A PROCLAMATION concerning corn.  
FOR AS much as corn of all grains, and specially wheat and rye, is suddenly enhanced at unreasonable prices, and one special cause is by occasion, that it is used for a common merchandise, and most commonly bought by such persons, as haue plenty of their own groweth, to the intent to make a derthe therof: and diverse husbandmen and farmers do colour such byingis for seed, where they haue no such necessity so to do: For reformation whereof the kings most royal majesty, willing that his loving subiectes should be provided of corn at reasonable prices, considering, that( thankes be to god) there is no just ground or cause, why such greyne should be so high enhanced in price, as it is: but that the enhauncement therof groweth by the occasion aforesaid, and by the subtle invention and craft of dyvers covetous persons, having convenient plenty of the same: doth therfore straightly charge and command, that no person nor persons, after this present proclamation, till his gracis pleasure be further known, shall bie or bargain any wheat or rye to sell again, except hit be to be conveyed by water or land for provision of the city of London or other cities or towns, having necessity therof, or to bake in bread to be sold to his subiectes, or else for provision of Iselande fleet: And such as shall bie for any such causes, shall finde sureties to one of the commissioners assigned for search of corn: to enploye it accordyngely. And that no person, having wheat or rye of his own tilthe and groweth, or by provision of his bienge, sufficient to finde his family and household and for his seed, shal bye any such greyne, vpon pain that every offender contrary to the premises or any parte therof, shall not onely incur into his gracis most high displeasure and indignation, but also suffer imprisonment, and make fine at his pleasure. And also that no person, occupienge tillage and husbandry, shall bie any wheat or rye for seed, unless it be first examined and proved before one or two of the commissioners assigned for search of corn, that such person hath necessity to bye such seed, or else that such person so byinge any, wheat or rye for seed within. viii. dayes after the byinge therof, do bring as much of his own wheat or rye, not being able for seed, into the market, and there sell the same to the juuenis subiectes, having need therof for keeping of their houses, and bring a certificate to one of the said commissioners from the bailiff or other chief officer of the market, where he shal so sel his corn, that he hath sold the same: upon pain that every offender to the contrary hereof to incur the danger, pains, imprysonement, and fine above remembered.  
¶ And also his majesty straightly chargeth and commandeth, that no person or persons shall regrate or engrose any maner of corn, vpon pain of imprisonment and forfeiture of al their goods and cattals. And that every of his subiectes, having corn of their own tilthe, or by provision of their byinge, more than will suffice for their families, households, & seed, shal furnish the markettis with the over plus from time to time, by the order of the commissioners assigned for the same, and there sell at reasonable prices: and observe and obey the said commissioners in all such oders, as they shall take for the due execution of their commission, upon pain of imprysonemente and fine making at his gracis will.  
¶ And over this the kings highnes straightly chargeth and commandeth al and singular his Iustices of pecae, mayres sheriffs, bailiffs, constables, and all other his loving subiectes, that they and every of them shall put their true diligence and effectual endeavours for the due execution of this his gracious proclamation, and to make relation of the offenders therof to the said commissioners assigned for search of corn, or to the lord chancellor of england and other his most honourable counsel from time to time, as shal apperteyn, as they will answer to his highness at their uttermost {per}ils.  
GOD SAVE THE king   

Tho. Berthelet. regius impressor excudebat. cum PRIVILEGIO.