royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
¶ A Proclamation for the execution of the Statutes made against Rogues and Vagabonds.  
THe unsufferable swarms of Rogues and Vagabonds in every street, highway, and place, within all the Counties, Cities, and Towns of this Realm, especially in, and about Our Cities of London, and Westminster, and Suburbs thereof, and Counties adjacent thereunto, and the many insolences and mischiefs daily committed by them, draws us back to the remembrance of the many good Laws, made and established with great care and providence, both for the suppressing and punishing of this sort of lewd and incorrigible people, and for the relief of the indigent, aged, and impotent poor, to which good Laws, nothing can be added, but the due and careful execution thereof, We therefore by the advice of Our Privy Council, have thought fit and do hereby publish Our Royal pleasure and command accordingly, that all Majors, Sheriffs, justices of Peace, Constables, headboroughs, and all other Our Officers, and loving Subjects, whom it may any may concern, do from henceforth take special care, That all those Laws at any time made heretofore against Rogues and Vagabonds, and for the relief and maintenance of the true indigent, and impotent poor, be put in due execution; and We will and command all persons whosoever, in their several places, to use their best diligence, to see the same performed accordingly. And to the end We may have a good account of this Our command, which so much concerneth the peaceable & happy government of this Kingdom; We do further straight charge and command, That all Our justices of Peace, of the several Counties of this Realm respectively, do once in every month, give a Certificate in writing, unto the Lord Lieutenant of the said County, of their proceed herein: And that the Lord Lieutenant of every Country, do demand such monthly Certificate, as aforesaid, and having received and account thereof, do from time to time, once in every two months, return his Certificate unto Our council-board, that so We may truly understand, what reformation doth follow upon this Our Admonition: And We do hereby give assurance to all, whom it may any ways concern, That wheresoever, and in whomsoever We shall find any negligence in this behalf, We shall not only hold them unworthy to bear any Office or Authority under Us, but shall also proceed against the offenders with severity, as contemners of Our Laws, and of our royal Commandment.  
Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the sixteenth day of February, in the third year of Our 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.XXVII.