BY THE KING.  
¶ A Proclamation for taking of Prizes at Sea in the Time of this Rebellion.  
WHEREAS in the time of this Rebellion divers of Our own Subjects do Trade with their Goods and Merchandizes by Sea in ships or vessels of their own or belonging to others, to and from Our Port of London, and to and from divers other Our Cities, towns and Ports, which are not in Our Possession, or in obedience to Us, but are possessed by the rebels in arms against Us, and under their power, And great store of Ammunition, victuals, and other necessary provisions for war, is and hath been carried or conveyed, in Ships and vessels belonging to strangers and foreigners to divers of Our Cities, towns or Ports, which are in Rebellion against Us, or under the power of the rebels, or abetting or assisting to this Rebellion, whereby the rebels have been much strengthened, and We and Our good Subjects much prejudiced: And whereas in these times of Distraction within Our kingdom of England, divers of Our Subjects of Scotland have traitorously and perfidiously risen up in Rebellion, and taken up arms against Us, and have in a hostile manner invaded Our kingdom of England, and divers ships as well Scottish as others are employed in carrying or conveying unto them, arms, Ammunition, victuals, and other provisions for their aid and assistance. We do thereupon by this Our Proclamation, ordain, Declare, and Publish, That it shall and may be lawful to and for Our vice-admirals and their Deputies, and for the captains of any of Our Castles, and Forts, and for the Officers of any of Our Ports and Harbours, and for all or any of the captains, Commanders, and others of or in any other ships or vessels set forth by any of Our Subjects at their and their Partners own Charges, by virtue of Our Commission or Commissions, to take, seize, or surprise, and in case of resistance by force to compel and subdue all ships, and vessels, belonging to any of Our Subjects whatsoever, either of England, or Scotland, with their Tackle, Furniture, Goods, and Lading, which shall Trade, or traffic to or from any of Our Cities, towns, Ports, or places, within either of Our kingdoms of England, or Scotland, which are not in Our Possession or under Our obedience: And likewise the ships, and vessels, of or belonging to any Person or Persons whatsoever, with the Furniture, Goods and Lading, of the same which shall carry or convey any arms, Ammunition, victuals or other necessaries, or provisions for war, other than such as shall be for their own ordinary and reasonable use and service to any such of Our Cities, towns, Ports, or places, which are not in Our Possession and obedience, or to or for the aid, relief, or assistance, of any other of Our Subjects, either of England, or Scotland, in arms or Rebellion against Us. And Our Will and Pleasure is, That the Ships, vessels, Furniture, Goods and Lading, which shall be so taken, seized, surprised, or subdued, by Our said vice-admirals, captains of Our Castles and Forts, or by any Officer of Our Ports, or Harbours, or by any captains, Commanders, or others of or in any of Our own ships, or vessels, which are in Our Possession, or set forth by Our Warrant or Order, or of, or in any other ships or vessels which are in Our Service, and set forth at Our Charges; shall (after Adjudication) be accounted for, and disposed of for Our use and service, as We shall direct and appoint; Out of the Goods and Lading of which ships so taken, We shall allow-or-cause to be allowed, such share & proportion, for the reward of the captains, Commanders, Officers, and Mariners, which shall be employed in the service, as shall be just and honourable. And that the ships, vessels, Furniture, Goods and Lading, which shall be taken, seized, surprised, or subdued as aforesaid, by any captains, Commanders, or others, of or in any ships or vessels set forth by any of Our Subjects, at their and their Partners own Charges, by virtue of Our Commission, or Commissions, shall and may after Adjudication be made lawful prize to and for the proper use and benefit of those by whom the same shall be taken, surprised, or subdued, and of their Partners to be shared and divided among them according to such Rates, and proportions, as are, or shall be agreed between them, saving the Tenths, customs, and other duties to Us usually answered in like cases, and as are reserved, or agreed, to be paid and answered by, or according to the tenor of Our Commission or Letters of Marque, in that behalf granted.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford, the ninth day of May, in the Twentieth year of Our reign.  
GOD SAVE THE KING.