The .xxix. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion, concernyng the deb­tes of Kyng Henry the viij.

WHere as the Kynges Maiestie hath been in­formed, that sondery so­mes of money, were and bee due to diuerse his louyng and faithefull Subiectes, in the tyme of his moste dere Father, of moste worthy memory, for sūdry thyn­ges taken, to the seruice of hym and the realme: And that his derest Vncle the duke of Somerset Protector of al his realmes, dominions and subiectes and gouernor of his moste royall per­sone, and others of his Counsaill, the executors of his maiesties saied moste noble father, haue disbursed great so­mes of money, to diuerse his highnes ministers in those affaires, for the pai­ment of the saied debtes, and desiryng to knowe, howe muche, and to whom, any debt doth yet remain vnsatisfied. Willeth and requireth, all and euery his louyng subiectes, to whom, in this [Page] cace it shall appertein, to declare in writyng, vnto before the feast of sainct Ihon Baptist next com­myng, what remaineth due vnto them and wherefore. And thesaid to sende thesame declaracions, to the lorde greate Master, before the ende of Trinitee terme, to the intent that vpō the knowlege of the certain­tee of thesaied debtes. Thesaied lorde Protector, and the other executors to thesaid late kynges maiestie, may take an order for the full contentacion of e­uery debt, whiche thei intende to dooe accordyngly.

The .xxiiij. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion, concernyng tale tellers.

FOr so muche as the kyn­ges highnes, the lord pro­tector, and the residue of the Kynges Maiesties coūsaill is enformed, that there hath been nowe of late, diuerse leude and light tales told, whispered, and secretly spred abrode, by vncertain aucthors, in Markettes, Faires, and [Page iij] Alehouses, in diuerse and sondry pla­ces of this realme, of innouacions and chaunges in religion and ceremonies of the Churche, feined to be doen and appoyncted by the Kynges highnes, the Lorde Protector, and other of his highnes priuey Counsaill, whiche, by his grace or theim, was neuer begon nor attempted, and also of other thyn­ges and factes, soundyng to the disho­nor and slaunder of the kynges moste royall maiestie, the Lorde Protectors grace, and other the kynges moste ho­norable Counsaill, and no lesse to the disquietnesse and disturbaunce of the kynges highnes louing subiectes, con­trary to diuerse wholsome lawes and ordinauces, vpō graue and weightie consideracions, heretofore made and ordeined by the kynges highnes moste noble progenitors, to reforme, punishe and chastice, al maner of leude and va­garaunt persones, tellyng and repor­tyng false newes and tales to the dis­quietyng and disturbyng of the Kyn­ges highnes, his nobles and subiectes, [Page] of this Realme. The Kynges moste royall Maiestie, by the moste circum­spect and laudable aduise, of his moste derely beloued vncle, Edward Duke of Somerset, Lorde Protector of the kynges maiesties realmes, dominions and subiectes, & gouernor of his moste royall persone, and other of his high­nes priuey counsaill, consideryng and graciously ponderyng, the great hurt, damage, losse and disquietnes, emon­ges his graces subiectes, which might ensue of suche false and slaunderous tales and newes, and that nothyng is more necessary, then to prouide and se, that good and wholsome lawes be put in vre and full execucion, to the intent no maner of person, maie, or shall haue iustly any occasion to surmise, inuent, or disperse, any kynde of false tales or newes, to the discorde or disturbaunce of the subiectes of this realme: streightly chargeth and commaundeth, al ma­ner of officers, ministers and iustices, that thesaied former lawes and statu­tes, be earnestly put in execucion, that [Page iiij] is to saie, that no maner of persone frō hencefurthe, be so hardie to finde, saie, or tell any false newes, messages, or o­ther suche false thynges, whereof dis­cord, or occasion of discord, or any slan­der, might arise within this realme, betwene the kyng, his people, or the no­bles, and he that so doeth, shalbe kept in prisone, vntill he haue brought in him, which was his aucthor of the tale

And further, his maiestie, by his former gracious aduise, of thesaied lorde protector, and his said priuie counsail, streightly chargeth and commaundeth all maner of persones, of what estate, degree, or condicion he or thei be, hea­ryng, readyng, knowyng or wittyng, any suche false tales or newes, to bee by any maner of persone, of, and vpon the kynges highnes, the lorde protec­tor, or any of his saied maiesties moste honorable counsaill, or other nobles of the realme, reported, tolde, written, or otherwise published and spreade a­bout, within the kynges highnes real­mes and dominions: Immediatly and [Page] without all delaye, all other businesse set apart, either to repaire and declare thesame to his derely beloued vncle▪ the lorde protector, or some other of his maiesties priuey counsaill, if that dooe he maie cōueniently, or els at the least doo declare and shewe thesame to the Iustice of the Peace next inhabityng. The whiche Iustice also, the Kynges maiestie moste streightly commaūdeth after the hearyng thereof, immediatly to apprehende thesaid persone, and af­ter he be apprehended, to put thesaied persō in gaole or safe custody, so to re­main vnto suche time, he hath brought furthe the aucthor of thesaied tale or newes, who told thesame to hym, and so then to make further searche fro persone to persone, so muche as lieth in theim to searche furthe and get out the first aucthor and beginner of the­said tales and newes: and of their dili­gence dooen herein, and the knowlege by them gotten, to certifie without de­laye vnder their seales in writynges, the kynges highnes saied derely belo­ued [Page v] Vncle, vpon pain of incurryng, as well concernyng thesame partie, so hearyng, readyng, knowyng or wit­tyng, and not immediatly declaryng, as is abouesaid, as concernyng the iu­stice of Peace, so hearyng and not im­mediatly geuyng knowlege therof, as is abouesaied, of extreme daunger of his graces Lawes, and imprisonment of his or their bodies, and as he & thei will further answere for the greuous attemptes in that behalfe, at his gra­ces pleasure.

And whoso euer shal reueale, bryng to light, and vtter the first inuētor and aucthour of suche false newes, vntrue tales and lies, whiche tend to the slan­der and reproche of the Kynges moste royall persone, the Lorde Protectors grace, and other of the kinges highnes honorable Counsaill, and other of his nobles, or els to the disturbaūce of the peace and quietnes of these his graces realmes, dominions, or subiectes, shall haue not onely his maiesties great and worthy thankes, but also conuenient [Page] and good reward, for faithfully doyng his moste bounden duetie therein.

The .xviij. daie of September. A Proclamacion, concernyng the paiment of pencions.

AL men shall vnderstande, that for diuerse causes & consideracions, it is late­ly ordered and decreed by the kynges Maiestie, and his moste honorable priuey counsaill, that all persones, aswell religious, as other, whiche haue either pencion, an­nuitie, or corodie, graunted to them by the kynges maiestie that dedde is, or by any late Abbot, Prior or other gouer­nor, as abouesaid, heretofore paied by the receiuors of the Court of Augmē ­tacions, out of thissues, reuenues and profites of thesame courte, shall from hencefurthe receiue thesame pencion, annuitie & corodie, yerely, at thandes of the treasorer of thesaied Courte of Augmentacions, and Reuenues, or of his deputie or deputies, and not at the handes of thesaied particuler receiuor [Page vi] of thesame Courte, as heretofore hath been accustomed: And thesame to take effecte, at the nexte tyme of paiment, at Michaelmas next commyng. Where­fore, it is ordred for the ease and quiet­nes of the pencionaries and others, as haue either pencion, annuite or corody graunted as before, of what house or houses soeuer thei wer of, or had their grauntes, now dwellyng within this Shire, shall yerely receiue thesame within this saied Shire, at the handes of thesaid treasurer, his deputie or de­puties, at suche time and places, with­in this Shire, as shalbee by thesaied threasorer appoincted. And for the bet­ter accomplishement wherof, the kyn­ges maiesties pleasure, with thaduise and consent of his graces moste hono­rable priuie counsaill, is, that all per­sones within this shire, hauyng any of thesaied pencions, annuities or coro­dies, & hauyng knowlege of this Pro­clamacion, and hauyng no lawfull im­pediment, shall appere at the daie of next insuyng, be­fore [Page] the deputie of thesaied threasorer, beyng sent doune with this proclama­cion, to take notice of their Patentes and Grauntes, whiche thei shall not faile but bryng with them, and exhibit to his saied deputie, to the intent the­saied threasorer maie be the more bet­ter ascertained bothe of their state and states, and of the some and sommes of money whiche he shall appoynct vnto his saied deputie for the contentacion of their saied pencions, annuities and corodies, whiche shalbe due vnto them at Michaelmas next commyng: for the whiche apparauncie and exhibityng of thesaied patentes, grauntes and wri­tynges, and takyng of thesaied notice, no money shalbe demaunded nor requi­red of any persone or persones by the­said deputie for thesame. And that thei shall now at this tyme repaire to the place, where the kinges maiesties next Audite shalbe kept within this shire, for the receipt of their saied pencions, annuities and corodies, due vnto them as before: and there to shewe themsel­fes [Page vij] before the deputie of thesaid threa­sorer, at whose handes thei shall re­ceiue their saied pencions, annuities, and corodies. And in case there be any whiche shall not so personally appere, that then thei to sende a certificat in writyng, vnder the handes of two Iu­stices of the Peace, or of one Iustice of peace, and one other gentleman of re­putacion of this Shire: declaryng, that thesame person or persones are liuyng and in lawfull state, to receiue his or their said pencion, annuitie or corodie: and thereupō thesaid threasorer or his deputie, to make paiment accordyngly.

The .xxvij. daie of December A Proclamacion, concernyng their reue­rent talkes of the Sacrament.

WHere as the Kynges highnesse hath of late, with the assent and con­sent, of the lordes Spiri­tuall and Temporal, and the commons in the Parliament helde the daie of in the first yere of his moste gracious reigne, made a [Page] good and Godly Acte and Estatute, a­gainst those, who doth contempne, de­spise, or with vnsemely and vngodly woordes, depraue and reuile the holy Sacrament of the body and bloud of our lorde (commonly called the Sacra­mēt of thaltar.) And thesame estatute hath moste prudently declared, by all the wordes and termes, whiche, scrip­ture speaketh of it, what is vndoub­tedly to bee accepted, beleued, taken and spoken, by, and of thesaied Sacra­ment: Yet this not withstandyng, his maiestie is aduertised, that some of his Subiectes, not contented, with suche wordes and termes, as scripture doth declare thereof, nor with that doctrine which the holy ghost, by the Euange­listes and Sainct Paule, hath taught vs: do not cease to moue, contencious and superfluous questions, of thesaied holy Sacrament & supper of the lorde, enteryng rashly into the discussyng, of the high mistery thereof, and go about in their sermons or talkes, arrogantly to define the maner, nature, fashion, [Page viij] waies, possibilitie or impossibilitie, of those matters whiche neither make to edification, nor God hath not by his holy worde opened. Whiche persones not contented reuerently and with o­bediēt faithe, taccept that thesaid Sa­crament, accordyng to the saiyng of. S Paule, the bread is the communion or partakyng of the body of the lorde, the Wine likewise, the partakyng of the bloud of Christ, by the wordes institu­ted and taught of Christ, and that the body and bloud of Iesu Christ is ther whiche, is our comforte, thankes ge­uyng, loue token of Christes loue to­wardes vs, and of oures as his mem­bers within our self, searcheth and striueth vnreuerētly, whether the bo­dy and bloud, aforesaied, is there real­ly, or figuratly, locally, or circūscript­ly, and hauyng quantitie and greate­nes, or but substancially, and by sub­stan̄ce onely, or els but in a figure and maner of speakyng: whether his bles­sed body be there, hedde, legges, armes toes and nailes, or any other waies, [Page] shape & maner, naked or clothed, whe­ther he is broken & chewed, or he is al­waies whole, whether the bread there remaineth, as we see, or how it depar­teth, whether the flesh be ther alone & the bloud, or part, or ech in other or in thone both, in thother but only bloud & what bloud, y ^t only whiche did flow out of the side, or that which remained with other such irreuerēt superfluous and curious questiōs, (whiche, how & what, & by what meanes, and in what forme) maie bryng into theim, which of humain & corrupt curiositie, hath desire to searche out, suche misteries as lieth hid in the infinite & botomles deapth of the wisedom & glory of god, and to the whiche, our humain imbecillitie cānot attain, & therefore, ofte tymes turneth thesame to their awne & others destruccion, by cōtencion & arrogant rashnes, whiche simple and Christian affeccion reuerently receiuyng and obediently beleuing, without further searche, ta­keth and vseth to moste great comfort and profite. For reformacion whereof, [Page ix] and to the intent that further conten­cion, tumulte and question, might not rise emonges the Kynges Subiectes: The Kynges highnes, by the aduise of the Lorde Protector, and other his maiesties counsaill, straightly willeth and commaundeth, that no maner per­sone from hencefurthe, do in any wise contenciously & openly argue, dispute, reason, preache or teache, affirmyng a­ny more termes, of thesaid blessed Sa­crament, then bee expressely taught in the holy Scripture, and mencioned in the forsaied act, nor deny none, whiche bee therein conteined and mencioned, vntill suche tyme as the kynges maie­stie, by the aduise of his highnes coun­saill, and the Clergie of this realme, shall define, declare and set furthe, an open doctrine thereof, and what ter­mes and wordes, maie iustly be spoken therby, other then be expressely in the scripture, conteined in the Acte before rehersed. In the meane while, the kin­ges highnes pleasure is, by the aduise aforesaied, that euery his louyng sub­iectes, [Page] shall deuoutly and reuerently, affirme and take that holy bread, to be Christes body, and that Cuppe, to bee the cuppe of his holy bloud, accordyng to the purport and effect of tholy scri­pture, conteined in thact before expres­sed, and accomodate theimself, rather to take thesame Sacrament worthely then rashely to entre into the discus­syng of the high misterie thereof. Yet the kynges highnes mindeth not here­by, to let or stoppe the ignoraunt, and willyng to learne quietly, reuerently and priuately, to demaunde of those, whom he thynketh knoweth more, the further instruccion and teachyng, in thesaid blessed Sacrament, so that the same be not doen with contencion, nor in open audience, with a company ga­thered together about them, nor with tumulte: Nor dooeth prohibite any manne hereby, likewise so quietly, de­uoutly and reuerently, to teache or in­structe the weake and vnlearned, ac­cordyng to the more Talent and lear­nyng, geuen to hym of God. But one­ly [Page x] that all contenciō, strief and tumult and irreuerentnes might be auoyded, and in open audience or preachyng, no­thyng taught, but whiche maie haue the holy scripture for warraunt, vpon pein that whosoeuer shall opēly, with contencion or tumult, and in a compa­ny gathered together, either in Chur­ches, Alehouses, Markettes, or elles where, contrary to the fourme and ef­fect of this Proclamacion, defende and maintein, or irreuerently and conten­ciously demaunde of any manne, any of the questions before rehersed, either on the one part, or of the other, or any suche like, or do otherwise reuile, con­tempne, or dispise thesaid Sacramēt, by callyng it Idoll, or other suche vile name, shall incurre the Kynges high indignacion, and suffre imprisonment, or to be otherwise greuously punished at his Maiesties will and pleasure.

Geuyng further in aucthoritee, to all Iustices of Peace within the Shi­res, where thei dwell, to apprehende and take all suche as cōtenciously and [Page] tumultuously, with companies or rou­tes, assembled about them, do dispute, argue or reason, or stifely maintein, or openly preache and define, the questiōs before rehersed, or any of them, or such like, either on the one part or thother, and to commit thesame to prison, vntil suche tyme, as the Kynges maiesties pleasure herein bee knowen, and that thei immediatly doo certifie the name or names, of the partie so offendyng, and of theim who were there, at the­same tyme present, makyng the route or assēble, to the kinges highnes coun­saill: Willyng and commaundyng the­said Iustices, with al diligence to exe­cute the premisses, accordyng to the purport, effect and true meaning of the same, and their moste bound duties, as thei tender his highnes will and plea­sure, and will answere to the contrary vpon their perill.

The .xvi. daie of Ianuarij. A Proclamacion for the absteinyng from fleshe in the Lent tyme.

[Page xi] THE Kynges highnes, by the aduise of his moste en­tierly beloued vncle, Ed­ward duke of Somerset, Gouernor of his persone, and protector of all his realmes, domi­nions and Subiectes, and other of his priuie Counsaill, consideryng that his highnes, hath not onely cure & charge, of the defence of his Realmes & domi­nions, as a king, but also as a christian kyng, and supreme hed of the Churche of Englande & Irelande, a desire, will, and charge to leade & instruct his peo­ple, to him committed of God, in suche rightes, waies and customes, as might bee acceptable to God, and to the fur­ther increase of good liuyng & vertue: and that his Subiectes, now hauyng a more perfect and clere light of the Go­spell and true woorde of the lorde, tho­rowe the infinite clemencie and mercie of almightie God, by the handes of his maiestie, and his moste noble father, of famous memorie, promulgate, shewed declared, and opened vnto thē, should [Page] and ought thereby, in all good workes and vertues increase, be more forward diligent and plentifull: As in fastyng, praier and almose deedes, in loue, cha­ritee, obedience, and other suche good workes, commaunded to vs of God, in his holy scripture: Yet his highnes is aduertised and informed, that diuerse of his Subiectes, bee not onely to all these more slowe and negligēt, but ra­ther contēpners and dispisers of suche good and godly actes and deedes, to the whiche, if thei wer of their awne myn­des bendid & inclined, thei neded not by outward and princely power, bee ap­poyncted and commaunded. But for so muche as at this time now alate, more then at any other tyme, a greate parte of his subiectes, do breake & contempne that abstinence, whiche of long tyme hath been vsed, in this his Maiesties realme, vpon the Fridaies and Sater­daies, and the tyme commonly called Lent, and other accustomed times, his highnes is constreined, to see a conue­nient order herein, set and appoincted: [Page xij] Not myndyng thereby, that his Sub­iectes should thynke any difference, to bee in the daies or meates, or that the one should be to God more holy, more pure, or more cleane, then the other, for all daies and all meates, be of one and equall puritie, cleannes and holines, that we should in theim, and by them, liue to the glory of God, and at all ty­mes, and for all meates, geue thankes vnto hym, of the whiche, none can de­file vs at any tyme, or make vs vnclene beyng christian men, to whom, al thin­ges bee holy and pure, so that thei bee not vsed, in disobedience and vice: but his maiestie hath allowed, and appro­ued the daies and tymes, before accu­stomed, to be continued and stil obser­ued here in this churche of Englande, bothe that men should on those daies abstein and forbeare their pleasures, and the meates, wherein thei haue more delight, to the intent to subdue their bodies, vnto the soule and spirit, vnto the whiche, to exhorte and moue men, is the office of a good and Godly [Page] hedde and ruler, and also for worldly and ciuill pollicie, certain daies in the yere, to spare Fleshe and vse Fishe, for the benefit of the common wealth, and profite of this his Maiesties realme, whereof many be Fishers, and men v­syng that trade of liuyng, vnto the whiche, this realme on euery part, en­uironed with the Seas, and so plenti­full of freshe waters, dooth easely mi­nister occasion, to the great sustenaūce of this his highnes people, so that here by, bothe the nourishment of the lande might bee increased, by sauyng fleshe, and specially at the spryng tyme, when Lent dooth commonly fall, and when the moste common and plenteous bre­dyng of Fleshe is: And also, diuerse of his louing subiectes, haue good liuyn­ges, and get greate riches thereby, in vtteryng and sellyng suche meates, as the sea and freshe water doth minister vnto vs, and this his maiesties realme hath more plentie of Shippes, Boates Crayers, and other vessels, by reason of those, whiche by hope of lucre, dooe [Page xiij] folowe that trade of liuyng. Wherfore his Maiestie hauyng consideracion, that where men of their awne mindes, do not geue theimselfes, so oft as thei should doo to fastyng, a common absti­nence may and should be, by the prince enioyned and cōmaunded, and hauyng an iye and mynd, to the profite and cō ­moditee, of his realme and subiectes, and to a common and Ciuill pollicie, hath willed and commaunded, and by these presentes dooeth will and com­maunde, by thaduise aforesaid, all ma­ner of persone and persones, of what estate, degree, or condiciō he or thei be, other then suche as alredy be, or here­after shalbe excused by lawe, or licen­sed, or aucthorised sufficiently to the contrary, to obserue and kepe from hencefurthe, suche fastyng daies, and the tyme commonly called Lent, in ab­steinyng from all maner of Fleshe, as heretofore in this Realme, hath been moste commonly vsed and accustomed, vpon pein that whosoeuer shall, vpon any daie, heretofore wont to bee fasted [Page] frō fleshe, and not by the kynges high­nes, or his predecessors, abrogate and taken awaie, eate Fleshe contrary to this Proclamacion, shall incurre the kynges high indignacion, and shal suf­fre imprisonment, and bee otherwise greuously punished, at his Maiesties wil and pleasure. And further the kin­ges highnes, by the aduise aforesaied, straightly chargeth and commaundeth al Maiors, Bailiefes, and other hedde officers, and rulers of citees and tou­nes, and all Iustices of Peace, in the Shires where thei be in Commission, to be attendant and diligent, to there­cucion of this proclamacion, in cōmit­tyng to prison the offendors, contrary to this Proclamacion, vpon sufficient proffe thereof, by twoo sufficient wit­nesses, before them had and made, there to remain, duryng the kinges pleasure accordyng to the true purport, effect, & meanyng of thesame, as thei tender the kynges maiesties wil & pleasure, & wil answere to the contrary at their peril.

And where the late kyng, of moste [Page xiiij] famous memory, father to his highnes hath geuen diuerse yeres, licēce to his subiectes, in the tyme of Lent, to eate butter, Chese, Egges, and other mea­tes, commonly called White meates, the kynges highnes, by thaduise aforesaid, cōsideryng thesame to haue been doen, not without great consideraciōs doth geue likewise licence and auctho­ritee, to all his louyng subiectes from hencefurthe, frely for euer in the tyme of Lent, or other prohibited tymes, by lawe or custome, to eate butter, egges Chese, and other White meates: Any Lawe, statute, acte, or custome, to the contrary notwithstandyng.

The .vi. daie of Februarij. A Proclamacion against suche as innouate any Ceremonie or Preache without licence.

THe kynges highnes, by the aduise of his mooste entierly belo­ued vncle, the duke of Somerset▪ Gouernor of his moste Royall [Page] persone, and Protector of all his real­mes, dominions and subiectes, and o­thers of his counsaill: consideryng no­thyng so muche to tende to the disquie­tyng of his realme, as diuersitee of o­pinions, and varietee of Rites and ce­rimonies, concernyng Religion and worshippyng of almightie God, and therefore studiyng all the waies and meanes, whiche can bee to directe this Churche and the Cure, committed to his highnes, in one and moste true do­ctrine, Rite and vsage: Yet is aduer­tised, that certain priuate Curates, Preachers, and other laie menne, con­trary to their bounden dueties of obe­dience, dooth rashely attempt, of their awne and singuler witte and mynd, in some parishe churches and othewise, not onely to perswade the people, from the old and accustomed rites and cere­monies, but also themself, bryngeth in new and straunge orders, euery one in their church, accordyng to their phan­tasies: The whiche, as it is an euident token of pride and arrogancy, so it ten­deth [Page xv] bothe to confusion and disorder, and also to the high displeasure of al­mightie God, who loueth nothyng so muche as order and obedience: where­fore, his Maiestie straightly chargeth and commaundeth, that no maner per­sone, of what estate, order▪ or degree so euer he be, of his priuate mynd, will or phantasie, dooe omitte, leaue doune, chaunge, alter, or innouate any order, rite or ceremonie, commonly vsed and frequēted, in the churche of Englande and not commaunded to be left doune at any tyme, in the reigne of our late souereigne lorde, his highnes father, o­ther then suche as his highnes, by the aduise aforesaid, by his maiesties visi­tors, Iniunccions, Statutes, or Pro­clamacions, hath already, or hereafter shall commaunde, to bee omitted, left, innouated, or chaunged: But that thei bee obserued after that sort, as before thei were accustomed, or els now sithe prescribed, by the aucthoritee of his maiestie, and by the meanes aforesaid, vpon pein that whosoeuer shall offend [Page] contrary to this proclamacion, shal in­curre his highnes indignaciō, & suffre imprisonmēt, & other greuous punish­mētes, at his maiesties will & pleasure

And to thintent, that rashe and se­dicious Preachers should not abuse his highnes people, it is his Maiesties pleasure, that whosoeuer shall take v­pon hym, to preache openly, in any pa­rishe Churche, Chapell, or any other open place, other then those, whiche be licenced by the kynges maiestie, or his highnes Visitors, the Archebishop of Canterbury, or the bishop of the Dio­cese, where he dooth preache (except it be the Bishop, Person, Vicar, Deane or Prouost, in his or their awne cure) shalbe furthwith, vpon suche attempt and preachyng, contrary to this Pro­clamacion, committed to Prisone, and there remain vntill suche tyme, as his maiestie, by thaduise aforsaid, hath ta­ken order, for the further punishmēt of thesame. And that the premisses, shuld bee more spedely and diligently doen & performed, his highnes geueth streightly [Page xvi] in commaundement, to al Iustices of Peace, Maiors, Sherifes, Consta­bles, hedde Borrowes, churche War­dens, and all other his Maiesties Of­ficers and Ministers, and Rulers of Tounes, Parishes, and Hamlettes: that thei bee diligent and attendaunt, to the true and faithfull execucion, of this Proclamacion, and euery parte thereof, accordyng to the intent, pur­porte and effecte of thesame. And that thei of their procedynges herein (or if any offender bee, after thei haue com­mitted thesame to prison) dooe certifie his highnes, the lorde protector, or his Maiesties Counsaill, with all spede thereof accordyngly, as thei tender his Maiesties pleasure, the wealth of the Realme, and will answere to the con­trary, at their vttermoste perilles.

The .x. daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion for the cal­lyng in of Testons.

WHere as it is come to the knowlege of our souereigne Lorde the kynges Maiestie, what fraude and corrupcion, [Page] hath of late tyme been vsed, in the fal­syng of his highnes coyne, nowe cur­rant, specially of the peces of .xii. d. cō ­monly named Testons, by reason that thesame sort of coyne, for the greatnes and facilitee of counterfaictyng, hath the rather geuen occasion, to diuerse eiuill persones, to stampe or cast peces of thesame forme and bignes, in greate multitude, the practizers whereof (as is knowen) are not onely menne here dwellyng, but also for the moste parte haue been straungers, dwelling, in fo­rain partes, who haue found the mea­nes to conueigh priuely, and disperce thesaied counterfeict peces abrode, in his maiesties dominions, to the greate deceipt and detriment of his highnes moste louyng Subiectes, whiche haue receiued thesame: His maiestie there­fore myndyng the due reformacion hereof, and to preuent the like practise hereafter, by the aduise and assent of his derest vncle, the lorde Protector, and others of his counsaill, doeth will and commaunde, that from the last day [Page xvij] of December next commyng, after the date hereof, thesaied coyne or peces of xii. d. commonly named testons, shal no more be currant, within any his high­nes realmes or dominions, but bee ta­ken onely for Bullion. And further straightly chargeth and commaundeth al and singuler his highnes subiectes, and others whatsoeuer, beyng within any his maiesties saied realmes or do­minions, that from thesaid last daie of December, thei or any of theim, shall not vtter or receiue in paiment, any of thesaid Testons, as his highnes coyne currant. And also, his highnes by the aduise aforesaid, willeth and commaū ­deth, that no maner of persone or per­sones, after thesaied last daie of De­cember, shall buye or amasse, into his or their handes, any of thesaid Testōs for a peculier gain to be had thereof, to hym or theim wardes, vpon pein of forfeicture.

Neuertheles, his highnes most gra­cious clemencie, tenderyng his subiec­tes and others interestes, whiche by [Page] lawfull meanes dooe possesse thesaied Testons, as their proper goodes, and for aduoydyng of the losse, whiche o­therwise thei should sustein hereby: is pleased, and doth ordein by the aduise aforesaied, that euery persone or per­sons, so hauyng and possessyng thesaid testons, beyng of his highnes iust stan­darde, shall and maie bryng or send thesame, to the officers of any of his Ma­iesties Mintes, where in exchaunge shalbe deliuered vnto him or them the iust value and recompence thereof, as thei be now currāt, either in grotes, or other his highnes coynes, accordyngly

The .xxiiij. daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion for Butter, Chese &c.

FOrasmuche, as at this present tyme, by reason that so many doth day­ly Cary ouer beyonde the seas, Butter, chese Bacon, and tallowe, to sell and retaile thesame, into forrein partes, thesaied thynges beyng so ne­cessary to be had, bothe for the kynges [Page xviij] Maiesties prouisions, and also to the sustenaunce of his highnes subiectes, be waxen very scarce, and of great and excessiue price: his highnes, by the ad­uise and counsaill, of his entierly be­loued vncle, the Lorde Protector, and the rest of his Maiesties Counsaill, streightly chargeth and commaundeth, that no maner of Marchant, or other person, of what estate, condicion, or de­gree so euer thei bee, (excepte suche as bee appoyncted, to make prouision for his highnes fortes and piers, to be em­ployed vpon thesame, and no other­wise) doo from hencefurthe conueigh, and lade into any shippe, to cary the­same ouer, into the parties of beyonde the Seas, any Butter, Chese, Bacon or tallowe, to sel thesame again there, vpon pein of forfaicture of all suche Butter, Chese, Bakon or Tallowe, as is so laden and shipped for that in­tent: any licēce or graunt by his high­nes, or by the late kyng, of famous me­mory, his maiesties father, made here­tofore, notwithstandyng.

[Page] And his highnes, straightly char­geth and commaundeth, all his Mai­ors, Bailiefes, Sheriefes, Portriefes, Customers, Comtrollers & Serchers and other his Maiesties officers, that thei be diligent and attendant, in exe­cutyng of thesaied Proclamacion, as thei tender his highnes will and plea­sure, & will answere for the contrary.

The .xxiiij. day of Aprill. A Proclamacion▪ inhibityng Preachers.

WHere as the Kynges Maiestie, our Soue­reigne lorde, by the sin­guler gift and grace of almightie God, with the aduise of his moste entierly beloued vncle, the lorde Pro­tector, and other of his highnes coun­saill, hath made certain reformacions & orders, accordyng to the lawes and cō ­maundement of God, in this his Ma­iesties churche of Englande, to the in­tent, that one and a moste Godly con­formitee, might be had throughout all his realme: and is aduertised that di­uerse [Page xix] vnlearned and vndiscrete prea­chers and other priestes, of a deuelishe mynd and intent, hath not onely inci­ted and moued his louyng Subiectes, aswell in Confession, as otherwise, to disobedience and stubbernesse, against his maiesties Godly procedynges, but also that other light and peruerse per­sones, hath sowed abrode false & tray­terous rumours, against his highnes, their souereigne lord, tellyng that thei here saie, that his Maiestie will take and set vpon them, newe and straunge exaccions, as of euery one that is ma­ried, halfe a croune, likewise of euery Christenyng, and of a Burial, with o­ther suche liyng and vntrue surmises: wherby some leude and light persons, and that of no small nomber, geuyng credite to suche false tales, and other hauyng confidence in those Sedicious Preachers, hath been Seduced, and brought to muche disorder of late, and in some parties, in maner to insurrec­cion and rebellion, to his maiesties no litle grief, and disquietnes of his highnes [Page] other louyng subiectes. For refor­macion whereof, and to thintent, that by suche light and sedicious preachers and other suche like false and vain tale tellers, his maiesties subiectes, should not hereafter be brought and induced, to like misorder and inconuenience: his maiestie, by thaduise aforsaid, willeth and cōmaundeth, that no man tel furth spread abrode, or vtter, lies nor other suche vain leude & vntrue tales, of the kynges maiestie, or his highnes proce­dynges and affaires, vpon pein of his maiesties displeasure, and greuous im­prisonment of suche offendours body.

And also, for to exchue the hurt that maie come, of sedicious and contenci­ous preachyng, his highnes, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, notwith­standyng any former commaundement or Iniunccion, that no man hereafter, bee permitted or suffered to Preache, (not meanyng yet hereby, but that his highnes Homelies, should bee accor­dyng to his maiesties Iniunccion, red and declared) except thesame be licen­sed [Page xx] thereunto, by his maiestie, the lorde protector, or the Archebishop of Can­torbury, vnder his seale:) and thesame to be shewed to the persone and curat, and two honest men of the parishe be­side, before his saied Preachyng, vpon pein of imprisonmēt, bothe of the prea­cher, so preachyng without licēce, and of the curate or persone, whiche suffe­reth any suche without licence, as be­fore is expressed, to Preache in any of his or their Churches, or Chapelles, or Churchyardes. And for further e­xecucion of the premisses: his Maiestie by the aduise aforesaied, willeth and commaundeth, all maner Iustices of Peace, to take diligent hede thereun­to, and to commit vpon due examina­cion, aswell thesaied preacher so prea­chyng, without licence as aforesaid, as the Curate or Persone, sufferyng any suche preacher, in his cure to preache, to prison, and therupon certifie imme­diatly, the lorde Protector, or the kyn­ges maiesties honorable counsaill, and that thei shall assist and aide, all suche [Page] as be licenced by his maiestie, the lorde Protector, or the Archebishop of Can­torbury, as aforesaid, as thei tender his highnes wil and pleasure, and wil an­swere to the contrary at their perill.

And where as other vnlearned and eiuill disposed persones, haue not stic­ked to instil and whisper, into mennes cares, and to perswade abrode, eiuill and perillous opinions, against Gods law, and the good order of the realme: some teachyng, that a manne maie for­sake his wife, and mary another, his first wife yet liuyng, and likewise, that the wife maie doo to the husbande. O­ther, that a man maie haue two wifes, or mo at once, and that these thynges, be prohibited, not by Godes lawe, but by the Bishop of Romes lawe: so that by suche eiuill and phantasticall opi­nions, some haue not been afraied in deede, to mary and kepe twoo wifes. The whiche opinions, the kynges ma­iestie, as a moste Christian Prince, by the aduise aforesaied, not allowyng as godly, or cōuenient to be spred abrode, [Page xxi] or mainteined in the realme, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, all Arch­bishoppes and Bishoppes, and other whiche haue spirituall iurisdiccions, within the realme, to procede against al suche as hath, or hereafter shal ma­ry, or kepe, two wifes at once, (wher­of the first is his lawfull wife) or shall put awaie his wife, and mary another and to punishe suche offendors, accor­dyng to the Ecclesiastical lawes, with graue and seuere punishment, to feare there with others, whiche els would fall to suche insolent & vnlawful actes

And that all his highnes officers, & louyng subiectes, who hath charge or zeale thereto, shall detect all suche of­fendours, to thesaied Archebishoppes and Bishoppes, and others that exer­ciseth spirituall iurisdiccion, and ayde thesame, to the punishement of suche eiuill doers, accordyng to the order of the lawe, in those cases. And if so bee, thesaied Archebishoppes, Bishoppes, or other, who hath the exercise of spi­rituall iurisdiccions, be slacke and ne­gligent, [Page] in thexecucion of thesaid pro­cesse, and punishyng suche eiuill doers as is before rehersed, that then the iu­stices of Peace, in euery shire, or any other his maiesties louyng subiectes, shall declare and signifie, suche offen­dors and misdoers, to the kinges high­nes counsail, by their letters, that his highnes, by thaduise aforesaied, might se a conuenient redresse made, of suche misorder, and loke more streightly vpō the Archebishoppes and Bishoppes, whiche doth not execute their dueties in this behalf, accordyng to the truste committed vnto theim.

The .xxiij. daie of September. A Proclamacion, for the inhi­bicion of al Preachers.

WHeras of late, by rea­son of certain contro­uersious and sedicious preachers, the kynges maiestie, moued of tē ­der zeale & loue, which he hath to the quiete of his subiectes, by thaduise of the lorde protector, and other his highnes counsaill, hath by [Page xxii] proclamacion, inhibited and commaū ­ded, that no maner of persone, excepte suche as was licenced by his highnes, the lorde Protector, or by the Archbi­shop of Cantorbury, should take vpon hym to preache, in any open audience, vpon pein in thesaied Proclamacion conteined, and that vpon hope and es­peraunce, that those beyng chosen and elect men, should preache and setfurth onely to the people, suche thynges as should bee to Gods honor, and the be­nefite of the kynges Maiesties subie­ctes. Yet neuerthelesse, his highnes is aduertised, that certain of thesaied Preachers so licenced, not regardyng suche good admonicions, as hath been by thesaied lorde protector, and the rest of the counsaill on his maiesties behalf by Letters, or otherwise geuen vnto them, hath abused thesaied aucthoritie of preachyng, and behaued themself ir­reuerently, and without good order in thesaid preachynges, contrary to suche good instruccions and aduertisemen­tes, as was geuen vnto them, whereby [Page] muche contencion and disorder might rise and insue, in this his Maiesties realme: wherefore his highnes, myn­dyng to see very shortly, one vniforme order throughout this his realme, and to put an ende of all controuersies in Religion, so farre as God shall geue grace (For whiche cause at this tyme, certain bishoppes and notable learned men, by his highnes commaundement are congregate) hath by thaduise afor­saied thought good, although certain and many of thesaied preachers so be­fore licenced, haue behaued theimself very discretly and wisely, and to the honor of God and his highnes conten­tacion, yet at this present and vntill suche tyme, that thesaied order shalbe set furthe generally, throughout this his Maiesties realme, to inhibite, and by these presentz dooth inhibite, gene­rally, aswell thesaied preachers so be­fore licenced, as all maner of persones whosoeuer thei bee, to preache in open audience in the pulpit or otherwise, by any sought colour or fraude, to the di­sobeiyng [Page xxiij] of this commaundement, to thintent that the whole clergie in this meane space, might apply theimself to praier to almightie God, for the better acheuyng of thesame moste Godly in­tent and purpose, not doubtyng but that also his louyng Subiectes, in the meane tyme will occupie theimself to Goddes honor, with due praier in the Churche, and pacient hearyng of the Godly Homelies, heretofore setfurth by his highnes Iniunccions vnto thē, and so endeuor themself, that thei maie be the more ready with thankfull obe­dience, to receiue a moste quiet, godly, and vniforme order, to be had through­out all his saied realmes & dominions. And therefore, hath willed all his lo­uyng officers and ministers, aswell iu­stices of peace, as Maiors, Sheriefes, Bailifes, Constables, or any other his officers, of what estate, degree, or con­dicion soeuer thei be, to be attendaunt vpon this proclamacion and commaū ­demēt, and to se the infringers or brea­kers thereof to be unprisoned, and his [Page] highnes, or the lorde protectors grace, or his Maiesties counsaill, to be certi­fied thereof immediatly, as thei tender his Maiesties pleasure, and will aun­swere to the contrary at their perill.

The last daie o [...] October. A Proclamacion, for the paiment of the late incumbentes of Colleges

THe Kynges moste ex­cellent maiestie, by the aduise of his most dere vncle Edward Duke of Somerset, Gouer­nor of his moste royal persone, and Protector of all his real­mes, dominions and Subiectes, myn­dyng to prouide for the late Incumbē ­tes of Colleges, Chauntries, Stipen­daries, Fraternities, Guildes, & suche other within this shire of con­uenient and reasonable recompences and pencions, accordyng to the statute in the first yere of his highnes reigne in that behalfe ordeined: hath cōmaun­ded and appoyncted, seuerall Letters patentes to be made, vnder the greate seale of the court of thaugmentacions [Page xxiiij] and reuenues of his maiesties croune, for the pencions of thesaied late Incū ­bētes, which patentes his maiestie, by thaduise aforesaid, doth all his faithful subiectes to vnderstande, are presently sent to the handes of his highnes audi­tor, receiuor and surueior of this coun­tie, with streight commaundement vn­to them, to deliuer thesame Patentes immediatly, and to make paiment vnto the parties whom thei concerne, now, and hereafter yerely franke and free, without fee, duetie, or some of money to bee demaunded, or taken of thesaied pencioners, either to his maiesties vse or to the vse of any Officer, Minister, Clerke or other persone. Wherefore, his maiestie willeth all those persons, whiche haue to doo herein, to resort to his highnes Audite, now presently to bee holden within thesaied Countie, or els where thesame officers shal­bee, and there thei shall re­ceiue their Pencions accordyngly. .§. .§.

The last daie of Ianuarij. A Proclamacion for the pro­longacion of Testons.

WHere as the Kynges moste excellent maie­stie, with the aduise and assent of his derest vncle, Edward duke of Somerset, Gouer­nor of his royall persone, Protector of his highnes realmes, dominions, and Subiectes, and the rest of his graces counsaill, hath heretofore by Procla­maciō, beryng date the .x. daie of Aprill in the second yere of his reigne, geuen notice and commaundement, to all ma­ner his louyng subiectes and others, hauntyng his maiesties realmes or do­minions, that from the last daie of the Moneth of December last passed for­wardes, the peces of .xij. d. commonly called Testons, should no lenger bee curraunt, nor passe in paiment or re­ceipt as his graces coyne, but be taken onely for bullion: whereunto his ma­iestie was moued vpon suche conside­racions, [Page xxv] as in thesaied former procla­macion, was more at large expressed. Forasmuche as it hath sithens come to his highnes knowlege, that by reason of the greate nomber of thesame Te­stōs, whiche at this present are disper­sed abrode, in so many mennes handes, beside no lesse cautele and pollicie, vsed euen hard vpō the daie by diuerse, ma­kyng whole paimētes in thesaid coyne and specially for that, those that haue plentie of other money, take vnreaso­nable allowance of the poorer sorte, whiche is moste to be relieued, for the exchaunge of those testons, muche de­triment and inconuenience should en­sue, to the possessors of thesame, onles a remedy by prolongyng of the terme then appoyncted for their callyng in were prouided: his maiestie therefore, by the aduise aforesaid, is moste graci­ously pleased, willeth and commaun­deth, that the terme of the callyng of thesaied peces of .xij. d. commonly cal­led Testons, shalbe yet further prolō ­ged and extended, to the first daie of [Page] Maie nexte commyng, after the date hereof. And that duryng all the meane space, thesaied Testons (beyng of his highnes standerd) shalbe currant tho­rowe out his highnes realmes and do­minions, after no lesse value and sort, then if thesaied former proclamacion, for their callyng in had not been made.

Prouided alwaies, that after the­saied first daie of Maie, thesaied Te­stons shall no lenger bee currant, but bee vsed in suche sorte, as that former proclamaciō doth specifie, this present prolongacion notwithstandyng.

And further, his maiestie exhorteth all his said louyng subiectes, that like as his highnes for their benefite, was moued to reuoke thesaid Testons, and for their more commoditie is pleased, to prolong the daie of their callyng in: so thei also in the meane while, will haue the better regard and hede, that suche Testons as thei take, bee of his maiesties stāderd and coyne, seyng the nomber to be suche of false and forrein testons, as are now so dispersed abrode [Page xxvi] to the deceipt and losse of the takers: and that duryng this tyme of respite, thei indeuour themselfes from daie to daie, by porcions and smaller somes, to bryng in suche testons as thei shall haue, into any his maiesties mintes, as shall best serue for their purpose, there to receiue the iust exchaunge of the­same: so as by lyngeryng or deferryng of the bryngyng in of suche Testons, vntill thesaied first daie of Maie, li­mitted by this peremptory admoniciō, their negligence be not cause that whē the mintes (if the whole masse come in at once) are pestered, their exchaunge shall not be so ready vnto theim as o­therwise it should.

Moreouer, because his Maiestie moste graciously aboue other thynges tenderyng the relief of the poorer sort of his louyng subiectes, doth consider, that their nede or vnhabilitee, to for­beare by a space (bee it neuer so small) the exchaunge of their Testons at his graces Mintes, might be an occasion that others of the richer sorte, with [Page] whom thei should perchaunce bee dri­uen to bargain for other money, in lieu of their Testons, should then exacte or take of theim vnresonably, for the ex­chaunge (as it hath comen to his high­nes knowlege, that some all redy haue not been ashamed to demaunde, & take against all cōscience and equitie.) His highnes therefore, by the foresaied ad­uise, dooth straightly charge and com­maunde, that no maner of persone or persones, whatsoeuer thei be, do take by any meanes, for the gain of the ex­chaunge of any Testōs, aboue .ij. d. for euery pound in Testons (whiche is .xx s.) and after that rate, for smaller so­mes in Testons, vpō pain of losse and forfaicture of so muche money, or the value thereof, as he or thei for any higher rate of gain, in euery pounde or smaller somes, shall haue deliuered in exchaunge for testons to any persone, the one moytie therof to be applied to his highnes, and the other to the par­tie complainyng.

And finally, his maiesties pleasure [Page xxvij] is, that betwene this and the first daie of Maie aforesaied, no maner persone, bee so hardy to refuse in paimentes greate or small, any suche Testons of his graces standard, but shall accepte theim no lesse then other his highnes coyne for the tyme, vpon pein aforsaid.

In whiche behalf, his maiestie like­wise chargeth all maner Maiors, shi­riefes, Baylifes, Iustices of Peace, and others his graces officers and mi­nisters of Iustice, that thei, or suche of theim as by informacion of the partie cōplainyng, shall haue due knowlege hereof, faile not to se the whole effecte of this penaltie executed, vpō the par­tie complained on (if he be giltie) as o­therwise thei themselfes shalbe Sub­iect to the like daunger, vpon further informacion against them geuen.

Prouided also, that suche person or persones, as al redy haue collected to­gether, at other mennes handes, any Testons for a gain, that is to saie, af­ter a lesse rate and value, then thei were currant, shall not by occasion of [Page] any thyng or clause herein contained, otherwise vtter, dispise, or put in vre, any suche Testōs so by them collected but shall onely bryng theim into the Mintes without faylyng, as euery suche offendors, beyng vpon like infor­macion founde culpable, shall incurre the like penaltie in eche behalfe, as is before expressed.

The .xix. daie of Februarij. A Proclamacion concernyng Pira­tes and robbers of the Sea.

THe multitude of Pi­racies and Robberies on the Seas, beyng of late greatly increased to the Kynges Maie­sties high displeasure, and no small slaunder of this his high­nes realme, by reason that suche per­sones, who had the chief care & charge thereof, and should moste especially haue seen thesame redressed and amen­ded, hath rather been concealors or mainteiners of suche Piracies, as of late (by the grace of God) it hath been reuealed and doth appere: his maiestie [Page xxviij] therefore, by the aduise of the Lorde Protector, and the rest of his highnes counsaill, moste earnestly myndyng to procede with all care and force, against thesaied Pirates and Sea Robbers: and to cause his Lawes more seuerely to be executed, lest perauenture any of his louyng Subiectes, should either ignorauntly fall into daungier, or wil­lyngly pretende ignoraunce of his La­wes, dooth by this his maiesties Pro­clamacion, straightly charge and com­maunde, that no maner of persone or persones, do by any colour or pretence from hencefurthe, receiue, aide, succor, releue, defende, conceale, or abbet any maner of Pirat or Pirates, whatsoe­uer thei bee, either on the seas, or in a­ny Porte, Hauen, Creke, or any other toune of the kynges maiesties, or in a­ny other place, within his Maiesties realmes and dominions, by sea or land vpō pain that whosoeuer shall offende, contrary to this Proclamacion, shal­be taken for a Pirate or fautor of thē, and suffre suche paines of death, losse [Page] of goodes, and forfaictures, as the Pi­rates theimselfes or their fautors, by the Lawes of this Realme, should or ought to do. And whatsoeuer persone or persones, shall buye of any Pirate, or by any other fraude or couyn, shall wittyngly take any maner of gooddes or marchaundises, Piratically taken, or conceale thesame: the persone so of­fendyng, to bee taken for a receiuor of Pirates, and so iudged, and suffre ac­cordyng to the Lawes of this realme. And whosoeuer hereafter shall buy or take by exchaunge, or any other colour any gooddes of any Pirate, or whiche were Piratically taken: The kynges highnes, by the aduise aforesaied, fur­ther willeth that the person so takyng suche gooddes, as aforesaied, shall not onely be compelled to deliuer thesaied gooddes and Marchaundises, to the true owners of thesaid gooddes, with­out any recompence therefore, if thei require thesame, but also bee further punished by imprisonmēt or otherwise at his highnes pleasure. And for the [Page xxix] better repressyng of the like robberies and Piracies hereafter, his Maiestie willeth and requireth, all and euery his maiesties louyng subiectes, to en­deuour theimselfes, to the best of their powers, to apprehende and take the­saied Pirates, by all waies and mea­nes thei maie, whereby, thei shall not onely shew themselfes good subiectes to his Maiestie, but also be well assu­red to be further rewarded, and consi­dered of his Maiestie, in suche sort, as thei shall haue good cause to bee well contented: wherfore, his highnes wil­leth and commaundeth, all Iustices of Peace, all Maiors, Shiriefes, Cone­stables, Hedborowes, portereues, and al his officers and ministers, to se this proclamacion executed and performed accordyng to the true meanyng there­of, without any parcialitie or fauor, as thei tender the kynges maiesties plea­sure, and will auoyde the contrary at their vttermoste perilles.

The first daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion concernyng Purueiours.

WHereas at the humble sute of our louyng subiectes, in our late par­liament, we haue con­descended and agreed, by thaduise of our dea­rest vncle the duke of Somerset, Go­uernor of our persone, and Protector of our realmes, dominions, and subie­ctes, and the rest of our priuie counsail to forbeare to make any prouisions, by any our Purueiors or Takers, but in suche sorte, and for suche tymes, as in an acte made in our saied Parliament for that purpose, doth more plainly ap­pere: beyng now mynded, not onely to put thesaid act in execucion, accordyng to the effect and true meanyng of the­same, but also to geue order, that suche somes of money, as is due to any our Subiectes, for any thynges heretofore taken to our vse, by any our saied pur­ueiors and Takers, we haue thought conuenient to will and require, al and euery of our louyng subiectes, within this our Countie of to whom [Page xxx] any money is iustly due by vs, for thinges taken to our vse, as aforesaied, to bryng in, and deliuer to the Shirief of thesaid Countie, before the feast of. S Michaell the Archaungell, now next commyng, their billes cōteinyng their awne names, their dwellyng place, and the debt, and the thynges whereof the debt riseth, with the names and ti­mes, also by whom, and when thesame thynges were taken. And furthermore our pleasure and commaundement is, that the Shirief of our saied Countie, for the yere beeyng, shall receiue all suche billes of debtes, as shalbe before thesaied feast of. S. Michaell, brought vnto hym, and deliuer safely within .xx daies next ensuyng thesaied feast of. S Michaell, suche of the saied billes, as concerne the debt of our housholde, to the handes of our Coferer, and suche as concerne our debtes, for any other our prouisions, to the handes of the Threasaurer, and Barons of our Ex­chequer, or their deputies for that pur­pose, without failyng thereof, as thei [Page] will answere to vs for the contrary at their perill: wherupon, we mynd shor­tly after God willyng, to geue suche order, for the satisfaccion of our good Subiectes, as shall stande with good reason, equitie and Iustice.

The .xi daie of Aprill A Proclamacion for the va­luacion of Golde

FOrsomuche as diuerse persones nowe of late tyme, haue founde the meanes, to cōueigh the kynges maiesties coyne in Gold, and especially the old coyne of Rialles, Angels, halfe Angels, Crounes of the Rose, and o­ther of that or like standard, and also soueraignes, halfe Soueraignes, and other of his Maiesties newe coyne of gold, to the great disfurnishyng of the realme: his highnes, by thaduise of his moste entierly beloued vncle, the lorde Protector, and the rest of the counsail straightly chargeth and commaundeth that no maner persone whatsoeuer he be, do from hencefurthe conueigh, any [Page xxxi] of thesaid coynes, broken or whole, in­to the parties beyonde the Seas, vpon pain that euery suche offendor or offē ­dors, shall incurre the kynges Maie­sties displeasure, and suffre imprison­mēt of his or their bodies, at his high­nes will and pleasure, ouer and beside suche paines and forfeicture, as bee in suche cace by the lawes and statutes, of the realme appoyncted and prouided

And further the kynges maiestie, by the aduise aforesaied, straightly char­geth and commaundeth, that no maner persone do buye or sell, any of thesaied coynes afore rehersed, for other price, then accordyng as thei be valued, and appoyncted by this the kynges Maie­sties Proclamacion. That is to saie, the Angell of Golde, at .ix. s. viij. d. the halfe Angell, at .iiij. s. x. d. Tholde riall xiiij. s. vi. d. the new Soueraigne at .xx s. the halfe Soueraigne at .x. s. and the croune at .v. s. and so al other the kyn­ges Maiesties coyne, accordyngly as thei be in this or others his Maiesties Proclamacions, cessed and valued, v­pon [Page] pain that if any man, shall either buye or sell thesaied coynes, or any of theim, ouer and aboue the price afore­saied, so in the Proclamacion assessed, valued or limitted, both the seller and buyer, shall forfeict thesaied coynes, so bought or solde, and ten tymes the va­lue thereof, the one moytie to the kyn­ges maiestie, the other to the presenter or demaunder, in any of the kynges ma­iesties Courtes, by bill, accion of debt or informacion, as in suche cases here­tofore hath been accustomed, and fur­ther to suffre imprisonment for euery suche offence, at the kynges maiesties will and pleasure. And for asmuche as diuerse persones, within this realme, aswell Goldsmithes as Marchantes and men of other occupacions, hath v­sed now of late, contrary to the lawes and statutes of this realme, to buy and sell the kynges maiesties coyne, of, and for higher price then it is, by his Ma­iesties Proclamaciō, rated and valued and so cull and trie out the finest and heauiest, and melte theim doune, or o­therwise [Page xxxij] make gain vpō them, leuyng the lightest and lest fine, onely to bee curraunt emonges the kynges Maie­sties people, to the great empairyng of his highnes coyne, defraudyng of his subiectes, and disfurnishyng and slaū ­deryng of the Mintes: It is his high­nes will and pleasure, by the aduise a­foresaid, that the old and auncient la­wes, Statutes, and Customes of this realme, in this case bee put in vre and execucion, and that no maner persone, attempt from hencefurth to sell or buy any maner of money, or coyne of this realme, whatsoeuer it bee, or cull out the heuiest and finest of it, or melt any maner of coyne of golde or siluer, cur­raunt in this Realme, by what name so euer it bee called, vpon pain of for­feicture of thesame money so exchaun­ged, bought, sold, culled out, or melted and of imprisonment of the body of the buyers, sellers, chaungers, cullers, or melters of thesaied money, without mainprise, at his highnes will & plea­sure. Thone moytie of the whiche for­feicture, [Page] shalbe to the kynges highnes the other moytie to the informer or de­maunder, in any of the kynges Maie­sties Courtes of record, by bill, accion of debt or complaint, where no essoyne nor proteccion shall serue.

Prouided, that it shalbe lefull to a­ny persone, to sel the coynes before re­hersed, or any other, into any of the kynges maiesties Mintes, vpon suche prices, as his maiestie there doth geue and the Officers there maie buye the­same, so to melt and coyne them, to the Kynges Maiesties vse, accordyng to their Indentures, any thyng in this present proclamacion notwithstādyng

Furthermore, it is diuerse waies come to notice and knowlege, that sū ­dery persones in the parties beyonde the seas, haue now of late attempted, to counterfeict the Testons, Shillyn­ges, Grotes, and other the kinges ma­iesties coynes of siluer, and in greate multitude do priuely, bryng them into this Realme, to the preiudice of the kynges maiestie and his subiectes. For [Page xxxiij] redresse whereof, it is his highnes wil and pleasure, by the aduise aforesaied, that all Maiors, Shiriefes, Bailifes, Constables, all Customers, Cōptrol­lers and Searchers in their offices, al Iustices of Peace in their Sessions, and all other his highnes officers and ministers, doo make the moste diligent searche and inquirie, that thei possible maie for suche offēdors, and that euery suche person, who wittyngly and wil­lyngly, shal bryng frō beyond the seas into this realme, or in this realme vt­ter or sell by exchaunge, or for other money or wares, any testōs, shillinges half shillynges, Grotes, or any other moneys of gold or siluer, of the kynges Maiesties stampe, knowyng thesame to be coyned in the parties beyond the seas, or in any other part or place, out of the kynges maiesties Mintes, shall suffre paines of death, and losse of all landes, goodes and catatls, as by the lawes of the Realme, counterfeicters of the Kynges Maiesties coyne, their adherentes, fautors, abetters, or con­cealers, [Page] hath been wont & accustomed.

And his highnes, by thaduise afore­said, straightly chargeth and commaū ­deth, all Maiors, Shiriefes, Bailifes Constables, and hedborowes, all Iu­stices of Peace, and all other his Ma­iesties officers, ministers and subiec­tes, to bee aidyng and assistyng, to the executyng of this present Proclama­cion, as thei tender the wealthe of the Realme, their awne commoditie, and his Maiesties will and pleasure, and will answere to the contrary at their vttermoste perilles.

The .vi. daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion for the reforma­cion of light horsemenne.

WHere as it is come to the knowlege, of the Kynges most excellēt maiestie, that e­mōges other disorders of late tyme, crept into the aunciēt discipline of warre, heretofore obserued mooste straightly, by the Subiectes of this realme, as the chiefest cause of so many victories, whiche, by meanes thereof haue risen to thesame: there is a nota­ble [Page xxxiiij] and perillous sorte, of deceipt and breche of that discipline, vsed aswel by capitaines, as souldiors enterteined in his highnes wages, and specially such capitaines of lighthorsemen, and those of their bandes, beyng of the Counties of Northumberlande, Cumberlande, Westmerlande and other places of the borders, as for defence of thesame, are enterteined still in wages, to his Ma­iesties no small charge, and expence of threasure: whiche capitaines, hauyng not so muche before their iyes, their duetie toward their soueraigne Lorde and Coūtrey, nor yet their awne sure­ties, as a vile mynde, and filthy respect to their awne gain, by deceiuyng of his highnes, and pollyng of the souldiors, without shame or drede, dooe not onely diminishe their nombers, appoyncted to serue vnder theim (sauyng that for a coloure at the Muster daie, thei haue some others to supply the voyde pla­ces) but also by pattishment with vn­mete and vnseruisable men, for a lesse wages then his highnes alloweth, do [Page] in suche sorte disguise their nombers (contrary to his highnes expectacion, and trust reposed in theim) as in a ma­ner the thirde parte of the nombers, whiche his maiestie appoyncteth & pa­yeth for, is not redy, able, or sufficiētly furnished to do that seruice, whiche is looked for to the greate deceipt of his maiestie, and no lesse daunger of suche other his highnes true Subiectes and souldiors, as vpon confidence of thaide of suche light horsemen, to ioyne with them at any encoūtre with the enemy, finde themselfes deceiued and abando­ned. Accordyng to the which said most naughtie and shamefull behauiour of suche capitaines, the souldiors in like sorte, that are of their bandes, takyng thereat example and boldnes, doo nei­ther prouide themselfes of horse or har­nes, mete to serue withall, nor yet be­yng commaunded to set furthe, towar­des any place of seruice, do repaire the­ther togethers, but somtime more then the halfe part remaineth behinde, or if thei go, sticke not to returne home by [Page xxxv] small companies without leaue, with seuerall praies & booties, more sought of thē then seruice. And that is wourst of all, at any approche or affronture of the enemie, without order, or respecte of abidyng by the standerd, doo vse co­monly vpō euery litle moment, or cau­seles, to beginne the flight, betraiyng their felowes, whiche, through suche their fliyng lose often tymes, that as­sured aduauntage of victorie, whiche with their tariyng, thei might bothe haue been partakers of. And moreouer if so be thei tary, thei do it not so much for discharge of their profession of ser­uice, as onely for desire of spoyle and pillage, whiche pillage thei seke not so muche vpon the enemies, as rather v­pon his highnes awne subiectes or frē ­des, namely the assured Scottishmen, whose gooddes and cattals, diuerse of those light horsemen of Northumber­lande, and others of the borders, haue of late moste rauenously spoyled and robbed, as by sundery complaintes of suche assured menne, it hath been tou­ched: [Page] his maiestie therefore, myndyng the reformacion hereof, by thaduise of his derest vncle and con̄sailor, the duke of Somerset, gouernor of his persone, and protector of his maiesties realmes dominiōs and subiectes, and the rest of his highnes priuie coūsaill, hath deter­mined, & straightly chargeth and com­maundeth, all and singuler the capitai­nes of any bandes, or nombers of light horsemen, & specially capitaines of any bādes, or nomber of light horsemen be­yng of the countie of Northūberlande, or any other Countie or place, vpon a­ny the borders a [...]empst Scotland, that thei accordyng to the nombers theim appoyncted, and wages for thesame al­lowed, faile not from hencefurthe to entertain, and haue in continuall are­dines, thesaied whole and entier nom­ber, without diminishmēt in any part of thesaied nomber, or defalcacion of a­ny parte of the wages, so allowed by his highnes, to euery suche light horse man of their bande. And further, that thesaied Capitaines faile not, to haue [Page xxxvi] their saied complet bandes alwaies, in suche a redines, from tyme to tyme to serue, as vpon one houres warnyng, to be geuen them by his highnes com­missaries, wardens, or other chief of­ficers there for the tyme beeyng, thei maie bee founde ready to set furthe, to what place thei shalbee appoyncted. And moreouer, that none of thesaied Capitaines, or any light horsemen of their bandes, be so hardy at any roade, or other inuasion of the enemies groūd or defence of the borders, to depart frō the standard, or otherwise forsake or skatter from the rest of the armie or company, either with their whole bā ­des, or smaller partes for spoyle, or o­ther cause: Nor yet be so hardy to for­sake or depart frō any Fortresse, to the garde whereof thei shalbe appoyncted, vnles thei shall haue expresse cōmaun­dement, or licēce of the chieftain of the enterprise, or capitain of y ^e fort so to do

And finally, that thesaid capitaines and light horsemen of their bandes, forbeare and refrain from hencefurth, [Page] to commit any spoyles, or other pilla­ges vpon any of the assured Scottish­men, their goodes, landes or cattalles, whiche haue been receiued into his maiesties proteccion, onlesse the com­missaries or chieftain for the tyme be­yng, vpon the not keping of promise by those assured men, do geue theim com­maundement so to do.

And that in likewise, thei forbeare from the enbaiselyng or pilferyng, ei­ther of Horses, Geldynges, Harneis, Weapons, or any other thyng pertay­nyng to any other souldiour, seruyng his maiestie in the warres on that side, whereby the seruice of the partie so robbed, by any of thesaied light horse­men, should be hindred and he end am­maged. Also, that no capitain of light horsemen, or souldiour of his bande, be so hardy as to sell, geue, exchaunge, or otherwise by any fraude, cautele, or train, directly, or indirecty procure or finde the meanes, to set out of purpose any horse, mare or geldyng to be taken or come into the possessiō of any Scot­tishman, [Page xxxvij] or other straunger beyng his maiesties enemie, vpon pain that what soeuer capitain or capitaines, souldior or souldiors of their bandes, aforsaied, whiche shall in any part neglect, diso­beye, or breake any poynct of this his maiesties commaundement and order of reformacion in these seuerall cases, afore rehersed, or els disobey or breake the orders of reformacion set furthe by the last Parliament, in the Articles where pain of death is expressed, shall from hencefurth, vpon due profe of the offence, incurre the daungier and losse of his or their lifes by execucion, at the direccion of his maiesties Lieutenant, Warden, Commissaries, or other ge­nerall Capitain or gouernor, there by his highnes for the tyme placed.

And semblably, if any souldiour or souldiours, beyng placed in garrisons within any his Maiesties peces, vpon the borders, or within Scotlande, be­yng by the Capitain of thesaied peces assigned, to any charge of watche or warde, for the suretie of thesaied pece, [Page] from hencefurth be so hardy, before li­cence or discharge of the Capitain, to leaue their watche or warde appoync­ted, to the daunger of losse of the pece: his Maiestie, by the foresaied aduise, dooth will and order, that the offendor or offendours herein, vpon due proffe shal incurre the like daunger and pain of death, at the direccion aforsaid. And in case any assured Scottishman, shall help to cōueigh by any meanes of pur­pose any Horse, Mare or Gelding vn­to the enemie: his maiestie willeth and is pleased, that vpon due proffe there­of, the partie offendyng herein, shall lose the benefite of his assuraunce, and frō thencefurth be vsed, as if no suche assuraunce had been made vnto hym: straightly chargyng & commaundyng, all and singuler his Maiesties Com­missaries, Wardens, and other gene­ralles vpon the borders, for the tyme beyng, and by whatsoeuer name of of­fice, it shal please his highnes to name theim, that thei not onely se the whole effect of this reformacion, to be put in [Page xxxviij] vre and obserued, vpō the publishyng of this present Proclamacion, but also that thei faile not to correcte and pu­nishe the offendors, here against or any poynct hereof, in no lesse degree then is herein conteined, as otherwise thei will sustein his Maiesties displeasure and indignacion, and answere for the contrary, at their vttermoste perilles.

The .xvij. daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion concernyng Diyng and Dressyng of Clothes

WHere, by the makyng of vntrue, & false Clo­thes, w ^t in this realme nowe within fewe ye­res, practised and vsed not onely greate infa­my and slaunder, hath growen to the­same realme, but also the kynges Ma­iesties faithefull and true Subiectes, haue susteined greate losse: the kynges moste excellent Maiestie, myndyng to putte awaie all occasions, of the saied slaunders, and to set furthe suche an order, in his cōmon wealth, that truth maie rule, and falshod be vtterly bani­shed, [Page] hath thought it good, by thaduise of his moste derely beloued Vncle, the Duke of Somerset, Gouernor of his royall persone, and Protector of al his realmes, dominions and subiectes, and the rest of his priuey Counsaill, to set furthe and publishe to his subiectes, a perfect order, of the makyng of clothes in al places of this his highnes realme and other his Maiesties Dominions: whiche his highnes willeth, & straigh­tly chargeth and commaundeth, al and singuler his louyng and obedient sub­iectes, that vse to make and sell Clo­thes, to obserue and kepe, vpon pain of his graces displeasure, and imprison­ment of their bodies.

Firste, that euery Clothier, from, and after the feast of the Natiuitie of Sainct Ihon Baptist next commyng, shall set his seale of Leade to the cloth declaryng thereby, the iust lengthes thereof, to be tried by water. And that no persone, after thesaid feast, kepyng any Tenter, or vsyng to stretche Clo­thes, shall strain or stretche any clothe [Page xxxix] aboue a yard in length, & halfe a quar­ter of a yarde in breadth. And that no persone or persones shall from, or af­ter thesaid feast, put to sale any clothe whiche, whē it shalbe wet, shal shrinke more then one yarde in all the length, and halfe a quarter of a Yarde in the bredth: and likewise Narrowes, strai­tes, and Kersies, after that rate, nor shall put to sale any clothe, Narrowe Strait, or Kersie by retaile, the peces whereof beyng wet, shall shrinke more then after thesame rate, in the whole pece.

And further, that no person or per­sones, occupiyng the feacte of Diyng, shall from, and after thesaid feast, Die or alter, or cause to be Died or altered any wollē clothe or clothes, as broune Blewes, Peukes▪ Taunies, Violet­tes, Hattes or cappes, except thesame wollen clothes, Hattes and Cappes, be perfectly boyled, grained, or Mad­dered vpon the Woad, and shotte with good and sufficient Corke, or Orchall after a due, substanciall and sufficient [Page] meane of workemanship, accordyng to the auncient woorkemanship in tyme past vsed, nor that any persone, shall Die any Wolle, to bee conuerted into Clothe, called Russettes, Musters, Marbles, Grayes, Royes, and suche like colours, onlesse thesame wolle be perfectly Woaded, boyled and Madde­red, accordyng to the true and aunciēt vsage, nor shall Dye with Brasell, or any other false colour, in cloth or woll nor that any persone shall occupie, in, to, or with any wollen cloth or clothes Hat or Cap, or any other thyng, in co­louring ofscarlet, then grain or pouder

And that no persone or persones, shall put any flockes, vpon any cloth, nor vpon any white clothe or Kersey, any Chalke, Floure, or Starche.

And that no persone, shall after the saied feast, occupy any Iron Cardes, or Picardes, in Rowyng of any maner of wollen clothe, nor that any persone shall sel any clothe, by any other mea­sure, more or lesse, then after the true content thereof, to be moten and mea­sured [Page xl] by the Yarde, addyng to euery yard one ynche of the Rule, accordyng to the Statute, made in the sixt yere of the reigne of his highnes saied father, and that after the feast of Penthecost, nexte commyng, no persone shall kepe any Presse in his house, to the intent, to presse any clothe therewith, or shall presse any clothe.

And for the better execucion of this Proclamacion, his maiestie by the ad­uise aforesaied, willeth and commaun­deth, all and singuler Iustices of the Peace, Maiors, Shiriefes, Bailifes, and others, gouernors of Cities, Bo­rowes and Tounes, where any clothe is made or sold, that thei shall visite e­uery Clothiers, Drapers, Clothwor­kers and diers house, once euery quarter of a yere at the least, and vieu the Clothes by hym made and died, or re­mainyng to be sold, to knowe whether thei bee truely made and Died, accor­dyng to this proclamaciō: and to cause them, or as many of them, as thei shall thinke conuenient, to be put in water, [Page] and so to bee measured, to se whether thei bee drawen or strained, otherwise then is before mencioned in thesaied Proclamacion. And that the Aldermen of the Stilliarde in London, for the tyme beyng, shall once euery quarter, enter into all and euery the packhou­ses of thesame Stilliard belongyng, and shall proue in the water, as many clothes or Rerseis as he shall suspect, whether thei be drawen or strained, o­therwise then is mencioned in this Proclamacion. And that the wardens of the Clotheworkers in London, shal once euery quarter at the least, search the house of euery persone, occupiyng the mistery of Clothworkers, or occu­piyng pressyng of Clothes, within the same citie, or within three miles com­passe thereof, for thesaid Presses, Irō Cardes or Picardes.

And further, his maiestie by the ad­uise aforesaid, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, all and singuler perso­nes, to whom his highnes hath com­mitted, the charge and trust, to se this [Page xli] Proclamacion truly executed, as thei tender his Maiesties fauor, to be dili­gent in the execucion of thesame Pro­clamacion, and that if thei or any of theim, shall finde any Clothes, to bee falsly coloured, or vpō the wettyng of them in the water, to haue been drawē or strained, otherwise then before, by this Proclamacion is prescribed, or a­ny wolle or Clothe, falsly died, or any Flockes, Brasell, Chalke, Flower, or Starche, to be put vpon any Cloth or Iron Cardes, or Picardes, or any o­ther misdemeanor, by this Proclama­cion prohibited, that thei vpon pain of his graces displeasure, shall present the names of all suche offendors, with their misdemeanors, to thesaied Lorde Protectour, and the rest of the priuey counsaill, that thesame offendors may receiue condigne punishment, for such their falshod and deceipt, accordyng to their demerites.

The xxix. daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion, for tale tellers.

[Page] FOR somuche, as some leude persones nowe of late, notwithstandyng diuerse lawes, statutes and proclamaciōs, here­tofore made to the con­trary, hath not ceased to spread abrode and tell vain and false tales, aswell of the kynges Maiesties awne persone, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his highnes Counsaill, as of his highnes fortresses, capitaines and souldiours, in the North parties, and beyonde the seas, and of his Maiesties other affai­res, feinyng falsly great ouerthrowes losses and daungers, to the slaunder of the kynges highnes, empairyng of his Maiesties seruice, and discoragyng of the Kynges Subiectes: Besides that, thereby thei haue geuen to straungers occasion to write into distaunt Coun­tries, suche tales for newes, to the great dishonor of his highnes, thesame beyng moste false and vntrue. There­fore, his Maiestie cōpelled by the ma­nifolde inconueniences, whiche might [Page xlij] ensue therof, if order, stay, and redresse were not foreseen & prouided, for suche malicious, vain and sedicious lye tel­lers, and sowers abrode of false and li­yng rumours, consideryng, that all o­ther punishement heretofore appoync­ted, wil not suffice for the redresse, and amendement hereof, by the aduise and consent of his moste entierly beloued vncle, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his highnes Counsaill, willeth and straightly commaundeth, all Iustices of Peace, all Maiors, Bailifes, She­riefes, Constables, Hedborowes, and all other his highnes officers and mi­nisters, whosoeuer thei be, to do their best indeuour, and put in effecte, by all possible meanes thei can, to apprehend all suche sowers and tellers abrode, of vain and forged tales and lies, of his highnes, the lorde Protector, his Ma­iesties counsaill or affaires, and to cō ­mit theim to warde, vntill suche tyme, as thei bryng furth the aucthor, or first teller of suche vain tale or lie, or if thei can bryng furthe none, then to kepe [Page] such teller, as thaucthor or first maker of suche lies, in straight prison, & certi­fy therof the Lorde Protector, and the Kynges Maiesties counsaill. And his maiesties pleasure, by the aduise afor­saied, is, that euery suche aucthour, or maker of such false tale or newes, shal­bee cōmitted into the Galley, there to rowe in cheines, as a slaue or forsary, duryng the kynges maiesties pleasure to the example and terror of all other.

And furthermore, his highnes will and pleasure, by thaduise aforesaied is, that this present proclamaciō, be with all diligēce and seueritie, put in execu­cion and vre, as his saied highnes offi­cers, will aunswere to the contrary at their perill.

The .xxix. daie of Aprill A Proclamacion concernyng Wolles.

FOR asmuche, as vpon the pitifull complaint, made vnto the kynges maiestie, by his louyng subiectes the clothiers of this his Realme, it [Page xliij] appereth, that through the gredines of some persones, who perceiuyng, that Wolles is so necessary for the kepyng of the multitude of his highnes subie­ctes from idlenes, that it cannot bee lacked, colourably made and named theimselfes factors, for Marchauntes of the staple, and so haue of late daies, vsed to buy and sell Wolles, for their singuler profite, not onely the price of thesame Wolles is so aduaunced, that within short tyme, if it be not forseen, a greate nomber of his subiectes, shal­bee destitute of liuyng, and driuen to suche misery, as is not tollerable in a­ny good common wealth, but also that the Clothiers, cannot make Clothes, of the iust bredth, length, content and goodnes, that is prescribed by the la­wes and statutes of this his Realme, wherby, greate infamy hath in forrain nacions, growen to this Realme, and thesaied Clothes in some places haue been burnte, to the greate losse of the Marchantes, and in some places haue been banished, and forboden to bee [Page] brought thether: his highnes conside­ryng the daungiers, that maie thereby ensue to this his realme, and mindyng the preuencion thereof, nothyng doub­tyng, but suche as be his louyng, faith full, and obedient subiectes, will wil­lyngly do for the loue of the countrey, that those that be eiuill, must be forced to do for feare, by thaduise of his moste entierly beloued vncle, Edward duke of Somerset, Gouernor of his royall persone, and Protector of all his real­mes, dominions and subiectes, and the rest of his Maiesties priuie counsaill, straightly willeth, chargeth and com­maundeth, that from, and after the first daie of Iune next commyng, no person vpon pain of his maiesties displeasure and greuous imprisonment of his bo­dy, other then suche persons, and their houshold seruauntes, as shall conuert thesame, onely into Yarne, Clothe, Hattes, Cappes, Girdelles, Worsted Stamin, Saie, Arras, Tapestrie, or a­ny other kinde of thyng, to be wrought within this realme, and Marchantes [Page xliiij] of the Staple, and their houshold ser­uauntes, for the onely prouision of the said Staple, and for to be shipped, one­ly to the saied Staple, shall by hym or her self, or by any other, buye or bar­gain, or take promise of bargain, of any Wolles, beyng nowe vnshorne, of the growyng of the Shires, or Counties of this realme, or of Wales, or any of theim. Also, his highnes by the aduise aforesaied, straightly chargeth and cō ­maundeth, that no persone, from, and after thesaied first daie of Iune, shall buye or bargain, for any Yarne, other then suche, or his or their housholde seruauntes, as shall conuert thesame into Clothes, Hattes, Cappes, Gir­delles, Worstedes, Saies, Stamin, Arras, Tappistrie, or other thynges, to bee bought within this realme, vpō pain of his graces displeasure, and im­prisonment of his body.

And for the better execucion hereof his highnes by the aduise aforesaied, straightly chargeth and commaundeth all and singuler Iustices of Peace, [Page] Maiors, Sherifes, and Bailifes, not onely to se this Proclamacion truely executed, but also if any person, be iu­stly accused before hym or them, for cō ­tempnyng, or breakyng this Procla­macion, or any parte thereof, thei shall commit suche persone to warde, there to remain without bayle or mainprise, till the kynges maiesties, and his saied Counsailes pleasure shalbee further knowen.

The .xxij. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion for the ad­nichilatyng of Testons.

WHere as the Kynges Maiestie, by thaduise of his moste dere vncle the lorde Protector, & the rest of his highnes Counsaill, for diuerse greate and vrgent consideracions, had commaunded that all maner of perso­nes, should bryng all coyne, commonly called Testons, coyned with the face and stampe, of his highnes moste dere father, the late kyng Henry the eight, before the feast of Christmas last past, [Page xlv] into the Toure of Lōdon, or other his Maiesties Mintes, to the intent the­same might be exchaūged into shillyn­ges, Grotes, or other kynd of moneis: it hath so chaunsed that by reason, as­well of the multitude of that coyne, heretofore made in the tyme of thesaid late kyng, his maiesties father, as also by the great quantite and foison of the same coyne, coūterfaicted and brought into this realme, beyng currant here, all thesaid Testons hath not be chaū ­ged. And therupon his highnes, by the aduise aforesaied, was pleased that the saied Proclamacion, should bee enlar­ged vnto a lenger day, and so hath per­mitted and suffered thesaied coyne of Testons, to bee currant emonges his subiectes, vntill the first of Maie last past, vpon trust that in that space, vpō the consideracions in thesaied Procla­macion expressed, euery manne for his part helpyng that waies, all maner of thesaied Testons, of the stampe of the­saied late Kyng of famous memorie, should haue ben brought into the min­tes [Page] & exchaunged. In the whiche space yet many abusyng his highnes clemen­cy, hath kept their testons still in their hādes, or otherwise vttered them, and fewer sithens that tyme, till nowe of late haue been brought into his high­nes Mintes. The whiche Testons, if thei should nowe remain onely mere bullion, should be great losse and hin­deraunce to his Maiesties subiectes: and if thesame staie or Proclamacion, should in any wise be released, it shuld be greatest losse and hynderaūce to the realme, and a present occasion of con­tinuall bryngyng in more counterfaict Testons: therefore the kynges Maie­stie, by the aduise of the lorde Protec­tour, and the rest of his highnes coun­saill, straightly chargeth and commaū ­deth, thesaied proclamacion of disanul­lyng, and criyng doune of thesaid Te­stons, to bee kepte emonges all his lo­uyng subiectes, so that thesame be ne­uer herafter taken, for currant or law­full money, but may lawfully be refu­sed, of any maner of persone: And yet [Page xlvi] neuerthelesse, of his mooste Princely clemencie and liberalitie, his highnes by thaduise aforesaied, is content that al suche somes of money, as shalbe due to his Maiestie, aswell for the Relief, graunted in the last Sessions of the Parliament, as for all other Rentes and debtes, maie be paied in good and lawfull Testons, of the stamp & coyne of his maiesties father, at any time be­fore the first of Iune nexte folowyng, and so receiued of his highnes Threa­surers, vntil thesaid first of Iune next folowyng onely, after the rate and va­lue of .xij. d. euery Teston. After whi­che tyme, his highnes pleasure is, that in no wise thesaid testons, be any more receiued, of any his highnes officers of receipte, of, or for that price. Neuer­theles, for the space and tyme of twoo Monethes after, that is to saie, vnto the ende and last daie of Iuly next fo­lowyng, his highnes is content, that all good and lawfull Testons, at his maiesties Mintes, shalbe receiued for bullion, after the rate of .xij. d. the pece [Page] of any persone, who shall bryng theim thether. And further, that it shalbe le­full to any man, to buye any good and lawfull Testons, of thesaid coyne and stampe, of the late kyng, and made in a­ny of the Mintes, within this realme of Englande, to that intent to bryng them to the Mintes, of any person not disposed to bryng them himself: so that he do buye them for no lesse price, then after .xi. d. ob. the pece, and not vnder, vpō pain that whosoeuer, for his awne gredines and lucre, shal buy any suche Testons, for lesse value then after .xi. d ob. the pece, to the domage of the poore men, who would sell thesame, shal for­faict therefore the Testons so bought, and tenne tymes the value of theim, whereof one moytie to the kynges ma­iestie, the other to the demaunder of the saied forfaict, by bill, accion of debt, or informaciō, in any of the kynges maie­sties Courtes of Record, where no es­sone, Proteccion nor wager of lawe, shal serue or be allowed. And his high­nes further is content, that all his of­ficers [Page xlvij] and Ministers, maie receiue all suche good and lawfull Testons, and so repaie them again vnto his highnes after thesaied price of .xi. d. ob. the pece duryng onely thesaied Monethes, of Iune and Iuly. In the whiche tyme, for that price of .xi. d. ob. the pece, thei shall refuse no lawfull and good Te­stons, of any his highnes subiectes. Af­ter the whiche last daie of the monethe of Iuly nexte folowyng, his highnes expresse will and pleasure, by thaduise aforesaid, is, that the coyne called Te­stons, of his highnes father, kyng Hē ­ry the eightes stampe, shall neither be receiued of his highnes officers, ne of none others, nor yet at the Mintes or exchaunge, as coyne or money of any valuaciō, but after suche sort as plate or any other straūge bullion is, or then shalbe, that is to saie, accordyng to the rate of the standard, and the quantitie of fine siluer in theim contained, and none otherwise.

The .xij. daie of Iune. A Proclamacion pardonyng certain sedicious persones.

[Page] WHere as of late, the Kynges maiestie mo­ued of a Godly zeale, and loue to the commō wealth of the realme, by the aduise of his de­rest vncle, Edward duke of Somerset Gouernor of his highnes persone, and Protector of all his Realmes, Domi­nions and subiectes, and the rest of his maiesties priuie counsaill, did by Pro­clamacion, will and commaūde, al ma­ner of persones, who had offended a­gainst the good and wholesome lawes heretofore prouided, against the decaie of houses, and vnlawfull enclosures, to amende their suche offences, and to redresse all faultes by theim commit­ted, against thesaid actes and statutes, and against the benefite of the commō wealth, vpon pain to encurre the daū ­gers and paines, in thesaied actes and statutes prouided: And for the better performaunce thereof, by the aduise a­foresaied, willed and commaunded, all his highnes officers and Ministers, to [Page xlviij] whom it did appertain, to see thesame redressed, to receiue informacions, make inquirie, and with all spede and earnest endeuor, se to the redresse and punishment of all suche offendors, as by the lawes & statutes of the realme, thei might and ought to do. Vpō this moste Godly warnyng, admonishemēt and Proclamaciō, whiche was to kepe order and lawes, his highnes is aduer­tised, that a greate nomber of rude and ignoraunt people, in certain Shires of Englande, hath taken occasion, or at the least pretended to take occasion, of dooyng greate and moste perilous and heinous disorder, and contrary to all good lawes and statutes, and the order of this Realme, haue rioteously with Routes and compaignies, with force, strength and violence, of their awne hedde and aucthoritie, assembled theim selfes, plucked doune mennes hedges disparked their parkes, and beyng led by furious and light guydes of vprore, taken vpon them the direccion of thin­ges, the kynges royall power & sworde [Page] and committed suche enormitie and offence, as thei haue iustly therefore, merited the losse of life, landes & good­des, and to bee made example to all o­ther: But for so muche, as thei haue humbly submitted theimself, and de­maunded pardon, beyng sory for their former offences: the kynges highnes, of a mooste high clemencie, and tender loue to his subiectes, is content not to loke vpon his Iustice herein to be exe­cuted, but muche more of natural mer­cie and clemencie, toward his saied lo­uyng Subiectes, and so for this tyme, acceptyng that this outrage, was doen rather of folly, and of mistakyng the­saied Proclamacion, and at the insti­gaciō and mocion, of certain leude and sedicious persons, then of malice or a­ny eiuill will, that his Subiectes did beare, either to his highnes, or to the quiet of this realme, of his Maiesties moste aboundaunt clemencie, & tender pitie towardes his subiectes, by the aduise of thesaid lode Protector, and the rest of his highnes priuie counsaill [Page xlix] is contented and pleased, to remit and pardon, all thesaied outragies, misbe­hauours, riottes and conspiracies, to all and singuler his Subiectes, other then to suche, as be already apprehen­ded and in prisō, as heddes and stirrers of thesaied outrage and riottes, and therefore, willeth and commaundeth, al Iustices of peace, Maiors, shirifes, bailifes, and al other his highnes offi­cers and ministers, not to enterrupt, vexe or trouble, for, and in his Maie­sties behalfe, any maner persone, other then is specified before, of, or for any offence, iniury, contempt or conspiracy doen at thesaied stirre or riottes, late­ly made, aboute the breakyng of enclo­sures, so that thei do not attempt or go aboute, any suche thyng hereafter: but if so be there be any iust cause, to com­plain for default of Iustice, or lacke of redresse in any suche inclosure or de­fault, made against thesaied Actes and Statutes, before specified in this case prouided, thei, who finde theimself iu­stly greued or iniuried, maie geue in­formacion, [Page] make sute or complaint to the kynges maiestie, or other his high­nes officers, deputed to the redresse of all suche offences, accordyng to the la­wes of the realme, and the good & law­full order of thesame: But if any man, shall at any time hereafter, attempt to make or go aboute to make, any suche riot or vnlawfull assēbly, for any suche cause before rehersed, his Maiesties will and pleasure is, by the aduise a­foresaid, that all suche offendors shall immediatly be apprehēded, by the next Iustice or Iustices of Peace, and lose the benefit of this moste gracious par­don, and suffre suche paines of death, losse of landes, goodes and cattalles, as by the Lawes of the Realme, in suche case is prouided, any thyng in this pre­sent Proclamacion heretofore mencio­ned, notwithstandyng.

The second daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, for the prices of Victualles.

THe kynges Maiestie, hauyng the principall and continuall charge of the commō welth & trāquilitie of this realme, for [Page l] the whiche cause, almightie God hath geuen to his maiestie power to rule, & to all his people hath enioyned, lowly­nes to obeye, certainly vnderstandeth, by thinformacion & good aduise, of his moste dere vncle Edward duke of So­merset, Gouernor of his moste royall persone, and Protector of his realmes Dominions and subiectes, and others of his priuie counsail: that of late time the prices of all maner victuall, neces­sary for mānes sustenaūce, be so heigh­tened and raised, aboue the accusto­med and reasonable values, that ther­by (except spedy remedy bee prouided) very greate losse and dammage, muste nedes chaunce to his maiesties louyng subiectes, and therefore, bothe of wise­dome, wherewith his maiestie vseth to consider the state of his commō welth, and of pitie, whiche at all tymes, his maiestie conceiueth vpon the lacke and greues of his people, hath by long & de­liberat study, of his said dere vncle, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his pri­uey counsaill, concluded and finally re­solued, [Page] to prouide remedy herein, the whiche (restyng vpon the former re­dresse of sondery disorders, in the whole common welth) although it cānot be so absolutly & spedely had as his maiesties moste hartie desire is, yet it is thought by his Maiestie, for the present disor­ders, a greate relief to put in due exe­cucion, diuerse good lawes and statu­tes, prouided heretofore, by aucthoritie of Parliament, in the reignes of the kynges maiesties moste noble progeni­tors, and especially twoo pollitique good estatutes, made at Westminster in the .xxv. yere of the reigne of his ma­iesties moste dere father late deceassed, kyng Henry the eight, ordeined, as by thesame appereth, very pollitiquely, for the redresse of these like disorders of prices, whiche at any time thence after might happen: theffect of whiche later estatute is, that the lorde Threasorer, the Lorde Chauncellor of Englande, the Lorde President of the Kynges moste honorable Counsaill, the Lorde Priuey Seale, the Lorde Stewarde, [Page li] the Lorde Chamberlain, and all other Lordes of the Kynges Counsaill, the Threasorer and Comptroller of the Kynges mooste honorable house, the Chauncellor of the Duchy of Lanca­ster, the Iustices of either Benche, the Chauncellor, Chāberlain, vnder thre­sorer, and the Barons of the Kynges Eschequer, or seuen of them at the lest whereof the lorde Threasorer, the lorde Chauncellor, the lorde President of the kynges counsaill, or the lorde Priuey Seale to bee one, should haue power and aucthoritie, from tyme to tyme (as the case should require) to set and taxe reasonable prices of all kyndes of vic­tualles, mencioned in thesaid act, how thei should bee solde in grosse or by re­taile, for relief of the kynges subiectes and that after suche prices, set and ta­xed in forme aforesaied, Proclamacion should be made in the Kynges name, vnder the greate seale, of thesaid pri­ces in suche parties of this realme, as should be conuenient for thesame.

And it was further enacted, by the­said [Page] estatute, that all fermors, owners broggers & all other victualers what­soeuer, hauyng and kepyng any of the kyndes of victuall, mēcioned in thesaid acte, to thintent to sell, should sell the­same to suche, the kynges subiectes, as would buy thē, at such prices as shuld be set and taxed by thesaid Proclama­cion, vpon the paines to be expressed & limited, in thesaid proclamacion, to be lost, forfaicted, and leuied to the Kyn­ges vse, in suche wise, as by thesaied Proclamacion should bee declared.

And it was further prouided, by the said act, that thesame act or any thyng therein conteined, should not be hurt­full to Maiors, Shirifes, Bailifes, & other officers of Cities, Boroughes, and Tounes corporate, nor to ony per­sone or persones, or bodies pollitique, hauyng aucthoritie, to sette prices of suche victualles, or of any of them, but that thei and euery of theim, might set prices therof, as if thesame act had ne­uer been had nor made, as by thesame acte, emonges other thynges, more at [Page lij] large it doth and maie appere. And for­asmuche, as complaint hath been made of the inhaunsyng of prices of thesame victuals, without grounde or cause re­sonable, in all partes of this realme: in consideracion wherof, the lorde Threa­sorer, the lorde Chaūcellor of Englāde and al others requisite by thesaid esta­tute, haue by aucthoritie of thesame act, set and taxed reasonable prices, of all kynd of victuals, mencioned in the­same act, to be sold in forme foloyng, to thintēt thesame should be proclaimed, accordyng to thesame act, that is to say that frō the daie of this Proclamacion made without delaye, all and singuler persone & persones, hauyng or kepyng any of the kyndes of victualles, men­cioned in thesaied Acte, within this Realme, to the intent to sell, shall sell thesame to suche of the kynges subiec­tes, as will buye theim at the prices hereafter mencioned, that is to saie, from Midsommer to Hallowmas, e­uery Oxe, beyng primed and well stri­ken, of the largest bone .xxxviij. s. of a [Page] meaner sorte .xxviij. s. an Oxe tat, and of the largest bone .xlv. s. of the meaner sorte, beeyng fat .xxxviij. s. Steres and Runtes, beyng primed or wel stricken and large of bone .xx. s. of ameaner sort xvi. s. beyng fat and of the largest bone xxv. s. beyng fat of a meaner sort .xxi. s. Heifurthes and Kine, beeyng primed or wel striken, and large of bone .xvi. s. of a meaner sort .xiij. s. iiij. d. beyng fat and large of bone .xxij. s. beyng fat and of a meaner sorte .xviij. s. And frō Hal­lowmas to Christmas, euery Oxe be­yng fat and large of bone .xlvi. s. viij. d. beyng fat of a meaner sort .xxxix. s. viij. d. Steres and Runtes within thesame tyme, beeyng fat and large of bone .xx. vi. s. viij. d. beyng fat of a meaner sorte xxij. s. viij. d. heifurthes and kine with in thesame tyme, beeyng fat and large of bone .xxiij. s. of a meaner sorte .xix. s. And from Christmas to Shroftide, e­uery Oxe beyng fat and large of bone xlviij. s. iiij. d. of a meaner sorte .xli. s. iiij. d. Steres and Runtes, within the same tyme, beyng fat and large of bone [Page liij] xxviij. s. iiij. d. of a meaner sort .xxiiij. s. iiij. d. And from Sheryng time to Mi­chaelmas, euery wether beyng a shere Shepe, beyng leane and large of bone iij. s. of a meaner sorte .ij. s. iiij. d. beyng fat and large of bone .iiij. s. beyng fat of a meaner sort .iij. s. Ewes within the­same tyme, beeyng leane and large of bone .ij. s. beyng leane of a meane sorte xx. d. beyng fat and large of bone .ij. s. viij. d. beyng fat of a meaner sorte .ij. s. And from Michaelmas to Shroftide, euery Wether beeyng a shere Shepe, beyng leane and large of bone .iij. s. be­yng leane of a meaner sorte .ij. s. iiij. d. beyng fat and large of bone .iiij. s. iiij. d. beyng fatt and of a meaner sorte .iij. s. iiij. d. And from Midsomer to Micha­elmas the pounde of swete Butter at From Michaelmas to Newe ye­res croppe the pounde. Suffolke Butter and the parties of Norffolke, borderyng vpon Suffolke, from Mid­somer to Michaelmas the pounde From Michaelmas to the newe yeres croppe the pound. Esser Chese and [Page] other partes, from Midsomer to Mi­chaelmas the pounde. From Mi­chaelmas to the new yeres croppe the pounde. Suffolke Chese and the partes of Norffolke, borderyng vpon Suffolke, from Midsomer to Micha­elmas the pound. From Michael­mas to the newe yeres croppe the pounde, vpon pain of forfaicture for e­uery Oxe, Stere, Cowe, Heckfor and Bullocke, that should be sold, by ver­tue of thesaied acte and this Procla­macion, and shall not so bee solde fiue poundes, & for euery shepe that should be sold, by vertue of thesame acte and this Proclamacion, and shall not so be sold .x. s. And for euery poūde of butter and chese .xij. d. and that for all & euery some that shalbe forfaicted, by vertue of thesame acte and this Proclamaci­on, the kyng our soueraigne lorde shall and maie haue his recouery and reme­dy, by informacion, bill, plaint, or acci­on of debt, in any of his highnes cour­tes of record: Wherefore, we conside­ryng the premisses, to be for the welth [Page liiij] and commoditie of this our Realme, will and commaunde you, our Shirief of our Countie of within two daies next after the receipt of this said Proclamacion, that ye with all spede, shall Proclaime the premisses, in all Market tounes within thesaid coun­tie of and that all maner our subiectes, shall obey thesame, not one­ly vpon the paines abouesaied, but al­so to incurre our indignacion and dis­pleasure.

And furthermore, the kynges Ma­iestie, of his aucthoritie and power roy all, straightly chargeth and commaun­deth, all maner his Iustices of Peace, Sherifes, Maiors, and Bailifes of a­ny tounes corporate, or any other mi­nisters, to be assigned & appoyncted by any twoo Iustice of Peace of thesaid Countie, if any the Market or Mar­kettes, within thesaid Countie, shall lacke wherewithall to furnishe the markettes, for the relief of his louyng subiectes, that then thei shall forsee & prouide, that the Owners, Grasiers, [Page] Drouers, Fermors, Broggers, or any other of any kynde of estate or degree whatsoeuer, nere adioynyng, hauyng suche store of any kynd of the aforesaied victuall, that he maie spare part of his saied store, bee it leane or fat (ouer and besides the store necessary, for the main tenaunce of his houshold, the alowāce whereof must be made, in respect of his accustomed expences, and the tyme of another vsuall prouision) towarde the furniture of the Market, shall by the appoynctement, and order of thesaied Iustices, and other officers aboue na­med, bryng to the Market and Mar­kettes, suche nomber and quantitie of thesaied victualles, and at suche tyme and times, as thei shal thinke the cause and necessitie requireth, and thesame shall sell there, accordyng to the prices by thesaied Iustices to be rated, as for an example, where the Markettes cā ­not be serued, with sufficiēt quantitie of Motton, so that in default thereof, the people happe to haue ouer muche lacke, then in that and like cases, the [Page lv] Kynges maiesties will and commaun­dement is, that thesaied Iustices of e­uery coūtie, and officers aboue named vpō the certain knowlege of that lacke shall compell all and euery suche per­sone and persones, as shall haue, nigh to thesaid Market tounes, the nom­ber of .v. C. shere shepe, for euery hun­dreth of thesame fiue hundred & aboue, to send to the market so lacking, at the moste ten of the best and fattest Shepe of that sorte, to bee solde from tyme to tyme, and at the prices to bee rated by thesaied Iustices and other officers, and if lesse lacke, then lesse in nomber, vpō like pain aforesaid, for euery shepe not so brought to the Market.

Furthermore, because the prices of the beiffes and muttons hereto adioy­ned, bee but the prices of Beues and Muttons a liue, and sold in grosse and not by retaile, as the Butcher vseth to do, his Maiestie, notwithstandyng the tenor of this Proclamacion, licen­seth the Butcher in suche cases, wher he shall buy of those prices, so to sel a­boue [Page] thesaid price, as it shalbe thought and ordered by thesaied Iustices, and officers aboue named, accordyng to the Lawes and Estatutes of the Realme, mete for a conuenient gain toward his liyng, and so in all cases thesame to bee obserued, vpon paines expressed in sondery estatutes for thesame.

Prouided, that notwithstandyng a­ny article or clause aboue mēcioned, e­uery Boucher beeyng no Grasier, ha­uyng bought and in his possession, any maner cattall, aboue the prices herein conteined, before the tyme of this pro­clamacion, shall haue license and full libertie, to make sale of any suche cat­tell so bought of the prices, accordyng to the rate and proporcion, of thesame price he paied, or then became debtour for, without any couin, by the space of eight daies, after the Proclamacion shalbe Proclaimed, in the next Mar­ket toune to his dwellyng place, or to the place where he shall that sell, and after those eight daies, then to remain subiect to the whole tenor of the Pro­clamacion. [Page lvi] And herein the kynges ma­iestie, to whom onely vnder God, ap­perteineth auengement, punishement, and redresse of his peoples offences, whatsoeuer thesame be, moste straigh­tly chargeth, and vpon the pain of his highnes extreme indignaciō, commaū ­deth all maner of people, to seke the re­dresse and amendement of any maner offence, against the tenor of this Pro­clamacion, or any other estatute or la­wes, onely by order of his maiesties la­wes without force, riot, manasse, vn­lawfull assembles, or any other distur­bance of peace: and on the contrary, if any subiect, of what degree or estate so euer he be, shall contrariwise, and vn­lawfully, that is to saie, otherwaies then by complaint or order of law, seke beginne, or enterprise to redresse his awne cause, or the cause of any other, be thesame neuer so iust: then his ma­iestie asserteineth and setteth thesame to knowe, that without any maner fa­uor, or grace to bee hoped vpon, he and euery of them, so offendyng, shal sure­ly [Page] feele, by extreme punishement, the kinges highnes vtter indignacion, and in suche case no extremitie to bee spa­red, but to bee taken and accepted, not onely as vnkynde, vnnaturall, vnlo­uyng and disobedient Subiectes, but also as high traitors and rebellors, a­gainst the kynges maiesties awne roy­all persone, his croune, state & dignitie

The .viij. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, for tale tellers.

THe kynges moste excellēt Maiestie, hath certayne knowlege geuen, aswel to his awne Maiestie, as to his moste dere vncle, Ed­ward Duke of Somerset, gouernor of his persone, and Protectour of all his realmes, dominions and subiectes, and to the rest of his highnes coūsaill, that in diuerse his Maiesties Counties, of this his realme, there be dispersed and seuered abrode, sundery light, leude, idle, sedicious, busie, and disordered persones, whereof the moste part haue neither place to inhabite in▪ neither se­keth [Page lvij] any staye to liue by, but hauyng been either condempned of Felonies, & prison breakers, runne frō the warres and sea rouers, departed from the kyn­ges guarrisons, and loyterers, where­by thei become desperate persons, and now employe and labor themselfes, rū ­nyng and postyng from place to place, Countie to Countie, Toune to toune by daie to daie, to stirre vp rumours, raise vp tales, imagin newes, wherby, thei seke to stirre, gather together and assemble, the kynges true subiectes, of simplicitie and ignoraunce deceiued, & by that pretence, suche leude ruffians, tale tellers, and vnruly vacabondes, become ryngleders and masters of the kynges people, sekyng to spoyle, robbe and rauin, where, and whom thei list or maie, and so to liue, waxe riche, and feede of other mennes labours, money and foode, thei themselfes nother wil­lyng to serue wher thei might, neither abidyng when thei bee well entertay­ned: and beyng thus in seuerall places of this his Realme, at the last not able [Page] long to continue together with their assembles, accordyng to their mische­uous purposes, thesame assembles be­yng in substaunce, of suche the kynges poore Subiectes, as though by igno­raunce and enticementes, of those for­saied tale tellers thei offende, yet shor­tly by the goodnes of god, acknowlege their faultes, and returne theimselfes to their dueties, moste sorowfully re­pent, receiuyng for thesame, the Kyn­ges maiesties great mercie, by his par­don, and by the reason of the quiet or­der, the fallyng, cessyng and appesyng of suche assembles, thesaied runnaga­tes, tale teilers, and sedicious perso­nes, faile and lacke their purposes, and mischeuous intētes, so that thei accu­stomyng their eiuill nature, and esca­pyng frō the places of their first attē ­ptes, haue and do daily resort to newe places, and so frō place to place, Shire to Shire, neuer quietyng theimself, but deuisyng slaunderous tales, and diuulgyng to the people suche kynd of newes, as thei thinke maie moste rede­ly, [Page lviij] moue theim to vprores and tumul­tes, and for the further deceipte also, pretende to theim, thei seke to redresse the common wealth, therefore his ma­iestie, by thaduise of his saied dere vn­cle, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his maiesties priuie counsaill, to thad­uoydyng of the greate inconueniences whiche, of the sufferaunce hereof daily doth ensue, and to admonishe his good Subiectes, whiche hetherto haue not felte the perill of these poysoned eiuill people, moste straightly chargeth and cōmaundeth, all maner & euery his Iu­stices, Shiriffes, Cōstables, Bailiffes Hedboroughes, and all other his ma­iesties ministers and officers whatsoe­uer thei bee, to bee moste diligent, and frō tyme to tyme, to be in their charge attēdant, and therin also to take some good especiall pollitique order, for the apprehension and attachyng of all ma­ner of suche persons, whatsoeuer thei be, whiche either as vacabundes, wai­faryng men, stragglars, or otherwise, in what maner soeuer he bee, shall [Page] bryng any tale to any place, or inuent or tell any newes, or conceale and kepe close, lenger then he maie conuenient, the brynger, inuentor, or teller, which tale or newes so brought, inuented or told, shall, doth, or maie cause, any vn­lawfull assembly of the people, or any tumulte & vprore, or shall sound slaun­derous to the Kynges Maiestie his croune, the lorde Protector, and other of his counsaill, or any otherwise shall moue the people, vnlawfully to reme­dy or redresse their awne causes and grifes by force & without law, whiche office belongeth onely to the Kynges maiestie, and to the Magistrates vnder hym, & therin daily, his Maiesties said dere vncle and counsaill, mooste studi­ously trauaileth. And thesame leude persone or persones so apprehended, to be brought vnto the kynges Maiestie, or his said vncle and counsaill, or to a­ny one of thesaid coūsail, for euery the whiche so brought the kinges maiestie assureth his officer & minister, the bringer of him, not onely his costes & char­ges, [Page lix] fully to be paied: but also to haue his Maiesties moste hartie & effectual thankes. And if any other the Kynges maiesties louyng subiectes, shall at a­ny tyme knowe certainly, any suche tale carier or rumour runner, newes spredder, or sedicion sower, and of hym so informe and geue knowlege, to any of the kynges maiesties officers or mi­nisters, so that thesame eiuill persone, either might or is taken, and apprehē ­ded by thesame officer, and by force of thesaid informacion, then likewise the same informer, knowlege geuer, accu­ser, and vtterer, shall haue of the kyn­ges maiesties reward, for euery suche malefactour by hym disclosed and ap­prehended, in maner as is abouesaied, twentie Crounes, besides like hartie thankes from his maiestie.

The .xi. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, for the punishment of the rebel­les of Deuonshire and Cornewall.

WHere as diuerse eiuill dis­posed persones, are at this present, rebelliously & tray­terously assembled, in sunde­ry [Page] companies, within these, the kinges Maiesties Counties of Deuon, and Cornewall, shewyng theimselfes, not onely to contempne and disobeye his moste royall maiestie, his lawes, ordi­naunces, and moste godly procedynges but also to leuie warre againste his highnes, to the great displeasure of al­mightie God, his maiestie moste graci­ously waiyng, and consideryng what appertaineth, to the good order & quiet reformacion of his good and louyng subiectes, by thaduise of his moste en­tierly beloued vncle, the lorde Protec­tor, and the rest of his priuie counsaill, is pleased and contented, and by this present Proclamacion, willeth it to be notified and knowen, to all and singu­ler his louyng subiectes, that all and euery of his saied subiectes, whiche, at the time of the publishyng of this pre­sent proclamacion, do cōtinue in their vnlawfull, and disobedient assembles, within thesaid Counties, and within daies, next after this Proclama­cion, shall not willyngly and obedent­ly [Page lx] submit, and yelde theimselfes, vnto the right honorable lorde Russell, his highnes Lieutenaunt in those partes, shalbe demed, accepted & takē, for rebelles & traitors, against his highnes most royall persone, his Imperiall Croune and dignitie. For more terror and exā ­ple, of whose punishement, and for the good incouragyng and aduauncyng, of suche his true, louyng, and obedient subiectes, as shall withdraw themsel­fes, from thesaied rebellious traitors, and of suche others as shall aide and assist his highnes saied Lieutenaunt, to suppresse and subdue thesaid rebel­les and traitours. For so muche as the forfaicture of all maner of goodes, cat­tals, offices, pencions, landes, tenemē ­tes, farmes, copie holdes, and other he­reditamentes, of al and euery traitors and traitor, within this his Maiesties realme and dominions, onely and most iustly apperteineth, and belongeth vn­to his Maiestie. The same is further pleased and contented, that al & singu­ler, the forfaictures of al the gooddes, [Page] cattalles, offices, pencions, mauours, landes, tenementes, farmes, copie hol­des, and other hereditamentes, of the­said rebelles and traitors, whiche shal perseuer and continue, in their rebel­lion and treason, shall growe, come, & bee vnto all and euery suche persone and persones, as shall first haue, take, possede, and attain to thesaied goodes and cattalles, or shall firste entre into thesaied manours, landes, tenementes and hereditamentes, and thesame shal haue, holde, possede, and enioye, to his and their awne proper vse, commodi­tie and behalfe, in as large and ample sort, as his highnes, by meanes & right of thesaid forfaicture, and confiscacion ought and may dispose of thesame, and shall haue thereof suche assuraunce, from his Maiestie by his Letters pa­tentes, or otherwise, as thei or any of them, can or shall best imagin or deuise.

The .xij. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, concernyng the effecte of the Kynges Maiesties Par­don geuen to the Rebelles.

[Page lxi] THe Kynges Maiestie, by the aduise of his entierly belo­ued vncle, Edward Duke of Somerset, Gouernor of his persone, and Protector of all his Ma­iesties realmes, dominions, and subie­ctes, and the rest of his priuie counsail considereth, that as it is the fruite of his mercie, to receiue his humble, re­pentant, & sorowfull subiectes, know­leging their offices, to the benefite and grace of his mercie, so also, is it the re­putacion of his maiesties mercie, to de­fende, and saue harmelesse, all suche whiche submitteth theimselfes, to his mercie, and to let them fele his protec­cion, with their quiete, as thei haue sought it, with their deuoute repen­taunce, and so to saue his repentaunt people with mercie, as his Maiestie ought to punishe, his obstinate subiec­tes with Iustice. In cōsideraciō wher­of, his maiestie, by the aduise aforsaid, willeth, admonisheth, and commaun­deth, first, all maner of his subiectes, whiche of late, by their humble sub­mission, [Page] and sorowfull repentaunce, of their offences committed, in sundery vnlawfull and rioteous assēbles: that thei from hencefurth, be of suche good behauior, in the peace of God, and the kynges maiestie, and in all their actes and dedes, be so quiet, peaceable, & well ordered, that the kynges maiestie maie thinke his grace and pardon, bestowed vpon theim with effecte. And likewise his maiestie willeth and straightly cō ­maundeth, all maner his other subiec­tes, of what degree so euer he bee, ha­uyng suffred any maner of grief, dam­mage, or losse, by the acte of any of the abouesaid the kynges subiectes, whi­lest thei offended, and before thei recei­ued the pardon from his maiestie, that thei shall not by accion, sute, violence or compulsion, force, punishe, aduenge or correcte, any maner of offence, tres­passe, or vnlawfull acte, committed by thesaid offendors, and pardoned by the same acte, but shall suffre and permit them to enioye and take the benifite of the kinges maiesties pardon, with like [Page lxij] intent and purpose; as thesame hath been ment and intended by the Kyn­ges Maiestie.

The .xvi. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, for the execucion of a Lawe Marciall.

FOR as muche, as the Kyn­ges Maiestie hath of late, for the redresse of vnlawfull en­closures, and suche like enor­mities, directed his seuerall Commis­sions, with large instruccions for the­same, into euery his counties, not one­ly aucthorisyng his Commissioners, to redresse and reforme al maner of thyn­ges, so farre furth as the lawes could any wise be construed or expoūded, but also by speciall his Maiesties Letters Missiue, hath charged thesame Com­missioners, vpon greate pain, in the­same letters conteined, to redresse and amēde their awne proper faultes, whi­che Commissions bee now part in exe­cucion, and part ready to be executed, and delayed onely, by the folly of the people, sekyng their awne redresse vn­lawfully: So that no subiect, can any [Page] more require of any prince, then by his maiestie, his said vncle, & coūsaill hath been deuised, ordred & commaūded. Yet neuertheles, his maiestie vnderstandeth that diuerse of his Subiectes, neither cōsidryng how thei be ordeined by God to be subiectes and obey, nether regar­dyng their soueraigne lordes most ear­nest good will and zeale, which he bea­reth, and daily declareth to his cōmon welth neither hauyng in remēbraunce what distruccion it is to themselfes, to trouble & disquiet the state of the com­mon welth, therby impouerishing thē ­selfes, wekening the realme, & breding sedicion & cōtinual cōtencion, betwixt one subiect and another, do attēpt and trauail, from tyme to tyme, & frō place to place, to make assēbles, riottes, con­uencious, stirres, & vprores, and by thē so vnlawfully made, presume to do and attempt, that which ought onely to be doen, by thaucthoritie of the kyng, and his maiesties lawes, yea, & in many po­inctes, accordyng to the eiuil disposiciō of their assemblers, attempt with vio­lēce [Page lxiij] & fury, suche vnlawfull thynges, as be extremely forbidden, by all iustice and lawe, & to be abhorred of any good Christian: For the whiche causes, his Maiestie, neither of good Iustice and honour, neither for the estate and safe garde, of his highnes Realme, will, or maie endure his subiectes, so to offend without present punishement and cor­reccion: But as a Prince reignyng by almightie Goddes prouidence, mooste mightie, and in Iustice terrible, by the aduise of his saied dere vncle, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his maiesties priuie counsaill, straightly chargeth, and with the threatnyng of his sworde commaundeth all maner his subiectes, of what degree, condicion, kynde or e­state, so euer he or thei be, to depart, re­turne, and cesse furthewith, vpon this Proclamacion Proclaimed, from all maner their vnlawfull, assembles, ry­ottes, and vprores, and quietly and in peace, to take and receiue his maiesties order and direcciō, the redresse of their wrōges, whatsoeuer thei bee, and that [Page] also no maner of Subiect, of what de­gree, condicion, kynde, or estate so euer he or thei bee, shall from hencefurthe, by Dromme, Tabret, Pipe, or any o­ther instrument, strikyng or soundyng Bell or Belles ryngyng, open criyng, postyng, ridyng, rūnyng, or by any ne­wes, rumors, and tales inuentyng, di­uulgyng and spredyng, or by any other meanes, diuise, or tokens, whatsoeuer thesame shall happen to be, cal, gather assemble, congregat and muster, or at­tempt and practise to gather, assemble congregate and muster, any nomber of people whatsoeuer thei bee, either to plucke doune any Hedge, Pale, fence, Wall, or any maner of enclosure, or to hunte, waste, spoyle, desolate or deface any Parke, Chase, Warren, House, Lodge, Pondes, waters, or any other vnlawfull acte, whiche is forbidden, or to redresse any thyng, whiche shal and maie be, by the force of the kynges ma­iesties Commission, reformed, redres­sed, and amended, vpon pain of death, presently to be suffered and executed, [Page lxiiij] by the aucthoritie and order of Lawe Marciall, wherein no delay or differ­ryng of tyme, shalbe permitted or suf­fered, as in other cases, beyng in deede of lesse importaunce, it is accustomed: and therfore, his maiestie most straigh­tly chargeth and commaundeth, al ma­ner his Sherifes, Iustices, ministers, and officers, vpon the knowlege of a­ny offendor, against the tenour of this Proclamacion, furthwith with all ex­pedition, & with suche power, as there to shalbe requisite, to apprehende and attache, thesame offendor, and hym to commit, to a saffe Gaole, and therev­pon indelaied, to certifie the lorde pro­tector, and the rest of the counsaill, or any of them, to the intent moste spedy order maie be geuen, for the execucion of the offendor, with suche hast and ex­pedicion, as is aboue mencioned.

The .xxij. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, for the office of Constables.

WHere as emōges other aun­cient officers and ministers, of old tyme established with in this Realme, for the con­seruacion [Page] of peace and good order, the office of a Bailife, Constable, or Hed­borough, within the limites of their charge and iurisdiccions, was mooste pollitiquely ordeined, aswell to be the staie in euery citie, toune, or village of quiet and peace, accordyng to the kyn­ges maiesties lawes, as also to put in execucion, whatsoeuer by thesaied la­wes, or by the higher ministers of the­same, should bee appoyncted and limi­ted, contrary to whiche the purpose of the execciō of thesaid offices, his high­nes knoweth that in most places, wherof late this vnnaturall stirre and com­mocion, hath been emonges his Maie­sties subiectes, the comōs, either the Bailifes, cōstables or Hedboroughes, whose bounden duetie and office it had been, to haue most earnestly trauailed, and employed thēselfes for the pacifi­yng and staie of their neighbours, by shewyng them the daūgers and peril­lous sequele, of suche heddy and diso­bedient attemptates, and apprehenciō of the sowers and spreders of leude ta­les, [Page lxv] and rumours, stirryng them to ri­ote: Haue neuertheles, been the very Kyngleaders and procureres, by their example and exhortacion, to the rest of their neighbours, to leuy theimselfes, and haue themselfes leuied then in his maiesties name, abusyng the aucthori­tie of thesame, contrary to their duetie of allegiaūce, to the greate displeasure of God, and his Maiestie, the destruc­cion of themselfes, and the great dam­mage and perill of the whole Realme. To the ende therefore, that this so no­table an allurement, and prouocacion to disorder, maie from hencefurthe, by terrour of punishement bee redressed: the Kynges Maiestie, with the aduise and assent, of his dere and moste enti­erly beloued vncle, the lorde Protec­tour, and the rest of his highnes priuie Counsaill, chargeth and enioyneth, to euery Bailife, Constable and Hedbo­rough, now beyng, and that hereafter shalbe, that thei forbeare and abstain, from the raisyng or assemblyng of any of his highnes subiectes, for any act or [Page] purpose, other then suche, as by the la­wes and statutes of this realme, is li­mited for theim to execute and doo, as incidēt to their offices, and other then suche, as the Shirief of the Countie, where thei are Bailief, Constable, or Hedborough, or the Iustices or Iu­stice of Peace, for thesame Countie, or other his Maiesties higher ministers, hauyng aucthoritie from his maiestie, shall in his highnes name directe and addresse theim vnto, vpon pain that whatsoeuer Bailief, Cōstable, or hed­borough, shall from hencefurthe offēde against this Proclamacion, and shall by his exemple or inducement, allure others to be his folowers and accessa­ries, in any vnlawfull assemble, for a­ny sedicious procedynges, tendyng to tumult and rebellion, or shall procure any harneis, weapons, or victualles, for theim, shalbee demed, accepted and taken as a Traitor, and suffre losse of life, landes and goodes for euer, with like penalties, as to cases of treason is reserued.

The .vi. daie of August. A Proclamacion, for the in­hibicion of Plaiers.

FOr asmuche, as a greate nō ­ber of those, that be common Plaiers of Enterludes and Plaies, as well within the citie of London, as els where, within the realme, do for the moste part plaie suche Interludes, as contain matter, tendyng to sedicion, and contempnyng of sundery good orders & lawes, where vpon are growen, and daily are like to growe and ensue muche disquiet, diui­siō, tumultes & vprores in this realme the kynges maiestie, by the aduise and consent of his derest Vncle, Edward Duke of Somerset, Gouernour of his persone, and Protector of his realmes dominions and subiectes, and the rest of his highnes priuie counsall, straigh­tly chargeth and commaundeth, al and euery his maiesties subiectes, of what soeuer state, order, or degree thei bee, that frō the .ix. daie of this present mo­neth of August, vntill the feast of all Sainctes nexte commyng, thei ne any [Page] of them, openly or secretly, plaie in the Englishe tongue, any kynde of Inter­lude, Plaie, Dialogue, or other mat­ter setfurthe in forme of Plaie, in any place, publique or priuate, within this realme, vpō pain that whosoeuer shall play in Englishe any suche Play, In­terlude, Dialogue, or other Matter, shal suffre inprisonment, & further pu­nishmēt, at the pleasure of his maiestie

For the better execucion whereof, his maiestie, by thesaid aduise and con­sent, straightly chargeth and commaū ­deth, all and singuler Maiors, Sheri­fes, Bailifes, Constables, Hedboro­wes, Tithyng men, Iustices of peace, and al other his maiesties hed officers in al y ^e partes throughout the realme, to geue order and speciall heede, that this Proclamacion be in all behalfes, well and truely kept and obserued, as thei and euery of them, tēder his high­nes pleasure, and will auoyde his in­dignacion.

The .ix. daie of August. A Proclamacion, inhibityng the cariage ouer of Wolles.

[Page lxvij] FOr as muche, as diuerse men of late, vse to ingrosse and gather into their hādes, diuerse greate quantities of Wolles to the intent to inhaunce and reise the prices, and so to conueigh thesame, in­to the partes beyonde the seas, where­by, not onely wolles and Clothes, but likewise diuerse other kyndes of wa­res, been growen to excessiue prices, and other inconueniences thereof doo folowe: the kynges maiestie, by the ad­uise and consent of his dearest Vncle, Edward duke of Somerset, gouernor of his persone, and Protector of all his realmes, dominions and subiectes, and the rest of his priuie counsaill, straigh­tly chargeth and commaundeth, al and euery, aswell his maiesties subiectes, as any other estraungers, Denizens, or not Denizens, of what estate, order, or degree so euer thei bee of, from, and after the last daie of August next com­myng, vntill suche time as by like pro­clamacion, his Maiestie shall release this restraint, that thei no maner wa­yes, [Page] shall ship, loade, or transport, car­ry, nor cause to be shipped, transported or carried, any Wolles, of what kynde or sort thei be, out of any Hauen, Port or Creke, within this realme, into any parties beyonde the seas, by vertue of any license hertofore graunted, or any otherwise, vpon pain to forfaicte the double value of all and euery suche Wolles so laden and shipped, to thin­tent to carry to the parties beyond the Seas, by the owner or owners of the­same Wolles, and to suffre imprison­ment at the kynges maiesties pleasure and that no Customer, Comptroller, nor any other officer of any hauē, port, of Creeke, within this Realme, suffre suche Wolles to be loaden, in any Ha­uen, Porte, or Creke, within their ru­les or offices, to be conueighed or car­ried, to any the parties beyōde the seas vpon pain of forfaicture of their office or offices, & to suffre imprisonment and fiue at the kynges maiesties pleasure.

Prouided alwaies, that not with­standyng, any thyng in this proclama­cion [Page lxviij] conteined, it shalbee lefull for the Marchauntes of the Staple, to carry and transport, suche Wolles and Sta­ple ware, as thei might lawfully haue doen, before this Proclamacion Pro­claimed.

The .xxiij. daie of August. A Proclamacion, licencyng victualles, to be tran­sported to Calice, Bulloyn, Newhauen. &c.

THe Kynges Maiestie, by the aduise and consent of his dea­rest vncle, Edward Duke of Somerset, Gouernour of his persone, and Protector of all his Ma­iesties realmes, dominions, and subie­ctes, and the rest of his priuie Coun­saill, is pleased and contented, what­soeuer restraint heretofore made not­withstandyng, that all and singuler his highnes Subiectes, maie at all ty­mes, and by this Proclamacion, haue licence & libertie, to cary and trāsport, out of any parte of this his Realme, all maner of victualles, fewell, and o­ther prouision, and furniture whatso­euer, to Calice, Bulloyn, or Newha­uen, for the relief of thesame: those and [Page] euery of them, that shall transport the saied victualles, fewell, or prouision, puttyng in good sufficient sureties, to not transporte thesame victualles, fe­well, or prouision, to any other parte, then to thesaied Calice, Bulloyn, or Newhauen, whereof, to bryng certifi­cate within a tyme conuenient, to the Customer of the Porte, where he or thei shall charge thesaied victuall, fe­well, or prouision. Wherupō his high­nes, by thesaid aduise, is further plea­sed, that al suche as shal haue dischar­ged thesaied victuall, fewell, and pro­uision, at Calice, Bulloin, or Newha­uen, and bryng certificate of thesaied discharge, subscribed with the handes of the Lorde Cobham, deputie of Ca­lice, the lorde Clintō, deputie of Bul­loyn, or of the lorde Ihon Grey, depu­tie of Newhauen, or any other for the tyme, so occupiyng thesaid places, shal immediatly vpon the deliuery, of the­saied certificat, to the Customer of the Porte, where thesaied victualles, fe­well, or other prouision wer charged, [Page lxix] be clerely acquited of the Custome for thesame, and haue their bondes deli­uered to theim accordyngly.

The .xxviij. daie of March. A Proclamacion, [...]oncernyng a perpetuall Peace.

THE Kyng our soue­raigne lorde, hauyng alwaies before his i­yes, the manifold be­nefites and commodi­ties of peace, and con­sideryng howe necessary it is at this tyme, not onely for his graces awne Realmes and dominions, but also for the whole state of Christendome, that Christen Princes should agree, and ioyne in perfect loue, concord and ami­tie together, whereby, thei shall first please God, and bee the more able to maintein their estates, & also procure greate wealthe and quietnes, to their Subiectes, the warres beeyng of late entered, betwene his maiestie, and the right high and mightie Prince, the [Page] Frenche Kyng: hath vpon deliberate aduise and consideracion, remoued all kynde of enemitie, displeasure and vn­kyndnes, that hath been betwene thē, and hath vpon moste Godly and hono­rable cōdicions, passed, concluded, and agreed, a good, perfect, sincere, firme, assured and perpetual amitie, peace, intelligence, confederacion, and vnion, to remain and cōtinue for euer, betwene his mooste excellent Maiestie, and his heires and successours, on the one par­tie: and thesaid right high and mightie Prince, the Frenche kyng, on thother partie, their realmes, countries, cities tounes, lādes, dominions, territories & seigniories, places, castelles, vassalles and subiectes, by sea, lande, freshewa­ters, & els where: by the whiche peace it is prouided and ordeined, that from hencefurthe all hostilitie and warre, shall ceasse on either partie. And the­saied Princes, their heires and succes­sors, with al their vassalles and subie­ctes, to liue together in peace, amitie, intelligence, concord, loue, vnitie and [Page lxx] frendship. And that it shalbe lefull, to all and singuler the subiectes of either of them, of what estate, degree, or con­dicion soeuer thei bee, frely, quietly, peaceably, and at libertie, and without any safe Conduicte or licence, to entre into the others Realmes, there to re­main, demurre, haunt, frequent, be cō ­uersaūt, dwell, sogeorne, abide, or tho­rowe thesame to passe at their plea­sure. And all feactes of marchaundises entercourse, exchaunge, buying, sel­lyng, or other busines whatsoeuer it be, not prohibited, nor defended by the lawes of the realmes, to vse, occupie, doo and exercise, and from thesame to passe and repasse, with their goodes, marchaundises, shippes, cartes, caria­ges, horses, armours, and other thyn­ges whatsoeuer thei be, not prohibited without arrest, stoppe, molestacion, contradiccion, or impediment: and ge­nerally all other thynges to dooe, vse, and exercise, as frely, and liberally, a [...] thei haue doen in tyme of peace taken betwene the realmes of Englande and [Page] Fraunce, heretofore accordyngly. In whiche peace is also comprehēded, the moste high and mightie Prince, Char­les by the grace of God Emperor. &c. with all his realmes, dominions, lan­des, Countries, and subiectes: and no maner of thyng, touchyng the frende­ship and perpetuall amitie with hym, or any entercourse of marchaundises, or other thyng, is by this present peace in any wise violated, broken, impaired, diminished, or hindered, but all remain in full perfecte strength and vertue, as firmely, wholy, and entierely as thei were before. And more ouer in thesaid peace is comprehended, the right high and excellent Princesse the Quene, and realme of Scotlande, and subiec­tes of thesame.

The .iiij. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion, for the aduoydyng of sole persones, out of the citie of London.

THe kyng our souereigne lorde by thaduise and consent of his highnes moste honorable pri­uie counsaill, straightly char­geth and cōmaundeth, that all & euery [Page xxi] persone and persones, of what estate, condicion, or degree, so euer he or thei be, beyng his graces natural subiectes borne, whiche were not borne within his Maiesties Citie and Chamber of Londō, the Borough of Southwarke or the Suburbes within the liberties of thesame, nor be housholders there or haue sufficient to liue by, and good and reasonable cause there to remain, nor haue continued and dwelled, with in thesame, by the space of three yeres together, now last past, and now dooe continue, soiourne, & abide there with in thesaied citie, Borough, or Subur­bes, not being reteined in seruice with any persone, nor appliyng themselfes, to any bodely labor, or lawfull occupa­cion, and takyng stipende and wages for thesame, doo not onely furthwith, vpon this Proclamacion, departe and auoyde out of thesaied citie, Borough and liberties thereof, but also with al conuenient spede, do returne, and get thēselfes home again, either into their natiue Countries, where thei were [Page] borne, or els into the places within the realme, where thei last dwelte, by the space of three yeres together, accor­dyng to the tenor, forme, and effecte, of the estatute in that behalf concernyng the ordryng of aged and impotent per­sones and the punishement of vaca­boundes, idle, and loyteryng persons, and Masterles men, lately made and prouided, vpon the paines in thesame estatute, limited & expressed. And that thesaied Maior, Aldermen, and Shi­rifes, and euery of theim, and all and euery other [...] maiesties officers, and ministers, within thesaied Citie, Bo­rough of Southwarke, and liberties thereof (all excuses ceassyng and set a­part) endeuor themselfes with all con­uenient diligence, from hencefurthe, from tyme to tyme, to se procure, and cause thesaied Estatute, and euery braunche and article therin conteined iustly to bee obserued, and put in due execuciō accordyngly, as thei and eue­ry of them, tender his maiesties fauor, and will auoyde his highnes indigna­cion, [Page lxxi] and displeasure.

The .vij. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion, inhibityng the cariage of victualles beyonde the Sea.

THe kyng our souereigne lorde hauyng speciall regarde and vigilant iye vnto the wealth, cōmoditie and profite, of this his realme of Englāde, and of his moū ­louyng Subiectes of thesame, conside­ryng the high prices of sundery kyndes of victualles, and other prouisions whiche should seme to rise, by reason of the scarsitie thereof, to the greate burden and charges, of his saied moue louyng subiectes, is now ernestly min­ded, to make speciall restraint for con­ueighaunce of suche victuals and other prouisions, in the partes of beyond the sea, wherfore his royal maiestie, by the aduise of his moste honorable counsail doth moste straightly charge and com­maunde, all and singuler his saied sub­iectes and others, whatsoeuer thei be, that neither thei nor any of theim, nor any other, in their name or names, vn­der the pain of imprisonment, and vpon [Page] the paines of suche forfaictors, contay­ned in the Lawes and statutes of this realme, shall from hencefurthe, vntill his maiesties pleasure be further kno­wen, cary or conueigh, into the partes beyonde the Sea, any kynde of Befes, Muttons, Veales, Lambe, Porke, Butter, Chese, Corne, Grain Wodd or Wodde Cole, Ale, Bere, Tallowe, Hides, or generally any other kyndes of victuall, except onely to the Toune of Calice, and Castelles of Guisnes, and Hammes, and that hauyng suffici­ent licēce for thesame. And also his ma­iestie, by thaduise of his said moste ho­norable counsaill, doth like wise moste straightly charge and commaunde, all and singuler his Customers, Comp­trollers, Serchers, and other Offi­cers and ministers, within all and sin­guler his highnes Portes, Hauēs and crekes, within this his realme of En­glande and Wales, and the Marches of thesame, that thei shall make diligēt search continually, for the farther and better furtheraunce of this the kinges [Page lxxiij] maiesties high and dreadfull commaū ­dement. And that thei in no case, do suf­fer any suche victual or prouision afor­saied, to be shipped or conueighed, out of any of thesaied Portes, Hauens, or Crekes, or other places, excepte onely vnto thesaid toune of Calice, and Ca­stelles aforesaied, hauyng aucthoritie by speciall licence, to receiue thesame. And in that case, the kynges maiesties pleasure and commaundement is, that thesaied Customers, Comptrollers, Serchers, or other officers, dooe take bond of the conueighers, and entre in­to their bokes, the time of the cōueigh­yng, and the specialties of the thynges conueighed, and that the capitaines, or other hed officers, of thesaied Toune and Castelles, vpon the arriuall of the conueighaunce, of any suche victualles or other prouisiōs aforesaid, vnto those parties, shall make certificate thereof in writyng, vnder their handes and sea­les, vnto the kynges Court of the Ex­chequer, within three wekes, after the arest thereof, and in case any thyng by [Page] any persone, be hereafter attempted or doen, contrary to this present Procla­maciō, the kinges maiestie, by thaduise of his saied moste honorable counsaill, doth signifie and promise, to any suche persone, as shall shewe and reuele the offence so committed, shall haue suche porcion thereof, as is youen by the sta­tutes, and as the Lawe shall permit. This Proclamacion to cōtinue to the feast of all Sainctes next insuyng.

The .xvij. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion, for So­wers of [...].

THe kyng our souereigne lord vpon the greate and vrgent causes, concerning the quiet­nes and tranquilitie of this his realme and subiectes, consideryng therewith, how many and sundery wa­yes, diuerse eiuill disposed persones, haue lately attempted and gone about in conuenticles and secrete places of this his Maiesties realme, where thei durste speake their pleasure, without regard of his highnes, or his honora­ble counsaill, determined, and conspi­red [Page lxxiiij.] diuerse and sundery eiuill factes, and enterprises and disorders, tendyng to rebellion, Murder, and vnlawfull assēbles, wherein, almightie God hath hetherto prouided, that their saied de­terminacions, haue come to his maie­sties knowle dge, to the subduyng, and present destruccion of suche persones, and as many as willyngly, toke parte with theim in that behalfe: his Maie­stie forseyng suche daungers, and desi­ryng the knowlege of suche persones, as shall hereafter go aboute or attēpt the like matters, hath thought it mete to signifie vnto all and singuler his lo­uyng Subiectes, that if thei or any of theim, shall knowe any maner of con­spiracie, or other priuie intēt, of insur­reccion or risyng to be made, moued, or attempted, by any persone or persones within any Shire, place or places, of this his saied realme (and before open knowledge thereof had) do with all ex­pedicion, make thesame to be knowen, either to his highnes, or vnto his priuy counsall, or vnto his Maiesties Lieu­tenaunt [Page] of the countie and shire, wher any suche thyng shalbee intended, mo­ued or determined, and thesame accu­sacion, by any meane lawfully or due­ly proued, shall not onely haue of the kynges maiestie, for his paines and la­bour, for euery suche matter, or priuie intent so disclosed and proued (as is a­foresaid) although he or thei bee one of the conspiracie, the some of twentie poūdes, but also his maiesties benigne fauour and Pardon, with thankes for thesame accordyngly.

The .xxiij. daie of Maie. A Proclamacion, for wyn­dyng of Wolles.

WHere in the Parliamēt, hol­den in the .xxvij. yere of the reigne of our mooste noble progenitor, Kyng Edward the third, it was enacted and ordeined, emong other thynges, that all Wolle packers, & wynders of Wolles, should bee sworne, and take a corporall othe, before the Maior and Constables of the staple of Westminster, for the time beyng, truely and iustly to wynde and [Page lxxv] packe al the wolles within the realme, by force of whiche estatute, and by the good ordinaunces, made in thesaid E­staple, the Felowshippe of Wolle wynders, otherwise called Wolle men haue euer since, iustly and truly woūde and packed all suche Wolles as thei haue meddeled with, throughout this Realme, vnto now of late, diuerse and many persones, contrary to thesaid E­statute, takyng vpon them to be wolle winders, in many places of this realme neither beeyng sworne, nor experte in wyndyng and foldyng of Wolles, of whiche, some of theim bee Taillours, Weauers, Cordewainers, Barbours, Hushandmen, & other artificers, haue gone aboute, and daily doo go aboute, throughout this realme, in many pla­ces, and practise theimselfes in wyn­dyng, and foldyng of thesaied Wolles by the procurement and meanes of the owners and breders of thesaied Wol­les, and do wynde vp, and deceiptfully putte into thesaied Fleces of Wolle, Sande, Stones, Dust, Pitche, Tarre [Page] Claie, Iron, Leade, double markes, shorelockes, Dunge, Lameswolle, and other deceiueable thynges, not onely to the greate slaunder of this realme, but also to the slaunder of the Mar­chauntes of thesaied Estaple, and like­wise also, to the greate hynderaunce and deceipt, of thesaied Marchauntes, as also to the great losse and preiudice of the kinges subiectes, vsyng the feact or crafte of Clothmakyng, within this Realme: For reformacion and redresse whereof, the kynges moste royall ma­iestie, by the aduise of his moste hono­rable coūsaill, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, that no maner of person or persones, whatsoeuer he or thei be, at any tyme hereafter, go aboute, or take vpō hym or them, to wynd or folde any maner of Wolles, in any countrie where any ende wolles are accustomed to be wrought, had or vsed, for the marchaunt of the Staple, or the Clothier, before he or thei shalbee admitted and allowed by the Masters, and Wardēs of the compaignie, and felowship of the [Page lxxvi] Wolle men, of the Citie of London, or one of theim for the tyme beyng, to the intēt that he or thei shalbe expert, and haue knowlege in thesaied craft or mi­sterie, for the true wyndyng and fol­dyng of Wolles. And that euery per­sone or persones, so allowed and ad­mitted, for an able and lawfull worke­man or workemen, hy thesaied Master and Wardens, or one of them, for the tyme beyng, of thesaied compaignie or felowship of Wolle men, shall haue a testimoniall, or certificate of his allo­waunce, & admittaunce vnder the seale of the Maior of the Staple of West­minster, for the tyme beeyng, and that none of thesaied persones, so allowed and admitted, or that shalbee so allo­wed and admitted, shall go aboute, or take vpon hym or theim, to wynde, or fold any wolles, before he or thei haue taken a corporall othe, before thesaied Maior, for the tyme beeyng, that he or thei, shall truly and iustly, without de­cept, wynde or folde, all and singuler suche Wolle or Wolles, as he or thei [Page] Claie, Iron, Leade, double markes, shorelockes, Dunge, Lameswolle, and other deceiueable thynges, not onely to the greate slaunder of this realme, but also to the slaunder of the Mar­chauntes of thesaied Estaple, and like­wise also, to the greate hynderaunce and deceipt, of thesaied Marchauntes, as also to the great losse and preiudice of the kinges subiectes, vsyng the feact or crafte of Clothmakyng, within this Realme: For reformacion and redresse whereof, the kynges moste royall ma­iestie, by the aduise of his moste hono­rable coūsaill, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, that no maner of person or persones, whatsoeuer he or thei be, at any tyme hereafter, go aboute, or take vpō hym or them, to wynd or folde any maner of Wolles, in any countrie where any ende wolles are accustomed to be wrought, had or vsed, for the marchaunt of the Staple, or the Clothier, before he or thei shalbee admitted and allowed by the Masters, and Wardēs of the compaignie, and felowship of the [Page lxxvi] Wolle men, of the Citie of London, or one of theim for the tyme beyng, to the intēt that he or thei shalbe expert, and haue knowlege in thesaied craft or mi­sterie, for the true wyndyng and fol­dyng of Wolles. And that euery per­sone or persones, so allowed and ad­mitted, for an able and lawfull worke­man or workemen, by thesaied Master and Wardens, or one of theim, for the tyme beyng, of thesaied compaignie or felowship of Wolle men, shall haue a testimoniall, or certificate of his allo­waunce, & admittaunce vnder the seale of the Maior of the Staple of West­minster, for the tyme beeyng, and that none of thesaied persones, so allowed and admitted, or that shalbee so allo­wed and admitted, shall go aboute, or take vpon hym or theim, to wynde, or fold any wolles, before he or thei haue taken a corporall othe, before thesaied Maior, for the tyme beeyng, that he or thei, shall truly and iustly, without de­ceipt, wynde or folde, all and singuler suche Wolle or Wolles, as he or thei [Page] shall take vpon hym or them, to winde folde, or without leauyng, or puttyng within any Flece or Fleces, any maner Clokketes, Lockes, Hynder shankes, Tailes, washelockes, Stones, Sande Duste, Cummer, or double markes, or any Wolle or Wolles of wourse Na­ture or growyng, then thesame Flece is, or any other filth to be left, vpō the breche of any Flece or Fleces, wherby any suche Flece or Fleces, maie be em­paired, or made weightier, or minishe, or take away any part or porcion of the goodnes of any of thesame Fleces, to thintent to deceiue the buyers, ne shal vse any other deceipt, craft, fraude, or gile therein, vpon pain of imprisonmēt by the space of ten daies, and to be set vpon the Pillorie, in the next Market toune, with a Flece of wolle, hangyng aboute his necke. And his maiestie, by the assent aforesaid, further straightly chargeth and commaundeth, that no grower, breder, broggar, or gatherer of any Wolles, within any of his graces Counties, shall at any tyme hereafter [Page lxxvij] set a worke any wolle folder, or wolle wynder, to folde or wynde, his or their wolle or wolles, vnlesse thesaied wol­folder, or wolwynder, bryng with him or them, a testimonial or certificat, vn­der the seale of thesaied Maior, of the Staple of Westminster, for the tyme beyng, testifyng hym or theim, to bee sworne & admitted, for an able worke­man, to folde and wynde wolles, vpon like pain and paines, as are and bee a­bout expressed. And forasmuche, as it is perceiued, and certainly knowen, that diuerse coueteous persones, now of late, of their gr ady and vnsaciable myndes, not beyng contented, ne satis­fied with suche increase of Wolles of their shepe, as god hath geuen thē but contrary to all godlines and honestie, haue abused thesaied gifte of God, in lettyng their saied Shepe remain vn­shorne and vnclipt, by the space of thre wekes or a Moneth, after thesaid wa­shing, and driyng again of thesame, be­fore thei will Shere or Clippe theim, to thintent their said wolles, mought [Page] be the weightier, partly by meanes of their sweatyng, & partly also, through other filthe, whiche dooth increase, by reason of their lōg differryng the she­ryng and clippyng of thesame, aswell to the impairyng of thesame Wolles, as also to the shamefull deceipt, of the saied Marchauntes of thesaied Esta­ple, and the Clothiers of this realme, buiyng or workyng of thesame. Wher­vpon, for the aduoydyng and eschew­yng, aswell of that crafte and deceipt, as all other aboue named in tyme to come: the kynges moste royall Maie­stie, with thassent aforesaid, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, that from hencefurthe, no Grower, or breder of wolles, whatsoeuer he or thei be, shall permit or suffer, his or their shepe, be­yng washed and dried again, ready to bee shorne, to go aboue fiue or sixe da­yes vnshorne, or vnclipt, vpon pain of forfaicture, for euery hundreth of the­same Shepe, so remainyng vnclipt, as is aboue specified .xl. s. or vnder or a­boue an hundred, after thesame rate, [Page lxxviij] to be paied to our soueraigne lorde the Kyng, in his Exchequer at westmin­ster. And further, his Maiestie by the assent aforesaied, straightly chargeth and commaundeth, all and euery Iu­stice of peace, Maiors, Shirifes, Bai­lifes, and all other officers and Mini­sters, that thei and euery of thē, cause euery suche offender or offenders, to be punished for suche offence or offences, accordyng as is afore expressed and de­clared, and that whatsoeuer Iustice of Peace, Maior, Sherief, Bailife, or o­ther officer, doo refuse to punishe any persone or persones, so to hym or them presented, according to this present or­dinaunce and his or their faultes, due­ly knowen and proued, shall forfaict to the Kynges Maiestie our soueraigne lorde, twentie poundes, to bee paied in his highnes Exchequer, and further, to incurre his graces high displeasure.

The .xx. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, for the aduoydyng of Capitaines, out of the Ci­tee of London.

[Page] THe kynges moste royall ma­iestie, by the aduise of his pri­uie counsaill, straightly char­geth and commaundeth, all maner Capitaines, Officers of bandes and Souldiours, aswell Englishe, as straungers, of what nacion soeuer thei be, whiche are not presently entertay­ned, in his highnes wages, & haue been paied for their seruice, by the Threa­surers thereunto appoyncted, accor­dyng to their capitulacions, vntill the daie of their cassyng, and dismission: that thei, and euery of theim, faile not to depart, and auoyde from this Citee of London, the Suburbes, & the mem­bers of thesame, within three daies af­ter this present Proclamacion publi­shed, vpon pain that if any of the afor­saied Capitaines, Officers of bandes, or souldiours, be found after that daie to remain, or lodge, within thesaied ci­tie, Suburbes, or membres of thesame contrary to the tenor and effect hereof, he or thei so offendyng, shall suffre straight emprisonment, with further [Page lxxix] punishment at his maiesties pleasure.

Prouided alwaies, that this Pro­clamacion, ne any thyng therein con­teined, shall not extende to any ordina­ry pencioner, stran̄ger, or to any other seruaunt of the kinges maiestie, or ser­uaunt to any other noble man, or gen­tleman, but that thei maie continue, and remain here at their libertie, as before, without daungier or restraint hereof accordyngly.

The .iij. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, inhibityng the cariage of Victualles, and other Marchan­dise, out of the Realme.

THe Kynges moste excellent Maiestie callyng to his prin­cely remembraunce, how, ac­cordyng to the regall power and state, to hym cōmitted by almigh­tie God, ouer this realme of Englade, and other his highnes dominions, no­thyng can better declare, the zeale and affeccion by his highnes, borne towar­des the common weale, then when by all good meanes, suche orders procede from his maiestie, as maie best tende to [Page] the generall plentie of thynges, here nedefull for the commodious liuyng of his highnes naturall Subiectes, and namely suche thynges as bee brought furthe, and here geuen vs by God, as the peculier cōmodities of this realme maie be perceiued and enioyed, by the Subiectes of thesame, to their vtilitie and mutuall benefite, emong theimsel­fes in moste plētiful sort, and chepenes of price, before others, accordyng as of auncient tyme hath been accustomed.

For asmuche as of late yeres, the­said commodities, haue not onely been reduced, to a great scarcitie, but ther­by also, to an vnwonted excessiue price the cause wherof, to no one thyng may soner bee erected, then that now com­monly those cōmodities, which ought specially to serue the turne, & bee em­ployed to the vse and sustentacion of the subiectes here inhabityng, are in o­uerlarge maner cōueighed into forain regions, aswell by colour of licences, vnlawfully vsed, as also by stelth and couin, muche to the defraudacion, and [Page lxxx] impouerishemēt, of the common weale and to his highnes no lesse discontent­ment and displeasure: Be it therefore published and knowen, to all maner persones, that his Maiestie, by the ad­uise of his highnes priuie Counsaill, straightly chargeth and commaundeth that no maner kynde or sort of victual­les, Corne, Bere, wolles, Felles, Le­ther, Hides, Tallowe, Belmettall, wodd, or Cole, whiche haue been vsu­ally bought or solde, as marchaundise, and are presently restrained, from car­riyng furthe of this realme, by the la­wes and statutes of thesame, shall frō the daie of the date hereof forwardes, be shipped, conueighed, or transported into any forrain partes, out of this realme (the Toune of Calice onely ex­cepted) by any person or persons, En­glishe or straungers, by vertue or pre­tence, of any licence or licences (here­tofore made or graunted) vntill here­after vpon further respectes it shall please his maiestie to enlarge thesame nor that by force of any other graunt, [Page] allegacion, colour, pretence or meanes any person or persons, attempt or pro­cure, from hencefurthe to ship or tran­sporte into forain partes, any kynde or sort of the aforesaid victualles, Corne, Bere, wolles, Felles, wodd, Cole, Lether, Hides, Belmettall, or Tallowe, vpon pain, that whosoeuer shall do, to the contrary hereof, shall not onely therefore, besides the penalties expres­sed in the Statutes, restrainyng the transportacion of thesame, incurre the losse and forfaicture of thesaied thyn­ges, or any of theim so shipped, contra­ry to this restraint, the one halfe to be immediately confisqued, to his highnes Cofers, and the other halfe to the pre­sētor of thesame, into his graces court of the Exchequer, & like wise the ship or other vessel, wherein any of thesaid thynges prohibited, shall hereafter be shipped, to be forfaicted to his highnes but also that thesaid principal offēdor, or offendours, and as many as shalbee aidyng, and cōsentyng to the shippyng and conueighaunce, of any of the afor­saied [Page lxxxi] thynges prohibited, shall suffer imprisonment, and fine at the Kynges Maiesties pleasure. And that it shalbe lawfull, to euery of his highnes Sub­iectes, or others, to present and pursue the accion, against any suche principall offendour or offendours, at any tyme within the space of three yeres, nexte after the tyme of any suche shippyng, or cōueighaunce, as is before expressed and to haue pardon of his imprisonmēt fine or other penaltie, in case he were before aidyng or consentyng, to thesaid principall offendours act.

Prouided alwaies, that this present Proclamacion, nor any thyng therein conteined, shall not bee preiudiciall to the Maior and felow ship, of the Mar­chauntes Estaples at Calice, but that thei maie still continue their said trade accordyng to their Charters of priui­leges, in as ample maner as before.

The .xv. daie of Iuly. A Proclamacion, prohibityng Scotti [...]e Pirates.

[Page] THe Kynges Maiestie, beyng sundery waies aduertised, as wel by the complaint, of sun­dery his maiesties subiectes, trafficquyng the Seas, as also by the like complaint, of diuerse Marchaun­tes straungers, Subiectes to his good brother, and perpetuall allie the Em­peror, and others, of the great spoyles robberies and iniuries, doen vnto thē, by certain Scottishe shippes, haūtyng the seas, vpon the costes of Cornewall Irelande, Wales, Suffolke, and other partes of this Realme, whereby, not only the libertie of their trafficque, is muche impeched, in suche sorte, as thei haue presumed, to commit some of the­saied spoyles and robberies, in the ve­ry entrie and mouthe, of some of his Maiesties Hauens and Portes, and within his highnes streames and Ri­uers: Consideryng that thesaid Scot­tes, haue no free trafficque, in this his Maiesties realme, ne in any other his maiesties conntries or dominions, his maiestie, by thadnise of his priuie coū ­sail, [Page lxxxij] straightly chargeth and commaū ­deth, all Maiors, Shirifes, Bailifes, Constables, serchers, Comptrollers, and al other his maiesties officers, mi­nisters, and subiectes, that thei, ne any of theim, from the publicacion of there presētes, do not receiue into any of his maiesties Portes, Hauens, or Crekes any of thesaied Scottes, nor any other Scottes (vnles thei haue his maiesties safe conduicte) their vesselles, shippes, goodes, factors, or seruauntes, nor aide or succor with victualles, or any other necessaries, any of thesaid Scottes, so empechyng y ^e trafficque, as is aforsaid nor that thei thesaied Scottes, their factoures, seruauntes, or any other for theim, or any of theim, be permitted to sell, or do sell, any goodes, marchandi­zes, or wares whatsoeuer, so taken v­pon the Seas, of any of his Maiesties subiectes, or the subiectes of any other prince, beyng in amitie or league, with his saied maiestie, vpon pain that who­soeuer shall, or maie be founde, to haue transgressed any part, of this his Ma­iesties [Page] pleasure, shall suffre imprison­ment, without baile or mainprise, and also fine and raunsom, at his maiesties will and pleasure, ouer and besides the forfaicture, of all suche goodes, as shal­be bought or receiued, cōtrary to this Proclamacion.

Prouided alwaies, that this Pro­clamacion, shall not be preiudiciall, to any Marchaunt or vessell of Scotlade hauyng the kynges Maiesties letters of safe conduicte, but that accordyng to the tenour and effecte of thesame, thei maie vse their trafficque of marchaun­dize in this realme, for the tyme limit­ted, in thesaied safeconduicte.

The .iiij. daie of August. A Proclamacion, for the valuacion of the Frenche Croune.

THe Kynges Maiestie, by the aduise and consent of his gra­ces priuie counsaill, is plesed, and doth ordein, that from the daie of the date and publicacion hereof forwardes, all maner Frenche Crou­nes, of the Sunne, beeyng of the iust standard, finesse, and weight, shalbe de­med [Page lxxxiij] and accepted, to be of the value of vij. s̄. of currant money of this realme, and that euery suche Frenche Croune of the Sunne, beyng of the iust weight and finesse, accordyng to the stādard of thesame, shall commonly be paied and receiued, throughout this his Maie­sties Realme, and other his graces do­minions, in al paimentes and receptes for, and after the rate and value of .vij. s̄. of the currant money of this realme: straightly chargyng and commaūdyng al and singuler his maiesties subiectes and others, dwellyng, conuersyng, or trafficquyng, within thesaied his gra­ces Realme and dominions, that thei, and euery of them, obserue, fulfill and execute, theffect and tenor, of this pre­sent proclamacion, vpō pain that who­so disobeyeth, or refuseth so to doo, be­yng by due profe thereof detected, shall suffre imprisonment, and farther pu­nishement, at his maiesties pleasure.

The .xxiiij. daie of September. A Proclamacion, for bryngyng grain to the Market.

[Page] WHereas heretofore, by many good Lawes, Statutes, and other good orders, it hath been vpon diuerse peines, straightly forbidden, that no Corne, Cattell, or other thynges, appertay­nyng to the foode and sustentacion of the people of this Realme, should in tyme of nede, be conueighed out of the same, into forrain partes, or by couyn and deceipt, so enhaunced to vnreaso­nable prices, that thereby, the natiue people of this Realme, bothe lackyng those sustentacions, whiche the natu­rall soyle of the realme, yeldeth prin­cipally to thē, and also burdened with the excessiue prices of those thynges whiche remain, should thereupon su­stain miserie and daungier of famine: Yet neuertheles, the vnsaciable & gre­dy desire of diuerse eiuill natured peo­ple, neither myndyng the due obserua­cion of good lawes, neither any preser­uaciō of naturall societie, within their owne countrey, hath of late tyme, con­trary to the prouision of thesaid lawes [Page lxxxiiij] bothe by frequent vnlawfull exporta­cions of thesaied victualles out of the realme into forain partes, and also by many detestable fraudes and couyns, geuen and daily increased occasion of greate scarcitie and vnreasonable pri­ces, of thesaid victualles and sustenta­cions, whiche no lenger maie be endu­red: wherefore the kynges maiestie, by the aduise of his highnes counsaill, cō ­sideryng the greate profit, whiche maie ensue of therecucion of thesaied lawes and Proclamacions, and the necessitie of thesame at this present tyme, dooth by proclamaciō, as hereafter foloweth prouide and ordein, whereunto his ma­iestie, mooste straightly chargeth and commaundeth, all due and conuenient regard to be geuen, by al and euery his maiesties subiectes, as thei will auoyde bothe the pain therin expressed, and al­so his maiesties high indignacion.

First, the kynges maiesties pleasure is, by thaduise of his counsaill, that no persone or persones, of what estate, de­gree, or condicion soeuer thei bee, shall [Page] after .viij. daies, immediatly insuyng the publicacion of this Proclamacion, in the countie where thei, or any of thē dwelleth, transport, Ship, or carry o­uer the Seas, oute of this his highnes realme of Englande, or any other his graces Dominions, pertainyng to the same, or into the realme of Scotlande, or elles where, into any other forrain Realmes or Countries, and there dooe make willyngly Port sale of any Wheate, Malte, Rie, Barly, Pease, Beanes, Otes, or any other kynde of grain, or the Meales of any of thesame Befes, Muttōs, Veales, Chese, Butter, Tallowe, Candell, Beere, Ale, Bread, Bisket, Lether, Salt Hides, Wodde, Wolles, Felles, or any other kynd of victuall, vpon pain to forfaict, aswell all the goodes & cattalles, that he or thei haue to their awne vse, their aidors or consentors, at the tyme that thei shalbe founde to offende this Pro­clamacion, as also the ship and shippes wherin it shal fortune the premisses, or any of them to be transported, and also [Page lxxxv] the thyng or thynges it self so trāspor­ted: any licence, graunt or dispensacion to the cōtrary heretofore graunted, in anywise notwithstandyng, thone moi­tie of thesaied forfaicture, to bee to the vse of hym or them, that shall finde and presēt and approue thesame, & thother moytie to the vse of the kynges maie­stie our soueraigne lorde, or to the lorde or lordes of the frauncheses, who hath aucthoritie to haue thesame, by his highnes graunt, or other lawfull mea­nes. For the recouery wherof, the first presentor and partie greued, shall haue their remedy by bill, or informaciō, be­fore the Kynges highnes priuie coun­saill, or any twoo of theim, the Starre Chamber, his graces Courtes of the Exchequer, Kinges Benche or Com­mon Place, or before foure Iustices of Peace of the Shire where the offence shall happen, and the premisses or any parte thereof, so to bee carried ouer or transported, so that one of thesaid Iu­stices of the shire, be Iustice also of the Quorum.

Prouided alwaies, that the Mar­chauntes of the Staple, may lawfully carry ouer and transporte, the Wolles and Felles to Calice, in suche sorte as thei haue been heretofore accustomed, this Proclamacion in any wise not­withstandyng.

Prouided also, that if at any time of the Shippyng, or transportyng of the premisses, or any of them: the best whet be commōly sold in Englande for .vj. s̄. viij. d. the quarter or vnder, and so af­ter the rate. Malt of the best sort for .v s̄. the quarter. Beanes & Pease of the best sort, for .iiij. s̄. the quarter. Otes of the best sort, for .iiij. d. the quarter And Rie of the best sorte, for .v. s̄. the quarter, or vnder, that then it shalbee lefull, to all and euery the kynges ma­iesties subiectes, beyng Englishe or de­nizens, to carry ouer and transport, e­uery thesaied kyndes of grain, at their will and pleasure, this Proclamacion notwithstandyng.

Prouided also, that al & euery of the Kynges highnes saied subiectes, maie [Page lxxxvi] carry ouer and transporte, any of the kyndes of commodities aforesaied, for the victuallyng and furnishing of Ca­lice onely, and the Kynges highnes o­ther peces for warre, therunto adioy­nyng, this Proclamacion notwithstādyng, so that by colour thereof, thesaid kyndes of commodities, ne any of them be not in any other places bestowed or employed, contrary to the intent and true meanyng of this Proclamacion.

Prouided also further, that it shal­be lawfull, for all maner of persones, aswell marchauntes as other, hauyng good and lawfull occasion, to repaire to the Seas, to furnishe their shippes and vesselles, with necessary prouision of victuall for thesame, and not other wise, this Proclamacion or any thyng therin contained, to the contrary not­withstandyng.

Item, that no person of what estate condicion or degree, so euer that he be, after thesaid .viij. daies, before expres­sed, shall buy or cause to be bought, in open Market, or otherwise to be solde [Page] again, any Wheat, Malt, Barly, Rie pease, otes, Beanes, misselin, meale, or any kynde of Meales, of any of thesaid graines, vpō pain of forfaicture of the same grain or Meale, so bought to sell again, or the vttermoste value of the­same, & the moytie of his or their goo­des, cattalles, leases and Farmes, for terme of life, lifes, or yeres, or at will, whiche he or thei haue to their awne vse, the one moytie of thesaied for faic­ture, to be to the vse of the partie gre­ued that shal first present and approue thesame, and thother moytie, to thuse of the kynges maiestie, or to such other as shal haue good right to thesame, as is aforesaied, and the recouery thereof to be had in forme aforesaied.

Prouided alwaies, that al Bruers and Bakers maie buy, all and euery of thesaid kyndes of grains, & the meales of thesame, so that thei cōuert thesame so by them bought, or to be bought, in­to bread and drinke, or one of them, and not to sel the premisses, or any of them in that kynde orsort, as thei bought or [Page lxxxvij] shall buye thesame, or any part therof.

Prouided also, that all and euery Inkeper and Inkepers, maie sell and vtter in their Innes or houses, to bee spent and consumed there, Beanes, Pease and otes, to suche as be, or shal­bee their gestes, & shalbee lodged with theim or any of theim: so that thei sell thesame, at reasonable and conuenient prices.

Prouided also, that all Broggers, and cōmon carriers of gram, maie buy and sell any of thesaid graines, so that thesame bee sold to any Bakers, Bre­wers, Inholders, or in open Market: Forseyng alwaies, that thesaid Brog­gers & cōmon carriars, ne any other to their vse, haue at any one time, of their awne, in their possession, or in the pos­session of any other to their vse, aboue the nomber of ten quarters, of any one of the kyndes of grain aforesaid.

Prouided also, that in case any per­sone or persones, meanyng or preten­dyng at the tyme of the buiyng of any of thesaid graines, to expende thesame [Page] onely in his or their houses, and after shall happen to be cōmaunded to serue the Kynges maiestie in his warres, or otherwise, that then it shalbe lefull to hym or them, that shalbe so commaun­ded, by any his officer or seruaunt, to sell all thesaied kynde of graines, and euery of them, in such sort, and for like prices, as the like graines shal then be commonly solde for, in the Market or vnder, any thyng in this Proclamaciō notwithstandyng.

Item, the kynges maiesties pleasor by the aduise aforesaid, is, that the Iu­stices of the Peace in euery shire, citie borough, or toune corporat, shall deuide theimselfes into Hundredes, Kapes, wardes, and wapentakes, accordyng as heretofore, in other his highnes af­faires thei haue doen, and thei or twoo of theim at the lest, within the limites of their diuision, shall with al diligēce repaire to all Farmes, Barnes, Stac­kes, and Garners, within the precinct or limites of their saied diuision, and there view, search, and trie out, aswel [Page lxxxviij] by the veredict of honest men, as by all other good and lawfull meanes & was yes, by their good discrecions, what quantitie and kyndes of grain, euery persone and persones, haue within the precinct of thesame their diuision, and after the certaintie thereof (as nere as thei can) knowen vnto them, thei shall allot, appoynct & allowe to the owner of thesaid Corne and grain, so by them founde in Barnes, Stackes, or Gar­ners, sufficient and competent grain, for the findyng & maintenaunce of his or their houses, paiment of their rent cornes, and performaunce of any bar­gain or bargaines, made or to bee made for the kynges maiestie house, or to a­ny noble manne, gentleman or others, for the onely maintenaunce, of his or their housholdes and family, vntill the xx. daie of September now nexte com­myng, and also for necessary sede corne to be employed on his or their Farme, or Farmes, to be sowen before the .xx. daie of Iune, now next commyng.

And for the ouerplus of thesaied [Page] grain, so founde in Barnes, stackes, or garners, thesaid Iustices shall by ver­tue hereof, haue aucthoritie to charge and commaunde, in our name and be­halfe, vpon pain, by them to be limited thesaied owner and owners, to bryng to the Markettes nexte adioynyng, suche porcion of thesaied ouerplus, as thesaid Iustices shall thinke mete and requisite, and in suche sort, as by their good discrecions, shalbe thought mete and conuenient, there to be sold.

And his highnes pleasure also is, that the Iustices so viewyng, and se­yng the premisses, as before, shal after the viewe taken, by their writyng, si­gnifie vnto the chief officer or officers, of the Market or Markettes, what quantitie of grain is appoyncted, to e­uery manne within their limittes, to bryng to thesaid Market or Market­tes, and of what sortes and kyndes of graines, be appoyncted to be brought, of euery owner of farmer, willyng and cōmaundyng, thesaid officers of Mar­kettes, and euery of them, to note, and [Page lxxxix] haue cōtinuall good respect, that their appoynctement, bee at all Markettes obserued, wherin if any shall faile, the said officer or officers, shall certifie the Iustices of the names of hym or them that shalbe found fautie in this behalf

Prouided alwaies, that in case a­ny of thesaid owners, do sel suche por­cion or part of the porcion, of the corne or Grain, as he or thei shall so bee ap­poyncted to bryng to the Market, to any his neighbors, beyng housholders or common laborers, hauyng not com­petēt grain for his or their familie, and for the onely sustenaunce and mainte­naunce of hymself, his house and fami­ly, that then thesame owner and Ow­ners shalbe discharged, from the bryn­gyng of thesaid porciō to the next mar­ket, so to his neighbor sold, in forme a­foresaied.

And in case any Fermour or Fer­mours, Owner or Owners shall re­fuse, or doo not bryng to Market­tes, his or their Corne and Grain, ac­cordyng to the theffecte of this Proclama­cion, [Page] or as he or thei shalbe appoyncted by thesaied Iustices, that then euery suche offendor shall forfaict, for euery suche default .x.ii. and suffre imprison­ment, by the space of three monethes, the one moytie of thesaied forfaicture, to be to the vse of the partie, that shall first present and approue thesame, and the other moytie, to the vse of the kyn­ges maiestie, or to the vse ofsuche chief lorde or lordes of the Fraunchesis, as by his graces graūt, or otherwise shall haue good right to thesame, and the recouery thereof to be had and taken, in forme aforesaied.

Prouided alwaies, that if thesaid Owner or Owners, shall not haue so muche grain, as he or thei shalbe com­maunded to bryng to the Market, or if thesame porcion so appoyncted, shall happen to be taken vp afterwardes, to the kynges maiesties vse, by any of his highnes takers or Purueiors of grain and thesame duely proued before the­saied Iustices, that then thesaid Ow­ner and Owners, shalbee clerely dis­charged [Page xc] of thesaid penaltie and impri­sonment, and euery part thereof, this Proclamacion, or any thyng therein conteined, to the contrary notwith­standyng.

And for the continual true and in­uiolable obseruacion, of this Procla­macion, for bryngyng of all maner of graines to the Markettes, the kynges maiestie pleasure is, that the Iustices of Peace of euery Shire, Citee, Bo­rough, or toune corporate, shal at their seuerall diuisions to bee made, as is a­foresaied, take suche order, that some one Iustice of Peace, at the least, bee alwaies from tyme to tyme personally present, in euery Faire and Market, within their seuerall limites, and ther remain, duryng al the tyme of thesame faire or Market, serchyng and exami­nyng, with the assistaunce of the offi­cers of thesame place, whether euery Fermor and Owner of corne, do effec­tually without all fraude and couyn, bryng to the Market suche proporciōs and quātities, of euery sortes of grain, [Page] as hath been appoyncted vnto theim, and suche as shalbe found faultie ther­in, his Maiesties pleasure is, that the­saied Iustices and euery of them, shall do the best that in thē maie be, to haue euery suche offendor furthewith puni­shed, accordyng to the tenour of this Proclamacion, wherein his highnes requireth, and straightly chargeth the saied Iustices to bee diligent and vp­right, as thei tender his maiesties ple­sure, and will answere for the contra­ry. This Proclamacion to indure, du­ryng the kynges highnes pleasure.

The .xx. daie of October. A Proclamacion, con [...]er [...]yng the prices of Victualles.

WHere as at the Parliament holden vpon prorogacion at Westminster, the .xv. daie of Ianuarij, in the .xxv. yere of the reigne of our moste dere father, of famous memorie, kyng Henry theight it was ordeined and enacted, by auctho­ritie of thesame Parliament, that the Lorde Chauncellor of Englande, the Lorde Threasorer, the Lorde Presidēt [Page xci] of the Kynges moste honorable coun­saill, the Lorde Priuie scale, the Lorde Stuard, the Lorde Chamberlain, and all other Lordes of the Kynges coun­sail, the Threasorer and Comptroller of the kynges moste honorable house, the Chauncellor of the Duchie of Lā ­caster, the Kynges Iustices of either Benche, the Chauncellor, Chamber­laines, vnder Threasorer and Barons of the Kynges Exchequer, or seuen of theim at the least, whereof the Lorde Chauncellor, the Lorde Threasorer, the Lorde President of the Kynges counsaill, or the lorde Priuie Seale to be one, should haue power and auctho­ritie, from tyme to tyme, as the cause should require, to set and taxe reaso­nable prices, of all kyndes of Chese, Butter, Capons, Hennes, Chekines, and other kyndes of victualles, neces­sary for mēnes sustenaūce, mencioned in thesaied act, how thei should be sold in grosse or by retaile, for relief of the kynges subiectes: and that after suche prices set and taxed, in forme aforsaid, [Page] Proclamacion should bee made in the kynges name, vnder the greate Seale, of thesaied prices, in suche parties of this Realme, as should be conuenient for thesame. And it was further enac­ted by thesaied Estatute, that all Fer­mors, Owners, Broggers, and all o­ther Victuallers whatsoeuer, hauyng or kepyng, any of the kyndes of victu­alles, mencioned in thesaied act, to the intent to sell, should sell thesame, to suche of the kynges subiectes, as will buy them, at suche prices as should be set and taxed, by thesaid Proclamaciō vpon the paines to be expressed, and li­mited in thesaied Proclamacion, to be lost, forfaicted and leuied to the Kyn­ges vse, in suche wise, as by thesaied Proclamacion should bee declared.

And further, by thesame act it was prouided, that thesame act or any thing therein conteined, should not be hurt­full to Maiors, Shirifes, Bailifes, or other officers of citees, Boroughes, or tounes corporate, nor to any persone or persones, or bodies pollitique, hauyng [Page xcij] aucthritee to set prices of suche victu­alles, or of any of theim, but that thei and euery of thē, might set prices ther­of, as if that act had neuer been had or made. And it was also enacted by the­same act, that no persone or persones, onlesse it wer by licence vnder the kyn­ges greate Seale, from thence furthe should carry or cōueigh, or cause to be carried or conueighed, any corne, Be­fes, Muttons, Veales, Porkes, or any other of the victualles aforesaid, to a­ny the parties beyonde the sea, excepte onely for the victuallyng of the toune of Calice, Guisnes, Hammes, and the Marches of thesame. And excepte for victuallyng of Masters, Mariners, and Marchan̄tes shippes, passyng the seas. And also except barelled Butter and Meale, to be carried to the partes of Iselande, as hath been accustomed, vpon pain of forfaictyng of the value, of the thyng cōueighed and carried, in­to the parties of beyonde the sea, con­trary to thesame act: the one half ther­of to thuse of our said soueraigne lorde [Page] the kyng, and thother halfe to the par­tie that will sue for thesame, by Bill, plaint, writte or informacion, in any of the Kynges Courtes of Recorde: In whiche suetes, the defendant shall not wage his lawe, nor any Proteccion or essoyne, for hym shalbe allowed, as by thesame act more at large it maie and doth appere.

And for as muche, as diuerse and sundery greate complaintes, of inhan­syng of the prices of victualles, neces­sary for mannes sustenaunce, and ines­peciall of Corne, Grain, Butter and Chese, bee had and made, not onely to the kynges moste excellent Maiestie, but also to his moste honorable coun­sailors, by reason that diuerse his sub­iectes, and others, vpon their vnsacia­ble coueteousnes, myndyng and pur­posyng, of their peruerse myndes, to make greate dearth and scarcitie, more then necessitie requireth, of Corne, Grain, Befes. Muttons, Veales, por­kes, Butter, Chese, and other victual­les, necessary for mannes sustenaunce, [Page xciij] not onely by vnlawful ingrossyng, for­stallyng and regrating of thesame, but also by vnlawfull transportyng, and conueighyng thesame victualles, and other the premisses, into sundery par­ties beyonde the seas, contrary to the­saied statute, and contrary to the kyn­ges Maiestes Lawes and Proclama­cions, in that behalf had and made, and to the greate hurte and perill, of the common wealthe of this his Realme: Where vpon, the kynges moste excel­lent Maiestie, hauyng a vigilant and mercifuliye, and respect towardes his louyng Subiectes, and willyng and straightly chargyng his said subiectes and others, from hencefurth, to enter­prise no suche offences, contrary to his Lawes, Statutes, or Proclamacions vpon the paines and forfaictures, con­teined in thesame, and vpon his high indignacion and displeasure, hath ac­cordyng to the tenour of thesaied acte, willed & required his honorable coun­sailours, named in thesaied acte, to set furthe reasonable prices, of all kynd of [Page] Corne, Grain, Butter and Chese, ac­cordyng to the tenor of thesaid act. Incosideracion wherof, the lorde Chaun­cellor of Englande, the lorde Threaso­rer of Englande, the lorde Prisident of the kynges moste honorable counsaill, the lorde Priuie Seale, the lorde Chā ­berlain, and all other limited and ap­poyncted by thesaid act, for the taryng and settyng the princes of all kynde of victualles, mencioned in thesaied acte, haue by aucthorite of thesaied acte, set and taxed reasonable prices of al kynde of Grain, mencioned in thesaied act, to be sold in forme folowyng. That is to saie, that from the feast of al Sainctes next ensuyng without delaye, all and singuler person and persones, hauyng or kepyng any of the kyndes of Grain. Butter or Chese within this realme, to the intent to sell, shall sell thesame to suche of the Kynges Subiectes, as will buye them, at the prices hereafter mencioned, or vnder, and not aboue, that is to saie, white wheat of the best sorte, cleane and swete and not tailed, [Page xciiij] for .xiij. s̄ .iiij. d. the Quarter and not a­boue, and white wheate of the seconde sort, and redde wheate of the best sort, cleane, swete, and not tailed, for .xj. s̄. the quarter, and not aboue, and graye wheate of the best sorte, cleane, swete, and not tailed, for .x.s̄. the quarter, and not aboue. And all other wheat, aswell white, redde and graye, of the meanest sort, not cleane or tailed, for .viij. s̄. the quarter, and not aboue. And that malt cleane, swete, and of the best sort, shal­be solde for .x. s̄. the quarter, and not a­boue, and malte of the second sorte, for viij. s̄. the quarter, and not aboue. And Rie of the best, cleanest, and swetest sorte, for .vij. s̄. the quarter, and not a­boue. And Rie of the seconde sorte, for vj. s̄. the Quarter, and not aboue. And barly of the best sort, cleane and swete for .ix. s̄. the Quarter, and not aboue, and Barly of the second sort, for .vij. s̄. the quarter, and not aboue. Beanes or Pease of the best sort, cleane & swete, for .v. s̄. the Quarter, and not aboue. And Beanes or Pease, of the seconde [Page] sorte, for .iij. s̄ .viij. d. the Quarter, and not aboue. Otes of the best sort, clene, and swete, for .iiij. s̄. the Quarter, and not aboue, accomptyng .viij. bushelles to the quarter.

Prouided alwaies, that in what place or Countie soeuer, within this the Kynges realme of Englande, or o­ther his graces Dominions, the Mea­sure or Reisure, shall fortune to bee more or lesse, then is aboue expressed, that then the prices shalbee likewise taxed, limited and appoyncted, accor­dyng to .viij. galones to euery bushell of lande measure, and not otherwise.

And that from the saied feast of all Sainctes, the pound of swete Butter, not to bee solde aboue .j. d. ob. and bar­relled butter, of Essex, the pound, not to be told to any the kynges subiectes, aboue. ob. di. qr. and barrelled Butter of any other partes, not to bee solde to the kynges subiectes aboue. ob. qr. And Chese of Essex, to be sold to the Kyn­ges subiectes, from Hallowmas next, till the new yeres croppe, for. ob. di. qr. [Page xcv] and not aboue. And chese of other par­ties, not aboue. ob. qr. And in case any persone or persones, by hymself or by any other, by his assent or procuremēt▪ shall sell or attempt to sel, any kynd of grain, butter, or chese, aboue the prices aforesaid, contrary to thesaied act and this proclamacion, that then the offen­dor or offendors in that behalfe, shall forfaict and lose to the king .xiij. s̄ .iiij. d for euery Bushell, of any kynde of the corne or graines before mencioned, to be sold, cōtrary to the tenor and effect of this Proclamacion, and vpon pain of forfaicture of .ij. s̄. for euery pounde of Butter or Chese, to be sold contra­ry to the tenor and effect of this Pro­clamacion, the moytie of the whiche forfaictures, the kynges maiesties ple­sure is, that the first presētor or appro­uer, that wil sue for thesame, shal haue thesame moitie of his highnes gift, and that for all and euery suche forfaicture the Kyng our soueraigne Lorde, shall and maie haue his recouery and reme­dy, by informacion, bill, plaint, or acciō [Page] of debt, in any of his highnes Courtes of Record, in whiche sute no essoyne, Proteccion, ne wager of lawe shalbee allowed.

And to the intent this Proclama­cion, maie be put in good execuciō, the Kynges maiesties pleasure, by the ad­uise aforesaied is, that the Iustices of the Peace in euery Shire, shall with all conuenient spede, after this Pro­clamaciō made, deuide theimselfes, into Hundredes, Rapes, and Wapentakes accordyng as heretofore, in other his highnes affaires thei haue dooen. And that three or twoo of them at the least, within the limites of their diuision, shall with all diligence, repaire to all Farmes, Barnes, Stackes, Garners, Sellers, Sollers, Loftes, wikes, Da­ries, graunges, and other houses with in the precinct, or limites of their saied diuision, and there shall, by all the wa­yes and meanes thei can, view, searche and trie out by their good discrecions, what quantitie of kyndes of Corne, Grain, Butter and Chese, euery per­sone [Page xcvi] and persons haue, within the pre­cinct of thesame their diuision, and af­ter the certaintie thereof, (as nere as it can) bee knowen vnto theim, thei shall allot, appoinct and allow, to the Ow­ner of thesaied Corne, Grain, Butter and Chese, so by them found in barnes Stackes, Garners, Granges, Wikes Daries, loftes, Sellers, Sollers, and other houses, sufficient and competent Grain, Butter and Chese, for the fin­dyng and maintenaunce, of his or their houses and familie, vntill the .xx. daie of September, nowe nexte commyng, and also for necessary sede corne, to bee employed on his or their groūd, farme or farmes, to bee sowen before the .xx. daie of Iune now next commyng. And for the ouerplus of thesaied corne, gra­in, butter and chese, founde in barnes, stackes, and other houses aforsaid, the saied Iustices shall by vertue hereof, haue aucthoritee to charge and com­maunde, in our name and behalf, vpon pain of imprisonment, thesaid Owner and Owners, to bryng to the market­tes [Page] next adioynyng, suche porciō of the same ouerplus, as thei thesaid Iustices shall thynke mete and requisite, and in suche sort, as by their discrecions, shal be thought mete and conuenient, there to be sold, accordyng to the rate of pri­ces, before limited by this Proclama­cion. And his highnes pleasure also is, that the Iustices so viewyng, and see­yng the premisses as before, shall after the viewe taken, by their writyng, si­gnifie vnto the chief officer or officers, of the Market or Markettes, Faire, or Faires, the iust proporciō of al suche kind of grain, as thei shall so appoynct to thesame, and also what kind of grain it is, to thintent thesame maie be sold, accordyngly.

Prouided alwaies, that in case any of thesaied Owners do sell, suche por­cion, or part of the porcion of the corne grain, butter or chese as he or thei shal be so appoyncted, to bryng to the mar­ket, to any his neighbors, beyng house holders or common labourers, hauyng not competent grain, butter nor chese [Page xcvij] for his or their familie, and for the one­ly sustenaunce & maintenaunce of hym self, his house and familie, that then thesame Owner and Owners, shalbe discharged from the bryngyng of the­said porcion, to the next Market, so to his neighbor sold, in forme aforesaied.

And in case any Fermor or Fermors Owner or Owners, shall refuse or do not bring to the markettes, his or their Corne, Grain, Butter or Chese, accordyng to theffect of this Proclamacion, or as he or thei shalbee appoyncted by thesaid Iustices, that then euery suche offendor, shall for euery suche default, suffer imprisonment, duryng the kyn­ges pleasure. And if it shal happen any variāce or doubt to arise, for the good­nes or basenes, of any of the kyndes of graines aforesaid, then thesame shalbe tried and finally iudged, by any twoo Iustices of the Peace, within thesame Shire, or by the Maior, Bailief, or o­ther hedde Officer, with twoo Cone­stables, or one of theim of the Toune, Parishe, Village, Faire or Markett, [Page] where thesaid grain shalbe put to sale or offered to be sold.

And furthermore, the kynges ma­iestie of his aucthoritie and power roy­all, straightly chargeth and commaun­deth, all and singuler his subiectes, of what estate or degree, soeuer he or thei be, that thei ne any of thē, from hence­furth, transport, ship or carry, ouer the Seas, out of this his highnes realmes of Englande, or any other his graces Dominions perteinyng to the same, or into the Realme of Scotlande, or els where, into any other forrain realmes or countries, willyngly there to make port sale, of any Wheate, Malte, Rie Barly, Pease, Beanes, Otes, Mu­stardsede, or any other kynd of Grain, or the Meales of any of thesame, or a­ny Befes, Muttons, Veales, Chese, Butter, Tallowe, Candle, Bere, Ale Bread, Bisket, Lether, Salte Hides, Wodde, Coles, Wolle, Felles, or any other kynde of Victuall, vpon pain to forfaict the thyng so transported or cō ­ueighed, and further to incurre the [Page xcviij] daungier, paines and forfaictures, of the Kynges Lawes and Statutes, in that behalfe mencioned and prouided, any licence, or dispensacion, to the con­trary in any wise notwithstandyng.

Prouided also, that all and euery of the Kynges highnes said subiectes, borne within this Realme, by vertue and aucthoritie of the Kynges letters Patentes, maie carry ouer and trans­port, any of the kyndes of commodities aforsaid, for the necessary victuallyng and furnishyng of Calice, Guysnes, Hammes, Rice bancke, and the Mar­ches of thesame, this Proclamacion notwithstandyng, so that by coloure thereof, thesaied kyndes of commodi­ties, ne any of theim, bee not in other places bestowed or emploied, contrary to the true intent and meanyng of this Proclamacion.

Prouided also, that it shalbe lefull for all maner of persones, aswell mar­chauntes as other, hauyng good and lawfull occasion, to repaire to the seas to furnishe their shippes and vesselles [Page] with necessary prouision of victuall for thesame, and not otherwise, this Pro­clamacion, or any thyng therin contei­ned, to the contrary notwithstandyng.

Prouided alwaies, that all Bre­wers and Bakers, maie buy all and e­uery thesaied kyndes of Graines, and the Meales of thesame, so that thei conuert thesame, so by theim bought, or to be bought, into bread and drinke, to bee sold at reasonable prices, accor­dyng to the auncient estatutes and la­wes of this realme, or one of theim.

Prouided also, that all and euery Inne kepers, maie sell and vtter, in their Innes or houses, Beanes, pease, and Otes, to suche as bee or shalbee their Gestes, and shalbe Lodged with theim, or any of theim, so that thei sell thesame at reasonable and conuenient prices, accordyng to the lawes and sta­tutes of this realme.

Prouided also, that all Baggers and common carriers of Grain, maye buye and sell any of the saied Graines, so that thesame be sold to any Bakers [Page xcix] Bruers, Inholders, or in open Mar­ket, accordyng to the tenor and effect of this Proclamacion, forseeyng alwaie that thesaid baggers and common car­riers, ne any other to their vse, haue at any one time of their awne, in their possession, or in the possession of any o­thers to their vse, aboue the nomber of twentie Quarters, of any one of the kyndes of Grain aforesaied, ouer and aboue the Grain and Corne, that he carrieth to the Market to be sold, frō Market daie to Market daie, takyng for the carriage of the same grain to the Market, suche like gain and aduaun­tage, as heretofore thei haue vsed, for thesame carriage.

And further, the kynges maiestie, moste straightly chargeth & commaun­deth, all and euery his Subiectes, of what degree soeuer he or thei be, that in no wise any of thē, vpon his or their dutie of allegeaunce, meddle or enter­price, to putte any article or clause of this proclamacion in execucion, by co­lour or pretence of thesame, but onely [Page] the Iustices of Peace, or suche other as haue especiall aucthoritie, by this present Proclamacion.

And we consideryng the premisses to bee for the wealthe and commoditie of this our realme, will and commaūde all Shirifes of our Countie, Maiors, and Bailifes of euery Citee and Bo­rough, within this our Realme, with­in sixe daies, nexte after the receipte of this our Proclamacion, that he or thei with all spede, shall proclaime the pre­misses, in all Market Tounes within their limittes, and that all maner our Subiectes shall obeye thesame, vpon pain to incurre our indignaciō and di­spleasure. And this Proclamacion to continue, duryng our pleasure.

The first daie of December. A Proclamacion, for the abacyng of the Frenche Croune.

FOR asmuche, as there commeth some hynde­raunce and losse, to the common trafficque be­yond the seas, and con­sequently hurtfull en­crease [Page c] of the exchaunge, by the valua­cion of the Frenche Crounes, as nowe thei bee valued: the Kynges Maiestie beyng alwaies ready, and studiyng for the benefite in euery parte of his com­mon wealthe, hath by the aduise of his highnes Counsaill, willed and com­maunded, and by this present Procla­macion, straightly chargeth and com­maundeth, all and euery his saied sub­iectes, and all other maner of persones hauyng any Trafficque, within these his realmes, that thei nor any of them, from the last of December nexte en­suyng, shall vtter or receiue, by any maner of meanes, any of the Crounes commonly called Frenche Crounes, aboue the value of .vi. s̄ .iiij. d. of the curraunt money of this Realme, vpon pain of for faicture of the same: whereof the one halfe shalbee to the Kynges Maiestie, and the other to the accusor. Neuerthelesse, for the aduoydyng of suche present losse, as hereby might be susteined by them, whiche by reason of the former valuacion, haue any nom­ber [Page] of thesaied Crounes, it is prouided and ordeined, that whatsoeuer shall on this side, or before thesaied last of De­cember, bryng any of thesaied Frenche Crounes, into any of the Kynges ma­iesties Mintes, he or thei shall re­ceiue at thesaied Mintes, for e­uery suche Croune .vij. s̄. curraunt money, ac­cordyng to the valuaciō afore li­mitted. And this the Kynges Maiestie will haue due­ly obser­ued.