❧ By the queen.  
¶ A Proclamation inhibiting the sowing of Woad.  
WHereas the queens most excellent majesty understanding heretofore by complaint of sundry of her good Subiects using Clothing, Cillage and Dairies,( things necessary to be maintained in her realm for the common good of her loving Subiects above any new devise) that there was an universal attempt of breaking and tilling of very fertile grounds to so we Woad, vpon a private and inordinate gain practised, to the manifest grief of her people in diuers places where the same was then used, without all good order, measure, or moderation, did by her Highnesse Proclamation by advice of her counsel published, straightly forbid and inhivite vpon grievous pains, that no maner of person should break up, or cause to be broken up, any maner of ground, of what nature soever it were, for the use or purpose to sow or plant Woad in, nor that any person should continue any ground already broken up for that purpose to the use of Woad, but in such sort and orber, as in, and by the said Proclamation is expressed. Sithence which time it hath followed, that partly by the remissness of the Iustices of Peace, to whom the execution of the said Proclamation was specially committed: and partly by the iniquity of covetous and disobedient persons, who haue not had that due regard thereof which appertained, the said universal attempt of sowing Woad, hath rather increased then diminished. Her majesty therefore by advice of her counsel, straightly willeth and commandeth, that no maner of person or persons, of what degree soever the same be, shall directly or indirectly after the publication hereof, break up, or cause to be broken up any maner of grounds, of what nature soever it bee, within this her majesties realm of England, or any other her Dominions, for the use or purpose to sow or plant Woad, nor any ground shall hereafter convert or employ to the sowing or planting of Woad, which heretofore haue been broken up for other purposes, nor that any person do hereafter continue for that purpose any ground already broken up or ploughed for sowing or planting of Woad, until there may be a further consideration had, how the same may bee tolerated with such moderation and conveniency, as may be beneficial for the Common weal, and no ways prejudicial to any of her loving Subiects( which her majesty doth most specially regard) vpon pain that whosoever shall attempt any thing to the contrary hereof, the persons so doing, and the workmen that shall be therein employed, shall bee committed to the next common prison by the next Iustice of Peace, and there to continue until certificate be made thereof to her majesties privy counsel by such as shal commit them, so as order may be taken for further punishment of the persons offending, according to the quality of their offence.  
And further, her majesty willeth and requireth all Iustices of Peace, to whose trust and care her Highnesse hath and doth chiefly commit to execution of this her Proclamation, that they and every of them do faithfully, diligently and effectually, demean and endeavour themselves in the due performance thereof, according to the confidence which her Highnesse reposeth in them: Otherwise her Highnesse hath given express commandement, that every such Iustice of Peace, showing negligence or remissness therein, shall be called to answer both the same, and his former offence in that behalf, and shall receive such condign punishment for the same, as to the quality of such offence and contempt shall appertain.  
given at her Highnesse Mannour of Richmond the eight and twentieth day of Match 1600. in the two and fortieth year of her majesties most gracious reign. 
 God save the queen.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the queens most excellent majesty.  
Anno Dom. 1600.