English royal blazon  
❧ By the King.  
¶ A Proclamation to restrain the unlawful transportation of Hides and Leather.  
THe King's most Excellent MAJESTY, taking knowledge of the great scarcity and extraordinary dearness of Leather, lately grown within this Realm, and enquiring into the causes thereof, hath discovered, that, although there hath been lately a greater number of raw Hides, by reason of the extraordinary provisions for the Navy, then in former years; yet the Markets have not been served with Hides, as they were wont to be, but the raw Hides are secretly, and by stealth, conveyed beyond the Seas. And His Majesty hath also been informed, That under colour of a Liberty given heretofore, for conveying of Hides and Leather from the Port of London unto Hull, for service of the Northern parts, there have been lately great quantities carried away, which never arrived at the Port of Hull, but are conveyed into Scotland, or other Foreign parts. And further, that there being no Prohibition already, for the carrying of Hides and Leather over Land into Scotland, great quantities are conveyed that way, especially by the City of Carlisle. And also, that there are many and great Engrossers of Leather in the City of London; By which means the prices are kept high, and much Leather is cut out for Boötes and Shoes, and is packed up closely, and so transported into France the Low Countries, and other foreign places, under colour of other Merchandise. And further, That under colour of Calue-skins, permitted to be transported by Licence, great number of Skins of greater growth, are conveyed, which would be serviceable for making of Boötes and Shoes, and other uses. And that to colour these great abuses, (which are so generally prejudicial to all sorts of people) either the offenders themselves, or some other ill disposed persons, do falsely publish, that there have been Licences given by His Majesty, contrary to the Laws, to transport great quantities of Leather, and raw Hides, where, in truth, no such Licence hath been granted to any, nor so much as thought upon to be granted. All which, being made known to His Majesty, His Highness, out of His Princely care and providence, for the general good of His people, hath thought fit (by the advice of His Privy Counsel) to publish and declare, And doth hereby publish and declare His Royal Pleasure and Commandment, concerning the Premises, in manner following.  
That from henceforth no person whatsoever, either natural borne Subject, Denizen, or stranger, do presume to export out of this Kingdom, any raw Hides, or any Leather, either into any Foreign parts beyond the Seas, or into Scotland, by colour of carrying Calue-skins, or otherwise.  
And for the better prevention of the like abuses hereafter, (which otherwise cannot possibly be prevented) His Majesty doth further straight charge and command, That no person, under colour of carrying or conveying of Hides or Leather, from one part of this Kingdom to another, do carry the same by Water, or put the same into any Ship, Barge, Boat, or other Vessel, to carry the same by Water.  
And further, that no Shoemaker, Currier, or other Artificer, do buy any Leather, but such only as he shall convert into made Wares, and shall not be in any sort a factor or agent, to buy any leather for any Merchant or other person, who shall after transport the same into any parts beyond the Seas, or into the Realm of Scotland. And that they, nor any of them, be any Engrosser of hides or leather, whereby, or by means or occasion whereof, the prices of hides or leather may be enhanced, or the Markets be unfurnished or unstored. All which his Majesty doth straight charge and Command, to be duly observed by all sorts of people, in their several places and degrees, upon pain, not only to incur the uttermost penalties and punishments, which by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm, may be inflicted upon the offenders, but also upon further pain of his Majesty's high displeasure, and such further punishment as by his Majesty's Prerogative Royal, or by the severest Censure of the Court of Star Chamber can be imposed upon them, for so great a contempt.  
And to the end, that all others may take heed how they do hereafter either of malice or rashness, publish such false and feigned rumors, tending so much to the slander of his Majesty's government, His Majesty doth hereby straight admonish and Command, that no person presume to publish or report such false rumours, in this or in any thing of the like kind. And to the intent, that such as are willing to take pains to discover the offenders and offences aforesaid, either already committed, or hereafter to be committed in any kind concerning the premises, for the general good of the Common wealth, may have fit encouragement and recompense, His Majesty doth hereby promise and undertake, That whosoever shall first discover to the Lord Treasurer of England, or Barons of the Exchequer, any of the said offenders or offences, either in conveying away of any hides or leather, or engrossing the same, or in being the instruments or assistants thereunto, or in raising or publishing such false rumours or reports, as aforesaid, whereby the offenders shall or may be brought to receive due punishment for such their offences, that every person which shall so first discover the same (besides such part of the fines and forfeitures as by Law shall belong unto him) shall have a liberal reward from his Majesty, out of such part of the offenders fines or forfeitures which shall accrue to his Majesty, at the good discretion of the Lord Treasurer of England, or Barons of the Exchequer, for the time being.  
Given at His Majesty's Court at Whitehall, the 14. day of December, in the second year of his 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.DC.XXVI.