HIS most Excellent Maiestie, taking into His Royall consideration, that the celebration of the feast of Christmasse approacheth, and how need­full it is (especially in this time of scarcity and dearth) to reuiue the ancient and laudable custome of this Realme, by house-keeping and hospitality, which in all parts of this Realme is exceedingly decayed, by the too fre­quent resort and ordinary residence of Lords Spirituall and Temporall, Knights, and Gentlemen of quality, vnto Cities and Townes, and chief­ly into, or neere about the Cities of London and Westminster; and willing to prouide remedy, aswell for that, as sundry other inconueniences, which of necessity must ensue, by the absence of those out of their Countries, vpon whose care, a great and principall part of the subordinate gouernment of this Realme doth depend: Doth heereby strictly charge and command, aswell all His Lords Spi­rituall and Temporall (except such as are of His Priuie Counsell, or beare office about the Person or Court of Himselfe, or of His most dearely beloued Sonne the Prince) and likewise all deputy Lieute­nants, and Iustices of Peace, and other Gentlemen of quality, which haue Mansion houses in the Country, wherein they and their families haue vsually dwelt and aboade; That they, and euery of them, immediately vpon the end of this present month of Nouember, depart from the Cities of London and Westminster, and other Cities and places with their families and seruants, vnto their seuerall Countries, to attend their seruice there, and keepe hospitality, as appertayneth to their degree and calling, vpon paine, not only of His Maiesties heauy indignation and displeasure, and disablement to hold any such places of seruice or trust, vnder His Maiestie; but also of such further censure and punish­ment, as may be inflicted vpon them, for such their disobedience and contempt, or neglect of this His Royall commandement; whereof, as His Maiestie intendeth to take a strict and seuere accompt, so He doth heereby require and command, aswell the Lords and others of His Priuie Counsell, as all other His Officers and Ministers, whom it shall any way concerne, to take order that all such as shall offend, may receiue condigne punishment, without toleration or conniuence.

Giuen at the Court at Newmarket, the twentieth day of Nouember, in the twentieth yeere of Our Reigne of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the six and fiftieth.

God saue the King.