royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  ❧ By the King. 
A Proclamation commanding the repair of Nob●… men, Knights, and Gentlemen of quality, unto their Mansion Houses in the Country, there to attend their services, and keep Hospitality.  
THe King's most excellent MAJESTY, taking into His Reconsideration, that the ancient honour of this Realm, hath 〈◊〉 years exceedingly decayed, by the neglect of Hospitality, & good 〈◊〉 keeping, for which this Nation in former ages hath been mu●…●…nowned, which hath been occasioned by the too frequent resort 〈◊〉 ordinary residence of Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Knight's 〈◊〉 Gentlemen of quality unto Cities and Towns, especially into near about the Cities of London and Westminster, which draweth it also many other great inconveniences, of necessity ensuing b● absence of so many persons of quality and authority from their C●…treys, whereby those parts are left destitute both of relief and government, and the City's 〈◊〉 Towns, especially those of London and Westminster, are ouerburthened with Inhabitants 〈◊〉 Resiants: And His Majesty calling to mind, that the celebration of the feast of Christmas approacheth, which is the fittest time for the exercising of the Charities of the wealthier sort, 〈◊〉 thought fit, according to the example of His dear Father of blessed memory deceased, to pu● and declare, and He doth hereby publish and declare His Royal will and pleasure to be, and 〈◊〉 by these presents straight charge and command, aswell all His Lords Spiritual and Tempor as also all deputy Lieutenants, justices of the Peace, and Gentlemen of quality, who 〈◊〉 Mansion Houses in the Country, wherein they and their families have usually dwelled, (ex● such as are of His Highness' privy Counsel, or bear Office about the persons, or Court of 〈◊〉 self, or of His dearest Consort the Queen) That they & every of them immediately upon the 〈◊〉 of this present month of November, depart from the Cities of London and Westminster, and o● Cities and places, with their Families and Servants unto their several Countries, to at● their service there, and to keep Hospitality as appertaineth to their degree and calling, v●● pain not only of His Majesty's most heavy indignation and displeasure, and disablement to 〈◊〉 any such places of trust under His Majesty, but also of such further censure and punishment 〈◊〉 may be inflicted upon them for their disobedience and contempt, or neglect of this His Ro●● Commandment, whereof as His Majesty intendeth to take a strict and severe account, so doth hereby require and command, aswell the Lords and others of His Privy Counsel, as 〈◊〉 all other His Officers and Ministers whom it shall any way concern, to take order that all 〈◊〉 as shall offend may receive condign punishment, without toleration or connivency.  
Given at the Court at White-Hall the three and twentieth day of November, in the second year of 〈◊〉 Majesty's Reign of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 
 God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by BONHAM NORTON and JOHN BILL, Printers to the Kings most Excellent MAJESTY. M. D.C.XXVI.