1.

The kings most Excellent Majestie, (whose watchfull eye of providence, for the publique good of his loving subjects, is alwayes kept open) hath lately taken unto his prince- ly consideration, the genrall scarcitie and dearth of Graine and Victuall like to fall out, and much feared this yeere following in many parts of this Kingdome. And having upon advice with the Lords of his Majesties privy Counsell, considered of such good meanes as have been heretofore used upon the like occasion, and some others, which by a due and seasonable execution, may (by Gods blessing) prevent those extremities, which otherwise the scarcitie [...], may bring foorth, doeth by this his proclamation publish and declare his Royall pleasure and Commandement therein, for the good of his people, in the severall Articles here ensuing. First, wheras his Majestie hath with the advice of his said privie Counsell, caused a Booke of Divers, for preventing and remedying the dearth of Graine and Victuall, (which was first conceived and made in the time of the late Queene Elizabeth, and afterwards renewed in the time of his Majesties Royall father of blessed memory) to bee againe revised and enlar- ged with some neccesary additions, grounded upon the Statutes made since the first publish- ing thereof, and hath taken care for reprinting of the same; whereby particular directions are given for suppressing the abuses and offences of [...], Badgers, Carri- ers, and Buyers of Corne, Mault Makers, Brewers, Bakers, [...], and other Tra- ding in Corne, as also for causing the [...] of Bread and Beere to bee truely kept, and the Markers suely supplyed with Corne, and the poore first served and provided for, with other like clauses to the good purpose aforesayd: his Majestie straitly chargeth and commandeth, [...] the Lord Majestie, Recorder, Aldermen and Sheriffes of the Citie of London, and all o- ther Officers and Ministers of the sayd Citie, as also all and singular Sheriffes, Justices[Page] of Peace, and other Officers and Ministers in the Severall Counties of this Realme, and all [...], Sheriffes, Bayliffes, Aldermen and other Magistrates, Officers and Ministers of all other Cities and Townes Corporate, that they and every of them, within their seve- rall Limits and Jurisdictions respectively, doe carefully and diligently put in due and spee- die execution the said Orders and Directions, and every of them, according to his Majesties expresse pleasure therein signified, as they will [...] his Majesties Royall Commandement. And because in the scarcitie of Corne, the plenty and cheapnesse of other Victuals, may helpe to give some ease and reliefe to the poore, and the forbearing of Flesh, aswell in the time of Lent, as upon other [...], may bee a good meanes to draw downe the prices of Flesh, and will also be a good incouragement for the Trade of Fishing, when the certain Lent and Sale of Fish shall be provided for.[Page] [...] And as his Majestie doeth commaund this course to bee observed in the places aforesayd, so hee doeth with the Advice of his privy Council, commend the same course to the rest of his Subjects in their private families, in this time of Scarcitie, and that they would, out of that which shall bee saved by this abstinence, and by their sober and moderate [...] at other times, charitably and bountifully employ some good proportion towards the reliefe of those that shall be in penury and want, and would be glad to be refreshed with the meanest of that foode which is superfluously spent in Rich mens houses.[Page] [...]His Majestie therefore doeth by this proclamation give in expresse Charge and Com- mand, as well the Lord Maior of London, for the port of London, as to all Maiors and o- ther Magistrates of the [...], and all Creekes and harborough Townes, and to all Sheriffes and Justices of peace of the Maritime Countries, as also to all Customers, and to every of them respectively, that they in no life suffer any such thing to bee done hereafter: Not withstanding, If any such Aliens or Strangers shall with their ships or other vessels by distresse of weather at Sea, or other in evitable accidents be driven into any the Ports, havens, Creeks or harboroughs aforesayd, his Majestie is well pleased, that they shall have libertie to provide and take up such quantities of Victuals, and proportion of necessaries for their Ship- Company onely, as by the Lord Maior of London for the port of London, or by the Maior or chiefe Magistrate of the sayd port Towne [...] Lastly, his Majestie doeth hereby signifie and declare to all and singular Maiors, She- riffes, Justices of Peace, Bayliffes, Aldermen, and other his Officers, Ministers and Subjects whome it may concerne; That as his Majestie hath published this his Royall Proclamation, and the sayd Imprinted Orders for the safety, weale and plenty of his peo- ple, and for the preserving of the lives and health of the poore, against famine, and the diseased which follow the want of wholesome foode, and doubteth not but good effects will ensue thereof, if every man in his place will readily and willingly put to a helping hand,[Page] for the execution of the good orders conteined in the sayd booke, and in this his pro- clamation: So, if by neglect, or contempt hereof, those evill effects which may then bee feared, doe ensue, his Majestie and his throne are innocent; And the offendours as they may well expect the [...] Judgement of Almighty God, So let them bee assured , that his Majestie will require a strict and severe accompt of them, and inflict such punishment on them, as those persons deserve, who doe incurre his high displeasure and indigna- tion, and as may justly bee inflicted upon the contenners of his Royal Commandement, in a case of such neccessity and importance.