Note 217 — Chapter V · THE STATE CONTROL OF ENGLISH LETTER-FOUNDING.

A Decree of Starre-Chamber, concerning Printing. Made the eleventh day of July last past, 1637. London, 1637, 4to. The “London Printer,” previously quoted, writing in 1660, styles this decree “the best and most exquisite form and constitution for the good government and regulation of the press that ever was pronounced, or can reasonably be contrived to keep it in due order and regular exercise.” It was the lapse of its authority in 1640 which led to the abuses over which he lamented.