THe Kings most Excellent MAIESTIE , taking into His Princely consideration , the frequent abuses complained of by the Officers of His Maiesties Armorie , and Stores , aswel in purloyning as in chopping and changing of Armes , deliuered out of His Stores for Land and Sea Seruice . And likewise being informed of an abuse , no lesse frequent at Musters and Trainings in all the Counties of these His Realmes and Dominions , aswell by borrowing Armes of the seuerall Counties one from another , as also by borrowing Armes of the seuerall diuisions in each Countie one from another , by meanes whereof His Maiesties Honour and Seruice , is impaired , and the safety and defence of His Kingdomes and People may be much endangered , for want of necessary Armes and Munition , vpon any sudden occasion ; his Maiestie therefore , for a timely remedy thereof , and for preuenting of the like in the future , hath , by the aduice of His priuie Counsell , thought fit , and appointed , that all Muskets , and other Armes to be hencefoorth issued out of His Maiesties Stores for Land Seruice , shall bee marked with the Marke of C. R. and for Sea Seruice , with the Marke of C. R. and an Anchor . And His Maiesty doeth hereby strictly charge , prohibite and command , that no person or persons whatsoeuer , shall hereafter presume , attempt , or goe about to sell or buy any of his Maiesties Armes or Munition whatsoeuer , vpon paine of incurring his Maiesties high displeasure , and the seuerest punishment , that by the Lawes and Statutes of this his Maiesties Realme of England , or by his Maiesties Prerogatiue Royal can , or may be inflicted vpon the Offenders , for their contempt and disobedience in this behalfe .

And to the intent that the sayd abuse of borrowing of Armes , either by seuerall Counties , or by seuerall Diuisions in one and the same County , may likewise be preuented , His Maiesties expresse pleasure is , and he doeth hereby straitly charge and command , that no person or persons whatsoeuer , shall hereafter borrow any Armes or Munition , to bee vsed or imployed at any publique Musters or Trainings , in any Countie , or Diuision of County , of this His Maiesties Realme of England , or Dominion of Wales , but that euery person and persons , shal from time to time furnish him and themselues , with such Armour , Weapons , and Munition , as is , or shal be by the Lord Lieutenants , & deputy Lieutenants of each County , respectiuely appointed & assessed ; And for the better effecting hereof , His Maiestie doth hereby charge and command the said Lord Lieutenants and deputie Lieutenants of each County respectiuely , to cause a seueral distinct Marke to be set and stampt vpon all the Armes of each Countie , whereby the same may be distinguished from the Armes of other Counties , and likewise to cause seuerall distinct Markes to bee stampt vpon the Armes of the seuerall Diuisions , and Bands of each County , whereby the Armes of one Diuision and Band , may be knowen from another , that thereby all parts of these His Maiesties Realmes and Dominions , may bee fitly and sufficiently stored with Armes and Munition , both for defence , and offence , as occasion shall require .

And His Maiesty doth hereby charge and command , aswell all the Officers of His Maiesties Ordnance and Armory , for that which concerneth them , as all Lord Lieutenants , and deputy Lieutenants , and all others to whom it shall or may appertaine , to take speciall care , to see this His Maiesties pleasure put in due execution accordingly .