By the queen.  
A Proclamation against Retainers.  
WHere as the queens majesty weighing the great inconveniences and enormities that haue universally grown within this her realm, by the unlawful retaining of multitude of vnordinarie seruants, by liveries and otherwise, contrary to the good, and ancient laws, and statutes of this realm, hath therefore by her Proclamation notified the same, and the dangers and penalties of the said laws unto her loving Subiectes, giuing unto them express admonition, that if they should not thereupon forbear any further to offend therein: That her majesties will and pleasure was, that the said laws and Statutes should be straightly put in execution, and the penalties and forfeitures growing thereby to her Highnesse for the offences committed against the same, to be duly levied. Whereof notwithstanding, there 〈◇〉 hath followed such reformation in the behalf, as was expected,( but the said mischiefs and enormities ●●●e rather daily more and more increased) neither haue the said laws hitherunto been put in execution, accor●●●● to the said former Proclamation. Wherein hath appeared most wilful contempt in the offenders, and great negligence and lack of dutiful care in those, to whom the execution of the said laws and Statutes was commit●●●● which might justly move her Highnesse to use therein hereafter all severity and extremity. Yet nevertheless her 〈◇〉 having an earnest and most godly intention, to procure speedy reformation of so pernicious a sore in this Common wealth: And of her gracious and merciful disposition, tendering more the quiet reformation of the faults, 〈◇〉 to enrich her treasure by the great forfeitures which by iustice are due unto her in the streight execution of the s●●d laws, meaneth to make some further trial before she proceed to the severe execution of the same. And therefore to the end that such as haue offended in this behalf( either by unlawful retaining, or by being unlawfully retained ●●uery, badges, promise, or otherwise) being eftsoons admonished of the dangers & penalties of the said laws and Statutes, and of her majesties will and pleasure for the strait execution of the same hereafter, may haue conuement tune and respite to reform themselves and to eschew the perils and dangers of the said laws: Her majesty of her special grace, doth by this her proclamation notify to al her loving subiects, of what estate or degree soever they be, that whosoever after the last day of May next coming, shal unlawfully retain, or be retained by lyuery, badges, token, promise, or any other means whatsoever, contrary to the laws & statutes of this realm in that behalf provided, shall not haue any maner of favour or grace of her majesty for any such offence committed, or to be committed against the said laws, but that the whole penalties, for faitures, & punishments limited and appointed 〈◇〉 the same laws and statutes, shall with all severity be extended against them, aswell for their offences committed before the said last day of May, as after. And for the better reformation of the great inconveniences & mischiefs aforesaid and to the end that the said laws & statutes, may be hereafter the more duly & severely executed, her majesty straightly chargeth & commandeth al maner her Iustices & officers to whom the execution of the same appertaineth, 〈◇〉 cause inquisition and examination according to the same laws, to be made in al places of the realm, as soon 〈◇〉 conveniently they may after the said last day of May next coming. And also willeth and commandeth that all Iustices of Issiles and Gaole delivery, shall at their next Sessions, and so at all Sessions after, haue due regard that no person that is so unlawfully retained, be hereafter admitted to serve in any jury before them. And shal also 〈◇〉 every such Sessions, cause diligent inquisition to be made by a sufficient jury, of the points and Articles of al the Statutes being in force against unlawful retainers, & specially of the Statute made in the eight year of the reign of being Edward the fourth, and in the third year of the reign of her majesties most noble Grandfather king Henry the seventh, and to take special order, that some good evidence may be given to the same jury in that behalf. And ●●●ther at their said Sessions from time to time, to use their uttermost care & diligence for the doing of al things, whereby the inconveniences before mentioned, may be the more speedily reformed, & the laws in this behalf hereafter the better observed and executed.  
given at her majesties Manor of greenwich the xix. Day of April, in the fine and twentieth year of her Highnes reign. 1583. 
 God save the queen.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the queens most excellent majesty.