❧ By the King.  Royal blazon or coat of arms.  
❧ A Proclamation for relief of the poor, and remedying the high prices of corn.  
THE Kings most Excellent majesty, having taken knowledge of the present scarcity and dearth, and of the high prices of corn and grain throughout all parts of this kingdom, hath been pleased by his Proclamation lately published, to restrain the residence of the Lords spiritual and temporal, and of the Knights, and Gentlemen of quality, in, and near the Cities of London and Westminster, and other Cities and towns, and to return them unto their own houses& habitations in their several Countries, that all partes of the kingdom might find the fruits, and feel the comfort of their hospitality and good government: wherein, as His majesty is well pleased with the dutiful obedience of great numbers, that according to His royal command, haue left the Cities of London and Westminster, and the parts adjacent; So His Highnesse hath great cause to condemn the obstinacy of all such, as in a time of such general conformity, and against so many good examples, shall show themselves refractory to that His royal pleasure, grounded vpon important reasons of Iustice and State. And therefore His majesty doth eftsoons admonish them speedily to submit themselves to that His royal Proclamation, or else to expect the severity of His iustice for their wilful contempt. And this His majesty declares to be extended, as well unto such as haue repaired, or shall repair from their ordinary dwellings in the country, unto other Cities and towns, as unto the Cities of London and Westminster, and as well unto widows, as men of quality and estate, and to be continued, not only during the time of christmas now instant, but in that, and in all other times and seasons of this and other yeeres, until His majesty declare His pleasure otherwise, His majesty intending to continue this course hereafter, for the general good of His people: Yet allowing that Liberty which always hath been in terms, and otherwise, to repair to London about their necessary occasions, but not to remove their wives and families from their ordinary habitations in the country: An innovation and abuse lately crept in, and grown frequent.  
And although His majesty is persuaded that by this way of reviving the laudable and ancient housekeeping of this realm, the poor, and such as are most pinched in times of scarcity and want, will be much relieved and comforted; yet that nothing may be omitted that may tend to their succour and help, His Highnesse in His gracious and Princely care and providence, hath caused certain politic& good orders, heretofore made vpon like occasion, to be revived& published, entitled, Orders appointed by His majesty, &c. By which the Iustices of Peace in all partes of the realm are directed to stay all engrossers, Forestallers and regrators of corn, and to direct all owners and Farmers, having corn to spare, to furnish the markets rateably and weekly, with such quantities as reasonably they may and ought to do: and some one or more of them to be present in the Market, according to the Orders, and to see diuers other Articles observed and performed, tending to the prevention and remedy of this inconvenience. nevertheless, because His majesty doth well know, that the life of these his gracious, godly, and politic constitutions dependeth vpon the careful and diligent execution of the same; His Highnesse doth therefore by this His Proclamation straightly charge and command, all Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, Maiors, bailiffs, and other His Officers and Subiects whatsoever, That they take knowledge of the said Orders, and observe, and cause the same to bee observed, as shall appertain unto them; And that they use all possible endeavours, by execution of the aforesaid Orders, and of the good and wholesome laws in that behalf, and by all other good means, that the Markets may be supplied with plenty of corn, and at reasonable prizes, and the poor set on work and relieved, His majesty declaring, that( amongst other services which he expecteth from those persons of quality, who either before were, or vpon this, and his late Proclamation shall reside in the Country) this before remembered is one of especial importance: And withall, his majesty having thus carefully provided for relief of his poor sort of Subiectes, doth declare and strictly charge and command, that if any under pretence of poverty and want, shall leave their ordinary labour, or assemble together in unfit maner, or otherwise insolently behave themselves, that they be corrected and punished according to their demerits.  
given at Our Court at Whitehall, the two and twentieth day of December, in the twentieth year of Our reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the six and fiftieth.  
God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent majesty. M.DC.XXII.