ADDENDUM.
 

[? 1614]   Abstract of the grievances of the Journeymen Printers.

[Two copies of this petition are known to us. One, Article 214 in the Collection of Broadsides in the
Library of the Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House, London, is a mere proof and is full of manu¬
script corrections. The other is in the Bagford Collection, Harl. MS., 5910, fol. 137, in the British Museum.

It may have been printed during the sitting of the Parliament of 1614. If so, it probably led to the
insertion in the renewed Grant of the 8th March 1616, see III., 679, of the provision of £200 to be given
annually to the poor of the Company.]

To the Eight Beuerend and Eight Honourable, the Lords Spirituall and Temporall
assembled in this High and most Honourable. Court of Parliament.

An Abstract of the generall grieuances of the poore Free-men and lourney-men Printers
oppressed, and kept in seruile bondage all their liues by the vnlawfull ordinances of the Master
and Wardens of the Company, which theyfortifie only by a Warrant dormant

With their most Humble Petition,

<EOM the beginning of Printing his Maiesties progenitors by their
prerogatiue Eoyall did priuiledge such persons as they pleased sol[e]ly
to Print some peculiar bookes, leaning the rest in generall to the Printers.
And for this Art of Printing was the key that opened the doore of
knowledge and learning (which is the honour and support of all States and
Kingdomes) his Maiesties progenitors were pleased to incorporate a
selected number, and to indow them with a large Charter and many great priuiledges
which was graciously intended for the generall good of the whole company, but by the
innouations brought in by the Masters and their ordinances, the benefit is conuerted
to them in particular, and the petitioners vtterly ruined thereby.

The lawes of the kingdome authorise all persons, that haue serued an Apprentiship
according to the statute, lawfully to set vp and vse that trade to which they haue serued.
But the petitioners are depriued of that benefit (which all honest and loyall subjects
inioy) by ordinances of the Masters of their company. And made perpetuall bondmen
to serue some few of the rich all their liues vpon such condissions, and for such hire, and
at such times, as the Masters thinke fit: for their trade of Printing (but as seruants)
they must not vse, so as they take all possibilitie of Aduancement (be they neuer so
exquisite in their qualitie) from the petitioners, and make them vncapable of
maintenance for them their wiues and posterities.

The Masters obtained a decree [of 23rd June 1586] 28. Elizabeth prohibiting the
petitioners to set vp any presse or presses wherewith to print vpon paine of sixe moneths
imprisonment without Bayle or mainprise, and his presses and other instruments to be
defaced.

The decree was obtained vnder colour of granting the petitioners diuers bookes in
priuiledge to bee printed for their benefit, and diuers ordinances for the petitioners
continuall and full imployments, and other orders profitable for them. But the decree
obtained, they obserued none of their contracts: those being instituted without penalty.

IV. 625