WHereas We haue taken knowledge of many & great inconueniences , daily arising for want of an exact Roll kept in the Office of Armes , of such as haue receiued from Vs the Order of Knighthood , whereby some haue presumed to challenge that dignitie , vpon whom the same was neuer confered , and amongst them that were indeede knighted , often questions arise for precedencie , which cannot be decided for whant of a Record kept therof : For redresse whereof We directed Our Letters , dated the fifteenth day of Day last , to Our right trustie and right welbeloued Cousin and Counseller , Thomas Earle of Arundel and Surrey , Our Earle Marshal of England , That , according as appertaineth to that his Office , hee should take ordertherein . Neuerthelesse , by reason of the slacknesse and negligence of such as haue beene by Vs aduanced vnto that degree , in not giuing notice thereof to the said Earle Marshall or his Deputie , Our said Letters haue not taken effect according to Our intent .

Wee doe therefore hereby publish and declare Our Royall pleasure , and doe straitly charge and command , That all such persons , as sithence the said fifteenth day of May last past haue receiued that dignity , shall within three moneths after the publishing of this Our Proclamation , and all others that shall hereafter receiue the like dignitie from Vs , or any Our Lieutenants , shall within one moneth after they haue receiued the same , within this Our Realme of England , or within one moneth next after their comming into this Realme , if they receiue the same out of the Realme , bring , or cause to be brought , a sufficient Certificate thereof , and of the time thereof , to Our Earle Marshall of England for the time being , or to such other person or persons as hee shall appoint , to the ende the same may bee registed in a Roll , to bee therefore kept in the Office of Armes , vpon paine that euery person neglecting to bring such Certificate , shall lose the benefit of his due Precedencie , and in all Commissions , imployments , and places , shall be ranked after such as , vpon like Certificate brought , shall be registred before them . And Wee doe like wise signifie and declare Our pleasure to be , That all such as , at any time before the sayd fifteenth day of May last past , did receiue the said Order of knighthood at Our hands , shall at any time hereafter bring such Certificate , as aforesaid , and shall haue the same registred , as aforesaid , for clearing all controuersies and questions that may arise touching their Precedencie .