FOR AS MOCHE as by dyuers and sundry occasyons, as well hearrynge, lynges, saltfysh, samond, stockfyshe, as other kyndes of fyshe, ben this yere skant, and also en­hanced in prices aboue the old rate and comen estimation of theyr valour: so that if the kynges louynge subiectes shulde be enforced onely to bye and prouyde hearrynge and other salte store of fysshe, for the necessarye and suffycient sustentation and mayntenaunce of their housholdes and families, all this holy tyme of Lent, accordyng as they haue ben wont in times past to do, & shuld not be, by some other conuenient meanes releued therin, the same myght and shuld vndoutedly redounde to their importable charge and dctryment. And for as moch as his hyghnesse consyderethe, howe this kynde and maner of fastynge, that is to saye, to absteyne from mylke, butter, egges, chese, and all other whyte meates, is but a mere posytiue lawe of the Churche, and vsed by a custome within this realme, and of none other sorte or necessitie, but the same may be, vpon good con­siderations and groundes, altered and dispensed with from tyme to tyme by the publike auctority of kinges and princis, whan so euer they shal perceiue the same to tende to the hurt and damage of their people. THE KYNGES hyghnesse therfore most graciousely considering and tenderyng the welthe and cōmoditie of his people, hath thought good, for the consyderations aboue rehersed, to release and dispence with the sayde lawe and custome of absteynyng from whyte meates this holy tyme of Lent, And of his especial grace and mere motion gyueth and granteth vnto al and syngular his subiectes, within this his realme of England, Wales, Cales, Guynes, Hammes, and in all other his graces do­minions, free lyberty, faculty, and lycence, to eate all maner of whyte meates, as mylke, egges, butter, chese, and suche lyke, durynge the tyme of this Lent, without any scruple or grudge of conscience: any lawe, constitution, vse, or custome to the contrary notwith standynge. Wherin neuer the lesse his hyghnes exhorteth, and in the name of god requireth, all such his faythfull subiectes, as may, woll or shall enioy this his sayd graunte or faculty, that they be in no wyse scruple or doubtefull therof, nor abuse or tourne the same into a Aeshly or carnal libertie: but rather endeuour them selfes to their pos­sible powers with this libertie of eatynge of whyte meates, to obserue also that faste, which god most specially requireth of them: That is to say, to renounce the world and the deuyl, with al their pompes and workes, and also to subdowe and represse theyr carnal effections, and the corrupt workes of their flesshe, accordyng to their vowe and professyon made at the font stone. For in these poyntes specially consysteth the very true and perfyt abstinence and fastynge of a Christen man.

GOD SAVE THE KYNGE