A Proclamation Declaring the Undoubted Right of our Sovereign Lord King James (1603)

A Proclamation Declaring the Undoubted Right of our Sovereign Lord King James, to the Crown of the Realms of England, France and Ireland (1603)

We therefore the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, being here assembled, united and assisted with those of her late Majesty’s Privy Council, and with great numbers of other principal gentlemen of quality in the kingdom, with the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and citizens of London, and a multitude of other good subjects and commons of this realm, thirsting now after nothing so much as to make it known to all persons, who it is that by law, by lineal succession, and undoubted right is now become the only sovereign lord and king of these imperial crowns (to the intent that by virtue of his power, wisdom and godly courage, all things may be provided for, and executed, which may prevent or resist either foreign attempts, or popular disorder, tending to the breach of the present peace, or to the prejudice of his Majesty’s future quiet) do now hereby with one full voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim, that the high and mighty prince, James the Sixth, King of Scotland, is now by the death of our late sovereign, Queen of England of famous memory, become also our only, lawful, lineal and rightful liege lord, James the First of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, to whom as to our only just prince, adorned (besides his undoubted right) with all the rarest gifts of mind and body, to the infinite comfort of all his people and subjects that shall live under him, we do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience, with all hearty and humble affections, both during our natural lives for ourselves, and in the behalf of our posterity. Hereby protesting and denouncing to all persons whatsoever, that in this just and lawful act of ours, we are resolved by the favour of God’s holy assistance, and in the zeal of our own conscience (warranted by certain knowledge of his manifest and undoubted right, as hath been said before) to maintain and uphold His Majesty’s person and estate, as our only undoubted sovereign lord and king, with the sacrifice of our lives, lands, goods, friends, and adherents, against all power, force, or practice, that shall go about by word or deed, to interrupt, contradict, or impugn his just claims, his entry into this kingdom, or any part thereof, at his good pleasure, or disobey such royal directions as shall come from him. To all which we are resolved only to yield ourselves, until the last drop of our bloods be spent for his service. Hereby willing and commanding, in the name of our sovereign lord James the First, King of all the foresaid kingdoms, all the late lieutenants, deputy-lieutenants, sheriffs, justices, and all mayors, bailiffs, constables, headboroughs, and all other officers and ministers whatsoever, that they be aiding and assisting from time to time in all things that are or shall be necessary for the preventing, resisting, and suppressing of any disorderly assemblies, or other unlawful act or attempt, either in word or deed, against the public peace of the realm, or any way prejudicial to the right, honour, state or person, of our only undoubted and dear lord and sovereign that now is, James the first King of all the said kingdoms, as they will avoid the peril of his Majesty’s heavy indignation, and their own utter ruin and confusion. Beseeching God to bless his Majesty and his royal posterity with long and happy years to reign over us.