A decree of Starre-Chamber, concerning printing made the eleuenth day of Iuly last past. 1637. England and Wales. Court of Star Chamber. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A21452 of text S105578 in the English Short Title Catalog. Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 36 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 33 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A21452 STC 7757 ESTC S105578 99841305 99841305 5880

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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A21452) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 5880) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 785:13) A decree of Starre-Chamber, concerning printing made the eleuenth day of Iuly last past. 1637. England and Wales. Court of Star Chamber. [64] p. By Robert Barker, printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie: and by the assignes of Iohn Bill, Imprinted at London : 1637. Signatures: A-H⁴. The first leaf is blank except for signature-mark "A" in part of a woodcut. This edition has the royal arms on the title page. Reproduction of the original in the British Library.

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 eng Press law -- Great Britain. Freedom of the press -- Great Britain -- Law and legislation. eebo A decree of Starre-Chamber, concerning printing, made the eleuenth day of Iuly last past. 1637. England and Wales. Court of Star Chamber. 1637 65 6455 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.1 B The rate of 3.1 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2013-10 Assigned for keying and markup 2013-11 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2014-02 Sampled and proofread 2014-02 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A DECREE OF Starre-Chamber , CONCERNING PRINTING , Made the eleuenth day of July last past . 1637.

C R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT royal blazon or coat of arms

Imprinted at London by Robert Barker , Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie : And by the Assignes of Iohn Bill . 1637.

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT royal blazon or coat of arms

In Camera Stellata coram Concilio ibidem , vndecimo die Iulij , Anno decimo tertio CAROLI Regis .

THis day Sir IOHN BANKES Knight , His Maiesties Attourney Generall , produced in Court a Decree drawn and penned by the aduice of the Right Honourable the Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England , the most Reuerend Father in God the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Grace , the Right Honorable and Right Reuerend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London Lord high Treasurer of England , the Lord chiefe Iustices , and the Lord chiefe Baron , touching the regulating of Printers and Founders of letters , whereof the Court hauing consideration , the said Decree was directed and ordered to be here Recorded , and to the end the same may be publique , and that euery one whom it may concerne may take notice thereof , The Court hath row also ordered , That the said Decree shall speedily be Printed , and that the same be sent to His Maiesties Printer for that purpose . Whereas the three and twentieth day of Iune in the eight and twentieth yere of the reigne of the late Queene Elizabeth , and before , diuers Decrees and Ordinances haue beene made for the better gouernment and regulating of Printers and Printing , which Orders and Decrees haue beene found by experience to be defectiue in some particulars ; And diuers abuses haue sithence arisen , and beene practised by the craft and malice of wicked and euill disposed persons , to the preiudice of the publike ; And diuers libellous , seditious , and mutinous bookes haue been vnduly printed , and other bookes and papers without licence , to the disturbance of the peace of the Church and State : For preuention whereof in time to come , It is now Ordered and Decreed , That the said former Decrees and Ordinances shall stand in force with these Additions , Explanations , and Alterations following , viz.

In Camera Stellata coram Concilio ibidem , vndecimo die Iulii , Anno decimo tertio CAROLI Regis .

IMprimis , That no person or persons whatsoeuer shall presume to print , or cause to bee printed , either in the parts beyond the Seas , or in this Realme , or other his Maiesties Dominions , any seditious , scismaticall , or offensive Bookes or Pamphlets , to the scandall of Religion , or the Church , or the Government , or Governours of the Church or State , or Commonwealth , or of any Corporation , or particular person or persons whatsoeuer , nor shall import any such Booke or Bookes , nor sell or dispose of them , or any of them , nor cause any such to be bound , stitched , or sowed , vpon paine that he or they so offending , shall loose all such Bookes & Pamphlets , and also haue , and suffer such correction , and severe punishment , either by Fine , imprisonment , or other corporall punishment , or other wise , as by this Court , or by His Maiesties Commissioners for causes Ecclesiasticall in the high Commission Court , respectiuely , as the severall causes shall require , shall be thought fit to be inflicted upon him , or them , for such their offence and contempt .

II . Item , That no person or persons whatsoeuer , shall at any time print or cause to be imprinted , any Booke or Pamphlet whatsoever , vnlesse the same Booke or Pamphlet , and also all and euery the Titles , Epistles , Prefaces , Proems , Preambles , Introductions , Tables , Dedications , and other matters and things whatsoeuer thereunto annexed , or therewith imprinted , shall be first lawfully licenced and authorized onely by such person and persons as are hereafter expressed , and by no other , and shall be also first entred into the Registers Booke of the Company of Stationers ; vpon paine that euery Printer offending therein , shall be for euer hereafter disabled to use or exercise the Art or Mysterie of Printing , and receiue such further punishment , as by this Court or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the severall caused shall require , shall be thought fitting .

III . Item , That all Bookes concerning the common Lawes of this Realme shall be printed by the especiall allowance of the Lords chiefe Iustices , and the Lord chiefe Baron for the time being , or one or more of them , or by their appointment ; And that all Books of History , belonging to this State , and present times , or any other Booke of State affaires , shall be licenced by the principall Secretaries of State , or one of them , or by their appointment ; And that all Bookes concerning Heraldry , Titles of Honour and Armes , or otherwise concerning the Office of Earle Marshall , shall be licenced by the Earle Marshall , or by his appointment ; And further , that all other Books , whether of Diuinitie , Phisicke , Philosophie , Poetry , or whatsoeuer , shall be allowed by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or Bishop of London for the time being , or by their appointment , or the Chancellours , or Vice-Chancellors of either of the Vniuersities of this Realme for the time being .

Alwayes prouided , that the Chancellour or Vice-Chancellour , of either of the Vniuersities , shall Licence onely such Booke or Bookes that are to be Printed within the limits of the Vniuersities respectiuely , but not in London , or elsewhere , not medling either with Bookes of the common Law , or matters of State .

IV . Item , That euery person and persons , which by any Decree of this Court are , or shall be appointed or authorized to Licence Bookes , or giue Warrant for imprinting thereof , as is aforesaid , shall haue two seuerall written Copies of the same Booke or Bookes with the Titles , Epistles , Prefaces , Proems , Preambles , Introductions , Tables , Dedications , and other things whatsoeuer thereunto annexed One of which said Copies shall be kept in the publike Registries of the said Lord Arch-Bishop , and Bishop of London respectiuely , or in the Office of the Chancellour , or Vice-Chancellour of either of the Vniuersities , or with the Earle Marshall , or principall Secretaries of State , or with the Lords chiefe Iustices , orchiefe Baron , of all such Bookes as shall be licensed by them respectiuely , to the end that he or they may be secure , that the Copy so licensed by him or them shall not bee altered without his or their priuitie , and the other shall remain with him whose Copy it is , and vpon both the said Copies , he or they that shall allow the said Booke , shall testifie vnder his or their hand or hands , that there is nothing in that Booke or Books contained , that is contrary to Christian Faith , and the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England , nor against the State or Gouernment , nor contrary to good life , or good manners , or other wise , as the nature and subiect of the work shall require , which license or approbation shall be imprinted in the beginning of the same Booke , with the name , or names of him or them that shall authorize or license the same , for a testimonie of the allowance thereof .

V. Item , That euery Merchant of bookes , and person and persons whatsoeuer , which doth , or hereaster shall buy , import , or bring any booke or bookes into this Realme , from any parts beyond the Seas , shall before such time as the same book or books , or any of them be deliuered forth , or out of his , or their hand or hands , or exposed to sale , giue , and present a true Catalogue in writing of all and euery such booke and bookes vnto the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or Lord Bishop of London for the time being , vpon paine to haue and suffer such punishment for offending herein , as by this Court , or by the said high Commission Court respectiuely , as the scuerall causes shall require , shall be thought sitting .

VI . Item , That no Merchant , or other person or persons whatsoeuer , which shall import , or bring any book or books into the kingdome , from any parts beyond the Seas , shall presume to open any Dry-fats , Bales , Packs , Maunds , or other Fardals of books , or wherein books are ; nor shall any Searcher , Wayter , or other Officer belonging to the Custome-house , vpon pain of loosing his or their place or places , suffer the same to passe , or to be deliuered out of their hands or custody , before such time as the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or Lord Bishop of London , or one of them for the time being , haue appointed one of their Chaplains , or some other learned man , with the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers , or one of them , and such others as they shall call to their assistance , to be present at the opening thereof , and to view the same : And if there shall happen to be found any seditious , schismaticall or offensiue booke or bookes , they shall forthwith be brought vnto the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury , Lord Bishop of London for the time being , or one of them , or to the High Commission Office , to the end that as well the offendor or offendors may be punished by the Court of Star Chamber , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , according to his or their demerit ; as also that such further course and order may be taken concerning the same booke or bookes , as shall bee thought fitting .

VII . Item , That no person or persons shall within this Kingdome , or elsewhere imprint , or cause to be imprinted , nor shall import or bring in , or cause to be imported or brought into this Kingdome , from , or out of any other His Maiesties Dominions , nor from other or any parts beyond the Seas , any Copy , book or books , or part of any booke or bookes , printed beyond the seas , or elswhere , which the said Company of Stationers , or any other person or persons haue , or shall by any Letters Patents , Order , or Entrance in their Register book , or otherwise , haue the right , priuiledge , authoritie , or allowance soly to print , nor shall bind stitch , or put to sale , any such booke or bookes , vpon paine of losse and forfeiture of all the said bookes , and of such Fine , or other punishment , for euery booke or part of a booke so imprinted or imported , bound , stitched , or put to sale , to be leuyed of the party so offending , as by the power of this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the severall causes shall require , shall be thought fit .

VIII . Item , Euery person and persons that shall hereafter Print , or cause to be Printed , any Bookes , Ballads , Charts , Portraiture , or any other thing or things whatsoeuer , shall thereunto or theron Print and set his and their owne name or names , as also the name or names of the Author or Authors , Maker or Makers of the same , and by , or for whom any such booke , or other thing is , or shall be printed , vpon pain of forfiture of all such Books , Ballads , Chartes , Portraitures , and other thing or things , printed contrary to this Article ; And the presses , Letters and other instruments for Printing , wherewith such Books , ballads , Chartes , Portraitures , and other thing or things shall be printed , to be defaced and made vnseruiceable , and the party and parties so offending , to be fined , imprisoned , and haue such other corporall punishment , or otherwise , as by this Honourable Court , or the said high Commission respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall be thought fit .

IX . Item , That no person or persons whatsoeuer , shall hereafter print , or cause to be printed , or shall forge , put , or counterfeit , in , or vpon any booke or books , the name , title , marke or vinnet of the Company or Society of Stationers , or of any particular person or persons , which hath or shall haue lawfull priuiledge , authoritie , or allowance to print the same , without the consent of the said Company , or party or parties that are or shall be so priuiledged , authorized , or allowed to print the same booke or books , thing or things , first had and obtained , vpon paine that euery person or persons so offending , shall not onely loose all such books and other things , but shall also haue , and suffer such punishment , by imprisonment of his body , fine , or otherwise , as by this Honourable Court , or high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , it shall be to him or them limited or adadiudged .

X. Item , that no Haberdasher of small wares , Ironmonger , Chandler , Shop-keeper , or any other person or persons whatsoeuer , not hauing beene seuen yeeres apprentice to the trade of a Book-seller , Printer , or Bookbinder , shall within the citie or suburbs of London , or in any other Corporation , Markettowne , or elswhere , receive , take or buy , to barter , sell againe , change or do away any Bibles , Testaments , Psalm-books , Primers , Abcees , Almanackes , or other booke or books whatsoeuer , vpon pain of forfeiture of all such books so receiued , bought or taken as aforesaid , and such other punishment of the parties so offending , as by this Court , or the said high Commission Court respectiuely , as the severall causes shall require , shall be thought meet .

XI . Item , for that Printing is , and for many yeers hath been an Art and manufacture of this kingdome , for the better incouraging of Printers in their honest , and iust endeauours in their profession , and preuention of diuers libels , pamphlets , and seditious books printed beyond the seas in English , and thence transported hither ;

It is further Ordered and Decreed , that no Merchant , Bookseller , or other person or persons whatsoeuer , shall imprint , or cause to be imprinted , in the parts beyond the seas , or elswhere , nor shall import or bring ; nor willingly assist or consent to the importation or bringing from beyond the seas into this Realme , any English bookes , or part of bookes , or bookes whatsoeuer , which are or shall be , or the greater , or more part whereof is or shall be English , or of the English tongue , whether the same book or bookes haue been here formerly printed , or not , vpon pain of the forfeiture of all such English bookes so imprinted or imported , and such further censure and punishment , as by this Court , or the said high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall be thought meet .

XII . Item , That no stranger or forreigner whatsoeuer , be suffered to bring in , or vent here , any booke or bookes printed beyond the seas , in any language whatsoeuer , either by themselues , or their secret Factors , except such onely as bee free Stationers of London , and such as haue beene brought vp in that profession , and haue their whole meanes of subsistance , and liuelihood depending thereupon , vpon paine of confiscation of all such Books so imported , and such further penalties , as by this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall be thought fit to be imposed .

XIII Item , That no person or persons within the Citie of London , or the liberties thereof , or elsewhere , shall erect or cause to be erected any Presse or Printing-house , nor shall demise , or let , or suffer to be held or vsed , any house , vault , seller , or other roome whatsoeuer , to , or by any person or persons , for a Printing-house , or place to print in , vnlesse he or they which shall so demise or let the same , or suffer the same to be so vsed , shall first giue notice to the said Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers for the time being , of such demise , or suffering to worke or print there , vpon paine of imprisonment , and such other punishment , as by this Court , or the said high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall Causes shall require , shall bee thought fit .

XIV . Item , That no Ioyner , or Carpenter , or other person , shall make any printing-Presse , no Smith shall forge any Iron-worke for a printing-Presse , and no Founder shall cast any Letters for any person or persons whatsoeuer , neither shall any person or persons bring , or cause to be brought in from any parts beyond the Seas , any Letters Founded or Cast , nor buy any such Letters for Printing ; Vnlesse he or they respectiuely shall first acquaint the said Master and Wardens , or some of them , for whom the same Presse , Ironworks , or Letters , are to be made , forged , or cast , vpon paine of such fine and punishment , as this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall thinke fit .

XV . Item , The Court doth declare , that as formerly , so now , there shall be but Twentie Master Printers allowed to haue the vse of one Presse or more , as is after specified , and doth hereby nominate , allow , and admit these persons whose names hereafter follow , to the number of Twentie , to haue the vse of a Presse , or Presses and Printing-house , for the time being , viz. Felix Kingstone , Adam Islip , Thomas Purfoot , Miles Flesher , Thomas Harper , John Beale , John Legat , Robert Young , John Haviland , George Miller , Richard Badger , Thomas Cotes , Bernard Alsop , Richard Bishop , Edward Griffin , Thomas Purslow , Richard Hodgkinsonne , John Dawson , John Raworth , Marmaduke Parsons . And further , the Court doth order and decree , That it shall be lawfull for the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or the Lord Bishop of London , for the time being , taking to him or them six other high Commissioners , to supply the place or places of those , which are now already Printers by this Court , as they shall fall void by death , or Censure , or otherwise : Prouided that they exceed not the number of Twentie , besides His Maiesties Printers , and the Printers allowed for the Vniuersities .

XVI . Item , That euery person or persons , now allowed or admitted to haue the vse of a Presse , and Printing-house , shall within Ten dayes after the date hereof , become bound with sureties to His Maiestie in the high Commission Court , in the sum of three hundred pounds , not to to print , or suffer to be printed in his house or Presse , any booke , or bookes whatsoeuer , but such as shall from time to time be lawfully licensed , and that the like Bond shall be entred into by all , and euery person and persons , that hereafter shall be admitted , or allowed to print , before he or they be suffered to haue the vse of a Presse .

XVII . Item , That no allowed Printer shall keepe aboue two Presses , vnlesse he hath been Master or vpper Warden of his Company , who are thereby allowed to keep three Presses and no more , vnder paine of being disabled for euer after to keepe or vse any Presse at all , vnlesse for some great and speciall occasion for the publique , he or they haue for a time leaue of the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or Lord Bishop of London for the time being , to haue or vse one , or more aboue the foresaid number , as their Lordships , or either of them shall thinke fit . And whereas there are some Master Printers that haue at this present one , or more Presses allowed them by this Decree , the Court doth further order and declare , That the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers , doe foorthwith certifie the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or the Lord Bishop of London , what number of Presses each Master Printer hath , that their Lordships or either of them , taking vnto them six other high Commissioners , may take such present order for the suppressing of the supernumerarie Presses , as to their Lordships , or to either of them shall seem best .

XVIII . Item , That no person or persons , do hereafter reprint , or cause to bee reprinted , any booke or bookes whatsoeuer ( though formerly printed with licence ) without being reuiewed , and a new Licence obtained for the reprinting thereof . Alwayes prouided , that the Stationer or Printer bee put to no other charge hereby , but the bringing and leauing of two printed copies of the book to be printed , as is before expressed of written Copies , with all such additions as the Author hath made .

XIX . Item , The Court doth declare , as formerly , so now , That no Apprentices be taken into any printing-house , otherwise then according to this proportion following , ( viz. ) euery Master-Printer that is , or hath beene Master or vpper Warden of his Company , may haue three Apprentices at one time and no more , and euery Master-printer that is of the Liuerie of his Company , may haue two Apprentices at one time and no more , and euery Master-printer of the Yeomanry of the Company may haue one Apprentice at one time and no more , neither by Copartnership , binding at the Scriueners , nor any other way whatsoeuer ; neither shall it be lawfull for any Master-Printer when any Apprentice or Apprentices , shall run or be put away , to take another Apprentice , or other Apprentices in his or their place or places , vnlesse the name or names of him or them so gone away , be raced out of the Hall booke , and never admitted again , vpon paine of being for euer disabled of the vse of a Presse or printing-house , and of such further punishment , as by this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall be thought fit to be imposed .

XX . Item , The Court doth likewise declare , that because a great part of the secret printing in corners hath been caused for want of orderly imployment for Iourneymen printers , Therefore the Court doth hereby require the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers , to take especiall care that all Iourneymen-printers , who are free of the Company of Stationers , shall be set to worke , and imployed within their owne Company of Stationers ; for which purpose the Court doth also order and declare , that if any Iourneyman-Printer , and free of the Company of Stationers , who is of honest , and good behauiour , and able in his trade , do want imployment , he shall repaire to the Master and Wardens of the Companie of Stationers , and they or one of them , taking with him or them one or two of the Master Printers , shall go along with the said Iourneyman-Printer , and shall offer his seruice in the first place to the Master-Printer vnder whom he serued his Apprentiship , if he be liuing , and do continue an allowed Printer , or otherwise to any other Master Printer , whom the Master and Wardens of the said Company shall thinke fit . And euery Master Printer shall bee bound to imploy one Iourneyman , being so offered to him , and more , if need shall so require , and it shall be so adiudged to come to his share , according to the proportion of his Apprentices and imployments , by the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers , although he the said Master Printer with his Apprentice or Apprentices be able without the helpe of the said Iourneyman or Iourneymen to discharge his owne worke , vpon paine of such punishment , as by this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall be thought fit .

XXI . Item , The Court doth declare , That if the Master and Wardens of the Companie of Stationers , or any of them , shall refuse or neglect to go along with any honest and sufficient Iourney-man Printer , so desiring their assistance , to finde him imployment , vpon complaint and proofe made thereof , he , or they so offending , shall suffer imprisonment , and such other punishment , as by this court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall bee thought fit to bee imposed . But in case any Master Printer hath more imployment then he is able to discharge with helpe of his Apprentice or Apprentices , it shall be lawfull for him to require the helpe of any Iourney-man , or Iourneymen-Printers , who are not imployed , and if the said Iourney-man , or Iourneymen-Printers so required , shall refuse imployment , or neglect it when hee or they haue vndertaken it , he , or they shall suffer imprisonment , and vndergo such punishment , as this Court shall thinke fit .

XXII . Item , The Court doth hereby declare , that it doth not hereby restraine the Printers of either of the Vniuersities from taking what number of Apprentices for their seruice in printing there , they themselues shall thinke fit . Prouided alwayes , that the said Printers in the Vniuersities shall imploy all their owne Iourney-men within themselues , and not suffer any of their said Iourney-men to go abroad for imployment to the Printers of London ( vnlesse vpon occasion some Printers of London desire to imploy some extraordinary Workman o● Workmen amongst them , without preiudice to their owne Iourneymen , who are Freemen ) vpon such penalty as the Chancellor of either of the Vniuersities for the time being , shall thinke fit to inflict vpon the delinquents herein .

XXIII . Item , That no Master-printer shall imploy either to worke at the Case , or the Presse , or otherwise about his printing , any other person or persons , then such onely as are Free-men , or Apprentices to the Trade or mystery of Printing , vnder paine of being disabled for euer after to keep or vse any Presse or Printing-house , and such further punishment as by this court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall bee thought fit to bee imposed .

XXIV . Item , The Court doth hereby declare their firme resolution , that if any person or persons , that is not allowed Printer , shall hereafter presume to set vp any Presse for printing , or shall worke at any such Presse , or Set , or Compose any Letters to bee wrought by any such Presse ; hee , or they so offending , shall from time to time , by the Order of this Court , bee set in the Pillorie , and Whipt through the Citie of London , and suffer such other punishment , as this Court shall Order or thinke fit to inflict vpon them , vpon Complaint or proofe of such offence or offences , or shal be otherwise punished , as the Court of high Commission shall thinke fit , and is agreeable to their Commission .

XXV . Item , That for the better discouery of printing in Corners without licence ; The Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers for the time being , or any two licensed Master-Printers , which shall be appointed by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or Lord B. of London for the time being , shall haue power and authority , to take vnto themselues such assistance as they shall think needfull , and to search what houses and shops ( and at what time they shall think fit ) especially Printing-houses , and to view what is in printing , and to call for the licence to see whether it be licensed or no , and if not , to seize vpon so much as is printed , together with the seuerall offenders , and to bring them before the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or the Lord Bishop of London for the time being , that they or either of them may take such further order therein as shall appertaine to Iustice .

XXVI . Item , The Court doth declare , that it shall be lawfull also for the said Searchers , if vpon search they find any book or bookes , or part of booke or books which they suspect to containe matter in it or them , contrary to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England , or against the State and Gouernment , vpon such suspition to seize upon such book or books , or part of booke or books , and to bring it , or them , to the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , or the Lord Bishop of London for the time being , who shall take such further course therein , as to their Lordships , or either of them shall seeme fit .

XXVII . Item , The Court doth order and declare , that there shall be foure Founders of letters for printing allowed , and no more , and doth hereby nominate , allow , and admit these persons , whose names hereafter follow , to the number of foure , to be letter-Founders for the time being ( viz. ) Iohn Grismand , Thomas Wright , Arthur Nichols , Alexander Fifeild . And further , the Court doth Order and Decree , that it shall be lawfull for the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury , or the Lord Bishop of London for the time being , tak●ng unto him or them , six other high Commissioners , to supply the place or places of these who are now allowed Founders of letters by this Court , as they shall fall void by death , censure , or otherwise .

Prouided , that they exceede not the number of foure , set downe by this Court . And if any person or persons , not being an allowed Founder , shall notwithstanding take vpon him , or them , to Found , or cast letters for printing , vpon complaint and proofe made of such offence , or offences , he , or they so offending , shal suffer such punishment , as this Court , or the high Commission court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall think fit to inflict vpon them .

XXVIII . Item , That no Master-Founder whatsoeuer shall keepe aboue two Apprentices at one time , neither by Copartnership , binding at the Scriueners , nor any other way whatsoeuer , neither shall it be lawfull for any Master-Founder , when any Apprentice , or Appentices shall run , or be put away , to take another Apprentice , or other Apprentices in his , or their place or places , vnlesse the name , or names of him , or them so gone away , be rased out of the Hall-booke of the company , whereof the Master-Founder is free , and neuer admitted again , vpon pain of such punishment , as by this Court , or the high Commission respectiuely , as the seuerall Causes shall require , shall be thought fit to bee imposed .

XXIX . Item , That all Iourney-men-Founders be imployed by the Master-Founders of the said trade , and that idle Iourney-men be compelled to worke after the same manner , and vpon the same penalties , as in case of the Iourneymen-Printers is before specified .

XXX . Jtem , That no Master-Founder of letters , shall imploy any other person or persons in any worke belonging to the casting or founding of letters , then such onely as are freemen or apprentices to the trade of founding letters , saue onely in the pulling off the knots of mettle hanging at the ends of the letters when they are first cast , in which work it shall be lawfull for euery Master-Founder , to imploy one boy only that is not , nor hath beene bound to the trade of Founding letters , but not otherwise , upon pain of being for euer disabled to vse or exercise that art , and such further punishment , as by this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , be thought fit to be imposed .

XXXI . Item , That euery person or persons whatsoeuer , which shall at any time or times hereafter , by his , or their confession , or otherwise by proof be conuicted of any of the offences , by this , or any other Decree of this Court made , shal before such time as he or they shall be discharged , and ouer and aboue their fine & punishment , as aforesaid , be bound with good sureties , neuer after to transgresse , or offend in that or the like kinde , for which he , or they shal be so conuicted and punished , as aforesaid ; And that all and euery the forfeitures aforesaid ( excepting all seditious schismaticall Bookes , or Pamphlets , which this Court doth hereby Order to bee presently burnt ) And except such Bookes , as the forfeitures are already granted by Letters Patents , shall be diuided and disposed of , as the high Commission Court shall find fit . Alwaies prouiding that one moitie be to the King .

XXXII . Item , That no Merchant , Master , or Owner of any Ship or Vessell , or any other person or persons whatsoeuer shall hereafter presume to land , or put on shore any Booke or Bookes , or the part of any Booke or Books , to be imported from beyond the seas , in any Port , Hauen , Creek , or other place whatsoeuer within the Realme of England , but only in the Port of the City of London , to the end the said Bookes may there be viewed , as aforesaid : And the seuerall Offices of His Maiesties Ports are hereby required to take notice thereof .

XXXIII . Item , That whereas there is an agreement betwixt Sir Thomas Bodley Knight , Founder of the Vniuersity Library at Oxford , and the Master , Wardens , and Assistants of the Company of Stationers ( viz. ) That one Booke of euery sort that is new printed , or reprinted with additions , be sent to the Vniuersitie of Oxford for the vse of the publique Librarie there ; The Court doth hereby Order , and declare , That euery Printer shall reserue one Book new printed , or reprinted by him , with additions , and shall before any publique venting of the said book , bring it to the Common Hall of the Companie of Stationers , and deliuer it to the Officer thereof to be sent to the Librarie at Oxford accordingly , vpon paine of imprisonment , and such further Order and Direction therein , as to this Court , or the high Commission Court respectiuely , as the seuerall causes shall require , shall be thought fit .

FINIS .