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❧ By the Queene.
Forsmuch as vpon the lamentable complaynt made vnto the Queenes most excellent Maiestie by sundry her louing subiects, the Clothiers of di∣uers parts of the Realme, and of a multitude of other people mainteined in their handlabours by them: It appeareth that partly through the great death of sheepe which of late yeeres hath happened in sundry parts of the Realme, and partly through the great abuse of some which haue obteined (vpon reasonable consyderations) licence to buy and sell wooll within this Realme, who through their vnsatiable greedines by abuse therof, without any regard had to the great mischiefe that therby grow∣eth to the common wealth, haue not onely vsed in the beginning of the yeere, and at other times, to engrosse and buy vp great quantities of wooll, contrary to her Maiesties good and gracious meaning, whereupon the sayd licences were gra••nted: but in passing the bonds of their licences, by buying yeerely greater quantitie of wooll then they ought to doe, so that the Clothiers can buy litle or none, but such as is very course, or else as such ertessiue prizes, as they can not make their principall thereof againe: whereby her Maiestie understandeth, that without some restraynt of the sayd licences for some reasonable time, there shal follow great want to the Clothiers to continue their trade, for mayntenaunce aswell of themselues, as of great multitudes of poore people liuing onely vnder them, to the decay of diuers good townes, which are cheefely mainteyned by the Clothiers. Therefore by the aduice of her Counsel, her Ma∣•••••••••••• strayghtly chargeth and commaundeth, that from and after the publication of this present Proclamation, no person, (other then such as by the lawes of this Realme are appointed and per∣••••tted shal vpon paine of her Maiesties displeasure and imprisonment during her pleasure, by him 〈…〉〈…〉 selfe, or by any other, either directly, or indirectly, by vertue of any their speciall licence, buy or ••••rgaine for any wools whatsoeuer, of the growing of this Realme, or of Wales, at any time be∣f••e the feast of all Saints next ensuing the publication hereof. And that all persons, hauing at this time any graunt from her Maiestie, to licence him or them to buy or sell wooll, shall within two moneths after the publication hereof, exhibite into her Court of Exchequer the same graunt, to bee ••••••••lled there, whereby her Maiestie may be enfourmed of the contents thereof, and so as (when came shalbe to remit the vse thereof) order may be taken how the same may be hereafter ordered and vsed. Without such publique damage to the Realme, as already hath appeared: And yf the same stall not be presented to be enrolled within the sayd time, that then the same shal not hereafter haue place to be vsed. And for the better execution hereof, her highnesse by the aduice aforesayd, straightly ••••argeth and commandeth all and singuler Iustices of the peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, and Bayliffes, not onely to see this Proclamation truely executed, but also yf any person be iustly accused before him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them for contemning or breaking this Proclamation, or any part thereof, they shall commit such person to warde, there to remaine without bayle or maynepryce, till her Maiesties pleasure be fur∣ther knowen. Moreouer her highnesse, meaning to leaue nothing vndone that may tend to the re∣••••esse of so great a mischiefe as were otherwyse like to ensue, hath taken order that the company of the Marchants Staplers, that they nor any of them (notwithstanding that by the statutes of this Realme, they be permitted without limitation of time) shall not buy or bargayne, either directly, or indirectly, for any wools growing within this Realme, vntill the latter end of February next ensu∣ing. And in case the sayd Company, or any of them, shall contrary to the said order, presume to buy to bargaine for any wools: then her Maiestie, vpon notice geuen vnto her priuie Counsell, of the persons that shall so offend, will cause the sayd parties to receiue such punishment, as shall be due for their contempt in that behalfe.
Giuen at Hampton Court the xxviii. day of Nouember 1576. in the xix. yere of her Maiesties most prosperous raigne.
God saue the Queene.