XXIV. Copy of the Draught of a Proclamation in the Year 1563, relating to Persons making Portraits of Queen Elizabeth. From the Original Draught in the Paper Office, in the Hand-writing of Secretary Cecil, with his Corrections, and among his Papers: Communicated by Sir Joseph Ayloffe, Bart

Extract

For as much as thrugh the natural desire that all sorts of subjects and people, both noble and mean, have to procure the portrait and picture of the Queen's Majestie, great nomber of Paynters, and some Printers and Gravers, have allredy, and doe dayly attempt to make in divers manners portraietures of hir Majestie in paynting, graving, and pryntyng, wherein is evidently shewn that hytherto none hath sufficiently expressed the naturall representation of hir Majesties person, favor, or grace, but for the most part have also erred therein, as thereof dayly complaints are made amongst hir Majesties loving subjects, in so much that for redress hereof hir Majestie hath lately bene so instantly and so importunately sued unto by the Lords of hir Consell and others of hir nobility, in respect of the gret disorder herein used, not only to be content that some speciall coning payntor might be permitted by access to hir Majestie to take the natural representation of hir Majestie whereof she hath bene allwise of hir own right disposition very unwillyng, but also to prohibit all manner of other persons to draw, paynt, grave, or pourtrayit hir Majesties personage or visage for a time, untill by some perfect patron and example the same may be by others followed.