Page [unnumbered]
[illustration] royal blazon or coat of armsBY THE
Lord Lieutenant
AND
COUNCIL.
ESSEX.
WHEREAS His Majesty by his Letters, under his Royal Signet, and Sign Manual, bearing Date at His Court at Whitehall, the sixth day of September 1672. hath signified unto us the Lord Lieutenant and Council, That His Majestie by Letters Patents, under His Great Seal of England, bearing Date the Eighth day of May, in the Thirteenth year of His Reign, had nominated, constituted and ordained His Trusty and well-beloved John Ogleby Esq Master of the Rebels and Masques in this Kingdom, and by his said Letters Patents im∣powered the said John Ogleby, or his lawful Deputy or Deputies, to erect and keep an Office, to be known and called by the name of The Revells Office, Impowring the said John Ogleby, or his Assigns, to tolerate and admit any other person or persons, by his or their Order under Hand and Seal, to Travel and Go, to Act and Shew all Tragedies, Comedies, Opera's and Interludes whatsoever, in all Cities, Burroughs, Towns Corporate, and other place and places whatsoever, within this His Majesties Kingdom of Ireland. Provided the said Comedies, Tragedies Opera's Interludes, or other Shews whatsoever be decent, or be∣coming, and not prophane, or obnoxious;; And that His Majesty by the said Letters Patents did strictly charge and command all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Head-Burroughs, and all other His Officers and Ministers within this Kingdom, to suppress from time to time all Playes and Interluds whatsoever, that should be presented, contrary to the meaning and intent of His Majesties said Letters Patents, and also that all Mayors &c. should be aiding, helping and assisting to the said John Ogleby, his heirs and Assigns, in the suppressing thereof, and the apprehending of all such Common Players and others, as shall presume to Act any Stage Playes or Interludes whatsoever, without Licence as aforesaid. And whereas His Majestie in and by His said Letters, hath further signified unto Ʋs, That complaint hath been made unto His Majestie by the said John Ogleby, That several persons of good behaviour, travelling with Monsters, Motions, Shews, and other Playes and Interludes in and through this Kingdom, (Notwithstanding they are Licenced in pursuance of His Majesties said Letters Patents) upon their application to the Mayors, Soveraigns, Bayliffs, Provosts, Portreeves, and other chiefe Magistrate or Magistrates of the Cities, Towns, Bur∣roughs, and other Places within this Kingdom, they the said Magistrates have, and still do persist in imprisoning the said Per∣sons during their pleasure, notwithstanding the said Persons are Licenced as aforesaid, and that afterwards the said Mayors, So∣veraigns, Bayliffs, Provosts, Portreeves, or other the Chief Magistrate or Magistrates in contempt of His Maiesties Preroga∣tive, and the Power by his Maiestie, given to the said Master of the Revels, do of themselves Tolerate, Allow, and Iustifie the same Persons with the same Monsters, Shewes, Opera's, Interludes, and Playes, and countenance and encourage Dancers on the Ropes, and others, to Act, Play, and Shew in the Cities, Towns, Burroughs and other Places in this Kingdom, without being Examined and Licenced by His Majesties said Master of the Revels, or his Assigns as aforesaid, to the prejudice of His Majesties Royal Prerogative, and Loss of the Advantages and benefits intended by His Maiestie, to the said Master of the Re∣vels. And whereas His Maiestie in and by His said Letters, have thought fit to Will and Require Ʋs, forthwith to Issue out a Proclamation to all Cityes, Towns, Burroughs, and other Places, Requiring all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs, portreeves, and other Officer or Officers whatsoever to be Aiding and Assisting unto ••he said Master of the Revels, or his Assigns, and not In∣fringe or Trespass on His Priviledges and Authority, according to His Majesties said Letters Patents. These are therefore in His Majesties Name, according to the Tenor of His Majesties Royal Will and Pleasure signified unto Ʋs, in and by His Majesties said Letters, to Command and Require all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Porteeves, Soveraigns, and other Magistrats, Officers, and Ministers whom it may concern, to take due notice of His Maiesties Royall Will and Pleasure herein made known to them, and that they be Aiding and Assisting to he said Master of the Revels, or his Assigns, and do not Infring or Trespass upon any the Piviledges or Authorities granted unto him, in and by His Majesties said Letters Patents, as they will answer the contrary at their Perils.
Given at the Council-Chamber in Dublin, the Seventh day of February 1672. And in the Five and Twentieth Year of His Majesties Reign.