By the King. A proclamation for adiourning the terme.

arms of Charles I C R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT . ❧ By the King . ¶ A Proclamation for Adiourning the Terme .

THe Kings most Excellent Maiestie , finding that the Infection of the Plague is at this present dispersed and scattered , aswell into seuerall Parishes of the Citie of London , as into sundry other parts of the Kingdome , and now lately come into seuerall houses of the Citie of Westminster , some of them not farre from the place where the Courts of Iustice are vsually holden ; And foreseeing , that if the generall resort , and concourse of people from all parts of the Kingdome to Westminster , for the occasions of the next Terme , should be continued in the ordinary course , the same might bee an occasion of further dispersing the sayd Infection , aswell in the said Cities of London and Westminster , as in other places , especially in the Through-fare Townes , which yet ( by Gods mercie ) stand free ; And hoping that by the deferring and putting off the businesse of the next Terme of S. Michael , for some of the first Returnes thereof , and thereby keeping the Sicke from the Whole , till the coldnesse of the yeere come further on , may ( by Gods blessing ) bee a good meane to preuent the further spreading of that Contagion , whereby His Maiestie , the Queene , and Prince , may afterwards with more safety come & abide at their vsuall places of Residence & accesse , and His Subiects , aswell for their Suits in Law , as for their Trade and Commerce , resort to the sayd Cities of London and Westminster , Is therefore of His especiall fauour and Princely goodnes , resolued to Adiourne the sayd Terme of S. Michael , ( That is to say ) in , and from the Vtas thereof , vnto the fourth Returne of the sayd Terme , called Mense Michaelis next comming , which his Maiestie signifieth to all his louing Subiects of this his Realme , to the intent that they and euery of them , who haue cause or commandement to appeare in any of his Highnesse Courts at Westminster , in , or at any day or time from and after the sayd Vtas of S. Michael , may tarry at their dwellings , or where their businesse otherwise shall lye , without resorting to any of the said Courts for that cause before the sayd Returne of Mense Michaelis next comming ; And that without danger of forfeiture , penaltie , or contempt to bee incurred towards his Maiestie in that behalfe .

And neuerthelesse His Maiesties pleasure is , that two of His Iustices ( that is to say ) of either Bench one , shall the first day of the said Terme of S. Michael , called Octabis Michaelis , according to the ancient order of the Lawes keepe the Essoynes of the said Octabis Michaelis . At which Vtas of S. Michael Writs of Adiournement shall be directed to the said Iustices , giuing them authoritie to Adiourne the said Terme of S. Michael from the Vtas thereof , vntill the said fourth Returne of Mense Michaelis ( as aforesaid . ) And the said Adiournement shall be made in the first day of the said Vtas , commonly called the day of Essoynes .

And further His Maiesties pleasure is , that all matters , Causes and Suites depending in any of his other Courts , betweene party and party , aswell in His Highnes Courts of Chancery , Starchamber and Exchequer , as in the Courts of Wards and Liueries , Duchy of Lancaster , and Court of Requests shall haue continuance , and the parties shall haue day from the date of these presents , vntill the said fourth Returne , as before is said .

Prouided alwayes , and His Maiesties Pleasure and Commandement is , That all Collectors , Receiuers , Sheriffes and other Accomptants , and all other persons that should or ought to accompt or pay any summe or summes of money in any of His Maiesties Courts of Exchequer , Court of Wards and Liueries , and of his Duchy of Lancaster , or in any of them , or to enter into any Accompt in any of the said Courts , shall repayre vnto the accustomed places at Westminster where His Highnesse hath appointed such Officers and Ministers , as for that purpose His Maiestie hath thought expedient , and there to pay and doe in euery behalfe , as though no such Proclamation of Adiournement had beene had or made .

And His Highnesse further pleasure and Commandement is , That all Sheriffes shall returne their Writts and Proces against all such Accomptants and Debtors , at the dayes therein appointed . And if any person or persons who ought to Accompt or pay any summe or summes of money to His Maiestie in any of the Courts and places aforesaid , doe make default therein , That then His Highnesse Writts and Processe shall be awarded against them , and duly serued and Returned by the Sheriffes and other Officers , as the same should haue been if this present Proclamation had not beene made . And if any Sheriffe or other Officer shall make default , or bee negligent in Seruing , Executing , or Returning of any the Writts or Processe aforesaid , That then euery such Sheriffe and other Officer shall incurre such paines and penalties as by the said Courts , or any of them shall bee Taxed and Assessed ; Willing and commanding all and euery His Maiesties Sheriffes , Officers , Ministers and Subiects to whom it doth or shall appertaine to obserue and keepe their Assemblies and Apparances with all their Returnes and Certificates in His Highnesse said Courts at Westminster , in Mense Michaelis next comming , then and there to be holden and kept , and there to doe their Offices and Duties in euery behalfe , in like manner and forme , as they should or ought to haue done if this present Proclamation had not beene had or made , as thy will answere to the contrarie at their perils .

And further His most Excellent Maiestie , vpon the same reasons , and out of the same prouident care to take away all other occasions of needlesse resort and concourse in this time of danger , doth hereby straitly charge and command that no person or persons vpon pretence of seeking helpe or Cure of the disease commonly called The Kings Euill , doe presume or attempt to come to His Maiesties Court , or to the Cities of London or Westminster for that purpose before Palme Sunday next comming , vpon paine of His Maiesties high displeasure , his Maiestie hereby declaring himselfe , that his resolution is not to sit for healing vntill after that day ; And therefore his Maiestie doeth further charge and command all his Officers and Ministers to whom the same may appertaine to make stay of all such as shall be comming against this his Royall Commandement , and returne them backe to the places from whence they came , with such condigne punishment for their misdemeanour , as they shall thinke fit .

And lastly , because his Maiestie hath obserued , that diuers Noblemen , Knights , and other persons of qualitie , haue beene accustomed towards the Winter season , to giue ouer their House-keeping and hospitality in the Countrey where they dwell , and to come vp and liue or soiourne at London or Westminster , or other Cities and Townes ; A thing which hath beene vsually forbidden , not onely in the times of the late Queene ELIZABETH , and of his Maiesties Father ( of blessed memorie , ) but in the times of other his Royall Predecessors , and is of very euill consequence , the Winter time being a time when the Countrey hath most need of their Residence and keeping amongst their Neighbours , and attending the publique Seruices and occasions thereof , but aboue all other times , is not to bee permitted in times of Infection and Dearth ; His Maiesties expresse pleasure and will is , and hee doth hereby straitly charge and command ( for the reasons and considerations aforesayd ) That they continue at their vsuall dwellings and habitations in the Countrey for the Winter season now comming , without remoouing themselues and their Families from the places of their abode to London or Westminster , or other Cities and great Towns , sauing that such as for attending their Suits in Law , or other iust cause shall bee occasioned thereunto , may come vp to London or Westminster , leauing their Families in the Countrey , and to returne againe thither after their businesse dispatched , aswell to auoyd their owne danger , as to be a comfort and reliefe to such of their poore Neighbours as shall stand in neede thereof ; And if they haue any place of authority , ( as being Iustices of Peace , or other Officers ) to take due care aswell for preuenting the further spreading of the Plague , as to see that the Markets be well serued with Corne and prouisions at reasonable Rates and Prices : All which his Maiesty straitly chargeth and commandeth to bee duely obserued by all such whom the same shall any way concerne , vpon paine of his Maiesties high displeasure , and of such further punishment , as by the Lawes , or his Maiesties Royall Prerogatiue may bee inflicted vpon them , for contemning or disobeying this his Maiesties Commandement at their perils .

Giuen at his Maiesties Court at Wansted , the ninth day of September , 1630. in the sixt yeere of his Maiesties Reigne of Great Britaine , France and Ireland . God saue the King .