❧ By the queen.  
Forsmuch as vpon the lamentable complaint made unto the queens most excellent majesty by sundry her loving subiects, the Clothiers of diuers parts of the realm, and of a multitude of other people maintained in their handlabours by them: It appeareth that partly through the great death of sheep which of late yeeres hath happened in sundry parts of the realm, and partly through the great abuse of some which haue obtained( vpon reasonable considerations) licence to buy and sell wool within this realm, who through their unsatiable greediness by abuse therof, without any regard had to the great mischief that thereby groweth to the common wealth, haue not onely used in the beginning of the year, and at other times, to engross and buy up great quantities of wool, contrary to her majesties good and gracious meaning, whereupon the said licences were gra●nted: but in passing the bonds of their licences, by buying yearly greater quantity of wool then they ought to do, so that the Clothiers can buy little or none, but such as is very course, or else as such ertessiue prizes, as they can not make their principal thereof again: whereby her majesty understandeth, that without some restraint of the said licences for some reasonable time, there shal follow great want to the Clothiers to continue their trade, for maintenance as well of themselves, as of great multitudes of poor people living onely under them, to the decay of diuers good towns, which are chiefly maintained by the Clothiers. Therefore by the advice of her Counsel, her Ma●●●●●● straightly chargeth and commandeth, that from and after the publication of this present Proclamation, no person,( other then such as by the laws of this realm are appointed and per●●tted shal vpon pain of her majesties displeasure and imprisonment during her pleasure, by him 〈…〉 self, or by any other, either directly, or indirectly, by virtue of any their special licence, buy or ●●rgaine for any wools whatsoever, of the growing of this realm, or of Wales, at any time bef●e the feast of all Saints next ensuing the publication hereof. And that all persons, having at this time any grant from her majesty, to licence him or them to buy or sell wool, shall within two moneths after the publication hereof, exhibit into her Court of Exchequer the same grant, to bee ●●●●lled there, whereby her majesty may be informed of the contents thereof, and so as( when came shal be to remit the use thereof) order may be taken how the same may be hereafter ordered and used. Without such public damage to the realm, as already hath appeared: And yf the same stall not be presented to be enrolled within the said time, that then the same shal not hereafter haue place to be used. And for the better execution hereof, her highnesse by the advice aforesaid, straightly ●●argeth and commandeth all and singular Iustices of the peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, and bailiffs, not onely to see this Proclamation truly executed, but also yf any person be justly accused before him 〈◇〉 them for contemning or breaking this Proclamation, or any part thereof, they shall commit such person to ward, there to remain without bail or maynepryce, till her majesties pleasure be further known. moreover her highnesse, meaning to leave nothing undone that may tend to the re●●esse of so great a mischief as were otherwise like to ensue, hath taken order that the company of the Marchants Staplers, that they nor any of them( notwithstanding that by the statutes of this realm, they be permitted without limitation of time) shall not buy or bargain, either directly, or indirectly, for any wools growing within this realm, until the latter end of February next ensuing. And in case the said Company, or any of them, shall contrary to the said order, presume to buy to bargain for any wools: then her majesty, vpon notice given unto her privy counsel, of the persons that shall so offend, will cause the said parties to receive such punishment, as shall be due for their contempt in that behalf.  
given at Hampton Court the xxviii. day of november 1576. in the xix. year of her majesties most prosperous reign. 
 God save the queen.   

Imprinted at London by Richard jug, Printer to the queens majesty.   

Cum primilegio Regiae Maiestatis.