FOrasmuche as diuerse light , and sedicious persons , delytyng in continuall alterations , and neuer contented with the present estate , haue of late muche presumed , and yet cease not to inuente , spreade , and publishe many false , vntrue , and vayne rumors , and brutes , rashely discoursyng vpon the great , and most weightye affayres , touchyng the Quenes hyghnes royall person , & state of the realme , contrary to their bounden dueties of allegiaunce , & contrary to al good ordre , in such outragiouse sort , as ( if remedie were not prouided in time ) great inconuenience might ensue . FOR remedye wherof , her hyghnes consideryng , that of the sufferaunce of suche lewde libertie of speakyng , euyll doynges , and attemptes , haue manye tymes folowed , doth therefore streyghtly charge and commaunde al her louyng subiectes , of euery sort and degree , from henceforth , not only for their owne partes to forbeare , to publyshe any suche rumors or tales : but also to declare to the next iustice of peace , or other officer , any person , whatsoeuer he be that they shal knowe to be offendours in this behalfe , to thintent , they may ( by the sayde officers ) be committed to pryson , and further punyshed by pillory , or otherwise , as the qualitie of the person , and of his offence may seme to deserue .

AND her highnes further pleasure is , that yf the hearers of any suche lyghte , sediciouse , or naughtie talke , spoken in his or theyr presence , shall not , accordynge to this proclamacion , open the same to the nexte Iustice , or other officer , ( as aforesayde , ) that then the same person , so hearynge , and not declarynge the same , and beynge therof iustly conuicted , shal be reputed , and taken for the fyrste author of the sayde rumours , and haue suche punyshmente for the same , as the fyrste author shoulde , yf he were apprehended .

REQVIRING , and straightly charging and commaunding all iustices of peace , Mayours , Bayliffes , Sheriffes , Constables , Hedboroughes , & al other her highnes officers , and ministers , whatsoeuer they be , to do theyr best endeuour , for the effectual execution of this present proclamation , and due punyshment of all offend ours in this behalfe , as they wyll aunswere to the contrarye at theyr perils .