THe kyng and Quenes most excellente Maiesties , vnderstandinge howe that dyuers naughty and insolent persons , haue nowe of late attempted to make quarelles , ryottes , and frayes , aswell in Churches and Churchyardes , contrary to the lawes and Statutes in that case prouyded , as in sundrye other places , Cities , Townes , and Marketes . And for thaccomplishment of their noughty purposes & quarelles , haue caused swordes & Rapyers , to be made of a much greter length , then heretofore hath bene accustomed , or is decent to vse and were . And with the said wepons , do vse and weare gauntlettes , and vambraces , and bucklers with longe pykes in them , contrary to thauncient vsage of this realme , and the lawes and statutes of the same . Whereby dyuers irreuerente and prophane behauyours in the sayd Churches and Churchyardes , and many tymes maymes , hurtes , manslaugh ters and murders , haue ben of late commytted and done , and muche more is lyke to be , yf some remedye be not the soner prouyded in that behalfe .

Theyr hyghnesses myndyng to take away thoccasion of suche mischiefes , and disorders , doo streyghtlye charge and commaunde al and singuler theyr Iustices of peace , mayres , sheryffes , baylyffes , constables , & other theyr maiesties ministers and officers , that all and singuler the sayd Lawe and statute , concernynge the fyghtynge and quarelynge in churches and churcheyardes , be duly executed , and that from henceforth no person or persons , of what estate , or condition so euer he or they be , do vse or weare by nyghte or by daye , nor sell any sworde or rapier aboue the length of a yarde and a halfe quarter in the blade at the most , nor any buckler , with more pykes therein then one , and the same not to be sharpe , or aboue .ii. ynches longe , or of a broder syse then hath ben most commenly vsed within this Realme , nor vse or weare any gauntlet , or vambrace , nor any other weapon of defence , other then theyr common swordes , rapiers , daggers , and bucklers , accordinge to thauncient vsage and custome of this theyr maiesties Realme , vpon payne of the losse of suche weapons so vsed or worne , contrary to the tenour and effect of this proclamation , and to suffer imprysonment of his or theyr bodyes , and to make fyne at theyr maiesties wyll and pleasure .

And further theyr maiesties strayghtly charge & commaund all and singuler the sayd Iustices of peace Mayers , sheryffes , baylyffes , constables , and other theyr maiesties offycers , and ministers , to see this theyr hyghnes proclamation duly executed , and to commyt thoffenders therein to ward and pryson , there to remayne without bayle or maynepryce , vntyll theyr maiesties pleasure shal be further knowen in that behalf . And that they fayle not thus to do , as they tender theyr maiesties pleasure and commaundement , and wyll aunswere for the contrary at theyr vttermost perylles .