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15 - Thomas More, Print and the Idea of Censorship

from IV - THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF PRINT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2014

By
Thomas Betteridge
Edited by
Vincent Gillespie  and
Susan Powell
With contributions by
Tamara Atkin ,
Alan Coates ,
Thomas Betteridge ,
Julia Boffey ,
James Clark ,
A. S. G. Edwards ,
Martha W. Driver ,
Mary Erler ,
Alexandra Gilespie  and
Andrew Hope
...Show all authors
Thomas Betteridge
Affiliation:
Brunel University
Vincent Gillespie
Affiliation:
J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language at the University of Oxford
Susan Powell
Affiliation:
Held a Chair in Medieval Texts and Culture at the University of Salford, and is currently affiliated to the Universities of London and York
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Summary

In 1536 Sir Thomas Elyot wrote to Thomas Cromwell in response to a recent proclamation, ‘Ordering the Surrender of Bishop Fisher's Sermon, Books’. Elyot was concerned because he did have books that fell within the scope of the proclamation, partly as a result, he told Cromwell, of his desire to read ‘many books, specially concerning humanitie and morall Philosophy’. Elyot went on to inform Cromwell that,

As touching suche books as be now prohibited contayning the busshop of Romes authorite, some in deede I have: joined with diverse other warkes in one grete volume or twoo at the moste, which I never found laysor to reade. Notwithstanding if it be the kinges pleasure and yours that I shall bringe or sende theim I will do it right gladly.

Elyot was worried that because he had been ill he had not had time to search all his properties for prohibited works and that he could therefore be accused of failing to carry out the duties imposed on him by the proclamation. It was perhaps this that led Elyot in his letter to ask Cromwell for more time to comply with the requirements of the proclamation.

… for as moche as my books be in sondry houses of myn owne and farre sonder, I hartily pray you that I may have convenient respeyte to repayre thither after my present recovery, and as I wold that god sholde helpe me I will make diligent serche, and such as I shall finde, savering any thinge agaynst the kinges pleasure, I will putt theim in redyness either to be browght to you, or to be cutt oute of the volume wherein they be joyned with other, as you shall advyse me …

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A Companion to the Early Printed Book in Britain, 1476-1558 , pp. 290 - 306
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Print publication year: 2014

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