WHereas by the grace and blessing of God, the Kings and Queens of this Realm by many ages past, have had the happiness by their Sacred Touch, and Invoca­tion of the Name of God, to cure those who are afflicted with the Disease called the Kings-Evil; and His now most Excellent Majesty in no less measure then any of His Royal Predecessors hath had good success herein, and in His most gracious and pious Disposition is as ready and willing as any King or Queen of this Realm ever was in any thing, to relieve the distresses and necessities of His good Subjects; yet in His Princely, Wisdom foreseeing that in this (as in all other things) order is to be observed, and fit times are necessary to be appointed for the performing of this great work of Charity, His most Excellent Majesty doth hereby publish and declare His Royal will and pleasure to be, That whereas heretofore the usual times of presenting such persons for this purpose, have been prefixed by His Royal Predecessors; that from hence­forth the times shall be from the Feast of All Saints, commonly called Alhallontide, to a week before Christmas, and in the moneth before Easter, being times more convenient both for the temperature of the season, and in respect of any contagion which may happen in this near access to His Majesties Sacred Person.

And His Majesty doth accordingly will and command, that from the time of publishing this Proclamation, none presume to repair to His Majesties Court to be healed of that Disease, but only at, or within the times for that purpose hereby appointed as aforesaid. And His Majesty doth further will and command, That all such as hereafter shall come, or repair to the Court for this purpose, shall bring with them Certi­ficates under the hands of the Parson, Vicar, or Minister, and Church-Wardens of those several Parishes where they dwell, and from whence they come, testifying according to the truth, that they have not any time before been Touched by the King, to the intent to be healed of that Disease. And His Ma­jesty doth straightly charge all Iustices of the Peace, Constables, and other Officers, That they do not suffer any to pass, but such as have such Certificates, upon pain of His Majesties displeasure: And to the end that all His loving Subjects may the better take knowledge of this His Majesties pleasure and com­mand, His will is, That this Proclamation be published and affixed in some open place in every Market Town of this Realm.

Given at Our Court of Hampton-Court, the Fourth day of July, 1662. in the Fourteenth year of Our Reign.

God save the King.