John Ferne facts for kids

Sir John Ferne (born around 1553, died June 20, 1609) was an important English writer. He wrote about heraldry, which is the study of coats of arms. He was also a genealogist, someone who studies family histories. Besides that, he was a skilled lawyer and a Member of Parliament (MP).

Life of Sir John Ferne

John Ferne was the oldest son of William Ferne. His family lived in Doncaster, Yorkshire, and Temple Belwood, Lincolnshire. When his father passed away in 1592, John took over the family's affairs. He was made a knight on May 30, 1604.

He went to St John's College, Cambridge in 1572 to study. People also say he studied at Oxford. In 1576, he joined the Inner Temple, which was a place where lawyers trained. From 1595 to 1609, he worked as a secretary for the Council of the North. This was a special group that helped govern northern England.

In 1604, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge. He served in Parliament until 1609.

Sir John Ferne passed away on June 20, 1609. He was married to Elizabeth Nedham. Together, they had ten sons and two daughters.

Blazon of Gentrie Book

Sir John Ferne's famous book, Blazon of Gentrie, was published in 1586. It is written as a conversation between six different characters. These characters include a herald (someone who studies coats of arms), a knight, a religious leader, a lawyer, a historian, and a farmer.

One character, Collumell the farmer, shares the ideas and language of regular people at that time. He even talks about the Protestant Reformation. The book also shows the strong opinions of Paradinus the herald and Torquatus the knight.

In the book, Ferne explains many different ways to describe coats of arms. He lists fourteen methods, such as using colors, planets, or precious stones. While these methods might seem unusual now, they were an important part of how people thought about heraldry back then.

Works

• The Blazon of Gentrie: Deuided into two parts. The first named, The Glorie of Generositie. The second, Lacyes Nobilitie. Comprehending discourses of Armes and of Gentry. Wherein is treated of the beginning, parts and degrees of gentlenesse, with her lawes: of the bearing, and blazon of Cote-armers: of the lawes of armes, and of combats. John Windet for T. Cooke: London, 1586.

See also

• Tricking