FOrasmuche as the tyme wherein common Interludes in the Englishe tongue ar wont vsually to be played, is now past vn­tyll All Hallontyde, and that also some that haue ben of late vsed, are not cōuenient in any good ordred Christian Cōmon weale to be suffred. The Quenes Maiestie doth straightly forbyd al maner Interludes to be playde eyther openly or priuately, except the same be notified before hande, and licenced within any Citie or towne corporate, by the Maior or other chiefe officers of the same, and within any shyre, by suche as shalbe Lieuete­nauntes for the Quenes Maiestie in the same shyre, or by two of the Iustices of peax inhabyting within that part of the shire where any shalbe played.

AND for instruction to euery of the sayde officers, her maiestie doth likewise charge euery of them as they will aunswere: that they permyt none to be played wherin either matters of religion or of the gouernaunce of the estate of the commō weale shalbe hand­led or treated, beyng no meete matters to be wrytten or treated vpon, but by menne of aucthoritie, learning and wisedome, nor to be handled before any audience, but of graue and discrete persons: All which partes of this proclamation, her maiestie chargeth to be inuiolably kepte. And if anye shal attempte to the contrary: her maiestie giueth all ma­ner of officers that haue authoritie to see common peax kepte in commaundement, to arrest and enprison the parties so offendinge for the space of fourtene dayes or more, as cause shall nede: And furder also vntill good assuraunce may be founde and gyuen, that they shalbe of good behauiour, and no more to offende in the like.

AND further her maiestie gyueth speciall charge to her nobilitie and gentilmen, as they professe to obey and regarde her maiestie, to take good order in thys behalfe wyth their seruauntes being players, that this her maiesties commaundement may be dulye kepte and obeyed.

Yeuen at our Palayce of Westminster the .xvi. daye of Maye, the first yeare of oure Raygne.