By the King. A proclamation for the speedy sending away of the Irish beggers out of this kingdome, into their owne countrey, and for the suppressing and ordering of the English rogues and vagabonds, according to the lawes.

royal blazon or coat of arms

C R

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT ¶ By the King . ❧ A Proclamation for the speedy sending away of the Irish Beggers out of this Kingdome , into their owne Countrey , and for the suppressing and ordering of the English Rogues and Vagabonds , according to the Lawes .

WHereas this Realme hath of late been pestered with a great number of Irish Beggers , who liue here idlely and dangerously , and are of ill example to the Natiues of this Kingdome ; And whereas the multitude of English Rogues & Vagabonds doe much more abound then in former times , some wandring and begging vnder the colour of Souldiers and Mariners , others vnder the pretext of impotent persons , whereby they become a burden to the good people of the Land : All which hapneth by the neglect of the due execution of the Lawes formerly with great prouidence made , for reliefe of the true poore and indigent , and for the punishment of the sturdy Rogues and Vagabonds : For the reforming therefore of so great a mischiefe , and to preuent the many dangers which will ensue by the neglect thereof , The Kings most excellent Maiestie , by the aduise of his Priuie Counsell , and of his Iudges , doth straitly charge and command , that all the Lawes and Statutes of this Realme heeretofore made , and now standing in force for the punishment of Rogues and Vagabonds bee duely put in execution in euery part thereof ; And more particularly , His Maiestie doth expresly charge and command , that all Irish Beggers which now are in any parts of this Kingdome wandring or begging , vnder what pretence soeuer , shall foorthwith depart this Realme , and returne into their owne Countrey , and there abide : And if any Irish man or woman , shall after the end of sixe weekes , to bee accounted from the date hereof , bee found wandering or begging , that then hee or shee shall bee apprehended , vsed , ordered , and punished as Rogues and Vagabonds , by the Lawes of this Realme , and then shall bee conueyed from Constable to Constable vnto one of these Ports following , that is to say , Bristoll , Mynhead , Barstable , Chester , Lirepoole , Milford-Hauen , and Workington , or such of them as shall bee most conuenient for them ; And if the number of those Irish in any one company shall growe too great to be so conueyed by Constables , that then they be conueyed from Sheriffe to Sheriffe vnto one of the Ports aforesayd .

And His Maiestie doeth straitly charge and command , that no person after the end of the said sixe weekes , doe in any wise relieue those Irish Beggars , or any of them , which shall so wander or begge , and shall not apply themselues to be transported as aforesayd .

And His Maiestie doeth further charge and command , that at the sayd Ports they be shipped at the charge of that County and Port respectiuely , those Ports hauing beene the cause of this disorder , by permitting them to bee there landed , contrary to the Lawes , and that from thence , with the next winde and conuenient meanes , they bee transported and set on land on some part of that Kingdome of Ireland , there to bee disposed of according to the Lawes of that Kingdome : And that from henceforth no man be so hardie , as to conuey or bring into this Realme , any Irish person from that Kingdome , who is likely to bee a Beggar here , nor that any such bee suffered to Land in any Port of this Realme , vpon paine of such forfeitures and penalties , as by the Lawes of this Kingdome , or that Kingdome may bee inflicted vpon them for the same , and vpon such further paynes and punishments , as His Maiestie by his Prerogatiue Royall may inflict or impose vpon them . And if notwithstanding any such Irish shall hereafter bee transported from thence hither , that vpon true enquiry made at what Port or place they were Landed , they shall with all speede bee sent backe thither to bee transported backe againe , at the charge of that Port and County where they were so Landed .

And His Maiesty doth straitly charge and command all Shiriffes , Maiors , Iustices of peace , Customers . Comptrollers , Searchers , and all other His Maiesties Officers , Ministers , and louing Subiects , that they and euery of them in their seuerall places doe their best endeauours to obserue and performe His Maiesties Command in this behalfe .

And His Maiestie doth further straitly charge and command , that if any borne within this Realme , shall hereafter wander and begge in this Kingdome , as Souldiers or Marmers , that they bee foorthwith apprehended and committed to the common Goale of that County where they shall bee apprehended ; and bee proceeded against as Felons according to the Lawes .

And His Maiestie doeth straitly charge and command all Shiriffes , Maiors , Iustices of Peace , Constables , Headborougs , Tithingmen and all other His Maiesties Officers , Ministers and Subiects whom it may concerne , that they vse all care and diligence to execute the Lawes against all Rogues and Vagabonds in that behalfe made and prouided , and now standing in force , as they will answere the neglect thereof at their vttermost perils , and that the Iustices of Peace of each County do vse their best endeauours to enquire out , and punish all such neglects and offences , and at euery Assizes to be held for that County , doe giue an exact and true account to the Iudges of Assize for that County , how , and in what manner they haue obserued the same .

Giuen at Our Court at Greenwich , the seuenteenth day of May , in the fift yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine , France , and Ireland . God saue the King .