¶ By the queen.  
A Proclamation for maintenance of Tillage.  
THE queens majesty our sovereign Lady, calling to her most gracious remembrance, the good and profitable laws and statutes made and set forth in the time of her noble progenitors for the maintenance of houses and tenements of husbandry, and for the increase of Tillage, and for the maintenance of hospitality in diuers of the late priories and monasteries, and against the letting down of towns, and the decay of houses of husbandry, and also against the converting of earable ground from Tillage into pasture, as by the said laws and statutes more at large doth and may appear: And forasmuch as her majesty is given to understand, that notwithstanding the said good and profitable statutes & laws, diuers and sundry of her subiects in many shires of this realm, vpon a greedy and covetous mind, not having regard to obey the said laws, haue and do daily decay towns and houses of husbandry, and enclose their grounds, and convert the same from tillage into pasture, and keep not such hospitality as by the said laws they ought to do, to the great displeasure of almighty God, the provocation of idleness, and destruction of her majesties people, whereby her realm is in some part weakened, and more is like, if speedy reformation be not had therein. The peril that may ensue many ways thereby, her highnes intendeth to foresee, and to let the parties offending therein to understand, that her majesty mindeth to haue special regard thereunto. And yet doth nevertheless in the mean season by these presents straightly charge and commande them, and every of them that haue offended in the any of the premises, that they do forth with reform all such things, as they and every of them haue done or suffered contrary to the said laws and statutes, wherein yf her majesty shall perceive they do neglect her commandement therein, her highnesse intendeth forthwith, and with all severity to proceed against such offenders, and to see reformation of their offences, according to the express words and true meaning of her majesties laws, without any further toleration or remission. And for the better understanding of all such offenders, her highnesse pleasure is, that all her Iustices of assize, and Iustices of the peace, within the limits of their Commissions, shall make diligent inquiry of the offences aforesaid, from time to time in all their assizes and sessions: and shall further make special report to her highnesse, what they shall finde of any such offenders in the premises, or any part thereof.  
given at her majesties palace of Westminster, the first day of March. 1568. in the xi. year of her highnesse most prosperous reign. God save the queen.   

¶ Imprinted at London in Powles churchyard, by Richard jug, and John Cawood, Printers to the queens majesty.   

Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.