❧ A Decree of the privy counsel at westminster. Anno. 1.5.5.9. xx. October  
Articles agreed upon by the lords and other of the queens majesties privy counsel, for a reformation of their servants in certain abuses of apparel thereby to give example to alother lords, noble men and Gentlemen.  
EVery Lord and master having servants, shal forthwith cause a view to be taken of al his servants, attending about the city, and considre their degrees and abilities of living, how many may dispend and be assessed to the Subsedie at. xx. pound of yearly lyuelyhode, or at two hundred pound in goods, and thereupon cause them to understand what is lawful for them to wear in their apparel, and take order to reform it, in this maner or such like.  
first as many as haue any apparel unlawful for them to wear, and can without ther loss leave the same, to leave it forthwith, and to be straightly charged that they procure no new.  
NExt that sum meet persons be assigned by the master, to take a certain view of al the servants present apparel, being unlawful, and make a certain book therof, and thereupon give commandment that noo new be bought or worn after the said view taken.  
readily these books shalbe delivered either into the countinge house, or to the gentlemen huyshers, there to remain, to th'end that yf any shalbe impeached for wearing of any unlawful apparel, that then the same might be tried whether it were newly provided sithence the view taken or no.  
ITem, order shal be taken and charge given by the lords and masters, that vpon this reformation the mallycyous invention and frowarde nature of any servants, shall not devise any new fashion, or sort of apparel, that should be as sumptuous as the former, though not contrary to the words of the statute, thereby seeking by fraud to avoyde the pain of the lawe, with which perverse condition the wisdom of the masters must meet. both to chastise such lewd servants, and to comfort such aswyllyue in order and honest and cumlye maner.  
ANd because many Gentlemen and servants, haue at this present, sum by gifts, some otherwise, furs, embrodiries, and other garments, or ornaments, contrary to the laws of the realm. It is convenient that every person having such being not well able to change the same. But meaning hereafter to observe the lawe & not be impeached for his default herein, shall deliver a true certificate signed with his hand, of all such his apparel as is not lawful for his degree to the Lord Chamberlayne of the queens majesties household, if he mean to wear the same apparel in any the queens majesties Chambers, or to the comptynge house, if he mean to wear thee same, within the gates of the court. So as for the time such persons as were their former unlawful apparel may be forborn and spared.  
ANd it seemeth not unmeet to refrain the conetuouse lewd condition of the Taylors, and hosyers, that every lord ●●● Mays●●●●●ther by himself, or some his principal officers prescrybe to all maner of his servants, that none of them ex●●●e somme convenient and reasonable price for their garments, and specially for their hose, wherein a diversity would be had between them which be able, and so assessed in Subsedye, either at xx. pound yearly lively hood, or two hundred pound in goods, and all others that be not. And yet notwithstanding that all this travail is to be taken for reformation of the shameful excess of apparel, as thoccasion of diverse of poverty, in others, of robberies and such like. Yet it is meet and convenient that all lords servants( specially in the Court) should go seemly and comely for the honor of their master, which may be well done, wearing the commodities of this realm, and using measure in all shape and form of apparel.  
God save the queen.   

❧ Imprinted at London in Powles churchyard bi Richard jug, and John Cawood, printers to the queens majesty.  
Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.