❧ By the King.  
WHereas We have been informed of the great frauds and deceits used in dying of all kinds of Silk, but especially in black, which hath so far exceeded, that by the mixture of diverse bad and hurtful things in dying thereof, as namely of a corrupt matter or stuff called Slip, there hath been an extraordinary increase of weight, sometimes to the doubling of that which it was before, and sometimes more and sometimes less, whereby the silk so deceitfully Dyed, is so rotten, corrupted & spoiled, that it is not fit to be worn or used, and yet is falsely made fair to the eye, to deceive and abuse the buyer and wearer thereof: And whereas also We have taken knowledge that an Act of Common Council hath lately passed for reformation of such kind of deceitful Dying of Silk within our City of London and the Liberties thereof: And that the careful putting the said Act in execution hath already wrought some good effect within the said City and the Liberties thereof, for the abolishing of the said fraud and deceit: And whereas also We are informed, that great quantities of the said corrupt died Silk is not only daily brought into this Kingdom from foreign parts, but also the same is covertly Died, and sold in many places of this Realm, whereby We do perceive and foresee, that if there be not present restraint, and that a public Reformation thereof be not executed in all parts of the Realm, Our loving Subjects will be still abused and deceived; notwithstanding any good order that can be taken within Our said City of London for reformation thereof: Wherefore We having with the advise of Our Council conceived that it is very requisite to prohibit and suppress the Dying & selling of such corrupt Dyed Silk in all places of this our Realm, and to give Order that no person or persons whatsoever, shall hereafter bring into this Kingdom from foreign parts, any such deceitful heavy died Silk: have thought fit to signify Our pleasure to Our loving Subjects by Our Proclamation in that behalf: Willing, and straightly charging & commanding all and all manner of persons whatsoever, aswell Our natural borne Subjects, as Denizens or Strangers, that none of them, nor any other person or persons whatsoever, do at any time or times hereafter attempt, or presume to bring or cause to be brought into this our Realm, or Dye or cause to be Died in any parts thereof, or sell or put to sale, or cause to be sold or to be put to sale, any Silk died with that corrupt matter or Stuff called Slip, or any other matter or stuff, which causeth any increase of weight in the said Silk more than of necessity is required for the colour thereof, upon pain of forfeiture of all and every quantity and quantities of Silk so corrupted, Dyed, or so brought or caused to be brought into this Our Realm, or sold or put to sale, or caused to be sold or put to sale contrary to this Our present Commandment; And also upon pain of confiscation of the said Silk to be burnt, and of Our high indignation and displeasure, and of such further pains, penalties and punishments, as for the contempt of Our Commandment Royal in this behalf may any way be inflicted upon them or any of them so offending. And We also straightly charge and command all and singular Justices of peace. Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs Constables, Headboroughs, and all other our Officers and Subjects whatsoever, that they do at all times hereafter carefully and diligently see and take order, that this Our ordinance and Royal Commandment hereby signified and expressed be in all points duly performed, and that as often as information shall be brought to them of any Silk of that kind so falsified in the weight, either brought into this Kingdom or Died here, That they do seize the same, and advertise Ou● Council of the quantity and the parties faulty, that order may be taken for the punishing of them, and destroying of th● corrupt Stuffe.  
Given at Theobalds' the 17. day of july, in the tenth year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 
 God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. ANNO DOM. 1612.