Your lordship's faithful servant and kinsman,
Lionel Cranfield.
Chelsea,
12th Oct., 1621.
[PROCLAMATION FOR RELIEF OF THE POOR (1622).]
Source.—Rymer, Fœdera. Vol. xvii., p. 428.
The King's most Excellent Majesty, having taken knowledge of the present scarcity and dearth, of the high prices of corn and grain throughout all parts of this kingdom, hath been pleased, by his Proclamation lately published, to restrain the residence of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and of the Knights and Gentlemen of quality, in and near the cities of London and Westminster and other cities and towns, to return them unto their own houses and habitations in their several countries, that all parts of the kingdom might find the fruits and feel the comfort of their hospitality and good government, wherein as his Majesty is well pleased with the dutiful obedience of great numbers, that according to his royal command have left the cities of London and Westminster and the parts adjacent, so his Highness hath great cause to condemn the obstinacy of all such as, in a time of such general conformity, and against so many good Examples shall show themselves refractory to that his royal pleasure grounded upon important reasons of justice and state, and therefore his Majesty doth eftsoones admonish them speedily to submit themselves to that his Royal Proclamation, or else to expect the severity of his justice for their wilful contempt, and this his Majesty declares to be extended, as well unto such as have repaired or shall repair from their ordinary dwellings in the country unto their cities and towns, as unto the cities of London and Westminster, and as well unto widows as men of quality and estate, and to be continued not only during the time of Christmas now instant, but in that and all other times and seasons of this and other years until his Majesty declare his pleasure otherwise; his Majesty intending to continue this course hereafter for the general good of his people, yet allowing that liberty which always hath been in terms and otherwise to repair to London about their necessary occasions, but not to remove their wives and families from their ordinary habitations in the country, an innovation and abuse lately crept in and grown frequent.
And although his Majesty is persuaded that by this way of reviving the laudable and ancient housekeeping of this realm, the poor and such as are most pinched in times of scarcity and want, will be much relieved and comforted, yet that nothing may be omitted that may tend to their succour and help, his Highness in his gracious and princely care and providence, hath caused certain politic and good orders heretofore made upon like occasions to be reviewed and published; intitled, Orders appointed by his Majesty, &c. By which the Justices of Peace in all Parts of the Realm are directed to stay all ingrossers forestallers and regrators of corn, and to direct all owners and farmers, having corn to spare, to furnish the Markets rateably and weekly with such quantities as reasonably they may and ought to do, and some one or more of them to be present in the Market according to the orders, and to see divers other Articles observed and performed tending to the prevention and remedy of this inconvenience....
[A PROCLAMATION FOR RESTRAINT OF EXPORTATION, WASTE AND CONSUMPTION OF COIN AND BULLION (1622).]
Source.—Rymer, Fœdera. Vol. xvii., p. 376.