=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.
The King's most Excellent Majesty considering the scarcity of
money and coin of late years grown within the realm, occasioned
partly by transportation thereof out of this kingdom, and partly
by the unlawful consumption thereof within the land, whereof many
unsufferable inconveniences do daily arise, and more are like to
ensue to the general hurt and damage of the whole Commonweal, if
some timely and good Statutes made in the time of his most noble
progenitors and predecessors kings of this realm, as also the
several Proclamations published by his own royal authority since the
beginning of his most happy reign, notwithstanding all of which, and
some remarkable Examples of Justice in his High Court of Star Chamber
against some principal offenders in this kind, many covetous and
greedy persons have and daily do with great boldness and contempt
continue and proceed in those unlawful and offensive courses, tending
to the exhausting of the treasure of the realm, and utter overthrow
of trade and commerce within the same.
And therefore his Majesty in his princely wisdom and upon necessity
of state, sees it fit that from henceforth all care and diligence
in the discovery and all severity in the correction and punishment
of such delinquents without favour to any shall be used; and to the
end that all men may take notice hereof, his Majesty thinketh fit
to publish this his Proclamation, to the end that no man upon hope
of impunity presume hereafter to transgress his Majesty's laws or
this his royal commandment in that behalf; hereby straitly charging
and commanding that no person or persons alien, denizen, or other
subject of what estate quality or condition soever, do at any time
hereafter, without his Majesty's licence, transport carry or convey,
or attempt or endeavour to transport carry or convey out of this
realm any gold or silver, either in coin, plate, vessels, jewels,
goldsmiths' work, bullion or other mass, or otherwise howsoever, upon
pain of his Majesty's heavy indignation and displeasure, and of the
severest censure of his High Court of Star Chamber, and such further
pains punishments and imprisonments as by the laws and statutes of
this realm may be inflicted upon them for such their offence....