A DECREE OF starchamber, CONCERNING PRINTING, Made the eleventh day of July last past. 1637.  

C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE dieu ET MON DROIT  royal blazon or coat of arms  
¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty: And by the assigns of John Bill. 1637.   

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

In Camera Stellata coram Concilio ibidem, undecimo die julij, Anno decimo tertio CAROLI Regis.  
THis day Sir John banks Knight, His majesties attorney general, produced in Court a Decree drawn and penned by the advice of the Right Honourable the Lord Keeper of the great seal of England, the most reverend Father in God the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Grace, the Right honourable and Right reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London Lord high Treasurer of England, the Lord chief Iustices, and the Lord chief Baron, touching the regulating of Printers and Founders of letters, whereof the Court having consideration, the said Decree was directed and ordered to be here Recorded, and to the end the same may be public, and that every one whom it may concern 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 majesties Printer for that purpose. Whereas the three and twentieth day of june in the eight and twentieth year of the reign of the late queen Elizabeth, and before, diuers Decrees and Ordinances haue been made for the better government and regulating of Printers and Printing, which Orders and Decrees haue been found by experience to be defective in some particulars; And diuers abuses haue sithence arisen, and been practised by the craft and malice of wicked and evil disposed persons, to the prejudice of the public; And diuers libellous, seditious, and mutinous books haue been unduly printed, and other books and papers without licence, to the disturbance of the peace of the Church and State: For prevention 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, undecimo die julii, Anno decimo tertio CAROLI Regis.  
IMprimis, That no person or persons whatsoever shall presume to print, or cause to bee printed, either in the parts beyond the Seas, or in this realm, or other his majesties Dominions, any seditious, eclesiastical, or offensive books or Pamphlets, to the scandal 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 whatsoever, nor shall import any such book or books, nor sell or dispose of them, or any of them, nor cause any such to be bound, stitched, or sowed, vpon pain that he or they so offending, shall loose all such books & Pamphlets, and also haue, and suffer such correction, and severe punishment, either by Fine, imprisonment, or other corporal punishment, or other wise, as by this Court, or by His majesties Commissioners for causes ecclesiastical in the high Commission Court, respectively, as the several 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 whatsoever, shall at any time print or cause to be imprinted, any book or Pamphlet whatsoever, unless the same book or Pamphlet, and also all and every the Titles, Epistles, Prefaces, Proems, Preambles, Introductions, Tables, Dedications, and other matters and things whatsoever thereunto annexed, or therewith imprinted, shall be first lawfully licensed and authorised onely by such person and persons as are hereafter expressed, and by no other, and shall be also first entred into the Registers book of the Company of Stationers; vpon pain that every Printer offending therein, shall be for ever hereafter disabled to use or exercise the Art or mystery of Printing, and receive such further punishment, as by this Court or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several caused shall require, shall be thought fitting.  
III. Item, That all books concerning the common laws of this realm shall be printed by the especial allowance of the Lords chief Iustices, and the Lord chief 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 book of State affairs, shall be licensed by the principal Secretaries of State, or one of them, or by their appointment; And that all books concerning Heraldry, Titles of Honour and arms, or otherwise concerning the Office of earl Marshall, shall be licensed by the earl Marshall, or by his appointment; And further, that all other Books, whether of divinity, physic, philosophy, Poetry, or whatsoever, shall be allowed by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, or Bishop of London for the time being, or by their appointment, or the chancellors, or Vice-Chancellors of either of the universities of this realm for the time being.  
always provided, that the chancellor or vicechancellor, of either of the universities, shall Licence onely such book or books that are to be Printed within the limits of the universities respectively, but not in London, or elsewhere, not meddling either with books of the common Law, or matters of State.  
IV. Item, That every person and persons, which by any Decree of this Court are, or shall be appointed or authorised to Licence books, or give Warrant for imprinting thereof, as is aforesaid, shall haue two several written Copies of the same book or books with the Titles, Epistles, Prefaces, Proems, Preambles, Introductions, Tables, Dedications, and other things whatsoever thereunto annexed One of which said Copies shall be kept in the public Registries of the said Lord Arch-Bishop, and Bishop of London respectively, or in the Office of the chancellor, or vicechancellor of either of the universities, or with the earl Marshall, or principal Secretaries of State, or with the Lords chief Iustices, orchiefe Baron, of all such books as shall be licenced by them respectively, to the end that he or they may be secure, that the Copy so licenced by him or them shall not bee altered without his or their privity, 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 book, shall testify under his or their hand or hands, that there is nothing in that book or Books contained, that is contrary to Christian Faith, and the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, nor against the State or government, nor contrary to good life, or good manners, or other wise, as the nature and subject of the work shall require, which licence or approbation shall be imprinted in the beginning of the same book, with the name, or names of him or them that shall authorize or licence the same, for a testimony of the allowance thereof.  
V. Item, That every Merchant of books, and person and persons whatsoever, which doth, or hereaster shall buy, import, or bring any book or books into this realm, from any parts beyond the Seas, shall before such time as the same book or books, or any of them be delivered forth, or out of his, or their hand or hands, or exposed to sale, give, and present a true Catalogue in writing of all and every such book and books unto the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, or Lord Bishop of London for the time being, vpon pain to haue and suffer such punishment for offending herein, as by this Court, or by the said high Commission Court respectively, as the scuerall causes shall require, shall be thought sitting.  
VI. Item, That no Merchant, or other person or persons whatsoever, which shall import, or bring any book or books into the kingdom, from any parts beyond the Seas, shall presume to open any Dry-fats, Bales, Packs, mands, or other Fardals of books, or wherein books are; nor shall any Searcher, Wayter, or other Officer belonging to the customhouse, vpon pain of losing his or their place or places, suffer the same to pass, or to be delivered 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, schismatical or offensive book or books, they shall forthwith be brought unto 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 offenders may be punished by the Court of Star Chamber, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, according to his or their demerit; as also that such further course and order may be taken concerning the same book or books, as shall bee thought fitting.  
VII. Item, That no person or persons shall within this kingdom, or elsewhere imprint, or cause to be imprinted, nor shall import or bring in, or cause to be imported or brought into this kingdom, from, or out of any other His majesties Dominions, nor from other or any parts beyond the Seas, any Copy, book or books, or part of any book or books, printed beyond the seas, or elsewhere, 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, privilege, authority, or allowance soly to print, nor shall bind stitch, or put to sale, any such book or books, vpon pain of loss and forfeiture of all the said books, and of such Fine, or other punishment, for every book or part of a book so imprinted or imported, bound, stitched, or put to sale, to be levied of the party so offending, as by the power of this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall be thought fit.  
VIII. Item, every person and persons that shall hereafter Print, or cause to be Printed, any books, Ballads, Charts, Portraiture, or any other thing or things whatsoever, shall thereunto or thereon Print and set his and their own 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 book, or other thing is, or shall be printed, vpon pain of forfiture of all such Books, Ballads, charts, Portraitures, and other thing or things, printed contrary to this Article; And the presses, Letters and other instruments for Printing, wherewith such Books, ballads, charts, Portraitures, and other thing or things shall be printed, to be defaced and made unserviceable, and the party and parties so offending, to be fined, imprisoned, and haue such other corporal punishment, or otherwise, as by this Honourable Court, or the said high Commission respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall be thought fit.  
IX. Item, That no person or persons whatsoever, shall hereafter print, or cause to be printed, or shall forge, put, or counterfeit, in, or vpon any book or books, the name, title, mark or vinnet of the Company or Society of Stationers, or of any particular person or persons, which hath or shall haue lawful privilege, authority, or allowance to print the same, without the consent of the said Company, or party or parties that are or shall be so privileged, authorised, or allowed to print the same book or books, thing or things, first had and obtained, vpon pain that every 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 respectively, as the several causes shall require, it shall be to him or them limited or adadiudged.  
X. Item, that no Haberdasher of small wears, Ironmonger, Chandler, Shop-keeper, or any other person or persons whatsoever, not having been seven yeeres apprentice to the trade of a Book-seller, Printer, or Bookbinder, shall within the city or suburbs of London, or in any other Corporation, Markettowne, or elsewhere, receive, take or buy, to barter, sell again, change or do away any Bibles, Testaments, Psalm-books, Primers, Abcees, almanacs, or other book or books whatsoever, vpon pain of forfeiture of all such books so received, bought or taken as aforesaid, and such other punishment of the parties so offending, as by this Court, or the said high Commission Court respectively, as the several 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 kingdom, for the better encouraging of Printers in their honest, and just endeavours in their profession, and prevention 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 whatsoever, shall imprint, or cause to be imprinted, in the parts beyond the seas, or elsewhere, nor shall import or bring; nor willingly assist or consent to the importation or bringing from beyond the seas into this realm, any English books, or part of books, or books whatsoever, 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 books haue been here formerly printed, or not, vpon pain of the forfeiture of all such English books so imprinted or imported, and such further censure and punishment, as by this Court, or the said high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall be thought meet.  
XII. Item, That no stranger or foreigner whatsoever, be suffered to bring in, or vent here, any book or books printed beyond the seas, in any language whatsoever, either by themselves, or their secret Factors, except such onely as bee free Stationers of London, and such as haue been brought up in that profession, and haue their whole means of subsistence, and livelihood depending thereupon, vpon pain of confiscation of all such Books so imported, and such further penalties, as by this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall be thought fit to be imposed.  
XIII Item, That no person or persons within the city of London, or the liberties thereof, or elsewhere, shall erect or cause to be erected any press or Printing-house, nor shall demise, or let, or suffer to be held or used, any house, vault, seller, or other room whatsoever, to, or by any person or persons, for a Printing-house, or place to print in, unless he or they which shall so demise or let the same, or suffer the same to be so used, shall first give notice to the said Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers for the time being, of such demise, or suffering to work or print there, vpon pain of imprisonment, and such other punishment, as by this Court, or the said high Commission Court respectively, as the several Causes shall require, shall bee thought fit.  
XIV. Item, That no joiner, 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 whatsoever, 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; unless he or they respectively shall first acquaint the said Master and Wardens, or some of them, for whom the same press, Ironworks, or Letters, are to be made, forged, or cast, vpon pain of such fine and punishment, as this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall think fit.  
XV. Item, The Court doth declare, that as formerly, so now, there shall be but twenty Master Printers allowed to haue the use of one press or more, as is after specified, and doth hereby nominate, allow, and admit these persons whose names hereafter follow, to the number of twenty, to haue the use of a press, or Presses and Printing-house, for the time being, viz. Felix kingston, Adam Islip, Thomas Purfoot, Miles Flesher, Thomas Harper, John Beale, John legate, Robert Young, John Haviland, George Miller, Richard Badger, Thomas coats, 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 lawful 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 voided by death, or Censure, or otherwise: provided that they exceed not the number of twenty, besides His majesties Printers, and the Printers allowed for the universities.  
XVI. Item, That every person or persons, now allowed or admitted to haue the use of a press, and Printing-house, shall within Ten dayes after the date hereof, become bound with sureties to His majesty 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 press, any book, or books whatsoever, but such as shall from time to time be lawfully licenced, and that the like Bond shall be entred into by all, and every person and persons, that hereafter shall be admitted, or allowed to print, before he or they be suffered to haue the use of a press.  
XVII. Item, That no allowed Printer shall keep above two Presses, unless he hath been Master or vpper Warden of his Company, who are thereby allowed to keep three Presses and no more, under pain of being disabled for ever after to keep or use any press at all, unless for some great and special occasion for the public, he or they haue for a time leave of the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, or Lord Bishop of London for the time being, to haue or use one, or more above the foresaid number, as their Lordships, or either of them shall think 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, do forthwith certify 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 unto 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 book or books whatsoever( though formerly printed with licence) without being reviewed, and a new Licence obtained for the reprinting thereof. always provided, that the Stationer or Printer bee put to no other charge hereby, but the bringing and leaving 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.) every Master-Printer that is, or hath been Master or vpper Warden of his Company, may haue three Apprentices at one time and no more, and every Master-printer that is of the livery of his Company, may haue two Apprentices at one time and no more, and every Master-printer of the Yeomanry of the Company may haue one Apprentice at one time and no more, neither by Copartnership, binding at the falconers, nor any other way whatsoever; neither shall it be lawful 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, unless the name or names of him or them so gone away, be razed out of the Hall book, and never admitted again, vpon pain of being for ever disabled of the use of a press or printing-house, and of such further punishment, as by this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several 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 employment for journeymen printers, Therefore the Court doth hereby require the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers, to take especial care that all Iourneymen-printers, who are free of the Company of Stationers, shall be set to work, and employed within their own 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 behaviour, and able in his trade, do want employment, he shall repair to the Master and Wardens of the company 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 service in the first place to the Master-Printer under whom he served his apprenticeship, if he be living, and do continue an allowed Printer, or otherwise to any other Master Printer, whom the Master and Wardens of the said Company shall think fit. And every Master Printer shall bee bound to employ one journeyman, 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 employments, 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 help of the said journeyman or journeymen to discharge his own work, vpon pain of such punishment, as by this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall be thought fit.  
XXI. Item, The Court doth declare, That if the Master and Wardens of the company of Stationers, or any of them, shall refuse or neglect to go along with any honest and sufficient journeyman Printer, so desiring their assistance, to find him employment, vpon complaint and proof made thereof, he, or they so offending, shall suffer imprisonment, and such other punishment, as by this court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall bee thought fit to bee imposed. But in case any Master Printer hath more employment then he is able to discharge with help of his Apprentice or Apprentices, it shall be lawful for him to require the help of any journeyman, or Iourneymen-Printers, who are not employed, and if the said journeyman, or Iourneymen-Printers so required, shall refuse employment, or neglect it when he or they haue undertaken it, he, or they shall suffer imprisonment, and undergo such punishment, as this Court shall think fit.  
XXII. Item, The Court doth hereby declare, that it doth not hereby restrain the Printers of either of the universities from taking what number of Apprentices for their service in printing there, they themselves shall think fit. provided always, that the said Printers in the universities shall employ all their own journeymen within themselves, and not suffer any of their said journeymen to go abroad for employment to the Printers of London( unless vpon occasion some Printers of London desire to employ some extraordinary Workman o● Workmen amongst them, without prejudice to their own journeymen, who are Freemen) vpon such penalty as the Chancellor of either of the universities for the time being, shall think fit to inflict vpon the delinquents herein.  
XXIII. Item, That no Master-printer shall employ either to work at the Case, or the press, 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, under pain of being disabled for ever after to keep or use any press or Printing-house, and such further punishment as by this court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall bee thought fit to bee imposed.  
XXIV. Item, The Court doth hereby declare their firm resolution, that if any person or persons, that is not allowed Printer, shall hereafter presume to set up any press for printing, or shall work at any such press, or Set, or Compose any Letters to bee wrought by any such press; he, or they so offending, shall from time to time, by the Order of this Court, bee set in the pillory, and Whipt through the city of London, and suffer such other punishment, as this Court shall Order or think fit to inflict vpon them, vpon Complaint or proof of such offence or offences, or shalbe otherwise punished, as the Court of high Commission shall think fit, and is agreeable to their Commission.  
XXV. Item, That for the better discovery of printing in Corners without licence; The Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers for the time being, or any two licenced 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 unto themselves such assistance as they shall think needful, 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 licenced or no, and if not, to seize vpon so much as is printed, together with the several 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 appertain to Iustice.  
XXVI. Item, The Court doth declare, that it shall be lawful also for the said Searchers, if vpon search they find any book or books, or part of book or books which they suspect to contain matter in it or them, contrary to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, or against the State and government, vpon such suspicion to seize upon such book or books, or part of book 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 seem fit.  
XXVII. Item, The Court doth order and declare, that there shall be four 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 four, to be letter-Founders for the time being ( viz.) John Grismand, Thomas Wright, Arthur Nichols, Alexander Fifeild. And further, the Court doth Order and Decree, that it shall be lawful for the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury, or the Lord Bishop of London for the time being, taking 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 voided by death, censure, or otherwise.  
provided, that they exceed not the number of four, set down 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 proof made of such offence, or offences, he, or they so offending, shal suffer such punishment, as this Court, or the high Commission court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall think fit to inflict vpon them.  
XXVIII. Item, That no Master-Founder whatsoever shall keep above two Apprentices at one time, neither by Copartnership, binding at the falconers, nor any other way whatsoever, neither shall it be lawful 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, unless the name, or names of him, or them so gone away, be razed out of the Hall-booke of the company, whereof the Master-Founder is free, and never admitted again, vpon pain of such punishment, as by this Court, or the high Commission respectively, as the several Causes shall require, shall be thought fit to bee imposed.  
XXIX. Item, That all Iourney-men-Founders be employed by the Master-Founders of the said trade, and that idle journeymen be compelled to work 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 employ any other person or persons in any work belonging to the casting or founding of letters, then such onely as are freemen or apprentices to the trade of founding letters, save 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 lawful for every Master-Founder, to employ one boy only that is not, nor hath been bound to the trade of Founding letters, but not otherwise, upon pain of being for ever disabled to use or exercise that art, and such further punishment, as by this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, be thought fit to be imposed.  
XXXI. Item, That every person or persons whatsoever, which shall at any time or times hereafter, by his, or their confession, or otherwise by proof be convicted 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 over and above their fine & punishment, as aforesaid, be bound with good sureties, never after to transgress, or offend in that or the like kind, for which he, or they shalbe so convicted and punished, as aforesaid; And that all and every the forfeitures aforesaid( excepting all seditious schismatical books, or Pamphlets, which this Court doth hereby Order to bee presently burnt) And except such books, as the forfeitures are already granted by Letters Patents, shall be divided and disposed of, as the high Commission Court shall find fit. always providing that one moiety be to the King.  
XXXII. Item, That no Merchant, Master, or Owner of any Ship or vessel, or any other person or persons whatsoever shall hereafter presume to land, or put on shore any book or books, or the part of any book or Books, to be imported from beyond the seas, in any Port, haven, Creek, or other place whatsoever within the realm of England, but only in the Port of the City of London, to the end the said books may there be viewed, as aforesaid: And the several Offices of His majesties Ports are hereby required to take notice thereof.  
XXXIII. Item, That whereas there is an agreement betwixt Sir Thomas Bodley Knight, Founder of the university Library at Oxford, and the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Company of Stationers ( viz.) That one book of every sort that is new printed, or reprinted with additions, be sent to the university of Oxford for the use of the public library there; The Court doth hereby Order, and declare, That every Printer shall reserve one Book new printed, or reprinted by him, with additions, and shall before any public venting of the said book, bring it to the Common Hall of the company of Stationers, and deliver it to the Officer thereof to be sent to the library at Oxford accordingly, vpon pain of imprisonment, and such further Order and Direction therein, as to this Court, or the high Commission Court respectively, as the several causes shall require, shall be thought fit.  
FINIS.