WHereas We haue bene informed of the great fraudes and deceits vsed in dying of all kindes of Silke, but especially in blacke, which hath so farre exceeded, that by the mixture of di­uerse bad and hurtfull things in dying thereof, as namely of a corrupt matter or stuffe called Slippe, there hath bene an extraordinarie increase of weight, sometimes to the doub­ling of that which it was before, and sometimes more and sometimes lesse, wherby the silke so deceitfully Dyed, is so rotted, corrupted & spoiled, that it is not fit to be worne or vsed, and yet is falsly made faire to the eye, to deceiue and abuse the buyer and wearer thereof: And whereas also Wee haue taken knowledge that an Acte of Common Councell hath lately passed for reformation of such kind of deceitfull Dying of Silke within our City of Lon­don and the Liberties thereof: And that the carefull putting the said Acte in execution hath already wrought some good effect within the said City and the Liberties thereof, for the abolishing of the said fraud and deceit: And wheras also We are informed, that great quantities of the said corrupt dyed Silke is not onely daily brought into this Kingdome from forraine parts, but also the same is couertly Dyed, and sold in many places of this Realme, whereby Wee doe perceiue and foresee, that if there be not present restraint, and that a publike Reformation thereof be not executed in all parts of the Realme, Our louing Subiects will bee still abused and deceiued; notwithstanding any good order that can be taken within Our said Citie of London for reformation thereof: Wherefore Wee hauing with the aduise of Our Councell conceiued that it is very requisite to prohibite and suppresse the Dying & selling of such corrupt Dyed Silke in all places of this our Realme, and to giue Order that no person or persons whatsoeuer, shall hereafter bring into this Kingdome from forraine parts, any such deceitfull heauy dyed Silke: haue thought fit to signifie Our pleasure to Our louing Subiects by Our Proclamati­on in that behalfe: Willing, and straightly charging & commanding all and all maner of persons whatsoeuer, aswell Our naturall borne Subiects, as Denizens or Strangers, that none of them, nor any other person or persons whatsoeuer, doe at any time or times hereafter attempt, or presume to bring or cause to be brought into this our Realme, or Dye or cause to be Dyed in any parts thereof, or sell or put to sale, or cause to be sold or to be put to sale, any Silke dyed with that corrupt matter or Stuffe called Slippe, or any other matter or stuffe, which causeth any increase of weight in the said Silke more then of necessitie is required for the colour thereof, vpon paine of forfeiture of all and euery quantitie and quantities of Silke so corrupted, Dyed, or so brought or caused to be brought into this Our Realme, or sold or put to sale, or caused to be sold or put to sale contrary to this Our present Commandement; And also vpon paine of confiscation of the said Silke to be burnt, and of Our high indignation and displeasure, and of such further paines, penalties and punishments, as for the contempt of Our Commandement Royall in this behalfe may any way be inflicted vpon them or any of them so offen­ding. And We also straightly charge and command all and singuler Justices of peace. Mayors, Sheriffes, Bayliffes Constables, Headboroughs, and all other our Officers and Subiects whatsoeuer, that they doe at all times hereafter care­fully and diligently see and take order, that this Our ordinance and Royall Commandement hereby signified and expressed be in all points duely performed, and that as often as information shall bee brought to them of any Silke of that kinde so falsified in the weight, either brought into this Kingdome or Dyed here, That they doe seize the same, and aduertise Ou [...] Councell of the quantitie and the parties faultie, that order may be taken for the punishing of them, and destroying of th [...] corrupt Stuffe.

Giuen at Theobalds the 17. day of Iuly, in the tenth yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine, France and Ireland.

God saue the King.