20 - The Book of Sports, 1618.

Summary

The kings maiesties declaration to his subiects: concerning lawfull sports to be used.

Whereas upon our returne the last yeere out of Scotland, wee did publish our pleasure touching the recreations of our people in those parts under our hand: for some causes us thereunto mooving, we have thought good to command these our directions then given in Lancashire with a few words thereunto added, and most appliable to these parts of our realmes, to be published to all our subiects.

Whereas we did iustly in our progresse through Lancashire, rebuke some puritanes and precise people, and tooke order that the like unlawfull cariage should not bee used by any of them hereafter, in the prohibiting and unlawfull punishing of our good people for using their lawfull recreations, and honest exercises upon Sundayes and other holy dayes, after the afternoone sermon or service: wee now find that two sorts of people wherewith that countrey is much infested, (wee meane papists and puritanes) have maliciously traduced and calumniated those our iust and honourable proceedings. And therefore lest our reputation might upon the one side (though innocently) have some aspersion layd upon it, and that upon the other part our good people in that countrey bee misled by the mistaking and misinterpretation of our meaning: we have therefore thought good hereby to cleare and make our pleasure to bee manifested to all our good people in those parts.

It is true that at our first entry to this crowne, and kingdome, wee were informed, and that too truely, that our county of Lancashire abounded more in popish recusants then any countie of England, and thus hath Stil continued since to our great regret, with litle amendment, save that now of late, in our last riding through our said county, wee find both by the report of the judges, and of the bishop of that diocese that there is some amendment now daily beginning, which is no small contentment to us.