In the xx [...] yeere of the Queenes Maiesties reigne.

FIrst her Maiesties pleasure is, vpon her vnderstanding of the great disorders heretofore and especially the last Lent committed in killing and eating flesh in the time of Lent, especially in the Citie of London, & the liberties thereto adtoyning, that the stature made in the fist yeere of her Maiesties reigne for the restraint therof, be put in due execution by the way of inquisi­tion, and charge of Iuries, and by any other good meanes, both within the Citie and all o­ther places requisite.

And for the better information of the trueth of this disorder, and redresse of the inconueni­ence, the said Iurie shall call before them, and send for any of the seruants of any Inholders, Victuallers, Cauerners, and keepers of ordinarie tables, and such other that vtter victuals, to examine them vpon their corporall othes, what flesh shall be, or is any day during the Lent season dressed, killed, vttered, or eaten in their houses: which if they shal refuse to doe, then they shal commit to prison the said seruants, so refusing vpō their othes to declare the trueth.

And because a great part of this disorder groweth by the Butchers of the Citie and also of the Countrey, that secretly kill [...] bring flesh to the Citie: her Maiesties pleasure likewise is, that there shalbe only sire Butchers licensed by the Lord Ma­ [...] to kill flesh within the Citie and liberties thereof, without exacting any thing of them for their licences.

And euery of these Butchers to be so licenced, shall be first bound in the summe of two hundreth pounds to her Maiesties [...], and the bonds to be certified to the Queenes Remembrancer in the Exchequer to sell no flesh in the time of Lent, but to [...] persons as shall shew them speciall warrant from the Lord Maior, vnder his hand, & that the Butchers do truely keepe particular books of their dayly sales, & of the names of those to whom they shal so sel, with the quantities & the times thereof.

That the Lord Maior giue order to these Butchers, not to sell any flesh but at reasonable prices, and for that purpose the [...]rs shall be set downe by the said L. Maior, such as may be reasonable both for the buyer and seller: and if the Butcher [...]ll breake that order, then to be forthwith discharged, and committed to prison, and an other put into his place, and his [...]d to be certified into the Exchequer to the Queenes benefite.

That the Lord Maior himselfe shall graunt no warrant for buying of flesh in Lent, but to such as shall haue and she we to in licence in good writing according to the lawes of the Realme to eate flesh, and the said licence to be viewed and registred, [...] by some two meete persons to be appoynted for this purpose by the Lorde Maior, and Bookes to be kept thereof, to be [...]ed further when the same shall be required, vnlesse it be to Imbassadors and Agents of forreine Princes, to whom not­withstanding no further quantitie shall be allowed, then ratably for their owne housholde, and that the sayde Ambassador [...] giue to the Lord Maior a certificate weekely, what he shall require to be for his table.

That the L. Maior shal now presently before Lent cause all Inholders, Tablekeepers, Victuallers, Ale housekeepers, and Curtners within the Citie, and liberties thereof, to appeare before him, or such persons as he shall appoynt meete for that expose: and shall take bonds of euery of them in good summes of money not vnder one hundred pound apiece to her Maie­sties vse, not to dresse any flesh in their houses this Lent time for any respect, except it be for some such person that lieth in their [...]t, and that also hath licence through sickenesse, or other necessarie cause, to eate flesh. Bondes shall be taken also of the coulters, not to vtter any Poultrie ware, but to such as shalbe likewise licenced to eate flesh, and that such as will not giue [...]h bonds, that they be secluded from all vtterance of victuall during the Lent season.

And for the Butchers and others that come with victuals out of the countrey to the citie, the L. Maior shal cause certaine [...]rsons, whereof some to be named to the L. Maior by the Mardens of the Fishmongers, to watch at the gates & other like places in the suburbes, where flesh may be brought in, to view and search, and to intercept the same. And in case the same [...]be found to be brought to any person not warranted nor licenced to eate it as is aforesaid, then the same to be forfeited and [...] at the discretion of the L. Maior, for the vse of the poore in the Hospitals and prisons in the Citie, and the bringers to be [...]prisoned. And this watch to be continued dayly during the whole time of Lent: and if any of these watchmen be found [...]gligent and corrupt in his charge, then he to be committed to prison, there to continue during the whole Lent.

And to the end the said Orders may be duly executed, it is thought conuenient, that the L. Maior should send for the chiefe [...]eads of the Company of the Fishmongers, and shal cause them to make choice of foure wise and discreete persons of the said company, and men of good wealth & habilitie, to whom they shall commit the charge to make enquirie after such as shall be and transgressors of the said Orders: who in respect of their trauell bestowed in that behalfe, shall haue the moitie of such [...]nds as shalbe forfeited by transgressing of the said Orders, & the other moitie to be conuerted vnto godly vses, by the discre­tion of the O. Maiesties high Almner, specially vpon poore & lame souldiers, with the priuity of some of the priuie counsel.

And that there may be due execution of the sayd Orders, as well without, as within the Liberties, it is thought conueni­ent, that they that haue the chiefe charge ouer the places priuiledged and exempt, where any Leetes or Law dayes are kept, [...]ll authorize vnder their hand and seale foure persons as are aboue mentioned, to make search within the saide priuiled­ [...] and exempt places for such as shall transgresse the said Orders, and shall for their trauell therein employed, receiue the [...]tie of the Bonds forfeited, as is aboue mentioned. And for the auoyding of corruption & partialitie in the sayd persons, [...]hall be necessarie to take their othe, and giue bond in some good and large summes, to see, as much as in them lyeth, a [...] obseruation of the sayd Orders.

And for that it is to be doubted, that the said Fishmongers, vpon the obseruation of the sayde Orders, will take occasion [...]reby to enhaunse the prices, as well offresh as of Sea fish: It is thought meete, that the L. Maior shal take order with the & fishmongers, that as well the salt as fresh fish shall be vttered at reasonable prices.

Lastly, it is ordered, that no Butcher shal kil any Beeues, but such as shalbe specially licensed thereunto, for the furnishing [...]f such ships as shalbe employed by sea, either in the way of traffique, or other wise. And that such Butchers, as shalbe licensed other within or without the liberties to kill any flesh, shal euery foureteene dayes at the least, giue a true certificate vnto the L. Maior & head officers of the places exempt, of such numbers of Veales, Lambes, & Muttons, as shal be by them weekely [...]lled: to the ende, there may be a true certificate made euery fifteene dayes vnto the Lords & others of her Maiesties priuie Counsel, what numbers of the seuerall kinds aboue mentioned shalbe killed, either within the City, or the places exempt.

And as these Orders are expressy deuised to be executed in the Citie of London, and places neere to the same, so her Maie­sties pleasure and commandement is, that the execution of these or like Orders be performed by the commaundement of her Maiesties Lieutenants to be sent to the Iustices of the peace, in all shires within their rule, & to all other officers in townes Corporate, or in any liberties, with like order for bonds to be taken to her Maiesties vse: the benefit of the forfeiture of which bonds, her Maiestie may at the intercession of the said Lieutenants cause to be distributed amongst lame & poore souldiors.