Index Expurgatorius Anglicanus: Or, a descriptive catalogue of the principal books printed or published in England, which have been suppressed, or burnt by the common hangman, or censured, or for which the authors, printers, or publishers have been prosecutedHart, W. H. (William Henry)
History
Index Expurgatorius Anglicanus: Or, a descriptive catalogue of the principal books printed or published in England, which have been suppressed, or burnt by the common hangman, or censured, or for which the authors, printers, or publishers have been prosecuted
Hart, W. H. (William Henry)
Prohibited books -- England -- Bibliography
The first mentioned book, the "Letany" was at first only shown to
a few friends in manuscript, but afterwards it came to be printed
in this way. John Lilburne, afterwards a Lieutenant Colonel in the
Parliamentary army, and who behaved with such gallantry at Marston
Moor, was introduced to Dr. Bastwick in 1637, and was so much
pleased at hearing the Letany, that having a little ready money at
command, he undertook to get it printed in Holland. Bastwick was at
first averse to this, as he distrusted a friend of Lilburne's who
would have to assist in disposing of the impression. His scruples
however were overcome, and the Letany, together with the "Answer
to the Information of Sir John Bancks, Kt., Atturney Universalle,"
committed to the press. The first edition realized a handsome
profit; but Archbishop Laud got scent of the publication, laid
hold upon the disperser, and made him confess who was the chief
actor in the affair. Accordingly when Lilburne landed with another
impression, he was seized along with his cargo, and the books burnt
by the hands of the common hangman. Lilburne, and Wharton, (who
dispersed the books) were further cited to the Star Chamber, and
on February 13th, 1638, sentenced to be remanded to the Fleet,
there to remain till they conformed themselves to the order of the
Court, and to pay £500 apiece to his Majesty's use; and before
their enlargements out of the Fleet, to become bound with good
sureties for their good behaviour. Lilburne was to be whipped
through the streets from the Fleet to the Pillory at Westminster,
and together with Wharton to be set in the said Pillory, and from
thence returned to the Fleet, there to remain. This sentence was
carried into execution on April 18th, 1638, and the same day the
Court passed the following further sentence upon Lilburne "for
uttering sundry scandalous speeches, and scattering divers copies
of seditious books among the people," while he was in the pillory,
that he should be laid alone with irons on his hands and legs
in the wards of the Fleet where the basest and meanest sort of
prisoners were used to be put, and that the Warden of the Fleet
take special care to hinder the resort of any persons whatsoever to
him; and particularly that he be not supplied with money from any
friend, and that all letters, writings, and books brought to him be
seized and delivered to their Lordships; and all persons visiting
him to be reported to the Board. However, in November, 1640, on
petitioning Parliament he was liberated.
70.
Britannia Triumphans: a Masque presented at Whitehall by the King's
Majestie and his Lords on the Sunday after Twelfth Night, 1637. By
Inigo Jones, Surveyor of His Majestie's Workes, and William Davenant,
Her Majestie's Servant. London, 1637.
This masque is said to have been suppressed from the statement on
the title page of it being acted on a Sunday, and the clamour it
excited.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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