HONI ✚ SOIT ✚ QVI ✚ MAL ✚ Y ✚ PENSE ✚   royal blazon or coat of arms  
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, john Pinnell, Robert Trow, Robert Baxter, Edward Friar, George Batch, Solomon Law, Thomas Be, Edward Pigget Richard Windar, Peter Edwards, Edward Heather, john Harlow, john Achley, john james, Edward Strensham, Thomas Ghostlee, Thomas Radnor, Richard Lucke, William Pedel, William Eley, jasper chord, john Hostler, and others, makers of playing Cards within Our Realm of England, have by their humble petition lately showed, and complained, That these being natural borne Subjects of Our Realm of England, trained and brought up in the Art trade and skill of making of playing Cards within this Kingdom, and whereon their only maintenance and means to live dependeth, have been, and still are much decayed and impoverished in their said trade by the Importation, conveying and bringing of playing Cards into Our said Realm of England, from sundry the parts beyond the Seas▪ whereby not only many of Our poor subjects of that, & other trades, do want those means whereby they were formerly set on work, but other Our loving subjects also by the said Cards deceitfully made in the said parts beyond the Seas, and Imported and sold in this Our Realm, are greatly deceived to their no small hurt and damage: For reformation whereof the said makers of playing Cards, for themselves and others, have humbly petitioned Us, to nominate and appoint some fit and discreet person, for to view, search, scale and allow, aswell of all such playing Cards, as shall be hereafter made within Our Realm of England and Dominions thereof, as of all such playing Cards, as shall hereafter be conveyed, imported, or brought into Our said Realm and Dominions thereof, from any the parts beyond the Seas; voluntarily offering, That if they the said Cardmakers or any of them, or any others by their means or procurement, shall at any time hereafter deceitfully make, or cause to be made any playing Cards, and the same shall sell or offer and put to sale, That then all such Cards should become wholly forfeited unto Us: whereby the said frauds and abuses now practised, might be taken away, and the said Cardmakers of this Our Realm much relieved. And whereas the said Makers of playing Cards before named, have made choice of Sir Richard Cognisby Knight, one of Our Gentlemen Ushers in Ordinary, for the viewing, searching, scaling and allowing of all such playing Cards as shallbe hereafter made within, or be Imported into this Our Realm, or the Dominions thereof: and have already granted and assured unto the said Sir Richard for the term of one and Twenty years, five Shillings upon every Gross of playing Cards by them or any of them, to be hereafter made & uttered within this Our Realm or the Dominions thereof, in recompense of the pains, care and attendance of the said Sir Richard, or his Deputies, in and about the viewing, searching, sealing and allowing of the same playing Cards, to be from time to time made and uttered within this Our Realm or the Dominions thereof. And the said Cardmakers of this Our Realm have further humbly prayed, that for the better repressing of the Importation into this Our Realm of the said playing Cards deceitfully made in the parts beyond the Seas, We would be pleased to impose, lay, and cause to belevied to Our own use the ●ike sum of five Shillings, for and upon every Gross of the said playing Cards to be so imported, brought in, and conveyed ●nto this Our Realm or the Dominions thereof as aforesaid. And that the same playing Cards so to be Imported, might ●irst be viewed, searched sealed and allowed by the said Sir Richard Cognisby, or his Deputies, before the same should be uttered, ●old, or put to sale within Our said Realm, and the Dominions thereof. And whereas We much commiserating the de●ayed estates of Our said poor Subjects, referred the consideration of their Petition to Thomas Earl of Suffolk Our high treasurer of England, Henry late Earl of Northampton deceased, and Edward Earl of Worcester Master of Our horse, than our Commissioners of and for Our Treasury, who having duly considered of the contents of the said Petition, gave liking and passage thereunto, So as the same might not prejudice the then Treaty with the French. And for their better satisfaction in that behalf, referred the same to the consideration of Sir julius Caesar knight, than Chancellor of Our Court of Exchequer, Sir Thomas Parry knight, Chancellor of Our Duchy of Lancaster, and Sir Daniel Dun knight one of Our Masters of Requests: who thereupon certified that there was nothing in the last Treaty with the French, which did or might impeach ●he said suit of the said Cardmakers, and that thereby good profit might arise to Us without damage to Our Subjects of ●his Our Realm. And whereas We affecting the relief of Our said subjects the Cardmakers, and the better to repress ●nd restrain the excessive Importation of Playing-cards into this Our said Realm, from the parts beyond the Seas, by Our Letters given under Our Privy Seal at Our Manor of Greenwich, the four and twentieth day of june last before ●he date hereof, directed to Our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor Thomas Earl of Suffolk, Lord ●igh Treasurer of England, Have ordained, appointed and commanded at the humble suit of the said Cardmakers, and ●or other considerations Us especially moving, That there shallbe levied, received and taken, to the use of Us, Our Heirs ●nd Successors by way of Imposition thereby newly set and imposed (over and beside the Customs, Subsidies, duties and ●ummes of Money then before due payable and answerable) the sum of five Shillings of lawful English Money, for and 〈◊〉 respect of every Gross of Playing-cards, which from and after the Twentieth day of july than next coming, should ●appen to be brought from any the parts beyond the Seas into Our Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, or Port or Town of Berwicke, by any person or persons, Englishmen, denizens or strangers, to the end to be uttered, sold or put to sale, as by the same Our Letters more at large it doth and may appear. NOW KNOW YE, That we minding the reformation of the aforenamed frauds and abuses, and to the intent that the said Cardmakers Our natural borne Subjects may again be more freely set on work, and employed in the trade and course of life, wherein they have been trained up, and exercised. And for the better effecting of all the premises, according to the humble Petition of the same Our poor Subjects in that behalf, We do by these presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors ordain, constitute, make and appoint one Office, of and for the viewing, searching, sealing and allowing of all, and all manner of Playing-cards whatsoever, aswell of such as shall from time to time be made by the aforenamed Cardmakers, or any other person or persons whatsoever, within this Our Realm of England, and Dominions thereof; as also of such Playing-cards as shall from time to time be made in any the parts beyond the Seas, and Imported, conveyed, or brought into this Our said Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, Port and town of Berwicke, to be there uttered, sold or put to sale. And out of the good opinion and confidence We have of the fidelity, judgement and industry of the said Sir Richard Cognisby in this behalf, and at the desire of Our said subjects the Cardmakers, We do create, make, constitute and appoint by these presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, the said Sir Richard Cognisby to be the sole Officer of, and for the viewing, searching, sealing and allowing of all and all manner of Playing cards whatsoever, aswell of such as shall from time to time be made by the said Cardmakers, or any other person or persons whatsoever, within Our said Realm of England and Dominions thereof, as of such Playing cards as shall from time to time be made in any the parts beyond the Seas, and Imported conveyed or brought into this Our Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, Port or Town of Berwicke, from and after the Twentieth day of july next coming after the date hereof, to be uttered, sold or put to sale as aforesaid. And him the said Sir Richard Cognisby, Viewer, Searcher, Sealer and allower of all and all manner of Playing-cards, made and to be made within this Realm, and the Dominions thereof: or made and to be made in any the parts beyond the Seas, and to be Imported within this Realm, after the time before limited, We do firmly make and ordain by these presents, TO HAVE, HOLD, exercise and enjoy the said Office of Viewing, Searching, Sealing and allowing of all and all manner Playing-cards as aforesaid, to the said Sir Richard Cognisby his Executors and Assigns, to be used, occupied and exercised by him or themselves, or by his or their sufficient Deputy or Deputies, from the date of these presents, for and during the term, and unto the full end and expiration of one and Twenty years, from thence next ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended: He the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors or Assigns, having, taking and perceiving for the exercise of the same Office, the sums, formerly to him and them granted by Our foresaid Subjects the Cardmakers, at whose instance We have granted unto him the said Office as aforesaid. AND FURTHER, know ye, That We, for and in full satisfaction of the sum of one Thousand and eight hundred pounds of lawful money of England by Us owing, and due unto the said Sir Richard Cognisby: which said sum he the said Richard doth by these presents fully and freely renounce and relinquish: And for and in the consideration of the Surrender of certain Letters Patents of special Licence heretofore to him granted by the late Queen ELIZABETH Our dear Sister, of, and for the sole Transportation of Tin into the parts beyond the Seas, during the life of the said Sir Richard Cognisby: And for the true and faithful service which the said Sir Richard hath for the space of many years performed to Our late dear Sister, and sithence to ourself. And in consideration of the Rent hereby reserved, and yearly payable to Us, Our Heirs and Successors: Of our especial Grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, We have given and granted, And by these presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, do give and grant unto the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns the said Imposition, duty or sum of five Shillings to be levied, received and taken as aforesaid, for & in respect of every Gross of Playing-cards, which from and after the said Twentieth day of july next coming after the date of these presents, shall happen to be brought from any the parts beyond the Seas into Our said Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, or Port or Town of Berwicke, by any person or persons, Englishmen, Denizens or Strangers, to be uttered, sold, or put to sale within this Realm, and the Dominions thereof, as aforesaid. TO HAVE HOLD, ask, demand, levy, take, perceive, receive and enjoy the said Imposition, duty or sum of five Shillings, for, and upon every Gross of Playing-cards so to be Imported, conveyed and brought into this Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, Port or Town of Berwicke, or any of them as aforesaid, with all and singular profits, commodities, advantages, benefits and emoluments thereunto belonging, happening, renewing, incident or appertaining, in as large, ample and beneficial manner and form to all intents, constructions and purposes, as We, Our Heirs or Successors may, might, should or ought to have, take, receive and enjoy the same, if this Our present Grant had not been had nor made, for and during the the term of one and Twenty years from the date of these presents, next and immediately ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended. YIELDING and paying yearly to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, during the said term by these presents granted, for and in respect of the Imposition and duty aforesaid, the yearly Rent or sum of Two hundred pounds of lawful money of England, into the Receipt of Our Exchequer at the Feasts of S. Michael the Archangel, and the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, by even and equal portions. And if it shall happen the said yearly Rend or sum of Two hundred pounds, or any part or parcel thereof to be behind and unpaid, in part or in all, by the space of Threescore days next after either of the said Feast days, wherein the same aught to be paid, That then, and from thenceforth, this Our present Grant or demise of the said Imposition and duty before mentioned, and every clause or thing concerning or touching the same only, shallbe utterly void and of none effect. Any thing to the contrary thereof in these presents notwithstanding. AND We do hereby express and signify Our pleasure, and do straightly charge and forbid all manner of person and persons whatsoever, That they nor any of them shall attempt or presume by any ways or means whatsoever, directly or indirectly to buy, bargain for, acquire or get into their hands, or to sell, utter, or put to sale, either in Gross, or by retail any manner of Playing-cards whatsoever, within this Our Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, Port and Town of Berwicke, or any of them to be made within Our said Realm and Dominions thereof, or otherwise from and after the said Twentieth day of june next coming, to be imported into the same from any the parts beyond the Seas: Before the same Playing-cards be viewed, searched and allowed by the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Servants, Agents or Assigns, and sealed with a Seal or Stamp to be for that purpose made, appointed and kept by the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Assigns or Agents, unless the said Sir Richard, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Agents or Assigns, shall wilfully refuse or neglect to Seal the same, upon pain of Our high displeasure, and the loss and forfeiture of the same, to be seized and taken by the said Sir Richard, his Executors, Administrators, deputies and Assigns, in the name of Us, Our Heirs and Successors: The one moiety whereof to be to the use of Us, Our Heirs and Successors, And the other moiety to the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, without rendering therefore to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, any account, recompense or other thing for the same. And for the better execution of this Our present Grant, We will and grant to the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, That the said Sir Richard, his Executors, Administrators Deputies, Servants and Assigns, shall have convenient place in the Custom house of London, and in all other Custom houses and places of Lading and Unlading of wares elsewhere within Our Realm of England, or any the Dominions of the same, there at his or their pleasure to be present and attendant, and to have, receive, collect, and enjoy the said Imposition of five Shillings, for and upon every Gross of Playing-cards to be Imported and brought into this Our said Realm of England, or the Dominions thereof, from and after the said Twentieth day of july next coming. And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Servants or Assigns, being accompanied with a Constable, or any other Our Officers for the time being, in lawful manner from time to time during the term by these presents granted: and at all times meet and convenient to enter aswell into any House, Shop, Cellar, warehouse, room or place: As also into any Ship, Vessel, Boat or Bottom, to view and search for all manner of Playing cards whatsoever, that shall from and after the date of these presents, be made or Imported into this Our said Realm, or the Dominions thereof: and there sold, uttered or put to sale in Gross, or by Retail by any person or persons whatsoever; before the same Playing-cards shallbe first viewed, searched, sealed and allowed by the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Agents or Assigns: and before the said Imposition of five Shillings for and upon every Gross of the said Cards to be Imported, from and after the said Twentieth day of july next coming, shall be paid or compounded for, to or with the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Agents or Assigns. And to take and seize the same to the use and intent aforesaid. AND FURTHER, We do straightly charge and command all and every person and persons Merchants, Denizens or Strangers whatsoever, That they or any of them do not attempt or presume to Vnship Discharge, Unlade, or lay on land any of the said Playing-cards, to be Imported and brought into this Our said Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, Port or Town of Berwicke, or any of them, from any the parts beyond the Seas, from and after the Twentieth day of july next coming, before such time as the said Imposition of five Shillings, for and upon every Gross of the said Playing-cards so to be Imported as aforesaid, be duly answered, paid or compounded for. And the same Viewed, Searched, Sealed and allowed by the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Servants or Assigns, or some or one of them, upon pain that every person or persons, Merchants, Denizens or Strangers whatsoever that shall unlade, or lay on land any of the said Playing-cards, during the term hereby granted before the said Imposition be duly answered, paid or compounded for, to and with the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Agents or Assigns: shall forfeit and lose the same so Vnshipped, unladen, or laid on land, contrary to the intent and meaning of these presents. The one Moiety of all which forfeitures to be to Us, Our Heirs and Successors: And the other Moiety thereof to be to the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, without any account thereof to Us, Our Heirs or Successors, to be rendered or paid for the same. AND We do further charge and command all and every Customers, controllers, Surveyors, Searchers, Waiters, and other Our Officers and Ministers whatsoever, of all and every the Ports, Havens, Creeks, members and passages within this Our Realm of England, or any the Dominions of the same, That they or any of them shall not permit, tolerate or suffer, directly or indirectly, any Merchant English, Denizen or Stranger, or other persons whatsoever, to Discharge, Unlade, or lay on Land any Playing-cards to be Imported, conveyed, or brought from any the parts beyond the Seas, into this Our said Realm of England, or any the Dominions of the same, before such time as the said Imposition of five Shillings for, and upon every Gross of the same Cards be duly answered, paid or compounded for, to and with the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Agents or Assigns, or some of them. And that the same be first by the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Agents or Assigns, likewise Viewed, Searched and allowed, according to Our intent, will and meaning herein before declared, as aforesaid. And that if any such Playing-cards be discharged, Unladen or laid on Land, That after knowledge thereof, they shall forthwith, and with all convenient speed, give notice thereof to the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Servants or Assigns, to the end they may have, and take the benefit of this Our grant, upon pain of Our high displeasure, and of such forfeiture, pain and punishment, as by the Laws of Our Realm, can or may be inflicted upon them, and every of them in that behalf. AND FURTHER, We will and command by these presents, all Majors, justices of Peace, sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, and other Our Officers and Ministers to whom, and in that behalf it shall appertain, That they and every of them be aiding and assisting to the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Assigns and Agents, in the due execution of these Our Letters Patents. And that they nor any of them do any way hinder, molest, interrupt or let the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators, Deputies, Assigns or Agents, or any of them concerning the premises, as they tender Our displeasure, and will avoid Our indignation at their uttermost perils. And these Our Letters Patents or th'enrolment thereof, shall be their sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf. AND We are further pleased, and do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, of Our like especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, grant by these presents to the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, That these Our Letters Patents, shall be taken, construed and adjudged in all and every of Our Courts of justice, or elsewhere, to be most available for the said Sir Richard Cognisby, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, against Us, Our Heirs and Successors: Notwithstanding any incertainties or defects in the same, or any Statute, Provision, Proclamation, or Restraint to the contrary.  
In witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents. Witness Ourself at Westminster the one and Twentieth day of july, in the Thirteenth year of Our Reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the eight and fortieth.  
GOD SAVE THE KING.   

¶ The copy of the Lord treasurers Letter.  
AFter my hearty commendations: Whereas it hath pleased his Majesty to direct a Privy Seal to me, touching the Imposition of five Shillings upon every Gross of Playing cards that shallbe Imported into this Kingdom, or the Dominions thereof, by virtue of his majesties Letters Patents, granted to Sir Richard Cognisby knight, under the Great Seal of England. In regard whereof, These are to will and require you, to take notice thereof, and not to suffer any Merchant to make any entry of Playing Cards, until the said Imposition, be paid, according to the said Letters Patents. Provided that the Patentees give caution for maintaining the Custom and Impost, according to a Medium thereof to be made, as in such cases is used. And so having signified his majesties pleasure to you in that behalf, I bid you heartily farewell.  
From Northampton house the 29. of October 1615. Your loving Friend, Tho. Suffolk.