IT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  English royal blazon surmounted by a crown  
JAMES By the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland Defender of the Faith etc. TO all to whom these presents shall come, greeting.  
WHEREAS divers great Deceits and abuses tending not only to the prejudice of us in our Customs and other duties, but also to the great deceit and hindrance of many of our loving subjects are daily practised & committed by divers persons using or exercising the Art, Mystery, and Trade of Dying, and colouring of wools, Yarnes, Clothes, Kerseys, Dozen, Bays, Says, Knit-hose, Cottons, Rugs, and other Clothes, Stuffs, and Commodities within this our Realm and dominions of the same, being for the most part died and coloured with such Colours as are not perfect nor durable, but do within short time decay and wear out, or otherwise become so stained and changed in such sort, as they grow thereby altogether unprofitable and unfit for the use of our loving subjects, and yet are uttered and sold as for good and perfect Colours, to the great loss, hindrance, and detriment of such of our loving subjects as do or shall buy or use the same, and to the discredit, and slander of the said Commodities both at home and in all other foreign parts, being the principal commodities of our Realm, and yet the prizes and rates of the same Die and Colour are become so great and high by only seeming in show to be good, as thereby the prizes of all kinds of the foresaid Commodities are not only much increased & raised, 
〈…〉 compounded 〈…〉 for Dying out by Sir ●●●●ure Aston 〈…〉 … t, & others.  but the same also exceedingly discredited both at home & abroad. Now for as much as our trusty and well-beloved servants and subjects Sir Arthure Aston knight, john Acamonty, Richard Harding esquires, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block Gentlemen, have by their own proper labour and industry, and at their own great cost, charges, and expenses, found out not only the true and perfect mean of working & dying with certain woods which by the laws & statutes of this Realm are forbidden to be used in the Art of Dying, But also a secret not heretofore discovered in Commixing and Compounding certain stuff or stuffs with the said Woods or some of them for the binding and fixing of the Colours to be made therewithal, with which composition, and with other grounds to be used in the Art of Dying, they have undertaken to Dye and Colour, and to give directions to die and colour, or cause to be died or coloured, All or any kinds of wools, Yarnes, Clothes, Kerseys, Dozen, Bays, Says, Knit-hose Cottons, Rugs, and all & every other stuffs and Commodities whatsoever used or occupied within our Realm of England or the dominions thereof or of any part thereof with good & durable dyes and colours, such as shall continue, endure, and hold out all manner of wearing, trials, and also to utter and sell the same at convenient and reasonable prizes.  

〈…〉 grant for ●●inging in prohibited … s, for the … g of the Composition.  KNOW ye therefore that we greatly tendering and affecting the public and general good and profit of all our loving Subjects, and for the advancement of the trade and traffiique of Clothes and other the premises into all foreign parts, in consideration of the premises, and for divers other weighty causes us thereunto especially moving, Of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, Have given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and Successors do give and grant full, free, and lawful power, licence and authority unto the said Sir Arthure Aston, john Acamonty, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block and either of them, their and every of their executor's administrators and assigns and every of them, and to their and every of their servants, factors, & deputies to be thereunto authorized by writing under the hands & seals of them or the survivors of them or of any three or more of them, at all times and from time to time during the space of One and Forty years next and immediately coming after the date hereof, to convey & bring, or cause to be conveyed or brought into any the parts of this our Realm or the dominions of the same from any the parts beyond the seas, All and all manner of Wood & Woods called or known by the name or names of Log-wood and Block-wood and either of them, and all and every such other Wood and Woods whatsoever by what name or names soever they are or shallbe called or known, which now be, or at any time heretofore have been prohibited or forbidden to be used in the said Art or mystery of Dying, by any law, or statute of this our Realm of England in that case made and provided, the said laws or statutes, or any other law, stature, act of Parliament, or other matter or thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding.  
PAYING unto us our heirs and successors such Customs, Subsidies, and other duties for all and every the same Woods so to be brought in as is aforesaid, as are, or shall be due, answerable, or payable to us, our heirs, and successors of or for the same.  

●●ver to make ●nie, stuff, to 〈◊〉 in Dying, or … o, and sell 〈◊〉 ●●me.  AND further we do by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, give and grant unto the said Sir Arthure Aston, john Acamonty, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, and to every of them, their and every of their executors, administrators and assigns & every of them, and to their and every of their servants, factors, and deputies to be thereunto authorized by writing under the hands and seals of them or the survivors of them or of any three or more of them, fall, free, and lawful power, licence, and authority, that it shall or may be lawful to them and every of them during the Term aforesaid, in all and every County, City, town Corporate, and other Towns, Villages, Hamblets, and other places within this Realm or any the dominions thereof, aswell in places exempt as not exempt, to make, work, commix, or compound, and cause to be made, wrought, commixed, or compounded the said stuff or stuffs with the said Woods or some of them to be made & compounded as is aforesaid and for the purpose before mentioned, And the same to use in dying, or to utter and sell the same to any the subjects of us, our heirs, and successors to be used in dying or colouring of any colthes or other commodities or things whatsoever within this our Realm or any the dominions thereof, Any laws, statutes, or ordinance to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. 
〈◊〉 to those 〈◊〉 ●hall buy the 〈◊〉 to ●se, and … e the same … ng.  AND also that it shall & may be lawful to and for them and every of them to whom the same stuff or stuffs shallbe so sold (being subjects to us our heirs and successors, and being borne and living under the obedience of us our heirs & successors) their workmen, servants, and apprentices to use and occupy the said stuff or stuffs so commixed or compoundded, or caused to be commixed or compounded by them the said Sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or any of them, their executor's administrators or assigns or any of them, or by their or any of their servants, factors, or deputies to be thereunto authorized by waiting under the hands and seals of them or the survivors of them or of any three or more of them, in and for the dying and colouring of all & all manner of wools, Yarnes, Clothes, Kerseys, Dozen, Bays, Says, Knit-hose, Cottons, Rugs, and other stuffs & commodities whatsoever within this our Realm or the dominions thereof in any house or houses, place or places by them or any of them to be employed for the same, being thought fit & convenient for that purpose, Any law, statute, act of parliament, or ordinance, or other matter or thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.  

… were to utter 〈◊〉 ●●ll the comedians so died 〈◊〉 the said 〈◊〉.  AND the commodities and things with the said commixtion, composition, or dying stuff so to be died as aforesaid, shall & may likewise be lawfully sold and uttered to any person or persons whatsoever, Any law, statute, act of parliament, ordinance, or other matter, cause, or thing whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.  
TO HAVE and to hold all & singular the said Licences, powers, and authorities and other the premises before in & by these presents granted, to the said Sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, & Francis Block, end to every of them, their and every of their executors, administrators, and assigns, from and after the date hereof until the end and term of One and Forty years from thence next ensuing & fully to be complete and ended. AND forasmuch as our purpose, will, & pleasure is to avoid & suppress in this our Realm & the dominions thereof all & all manner of working in the Art or mystery of Dying with any manner of deceitful woods not sufficiently commixed or compounded as aforesaid, by what name or names soever they be called, other than such as shallbe so commixed or compounded by the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or any of them, their executors, administrators or assigns or any of them, or by their or any of their servants, factors, or deputies or any of them to be thereunto authorized as aforesaid. 
〈◊〉 ●●wer to search and seize all prohibited woods  WE do therefore of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion by these presents nominate, ordain and appoint the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, and Richard Harding, and every of them, their and every of their executors, administratos, deputies and assigns to be Searches for & concerning the finding out of the said Woods, and do by these presents give full power & authority unto the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, and Richard Harding, and every of them, their & every of their executors, administrators & assigns, and to their & every of their Deputies showing forth these our Letters Patents, or the Duplicate, Transcript, or the Exemplification thereof at all times, & from time to time during the term aforesaid in the day time with the Constable or other head Officer of the Town, parish, or place at all convenient times to Enter into every Ship, Bark Boat Bottom, Crayer, Lighter, or other Vessel, and into every shop, cellar, warehouse, place & places aswell within Cities, Towns corporate, market towns, villages, and hamblets, as in all other places aswell within liberties as without within this our Realm of England and the dominions thereof, in all convenient, lawful, & reasonable manner to search & find out all or any of the said deceivable woods, & the same so found to seize & dispose of as by the laws and statutes of this our Realm of England is in that behalf limited and appointed, or otherwise as shall seem to them fit & convenient for the making and compounding of the stuff to die therewith as is before mentioned.  

〈◊〉 entr●ie to be … e, or custom 〈◊〉 ●e paid for any ●idden woods, 〈◊〉 than such as be brought in be said Paten●●●● etc.  AND furthermore we do hereby for us, our heirs, and successors forbidden, and our express will and pleasure is, That no Customer, Controller, or Collector of the Customs or Subsidies of Tonnage or Pondage of us our heirs & successors, or any of our or their Farmers or Officers, shall at any time during the term of yáeres above mentioned accept of, or take any entry, or receive any custom or subsidy, or make any composition of or for any custom or subsidy of or for any Log-wood or Blockewood, or any other wood or woods commonly used in Dying, prohibited & forbidden by the laws & statutes of this Realm of England, (or any of them) to be brought into this our Realm or other the dominions of the same or any part thereof, other then of the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or any of them, their executors, administrators or assigns or any of them, or their or any of their deputy or deputies thereunto authorized as is aforesaid, Any law, statute, custom, or usage to the contrary notwithstanding. 
… l Customers, upon every entry to be … ed, to give … nt notice to ●atentees, etc. 〈…〉 … e end the 〈◊〉 may be sea●●● and disposed according to 〈◊〉 ●aw.  AND we do further hereby will and appoint, that upon every such entry to be offered to any the said Customers, Controllers, Farmers or Officers of any the Woods aforesaid by any other person or persons other than the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or any of them, their executor's administrators or assigns or any of them, or their or any of their Deputies thereunto authorized as aforesaid, every such Customer, Controller, Collector, Farmer or Officer to whom any such entry shallbe offered, shall thereof with all convenient speed after every such entry offered, Certify the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or one of them, or one of their executors, administrators, deputies, or assigns of the same, to the end that they & every of them may cause the said Log-wood and Block-wood and other the woods aforesaid to be burned, according to the laws of this Realm in that behalf ●ade and provided, or otherwise to dispose thereof as shallbe by them thought fit & convenient for the making & compounding of the stuff to Die therewith as is before mentioned. AND forasmuch as our further will and pleasure is, that these our Letters Patents and all things therein contained shallbe held in due regard, and be duly executed in all points aswell within Cities, boroughs, towns corporate, Market towns, as in all other place & places whatsoever within this our Realm or the Dominions thereof, any Charters, Letters Patents, Privileges, liberties, grants, prescription, or restraint to the contrary notwithstanding.  
WE do therefore by these presents straightly charge, will, and require all and every justices of Peace, majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Governors of towns, Headboroughes, Constables, Alnegers, Customers, Controllers, Searchers, and all other our Officers, ministers, and subjects whatsoever within this our Realm or any the dominions thereof or any part thereof, at all times and from time to time during the term of years before by these presents granted (as occasion shallbe offered) to be obedient, aiding, assisting and helping unto the said 
Officers to aiding and … ng to the Pa … es of their … es.  sir Arthure Aston, john Acamontie, Richard Harding, Geroge Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, and every of them, their & every of their executors, administrators, deputies, factors, servants, & assigns, and to every or any of them, They or any of them showing forth these our Letters Patents, or the Duplicate, Transcript, or Exemplification thereof for the performance, accomplishment, & due execution of these our Letters Patents in all things and by all things according to the purport, true intent, and plain meaning of these presents.  
PROVIDED always nevertheless, That if the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamonty, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or any of them their or any of their executors, administrators, assigns, servants, or deputies, shall willingly and unlawfully convert any the said Woods so by them or any of them their or any of their means brought into this Realm or any the dominions thereof, 
unguided always, any of the said is be converted 〈◊〉 other use, than 〈◊〉 kind the said 〈…〉, or if, 〈…〉 is 〈◊〉 the dire … 〈…〉 said, it 〈…〉 … gh the de … of the Pa … die good … o'er, That 〈◊〉 their parts 〈◊〉 default, 〈…〉 ●●gnificati●● 〈…〉 void.  or seized as aforesaid, otherwise than in compounding or printring the same to make and die therewith such true and good colours as is before mentioned to be undertaken by them, Or if upon due prose thereof made, it shall appear and prove hereafter that the stuff, so hereafter to be made or compounded by them or any of them, shall through any of their defaults, not die or make good wearing colours as is above mentioned the Dyers using the same, working it upon such grounds, and according to such directions as shallbe given by the said sir Arthure Aston, john Acamonty, Richard Harding, George Silver, Robert Webbe, and Francis Block, or their assigns or the survivors of them or their assigns, or any three or more of them under their hands in writing, or by the executors or administrators of the survivors of them or any three or more of them under their hands in writing. That then and from thenceforth the power, interest and term before by these presents granted of such and so many of them as so shall offend, or make default or shall procure or consent to any such offence or default contrary to the true meaning of this Proviso, at the will and pleasure of us, our heirs and successors, in that behalf to be signified under our Sign Manuel and privy Signet, shall as to him or them only that so shall offend or make default, or procure or consent to any such offence or default, be utterly void and of none effect. Any thing before mentioned to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. AND yet nevertheless for the residue of them that shall not offend, or make default, nor procure or consent to any such offence or default as is aforesaid, These presents shall remain in full strength and effect. This Proviso or any thing therein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents.  
Witness ourself at Hatefield the Three and Twentieth day of August the year of our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, the Second: and of Scotland, the Eight and Thirtieth. Per Breve de privato Sigillo. Wilkinson. 
 God save the King.   

Printed by Thomas Purfoot.