By the King. A proclamation against false packing vp of butter, and other deceits and misdemeanors concerning butter-caske, discouered since the publishing of a former proclamation in that behalfe.

royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT ¶ By the King . ¶ A Proclamation against false packing vp of Butter , and other deceits and misdemeanors concerning Butter-Caske , discouered since the publishing of a former Proclamation in that behalfe .

WHereas vpon the humble Petition of Our louing Subjects the Free men of Our City of London , trading in Butter and Cheese , We caused Our Royall Proclamation to be published for prevention of many frauds and abuses , which had beene frequently practised as well in the overweight of Butter-Caske , as in the false packing of Butter ; Notwithstanding which Our Royall intention , and the vigilant care of Our welbeloued seruant , Captaine Iohn Read , in the execution of the trust in him reposed concerning the reformation thereof ( wherewith we are well satisfied ) many great abuses are still committed by Farmors , Dairiemen , Packers of Butter , and others , by putting vp of corrupt and vnwholsome Butter with good Creame Butter , and by making of new Heads or new Boards to some part of old sealed Caskes , and by counterfeiting the Stampe with which the said Butter-Caskes be marked , & likewise by Putting , Packing , Shipping , and Transporting of Butter in Caskes & Vessels before they be marked , & also by putting of greater quantities of Salt into those Vessels then is necessary for the preseruation of the Butter therein contained , and weighing the same Butter with vnsealed and deceitfull Weights and Balances : All which seuerall falshoods , frauds , and misdemeanours , being of euill consequence to the common wealth , and contemptuously committed against the tenor of Our former Proclamation ( which We will shall be in all things in violably obserued ; ) Therefore the better to meet with these and the like obstinate Offendors , We haue enlarged the power of Our said Seruant , his Assignes and Deputies , by Our late Letters Patents vnder Our great Seale of England ; And doe hereby giue Our people timely notice thereof , that they may preuent the punishment which is iustly to fall vpon them , if hereafter they happen to be found transgressors in the Premisses , or any of them .

And We doe hereby charge and command , all Coopers and Potters respectiuely , that from henceforth they make all Firkins of one size , and they to conteine fifty fire pounds neat Butter , and so after the like rate for Kilderkins and Barrels , and all Pots to hold fourteene pounds neat Butter , without fraud or guile : And that the said Coopers and Potters doe and shall set his and their distinct marke vpon euery such Caske , Pot , or Vessell , by him and them to b emade , to the end the Delinquents may be discouered , and receiue condigne punishment according to their demerits . To the end therefore that the frauds and Offendors aforesaid may be the fooner discouered , Our will and pleasure is , that the said Captaine Iohn Reade , his Assignes and Deputies , and euery of them , shall set a distinct Marke vpon euery Vessell or Caske by them hereafter to be sealed and marked ; And also that euery Maker , and Packer vp of Butter into any Caske or Vessell , do and shall from time to time hereafter set his and their priuate Marke vpon euery Vessell or Caske to be filled with Butter , whereby the defectiue Butter , either in weight or goodnesse , and the persons by whom the same was made , packed vp , or filled , may be the better discouered . And if the Offendors aforesaid , or any of them , shall notwithstanding these Our Princely Commands , wilfully and contemptuously proceede and continue in committing any the aforesaid offences , whereof by this Our Proclamation they are forewarned and restrained , We doe hereby giue further power and authority vnto Our said seruant , his Deputie and Deputies , with the assistance of a Constable , or other Officer , to enter and goe into any Faires , Markets , Houses , Shops , Warehouses , Ports , Harbors , Ships , Vessels , and all other places whatsoeuer , within this Our Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales , to search for and discouer all Butter-Vessels deceitfully made , put to sale vnbranded , branded with any counterfeit Brand , or filled with Butter wanting the due weight in Butter , as aforesaid , or corrupt Butter mingled with good Butter ; and finding any such , to seize and destroy the same , or put the same into safe custodie vntill they shall be otherwise disposed of , according to the Lawes and Statutes of this Realme , and the Offendors condignly punished according to their demerits .

Lastly , We doe hereby for vs , Our Heires , and Successors , charge and command all and singular Maiors , Iustices of Peace , Sheriffes , Bailiffes , Constables , Headboroughs , and all other Officers and Ministers whomsoeuer , of vs , Our Heires and Successors , within this Our Realme of England , and Dominion of Wales , to be aiding , assisting , and helping vnto the said Captaine Iohn Reade , his Deputie and Deputies , and euery of them in the due execution of the said Office , and of Our will and pleasure herein , and in Our former Proclamation and Letters Patents expressed , according to the true meaning of these presents , whensoeuer they or any of them shall be thereunto desired , and in no wise to hinder , interrupt , or molest him or them in any thing concerning the execution and performance of this seruice , as they tender Our pleasure , and will auoid the contrary at their perils .

Given at Our Court at Oatlands , the sixteenth day of Iuly , in the thirteenth yeere of Our Reigne . ❧ God save the King .