By the King.  
A Proclamation to restrain the excessive carriages in Wagons and four wheeled Carts, to the destruction of the Highways.  
WE have many times heretofore expressed the great care and desire We always had, that the Common Highways and Bridges within this Realm, might be kept in due repair, for the general ease and good of our loving Subjects, and have given many and often directions to Our Privy Counsel, judges, and other officers, for effecting thereof; And finding a chief cause of the exceeding decays thereof, to be the extraordinary carriages with Carts, and Wagons with four wheels, carrying excessive burdens, whereby the Highways are so galled, and the very foundations of any ordinary Bridges shaken, that no ordinary repair can maintain and keep the same passable: We did heretofore cause Our judges to advice thereof, by whom We were resolned, that those extraordinary carriages were common Nuisances and annoyances against the Weal Public, and the use of them an offence against Our Crown and Laws: We did therefore by Our Proclamation, in the sixteenth year of Our Reign of England, prohibit the going or travailing with any such Cart or Wagon. Notwithstanding all which, and the great care, aswell of Our Privy Counsel, as of Our judges in their Circuits, We finde no amendment, but that the High Ways, not only in the remoter parts, but also in places of Our own usual access, are still spoilt and ploughed up by those unreasonable carriages, so as they continue still so foul and deep, as they are oft times almost unpassable. We therefore intending redress and reformation in the Premises, and being resolved, that for the effecting thereof, a more severe and strict course be taken then hath been heretofore, have thought it agreeable to Our own puncely goodness, once more to warn Our Subjects thereof, that such as shall hereafter offend, and shall be justly punished therefore, may be altogether unexcusable.  
And therefore, We do by this our Proclamation, and by the advice of the Lords, and others of our Privy Counsel, straight, charge, require and command; That no common Carrier, or other persons, or persons whatsoever, shall from, and after the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel, now next coming, use, go, or travel with any Cart, or Wagon, made with four wheels, nor with any other Cart or Wagon whatsoever, but only such wagons and Carts, as shall have but two wheels; and that they do not carry in any Wain, Cart, or carriage, to be after that time used, any load or burden, above the Weight of twenty hundred, nor shall draw, or use their said Carts, or veins, or carryages, with more than five horses at once in their sourney, upon pain of our heany indignation, and displeasure, and of the severest censure of our high Court of Star. Chamber, and such further pains, punishments, and imprisonments, as by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm may be in inflicted upon the offenders, for such their offence and contempt.  
And therefore We do hereby require our Attorney general, for the time being, upon notice given unto him of any such offendor, or offenders, to prosecute him, and them in the said high Court of Star-chamber, there to receive such censure and punishment, by fine, imprisonment, and otherwise, as their contempts and offences against this our Royal Command shall deserve. And lastly, We do hereby will and require, all Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, justices of Peace, and other Our Officers, and Ministers, in all Counties, and privileged places whatsoever, within this Our Realm, That they, and cuery of them, in their several Offices, and places, do from time to time provide, and see to the due execution of this Our pleasure, and Royal Commandment; And that they discover and make knownt all offenders herein, that they may be seurely punished for their offences and contempts; As also, that they neglect not, but continue the repair and maintenance of Highways, Bridges, and Causeys within this Our Realm, according to the Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances now in force, and Our Commandment heretofore given, as they tender our pleasure, and will alswere the contrary, at their uttermost perils.  
Given at Our Court at Windsor, the sixth day of August; In the years of Our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, the twentieth, and of Scotland the six and fiftieth. 
 God save the King.   

Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and john Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. M.DC.XXII.