❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation for preventing the dearth of corn and victual.  
THe Kings most Excellent majesty,( whose watchful Eye of providence, for the public good of His loving Subiects, is always kept open) hath lately taken into His Princely consideration, the general scarcity and dearth of grain and victual like to fall out, and much feared this year following in many parts of this kingdom. And having vpon advice with the Lords of his majesties privy counsel, considered of such good means as haue been heretofore used vpon the like occasion, and some others, which by a due and seasonable execution, may( by Gods blessing) prevent those extremities, which otherwise the scarcity threatened, may bring forth, doth by this His Proclamation publish and declare His royal pleasure and Commandement therein, for the good of His people, in the several Articles here ensuing.  
First, whereas His Maiesti● hath with the advice of His said privy counsel, caused a book of Orders, for preventing and remedying the dearth of grain and victual,( which was first conceived and made in the time of the late queen Elizabeth, and afterwards renewed in the time of His majesties royal Father of blessed memory) to bee again reuised and enlarged with some necessary additions, grounded vpon the Statutes made since the first publishing thereof, and hath taken care for reprinting of the same; whereby particular directions are given for suppressing the abuses and offences of engrossers, Badgers, Broggers, Carriers, and Buyers of corn, Mault-makers, Brewers, Bakers, Milners, and others Trading in corn, as also for causing the Assize of Bread and beer to bee truly kept, and the Markets duly supplied with corn, and the poor first served and provided for, with other like clauses to the good purpose aforesaid: His majesty straitly chargeth and commandeth, as well the Lord Maior, Recorder, Aldermen and Sheriffes of the city of London, and all other Officers and Ministers of the said city, as also all and singular Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, and other Officers and Ministers in the several Counties of this realm, and all Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs, Aldermen, and other Magistrates, Officers and Ministers of all other Cities and towns Corporate, that they and every of them, within their several Limits and jurisdictions respectively, do carefully and diligently put in due and speedy execution the said Orders and Directions, and every of them, according to his majesties express pleasure therein signified, as they will avoid his majesties just indignation, and such further punishments as shall or may bee inflicted vpon them, for their neglect of any the dueties of their several places, and the contempt of this his majesties royal Commandement.  
And because in the scarcity of corn, the plenty and cheapness of other Victuals, may help to give some ease and relief to the poor, and the forbearing of Flesh, as well in the time of Lent, as vpon other fish-days, may bee a good means to draw down the prices of Flesh, and will also be a good encouragement for the Trade of Fishing, when the certain Vent and Sale of Fish shall be provided for.  
And whereas His majesty vpon vome of these considerations, hath by his Highnesse Proclamation bearing date at the Court at White Hall, the eighteen day of january last past, set down certain Orders and particular Directions for restraint of killing, dressing, and eating of Flesh in Lent, and vpon other fish-days, to be duly and strictly observed, both for the time of Lent then following, and for all succeeding times, as thereby appeareth; His majesty hath just cause to be offended at the Supine remissness, and wilful contempt generally committed and suffered by the inordinate liberty taken by all sorts of people against the good and wholesome Orders contained in the said Proclamation, vpon such weighty Reasons grounded, and in such strict terms delivered and enjoined.  
And therefore being resolved to take a more strict account thereof for the time to come, both at the hands of the Officers to whom the execution thereof is committed, and of every private person that shall presume to disobey the same; especially in this time of general fear, and expectation of Dearth( if by good and politic rule and order the same be not in some good measure prevented) doth hereby straightly charge and command as well the Lord Maior of the city of London, for and within the said city and the Liberties thereof, and all and singular Maiors, chief Officers of other Cities, and towns Corporate, and also the Iustices of Peace, within the several Counties of England and Wales, that they and every of them within the several limits of their Commissions and jurisdictions respectively, do forthwith more diligently and carefully see and cause that the said Proclamation of the eighteen of january last, and all Articles and Clauses therein contained, be both in Lent next, and at all other times from henceforth duly and strictly observed and performed in every point, vpon pain of His majesties high displeasure, and such Penalties as by the laws of this realm may bee inflicted vpon the offenders, for their neglect or contempt of his majesty or his laws, vpon this second warning.  
And whereas by an ancient and laudable custom no suppers were wont to bee kept on Fridayes, or the eves of Feasts commanded to be fasted, nor vpon wednesdays, or Saturdayes in the Ember Weekes and time of Lent, but a general abstinence from Suppers on those nights: And the same course is to this day for the most part observed, not onely in his majesties most Honourable household, and in the Families of most of the nobility and great men of the kingdom; but also in the inns of Court and Chancery, and in the colleges and walls of both universities, and all other public places of good orders, and in the houses of many Knights and Esquires that are most commended for good House keeping, according to the ancient manner of England, for which this realm hath heretofore been so much honoured. Howbeit that good and laudable custom is daily more and more neglected, and that good order broken especially in taverns, inns, Ordinaries, Houses of Dicing and Playing, Cookes houses, and other Victualling houses, where commonly there is more waste and excess on the Fasting nights, then in any time of the week besides.  
His majesty therefore doth straitly charge and command, that this said ancient and laudable custom bee strictly observed in all and singular taverns, inns, Ordinaries, houses of Dicing and Play, Cookes houses, and other Victualling houses, and that no Suppers bee in them, or any of them, or by the owners of them or any of them, or their seruants had, dressed or provided for to bee eaten either in their own houses, or elsewhere, vpon any the Fasting nights aforesaid; And that in the Bonds or recognisances to bee taken of them for observation of Lent and Fish dayes, this Article bee specially remembered and provided for.  
And as His majesty doth command this course to bee observed in the places aforesaid, so he doth with the advice of His privy counsel, commend the same course to the rest of His Subiects in their private Families, in this time of scarcity, and that they would, out of that which shall bee saved by this abstinence, and by their sober and moderate diet at other times, charitably and bountifully employ some good proportion towards the relief of those that shall be in penury and want, and would be glad to be refreshed with the meanest of that food which is superfluously spent in Rich-mens houses.  
And for the same end, His majesty by like advice of His privy counsel doth will and ordain, that the usual Feasts at the walls of Companies in London, which at other times haue been, and may bee used, bee, during the time of sickness or Dearth this year forborn.  
And because the said Societies and Companies shall by this means of putting over their feasts, spare much money of that which hath been heretofore usually spent that way, His majesty doth specially recommend it unto them; that those who should haue born the Charge of those feasts, would allow, if not more, yet at the least the one half of what that Charge would haue come unto, towards the relief of the poor, which being orderly disbursed, will bee a great comfort unto them, and will bee a matter of great charity in the doers thereof, and being by them accordingly performed, His majesty will graciously accept thereof, and will find means to give them their due commendation and Right; as on the contrary, he shall haue cause to remember the hardness of their hearts which in this time of want shall show themselves so merciless, as not to distribute vpon the poor, one half of that, which they would bee content to spend on a Feast, which may well bee spared.  
And whereas his majesty is informed, that sundry Merchants, Strangers and Aliens of foreign Countreys, in amity with his majesty, haue been heretofore accustomend to bring their ships and other Vessels from their own Countreys, into some of the ports, havens, or creeks of England or Wales, Vnuictualled of purpose, that under colour of taking in a supply of Fresh-Victuals for their necessities, they might victual themselves, and their Shippe-Company from hence for other long Voyages, whereby such Strangers haue been suffered to carry away much of the corn and Victuals, wherewithal His majesties own Subiects should haue been sustained and relieved, and they by that means pinched with want, which in time of scarcity is by no means to bee suffered.  
His majesty therefore doth by this Proclamation give in express Charge and Command, as well the Lord Maior of London, for the Port of London, as to all Maiors and other Magistrates of the Out-Ports, and all creeks and harbour towns, and to all Sheriffes and Iustices of Peace of the Maritine Counties, as also to all Customers, controllers, Searchers, and other His majesties Officers of His customs, and to every of them respectively, that they in no wise suffer any such thing to bee done hereafter: Notwithstanding, If any such Aliens or Strangers shall with their Ships or other Vessels by distress of weather at Sea, or other inevitable accident be driven into any the Ports, havens, Creeks or Harboroughs aforesaid; His majesty is well pleased, that they shall haue liberty to provide and take up such quantities of Victuals, and proportion of necessaries for their Ship-Company onely, as by the Lord Maior of London for the Port of London, or by the Maior or chief Magistrate of the said Port town, haven or Creeke in the Out-Ports, where the said Ship shall be driven in, and by two of the next Iustices of Peace of the County adjoining, shall bee thought fit to bee allowed for their necessary sustenance, in their return into their own Countreys onely, and not otherwise: And these proportions so allowed by them to be set down in writing, under their hands, to be certified to the Lord Treasurer of England, within forty dayes after such allowance given.  
And in like manner, His majesty doth hereby give a special Charge as well to the Lord Maior of the city of London, and all Maiors and Magistrates of the Out-Portes, as also to all Sheriffes, and Iustices of Peace of the Maritine Counties, and all and singular His majesties Officers of His customs, for their several limits, places of attendance, and jurisdictions respectively, that the Articles specified in the said Imprinted book of Orders for restraining the Exportation of corn and victual be duly and carefully observed and put in execution.  
Lastly, His majesty doth hereby signify and declare to all and singular Maiors, Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, bailiffs, Aldermen, and other His Officers, Ministers and Subiects whom it may concern; That as His majesty hath published this His royal Proclamation, and the said Imprinted Orders for the safety, weal and plenty of His people, and for the preserving of the lives and health of the poor, against Famine, and the diseases which follow the want of wholesome food, and doubteth not but good effects will ensue thereof, if every man in his place will readily and willingly put to a helping hand, for the execution of the good Orders contained in the said book, and in this His Proclamation: So, if by neglect, or contempt hereof, those evil effects which may then bee feared, do ensue, His majesty and His Throne are innocent; And the offenders as they may well expect the just Iudgement of Almighty God, so let them bee assured, that His majesty will require a strict and severe account of them, and inflict such punishment on them, as those persons deserve, who do incur His high displeasure and indignation, and as may justly bee inflicted vpon the contemners of His royal Commandement, in a case of such necessity and importance.  
given at His majesties Court at Hampton, the eight and twentieth day of September, in the sixth year of His majesties reign of Great britain, France and Ireland.  
❧ God save the King. ❧   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: and by the assigns of John Bill. M.DC.XXX.