royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  
❧ By the King.  
❧ A Proclamation for restraining the use of Wine-Casks, by Brewers, and sellers of beer and Ale.  
WHereas by the laws and Statutes of this Our realm of England, special provision hath been made for the restraint of the use of any other Vessels in venting and putting to sale any beer or Ale to be spent and occupied within this realm, in any other Barrels, Kilderkins, Firkins, or other Vessels then such as should be made and marked by a common Artificer of Cowpers, and which should contain the several quantities and contents by the said laws and Statutes limited: And whereas it is now found that the good intent of the said laws and Statutes is daily cluded by the Brewers of Beer and Ale, In-holders, Alehouse-keepers, Cooks, Vittuallers, Chandlers, and other such like persons, who starting, emptying, tunning, or shifting their Beer and Ale into Wine-Casks, as tons, Butts, Pipes, Hogsheads, Tierces, and other Wine-vessels prohibited by the said laws and Statutes; and from or in those Vessels do retail or sell the same, whereby as well Our own household, and Our dearest Consort the Queens, as the houses of Our Nobility, and other Our Subjects of quality are often unfurnished of sound and serviceable Wine-Casks for their necessary use; And our Navy and other Shipping of Our Realms are deprived and destituted of so needful and principal furniture and provision for victualling at Sea, whereof the Officers of Our navy do often complain, and the mystery of Cowpers within this Realm( being ancient, and of good use) is impoverished and decayed.  
Wee intending reformation in the premises, and that the general and free use of the said Wine-Casks by Brewers, In-holders, Alehouse-keepers, Cooks, Chandlers, and victuallers, may be in some measure restrained, whereby as well Our own household, and Our dearest Consorts, as the houses of Our Nobility, and other Our Subjects of quality may be therewith better served, and the Navy and Shipping of Our Realm sufficiently furnished with a Provision so needful, Do therefore hereby signify and declare our royal pleasure and Commandment to be, and do also straitly charge and command, All and every Brewers, In-holders, Cooks, Chandlers, Alehouse-keepers, Victuallers, and other sellers of Beer or Ale, That they or any of them from and after the first day of March next coming, shall not have, use, or employ in their Houses, Vaults, Cellars, or other rooms, any Wine-Casks, as tons, Butts, Pipes, Hogsheads, Tierces, or any other Wine-Vessels whatsoever, contrary to the intent of the said laws and Statutes, for the keeping of any Beer or Ale, by them to be sold or put to sale in gross or by retail, within Our Realm of England or Dominion of Wales. And that no Brewer, Inn-holder, Alehouse-keeper, Cook, Chandler, victualler, or other sellers of Beer or Ale in gross or by retail, nor their Agents or Servants shall from henceforth start, empty, tun or shift any Beer or Ale into any the said Wine-Casks, contrary to the meaning hereof, upon pain of Our high displeasure, and such penalties as by the laws or Statutes of Our Realm or otherwise may be inflicted on the offenders for their contempt of Our royal Commandment.  
And whereas for the better execution of this Our royal Command, Wee are minded to appoint and authorize meet persons from time to time, to make and take diligent view and search, as well of all such Wine-Casks, as now are, or hereafter shall be used and employed by any Beer-Brewers, Ale-brewers, Inn-holders, Cooks, Chandlers, Alehouse-keepers, Victuallers, and other fellers of Beer or Ale in gross or by retail within this Our Realm of England, or Dominion of Wales; As also of the names of the persons so having and using the same, to the end that from and after the said first day of march next coming, they may be thereof wholly restrained, according to Our pleasure herein declared; Wee will and require all Beer-brewers, Ale-brewers, Inn-holders, Cooks, Chandlers, Alehouse-keepers, and other Vittuallers, to yield all due and ready obedience thereunto, upon pam of Our high displeasure, and to be proceeded against as contemners of Our royal Commandment.  
And further Our will and pleasure is, and Wee do hereby straitly charge and command, all Iustices of Peace, Maiors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and all other Our Officers and Ministers whatsoever, from time to time in their several Offices and places to be aiding and assisting to the said persons, so by us to be appointed and authorised for the said view and search, as much as in them is, that Our royal will and Commandment herein declared, may be duly observed, as they tender Our pleasure, and will answer the contrary.  
nevertheless, Our meaning is not hereby to inhibit or restrain any Brewers from sending, selling, or venting their Beer or Ale in Wine-Casks, unto any of our Nobility, or other Our Subjects of quality, to be expended onely for the use of them and their families, any thing heretofore to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.  
Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the nineteenth day of November, in the thirteenth year of Our Reign.  
❧ God save the King.   

¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: And by the assigns of John Bill. 1637.