THe Queenes most Excellent Maiestie being credibly en­formed that many Vagabonds, Rogues, idle persons, and ma­sterlesse men hauing nothing to liue on, doe dayly resort to the Cities of London and Westminster, and to the Suburbs of the same and also to the Borough of Southwarke, and other Vil­lages and Townes neere adioyning to the said Cities and Bo­rough, and there are suffered to liue very disorderly, by occasion whereof many Robberies and Fellonies, and other horrible crimes and offences be committed and done, to the high displea­sure of Almighty God, and to the great hurt of her good and lo­ning Subiects, the chiefe occasion whereof seemeth to be the want of the good execution of good Lawes and Statutes made for the punishment of such Masterlesse men, Idle and Vagrant persons: Wherefore her Maiestie minding with some seuerity primely to haue the said good Lawes and Statutes already prouided against such persons to be duely put in execution, hath thought good by this her Proclamation to notifie the same her High­nesse pleasure to all her louing Subiects; And therefore doth straitly charge and command all persons, that by the Lawes of this Realme may be taken for Rogues and Vagabonds, and all Idle persons and Masterlesse men, hauing not wherewith to liue in no liuing by any lawfull Labour or Occupation, and being her naturall borne Subiects, that they and euery of them doe within two dayes next after the publishing of this Proclamation, depart and auoide themselues from the said Cities of London and Westminster, and Suburbs of the same, and from the Borough of Southwarke, and all other Townes and Villages within seuen miles compasse of the said Cities and Borough, and from thence to repaire to the Countreys and places where they were borne, there to tarrie and adide in some lawfull worke and exercise, as they ought to doe, vpon the paines and penalties limited and expres­sed in the Lawes and Statutes prouided against such offenders. And her Maiesties fur­ther pleasure and expresse Commandement is, that the Maior, Aldermen and Recorder of the sayd Citie of London, and all Iustices of Peace within the Counties of Middlesexe, Rent, Surrey, and Essex; and specially all those Iustices that bee within the limits afore­said, that they & euery of them, as they will auoid her Highnesse displeasure, as occasion shall serue cause good watch to be set, and search to be made in all places where they shall thinke conuenient, for the apprehending, arresting and taking of all such idle vagrant persons, and masterlesse men, and that they cause the same with all speede to be imprisoned, and duely punished according to the tenour and effect of her Maiesties Lawes and Statutes in such cases prouided, without any toleration or fauour whatsoeuer to bee shewed vnto any of them. And her Maiestie doeth also especially charge and commaund the said Maior, Aldermen and Recorder of London, and all Iustices of Peace, Bailiffes of Liberties and Franthises within the sayd Cities, Townes and Limits, that they and euery of them within the limits of their Iurisdictions, doe from time to time caus good search to be made as well in all common Tabling houses, Innes, Alehouses, and Tipling houses, and also in all Bowling Alleyes, and other places, where any gaming or play is vsed and frequented, and there to apprehend & take such suspected persons being Masterlesse men, of euill name and fame, not hauing where withall to maintaine their idle life, and the same so apprehen­ded and taken, to commit to prison, there to remaine, vntill they shall receiue such punish­ment and correction, as by the Lawes and Statutes of this Realme, is and shalbe due vn­to them. And her Highnesse is further pleased and contented, that the Maior of the said Citie of London, shall haue power and authoritie from time to time, to proclaime and pub­lish this present Proclamation within all places, within the said City and Suburbs, so often as to him shall seeme needfull and conuenient.

Giuen at Her Maiesties Honour of Hampton Court, the xxxj. day of Ianuary 1578. in the xxj. yeere of Her Highnesse Reigne.

God saue the Queene.