Earle D' Euereux, &
that the Scottish kings esteemed this as an honour to the Nation. But
the Lords of England imagining that this would bereaue them and their
Heires of some of their prerogatiues, if so be they and their Heires
were to giue place to such an vpstart Lord and his Heires for euer,
argued against it thus: that such Titles of honour are neither to be
receiued by the Subiect, nor to be allowed of by the Prince. That
it is the property of the Prince for to conferre honours vpon his owne
Subiects, and not for any Forreiner to doe it, according to the words
of Valerian the Emperour.
Vrging, that there is a great detraction
both from the Maiesty of the
Prince, and the dutie of the Subiect, if they may be tolerated to
receiue Dignities from Forreiners. For there must needs be a secret
allegiance betweene him that is honoured, and the party honouring. That
these kinde of Titles are nothing else but a cunning sleight, to prefer
men out of the obedience to their Prince, to any strange Forreiner.
That there may be an action of theft against him, that shall brand
another mans sheepe with his marke. Also that there may be an action of
cousenage and deceit against him, that shall spread abroad fodder to
entice another mans sheep into his flocke. And although
mighty Princes are not bound to these Lawes, yet are they by the equity
of these Lawes, and the Law of Nature: As in the Citie and Commonwealth
of Rome no man could be a Citizen of that and any other City; whereupon
Pompeius Atticus refused to [174] be reckoned as a Citizen of Athens,
lest he should lose his right in the Citie of Rome. So in the
Common-wealth both of Venice and Genua, whosoeuer receiue a Spirituall
diginity from the Pope, or any Temporall one from any forreine or
strange Prince, is held suspected of his Loialty, and suspended from
the vndertaking of any office publike. Concerning the obiections they
answered, that indeed it might come to passe, that Henry the third, out
of his simplicity and the times iniquity, might allow of Reginald
Mohune, thrust into an Earledome by the Pope, when as his Father hauing
beene excommunicated, and threatned depriuation, was compelled to
acknowledge himself the tributary King of the Pope of Rome: and yet it
appeareth vpon Acts and Records of those times, that Mohune was not
accounted as Earle of Somerset. Concerning Henry the eight, they made
answer, that he therefore accounted Curson as one of his Lords, that he
might obscure that shadowy title of Lord of the Holy Empire; but
withall obseruing, that hee allowed him no voyce in Parliament. But as
for the Scots, that it was no wonder if they receiued and allowed of
honour from the French, when they shew themselues to bee vnder
the tuition of the French Floure-de-luce by their Kings armes, and the
Floure-de-luce therein. Many indeed esteemed an Earle of the sacred
Empire of no better ranke then a publike Notary: as they esteemed all
the Counts and Viscounts of the Holy Palace at Lateran created by the
Pope: or the Kings Physitians, Lawyers, Grammarians, or Rhetoricians,
who hauing professed 20. yeares, boasted themselues with the title of
Count Palatines: but we know that the Count Palatine is an
honoured title, and hath Princely iurisdiction in it's owne courts, in
Fees, and fading heredities.
The following note is also of interest. It comes from Sir
William Sanderson (1586?-1676): A
compleat history of the lives and reigns of, Mary
Queen of Scotland, and of her son and successor, James the Sixth, King
of Scotland, p. 213-214:
But our Law doth prohibit any Subject of this Nation to receive Titles of Honor, or dignity of the gift or donation of a forraign Prince, it being belonging to the State of this Nation, est ius Majestatis & inter insignia summæ potestatis, vide Cook 7 part.
And if such a man bring an Action and the writ be so stiled; the defendant may plead Abatement of his writ.
Nor shall any Nobleman of any other Nation, hold plea in England by his name of dignity, but only by his name of baptisme and Sùrname, Cook 7. part.
Nay, though he mary in England,
and have issue here, the
Father dying, his Son shall not bear titles of his Fathers Honour,
because the title had original by a forein Prince, and not by English
Peerage.
Arms: Sable 6 swallows argent 3,
2, and 1
Wardour Castle, built in 1770 by James Paine for the 8th baron, became
a girls school in 1960, was sold 1993 for £1m,
divided into flats.
