royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation commanding the due execution of the laws made for setting the poor on work.  
WHereas nothing is more agreeable to the true rules of charity and policy, then the relieving of the truly indigent and impotent poor, and the setting on work of those who are able to labour; And whereas diuers good laws, haue with great providence been made here tofore to that purpose, the neglect whereof is the occasion of much disorder, whereby the poorer sort grow to idleness, and consequently run into many inconveniences: His majesty therefore, in His great wisdom and princely providence, for the good and prosperity of His people, by the advice of His privy counsel, and of His Iudges, doth straitly charge and command, that all the laws heretofore made, and now standing in force, for the relief of the indigent and impotent poor, for binding out Apprentices, for providing of stocks, and for setting the poor on work, bee duly and carefully put in execution.  
And whereas by the laws of this realm, the inhabitants of each Parish, where such Parish is of sufficient ability, ought to provide for their own poor in all the cases aforesaid, and where the Parish shall not bee of ability so to do, the whole Hundred, lethe, or Wapentake, is chargeable therewith, but if that also by reason of the multitude of the poor, or want of ability of the Inhabitants be not sufficient, that then the whole County is bound to contribute thereunto, whereof the Iustices of Peace of each County, at their general or Quarter Sessions, are to take special care and there order the same accordingly: To the end that a due preparation may be made herein before the general Sessions, in those Counties especially, where, vpon any accident there hath fallen, or shall fall out, a more special occasion to provide stocks, and to set the poor on work; His majesty doth hereby straightly charge and command, that the Ministers, Churchwardens, and overseers for the poor in every Parish, do forthwith assemble together, and take these things into their serious consideration, and thereof with all speed advertise the next Iustices of Peace, according to the Law, and that the Iustices of Peace in their several divisions, do also meet at some convenient times and places to understand the true state of the poor in those parts, and thereof give true and full information to the rest of the Iustices of the peace at the next general or Quarter Sessions; And that at those Sessions they all take the same into their best and most serious considerations, and settle and order the same accordingly, as that which doth greatly tend to the glory of God, and the honour of His majesties government, and will very much conduce to the peace, quiet, and prosperity of the whole kingdom.  
And his majesty doth further charge and require His Iudges in their several circuits, to take an exact account how these things haue been, and shall be from time to time observed, and what the success thereof shall bee, from whom His majesty will expect to be truly informed at their returns out of their circuits.  
And His majesties express pleasure and royal command is, that all and every Sheriffes, Maiors, Iustices of Peace, Constables, Churchwardens, overseers of the poor, Headboroughs, Tithingmen, and all other his Officers, Ministers and loving Subiects in their several places do faithfully and diligently observe, execute, and perform all and every the premises as they tender his majesties favour, and would avoid his highnes displeasure for the neglect thereof at their uttermost perils.  
given at Our Court at Greenwich, the seventeenth day of May, in the fift year of Our reign, of Great britain, France, and Ireland.  
God save the King.   

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