WHereas some of the meaner sort of our people did of late assemble themselues in riotous and tumultuous maner within our Countie of Northampton , sometimes in the night , and sometimes in the day , vnder pretence of laying open enclosed grounds of late yeeres taken in , to their dammage , as they say ; The repressing whereof we did first referre only to the due course of Iustice , and the ordinary proceedings of the Commissioners of the Peace , and other our Ministers in such cases : Forasmuch as Wee haue perceiued since , that lenitie hath bred in them , rather encouragement then obedience , and that they haue presumed to gather themselues in greater multitudes , as well in that Countie , as in some others adioyning , We find it now very necessary to vse sharper remedies .

Wherefore , We will and command all Lieutenants , deputy Lieutenants , Sheriffs , Iustices of Peace , Maiors , Bailiffes , Headboroughs , Constables , and all other our Officers and Ministers to whom it may appertaine , if the said persons shall continue so assembled , after Proclamation made , or any such new Assemblies bee gathered in those , or any other parts of our Realme , immediatly to suppresse them by whatsoeuer meanes they may , be it by force of Armes , if admonitions and other lawfull meanes doe not serue to reduce them to their dueties . For Wee cannot but be iustly moued to such seueritie against those , who vniustly throw a slaunder vpon our Gouernment , by taking that pretence for their disobedience : Seeing it is manifest by Acte of Parliament , passed since our comming to this Crowne , that we haue been careful to preuent such Enclosures , and Depopulations , & that it hath been an ordinary charge giuen by Us to our Iustices of Assises , when they went to their Circuits , to enquire of all vnlawfull Depopulations and Enclosures , and to take order to remedie the same , and to punish the Offenders therein according to the due course of Lawe . And it is well knowen to many , that We were now also in hand with some course to bee taken by aduise of our Counsell for the performance thereof : From which our good purpose and intent , this their presumptuous and vndutifull proceeding , might rather giue Us cause to desist , then increase in Us any affection to relieue such disordered persons , so farre attempting against our Crowne and Dignitie , who chuse rather to trust to their owne pride and rashnes , then to the care and prouidence of their Souereigne . Willing and commanding all our said Lieutenants , Deputie Lieutenants , Shiriffes , and other our Officers and Ministers aboue mentioned , to attend diligently to the execution of this our pleasure , and all other our louing Subiects to be obedient to them in the performance thereof , as they will answere the contrarie at their perill .