FOR AS MOCHE as by dyuers and sundry occasions , as wel hearryng , lynges , saltfysh , samond , stockfish , as other kindes of fissh , ben this yere skant , and also enhanced in prices aboue the old rate and common estimation of their valour : so that if the kinges louyng subiectes shulde be enforced onely to bye and prouyde hearrynge and other salte store of fyshe , for the necessary and suffycyent sustentation and mayntenaunce of theyr housholdes and families , al this holy-tyme of Lent , accordyng as they haue ben wont in times past to do , and shuld not be by some other conuenyent meanes relieued therin , the same might and shuld vndoutedly redound to their importable charge and detriment . And for as moche as his highnes considereth , howe this kind and maner of fastyng , that is to say , to absteyne from mylke , butter , egges , chese , and all other white meates , is but a mere positiue lawe of the Churche , and vsed by a custome within this realme , and of none other sorte or necessitie , but the same may be vpon good considerations and groundes , altered and dispensed with from tyme to tyme by the publyke auctoritie of kinges and princes , whan so euer they shal perceiue the same to tend to the hurt and damage of theyr people . THE KYNGES highnes therfore most graciously considering and tendering the welth and commoditie of his people , hath thought good , for the considerations aboue rehersed , to release and dispence with the sayde lawe and custome of absteyning from white meates this holy tyme of Lent , And of his especial grace and mere motion giueth and graunteth vnto all and singular his subiectes within this his realme of England , Wales , Cales , Guynes , Hammes , and in al other his graces dominions , free lyberty , faculty and lycence , to eate al maner of white meates , as mylke , egges , butter , chese , and suche lyke , during the tyme of this Lent , without any scruple or grudge of conscience : any law , constitution , vse , or custome to the contrary not withstandyng . Wherin neuer the lesse his highnes exhorteth , and in the name of God requireth , all suche his faythfull subiectes , as maye , wol , or shall enioy this his saide graunt or faculty , that they be in no wise scruple or doubteful therof , nor abuse or turne the same into a fleshly or carnal libertie , but rather endeuour them selues to their possible powers with this libertie of eating of white meates , to obserue also that fast , whiche god most specyally requyreth of them : That is to say , to renounce the world and the deuyl , with al theyr pompes and workes , and also to subdewe and represse their carnal affections , and the corrupt workes of their flesh , accordyng to their vowe and profession made at the font stone . For in these poyntes specyally consysteth the very true and perfyte abstynence and fastyng of a Christen man . This to endure and continue from yere to yere , tyll the kynges hyghnes pleasure shal be by his maiesties proclamation publyshed to the contrary .