Imprinted at LONDON by
Robert Barker, Printer to the King's most excellent
Majesty: and by the Assigns of John Bill.
M.DC.XXXIII.
[Charles I.'s Preface and Conclusion.]
Our dear Father, of blessed memory, in his return from Scotland, coming through Lancashire found that his subjects were debarred from lawful recreations upon Sundays, after Evening Prayers ended, and upon Holy Days: and he prudently considered, that if these times were taken from them, the meaner sort, who labour hard all the week, should have no recreations at all to refresh their spirits.
And, after his return, he further saw that his loyal subjects in all other parts of his kingdom did suffer in the same kind, though perhaps not in the same degree. And did therefore, in his Princely wisdom, publish a Declaration to all his loving Subjects concerning the lawful Sports to be used at such times; which was printed and published, by his royal commandment, in the year 1618, in the tenour which hereafter followeth.