All such proclamacions, as haue been sette furthe by the Kynges Maiestie (and passed the print) from the last daie of Ianuarij, in the firste yere of his highnes reigne, vnto the last daie of Ianuarij, beeying in the .iiij. yere of his said moste prosperous reigne, that is to saie, by the space of iiij. whole yeres. Anno 1550

The xxix. daie of Aprill. A Proclamacion, for tale tellers.

FOR somuche, as some leude persones nowe of late, notwithstandyng diuerse lawes, statutes and proclamaciōs, here∣tofore made to the con∣trary, hath not ceased to spread abrode and tell vain and false tales, aswell of the kynges Maiesties awne persone, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his highnes Counsaill, as of his highnes fortresses, capitaines and souldiours, in the North parties, and beyonde the seas, and of his Maiesties other affai∣res, feinyng falsly great ouerthrowes losses and daungers, to the slaunder of the kynges highnes, empairyng of his Maiesties seruice, and discoragyng of the Kynges Subiectes: Besides that, thereby thei haue geuen to straungers occasion to write into distaunt Coun∣tries, suche tales for newes, to the great dishonor of his highnes, thesame beyng moste false and vntrue. There∣fore, his Maiestie cōpelled by the ma∣nifolde inconueniences, whiche might

ensue therof, if order, stay, and redresse were not foreseen & prouided, for suche malicious, vain and sedicious lye tel∣lers, and sowers abrode of false and li∣yng rumours, consideryng, that all o∣ther punishement heretofore appoync∣ted, wil not suffice for the redresse, and amendement hereof, by the aduise and consent of his moste entierly beloued vncle, the lorde Protector, and the rest of his highnes Counsaill, willeth and straightly commaundeth, all Iustices of Peace, all Maiors, Bailifes, She∣riefes, Constables, Hedborowes, and all other his highnes officers and mi∣nisters, whosoeuer thei be, to do their best indeuour, and put in effecte, by all possible meanes thei can, to apprehend all suche sowers and tellers abrode, of vain and forged tales and lies, of his highnes, the lorde Protector, his Ma∣iesties counsaill or affaires, and to cō∣mit theim to warde, vntill suche tyme, as thei bryng furth the aucthor, or first teller of suche vain tale or lie, or if thei can bryng furthe none, then to kepe

such teller, as thaucthor or first maker of suche lies, in straight prison, & certi∣fy therof the Lorde Protector, and the Kynges Maiesties counsaill. And his maiesties pleasure, by the aduise afor∣saied, is, that euery suche aucthour, or maker of such false tale or newes, shal∣bee cōmitted into the Galley, there to rowe in cheines, as a slaue or forsary, duryng the kynges maiesties pleasure to the example and terror of all other.

And furthermore, his highnes will and pleasure, by thaduise aforesaied is, that this present proclamaciō, be with all diligēce and seueritie, put in execu∣cion and vre, as his saied highnes offi∣cers, will aunswere to the contrary at their perill.