CR  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  
DIEV ET MON DROIT   royal blazon or coat of arms  
BY THE Lord Lieutenant AND COUNCIL:  
ESSEX  
WHEREAS in the Twenty eighth year of the Reign of King Henry the Sixth, there was one right wholesome Law made in this Realm for the suppressing, taking, and killing of notorious Thiefs and Robbers, the Tenor whereof is in these words following. whereas Thiefs, and evil Doers, increase in great store, and from day to other do increase in malice more than they have done heretofore, and do destroy the Commons with their Thefts, Stealing, and Manslaughters, and also do cause the Land to fall into decay and poverty; and waste every day more and more, and so it is like to be confounded, if there should not be remedy; It is ordained by Authority of the said Council, That it shall be lawful to every Liegeman of our Sovereign Lord the King, all manner notorious and known Thiefs, and Thiefs found robbing, and spoiling, or breaking Houses by night or by day, and Thiefs found with the m●nner to kill them, and take them with out Impeachment, Arraignment, or Grievance to him to be done by our Sovereign Lord the King, his Justices, Officers, or any of his Ministers for any such Manslaughter or Taking. And that every man that kills or takes any such Thiefs, shall have one penny of every plough, & one Farthing of every Cottage within the Barony where the Manslaughter is done for every Thief. And that the Town where the said Manslaughter is done, and other Four Towns next to the said Town, which were before charged with the Escapes for such Manslaughter, shall be quit and discharged of the said Escapes and every of them, without any Impeachment in any Court, or payment to any Officer. And that the Sheriff of the County shall have sufficient power to make levy of the Money aforesaid in the said Form, within one Month after the said Manslaughter, and shall deliver it to him that made the said Homicide. And if the Sheriff be negligent in levying the said Money in the Form aforesaid, that he shall pay the sum of Money to the party that hath cause to have it. Now we the Lord Lieutenant and Council considering that if the said Statute had been put in due execution, many spoils, thiefs, and Robberies lately committed in this Kingdom had been prevented, and most of the notorious Thiefs and Robbers who have been active therein had been ere this apprehended, and brought unto due execution. Wherefore and for the preventing of all mischiefs of the like kind for the time to come, And to the intent that the Prosecutors of such evil Malefactors may receive their just reward. We the Lord Lieutenant and Council have thought fit, and do hereby accordingly will and require, and in his Majesty's Name strictly charge and command all, and every his Majesty's Liege people, and good Subjects in this Kingdom, That they and every of them in their several Counties, Baronies, Villages, Hamlets, and places of dwelling or abode in this Kingdom, be aiding and assisting to each other in the taking, apprehending, and killing of all such notorious Thiefs, Robbers, and Spoilers of their Country, as shall be found robbing and spoiling or breaking Houses by Night or by day, against the force and effect of the said Statute. And we do also command and require, That the Sheriffs of the several and respective Counties of this Kingdom, do according to the power given unto them by the said Act, Take care to make Levies of the moneys intended by the said Act to be raised for the reward, and encouragement of such as shall take or kill any such notorious Malefactors; And that upon the taking or killing of any such notorious Thief, and Thiefs, or Robbers, they do within one month after send unto Us the Lord Lieutenant and Council an Account thereof, and of their proceedings therein, as occasion shall require, whereof they may not fail at their utmost perils.  
Given at the Council-Chamber in Dublin the 7th day of July. 1675. 

Mich: Dublin Canc.  
Thomond. Tyrone.  
Art: Forbese.  
Ro: Booth.  
Will: Stewart.  
O: St. George.  
H: Ingoldesby.  
Hans Hamilton.  
Theo: Jones.  
VVm Flower.  
Char: Meredith.   GOD save the KING.   

DUBLIN, Printed by Benjamin took, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty; And are to besold by Joseph Wild Book seller in Castle-street. 1675.