THe loue and care Wee haue towards the preseruation of Our Subiects , and the keeping of Our Lande from being polluted with blood ; doth make Us striue with the euill humors and depraued customes of the times , to reforme and suppresse them by Our Princely policy and Iustice ; To which end and purpose , We haue by the seueritie of Our Edict , ( proceeding from Our owne pen , and by the exemplar censure and Decrees of Our Court of Starre-Chamber ) put downe , and in good part mastered that audacious custome of Duelles and Challenges , and haue likewise by a Statute made in Our time , taken away the benefit of Clergie in case of Stabbing , and the like odious Man-slaughters :

Wherefore it being alwayes the more principall in Our intention to preuent , then to punish , being giuen to vnderstand of the vse of Steelets , pocket Daggers , and pocket Dags and Pistols , which are weapons vtterly vnseruiceable for defence , Militarie practise , or other lawfull vse , but odious , and noted Instruments of murther , and mischiefe ; We doe straightly will and command all persons whatsoeuer , that they doe not hencefoorth presume to weare or carie about them any such Steelet or pocket Dagger , pocket Dagge or Pistoll , vpon paine of Our Princely Indignation and displeasure , Imprisonment and Censure in the Starre-Chamber ; And We doe likewise straightly forbid vpon like paine all Cutlers , or other person , to make or sell any of the said Steelets , pocket Daggers , pocket Dagges or Pistols .