n 1483
Richard III 26 Jun 1483 22 Aug 1485
Henry VII 22 Aug 1485 21 Apr 1509
Henry VIII 22 Apr 1509 28 Jan 1547
Edward VI 28 Jan 1547 6 Jul 1553
Mary 6 Jul 1553 24 Jul 1554
Philip & Mary 25 Jul 1554 17 Nov 1558
Elizabeth I 17 Nov 1558 24 Mar 1603
James I 24 Mar 1603 27 Mar 1625
Charles I 27 Mar 1625 30 Jan 1649
Commonwealth 30 Jan 1649 29 May 1660
Charles II [30 Jan 1649] 6 Feb 1685
James II 6 Feb 1685 11 Dec 1688
William & Mary 13 Feb 1689 8 Mar 1702
[Mary died 27 Dec 1694]
William III 27 Dec 1694 8 Mar 1702
Anne 8 Mar 1702 1 Aug 1714

Please note that this 250 year span included reigns
from the son of Henry V of Shakespearian fame and a
greater Shakespearian epic of Richard III, to those
six wives of Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots, and a
host of the most turbulent reigns of UK history and
in all this time not one of these rulers would give
The Stationers such great power that has now passed
down, not only unchecked, but greatly enhanced over
the next 300 years. The average copyright moved to
about 100 years in length in that time from 15 year
average original terms [nearly none were renewed].

My own words are mine alone, though I appreciate it
when people offer corrections, advice, etc., though
I don't always take it. However, I do always offer
to publish their own version along with mine.

Michael S. Hart
Founder
Project Gutenberg,
Inventor of eBooks

A Modern Formatted Statute of Anne

The Statute of Anne

Page 1

In The Eighth Year Of The Reign Of Queen Anne.

An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by Vesting the Copies of
Printed Books in the Authors or Purchasers of such Copies, during the
Times therein mentioned.

Whereas Printers, Booksellers, and other Persons, have of late
frequently taken the Liberty of Printing, Reprinting, and Publishing, or
causing to be Printed, Reprinted, and Published Books, and other
Writings, without the Consent of the Authors or Proprietors of such
Books and Writings, to their very great Detriment, and too often to the
Ruin of them and their Families: For Preventing therefore such Practices
for the future, and for the Encouragement of Learned Men to Compose and
Write useful Books; May it please Your Majesty, that it may be Enacted,
and be it Enacted by the Queens most Excellent Majesty, by and with the
Advice and C