because many pamphlets, plays, and ballads be oftentimes printed,
wherein regard would be had that nothing therein should be either
heretical, seditious, or unseemly for Christian ears; Her Majesty
likewise commandeth that no manner of person shall enterprise to print
any such, except the same be to him licensed by such Her Majesty's
commissioners, or three of them, as be appointed in the city of London
to hear and determine divers clauses ecclesiastical, tending to the
execution of certain statutes made the last parliament for uniformity
of order in religion. And if any shall sell or utter any manner of
books or papers, being not licensed as is abovesaid, that the same
party shall be punished by order of the said commissioners, as to the
quality of the fault shall be thought meet. And touching all other
books of matters of religion, or policy, or governance, that have been
printed, either on this side the seas, or on the other side, because
the diversity of them is great, and that there needeth good
consideration to be had of the particularities thereof, Her Majesty
referreth the prohibition or permission thereof to the order, which her
said commissioners within the city of London shall take and notify.
According to the which, Her Majesty straitly chargeth and commandeth
all manner her subjects, and especially the wardens and company of
stationers, to be obedient.

"Provided that these orders do not extend to any profane authors and
works in any language, that have been heretofore commonly received or
allowed in any of the universities or schools, but the same may be
printed, and used as by good order they were accustomed."--Cardswell's
_Documentary Annals_, i. 229.

This injunction was, I take it, the origin of the licensing of the press of
this country. On the 23d June, 28 Eliz. 1586 (not 1585, as in Strype),
{426} Archbishop Whitgift and the Lords of the Privy Council in the Star
Chamber made rules and ordinances for redressing abuses in printing. No
printing-press was to be allowed elsewhere than in London (except one in
each University); and no book was to be printed until first seen and
perused by the Archbishop of Canterbury or Bishop of London; with an
exception in favour of the queen's printer, and books of the common law,
which were to be allowed by the Chief Justices and Chief Baron, or one of
them. Extens