❧ A PROCLAMATION concerning eating of whyte meats, made the. IX. day of February, the. XXXIIII. year of the reign of the kings most royal majesty.  
FOR AS much as by dyvers and sundry occasions, as well hearryng, lynges, saltfysh, samond, stockfish, as other kindes of fissh, ben this year scant, and also enhanced in prices above the old rate and common estimation of their valour: so that if the kings loving subiectes should be enforced onely to bye and provide hearrynge and other salt store of fish, for the necessary and sufficient sustentation and maintenance of their households and families, al this holy-tyme of Lent, according as they haue ben wont in times past to do, and should not be by some other convenient means relieved therein, the same might and should undoubtedly redound to their importable charge and detriment. And for as much as his highnes considereth, howe this kind and maner of fasting, that is to say, to abstain from milk, butter, eggs, cheese, and all other white meats, is but a more positive lawe of the church, and used by a custom within this realm, and of none other sort or necessity, but the same may be vpon good considerations and grounds, altered and dispensed with from time to time by the public authority of kings and princes, when so ever they shal perceive the same to tend to the hurt and damage of their people. THE kings highnes therfore most graciously considering and tendering the wealth and commodity of his people, hath thought good, for the considerations above rehearsed, to release and dispense with the said lawe and custom of abstaining from white meats this holy time of Lent, And of his especial grace and more motion giveth and granteth unto all and singular his subiectes within this his realm of England, Wales, Cales, Guynes, hams, and in al other his graces dominions, free liberty, faculty and licence, to eat al maner of white meats, as milk, eggs, butter, cheese, and such like, during the time of this Lent, without any scruple or grudge of conscience: any law, constitution, use, or custom to the contrary not withstanding. wherein never the less his highnes exhorteth, and in the name of God requireth, all such his faithful subiectes, as may, will, or shall enjoy this his said grant or faculty, that they be in no wise scruple or doubtful therof, nor abuse or turn the same into a fleshly or carnal liberty, but rather endeavour themselves to their possible powers with this liberty of eating of white meats, to observe also that fast, which god most specially requireth of them: That is to say, to renounce the world and the devil, with al their pomps and works, and also to subdue and repress their carnal affections, and the corrupt works of their flesh, according to their vow and profession made at the font ston. For in these poyntes specially consisteth the very true and perfect abstinence and fasting of a Christen man. This to endure and continue from year to year, till the kings highness pleasure shalbe by his majesties proclamation published to the contrary.  
GOD SAVE THE king ▸   

❧ Tho. Berthelet regius impressor excudebat. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.