DIEV ET MON DROIT  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
By the King.  
A PROCLAMATION Against DUELS.  
CHARLES R.  
WHereas it is become too frequent, especially with Persons of Quality, under a vain pretence of Honour, to take upon them to be the Revengers of their private Quarrels by Duel, and single Combat, which ought not to be, upon any pretence or provocation whatsoever; We considering that the Sin of Murder is detestable before GOD, and this way of prosecuting satisfaction, Scandalous to Christian Religion, and the manifest Violation of Our Laws and Authority, out of Our Pious Care to prevent unChristian and rash effusion of Blood, do by this Our Royal Proclamation strictly Charge and Command all Our Loving Subjects of what Quality soever, That they do not either by themselves, or by others, by Message, Word, Writing, or other ways or means Challenge, or cause to be Challenged, any person or persons to Fight in Combat, or single Duel, nor carry, accept, or conceal any such Challenge or Appointment, nor actually Fight any such Duel with any of Our Subjects or others, or as a Second, or otherwise accompany or become Assistant therein. And We do hereby, to the intent that all persons may take care to prevent the Dangers they may incur by acting or assisting in any such Duel, Declare Our Royal Pleasure, That We will not Grant Our Pardon to any person or persons that shall Fight, or be any way aiding or concerned in any such Duel where any person shall be slain, or die of his Wounds received therein, but will leave all such persons to the utmost rigour and severity of the Laws: And further, That We will not suffer or endure any person or persons to be or remain in Our Court, who shall presume to intercede in the behalf of any person or persons that shall Offend contrary to this Our Proclamation. And for the better avoiding all such Duels, We do hereby straight Charge and Command all person and persons whatsoever who shall receive or know of any Challenge sent or delivered as aforesaid, That they do forthwith give notice thereof to some of Our Privy Council, or otherwise to some justice of Peace near the place where such Offence shall be committed, upon pain of Our highest Displeasure, and being left to be proceéded against according to the strictest rigout and severity of the Laws.  
Given at our Court at Whitehall the Ninth day of March 1679/80. In the Two and thirtieth year of Our Reign. 
 God save the King.   

London, Printed by John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1679/80.