By the King. A proclamation concerning vvyer, threed, and other manufactures made of gold and siluer.

woodcut of England's coat of arms, 1609

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

DIEV ET MON DROIT .

❧ By the King . ¶ A Proclamation concerning Wyer , Threed , and other Manufactures made of Gold and Siluer .

THe Kings most Excellent Maiestie , being carefull and desirous to preuent and auoid all vnnecessary waste and consumption of Coyne and Bullion within this Realme , hath published sundry Proclamations , for suppressing all irregular and vnlawfull Melting and Fining of Gold and Siluer , and the making of Gold and Siluer Threed , Gold and Siluer Foliat , and other Manufactures , whereupon much Coyne and Bullion was found to be consumed : But not finding any amendment answerable to his gracious expectation , for that the offendors , being many of them very poore , and making their whole gaine and liuing thereby , did aduenture , against all Law and Authoritie , to continue their workes , though in a more secret and close manner then before . And therefore his Maiestie , vpon mature aduice with his Priuie Counsel , finding it a matter of so much difficultie vtterly to suppresse those Manufactures , as that it was not to bee effected without much seueritie and rigor to many of the poorer sort of his Subiects , hath resolued of a more moderate and fitting course , by reducing those Trades vnder order and gouernement , whereby the inconueniences may be preuented , and yet the Trades ( being the liuelyhood of so many men ) not wholly banished : And to that intent his Maiestie , by aduice of the Lords , and others of His Priuie Counsell , hath granted a Charter of incorporation to the Gouernour , Assistants , and Commonaltie of Gold-Wyer-drawers of the Citie of London , conteining sundry politique and good Rules and Orders , aswell for preseruing of Coyne and Bullion , as for regulating the said Trades , and auoyding such deceits as may arise thereby to his Maiesties Subiects .

For the better strengthening whereof , his Maiestie doth hereby straitly charge and command , First , that no person or persons whatsoeuer , ( except such as are , or shall be of the sayd Company , or Corporation ) doe at any time hereafter vse , exercise , or put in practise any the Trades , Mysteries , or Manufactures of spinning , or making of Gold and Siluer Threed , Purles , Plates , Oes , Spangles , or Foliat , or the drawing of Wyer for any of those vses or purposes , or for Damasking , or inlaying , or the drawing of Wyer for Cloth of Gold or Siluer , or doe , or put in practise any other thing belonging to the Art of a Gold or Siluer Wyer-drawer , or doe Melt , Fine , Prepare or disgrosse any Gold or Siluer for any of the vses aforesayd , or doe set vp any Milles , Engines or Instruments for , or to the vses or purposes aforesayd , or any of them .

Secondly , That no person or persons of the said Company or Corporation , nor any other whatsoeuer , doe at any time hereafter make within this Realme of England , or import , or cause to be imported into the same , or any part thereof , any Gold or Siluer Threed , or Wyer , being counterfeit stuffe , or made of base Golde or Siluer .

Thirdly , That no person or persons whatsoeuer , now being , or which hereafter shall be of the said Corporation , doe or shall make , buy , sell , vtter , or put to sale any Gold or Siluer Wyer or Threed , but according to such Powers , Limitations and Prouisions , as are mentioned and contained in the Charter made to the said Corporation . And that no person or persons whatsoeuer , doe or shall buy or sell , or cause to be bought , vttered or solde , any Gold or Siluer Wyer , or Threed , before the same be sealed with the Seale for that purpose , to be appointed according to the intent of the said Charter , vpon paine , that all person and persons offending in any the premisses , contrary to his Maiesties Pleasure herein expressed , shall incurre his Maiesties indignation and censure in his high Court of Starre-Chamber , & such further punishment by imprisonment , or otherwise , as may by the Lawes and Statutes of this Realme , or his Maiesties Prerogatiue Royall be inflicted vpon them for their offences , and contempt of His Maiesties Royall Commandement .

And His Maiestie doeth hereby Command , and giue power and Authoritie vnto His Attourney Generall , for the time being , vpon Information giuen vnto him of any offendors in any the premisses , to prosecute all and euery the said offendors in the said Court of Starre-chamber , that they may be there censured and punished according to their demerits .

And His Maiestie doeth further by these Presents will and require the Lord Mayor of the City of London , for the time being , and all other Mayors , Sheriffes , Bayliffes , Constables , Headboroughs , and other Officers and ministers of His Maiestie , his Heires and Successors , to see that this His Maiesties Proclamation be in all points executed , and to be aiding and assisting vnto the said Gouernour , Assistants and Communaltie , and their successors , and vnto such person and persons , as by them or any of them shall be assigned and appointed , in and about the due execution of the foresaid Charter to them granted , or any thing contained therein , as they tender His Maiesties Pleasure ; Any former Proclamation , or any prouision , restraint , matter , or thing whatsoeuer to the contrary of the premisses , or any of them , in any wise notwithstanding .

Giuen at Our Court at Greenwich , the sixteenth day of Iune , in the one and twentieth yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine , France and Ireland . God saue the King .