royal blazon or coat of arms  
❧ By the King.  
WHereas the custody and safe keeping of our several Counties and Shires of our Realm of England, are by our ancient Commonlawes committed to several sheriffs, being ancient conservators of the Peace, and Ministers of justice within the same, who by force of their Offices may assemble, and take the power and strength of our said Counties and Shires committed to their charge, not only for the due execution of justice, but also for the preservation of our Peace, and the speedy and timely dissolution and suppressing of all Insurrections, Rebellions, outrageous Riots, Routs, and other exorbitant and unlawful assemblies, to the end that such dangerous attempts might be suppressed in their beginnings, and our loving Subjects live and exercise their several vocations in all peace and plenty; The good effect of the execution of which Laws hath well appeared, in that the most detestable and diabolical Rebellion of Percy and his Complices in our Counties of Warwick, Worcester, and Stafford, (that had been so secretly contrived, and so long in hatching) was by the peaceable Ministers of our Laws, and by due execution of their Offices, without any extraordinary power or forces, most loyally, resolutely, and speedily suppressed: And whereas some question or scruple hath been (as we are informed) moved amongst some of the vulgar, Whether any of our Sheriffs may, with the Power of their several Counties or Shires, in pursuit of Rebels and Traitors, follow them into any other County, Albeit by the Laws of this Realm, Sheriffs, as it falleth out in daily experience, in private cases between party and party (matters of no such eminent and public danger and consequence as this is) justly and lawfully do the like, whereof We presume few or none can be ignorant: Yet We meaning to give satisfaction to all, do hereby publish and declare, That such pursuit of Rebels and Traitors into other Counties, is not only in such cases lawful and justifiable, But, that if any of our Subjects being thereunto required by any of our Sheriffs, shall not follow and assist them in such pursuit, that they are to be severely and sharply punished for their high contempt and offence in that behalf.  
But if in such pursuit the Sheriff of the same County or Shire (whereunto such Rebels or Traitors shall fly or escape) shall also come with the power of his County before such Rebels or Traitors be apprehended or suppressed, Then the Sheriff so pursuing from any other County or Shire shall assist and join with the Sheriff in his proper County or Shire, for the apprehension or suppressing of such Rebels and Traitors. And it such Rebels or Traitors shall fly or escape into any house or other place of strength and defence, and shall not yield themselves being thereunto required by the Sheriff or any of his company that so shall pursue them, but obstinately and wilfully make resistance, That then it shall be lawful for every such Sheriff so pursuing with such power and strength, as he shall collect, or shall assist him, to beat down, burn, or otherwise waste any such house or place of defence for the better apprehension or suppressing of such Rebels and Traitors. And albeit we desire that such industry and care may be taken, as that such offenders may be apprehended alive, Yet we let it be known, that if otherwise through their rebellious obstinacy and resistance, such Rebellion cannot be suppressed; That it shall be lawful and justifiable in those cases of necessity, for the Sheriff and his Company assisting him, to kill and destroy such Traitors and Rebels. And as the faithful endeavours of our loving Subjects with such alacrity as they have showed in this late Rebellion, is very acceptable unto us; So if in any such case any person or persons shall under pretence of our public service, maliciously and unjustly seek to revenge any private quarrel, We let them know that they shall not escape without severe and condign punishments according to their demerits in that behalf.  
Given at our Palace of Westminster, the nineteenth day of November, in the third year of our Reign of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 
 God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty.  
ANNO DOM. 1605.