THE Kings most Excellent Maiestie , in his Princely wisedome and prouidence , foreseeing , That if in these times , when an Inuasion is threatned , the Inhabitants on the Seacoastes , and in the Ports , and Sea townes of this Realme of England , and Dominion of Wales , out of an apprehension of danger , should desert the Sea coastes , Ports , or Townes aforesaid , and leauing their wonted Habitations , or places of abode , shall withdraw themselues from thence , when there is most vse of their abiding , and commorancy there ; those places would be left as a prey to the enemies , and they inuited to an Inuasion , hauing incouragement before-hand , not not to finde resistance ; whereas , if at their first entrance , or attempt to land , they were encountred , it would bee much easier to repell them , then when they shall be landed and intrenched , or put into Array :

His Maiesty therefore by the aduice of His Priuie Counsell , doth straitly charge and command all persons of whatsoeuer quality or degree , who , at any time heretofore within one yeere now last , haue had or made their Residence many of the Port Townes or Sea Townes of this Realme of England , or Dominion of Wales , or on any the Sea Coasts , shall continue their habitations there , with their ordinary Families and Retinue ; And that if any of them haue already withdrawne themselues from their wonted habitations in those places , that they doe presently repaire thither againe , and continue and abide there with their Families and Retinues during these times of Hostility and danger , for the better defence and safety of those parts , and of this whole Realme : And His Maiesty doth hereby straitly charge and command , that no person whatsoeuer presume to breake this His Royall command , in , and concerning the Premises , vpon paine of His Maiesties highest displeasure , and of such seuere penalties and punishments , as by the Lawes of this Realme , or by His Highnesse Prerogatiue Royall , can be inflicted vpon such Offendors .