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C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
❧ By the KING.  
¶ A Proclamation for quickening the laws made for the relief of the poor, and the suppressing, punishing, and settling of the sturdy Rogues and Vagabonds.  
WHereas many excellent laws and Statutes with great iudgement and providence haue been made in the times of Our late dear and royal Father, and of the late queen Elizabeth, for the relief of the impotent, and indigent poor, and for the punishing, suppressing, and settling of the sturdy Rogues, and Vagabonds, which laws and Statutes, if they were duly observed would be of exceeding great use for the peace& plenty of this realm, but the neglect thereof is the occasion of much disorder, and many insufferable abuses. And whereas it is fit at all times, to put in execution those laws which are of so necessary, and so continual use: yet the apparent and visible danger of the Pestilence,( unless the same by Gods gracious mercy, and Our provident endeavours be prevented) doth much more require the same at this present.  
We haue therefore thought it fit, by the advice of Our privy council, by this Our public Proclamation, straightly to charge and command, that all our loving Subiects in their several places, do use all possible care and diligence as a principal means to prevent the spreading, and dispersing of that contagious sickness, to observe and put in due execution, all the said laws made and provided against Rogues and Vagabonds, and for the relief of the truly poor and impotent people. And in the first place, Wee strictly charge and command, that in Our Cities of London, and Westminster, and Suburbs thereof, and places adjacent thereunto, and generally throughout the whole kingdom, that there bee careful Watch, and Ward, kept for the apprehending and punishing of al Rogues and Vagabonds, who either in the streets or high ways, under the names of Souldiers, or Mariners, Glasse-men, Pot-men, Pedlars, or Petty-Chapmen, or of poor or impotent people, shall bee found either wandring, or begging.  
And Wee do further strictly charge and command, that all Constables, Head-boroughs, and other Officers, do use all diligence, to punish, and pass away according to the Law, all such Wanderers, or Beggars, as shall be apprehended, either in the Cities, or places aforesaid, or in any other Cities, Towns, Parishes, or places within this realm, and take great care that none pass under the colour of counterfeit Passes. And that all Irish Rogues, and Vagabonds be forthwith apprehended, wheresoever they shall bee found and punished, and sent home according to a former Proclamation, heretofore published in that behalf. That all Householders of whose persons, or at whose houses, any such Vagrants shall bee taken begging, do apprehended, or cause them to be apprehended, and carried to the next Constable, or other Officer to bee punished, according to the laws. And that they forbear to relieve them, thereby to give them encouragement to continue in their wicked course of life.  
That the Iustices of Peace in their several places throughout this kingdom be careful either by provost Marshals, or by the high Constables, or otherwise by their good discretions effectually to provide, that all Rogues and Vagabonds of all sorts bee preached for, apprehended punished and suppressed according to the Law. And that once every month at the least, a convenient number of the Iustices of Peace in every several county and division, shall meet together in some convenient place in that division, and take account of the High Constables, petty Constables, and other Officers within that division, how they haue observed the laws and Our commandement touching the premises.  
And that they severely punish all such as shall bee found remiss or negligent in that behalf. And We do hereby strictly charge and command as well all and singular Iustices of Peace, Constables, Headboroughs, and other Our Officers and Ministers, as also all Our loving Subiects of what estate or degree soever to use all diligence, that all and every houses or places which are or shall bee visited or infected with the sickness, bee carefully shut up, and Watch and Ward kept over them that no person or persons within those places do go abroad, or depart from thence, during the time of such Visitation. And We do hereby command all and singular our Iudges of Assize in their several Circuits to give special charge, and make special inquiry of the defaults of all and every the Iustices of Peace who shall not observe their meetings in the several Counties and divisions aforesaid, or shall not punish such Constables or other Officers as being informed either by their own view and knowledge, or otherwise are or shal be found remiss or negligent in the premises, or in leauying such penalties& forfeitures as the laws and Statutes of this realm require against the parties offending herein. And thereof to inform us or Our privy council, to the end that such due course may be taken either by removing out of the Commission such negligent Iustices of the Peace, or otherwise by inflicting such punishment vpon them as shal be due to such as neglect their own duties, and Our royal command published vpon so important an occasion.  
And We do hereby will require and command all and every Our Iudges of Assize, Maiors, Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, Constables, Headboroughs and other Our Officers, Ministers and Subiects whom it may concern, that they carefully and effectually observe and perform all and every the premises, as they will answer the neglect thereof at their uttermost perils.  
And whereas Wee haue lately commanded a book to be printed and published containing certain Statutes made and enacted heretofore for the relief of the poor, and of Souldiers and Mariners, and for punishment of Rogues and Vagabonds, and for the relief and ordering of persons infected with the Plague, and also containing certain Orders heretofore, and now lately conceived and made concerning health: All which are necessary to be known and observed by Our loving Subiects, that thereby they may the better avoid those dangers which otherwise may fall vpon their persons or estates by their neglect thereof. Wee haue thought it fit hereby to give notice thereof to all Our loving Subiects, to the end that none may pretend ignorance for an excuse, in matters of so great importance. And Wee do hereby declare, that whosoever shall bee found remiss or negligent in the execution of any part of the premises, shall receive such condign punishment for their offence, as by the laws of this realm, or by Our prerogative royal can or may be justly inflicted vpon them.  
given at Our Court at Whitehal the three and twentieth day of April, in the sixth year of Our reign of England, Scotland, France and Ireland.  
God save the King.