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 throughout the Realm of England.  
CHARLES R.  
THe King's most Excellent Majesty, being necessitated, for the just Defence and Vindication of His own and Subject's Rights, to Declare War against the States of the United Provinces; And having His Forces now in readiness upon a present Expedition, Hath Resolved and doth hereby Command a General and Public Fast to be kept throughout His whole Kingdom: That so both Prince and People may send up there Prayers and Supplications to Almighty God, for imploring His Blessing on His Majesty's Naval Forces: And for the more decent and uniform performance thereof, His Majesty doth hereby Publish and Declare to all His loving Subjects, and doth straight Charge and Command that Wednesday next being the 27th day of this instant March, This Fast be Religiously and Solemnly kept and observed, within the Cities of London and Westminster and the Borough of Southwark and other Places adjacent within the Bills of Mortality: And that upon Wednesday the 17th of April next, the like Fast be kept and duly observed through the rest of this whole Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed.  
And for the more orderly Solemnising thereof, His Majesty hath directed that the Form of Prayers Composed and Published in the late War, upon the like occasion, be used in all Churches and Chapels, and hath given Charge to the Bishops for the dispersing thereof through their several Dioceses in the whole Kingdom.  
And His Majesty doth expressly Charge and Command, that the said Fasting and Prayers be Soberly, Reverently, and Decently Performed by all His Loving Subjects, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and upon pain of such Punishments as His Majesty can justly inflict upon all such, as Contemn or Neglect so Religious a Work.  
Given at the Court at Whitehall this 22d day of March 1671/2 In the 24th year of His Majesty's Reign. 
 God save the King.   

In the SAVOY, Printed by the Assigns of John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1671/2.