By Commission under the Great Seal of England, 
Dated 6th Decembris ann. 23. Car. Sec●d.  directed to all Arch-Bishops, Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, Bishops, Barons, Baronet's, Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen within England and Wales, (Reciting.)  
THat whereas his Majesty's Servants the King's Heralds and Pursuivands of Arms by their humble Petition had represented unto his Majesty, That their late College of Arms in London (given to their Corporation in perpetuity for their residence and place of meeting, and for keeping the Records Rolls and Books of their faculty) was consumed by the late fire there, but the said Records Rolls and Books [which are of great use to the Nobility and Gentry] being preserved, are in danger to be lost, and the Petitioners Employment [having relation to matters of Honour and Arms only] the knowledge thereof will wear out and cease for want of like Conveniency for the future.  
That there is no Revenue belonging to their Corporation whereby to enable them to rebuild, and the time limited by the Act of Parliament for Rebuilding London, near expiration; so as the ground whereon their said College stood will be lost, and the inconveniencies before mentioned inevitably follow, unless His Majesty be graciously pleased to extend his Royal favour in that behalf.  
And mentioning that his Majesty had referred the said Petititon to his Commissioners, for executing the Office of Earl Marshal of England to Consider thereof, and certify some fit means or expedient to effect the said Rebuilding, who had thereupon certified, That the charge thereof will amount to 5000 l. The most probable way for raising whereof, they conceived to be for his Majesty by his Commission to recommend the same to his Nobility and Gentry for their voluntary benevolence, who (as persons most concerned) would cheerfully contribute thereunto.  
That his Majesty approved of that expedient. And doth recommend the same accordingly, with this, that he doth promise himself and expect the ready compliance of his Nobility and Gentry as in a matter which he desires may have effect and will be very acceptable to him.  
And for the better effecting thereof 



Kings of Arms.  
Sir Edward Walker Garter.  
Sir Edward Bish Clarenceux.  
William Dugdale Narroy.    


Heralds of Arms  
Elias Ashmole Windsor.  
Henry St. George Richmond.  
Thomas Lee Chester.  
Sir Thomas St. George Somerset.  
john Wingfeild Yo●k, and  
Robert chaloner Lancester.    


Pursuivands of Arms  
Francis Sandford Roug●dragon.  
Thomas Holford Portcullis.    


Of Arms for the time being.  
And Garter Clarenceux and Norroy Kings  
And Wind for Richmond Chester Somerset  
York and Lancaster Heralds  
And Rogue Dragon and Portcullis Pursuivands  
And ssuch other person and persons as the Earl Marshal of England or Commissioners for that Office now and for the time being or any one or more of them shall under their Hands and Seals appoint.     Are Constituted Authorized and appointed Commissioners To take and Receive the Subscriptions of his Majesties said Nobility and Gentry, which they or any of them shall make towards rebuilding the said College.  
With power for them or any one or more of them to take and receive such Subscriptions. And command to make return of the Commission and their proceeding hereon to the Earl Marshal or Commissioners for that Office before Michaelmas 1677.  
And 

Pursivands of Arms.  
Henry Dethick Rogue Croix  
john Gibbons Blewmantle.   And Rogue Croix and Blewmantle for the time being, and such others as the said King's Heralds and Pursuivands under their common Seal shall appoint, As Constituted Commissioners▪ For Collecting and Receiving the moneys arising by such Subscriptions.  
The said Collectors and Receivers are Commanded To pay all the ●●●ies by them received To Two Treasurers named in the Commission. And to such others as shall be appointed by the Earl Marshal or Commissioners for that Office now and for the time being or any one of them.  
And those Treasurers are to pay and dispose the moneys To and for the said Rebuilding and not otherwise, in such manner and order as the Earl Marshal or Commissioners for that Office now and for the time being shall appoint▪  
And in case the moneys arising by such Subscriptions exceed the charge of Rebuilding such overplus to be employed In Ornament of The public Hall and the places 

For Keeping the Records.  
For meeting in Chapter  
For books to be added to the Library there.    
The Officers of Arms are Commanded and Authorized In testimony of their gratitude to their Benefactors here To Take and Register in books of Velome Certificates of 

The Arms they bear  
Their Descents Matches and Issue  
Their Liberality.    
To the end the memory thereof may remain to after Ages.  
And to deliver out Testimonials thereof under their common Seal to such of their Benefactors who shall require the same.  
The Commission to endure till Michaelmas 1677.