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A PROCLAMATION, Regulating the prices of Ale and Drinking-beer.  
CHARLES, by the Grace of GOD, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To _____ Macers or Messengers at arms, our Sheriffs in that part, conjunctly and severally, specially constitute, Greeting: Forasmuch as the Lords of Our Privy Council, in consideration of the exorbitant prices taken by Brewers, and Ventiners, for Ale and drinking Beer, at their pleasure, without observing any just proportion betwixt the same and the price of the bowl of Beer; Did, by their Act and Proclamation, dated the Eighteenth of January, One thousand six hundred and sixty six, Ordain, when the price of the bowl of best rough Beer of Linlithgow measure is six pounds' scots, that the pint of best Ale, and best drinking Beer shall be sold at twelve pennies scots: That when the price of the best rough Beer shall be eight pounds' scots the bowl, the pint of best Ale, and best drinking Beer be sold at twenty pennies scots; And when the price of the best rough Beer is at ten pounds' scots the bowl, the pint of best Ale, and best drinking Beer is to be sold at two shillings scots: With the addition of two pennies scots on the pint, to each of these prices for the ordinar excise of all Towns, and Landwart parochs, and of other two pennies on the pint of Ale, and drinking-Beer, brewed, sold, brought into, and made use of within the Burgh of Edinburgh, during the time contained in the Imposition granted by Us, in behalf of the said Burgh: By which Proclamation, it is declared, that the price of Barley Beer is not thereby 〈…〉 price of Rough-Beer, but to be rated above the price of the Rough-Beer, according to the true intrinsic value thereof, which nevertheless is not to alter the price of the pint of Ale, and drinking Beer above-exprest: And in case the price of the Rough-Beer shall fall below six pounds, or rise 〈◊〉 ten pounds' scots, that then the price of the Ale, and drinking-Beer shall rise, and fall accordingly: And for the better execution thereof, did appoint the Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, or other Magistrates, or any Heritor within the several Shires, to inquire after, and delate the transgressors within burgh's to the Magistrates, and these within burgh's to inquire after, and delate the transgressors within the Shire; and ordaining Sheriffs, and Magistrates to appoint Tasters, and Cunsters' without and within burgh's, to see that the Ale and drinking Beer be sufficient, according to the said's prices: And discharging the selling of any Ale, or drinking Beer at any dearer rates than these aforesaid, upon whatsoever colour or pretext, under the particular penalties, and certifications contained in the said Proclamation. And We, 〈…〉 Estates of Parliament, considering the great necessity there was, of restraining the Brewers and Ventiners, from exacting of exorbitant prices for Ale, and drinking-Beer, and to regulate the same thereafter: Did by the fifteenth Act of the first Session, of Our second Parliament, Authorise the Lords of Our Privy Council, to regulate and set down the prices thereof, as they should find just and reasonable, and to emit such Acts, Orders, and Directions, in relation to the prices of Ale, and drinking-Beer, and to inflict such Censures, Pains and Penalties upon the contraveeners thereof, as they should think fit: And incase (after settling the said's prices by Our Council) any Brewers should cease, and give over their Brewing, or Venting of Ale and Beer; it is declared, they shall not be allowed to brew, or vent any Ale or drinking-Beer for the space of one year thereafter: And be further liable to such Pains and Penalties, as Our Council shall think fit to inflict. Notwithstanding of which Acts, the Brewers and Ventiners, without any respect or regard thereto, do take upon them to exact and impose upon Our lieges, prices for Ale and drinking-Beer, far above the just proportion betwixt the same, and the price of the bowl of Beer; Whereby Our Subjects, and especially Tradesmen, Labourers, and other mean persons, who cannot brew their own drink, and cannot subsist without the same, are heavily prejudged, and oppressed: Wherefore, We, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, do hereby revive and renew Our said former Proclamation, regulating the prices of Ale, and drinking-Beer, and ordains the same to take effect, and to be put to further execution in all points; And do hereby rescind, and repeal any posterior Act, especially an Act dated the twenty two of February, 1666. allowing the Brewers to brew double Ale at double prices above these mentioned in the said Proclamation, and declares the same to be expired, and void in time coming. And further, We do hereby ordain, that if any of the Brewers, their Servants, or others to to their behoove, shall happen to buy rough-Beer at six pounds the bowl, or at any other price under eight pounds the bowl: And in the same year, if they shall happen to buy Beer at eight pounds, or at any other price below ten pounds the bowl, the Brewers shall be obliged to make their Ale, and drinking-Beer of also great strength at twelve pennies scots, for the Beer bought by them at any price below eight pounds the bowl: As they or any other shall be obliged to brew the same at twenty pennies for such Beer as they shall happen to buy at eight pounds, or any price below ten pounds the bowl, with the addition as aforesaid, for the excise: And in case, that one and the same Brewer shall happen to buy Beer of one and the same Crop, some at six pounds, or any other price below eight pounds, and some at eight pounds, or any other price below ten pounds: It is hereby declared, that every Brewer shall be obliged to give his Oath upon what quantities of Beer he shall brew, of distinct prices, or what he mixes together in one and the same browst, and shall be obliged to sell the whole brewst of the Ale and drinking-Beer at the price of the Beer, at the lowest Rate that is mixed. And incase the price of the bowl of the best rough-Beer shall happen hereafter to fall under six pounds, or rise above ten pounds' scots, in these cases, the price of the Ale and drinking-Beer is to be regulate as aforesaid, and the Brewers are to give their Oaths accordingly: And it is hereby declared, incase any Brewer shall, after Regulation of the prices, as is above set down, desert brewing; They shall be liable for the Excise according to their former brewing, for the space of six months thereafter: And shall be proceeded against, and punished conform to the said Act of Parliament: And for the more ready and exact execution hereof, all Brewers within the Town, and Shire of Edinburgh, and the Shires of Hadingto●n, and Linlithgow, whose surveyed Rolls are above two bolls brewing ilk week: Are hereby ordered and commanded, betwixt and the first of January next, to set sufficient Caution acted in the Books of Our Privy Council, for payment of Our Annuity and Excise, and for observing and obeying Our foresaid Proclamation, regulating the prices of Ale, and drinking-Beer, under the pains contained in the said Act of Parliament; and discharges them of any further brewing after the said day, except they find the said Caution, and have a licence granted to them, from Our Council for brewing thereafter: And declares them further liable to the certification contained in the said Act of Parliament, incase of failyie: And ordains the hail Brewers within the several Burghs-Royal to set Caution to the effect foresaid, in presence of one of Our Privy Council, to be appointed for that effect, betwixt and the said day, and to desist from brewing except they set the said Caution, and obtain licence for brewing thereafter: As also, that such of the Brewers of all sorts in the several Shires of the Kingdom; find the like Caution, in presence of the Commissioners of Excise of the respective Shires, or any three of them; as the said's Commissioners shall think fit to order and appoint, betwixt and the first day of February next, who are hereby discharged to brew any thereafter, until they find the said Caution, and obtain a licence for brewing, from the said's Commissioners, which licences so to be purchased, are to be given to the persons concerned gratis: And incase any Brewers shall buy Malt, from any Malt. man, they shall be obliged to sell their Ale, and drinking-Beer made of the said malt, at the prices foresaids, respectiuè, with consideration, and difference betwixt the price of the bowl of Malt and Beer, conform to the Acts of Parliament: And, whereas the making Malt of Oats, and Pease, does hinder the consumption of the Beer, and lessens the quantities of Oats and Pease, to the prejudice of Tradesmen, Labourers, and the poorer sort of the people: All Maltmen and Brewers, are hereby discharged to make use of the same for Malt in time coming; as they will be answerable: And being informed of several late exactions, and abuses committed by Tapsters, We are resolved to take particular notice thereof, and to make an equality and proportion betwixt the Brewer and Tapster. And to the effect Our resolutions in the premises may receive timous, and due execution, The Lords of Our Privy Council have determined to appoint a Committee of their own number, to meet, and sit, both in time of Session, and Vacancy: Ordaining hereby this Our Proclamation, to begin and take effect, as to all places, on this side of the River of Tay, from, and after the first day of January next, and all places beyond the same to the North-water, betwixt and the fifteenth of January, and all places beyond the said water, and other places of the Kingdom, from and after the first day of February next. OUR WILL IS HEREFORE, And We charge you straight, and commands, that incontinent these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat-Crosse of Edinburgh, and remanent head-Burghs of the Shires of this Kingdom; and thereat, in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation make publication of the premises, that all Our lieges and others concerned, may have notice thereof, according to Justice, as ye will answer to us hereupon. The which to do, We commit to you conjunctly and severally, Our full power by these Our Letters, delivering them be you duly execute, and indorsat again to the bearer.  
Given under Our Signet, at Edinburgh, the seventh day of December, and of Our Reign, the twenty eight year, 1676. Al. Gibson, Cl. S ti Concilii. God save the King.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Sacred Majesty. Anno Dom. 1676.