WHereas Wee haue been giuen to vnderstand, by the humble com­plaint, aswell of the Company of French Merchants, as of the Com­pany of Vintners of London, that the quantities of French Wines al­ready imported, and now remaining in this Kingdome, are so great, as that vnlesse the further Importation of such Wines bee for a conueni­ent time prohibited, they shall not bee able for the support and mainte­nance of their Trade, to make sale of those Wines which doe now lie vpon their hands; Wee, therefore hauing taken this into Our Prince­ly consideration, as also the manifold inconueniences, which already haue, and doe dayly growe by the liberty taken by occasion of the late disturbance of Free Trade in France, to import Wines in Forreigne Bottomes, contrary to Our Lawes, by, and with the Aduice of the Lords, & others of Our Priuie Counsell, do hereby strictly charge, prohibite and command, that no person or persons whatsoeuer, doe attempt, or presume to bring or import into this Realme of England, or Dominion of Wales, or into any Port, Hauen, Creeke, or place thereof, any Wines whatsoeuer of the growth of France, before the first day of February now next ensuing.

And further, by the like Aduice of Our Priuie Counsell, Wee doe hereby publish and declare Our Royal pleasure to be, and do strictly prohibite and command, That no Wines whatsoeuer, shall hereafter bee imported into this Our Realme, or the Dominions thereof, in any forreigne Ship, Hoy, or other Vessel whatsoeuer, contrary to the Lawes & Statutes of this Our Realme in that behalfe made and prouided, but onely in English Bottomes, vpon such paines and pu­nishments, as by Our Lawes, or by Our Prerogatiue Royall can, and may be inflicted vpon all such persons, who shall at any time hereafter presume to offend herein, contrary to Our Lawes, and contrary to this Our pleasure herein declared.

Neuerthelesse, Our intent or meaning is not, but that the French Merchants, the naturall borne Subiects of Our deare Brother the French King, shall haue and enioy the like libertie of bringing in aswell the Wines of France, as other the naturall Commodities of that Kingdome, in any Ships or other Vessels of their owne building, and appertaining vnto themselues, as for­merly they haue vsed and enioyed.

Giuen at Our Court at Nonsuch, the seuenth day of Iuly, in the Fift yeere of Our Reigne Of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland.

God saue the King.