C R  DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation for a general Fast to be kept thorough out the Realm of England.  
THe King's most Excellent Majesty, observing the correcting hand of God upon the Kingdom in many years Pestilence, the present interruptions of that long continued blessing of Peace, and other signs of his anger for the sins of the Land; and seriously considering the weighty affairs of State now in agitation in the high Court of Parliament, out of His truly Religious heart to God, and His tender care of His Kingdom and people's welfare (according to the practice of pious Kings and Princes in former ages, in times of common calamities, which concern both Prince and people) hath resolved (with the humble advice of the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament) by a solemn and public Fast, in the first place to have recourse to the Divine Majesty, to implore his merry and favour to Him and His people, as well for removing the present judgements, as for a blessing upon the great Affairs and businesses in hand concerning His Majesty and the Public. And therefore His Majesty doth hereby straight charge and command that a general and public Fast be kept and holden, as well by abstinence from Food, as by public Prayers and hearing the Word of God, and other sacred Duties, in all Cathedral, Collegiate, and Parish Churches and Chapels within the City of London, the Suburbs thereof, and the adjoining Parishes of Saint Clement Danes, Saint Giles in the fields, Saint James at Clarkenwell, Saint Katherine Tower, Saint Leonard Shoreditch, Saint martin's in the fields, Saint Mary Whitechapel, Saint Magdalene Bermond, and Savoy Parish, upon Tuesday the seventeenth day of this instant November: And in all other Cathedral, Collegiate, and Parish Churches and Chapels within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, upon Tuesday the eighth day of December next ensuing the date hereof: All which His Majesty doth expressly charge and command shall be Reverendly and Devoutly performed by all His loving Subjects, as they tender the favour of Almighty God, and would avoid his just indignation against this Land, and upon pain of such punishments as His Majesty may justly inflict upon all such as shall contemn or neglect so religious a work.  
Given at the Court at Whitehall the eleventh day of November in the sixteenth year of His Majesty's Reign. 
 God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty: And by the Assigns of ●OHN B●●● 〈…〉