¶ A proclamation, ordained by the kings majesty, with the advice of his honourable counsel for the bible of the largest and greatest volume, to be had in every church. devised the. VI. day of May the. XXXIII. year of the kings most gracious reign.  
WHere, by injunctions heretofore set forth by the authority of the kings royal majesty. Supreme head of the church of this his realm of england. It was ordained and commanded amongst other things, that in al and singular parish churches, there should be provided by a certain day now expired, at the costs of the Curates and parishioners, bibles containing the old and new Testament, in the english tongue, to be fixed and set up openly in every of the said parish churches. The which godly commandment and injunction was to the only intent that every of the kings majesties loving subiectes, myndynge to read therein, might by occasion therof, not only consider and perceive the great and ineffable omnipotent power, promise, iustice, mercy and goodness of almighty God. But also to learn thereby to observe Gods commandments, and to obey their sovereign lord and high powers, and to exercise godly charity, and to use themselves, according to their vocations: in a pure and sincere christen life without murmur or grud gynges. By the which injunctions the kings royal majesty intended, that his loving subiectes should haue and use the commodity of the reading of the said bibles, for the purpose above rehearsed, humbly, meekly, reverently and obediently: and not that any of them should read the said bibles, with loud and high voices, in time of the celebracion of the holy mass and other divine scruyces used in the church, nor that any his lay subiectes redynge the same, should presume to take vpon them, any commen dysputacyon, argument or exposition of the mysteries therein contained, but that every such lay man should humbly, meekly and reverently read the same, for his own instruction, edificacion, and amendment of his life, according to goddes holy word therein mentioned. And not wythstandynge the kings said most godly and gracious commandment and injunction inform as is afore said. his royal majesty is informed that dyvers and many towns and parishes within this his realm haue negligently omitted their dueties in the accomplishement therof whereof his 〈…〉 not a little. And myndynge the execution of his said former, most godly and gracious injunctions doth straytlye charge and command that the Curates and parishioners of every town and parish 〈…〉 his realm of england, not having already bibles provided within their parish churches, shall on 〈…〉 side the feaste-of Alsayntes next coming, bye and provide bibles of the largest and greatest vo 〈…〉 the same to be set and fixed in every of the said parish churches, there to be used as is aforesaid: according 〈…〉 the said former injunctions: vpon pain that the Curate and inhabitants of the parishes and towns, 〈…〉 lose and forfeit to the kings majesty for every month that they shall lack and want the said bible 〈…〉 the same f●ast of Alsayntes forty shillings, the one half of the same forefayt to be to the kings m 〈…〉 other half to him or thē which shall first finde and present the same to the kings maiestyes counsel. And finally, the kings royal majesty doth declare and signify to all and singular his loving subiectes, that to thentent they may haue the said bibles of the greatest volume at equal and reasonable prices. His 〈…〉 by the advise of his, counsel hath ordained and ●ared: that the syllers therof, shall not take for any of the said bibles vnbounde, about the price of ten shillings. And for every of the said bibles well and sufficiently, bound, trimmed and clasped not above twelve shillings, vpon pain, the seller to lose for every bible so the contrary to this his highness proclamation forty shillings, the one m●yre thereof to the kings majesty: 〈◇〉 the other moiety, to the finder and presenter of the default, as is afore said. And his highness straightly chargeth & commandeth that all and singular ordinaries having ecclesiastical iurysdiction within this his church and realm of england and the dominion of ways, that they & every of them shall put their effectual 〈…〉 that the Curates and parish●oners shall obey and accomplish, this his maiestyes proclamation and 〈…〉 dement, as they tender the 〈…〉 and godly purpose in that behalf, and as they will 〈…〉  
〈◇〉 〈◇〉 THE king.