WHereas the King our Soveraign Lord, upon some Decrease of the Plague in the Cities of London and Westminster, and places adjacent, and probable hopes it might cease, with colder weather, did Command the next Hillary Term to be held at Westminster, as formerly; thereby intending Relief and Encouragement to His People in those parts, which he much desireth. But finding the Contagion hath continued there all this Winter-season; and although by the mercy of God it is in a great measure abated, yet doth still continue; and considering the confluence of fresh people, which the Term will bring thither, and their lodging in places, and conversing with persons that have been Infected, may be a means to spread and prolong the Infection: His Majesty therefore for avoiding that occasion, and for the future welfare and safety of His People, is pleased to adjourn part of the Term of St. Hillary now next coming; (That is to say) in and from the first Return thereof, called Octabis Hillarii, unto the third Return of the same Term, called Crastino Purificationis, from Westminster to the Castle of Windsor, and there to be held and continued for the residue of the said Term: Which His Majesty signifieth to all His loving Subjects of this Realm, to the intent they which have Cause or Commandment to appear in any of His Highness Courts at Westminster, in, or at any day or time, in or after the said Octabis Hillarii, may tarry at their dwellings, or where their business otherwise shall lie, without resorting to any of the said Courts for that cause, before the said Crastino Purificationis next coming, and that without danger, forfeiture, or penalty, or contempt, to incur towards His Majesty in that behalf. And nevertheless His Majesties Pleasure is, That according to the ancient order of the Laws, the Essoynes of the said Octabis Hillarii shall be kept; at which time Writs of Adjournment (which His Majesty hereby commandeth the Lord High Chancellour of England to make forth) shall be directed to the Iustices of either Bench, and to the Iudges of all other His Majesties Courts, to whom like Writs have been usually directed, giving them power to Adjourn the next Hillary Term, in and from Octabis Hillarii, unto the said Third Return as aforesaid; And the said Adjournment to be made in the First day of the said Octabis Hillarii, commonly called the day of Essoynes. And His Majesty doth hereby declare His further Will and Pleaure to be, That in the said Term there shall be no Trials by Iuries, or any Iudgement upon Demurrers, or Special Verdicts, in any of His Courts of Kings-Bench, Common-Pleas, or Exchequer. And that all Matters, Causes, and Suits depending between party and party in His other Courts of Chancery, Exchequer-Chambers, or Dutchy of Lancaster, shall have continuance, and the party shall have Day from the Date of these Presents, until the said Third Return as aforesaid. And also, That there shall be no Iudicial Hearings, or determining of any causes, or matters in any of the said Courts of Chancery, Exchequer-Chambers, or Dutchy of Lancaster, during the said Term. And His Majesty doth hereby and further Declare, That no party shall be compelled, or need to appear in person in any of His Majesties said Courts, at any time during the said Term, but may make their appearance by their Attourneys (saving onely in cases of Outlawry) and that no Iuries, or any whom the same may concern, shall be compelled, or need to appear in any of His Majesties said Courts at any time during the said Term, for any Cause or Matter whatsoever, unless it be for some special or important Cause for His Majesties service onely.

And whereas His Majesty having removed the Receipt of His Exchequer, together with the Tally-Office, and all things thereunto belonging, from Nonsuch to Westminster, did by His Proclamation of the Fifth of this instant January, Direct all Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Collectours, and all other Officers, Accomptants and persons whatsoever, who were to pay in any moneys into the said Receipt, or otherwise to attend the same, to keep their days and times at Westminster aforesaid, and there to do, pay and perform in all things, as they should or ought to have done, if the said Receipt had not been removed, but there continued; Nevertheless, His Majesties pleasure is, and He doth hereby Command all Collectors, Receivers, Sheriffs, and other Accomptants, and all other persons that should or ought to accompt in any of His Majesties Courts of Exchequer, or Dutchy of Lancaster, or to enter into any Accompt in either of the said Courts, or otherwise to attend the same, to repair unto Windsor at the time aforesaid, and then and there to Accompt and perform in all things touching their Accompts, as though no such Proclamation or Adjournment had been had or made. And His Majesties further Pleasure and Commandment is, That if any person or persons who ought to Accompt or pay any sum or sums of money to His Majesty in any of the Courts and Places aforesaid, do make Default therein, then His Highness Writs and Process shall be Awarded and sent forth against every such person and persons, and the same to be duely and orderly Served and Returned by the Sheriffs and Officers appointed thereunto, in such manner and form as the same should have been if this Proclamation had not been made: And if any Sheriff or other Officer shall make default, or be negligent in Serving, Executing, or Returning of any the Writs and Process aforesaid, That then every such Sheriff, and other Officer, shall incur such Pains and Penalties, as by the said Courts or any of them, shall be Taxed and Assessed: Willing and Commanding all and every His Majesties Sheriffs; Officers and Subjects to whom it doth or shall appertain, to observe and keep their Assemblies and Appearances, with all their Returns and Certificates, in His Highness said Courts at Windsor, in Crastino Purificationis next coming, then and there to be holden and kept, and there to do their Offices and Duties in every behalf, in like manner and form as they should or ought to have done, if this present Proclamation had not been had or made, As they will answer the contrary at their perils.