royal coat of arms 
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  ¶ By the King. ❧ A Proclamation inhibiting the Importation of Whale Fins into his majesties Dominions by any, but the Muscovy Company.  
WHereas We by Our Proclamation given at Wansted, the eleventh day of September in the twelfth year of Our reign of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, for the reasons therein expressed, and for the encouragement of Our well-beloved Subjects, the company of Merchants trading for Muscovia, Greeneland and the parts adjoining, commonly called the Muscovia Company, did straightly and expressly forbid and prohibit all Aliens and Strangers whatsoever, and also all Our own Subjects (others than the said Muscovia Merchants, and that in their joint stock) to bring into any Our Kingdoms, and Dominions any Whale Fins upon pain of confiscation of the same, and of Our high indignation and displeasure, and of such further punishment as should be meet to be inflicted upon the Offenders for their contempt in that behalf.  
Now forasmuch as We are given to understand, That Our said Proclamation took not that good effect, nor found that due obedience and conformity which We expected: We have therefore in further manifestation of our former intentions and gracious favour towards the said Company, thought good eftsoons to publish Our Royal pleasure herein, and to revive and quicken Our said former Proclamation, which We cannot but take in ill part, hath been so much neglected: And therefore We do by these presents straightly charge, prohibit, and forbidden, aswell all aliens and Strangers whatsoever, as also Our natural born Subjects and Denizens, That they nor any of them (other than the said Muscovia Merchants, and that in their joint stock only) shall from henceforth directly or indirectly import, or bring into Our Kingdoms and Dominions, or any of them, any Whale Fins, upon pain of forfeiture, and confiscation of the same, whether they be found on board of any Ship, Hoy, boat, or Bottom, or laid on land in any warehouse, storehouse, shop, cellar, or any other place whatsoever, and upon pain of Our high Indignation and displeasure, and such other punishment, as by Our Court of Star chamber shallbe thought meet to be inflicted upon them, or any of them, as contemners of Our Royal will and commandment in this behalf.  
And We do likewise straightly charge, prohibit and forbid, aswell all Aliens and Strangers, as Our natural born Subjects & Denizens (other than the said Muscovia Merchants) that they nor any of them do presume to buy, utter, sell, barter or contract for, any Whale fins, knowing the same to be imported into any of our Realms or Dominions contrary to Our will & pleasure herein declared, upon pain of Our high indignation and displeasure, & such further punishment as by Our said Court of Star chamber shall be thought meet to be inflicted upon such offenders, as contemners also of Our Royal commandment. And to the end this Our pleasure may take the better effect, We do hereby charge, and command all Customers, controllers, Searchers, Waiters, Farmers, and Collectors of Our Customs, and other our Officers and Ministers, carefully to attend every one in his several place, the execution hereof, and in no wise to permit or suffer any Whale fins directly or indirectly, openly or privately to be brought, or imported into any Our Kingdoms or Dominions, contrary to Our Royal pleasure herein expressed, or being so imported, that they do not permit, or suffer the same to be colourably customed for other goods and Merchandise, but that forthwith they or some of them do seize and take to Our use all such Whalefinnes as shall be so imported, and immediately upon such seizure made, to give notice thereof in writing to Our Register for forfeitures in Our Custom house in the Port of London, upon pain to undergo such punishment, as shallbe thought meet by the Lords of Our Privy Council.  
Nevertheless Our intent and meaning is, That the said Muscouie Company, and none other, shall or may buy, and sell, barter, or contract for, any such Whalefinnes, as being imported contrary to this Our Proclamation shallbe confiscate and seized, and the same, being sold by the said Company, may be afterward bought, contracted for, and used by any other Our Subjects at their will and pleasure. Any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  
Given at Our Manor of Greenwich, the eighteenth day of May, in the seventeenth year of our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the two and fiftieth.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and john Bill, Printers to the Kings most excellent Majesty. Anno. M.DC.XIX.