Lecture 1 5 2019 update

Summary

This script provides a historical overview of the English Civil War and its impact on printing regulation. The conflict between monarchy and Parliament, particularly during Charles I’s reign, led to the temporary establishment of a republic. Following the monarchy's restoration under Charles II, printing regulations became stricter, with the Stationers' Company regaining control. John Milton's pamphlet, *Areopagitica*, argued for freedom of expression against censorship, but Parliament sided with the Stationers' Company. By 1662, Charles II's government tightened press control, appointing Roger L’Estrange as censor, effectively limiting public discourse and press freedom during the 1660s and 1670s.

Takeaways

• 😀 The English Civil War was a conflict between monarchy supporters and Parliament, highlighting the tension between absolute monarchy and parliamentary power.
• 😀 Prior to the Civil War, England was not a parliamentary democracy or constitutional monarchy, meaning the monarchy could largely disregard Parliament's influence.
• 😀 King Charles I, who ascended the throne in 1625, attempted to bypass Parliament, eventually dissolving it for 11 years from 1629 to 1640.
• 😀 The breakdown between King Charles I and Parliament escalated, leading to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642, which lasted for several years.
• 😀 By 1647, the Royalists were defeated, and Charles I was convicted of treason and executed in 1649, marking the establishment of a Commonwealth in England.
• 😀 The period of the Commonwealth led by Oliver Cromwell (1649-1653) abolished the monarchy temporarily, disrupting the regulatory system for printing.
• 😀 The Stationers' Company, which had historically controlled the printing press, lobbied Parliament to restore its power, fearing the unregulated spread of ideas.
• 😀 John Milton's 1644 pamphlet 'Areopagitica' argued against the licensing of books, promoting freedom of expression and the idea that materials should only be censored after publication if deemed harmful.
• 😀 Despite Milton’s arguments, the Stationers' Company was reinstated as the regulatory authority over printing in Britain by 1643, with increased licensing controls.
• 😀 The restoration of the monarchy under Charles II in 1660 did not lead to relaxed regulations; instead, in 1662, the Printing Licensing Act was passed, reinstating strict control over the press, with Roger L’Estrange appointed as the Royal censor.

Q & A

What was the primary cause of the English Civil War in the 17th century?

The primary cause of the English Civil War was the conflict between the monarchy, particularly King Charles I, and Parliament. Tensions arose due to disagreements over the authority of Parliament, the monarchy's control, and issues like taxation, leading to the war.

What was the relationship between Parliament and the monarchy in early 17th-century England?

In early 17th-century England, Parliament had significant influence, though England was not yet a parliamentary democracy. Monarchs could choose whether or not to call Parliament, and in many cases, they would shut it down when they did not need its assistance in raising revenue.

How did King Charles I challenge Parliament's power in the 17th century?

King Charles I challenged Parliament's power by refusing to summon it regularly, attempting to rule without Parliament's approval. In 1629, he dissolved Parliament and ruled without it for 11 years, a period known as the Personal Rule.

What led to Charles I recalling Parliament in 1640?

Charles I recalled Parliament in 1640 because the crown was facing financial crisis and near bankruptcy, requiring Parliament's approval to raise taxes. This marked the beginning of the escalation that led to the English Civil War.

What was the outcome of the English Civil War in 1649?

By 1647, the Royalist forces were defeated, and in 1649, King Charles I was convicted of treason and executed. England briefly became a republic, known as the Commonwealth, under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.

How did the absence of a monarch impact the regulation of printing in England?

Without a monarch, there was no central authority like the Star Chamber to regulate printing. This lack of oversight raised concerns about the spread of dangerous ideas, prompting the Stationers' Company to push for some form of control over the press during the period of the Commonwealth.

What role did the Stationers' Company play in the regulation of printing during the 17th century?

The Stationers' Company, a guild of printers and publishers, argued for the restoration of its licensing powers to regulate printing. They believed it was necessary to prevent the spread of seditious or heretical ideas and to protect their economic interests in the publishing industry.

What was John Milton's stance on the licensing of books, and why did he oppose it?

John Milton opposed the licensing of books, arguing that it restricted freedom of expression and the public's access to potentially important ideas. He believed that seditious or heretical works should be evaluated after publication, not preemptively suppressed.

What was the significance of the Printers Licensing Act of 1662?

The Printers Licensing Act of 1662, passed under Charles II, reinstated strict controls over the press, including a return to the regulations of the Star Chamber. It established a single government-appointed censor and led to tighter restrictions on what could be printed, including the near-monopolization of print by a single individual, Roger L'Estrange.

How did Roger L'Estrange influence the press in England after the Restoration?

Roger L'Estrange, appointed as Surveyor of the Press in 1663, exercised significant control over the press in England. He had the power to seize seditious works, grant licenses for printing, and enforce the new restrictions, effectively stifling open public discourse and making the press more aligned with government interests.