VPon Petition lately exhibited vnto His Highnesse by the Company of Buckle-Forgers , Buckle-Filers , and Trimmers and Dressers of Buckles , members of the Societie of Girdlers , London , informing His Highnesse , that Buckles for Girdles , Hangers , Belts , or other Wares for mens wearing , and Warre-seruice , were wont to bee well and truely forged , and made of Iron , in which Trade , the sayd Company haue well and honestly gotten their liuings , and thereupon haue maintained themselues and Families in decent order , and that of late times , there is a subtill way found out by Casting of Buckles in Brasse , in deceit of His Highnesse Subiects :

His Highnesse was pleased to referre the consideration hereof , to the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie of London , who appointed Commissioners to call both sides before them , and to examine the grieuances alleadged ; And vpon hearing both sides , haue made certificate to His Highnesse , That those Buckles which are Cast in Brasse , are brittle , and not so seruiceable as those made of Iron , and that there are not aboue foure or sixe persons within London , that make and Cast those Buckles in Brasse , who doe not vse it as the whole Trade of their liuing , but doe other worke , whereby they rayse a good competencie of liuelihood , and that there are three hundred persons whose onely meanes to maintaine themselues and Families , is by Forging and making Iron Buckles and Harnesse , and that those who cast the brasse Buckles can make more in one day , then ten of those that make the Iron Buckles can doe , by reason of their slightnesse , and that if the Brasse Buckles which are brittle and vnseruiceable should bee tolerated , those great number of poore men that make the Iron Buckles ( which are much more seruiceable ) with their families are like to bee impouerished .

His Highnesse to mainetaine a multitude of poore Artizans that hereby gaine their liuings , and that his people may not bee deceiued , Doth by this His Highnesse Proclamation strictly inhibite all persons whatsoeuer , That they doe not at any time hereafter make vp any brasse Buckles in Girdles , Belts , Hangers , or other wares vsed for mens wearing , or for warre seruice , or vent , or put to sale any such Girdles , Belts , or Hangers , or other Wares here after to be made vp with brasse Buckles within this His Highnesse Realme of England , vpon paine of His Maiesties high Indignation , and displeasure , and such further paines , and penalties as by the Lawes , and Statutes of this Realme , and by His Maiesties Prerogatiue Royall , can , or may bee inflicted vpon Contemners of His Maiesties Proclamations , and Royall Commands .

And His Highnesse doeth by these presents giue power , and authority , and expresse Commandement to all His Iudges , Iustices , His Aturney Generall for the time being , Maiors , Sherieffs , Balieffs , Iustices of Peace , Headboroughes , Constables , and other Officers whatsoeuer , whom it may concerne , That they and euery of them , diligently attend the due execution of this His Highnesse Proclamation , and vpon complaint made , proceede in His Highnesse Court of Starre-Chamber , or elsewhere , against such as shall disobey , or impugne the same , to the end the delinquents may receiue condigne punishment according to their demerits , as they tender Our Pleasure , and will auoyd the contrary , at their vtmost perills .