A proclamation ‘for restoring Goods embezzled during the Late Fire and since’, 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 45/12 p1 f231 & 232.
- How and why have people lost goods and possessions during the fire according to this document?
- How does Charles II hope to get these goods returned their rightful owners?
- What does this proclamation reveal about the justice system?
Transcript
By the King
A PROCLAMATION
For restoring Goods embezzled during the late Fire and since.
CHARLES R.
Whereas the general amazement and distraction occasioned by the late dreadful Fire was so great that many persons were surprised and overtaken by the Flames before they could get time or opportunity to remove any part of their Goods, and others who made a shift to remove some of their goods, did yet do it in that haste and confusion, that they were fain to leave very much behind them. By reason whereof great quantities of Plate, Money, Jewels, household stuff, Goods and Merchandise, besides many valuable Materials for Building are daily found out and discovered amongst the Ruins of those several houses which have been destroyed to which nevertheless the true Owners are still legally and rightfully entitled and have in no sort lost their property. Nor will the finding of any Goods thus exposed excuse any person who shall wilfully or feloniously take and carry them away from incurring the penalties of Law, which may in some cases extend even to the loss of life, and in all cases will extend to fine and Imprisonment, besides the Damages which the injured party may recover by Action. And whereas also divers persons have not withstanding adventured, and do still daily presume to take, seize, and carry away whatever they can find or lay hands upon, which may be of any value or consideration, of whom some few may possibly intend to restore the same to the Rightful Owners as soon as they shall be known; And others may possibly have offended in this kind merely through ignorance not well understanding the nature of their crimes in Law, nor knowing the dangerous consequences of their offences, nor the liberties to which they are become liable. His Majesty therefore to the end that all His
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Subjects may know the danger of the Law, and that they may be left without any kind of excuse or pity if they bring the extremities of Law upon themselves, hath thought fit by this his Royal Proclamation to publish and declare, and both hereby require and command all persons whatsoever who have seized or possessed any Plate, Jewels, Money, Household stuff, Goods or Merchandise, or any Materials for building not truly and of right belonging to them, That they do within the space or eight days after this his Proclamation cause the same to be brought into the Armory in Finsbury-Fields, and there delivered unto such persons as by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen shall be appointed to receive the same. To the end the same may be Inventoried and preserved there for the true and rightful Owners and restored to them after the Charges of keeping the same. And a competent Reward to the Parties who found them and brought them in shall be first deducted, which Reward shall be assessed by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, or such other of the Court of Aldermen as by them shall be appointed. And the Names of the Parties who ought to receive the said Reward shall be duly Registered and Entered: And His Majesty doth hereby declare That all persons in whose possession any Goods or Merchandises shall be found after the said Eight days expired, whereof they cannot prove themselves to be the true and Lawful proprietors, shall be proceeded against in his Name and at his Suit, as persons that have broken the Peace, and possess themselves by Rapines and spoil of other men’s Goods, his Majesty being resolved to punish these Crimes and offences with the utmost severities of Law, and even with the paines of felony where the case will bear it. And hereof all Judges, Justices of Peace, Mayors, Jurors, Constables and all others his Majesties Officers and Ministers in all his Courts of Justice and Public Sessions are required to take notice, and to see that strict and effectual prosecution be had accordingly.
Given at our Court at Whitehall the Nineteenth day of September in the Eighteenth year of Our Reign
God Save the King
LONDON
Printed by John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printers to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, 1666
Simplified transcript
When the fire broke out, many people were in such a rush to escape for their own safety that they forgot to take their personal belongings, such as money, jewels, and other household items. Amongst the ruins of the fire, many of these goods are being found, which rightfully belong to those who initially owned them. Any person who is finding these goods and taking them away, when they are not rightfully theirs, will be punished.
If anyone has seized goods which are not rightfully theirs, they have 8 days after this proclamation to take the goods to the Armory in Finsbury Fields and be delivered to the Lord Mayor and other local authorities, where they can be returned to their rightful owners. If this is done, a reward to the people who found the goods and brought them to the authorities will be given. If people do not return goods which are not rightfully theirs within the 8 days, they shall be punished by the law, and punished severely.