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CR

DIEV·ET MON·DROIT

HONI·SOIT·QVI·MAL·Y PENSE

[royal blazon or coat of arms]

A PROCLAMATION Against Fighting of DUELS.

WHereas it is become too frequent, especially with Persons of quality, under a vain pretence of Honour, to take upon them to be the Reven∣gers of their private quarrels, by Duell and single Combate, upon slight, and, which ought not to be, upon any Provocation. We consi∣dering that the Sin of Murther is detestable before God, and this way of prosecuting satisfaction, scandalous to Christian Religion, and the manifest violation of Our Lawes and Authority, having by Our Declaration Published at Brussels the Twenty Fourth Day of November, 1658. manifested to the World Our utter dislike of such im∣pious and unlawful Duells.

Now, out of Our Pious care to prevent unchristian and rash effusion of Blood, do, by this Our Proclamation strictly charge and command all Our loving Subiects of what quality soe∣ver, That neither they, by themselves, nor by others, either by Message, Word, Writing or other wayes or means, challenge or cause to be challenged any Person or Persons to Fight in Combate or single Duell; nor carry, accept or conceal any such challenge or appointment, nor actually Fight such Duell with any of Our Subiects, or others; or as a Second or otherwise, accompany or become Assistant therein.

And We do hereby Declare, That every Person or Persons who shall offend contrary to this Our express command, shall not only incurre Our highest displeasure, but thereby become in∣capable of holding or entertaining either Office or imployment in Our Service, and never af∣terwards be permitted to come into Our Court or Presence. And further, He or They to suffer such other pains and punishments, as the Law shall inflict, upon Offences of that horrid na∣ture.

And We do further Declare, That if any Person or Persons whatsoever, do receave, accept or know of any Challenge, sent or delivered as aforesaid, and do not forthwith give notice there∣of unto some of Our Privy Councel, or otherwise to the next Iustice of Peace, near whereunto the said Offence shall be committed; He or They so offending, shall be lyable to the Penalties be∣fore expressed, and proceeded against according to Law, with all rigour and severity.

And Lastly, We do hereby forbid all Intercession or Mediation unto Us to be made, for or on the behalf of the Offenders. Hereby Declaring, That We will not extend Our Pardon to any Person that shall Contemn Our Command expressed by this Proclamation.