C R  DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
¶ A Proclamation for the well manning and arming of the Ships, of, or belonging to this Realm, upon their setting forth to Sea.  
HIs Majesty, in His Princely Wisdom, well weighing what a great encouragement it is, both to his enemies, & the enemies of this State, and unto Pirates and Robbers the common Enemies of all Nations, and what an apparent danger it will be to His own Subjects, if they shall adventure to set to Sea in these perilous times, being weakly manned, and ill furnished with Arms, to resist and repel such as shall assail them; in His providence and care for the common safety of His people; Doth hereby straight charge and command, That none of His Highness' Subjects, do at any time hereafter, presume to put to Sea any Ship or Pinnace, of the burden of Threescore Tons or upwards, out of any Port of Creek, of or belonging to this Realm of England, unless they furnish the same with serviceable Muskets and Bandeliers, sufficient for the arming at once, of half the number of all the Persons or Company, of, and in those Ships: And that they be also provided aboard every such Ship, of a sufficient quantity of Match, and Powder, and Bullets for those Shott, according to the length of their Voyage intended to be made by them. And His Majesty doth further straight charge and command, That all such as shall have the command, of, and in every such Ship or Pinnace, do cause their Company whilst they are aboard, to exercise themselves with the said Muskets, upon such days, and at such times, as shall be fit and seasonable for the same; that so by practice they may learn the perfect use of their Arms. And this to be duly and carefully observed, upon pain of His Majesty's high displeasure, and such other penalties and punishments as can or may be inflicted upon such as shall presume to contemn His Majesty's Royal Command, intended for the safety of His people.  
Given at His Majesty's Honour of Hampton Court, this 24. of December, 1625. 
 God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton, and john Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. M.DC.XXV.