THe Kings most excellent MAIESTY, taking into His R [...] ­consideration, that the auncient honour of this Realme, hath [...] yeeres exceedingly decayed, by the neglect of Hospitality, & good [...] keeping, for which this Nation in former ages hath beene mu [...] [...] ­nowned, which hath been occasioned by the too frequent resort [...] ordinary residence of Lords Spirituall and Temporal, Knights [...] Gentlemen of quality vnto Cities and Townes, especially into neere about the Cities of London and Westminster, which draweth it also many other great inconueniences, of necessity ensuing b [...] absence of so many persons of quality and authority from their C [...] ­treys, whereby those parts are left destitute both of reliefe and gouernement, and the Cities [...] Townes, especially those of London and Westminster, are ouerburthened with Inhabitants [...] Resiants: And His Maiestie calling to mind, that the celebration of the feast of Christmas approcheth, which is the fittest time for the exercising of the Charities of the wealthier sort, [...] thought fit, according to the example of His deare Father of blessed memory deceased, to pu [...] and declare, and He doth hereby publish and declare His Royall will and pleasure to be, and [...] by these presents straitly charge and command, aswell all His Lords Spirituall and Tempo [...] as also all deputy Lieutenants, Iustices of the Peace, and Gentlemen of qualitie, who [...] Mansion Houses in the Countrey, wherein they and their families haue vsually dwelt, (ex [...] such as are of His Highnesse priuie Counsell, or beare Office about the persons, or Court of [...] selfe, or of His dearest Consort the Queene) That they & euery of them immediatly vpon the [...] of this present moneth of Nouember, depart from the Cities of London and Westminster, and o [...] Cities and places, with their Families and Seruants vnto their seuerall Countreys, to at [...] their seruice there, and to keepe Hospitality as appertaineth to their degree and calling, v [...] paine not onely of His Maiesties most heauy indignation and displeasure, and disablement to [...] any such places of trust vnder His Maiestie, but also of such further censure and punishment [...] may be inflicted vpon them for their disobedience and contempt, or neglect of this His Ro [...] Commandement, whereof as His Maiesty intendeth to take a strict and seuere accompt, so doth hereby require and command, aswell the Lords and others of His Priuy Counsell, as [...] all other His Officers and Ministers whom it shall any way concerne, to take order that all [...] as shall offend may receiue condigne punishment, without toleration or conniuencie.

Giuen at the Court at White-Hall the three and twentieth day of Nouember, in the second yeere of [...] Maiesties Reigne of Great Britaine, France and Ireland.

God saue the King.