_1534._ _The convocation of Canterbury_ petitions the King to authorise the preparation, by well qualified persons, of an English version of the Bible, and to permit the use of the same by the people. The King took no action in the matter, but after 1535, several more or less complete translations came into publication, and in 1536, the Vicar General, Cromwell, ordered that in each parish church should be placed, securely fastened by a chain, a copy of the Coverdale Bible, in the large form, so that the faithful might become familiar with the text.[52] _1536._ _King Henry_ (who had been excommunicated in 1535) revokes the prohibition on the use of the Scriptures.[53] _1538._ _King Henry_, in a proclamation, orders that the selling of books shall be done only under royal permit or privilege. No books shall be printed or imported without being examined and approved by examiners appointed by the Crown. Every printed book must bear the name of the printer and also that of the author, translator, or editor. No English version of the Bible shall be printed without a permit from the King or from the Privy Council. The penalties are imprisonment and confiscation of property.[54] _1539._ _King Henry_ makes special prohibition, under heavy penalties, of the writings of the Sacramentarians and Anabaptists. _1543._ _King Henry_ again orders that the Scriptures in the vernacular be permitted only for the higher classes. During Henry’s reign, were published nine catalogues of books prohibited under the authority of the Crown. These lists have the character of Indexes, but the titles are not arranged alphabetically. The first edition of Fox’s _Acts and Monuments_, issued in 1539, contains a “list of Condemned Books,” subjoined to certain “Injunctions.” This list is omitted from the subsequent editions and is not included by Wilkins, who reprints the “Injunctions.” The preamble to the list reads as follows: “Hereafter folow the names of certen bokes, whiche, either after this injunction, or some other in the said Kinges daies, were prohibyted, the names of whiche bokes folowe in order expressed: Miles Coverdale, the whole Bible; George Joy; Theodore Baselle, alias Thomas Beacon; William Tindall; John Frith; Mels Coverdalle (bis); William Turner, translated by Fysh; Robert Barnes; Richard Tracy; John Bale, alias Haryson; John Goughe; Rederick Mors; Henry Stalbridg, otherwyse Bale; George Joy (bis); Urb. Regius; Apologia Melanchthonis; Romerani; Sawtrey; Luther, translated by Tindall.”[55] _1546._ _Henry VIII_ (in the last year of his reign) issues a royal “Proclamation for abolishing of certain English books.” The list repeats nearly the same names, and is followed by an instrument of the bishops, specifying at length the heresies to be condemned.