 | A series of talks on the history of the written word 28a. Provincial printing in Britain 1478-1557. (Contents list) |
Printing outside London was little developed. Only ten towns to 1557 when Stationers Company suppressed it
until 1640s. Little call for printing apart from Oxbridge and they were surprisingly slow. Literacy small,
demand mainly for service books. Charter of 1557 altered actual situation little - few items printed in
provinces in Mary’s reign.
Oxford 1478-87, 1517-20
1478-1479. Unnamed printer
17 December 1468. first book printed at Oxford: Expositio in symbolum apostolorum, treatise on apostles creed by Rufinus bishop of Aquilea. In distinctive type used in Cologne 1477/8 by Gerard ten Roem. Both made same error in use of some capitals (H for P etc). Clearly 1478 but used in 1664 to prove that printing learned by Caxton from Gutenberg in Haarlem, who persuaded a worker to return with him. In C18 forgereies made by altering early Deventer books.
1479 Tractatus fratris Egidii de peccati originali. Unsigned, earliest red printing in England.
1479 Textus ethicorum Aristotelis,. Also unsigned.
17 December 1468. first book printed at Oxford: Expositio in symbolum apostolorum, treatise on apostles creed by Rufinus bishop of Aquilea. In distinctive type used in Cologne 1477/8 by Gerard ten Roem. Both made same error in use of some capitals (H for P etc). Clearly 1478 but used in 1664 to prove that printing learned by Caxton from Gutenberg in Haarlem, who persuaded a worker to return with him. In C18 forgereies made by altering early Deventer books.
1479 Tractatus fratris Egidii de peccati originali. Unsigned, earliest red printing in England.
1479 Textus ethicorum Aristotelis,. Also unsigned.
1481-1486. Theodoric Rood.
1481 (11 Oct) Alexander of Hales commentary on Aristotle’s De anima. Earliest woodcut border in England: foliage and bird, probably afterthought of printer. Signed: Theodoric Rood of Cologne. Probably also responsible for earlier books although in different type (university registers of period lost so not certain). Rood’s earlier history not known. Book fo. 240ff, 2 cols (14 copies + fragments)
C1483 Partner of Thomas Hunt, Oxford bookseller since 1473. New fonts, all similar to those of Cologne used in 11 books including:
Cicero Pro Milone (fragments only) first classical text in England
1485 Letters of Phalaris translated by Francicscus Aretinus. Colophon in verse:
In all 17 books in 7 fonts. Then no printing to 1517 though many stationers including John Dorn, formerly printer at Brunswick. Published book printed in London by Treveris etc. Account book survives.
1481 (11 Oct) Alexander of Hales commentary on Aristotle’s De anima. Earliest woodcut border in England: foliage and bird, probably afterthought of printer. Signed: Theodoric Rood of Cologne. Probably also responsible for earlier books although in different type (university registers of period lost so not certain). Rood’s earlier history not known. Book fo. 240ff, 2 cols (14 copies + fragments)
C1483 Partner of Thomas Hunt, Oxford bookseller since 1473. New fonts, all similar to those of Cologne used in 11 books including:
Cicero Pro Milone (fragments only) first classical text in England
1485 Letters of Phalaris translated by Francicscus Aretinus. Colophon in verse:
Theodoric Rood, a German born1486 John Mirk: Liber festivalis. Sermons for Sundays and holy days compiled by prior of Lilleshall, Salop. Last book of press. Rood’s edition used for reprint by Caxton. Only Oxford book of period with illustrations: 11 oblong woodcuts, shortened to fit format originally intended for a Golden legend.
O’ the city of Cologne
He that this curious book did print
To all men maketh known;
And his good partner Thomas Hunt
An Englishman he was
Now aid them Heaven that so they may
Venetian skill surpass.
A man of France named Jensen taught
The venetians this fair art
Which Britain by her industry
Did to herself impart
Engraved books to send to us
Which in deep lore excel
Cease, O Venetians, yield to us -
We to all others sell
In all 17 books in 7 fonts. Then no printing to 1517 though many stationers including John Dorn, formerly printer at Brunswick. Published book printed in London by Treveris etc. Account book survives.
1517-1518. John Scolar.
In 1517 he established press with material probably from de Worde. Short duration, work badly recorded.
Contrast to previous press: no theology, with Rood theology and classics balanced.
1517 Super libros posteriourum Aristotelis, commentary by Walter Burley. 10ff in type of de Worde
At work in St John’s Street near Merton College. Possibly recognised by university as some books issued
“Cum privilegio cancellarii”. Device: arms of University.
Printed six other books and one broadside (prognostication of Jasper Laet)
Privilege for seven years June 1518 for Walter Burley Tractatus de materia et forma and 15 May 1518
for Dedicus Questiones super libros ethicorum Aristotelis, first copyrights in particular books in
England. Nothing known of him before Oxford. Left Oxford 1518, next found in Abingdon 1528.
1519. Charles Kyrforth
In this year he printed a treatise on arithmetic (8ff. one penny) with Scolar’s type and at Scolar’s
address. Probably left Oxford by 1524. Then no printing to 1585 (Joseph Barnes University printer)
St Albans 1479-86, 1534-39
1479-1485. Schoolmaster printer.
His name is unknown, he was called “some tyme schole master of St Albans” in colophon of de Worde’s reprint of Chronicles of England. Called John Insomuch by Sir Henry Cahuncey in his History of Hertfordshire (Incipits for his two English books)
1479? Augustinus Datus Super eleganciis Tullianus (undated apud Sanctum Albanum) quarto 18ff. Only copy Cambridge University Library. No signatures unlike other books. Only book in this type.
1480 Laurentius de Saona Rhetorica nova. First dated book, also printed by Caxton about same date.
1480/1 Four more works in Latin in atrociously confusing type. Then ceased work for a time.
1485? recommenced work in a new manner discarding Latin and previously confused type.
1485? Chronicles of England (fo. 290ff.) initials and paragraphs in red, a few diagrams and one woodcut “depicting a jumble of towers spires and turrets and equally suitable for the two cities it professes to represent, London and Rome.” First English printer’s mark, incorporating the blazon of St Albans.
1486 Book of St Albans (small fo, 90ff.) treatise ends: Explicit Dam Julyan Barnes her boke of hunting (Juliana Berners, daughter of Sir James Berners and prioress of Sopwell, dependency of St Albans). Treatise on hawking, hunting and coat armour. First two based on Twici L’art de venerie and Gaston, comte de Foix Livre de chasse. Treatise on coat armour first example of full colour printing (already red in initials at St Albans and 1479 Oxford imprint). Red. Blue and brown used in shields, yellow probably added by hand. Register and presswork usually quite good. Probably last book in St Albans until 1534.
In all eight books in three bastarda and one text types all similar to Caxton’s with whom probably connected. Device (double cross and orb with arms of St Albans) very like ealy Italian devices. Mysterious printer.
His name is unknown, he was called “some tyme schole master of St Albans” in colophon of de Worde’s reprint of Chronicles of England. Called John Insomuch by Sir Henry Cahuncey in his History of Hertfordshire (Incipits for his two English books)
1479? Augustinus Datus Super eleganciis Tullianus (undated apud Sanctum Albanum) quarto 18ff. Only copy Cambridge University Library. No signatures unlike other books. Only book in this type.
1480 Laurentius de Saona Rhetorica nova. First dated book, also printed by Caxton about same date.
1480/1 Four more works in Latin in atrociously confusing type. Then ceased work for a time.
1485? recommenced work in a new manner discarding Latin and previously confused type.
1485? Chronicles of England (fo. 290ff.) initials and paragraphs in red, a few diagrams and one woodcut “depicting a jumble of towers spires and turrets and equally suitable for the two cities it professes to represent, London and Rome.” First English printer’s mark, incorporating the blazon of St Albans.
1486 Book of St Albans (small fo, 90ff.) treatise ends: Explicit Dam Julyan Barnes her boke of hunting (Juliana Berners, daughter of Sir James Berners and prioress of Sopwell, dependency of St Albans). Treatise on hawking, hunting and coat armour. First two based on Twici L’art de venerie and Gaston, comte de Foix Livre de chasse. Treatise on coat armour first example of full colour printing (already red in initials at St Albans and 1479 Oxford imprint). Red. Blue and brown used in shields, yellow probably added by hand. Register and presswork usually quite good. Probably last book in St Albans until 1534.
In all eight books in three bastarda and one text types all similar to Caxton’s with whom probably connected. Device (double cross and orb with arms of St Albans) very like ealy Italian devices. Mysterious printer.
1534 John Herford.
Probably alien printer, he settled in the town and produced books for abbot Peter Catton (four books) and his successor Richard Stevenage (three books). Earlier press more associated with town than abbey.
Breviary of Saint Albans use probably earliest book
1534 John Lydgate’s translation of the Life and passion of St Alban, protomartyr of England (for Catton)
1536 Work by John Gwynneth, monk of the abbey. Press may have been in abbey itself.
Oct 1539 three stationers sent to enquire into “naughty book”. John Printer was taken to London theough Stevenage claimed that he “never heard of the little book of detestable heresies until the stationers showed it me.” Abbey dissolved three months later, Herford later worked in London (24 books to 1548).
Probably alien printer, he settled in the town and produced books for abbot Peter Catton (four books) and his successor Richard Stevenage (three books). Earlier press more associated with town than abbey.
Breviary of Saint Albans use probably earliest book
1534 John Lydgate’s translation of the Life and passion of St Alban, protomartyr of England (for Catton)
1536 Work by John Gwynneth, monk of the abbey. Press may have been in abbey itself.
Oct 1539 three stationers sent to enquire into “naughty book”. John Printer was taken to London theough Stevenage claimed that he “never heard of the little book of detestable heresies until the stationers showed it me.” Abbey dissolved three months later, Herford later worked in London (24 books to 1548).
York 1509, 1516-19, 1532
Leading city of north. Seat of archbishop. Text writers guild since time of Edward III, jealous of
privileges. In 1493 the stationer Fredrick Egmont commissioned a York breviary from Joannes Herzog of
Venice.
1497-1511. Frederick Freez (Vries)
Dutchman became freeman in 1497. Bookbinder and stationer, also called buke-prynter in 1510/11 lawsuit but no evidence of activities. Two sons convicted of heresy.
Dutchman became freeman in 1497. Bookbinder and stationer, also called buke-prynter in 1510/11 lawsuit but no evidence of activities. Two sons convicted of heresy.
1507 Gerard Wandsforth (alias Vries)
The brother of Frederick, he commissioned Expositio hymnorum et sequentiarum from Pierre Violette of Rouen -- first York imprint. Taken ill and died at King’s Lynn 1510. Left money to de Worde in payment of debt.
The brother of Frederick, he commissioned Expositio hymnorum et sequentiarum from Pierre Violette of Rouen -- first York imprint. Taken ill and died at King’s Lynn 1510. Left money to de Worde in payment of debt.
1509. Hugo Goes.
He was possibly connected with Antwerp printer Mathias van der Goes.
1509 Directorium sacerdotum only surviving book of first York printer. In font used by de Worde to c1502. Printed in Steengate, York.
Also attributed:
Donatus minor cum Remigio and Accidence described by York barrister Christopher Hildyard in 1664. Bound up with copy of a grammar by de Worde 1506. Also broadside with a woodcut of a man on horseback and arms of France “Enprynted at Beverlay in the Hye-gate by me Hewe Goes” with rebus mark H+goose (Ames Typographical antiquities).
Also associated with earliest English wallpaper at lodge of Christ College, Cambridge. Block printed on back of type matter of de Worde or Pynson, proclamation on death of Henry VII (1509) and two other 1509 proclamations and indulgence of Julius II (1503/1513). Lodge probably completed c1509. Design of fir cone and strapwork from block 16x11 inches incorporated in border H+bird. May be Goes who may have printed proclamations (Sugden and Edmondson A history of English wallpaper, 1926).
He was possibly connected with Antwerp printer Mathias van der Goes.
1509 Directorium sacerdotum only surviving book of first York printer. In font used by de Worde to c1502. Printed in Steengate, York.
Also attributed:
Donatus minor cum Remigio and Accidence described by York barrister Christopher Hildyard in 1664. Bound up with copy of a grammar by de Worde 1506. Also broadside with a woodcut of a man on horseback and arms of France “Enprynted at Beverlay in the Hye-gate by me Hewe Goes” with rebus mark H+goose (Ames Typographical antiquities).
Also associated with earliest English wallpaper at lodge of Christ College, Cambridge. Block printed on back of type matter of de Worde or Pynson, proclamation on death of Henry VII (1509) and two other 1509 proclamations and indulgence of Julius II (1503/1513). Lodge probably completed c1509. Design of fir cone and strapwork from block 16x11 inches incorporated in border H+bird. May be Goes who may have printed proclamations (Sugden and Edmondson A history of English wallpaper, 1926).
1513-1516. Ursyn Mylner.
Born 1481, witness in lawsuit 1511.
1513 Festum visitationis BVM. Service book, no copies survive
C1513 Supplement to the sanctorale of the breviary. Binding fragment, red and black.
By 1516 moved to Blake Street St Helen’s parish. Became freeman, printer, stationer, bookbinder
1516 (20 Dec) Robert Whittinton Grammar (24ff., 4to) titlepage woodcut of master and pupils previously used in Gouda 1486 by Gerard van Ghemen ad later by de Worde c1500.
Device at end: bear (Ursyn) and ass supporting a shield hanging on a tree. On the shield is a windmill (Mylner) and a sun, perhaps a reference to an association with Wynkyn de Worde at the sign of the Sun.
1516 mentioned in account books as binder then no further mention (aged 35).
Born 1481, witness in lawsuit 1511.
1513 Festum visitationis BVM. Service book, no copies survive
C1513 Supplement to the sanctorale of the breviary. Binding fragment, red and black.
By 1516 moved to Blake Street St Helen’s parish. Became freeman, printer, stationer, bookbinder
1516 (20 Dec) Robert Whittinton Grammar (24ff., 4to) titlepage woodcut of master and pupils previously used in Gouda 1486 by Gerard van Ghemen ad later by de Worde c1500.
Device at end: bear (Ursyn) and ass supporting a shield hanging on a tree. On the shield is a windmill (Mylner) and a sun, perhaps a reference to an association with Wynkyn de Worde at the sign of the Sun.
1516 mentioned in account books as binder then no further mention (aged 35).
Until 1533 most of York book trade with Jean Gachet (Frenchman), first mentioned in colophon of Manual for
York use printed for him and Jacob Ferrebone in France by De Worde 1516, 1517. Other service books for York
use printed for him by Pierre Olivier of Rouen, the latest a Breviary 1533.
1579 imprint “Eboraci apud Ioannem Marcantium” otherwise nothing until late 17th century.
1579 imprint “Eboraci apud Ioannem Marcantium” otherwise nothing until late 17th century.
Cambridge 1521-23
1520-1523. John Siberch.
In 1520 or 1521 printing was introduced by John Siberch, formerly Johann Lair von Siegburg who was born in Sieglar (Lair), near Siegburg, some miles SW of Cologne in Germany. He was the son of Peter von Lair (d. 1533), a wool weaver and took the name John Siberch from Siegburg, where the family moved in his childhood. On 5 December 1492 he matriculated at the University of Cologne. Around 1512 he married a sister of Gertrud van Amersfoort, a member of the bookselling and printing family of Franz and Arnold Birckmann of Cologne, becoming related to some of the major north European humanist printers and booksellers.
For a while during the 1510s Siberch was in the service of another Cologne bookseller, Hans Beck; and it was as a bookseller that he moved to Cambridge. He was probably commissioned by Richard Croke, whom he perhaps met at Leipzig where he taught Greek . In Cambridge he found no press and the first publication with Siberch’s imprint, a work by Croke (1520), was printed by Eucharius Cervicornus at Cologne.
Siberch established his press in Cambridge in 1520 or 1521 with the help of a loan of £20 from the university. His house was on the site of what is now Tree Court, Gonville and Caius College.
Feb 1521 first book: Henry Bullock's Oratio, a tribute on the occasion of a visit to the university by Cardinal Wolsey in autumn 1520 (8 leaves roman type).
1521 at least seven short books, including:
(April) Augustine: De miseria ac brevitate vitae (12 leaves, border pieces on title page not known with any other English printer, also Greek motto on title page first use of Greek moveable type. Woodcut Greek previously used by De Worde. Pynson made fuller use in 1524, then excused errors as type only recently cut. Only one copy (Bodleian)
1521 Lucan: Peri dipsadon, translated by Henry Bullock had four lines of Grrek type. Siberch proclaimed himself first printer in both languages in England.
1521 an unauthorized edition of Libellus de conscribendis epistolis by Erasmus who was probably in same building as Siberch when teaching in Cambridge, but the edition was unauthorised and angered Erasmus who wrote in the preface to Froben’s edition (1522) “Printers with a brazen face follow the satirist’s maxim: Money smells good whatever it is made of”. Yet Siberch used for first time words “cum gratia et privilegia” on title page, possibly granted by dedicatee Bishop Fisher.
1521 Bishop John Fisher’s sermon on burning Luther’s works in London (which attracted a crowd of 30,000) translated into Latin. Bears striking white-line device: orb and cross within chain work frame.
1521: Thomas Linacre's translation of Galen's De temperamentis.
Also published works of Sir Thomas Elyot and adressed educational market with an edition of Erasmus and Lily's grammar De octo partium orationis constructione.
After a period of considerable activity in 1521, the pace of his printing declined sharply.
1522 (Dec) Papyrius Geminus: Hermathena last book.
Later work includes more ephemera, such as indulgences, rather than books. Ceased to print at Cambridge probably by the end of 1523. Also associated with a binding shop, possibly as a part of bookselling business, but, despite the fame of his authors, not commercially successful as a printer in England. By early 1524 he had left Cambridge, leaving a debt of £20 recorded in the proctor’s accounts to 1553. In 1971 his successor as university printer Brooke Crutchley, repaid the debt at a celebration of 450 years of Cambridge printing.
Material dispersed, possibly went to Antwerp to work with Franz Birckmann and other members of his wife's family. By 1538 ordained priest, and for the remainder of his life he served a parish in Siegburg, where he died before 28 September in 1554. No immediate successor.
In 1520 or 1521 printing was introduced by John Siberch, formerly Johann Lair von Siegburg who was born in Sieglar (Lair), near Siegburg, some miles SW of Cologne in Germany. He was the son of Peter von Lair (d. 1533), a wool weaver and took the name John Siberch from Siegburg, where the family moved in his childhood. On 5 December 1492 he matriculated at the University of Cologne. Around 1512 he married a sister of Gertrud van Amersfoort, a member of the bookselling and printing family of Franz and Arnold Birckmann of Cologne, becoming related to some of the major north European humanist printers and booksellers.
For a while during the 1510s Siberch was in the service of another Cologne bookseller, Hans Beck; and it was as a bookseller that he moved to Cambridge. He was probably commissioned by Richard Croke, whom he perhaps met at Leipzig where he taught Greek . In Cambridge he found no press and the first publication with Siberch’s imprint, a work by Croke (1520), was printed by Eucharius Cervicornus at Cologne.
Siberch established his press in Cambridge in 1520 or 1521 with the help of a loan of £20 from the university. His house was on the site of what is now Tree Court, Gonville and Caius College.
Feb 1521 first book: Henry Bullock's Oratio, a tribute on the occasion of a visit to the university by Cardinal Wolsey in autumn 1520 (8 leaves roman type).
1521 at least seven short books, including:
(April) Augustine: De miseria ac brevitate vitae (12 leaves, border pieces on title page not known with any other English printer, also Greek motto on title page first use of Greek moveable type. Woodcut Greek previously used by De Worde. Pynson made fuller use in 1524, then excused errors as type only recently cut. Only one copy (Bodleian)
1521 Lucan: Peri dipsadon, translated by Henry Bullock had four lines of Grrek type. Siberch proclaimed himself first printer in both languages in England.
1521 an unauthorized edition of Libellus de conscribendis epistolis by Erasmus who was probably in same building as Siberch when teaching in Cambridge, but the edition was unauthorised and angered Erasmus who wrote in the preface to Froben’s edition (1522) “Printers with a brazen face follow the satirist’s maxim: Money smells good whatever it is made of”. Yet Siberch used for first time words “cum gratia et privilegia” on title page, possibly granted by dedicatee Bishop Fisher.
1521 Bishop John Fisher’s sermon on burning Luther’s works in London (which attracted a crowd of 30,000) translated into Latin. Bears striking white-line device: orb and cross within chain work frame.
1521: Thomas Linacre's translation of Galen's De temperamentis.
Also published works of Sir Thomas Elyot and adressed educational market with an edition of Erasmus and Lily's grammar De octo partium orationis constructione.
After a period of considerable activity in 1521, the pace of his printing declined sharply.
1522 (Dec) Papyrius Geminus: Hermathena last book.
Later work includes more ephemera, such as indulgences, rather than books. Ceased to print at Cambridge probably by the end of 1523. Also associated with a binding shop, possibly as a part of bookselling business, but, despite the fame of his authors, not commercially successful as a printer in England. By early 1524 he had left Cambridge, leaving a debt of £20 recorded in the proctor’s accounts to 1553. In 1971 his successor as university printer Brooke Crutchley, repaid the debt at a celebration of 450 years of Cambridge printing.
Material dispersed, possibly went to Antwerp to work with Franz Birckmann and other members of his wife's family. By 1538 ordained priest, and for the remainder of his life he served a parish in Siegburg, where he died before 28 September in 1554. No immediate successor.
1534 charter by Henry VIII could “assign and elect from time to time … three stationers and printers or
sellers of books, residing within the University … empowered to print all manner of books approved of by
the Chancellor”. Opposed by Stationers Company who took action of seizing press of next printer Thomas
Tomas in 1584.
Tavistock 1525-34
1525. Thomas Richard.
Boethius De consolatione philosophiae “Enprinted in the exempt monastery of Tavistock in Devonshire by me Dan Thomas Richard, monk of the said monastry to the instant desire of the right worshipful esq. Master Robert Langdon” whose arms appear at the end of the book - a wealthy Cornishman of Keverall. Translated into eight-line stanzas by John Walton and entitled: The boke of comfort”. Used new black letter type. Rychard supplied some additions to the prose commentary for this volume and also attempted to revise Walton's language for the sixteenth-century reader, consulting both the Latin text and Chaucer's English version.
Thomas Rychard student of theology at Gloucester College, Oxford, for eight years; he petitioned for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Theology in 1515. In 1528 he was elected prior of Totnes in Devon and is perhaps the Richard recorded as prior at its suppression. Sir Peter Edgcumbe, whose father had become patron of the priory under Henry VII, described the last prior in a letter to Thomas Cromwell as ‘a man off goode vertuus conversacyon and a good viander’
20 Aug 1534 Confirmation of the charter perteyning to all the tinners within the county of Devonshire (charter and statutes of the stannary). Quarto 26 leaves. Woodcut of Almighty also used in Boethius (only copy Exeter College, Oxford), so Rychard may also be responsible for this. He was rector of St George's in Exeter from 1535 until his death, between 10 August 1563 when he drew up his will and 14 April 1564 when it was proved.
Boethius De consolatione philosophiae “Enprinted in the exempt monastery of Tavistock in Devonshire by me Dan Thomas Richard, monk of the said monastry to the instant desire of the right worshipful esq. Master Robert Langdon” whose arms appear at the end of the book - a wealthy Cornishman of Keverall. Translated into eight-line stanzas by John Walton and entitled: The boke of comfort”. Used new black letter type. Rychard supplied some additions to the prose commentary for this volume and also attempted to revise Walton's language for the sixteenth-century reader, consulting both the Latin text and Chaucer's English version.
Thomas Rychard student of theology at Gloucester College, Oxford, for eight years; he petitioned for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Theology in 1515. In 1528 he was elected prior of Totnes in Devon and is perhaps the Richard recorded as prior at its suppression. Sir Peter Edgcumbe, whose father had become patron of the priory under Henry VII, described the last prior in a letter to Thomas Cromwell as ‘a man off goode vertuus conversacyon and a good viander’
20 Aug 1534 Confirmation of the charter perteyning to all the tinners within the county of Devonshire (charter and statutes of the stannary). Quarto 26 leaves. Woodcut of Almighty also used in Boethius (only copy Exeter College, Oxford), so Rychard may also be responsible for this. He was rector of St George's in Exeter from 1535 until his death, between 10 August 1563 when he drew up his will and 14 April 1564 when it was proved.
Abingdon 1528
1528. John Scolar.
On 12 Sept 1528 Johannes Scolar from Oxford printed the only recrded work from this press: Breviary for the use of St Mary’s monastery (black monks of the order of St Benedict) 358 leaves, printed in red and black, two columns, curious initials. Only one fragmentary copy in Emmanuel College, Cambridge)
On 12 Sept 1528 Johannes Scolar from Oxford printed the only recrded work from this press: Breviary for the use of St Mary’s monastery (black monks of the order of St Benedict) 358 leaves, printed in red and black, two columns, curious initials. Only one fragmentary copy in Emmanuel College, Cambridge)
Accession of Edward VI in 1547 gave added impetus to printing. Presses active in three towns.
Canterbury 1533-56
1533-1556. John Mitchell [Mychell].
Mychell (died 1556), was active as a printer both in London and at Canterbury, but few details are known of his career in either city. Most of his books are undated, many lack imprints, and several are preserved only as fragments, making any attempted chronology of his work dependent largely on changes in his typographic stock and practice. He undoubtedly learned to print in London, and may have been in business there by 1530. Among the books thought to be his earliest and tentatively assigned to the early 1530s are a fragmentary Life of St. Margaret with an imprint giving Mitchell's address as the Long Shop by the church of St Mildred Poultry. A Life of St. Gregory's Mother also naming Mitchell but specifying only ‘London’ probably dates from the same period, when Mitchell also appears to have been printing for at least one other publisher, John Butler. He may have been involved as well with Thomas Godfray in the printing of a verse History of King Boccus (c.1530) edited by John Twyne, master of the Canterbury grammar school. The colophon of the book states that it was printed ‘at the cost and charge’ of Robert Saltwood, a monk of St Augustine's, Canterbury, and both the type and initials used in King Boccus later appear in some of the books printed by Mitchell at Canterbury, including an edition of Saltwood's Comparison between Four Birds.
Mychell (died 1556), was active as a printer both in London and at Canterbury, but few details are known of his career in either city. Most of his books are undated, many lack imprints, and several are preserved only as fragments, making any attempted chronology of his work dependent largely on changes in his typographic stock and practice. He undoubtedly learned to print in London, and may have been in business there by 1530. Among the books thought to be his earliest and tentatively assigned to the early 1530s are a fragmentary Life of St. Margaret with an imprint giving Mitchell's address as the Long Shop by the church of St Mildred Poultry. A Life of St. Gregory's Mother also naming Mitchell but specifying only ‘London’ probably dates from the same period, when Mitchell also appears to have been printing for at least one other publisher, John Butler. He may have been involved as well with Thomas Godfray in the printing of a verse History of King Boccus (c.1530) edited by John Twyne, master of the Canterbury grammar school. The colophon of the book states that it was printed ‘at the cost and charge’ of Robert Saltwood, a monk of St Augustine's, Canterbury, and both the type and initials used in King Boccus later appear in some of the books printed by Mitchell at Canterbury, including an edition of Saltwood's Comparison between Four Birds.
Mychell was resident in the Canterbury by 1533, when he paid 8d. for permission to carry on the trade of
bookbinder. In June 1536 John Twyne was one of thirteen citizens presented at the Canterbury municipal
quarter sessions, charged with having ‘mayntenyd procured and abetited’ an unnamed printer dwelling in St
Paul's parish, who was accused of having printed and sold books ‘demed to be … clerely agense the fayth of
true Cristen men’. The case never came to trial, but the man involved was almost certainly John Mitchell,
who can be associated both with Twyne and with St Paul's. The imprints of a dozen extant books locate
Mitchell's press in that parish (only three provide dates of printing, 1549 to 1553), and he is undoubtedly
the John Mychell recorded as living in the parish in 1538 and the John Michell who in 1543 rented another
property there, next door to Twyne. In 1541 ‘John Michell buke prynter of Canterbury’ was sued for non-
payment of a bill for 20 reams of paper, and an inventory of St Paul's taken in autumn 1552 notes among the
debts to the church one in the hands of John Michell.
A few books with imprints naming Mitchell and Canterbury may date from about Probably c1533–4, John
Lydgate's The Churl and the Bird (St Paul's parish). Four other works lacking an imprint but
assigned to Mitchell on typographic grounds can plausibly be proposed as the objectionable books of 1536:
William Tyndale's Obedience of a Christian Man and Parable of the Wicked Mammon, and John Frith's
Disputation of Purgatory and his corollary attack on John Rastell, The Subsidy or Bulwark to his
First Book. Later than these are Randall Hurlestone's anti-mass News from Rome, an edition of
two dialogues by Erasmus, and An exposition in English upon the epistle of St Paul to the
Philippians by Lancelot Ridley, cousin of Bishop Nicholas Ridley, martyred in 1555. All three name
Mitchell and Canterbury, with the last adding that the book was printed in St Paul's parish for Edward
Whitchurch of London. In 1548 Mitchell printed at least two Reformation texts for the London publisher Hugh
Singleton, and part of Edward Halle's Union of the … Families of Lancaster and York for Richard
Grafton, but there is no evidence that he himself was resident in London at the time.
From 1549 onward Mitchell occasionally dated his books. In that year he printed a quarto Psalter or psalms of David after the translation of the Greek Bible, re-issued the following year, and in 1552 he published the first of three editions of a Breviat Chronicle of English history, his own reworking of earlier compilations. He continued to print after the accession of Mary in 1553, his last dated work being a list of Articles to be inquired in the ordinary visitation of the diocese of Canterbury by Archbishop Reginald Pole in 1556, a semi-official piece of four leaves, one of the only pieces of provincial English printing during Mary’s reign (see also Norwich). Mitchell died later that same year, leaving numerous creditors including an Oxford bookseller. He had printed at least 16 books. After his death Canterbury was without a printer until 1717, although two stationers are recorded in the later 16th century and one in the 17th.
Ipswich 1547-48.
Curious: certainly two, possibly three different printers, all active 1547/8 then nothing for more than a
century. Centre of reformist publications - easy access to continent. In
1534 Juvencus Historia evangelica printed by Joannes Graphaeus in Antwerp issued with an imprint on
some copies stating that it was sold by John Oliver of Ipswich.
Anthony Scoloker.
A translator and printer of whom little is known, he established the first press at Ipswich, probably in 1547. Possibly bound apprentice to the London grocer John Over 1542 but never made free of the company or learned to print on the continent, perhaps associated with Ghent printer and typefounder Joos Lambrecht, from whom he obtained type and pictorial woodblocks. Scholar with command of languages sufficient to make his own colourful translations from German, Dutch, and French. Printed seven books in Ipswich, mostly by theological reformers but rarely dated. Imprints give his address as St Nicholas’s parish but not mentioned in local records. Probably only there a few months.
1547 (6 Jul) first signed book: title-page of The Just Reckoning or accompt of the whole number of Years from the beginning of the world unto this present year of 1547, ‘translated out of the Germaine tonge into Englishe by Anthony Scoloker” a chronology of events from the creation onwards. One of six small unsigned tracts, in a distinctive black letter type, one dated 1548.
1548? Notable textes of the scriptures which declare of what vertue, strength and holiness the pixed or [Ipswich? : A. Scoloker, 1548?]
1548 in St Nicholas's parish, Ipswich, Scoloker is named as printer in six other books in new types from Lambrecht, but with same stock of woodcut initials from London. and like the earlier tracts they address the radical reform of the English protestant church. Two of the works issued over Scoloker's name were his own translations, a dialogue between a ‘Christen Shomaker and a Popysshe Parson’ from the German of Hans Sachs
1548 Sachs, Hans, 1494-1576. A goodly dysputatyon betwene a christen shomaker, and a popysshe parson, Imprinted at Ippeswich : by Anthony Scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas parryshe, anno. 1548.
1548 The Ordenarye for all faythfull Chrystiãs to leade a vertuous and Godly lyfe Imprinted at Ippeswych, By Anthony Scoloker, Dwellyng in S. Nycholas Paryshe, Anno 1548. From the Dutch original by Cornelius van der Heyden, first published by Josse Lambrecht at Ghent in 1545. Scoloker used Lambrecht's set of sixty-five pictorial woodblocks, which include, among other scenes of common life, the earliest representation of the interior of a printing press to appear in an English book.
Three further works name the Ipswich schoolmaster Richard Argentine as translator, and the sixth consists in part of a translation by Richard Rice, a local clergyman who also wrote one of the anonymously issued books that are now attributed to Scoloker's Ipswich press.
1548 Zwingli, Ulrich, 1484-1531. Certeyne preceptes, gathered by Hulrichus Zuinglius, declaring howe the ingenious youth …, Imprinted at Ippeswich : By Anthony Scoloker. dwellyng in. S. Nycholas parryshe, Anno. 1548. STC 26136
1548 Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. A ryght notable sermon, made by Doctor Martyn Luther, vppon the twenteth chapter of Iohan Imprinted at Ippeswich : By Anthony Scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas paryshe, Anno. 1548. STC 16992
1548 Ochino, Bernardino, 1487-1564. Sermons of the ryght famous a[n]d excellent clerke Master Bernardine Ochine, Imprinted at Ippeswych : By Anthony Scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas Parryshe, Anno. 1548. STC 18765
1548 Wied, Hermann von. The right institutio[n] of baptisme, Imprinted at Ippeswich : by Anthony scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas Parryshe, anno. 1548. STC 13210
By June 1548 Scoloker had left Ipswich for London - named, in partnership with William Seres, as printer of two books. One an anti-mass tract by Jean Viret, also credits Scoloker with having translated the text from French. Eight other books are known from the partnership of Scoloker and Seres, all either dated 1548 or undated. Middlesex subsidy roll of 3 April 1549 lists Hance Rycard, alien, dwelling with Englishman Anthony Scolyca in the liberty of the duchy of Lancaster. No mention in in later rolls.
Seven undated works give Scoloker's name alone, in the parish of St Botolph, Aldersgate & Savoy rents. Four more, in his distinctive Ghent types, have false imprint or none at all. Scoloker's type used in a book c.1554, but no printer is named. May have turned merchant: Antony Scoloker or Skolokor, milliner, named five times in a London port book of 1567–8 as receiving shipments of such small goods as razors and lute strings.
Burial registers of St Mary-le-Strand:
Judith Scoloker (probably a daughter) buried 5 September 1563
‘Anthony Scollinger sonne of Anthonie’ buried 12 May 1574
servant of ‘Jone Scollenger’ buried 31 May 1574
‘Mistress Scoliker’ buried 21 August 1599
‘Anthony Skolykers’ himself buried 13 May 1593.
A translator and printer of whom little is known, he established the first press at Ipswich, probably in 1547. Possibly bound apprentice to the London grocer John Over 1542 but never made free of the company or learned to print on the continent, perhaps associated with Ghent printer and typefounder Joos Lambrecht, from whom he obtained type and pictorial woodblocks. Scholar with command of languages sufficient to make his own colourful translations from German, Dutch, and French. Printed seven books in Ipswich, mostly by theological reformers but rarely dated. Imprints give his address as St Nicholas’s parish but not mentioned in local records. Probably only there a few months.
1547 (6 Jul) first signed book: title-page of The Just Reckoning or accompt of the whole number of Years from the beginning of the world unto this present year of 1547, ‘translated out of the Germaine tonge into Englishe by Anthony Scoloker” a chronology of events from the creation onwards. One of six small unsigned tracts, in a distinctive black letter type, one dated 1548.
1548? Notable textes of the scriptures which declare of what vertue, strength and holiness the pixed or [Ipswich? : A. Scoloker, 1548?]
1548 in St Nicholas's parish, Ipswich, Scoloker is named as printer in six other books in new types from Lambrecht, but with same stock of woodcut initials from London. and like the earlier tracts they address the radical reform of the English protestant church. Two of the works issued over Scoloker's name were his own translations, a dialogue between a ‘Christen Shomaker and a Popysshe Parson’ from the German of Hans Sachs
1548 Sachs, Hans, 1494-1576. A goodly dysputatyon betwene a christen shomaker, and a popysshe parson, Imprinted at Ippeswich : by Anthony Scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas parryshe, anno. 1548.
1548 The Ordenarye for all faythfull Chrystiãs to leade a vertuous and Godly lyfe Imprinted at Ippeswych, By Anthony Scoloker, Dwellyng in S. Nycholas Paryshe, Anno 1548. From the Dutch original by Cornelius van der Heyden, first published by Josse Lambrecht at Ghent in 1545. Scoloker used Lambrecht's set of sixty-five pictorial woodblocks, which include, among other scenes of common life, the earliest representation of the interior of a printing press to appear in an English book.
Three further works name the Ipswich schoolmaster Richard Argentine as translator, and the sixth consists in part of a translation by Richard Rice, a local clergyman who also wrote one of the anonymously issued books that are now attributed to Scoloker's Ipswich press.
1548 Zwingli, Ulrich, 1484-1531. Certeyne preceptes, gathered by Hulrichus Zuinglius, declaring howe the ingenious youth …, Imprinted at Ippeswich : By Anthony Scoloker. dwellyng in. S. Nycholas parryshe, Anno. 1548. STC 26136
1548 Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. A ryght notable sermon, made by Doctor Martyn Luther, vppon the twenteth chapter of Iohan Imprinted at Ippeswich : By Anthony Scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas paryshe, Anno. 1548. STC 16992
1548 Ochino, Bernardino, 1487-1564. Sermons of the ryght famous a[n]d excellent clerke Master Bernardine Ochine, Imprinted at Ippeswych : By Anthony Scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas Parryshe, Anno. 1548. STC 18765
1548 Wied, Hermann von. The right institutio[n] of baptisme, Imprinted at Ippeswich : by Anthony scoloker. Dwellyng in. S. Nycholas Parryshe, anno. 1548. STC 13210
By June 1548 Scoloker had left Ipswich for London - named, in partnership with William Seres, as printer of two books. One an anti-mass tract by Jean Viret, also credits Scoloker with having translated the text from French. Eight other books are known from the partnership of Scoloker and Seres, all either dated 1548 or undated. Middlesex subsidy roll of 3 April 1549 lists Hance Rycard, alien, dwelling with Englishman Anthony Scolyca in the liberty of the duchy of Lancaster. No mention in in later rolls.
Seven undated works give Scoloker's name alone, in the parish of St Botolph, Aldersgate & Savoy rents. Four more, in his distinctive Ghent types, have false imprint or none at all. Scoloker's type used in a book c.1554, but no printer is named. May have turned merchant: Antony Scoloker or Skolokor, milliner, named five times in a London port book of 1567–8 as receiving shipments of such small goods as razors and lute strings.
Burial registers of St Mary-le-Strand:
Judith Scoloker (probably a daughter) buried 5 September 1563
‘Anthony Scollinger sonne of Anthonie’ buried 12 May 1574
servant of ‘Jone Scollenger’ buried 31 May 1574
‘Mistress Scoliker’ buried 21 August 1599
‘Anthony Skolykers’ himself buried 13 May 1593.
1547-1548. John Oswen.
This printer was active first at Ipswich, and afterwards at Worcester. He was one of only two printers known to have worked at Ipswich in the sixteenth century; the earlier, Anthony Scoloker, probably began work in 1547 and had moved his press to London by June 1548. Nine works printed at Ipswich by John Oswen survive, five of them dated 1548 and the others undated. A further two books, also from 1548, were listed as Oswen's by Andrew Maunsell in his 1595 Catalogue of English Printed Books, but no copies of either these or of a third, seen by William Herbert and described in his revision of Joseph Ames's Typographical Antiquities (1785–90, 3.1458), appear to survive. All twelve books were works by protestant reformers, including English translations of tracts by John Calvin, Christopher Hegendorff, Antoine Marcort, Philip Melanchthon, and Joannes Oecolampadius:
1548 Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564. The mynde of the godly and excellent lerned man M. Ihon Caluyne, [Imprinted at Ippyswiche : By me Ihon Oswen], [the .x. daye of August][1548] STC 4435
1548 Hegendorph, Christoph, 1500-1540. Domestycal or housholde sermons, [Prynted at Ippiswich : By Ihon Oswe[n]], Anno M. D. XLVIII. [1548] STC 13021. The Henry Reiginalde named as translator probably Henry Reynolds of nearby Belstead.
1548 Marcourt, Antoine de, d. ca. 1560. A declaration of the masse, [Imprinted at Ippyswyche : By me Ihon Oswen], Printed Anno. M.D.XLVIII [1548] STC 17316 Two Ipswich ‘gospellers’, Peter Moone and John Ramsey, provided the texts for two books of crude anti- papist verse:
1545 Moone, Peter. [Verse sermon in 7-line stanzas against papists.] [Imprinted at Ippiswiche : by me Ihon Oswen. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum, [1545]]
1548 Ramsay, John, 1496?-1551. A plaister for a galled horse. [Imprinted at Ippyswitcyhe : by me Ihon Oswen], M. D. XLVIII. [1548] STC 20663
Other works:
1548 [Book of prayers] Imprinted at Ippyswyche : By Jhon Oswen, [1548]
1548 Moone, Peter. A short treatyse of certayne thinges abused in the Popysh Church, [Imprinted at Ippyswyche : By me Ihon Oswen, [1548]] STC 18055
1548 A newe boke, conteyninge An exhortatio[n] to the sycke [Imprynted at Ippyswiche : by me Iohn Oswen], M.D.XLVIII [1548]] STC 3362
1548? An inuectyue agaynst dronkennes. [Imprinted at Ippiswiche : By Me Ihon Oswen], [1548?] STC 14126
Final Ipswich book perhaps Reiginalde's translation of Hegendorff's Domestical Sermons (1548), which ends with the promise that ‘The rest of the sermons shalbe printed shortlye’. The continuation, dated ‘the last daye of February 1549’, in fact appeared at Worcester, where the printer had relocated by the turn of the year.
This printer was active first at Ipswich, and afterwards at Worcester. He was one of only two printers known to have worked at Ipswich in the sixteenth century; the earlier, Anthony Scoloker, probably began work in 1547 and had moved his press to London by June 1548. Nine works printed at Ipswich by John Oswen survive, five of them dated 1548 and the others undated. A further two books, also from 1548, were listed as Oswen's by Andrew Maunsell in his 1595 Catalogue of English Printed Books, but no copies of either these or of a third, seen by William Herbert and described in his revision of Joseph Ames's Typographical Antiquities (1785–90, 3.1458), appear to survive. All twelve books were works by protestant reformers, including English translations of tracts by John Calvin, Christopher Hegendorff, Antoine Marcort, Philip Melanchthon, and Joannes Oecolampadius:
1548 Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564. The mynde of the godly and excellent lerned man M. Ihon Caluyne, [Imprinted at Ippyswiche : By me Ihon Oswen], [the .x. daye of August][1548] STC 4435
1548 Hegendorph, Christoph, 1500-1540. Domestycal or housholde sermons, [Prynted at Ippiswich : By Ihon Oswe[n]], Anno M. D. XLVIII. [1548] STC 13021. The Henry Reiginalde named as translator probably Henry Reynolds of nearby Belstead.
1548 Marcourt, Antoine de, d. ca. 1560. A declaration of the masse, [Imprinted at Ippyswyche : By me Ihon Oswen], Printed Anno. M.D.XLVIII [1548] STC 17316 Two Ipswich ‘gospellers’, Peter Moone and John Ramsey, provided the texts for two books of crude anti- papist verse:
1545 Moone, Peter. [Verse sermon in 7-line stanzas against papists.] [Imprinted at Ippiswiche : by me Ihon Oswen. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum, [1545]]
1548 Ramsay, John, 1496?-1551. A plaister for a galled horse. [Imprinted at Ippyswitcyhe : by me Ihon Oswen], M. D. XLVIII. [1548] STC 20663
Other works:
1548 [Book of prayers] Imprinted at Ippyswyche : By Jhon Oswen, [1548]
1548 Moone, Peter. A short treatyse of certayne thinges abused in the Popysh Church, [Imprinted at Ippyswyche : By me Ihon Oswen, [1548]] STC 18055
1548 A newe boke, conteyninge An exhortatio[n] to the sycke [Imprynted at Ippyswiche : by me Iohn Oswen], M.D.XLVIII [1548]] STC 3362
1548? An inuectyue agaynst dronkennes. [Imprinted at Ippiswiche : By Me Ihon Oswen], [1548?] STC 14126
Final Ipswich book perhaps Reiginalde's translation of Hegendorff's Domestical Sermons (1548), which ends with the promise that ‘The rest of the sermons shalbe printed shortlye’. The continuation, dated ‘the last daye of February 1549’, in fact appeared at Worcester, where the printer had relocated by the turn of the year.
1548-1549 John Overton.
Overton is named in colophon of John Bale’s Illustrium majoris Britanniae scriptorum, hoc est, Angliae, Cambriae, ac Scotiae Summarium .... Colophon gives place as Ipswich but other title-pages mention Wesel. Probably fictitious to evade law against import of foreign books. Overton is y known from this book, variant title-pages of book have imprint Wesel: Theodoricus Plateanus, probably actual printer.
Overton is named in colophon of John Bale’s Illustrium majoris Britanniae scriptorum, hoc est, Angliae, Cambriae, ac Scotiae Summarium .... Colophon gives place as Ipswich but other title-pages mention Wesel. Probably fictitious to evade law against import of foreign books. Overton is y known from this book, variant title-pages of book have imprint Wesel: Theodoricus Plateanus, probably actual printer.
Next printing in Ipswich 1720.
Worcester 1548-53
1549-1553. John Oswen
From Ipswich. Oswen named as ‘of Worcester’ in a patent of 6 January 1549 (2 Edward VI) to print “every kind of book or books set forth by us concerning the service to be used in churches, ministration of the sacraments, and instruction of our subjects of the principality of Wales and Marches thereto belonging … for seven years, prohibiting all other persons whatsoever from printing the same”, Text of patent prefixed to first Worcester book, Henry Hart's Consultory for All Christians, dated 30 January 1549. Authorized to print and sell service and prayer books and ‘al maner of bokes conteinyng any storye or exposition of Gods holy scripture’. Book of Common Prayer two editions, dated 24 May 1549 (quarto) and 30 July 1549 (folio). Also later edition..
1 September 1549 Palter (quarto)
8 October 1549 Hmilies (quarto)
12 January 1550 New Testament (quarto)
. Continued programme of publishing English versions of tracts by such continental reformers as Heinrich Bullinger, Matteo Gribaldi, Jean Veron, and Ulrich Zwingli, alongside similar native works by Thomas Lever and Bishop John Hooper.
Nineteen books survive from Oswen's Worcester years plus three lost works of 1549–50, assigned to his press by Maunsell or Herbert.
Press In High Street, but printed nothing especially for Welsh churches. Had agent at Shrewsbury - colophons of several books state ‘also to sell’ there. Good printer, lively woodcut border pieces and initials, some, with his types later used by London printer John Tisdale. Oswen was made a freeman of the city of Worcester in 1553, but only two of his books with that year date survive:
1553 statutes 7 Edward VI
1553 Bishop Hooper's Homily to be read in the tyme of pestylence, dated 18 May at the end of the text. This was probably Oswen's last book: no further record of him is known, and it is very likely that he left England following the accession of Mary in July 1553. Next printing in Worcester 1709.
From Ipswich. Oswen named as ‘of Worcester’ in a patent of 6 January 1549 (2 Edward VI) to print “every kind of book or books set forth by us concerning the service to be used in churches, ministration of the sacraments, and instruction of our subjects of the principality of Wales and Marches thereto belonging … for seven years, prohibiting all other persons whatsoever from printing the same”, Text of patent prefixed to first Worcester book, Henry Hart's Consultory for All Christians, dated 30 January 1549. Authorized to print and sell service and prayer books and ‘al maner of bokes conteinyng any storye or exposition of Gods holy scripture’. Book of Common Prayer two editions, dated 24 May 1549 (quarto) and 30 July 1549 (folio). Also later edition..
1 September 1549 Palter (quarto)
8 October 1549 Hmilies (quarto)
12 January 1550 New Testament (quarto)
. Continued programme of publishing English versions of tracts by such continental reformers as Heinrich Bullinger, Matteo Gribaldi, Jean Veron, and Ulrich Zwingli, alongside similar native works by Thomas Lever and Bishop John Hooper.
Nineteen books survive from Oswen's Worcester years plus three lost works of 1549–50, assigned to his press by Maunsell or Herbert.
Press In High Street, but printed nothing especially for Welsh churches. Had agent at Shrewsbury - colophons of several books state ‘also to sell’ there. Good printer, lively woodcut border pieces and initials, some, with his types later used by London printer John Tisdale. Oswen was made a freeman of the city of Worcester in 1553, but only two of his books with that year date survive:
1553 statutes 7 Edward VI
1553 Bishop Hooper's Homily to be read in the tyme of pestylence, dated 18 May at the end of the text. This was probably Oswen's last book: no further record of him is known, and it is very likely that he left England following the accession of Mary in July 1553. Next printing in Worcester 1709.
Scotland.
Edinburgh, 1507-1508: Andrew Myllar.
Edinburgh, 1508: Walter Chapman.
Edinburgh, 1532-1542: Thomas Davidson.
Saint Andrews, 1552: John Scot. To Edinburgh.
Ireland.
Dublin, 1551: Humphry Powell
Edinburgh, 1508: Walter Chapman.
Edinburgh, 1532-1542: Thomas Davidson.
Saint Andrews, 1552: John Scot. To Edinburgh.
Ireland.
Dublin, 1551: Humphry Powell
Elizabethan provincial printing includes:
Norwich 1567-1579.
1567-1579. Anthony de Solempne (Solen).
He arrived in England from Brabant, according to aliens register with wife and two sons, driven out by persecution in Netherlands under Duke of Alva (many fled to SE England). Set up press for benefit of Flemish refugees and most books in Dutch. Obtained Queen’s authority so protected from Stationers Co.
c1566 Der siecken troost
1568 Psalms of David in Dutch
1570 only English printing: broadside 12x11in Certaine versis written by Thomas Brooks, gentleman, in the time of his imprisonment the day before his death, who suffered at Norwich. The 30 day of August 1570 [at end]Finis. Thomas Brooke. Seen and allowed according to the Queen’s majesties instruction. God save the Queen. Imprinted at Norwich in the parish of St Andrew by Anthony de Solempne, 1570.
1570 (11 Dec) presented with freedom on condition that he exercised no other profession than “his art of printing and selling of Rhenish wine” - common pairing.
1579 last book: Chronyc historie der Nederlandscher oorlogen. Gap from 1570-1579 ay indicate lost books.
Other Dutchmen known to have been printers but who may not have exercised arrived in Norwich including Anthenius Rabat (Durch Church register 1561), Albert Christian, printer, arrived in Norwich 1567. May have worked for Solempne.
He arrived in England from Brabant, according to aliens register with wife and two sons, driven out by persecution in Netherlands under Duke of Alva (many fled to SE England). Set up press for benefit of Flemish refugees and most books in Dutch. Obtained Queen’s authority so protected from Stationers Co.
c1566 Der siecken troost
1568 Psalms of David in Dutch
1570 only English printing: broadside 12x11in Certaine versis written by Thomas Brooks, gentleman, in the time of his imprisonment the day before his death, who suffered at Norwich. The 30 day of August 1570 [at end]Finis. Thomas Brooke. Seen and allowed according to the Queen’s majesties instruction. God save the Queen. Imprinted at Norwich in the parish of St Andrew by Anthony de Solempne, 1570.
1570 (11 Dec) presented with freedom on condition that he exercised no other profession than “his art of printing and selling of Rhenish wine” - common pairing.
1579 last book: Chronyc historie der Nederlandscher oorlogen. Gap from 1570-1579 ay indicate lost books.
Other Dutchmen known to have been printers but who may not have exercised arrived in Norwich including Anthenius Rabat (Durch Church register 1561), Albert Christian, printer, arrived in Norwich 1567. May have worked for Solempne.
The next printer in Norwich is recorded only in 1701.
This page last updated 24October 2020
