Note 449 — AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PHINEAS PETT (continued 2)
Reading edition
This rank was instituted in 1611 by James I. to raise money for the Crown, the sum to be paid being 1095l. At first certain restrictions as to numbers and conditions were made. The restrictions were gradually withdrawn, and under Charles I. blank patents were put up for sale. The price seems to have fallen as low as 300l. by the end of Charles I.'s reign.