Proclamations are legal acts of utmost importance.

From the early days of English history,

proclamations were issued by the Crown to make known to the people new acts or regulations or
declarations of public importance. Distributed for public view in printed broadside form, they have
been familiar to twenty generations of English-speaking people. Proclamations when signed by the
King were termed "signed bills" and most of them are now preserved in the Public Record Office
among the Privy Seal bundles.

In 1362, Edward III became the first king to address Parliament in English. The Pleading in English Act
1362 made English the only language in which court proceedings could be held, though the official
record remained in Latin.[25] By the end of the century, even the royal court had switched to English.
Anglo-Norman remained in use in limited circles somewhat longer, but it had ceased to be a living
language. Official documents began to be produced regularly in English during the 15th
century. Geoffrey Chaucer, who lived in the late 14th century, is the most famous writer from the Middle
English period, and The Canterbury Tales is his best-known work.

The Proclamation of 1362, also known as the English Statute of Pleading, was issued by King Edward III of
England. This proclamation marked a crucial shift in the legal proceedings within England's courts by
changing the language used in legal matters from Norman French to English.

“…by the 1380s, English had replaced French as the language of oral instruction in grammar schools," has
come to form the essential historical context for the revival of English as a literary language during the
fourteenth century: the phenomenon that produced the vernacular "greats" of Langland, Chaucer, Gower,
and their successors is thus conventionally explained in terms of a great linguistic shift among the secular
elites” [751]

Before this proclamation, Norman French had been the primary language used in legal documents and
court proceedings following the Norman Conquest in 1066. However, by the 14th century, there was a
growing desire among the English populace, including the Parliament, to conduct legal affairs in the
language understood by the majority of the population—English.

The Proclamation of 1362 mandated that court proceedings and legal documents would henceforth be
conducted in English rather than French. This move had a profound influence on the English language itself:

Language Standardization: The proclamation played a significant role in standardizing and legitimizing
English as the language of law and governance. This contributed to the development and formalization of
legal terminology in English.

Impact on Vocabulary: The shift from Norman French to English led to an influx of French-derived legal
terms into the English language. Many legal terms we use today, such as "judge," "jury," "attorney," and
"verdict," have their origins in this period when legal language underwent a transformation.
Cultural and Linguistic Influence: This proclamation accelerated the growth of English as the dominant
language in England's legal and administrative spheres, contributing to its ascendancy over Norman French.

Overall, the Proclamation of 1362 by Edward III was a crucial turning point in English history, influencing the
language's development, especially in legal and administrative contexts, and contributing to the eventual
prominence of English as the primary language of England.

The Declaration of Indulgence (1672)

Issued by King Charles II in March 1672.

It suspended all penal laws against Catholics and Nonconformists in England and provided religious
freedom.

It was highly controversial, seen by Protestants as an attempt to undermine the Church of England.

It was withdrawn in 1673 under pressure from Parliament.

The Declaration of Sports (1633)

Issued by King Charles I in October 1633.

It reissued an earlier declaration permitting recreational activities on Sundays and after church.

It allowed dances, archery, leaping and other sports following Sunday service.

It was intended to unify the country, but Puritans objected to Sunday sports.

It was reissued by Charles I several times in the 1630s but was later abolished in 1643.

So in summary, these were two major royal proclamations issued in 17th century London that dealt with
religious freedom and observance on Sundays, both sparking controversy at the time. The Declaration of
Indulgence provided broader religious tolerance while the Declaration of Sports affirmed recreational
activities on Sundays.

explain what is THE LONDON PROCLAMATION

The London Proclamation refers to a series of proclamations and declarations issued by the English
monarchs relating to affairs in London and the Kingdom during the 16th-18th centuries. Here are some key
points about The London Proclamation:

The practice of royal proclamations addressing matters in the capital and kingdom originated in the Tudor
period.

Proclamations were means for monarchs to announce policies, call for observances, and address
controversies without going through Parliament.
Subjects matter ranged from religious affairs, ceremonies, economic regulations, and announcements of
war or peace.

Several major proclamations were issued in London during the 17th century struggles between monarchs
and Parliament.

Notable examples include The Declaration of Sports by James I in 1618 to regulate Sunday recreations and
Charles II's Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 providing religious freedom for Catholics and Protestant
dissenters.

Proclamations published in London were distributed throughout the realm. Printed copies were sent to
county sheriffs and read out publicly in towns.

While holding weight of law, proclamations were considered subordinate to acts of Parliament. They
remained controversial when used to bypass parliamentary approval.

Public reaction varied depending on the subject matter and political climate. Some were welcomed by the
public, others objected to by certain groups.

So in essence, The London Proclamation refers to the practice of English kings issuing royal decrees in the
capital which addressed significant matters and controversies of the day. They allowed monarchs to
pronounce policies without parliamentary process.

The Use of English: Language, Law, and

Political Culture in Fourteenth-Century
England
W. M. Ormrod
Speculum, Vol. 78, No. 3 (Jul., 2003), pp. 750