WHereas by diuerse and sundrie proclamations heeretofore published , set forth and proclaimed , in the time of the excellent Princesse Queene Mary , late of famous memorie , restraint was giuen and made , that no Shippes , Crayres , Uessels , Shipmasters , Mariners or sea-faring men whatsoeuer , of this Realme of England , or the Teritories of the same , should without speciall licence first obtained and had , vnder the great Seale of Thadmiraltie , passe vnto the Seas , either on ventring , marchandizes , or otherwise , or should by any wayes or meanes misuse , euill intreat , robbe , spoile or hurt any subiect of this Realme or Stranger , being friend with the said late Queenes Maiestie , vnder certaine penalties and paines in the foresaid proclamations expressed and contained : Which proclamations , are by reason of the said Queenes highnesse death determined , and of no force .

The Queenes Maiestie being presently enformed , that sithens the same , diuerse & sundry her highnesse subiects of this Realme , going vnto the seas ( aswell vnder licence as without ) by color & pretence to represse , apprehend , & annoy the enemie without regarde of dueties belonging to good subiects , haue inuaded , spoiled , iniured and robbed , aswell her Highnes subiects as Strangers , being friends and alied to her Maiestie , contrary to her Highnes expectation , and the good league and amitie of friends . Her Highnesse therefore minding the redresse and reformation of the premisses , doeth by this her Maiesties proclamation expressely charge and command , that from hencefoorth no subiect of this her Highnes Realme whatsoeuer , other then such as haue alreadie obtained and gotten licence vnder the seale of her Maiesties court of Thadmiraltie , vpon paine of confiscation and forefeyture of their shippes and goods , and of imprisonment of their bodies , & indignation of her Highnes , do by any wayes or meanes attempt to set forth vnto the Seas , any ship or vessel , either on warfare , marchandize or otherwise , without speciall licence and grant be first obtained vnder the saide great Seale of her Maiesties high court of Thadmiraltie . And that no person or persons aforesaid vnder the like paines , do presume or attempt to spoile , robbe , euill entreate , or hurt any of her Highnes said subiects being at the Seas , nor any other strangers , being friendes confederates , and in league with her Maiestie , their ships or goods , by any wayes or meanes .

And furthermore , her Maiestie doeth straightly and expressely charge and command , all Uiceadmirals , Maiors , Sheriffes , Bailiffes , & other head officers and gouernours of Cities , Counties , Boroughs , Townes & Places , by the Sea coastes of her Highnes said Realme of England and Wales , that euery of them all respects set apart , and as they tender her Maiesties fauor , do effectually foresee that this her Maiesties proclamation , may be with all expedition duely published , and also truely obeyed , kept and obserued , as euery of them will answere for the contrarie at his extreme perill . Yeuen at Strond place the xxi . day of December , the first yeare of our reigne .