HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the queen.  
THe queens majesty being given to understand, that sundry lewd and seditious bruits haue been lately spread and carried abroad in many Shires of the realm by some unquiet and factious spirits, who, under diuers false and colourable suggestions, put into simplo Billettes in writing, & tending to the disturbance of common peace, haue travailed her good and loving subiects in diuers partes of her said realm, by Huies and cries followed from place to place, without warrant or direction from any Iustice of peace, or name of any special Officer resident within the said Shires, who in such cases ought to haue been informed thereof. Albeit her majesty do greatly commend the love, care and affection of her good subiectes, who haue shewed so great a readiness to employ their travails vpon this occasion in the respect of her service, pretended by such writings and bruits: yet finding the same to proceed originally from the mere practise of some seditious instruments, disposed to lay hold vpon any pretext that may be offered them to trouble the peace of her said realm, by stirring up such of their own humours as are apt to tumult and alteration, Her majesty hath thought good to notify & declare to all her loving subiects, that as shee doth most ●●●… ly hold the inventors thereof worthy of extreme punishment, so doth she also condemn the spreading and carrying of the said bruits in the next degree, both tending to the disquiet and trouble of her said realm and subiects. And therefore by this her proclamation, her majesty doth expressly command all Lieutenants of Shires, sheriffs, Iustices, and other her majesties, Offices and Ministers, both in towns corporate and all other places whatsoever, to whom in this case it may appertarne, that they do not onely take present order for the speedy ceasing of all such bruits and rumors, with the hallows and cries, and the extraordinary watches growing thereof, within the Countries and circuits under their several charges, but also cause forthwith diligent inquiry to bee made of the Authors of the same: and if any such be found, severely to punish them as seditious perturbers of the common quiet. And that all Constables hereafter that shall first receive any such report or charge for making of such hew and cry, or for setting of such extraordinary watches, take care to stay the first author to be answerable thereto as there shal be cause, vpon pain of being otherwise punished himself, as the first author and inventor thereof.  
given at our manor of greenwich, the vi. day of of february, 1586. in the nine and twentieth year of our reign. 
 God save the queen.   

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