royal coat of arms of England, circa 1625 HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
james, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:  
Whereas Our well-beloved subject, Benedict web, of Kingeswood, in Our county of Wiltes, Clothier, having in his travell beyond the Seas, about twenty yeeres last past, observed a kind of oil to bee made of Rape-seede, and other small round seeds, for the use of Clothing, and vpon many chargeable trials and endeavours continued almost ever since; hath now at last attained to the perfect Art and skill of making the said oil of Rape-seede and other small seeds aforesaid: which oil, vpon trial thereof made, by many Clothiers of Our Counties of Wiltes, Gloucester, and Somerset, is found far better for the use of Clothing then that which hath been yearly brought out of the Low Countries, and as useful as the Spanish oil yearly imported into this Our kingdom of England, and bought at dear rates and prices, for the use of the finest sort of Clothes, by which Manufacture and invention of making the said useful oil of seeds at home within our own Dominions, the whole Drapery of this Our kingdom may be in short time supplied with fitting oil for Clothing, without the help of any oil from foreign parts, and at cheaper rates then are now paid for the same, besides the setting of many of Our poor Subiects on work, and the great enriching of much barren land in this our kingdom, for that the said Oyle-seeds do best prosper vpon dry and sandy grounds, which being otherwise of small use and profit, will( after some few yeeres employment in Tillage for the said Oyle-seede) become fruitful for Come, and give good return to the Husbandman. In consideration whereof, and of the public good which will redound to this whole Common-wealth by this profitable invention and Manufacture of Rape-seede oil, the said Benedict web hath by his humble Petition desired, that Wee should be graciously pleased to grant unto him the privilege and benefit of this Art and invention, for the sole making of oil of Rape-seede and other seeds, within this Our realm of England and Dominion of Wales, for the term hereafter specified. Know ye therefore, that Wee taking the premises into Our gracious consideration, and being willing to cherish all Our loving Subiects in such ingenuous and profitable inventions, whereby the barren parts of the Land may be improoued to more fruit and profit, the Manufactures of Our own kingdom increased, and Our own people thereby set on work; and finding it agreeable to Our Honour and Iustice, that the Authors and first inventors thereof should in some measure reap the fruit of their labours, charge, and industries, for encouragement to them and others, in the like good and laudable endeavours hereafter, haue for these considerations, and others us specially moving, of Our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, given and granted, and by these presents, for us, Our Heires and successors, do give and grant unto the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, full and free liberty, licence, power, and authority, that he the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, or any of them, by himself or themselves, or his or their Deputies, Factors, Seruants, or workmen, shall and may, at all and every time and times, and from time to time, during the term hereafter, in, and by these presents, granted and limited, at their own proper cost and charges, use, exercise, practise, and put in ure, within Our realm of England and Dominion of Wales, or any part thereof, the said Art, mystery, Way, and means of making oil of rapeseeds and other like seeds, sown or to be sown within Our realm or Dominion aforesaid, for the use of Clothing, or for any other use whatsoever. And for the better effecting thereof, to frame, erect, and set up, in any place or places within the said realm of England and Dominion of Wales, any Mill or Milles, house or houses, Engine or Engines whatsoever, fit and necessary for the putting in ure and practise of the said Arte, mystery, Way, or means of preparing, grinding, working, and making of the said oil of Rapeseedes, or other like seeds, to be sown and had within Our said realm of England and Dominion of Wales aforesaid, useful to the end and purposes aforesaid, or any of them, or to any other end or purpose whatsoever: and the same oil so made and fitted for use, to utter and sell, or otherwise to dispose of or do away, at the free will and pleasure of him the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, or assigns, or any of them, and for their, every or any of their best profit and commodity. And that this Our Grant and privilege may take the better effect, and the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, receive and enjoy the full benefit of the same, according to Our gracious intention hereby declared, Wee will, and by these presents, for us, Our Heires, and successors, do straightly charge, prohibit, and forbid: And do also of Our more especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, grant to the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, and every of them; that no person or persons whatsoever, born within any of Our realms or Dominions, or any other person or persons, either Denizens or Strangers, born in any foreign realms or Countries, of what estate, degree, or condition he or they be, or shall be, other then the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, and such as shall be by him the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, or assigns, or some of them, set on work or authorised, shall or may, at any time or times during the term, by these presents granted, practise, use, exercise, and put in ure the said Arte or mystery of making oil of rapeseeds, or other seeds, or by any way, means, or device whatsoever, not heretofore used within Our said realm of England or Dominion of Wales, prepare, grind, or work the said rapeseeds, or other seeds, for the making of oil, or set up, frame, make, or use any Mill or Milles, Engine or Engines, for the grinding or making of any oil of rapeseeds, or other seeds, within Our realm of England or Dominion of Wales, or any place or places in them, or either of them, vpon pain of the heavy indignation and displeasure of us, Our Heires, and successors, and vpon such further pains, penalties, fines, imprisonment, and other punishment, as by any laws or Statutes of this Our realm of England, can or may be inflicted or imposed vpon the offenders, for their disobedience in contemning Our royal Commandement in this behalf. To haue, and to hold, use, exercise, and enjoy, all and every the said Licenses, Powers, privileges, Authorities, Benefits, and other the premises, unto the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, from the date of these presents, for, and during the term, and unto the full end and term of fourteen yeeres from thence next ensuing, fully to be complete and ended: yielding and paying therefore yearly, during the said term, to us, Our Heires, and successors, the yearly rent or sum of five pounds, at the feast of Saint Michael the archangel, onely, or within twenty dayes next after the same feast yearly, at the receipt of Our Exchequer, or to the Recorder of the County of Gloucester for the time being. And Wee do further by these presents, for us, Our Heires, and successors, give and grant unto the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, and every of them, full power, licence, and authority, that he, they, or any of them, by himself, or themselves, or his, their, or any of their Deputies, Factors, Agents or Seruants, shall and may from time to time, and at all times during the said term of fourteen yeeres, with the assistance of a Constable, or some other Officer, in due and lawful manner, enter into all and every house and houses, place and places convenient, within Our said realm of England and Dominion of Wales, as well within liberties as without, where he or they, or any of them shall haue cause to suspect, that any Mill or Milles, or other Engine or Engines shall be erected, set up, used, or employed, for the grinding, preparing, or making of any oil of Rape-seeds, or other the Seeds aforesaid: And also in like maner, enter aboard any Ship, Lighter, boat, or other vessel, wherein any such oil made within this realm, contrary to the true intent of these presents, or any Seeds prepared for making of oil, contrary to the true intent of these presents, shal be probably suspected to be laden, shipped, or carried from one Port, haven, or Creek, within Our said Realm of England & Dominion of Wales, unto another, by, or for any person or persons, other then for the use of the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, or assigns, or by, or with his or their licence or authority: And there carefully and diligently, by all like good and lawful ways and means, to try and search for all such oil made of rapeseeds, or other the seeds aforesaid, and for all such seeds, and other materials, prepared for the making of such oil, and not wrought or converted into oil, as shall bee found in any such house, Mill, or place, vpon the Land, or in any Ship, boat, or vessel, water-borne or otherwise, attempted to be used or employed, made or vented within Our said realm of England or Dominion of Wales aforesaid, contrary to the true meaning of these presents, and finding any such, or any resistance in the execution hereof; that then he or they, or any of them, do certify the same into the Court of Exchequer of us, Our Heires, and successors, to the end the offenders therein may receive condign punishment for the same their offences; unto which Court of Exchequer, Wee do by these presents, for us, Our Heires and successors, give power and authority vpon such Certificate as aforesaid, and due proof of the said misdemeanours or offences, to inflict such punishment by fine and imprisonment, or otherwise, vpon the offenders, as to the said Court shall bee thought meet, and the said offences to deserve. And We do also by these presents, for us, Our Heires, and successors, will and command, as well all and singular Maiors, Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, bailiffs, Constables, and Headboroughes, as also all Customers, Controllers, Searchers, and other Officers of any of Our Ports, or belonging to the Admiralty: and to all other Officers, Ministers, and Subiects whatsoever, of us, Our Heires, and successors, that they and every of them, be from time to time, aiding, helping, and assisting, unto the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns, and to every of them, their Deputies, Seruants, and workmen, in all things, in, and about the accomplishment of Our pleasure, expressed in these Our Letters Patents, and in the exercise and execution of the same, and of all and every Article, Clause, and thing in them contained: And that they, or any of them, do not in any wise hinder, molest, or interrupt the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, or assigns, or his or their Deputies, Seruants, or workmen, or any of them, in any thing concerning the premises, as they tender Our pleasure, and will answer for the contrary at their perils. And these our Letters Patents, or the enrolment thereof, shall be their sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf. And further, of Our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, Wee do, for us, Our Heires, and successors, grant unto the said Benedict web, his Executours, administrators, and assigns, that these presents, or the enrolment of the same shall stand and be, and shall be so construed and taken, to be good, firm, effectual, and sufficient in the Law, for all the intents and purposes aforesaid, and most available for the benefit of the said Benedict web, his Executors, Administrators, and assigns: Notwithstanding, the not particular, or not exact describing of the manner of preparing or working of the said seeds, or making or extracting the said oil: And notwithstanding the not describing of the Milles, Presses, or other Engines, tools, Instruments, or devices, by which the same is to be done or effected: And notwithstanding, the not naming, or not rightly naming the seeds or materials whereof the said oil is to be made, or any other incertainety or defect whatsoever, in these Our Letters Patents notwithstanding. Although express mention of the true yearly value, or certainty of the premises, or any of them, or of any other gifts or grants, by us, or by any of Our Progenitors or Predecessors to the said Benedict web, before this time made in these presents, is not made: Or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, provision, Proclamation, or Restraint heretofore had, made, set forth, ordained, or provided: Or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof, We haue caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.  
witness ourself at Westminster, the eighteen day of December, in the two and twentieth year of Our reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the eight and fiftieth. Per Breue de privato Sigillo. young and pie.