[1593/4/55]¹

²Against the transporting of calf, kid and certain other skins

Our sovereign lord, with advice of his estates in this present parliament, ratifies, approves and confirms an act made in his highness's last parliament regarding the non-transporting of calf and kid skins and heifers out of this realm, and declares the same to be as effectual and sufficient as if the same were inserted herein word by word, notwithstanding the same is not inserted. Regarding which, his majesty, with advice foresaid, by this act dispenses for ever, with this addition: that his majesty and estates of this parliament, understanding how necessary and profitable the schurling³ skins are for lining cushions, making of pokes, lining pouches, gloves and clothing of the poor and otherwise serving to diverse other uses to all his majesty's lieges, which by the transporting and carrying of the same out of this realm are become to an exorbitant dearth that through which not only the skinners are greatly hurt and prejudiced by deficiency of the leather thereof with which to work, as also his majesty's imports no profit thereof by custom nor otherwise, but also all others his highness's lieges are greatly hurt and prejudiced therein; therefore it is statute and ordained that no merchant, craftsman or other person or persons carry or transport any of the said schurling skins nor other skins above-mentioned out of this realm under the pain of confiscation of so much as shall happen to be apprehended, the one half thereof to be confiscated to our sovereign lord's use, and the other half to the party that apprehends the same, and further punishment of the persons transporters and contraveners of this present act in person and goods according to his majesty's pleasure.