FOrasmuch as it cannot be doubted, but as the Kings most excellent Ma­iestie hath taken great contentment in the mosts dutifull and deuoted af­fection of his Subiects of this Realme, testified by the vniuersall and ioyfull consent in publishing his Right, and acknowledgement of his Highnes for their Souereigne; so on the other side, his Maiesties Sub­iects will find much ioy and comfort by receiuing knowledge of his gra­cious and louing acceptance of their said most humble and most affectio­nate seruice and duetie: It is therfore very meet, That (his Maiestie ha­uing of late, by his seuerall Letters of the eight and twentieth, and of the last of March, vnto such of vs the Nobilitie of this Realme, and others that were of the late Queenes Priuie Counsel, as are here at his Highnesse Pallace of Whitehall assembled for the seruice of his Maiestie and the State, signified his Gracious acceptance, and Princely thankefulnesse vnto all his Subiects, of whatsoeuer degree or condition, for such and so extraordinary demonstration of their good will, and commanding the same to be further notified to all parts) we should publish and declare the same, by this Proclamation, in his name. And withall, that we should declare and make knowen his Maiesties pleasure deliuered likewise in the sayd Letters, touching the necessary continu­ation (during his absence, or vntill it shall please his Highnesse to giue other commandement and direction) of such orders and proceedings for the preseruation of Peace, administration of Iustice, and gouernement of the State, as were formerly established, and stood in force imme­diatly before the late Queenes deceasse, which chiefly, and in effect is this: That whereas vpon the deceasse of the late Queenes Maiestie, the authority of the most part of the Offices and places of Iurisdiction and gouernement within this Realme, and in the Realme of Ireland, did cease and faile, the Souereigne person failing from whom the same were deriued, and thereupon through doubtfulnesse, and want of authority for execution, in such persons as were inuested in the said Offices and places, the setled and ordinary course of the affaires of the State (if reme­die were not prouided) might receiue disturbance and preiudice by discontinuance and interrup­tion: [Page] His Maiestie in his Princely wisedome, and care of the State (reseruing vnto his owne iudgement hereafter the reformation and redresse of any abuses in misgouernement vpon better knowledge taken thereof, in his due time) is pleased, and hath so expresly signified, That all per­sons, that at the time of the late Queenes Maiesties deceasse, were duely and lawfully possessed of any place or Office of authoritie, iurisdiction, or gouernment, either Ciuill or Martiall with­in this Realme, or in the Realme of Ireland, And namely, all Lieutenants, Sheriffes, de­putie Lieutenants, Commissioners of Musters, Iustices of the Peace, and all others in place of Gouernment, either meaner or superiour, (as aforesaid) shall bee, and shall so holde them­selues continued in the said places and Offices, as formerly they helde and enioyed the same, vn­till his Maiesties pleasure bee further knowen. And that in the meane while (for the preserua­tion of Peace, and necessarie proceeding in matters of Iustice, and for safetie of the State) all the sayd persons, of whatsoeuer degree or condition, may not faile, euery one seuerally according to his place, office, or charge, to proceed in the performance and execution of all dueties thereto be­longing, as formerly appertained to them and euery of them, while the late Queenes Maiestie was liuing.

And albeit the earnest and longing desire in all his Maiesties Subiects, to enioy the sight of his Royal person and presence (which hath moued very many of good degree and qualitie, and some of them hauing place of charge in the Countrey where they dwell, to hasten and take their iour­neys at this time vnto his Highnesse) be, for it selfe, commendable in them, and acceptable to his Maiestie, being an Argument of their abundant ioy and gladnesse: Neuerthelesse, because the ouer-much, and too frequent resort and concourse of people into those parts where his Maiestie as yet remaineth, or which are farre distant from the heart of this Realme, is at this present in­conuenient, and may prooue more dangerous, both in respect that the Countrey whither such extraordinarie resort is made, shall bee ouercharged with multitude, and thereof scarcitie and dearth is like enough to proceede, and also because these more inward parts of the Realme shall in the meane while be impayred in hospitalitie, and being destitute of such assistance as is need­full, it may be doubted to what danger or disturbance, forreine or domesticall, they may bee exposed: His Maiestie therefore in his wisedome both gratiously accepting the good will of his Subiects, and withall regarding what is conuenient for his seruice, and for the securitie of the State at this time, it pleased, and doeth require, That such concourse and resort into those parts be forborne, & aboue al others, of those persons that haue any place of charge or office, either on the Seacoast or the In-land, or are of good degree & qualitie in their Countrey: And that such order­ly course be hereafter holden (in the discretion of all such persons as aforesaid) for repaire and re­sort to his Highnesse presence at his comming into this Realme, as may conueniently stand and agree with the care and seruice necessarily belonging▪ and to bee perfourmed in all partes of the [Page] Realme, to his Highnesse and the State, His Maiestie being no lesse gratiously disposed, and willing (in all conuenient sort) to giue contentment and pleasure to his owne eyes and minde, by the sight of his most Loyall and louing Subiects, then they are infinitely desirous to enioy the happinesse of his Maiesties person and presence, who (wee doubt not) long before this time is already safe in this his Realme of England, though his Maiestie forbeareth to come presently to his Citie of London, vntill those things can be set in readinesse, which are fit and honourable for the reception of so great and mightie a King.

Giuen at his Maiesties Pallace of Whitehall, the fifth of Aprill, in the first yeere of his Maiesties Reigne.

God saue the King.