Catalogue description HENRY VIII. to [the TOWN OF GALWAY].

For the furtherance of your weal, profit, and commodity, and the extirpation of all abuses, we command you to observe the devices and articles ensuing perpetually.

That no merchant or any other in Galway, go with merchandise or victuals into the country within 20 miles compass of the said town, save only to market towns, but sell their wares in the market of the town.

That all the inhabitants "do shave their over lips, called crompeaulis, and suffer the hair of their heads to grow till it cover their ears; and that every of them wear English caps."

That no man or man child do wear mantles in the streets, but cloaks or gowns, coats, doublets and hose, shapen after the English fashion.

That no man, woman, or child do wear saffron in their shirts, smocks, or any other garments, or have more cloth in the same than five standard ells of that country cloth.

That every man provide long bows and English arrows, "and haunt shooting, and specially every holyday," and leave all other unlawful games.

That the inhabitants endeavour to speak English and use themselves after the English fashion, and specially that "you do put forth your children to school to learn to speak English."

We are informed that, contrary to your privileges and jurisdictions, "to hold before the Mayor and his bailiffs there all manner pleas and actions and to be judges of the same," certain young commoners presume to have their voices in such processes and judgments, "inclining inordinate affection to their adherents and friends, to the raising of schism and controversy amongst you, and the disturbing of administration of justice." We therefore will that the Mayor and bailiffs there, calling to them four of the aldermen, do minister justice in all causes; "and if any person find him grieved for lack of indifferency, to complain to our Deputy and Council in Ireland; and if any commoner do rebuke the Mayor and his assistants, or repugn to obey their decrees or judgments, that it be lawful for the Mayor to put them to ward, and punish them according to their demerits."

We are also informed that "malefactors committing robberies and spoils be succoured and maintained with the Friars Minors and others, near that our town, who take upon them to have privileges as a sanctuary." We command you not to allow any such privileges or sanctuaries, but attach and bring before our judges all such malefactors. In case any friars will make resistance against you in executing the premises, you shall take them and bring them before our judges to be punished. "And read this clause to the friars."

That when O'Brene or any other Irishman is at war with our Deputy or our subjects of Limerick, you suffer no victuals, iron, salt, or other commodity to pass from you to them; and that none of you resort with any merchandise amongst Irishmen at any time.

We are informed "that at such seasons as strangers repair within the haven of Limerick, certain of you forestall the market of our said city, alluring and procuring the stranger merchants to repair out of the haven of Limerick to you, offering them advantage above the proffer of the said city, to their great disadvantage and commodity, and enhancing the price of foreign and alien merchandises to the profit of aliens." We command you to abstain from so doing.

Greenwich, 28 April, 28 Hen. VIII. Facsimile of the King's signature at the beginning.

Copy. Headed: "Ordinances for Gallwaye."

State Papers II. 309.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. I, document 75.