HONI ❀ SOIT ❀ QVI ❀ MAL ❀ Y ❀ PENSE DIEV · ET · MON · DROIT  royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the English lion on one side and the Scottish unicorn on the other  
❧ At the Star-chamber the twentieth of june, 1634.  
Present: 

Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.  
Lord Keeper.  
Lord Archbishop of York.  
Lord Privy Seal.  
Lord high Chamberlain.  
Lord Chamberlain.  
Earl of Bridgewater.  
Lord Cottington.  
Lord Newburgh.  
Master Treasurer.  
Master comptroller.  
Master Secretary Coke.  
Master Secretary Windebank.    
THis day the Board did take into consideration the complaints made from several parts of the Kingdom, concerning the stop and refusal of Farthing Tokens, proceeding aswell from the abuse in counterfeiting the same, as in causing the same to pass, aswell in payments, as for commodities and for wages to Workmen and Labourers, in greater quantities than was intended.  
And whereas upon a Decree lately made in the High Court of Star-chamber, the five and twentieth day of April last, wherein Sir Francis Crane Knight, was Plaintiff against William Hawks and others for making and venting of counterfeit Farthing Tokens: Their Lordships did call to mind, that there was consideration likewise had, and provision made by the said Decree against the abuse in forcing the same upon men for Wages and in other payments, and directing the right use to be made of them for the good and benefit of the Subject, according to His Majesty's Royal Intention, and the Proclamations published in that behalf.  
It was therefore by the Board thought fit and ordered, that so much of the said Decree as concerned the regulating of the business de futuro, should be set down in this order, and together with the same be forthwith printed and published, which part of the said Decree doth accordingly follow in these words, viz.  
THe Court being informed, that by the abuse of some particular persons, whose only aim is, to make a private gain and profit to themselves, His Majesty's people are much abused in many parts of this Kingdom; and poor Labourers, whose necessities are such as enforceth them to take their Hire in any Money, are compelled many times to take their whole week's wages in Farthings, from such as buy great quantities at low rates, and make a commodity thereby: Which abuse, as it is already become a great burden and grievance to His Majesty's people in many parts of this Realm, so it is to be feared, it will hereafter turn to the great disadvantage of His Majesty's Patentees, if it be not remedied by a timely reformation. Their Lordship's being therefore willing to prevent and meet with such growing evils, and desirous to remove the Inconveniences of forcing His Majesty's Subjects to take such great quantities of Farthings in payments: Which Farthing Tokens rightly used, are of themselves very useful and necessary, and were made chief for the relief of the poor, and to be vented and used only for exchange in small sums, but not to be put upon any in great payments; Have thought fit and ordered, and it is by this their Lordship's Sentence declared, that it is utterly unlawful, and expressly contrary to the true meaning of His Majesty's Letters Patents and Proclamation, that any such Farthing Tokens should be enforced upon any poor Labourers, or Workmen, or other persons in any payments either of great or lesser sums.  
And they declare further, That they think it fit that no person should pay above two pence in Farthings to any other person at any time. And this Court doth also declare it to be unlawful for any man to buy or barter for any Farthings, at or for any lesser rate than they are usually vented by His Majesty's Patentees, to whom the sole making thereof is granted, and upon whom the rechange thereof lieth at the same rate; And if any person shall be found herein to offend in either of these kinds, This Court is resolved severely to punish the Offenders. And the Court doth withal hold fit, and desire that His Majesty should be moved to declare and command the same, by his Highness' Proclamation to be published through this Kingdom, that so the true use of these Farthing Tokens intended for the good of the poor may be continued, and the abuses aforesaid may either be prevented or punished.  
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.XXXIIII.