By the King. A proclamation for the maintaining and increase of the mines of saltpeter, and the true making and working of saltpeter and gunpowder, and reforming of all abuses concerning the same.

DIEV ET MON DROIT royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the Tudor rose on one side and the Scottish thistle on the other ❧ By the King . ¶ A Proclamation for the maintaining and increase of the Mines of Saltpeter , and the true making and working of Saltpeter and Gunpowder , and reforming of all abuses concerning the same .

THe Kings most Excellent MAIESTIE , taking into his serious and prouident consideration and care , the most important vse of Saltpeter and Gunpowder , aswell for the supply of his owne Nauy Royal , and other the shipping of His louing Subiects , as also for the strength , safety , and defence of His people and Kingdomes , especially in these times of Hostility and danger ; And calling to His Princely remembrance , how great a blessing of Almighty God it is vnto this Realme , that it naturally yeeldeth sufficient Mines of Saltpeter , for making of Gunpowder for the ordinary store thereof , without the vncertaine and hazzardous dependance vpon prouisions from forreigne parts , if those Mines and meanes be husbanded , and prouidently vsed for the best aduantage of the seruice ; And remembring also , that His Maiestie not long since , by His Royall Proclamation , hath made knowen his Princely care and prouidence , to furnish himselfe and his Kingdomes with Saltpeter , by a new inuention offered vnto His Maiestie , and found probable to take some good effect , whereby he might in time to come , ease His louing Subiects of those troubles and charges in digging for Saltpeter in the old and approoued way , which cannot otherwise be auoided ; And being informed , that the apprehension of this new Inuention hath giuen occasion to diuers , to oppose the Saltpeter men , working in the old and ordinary way , by vertue of his Maiesties Commission and instructions , which out of any new fancie , or imagination , may not in the meane time be neglected ; Hath with the aduice of His Priuie Counsell , thought fit to quicken the former Orders and Constitutions , made and published in the first yeere of his Maiesties Reigne , with some additions , and explanations , for his better seruice , and the seruice and safety of his whole Kingdomes and Dominions , which Orders and Constitutions , as they are hereafter expressed in these Articles following : His Maiestie straitly willeth and commandeth shall be from henceforth inuiolably kept and obserued , by all persons whom it shall concerne respectiuely , for the better maintaining , increasing and getting of Saltpeter , and true making of Gunpowder , & for the suppressing & reforming of all abuses concerning the same .

1. FIrst , That no person or persons whatsoeuer within this Kingdome of England , or Dominion of Wales , doe from henceforth paue with Stone or Bricke , or floore with board , any Douehouse or Doue-coat , or lay the same with Lime , Sand , Grauel , or other thing , wherby the growth and increase of the Myne of Saltpeter may be hindered or impayred but shall suffer the Floore , or Ground thereof , to lye open with good and mellow earth , apt to breed increase of the said Mine and Saltpeter , and so continue and keepe the same . 2. THat no Inne-keepers , or others that keepe Stables for Trauailers and Passengers , doe vse any deceitfull meanes or deuices , whereby to destroy or hinder the growth of Saltpeter in those Stables , And that no Stables at all be pitched , paued , or grauelled , where the horse feete vse to stand , but planked onely , nor bee paued , pitched , or grauelled before the plankes next the Mangers , but that both places bee kept and maintained with good and mellow earth , fit and apt to breed and increase the Mine of Saltpeter , and layd with nothing which may hurt the same . 3. That all and euery such person and persons , as hauing heretofore had any Doue-house , Doue-coat , or Stable , Teller or Ware house , which were then good nourceries for the breed of Mine of Saltpeter , haue sithence caried out the good Mould from thence , and filled the place againe with Lime , Grauell , Sand , Rubbish , or other like Stuffe , or paued or floored the same , wherby the growth of Saltpeter Mine there hath been decayed or destroyed , Shal , and doe within three moneths next comming , take vp the said Pauements and Boards againe , and cary out the sayd Grauell , Lime , and offensiue stuffe from thence , and fill the place againe with good and mellow earth , fit for the increase of Saltpeter , three foote deepe at the least , and so continue and keepe the same for the breede of Saltpeter Mine . 4. THat no person or persons , of what degree or estate soeuer , shall hinder or denie any Saltpeter-man , lawfully deputed thereunto , in the digging , taking , or working of any Ground , Walles , or earth , which by Commission may be taken and wrought for Saltpeter ; Nor any Constable , or other Officer , doe , or shall forbeare , or neglect to furnish any such Salpeter-man with conuenient Cariages necessary for his worke at the prices of foure pence the mile , limited , and allowed , and so long as the Saltpeter-men performe their vndertakings to His Maiestie , in and by His Commission , for the encouragement of the Saltpeter-men in these times of danger and necessitie ; And that all and euery Iustice and Iustices of the Peace , of any County , Citie , or Corporations , to whom the said Saltpeter-man shall addresse himselfe for assistance , doe not faile at his and their perils , to take present course therein , that His Maiesties Seruice suffer not by his or their default . 5. THat whensoeuer any old house or building in London , or within three miles thereof , shall be pulled downe , and the Earth or Rubbish is to be caried away or remooued , That before any part therof be stirred or remoued , there be notice therof giuen at the Kings storehouse for the making of Saltpeter in Southwarke , and that the Deputy or workemen for Saltpeter , doe , and may first take so much of the said Earth or Rubbish , as in their iudgement and experience is fittest for Saltpeter for the Kings Seruice . 6. THat no person or persons , shall directly or indirectly , giue or offer to any Saltpeter-maker , deputy Saltpeter-man , or others imployed about the getting or making of Saltpeter , any Gratuity , Benefit , Hire or Reward ; Nor any such workeman imployed about Saltpeter , shall take or receiue any such Gratuity , Benefit , Hire , or Reward , for the sparing or forbearing of any ground or place , which should , or may be digged or wrought for Saltpeter , or of any Cariages thereunto belonging , or for concealing , or not discouering of any offence or offences committed against the true meaning of this Proclamation , or otherwise to the hinderance of this Seruice . 7. THat no Saltpeter-man , who shall hereafter vse and take the Earth , or Floore of any Doue house , or Doue-coat , for their making of Saltpeter , shall digge or carie the same Earth , but in such conuenient time of the day , and worke it in such manner , as may giue least disturbance and hurt to the Pigeons , and increase of their breede , and in the chiefe times of their breeding , that it be not done aboue two houres in any one day , and that about the middest of the day , when the Pigeons vse to be abroad ; And shall in like seasonable time carie in the sayd Earth after it shall be wrought , and spread it there , and make flat the Floore of the same Douehouse and Doue-coat , and leaue it well and orderly , according to the direction and instructions giuen by His Maiesties Commission , and the Deputation thereupon made . 8. THat all Saltpeter-men , and workers in Saltpeter , after they haue broken any other sorts of Ground , and wrought ouer the Earth taken from thence , doe , and shall afterwards , within conuenient time , before the remoue of their worke from thence , fill vp the place againe , and leaue it in such good and orderly case as conueniently may bee , according to their instructions aforesaid : And that no owner , or possessour of any Douehouse , or Grounds , shall hinder or disturbe any workeman from doing what is prescribed in this , and the next precedent Article . 9. THat no Saltpeter-man , or maker of Saltpeter , doe at any time hereafter transport or cause to bee transported into the parts beyond the Seas , or sell , giue , vtter or put to salt , or cause to be sold , vttered , or put to sale , within the said Realme or Dominion , any Saltpeter , made within the said Realme of England , but only to His Maiesties Storehouse , to His Maiesties Powder-maker there ; And that no person presume to buy any Saltpeter made by vertue of His Maiesties Commission , but his Maiesties Powder-maker onely , to whome it shall not be lawfull to receiue for any Powder to bee sold by him to His Maiesties Subiects , aboue tenne pence the pound . 10. THat no Powder whatsoeuer , either made within the Realme , or imported from Forreigne parts , bee hereafter sold or vttered within this Realme , or Dominions aforesayd , by any person or persons , before the same be first tried , prooued , and allowed by the sworne Proofe-master already appointed , or to bee appointed , and by him marked as hath beene heretofore vsed , whereby His Maiesties louing Subiects may take notice of the sorts of the said Gunpowder , and the goodnesse thereof , and the vses to which it may most aptly bee applyed . 11. THat no person presume or attempt to counterfeit the Marke or Markes , vsed , or to bee vsed by the sayd Proofe-master , to the purpose aforesayd , or doe worke or put in practize any fraud , deceit , or sleight , by mixing or mingling any Gunpowder , or otherwise , whereby His Maiesties meaning before expressed , may be altered , diuerted or abused . 12. THat the Proofe-master appointed and to bee appointed , doe diligently attend to doe his duety faithfully and truely , in making proofe of the said Gunpowder , and to marke none but that which shall bee good and sufficient , and answerable to the Markes ; And that hee take not aboue sixe pence Fee , for any Barrell of Powder of one hundred weight , which shall by him bee tryed , prooued , and marked , as aforesayd , and so proportionably not aboue that rate , for greater or lesser quantities .

All which Articles , and euery of them , His Maiestie doeth hereby straitly charge and command all manner of persons of what qualitie soeuer they be , duely to obserue and fulfill . And all Officers and persons in authoritie , whom it may concerne duely , carefully and diligently to see , and cause the same to bee obserued , fulfilled and put in execution , as they and euery of them will auoyd His Maiesties heauy displeasure , and the Censure of beeing holden contemners of His Maiesties Royall Commandement , in a matter of high consequence , for the publique Seruice and safetie of the State , and vpon such further penalties and punishments , as for example of terrour to others , their contempts and wants of duety shall demerice , and by his Maiesties Prerogatiue Royall , or otherwise shall bee found fit , in Honour and Iustice , to bee inflicted vpon them .

And , for the better and more speedie performance of this Seruice , His Maiesties will and pleasure is , That the Officers for the Ordnance shall from time to time take notice of all such Complaints as shall be brought vnto them , touching any offence that shall bee committed contrary to this Proclamation , either in the neglecting , hindering or disturbing this His Maiesties Seruice , or in abusing the Subiect : And that the said Officers of the Ordnance shall certifie the same to his Maiesties Right Trustie and Right welbeloued Cousin and Counsellor , George Duke of Buckingham , Lord high Admirall of England , and to His Right Trustie and welbeloued Cousin and Counsellour , George Earle of Totnes , Master of the Ordnance , to whose speciall trust and care , His Maiestie hath committed the gouernment of the said businesse , by Commission vnder the great Seale of England ; And that they or either of them , shall from time to time send for all offendors complained of , and cause them to be examined by the said Officers of the Ordnance ; And vpon their report , take such further order therein , by referring the offendors to bee prosecuted in the high Court of Starre-thamber , or otherwise , as to their wisedomes shall seeme meete ; Commanding and authorizing His Maiesties Attourney Generall for the time being , vpon such reference from the said Duke of Buckingham , or Earle of Totnes , or other Information giuen vnto him , of any misdemeanour , committed contrary to the true meaning of any the Articles aforesayd , to prosecute , and proceede against the said offendors in the said high Court of Starre-chamber : It being His Maiesties expresse pleasure , That seuere punishment shall be executed vpon all the said offendors whatsoeuer .

Giuen at Our Court at Ampthell , the three and twentieth day of Iuly , in the third yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine , France and Ireland . God saue the King .