De Gulden Passer. Jaargang 43

[p. 248]

Christopher plantin and the states general: Some new documents^*
by Howard J. Slenk

In 1576 the struggle of the Low Countries against Spain took a decided turn in favor of the rebels. Philip II's coffers were exhausted, and his soldiers had fought without pay for almost two years. In the summer of 1576 they mutinied. Although the Low Countries suffered from the pillage wrought by the Spanish soldiery, a far more important result of the mutiny was its unifying effect on the States General. Heretofore, only the provinces of Holland and Zeeland had wholeheartedly withstood the Spainard. Now, as a result of the mutiny and the decline of Spanish control, all the provinces arose in rebellion. The Pacification of Ghent, signed by the reunited States General on 8 November 1576, was an alliance to rid the country of Spanish troops.

Christopher Plantin, architypographus to the King of Spain, found himself in a compromising situation. The States General needed the printing presses of Antwerp to issue their placards and ordinances, and would be a much better client than the distant King whose authority was in jeopardy. Yet an outright break with Spain on the part of the printer would have meant the loss of his status

* Abbreviations used.
Correspondance = Max Rooses and J. Denucé (eds.), Correspondance de Christophe Plantin. 9 vols. Antwerp, 1883-1920. Supplément edited by M. van Durme. Antwerp, 1955.
Resolutiën = N. Japikse and H.H.P. Rijperman (eds.), Resolutiën der Staten Generaal van 1576 tot 1609. 13 vols. to date. The Hague, 1915 -.
Voorgeschiedenis - Maarten Schneider, De Voorgeschiedenis van de ‘Algemene Landsdrukkerij.’ The Hague, [1939].

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as official publisher to the King. It was necessary to proceed with caution. Three months after the signing of the Pacification of Ghent, Plantin printed his first work for the new powers.^1. In his letters to Philip II's secretary Zayas, however, the printer repeatedly stressed that he was being forced to print anti-Spanish material.

In spite of his protestations of loyalty to the King, Plantin received from the rebel regime four titles that raised suspicions in Madrid. He was named printer to the States General in 1578, to the city of Antwerp the following year, to François, Duke of Anjou, in 1582, and to the University of Leiden in 1583.

There is evidence in the Correspondance that Plantin requested two of these appointments. In October 1578 his letter to the Antwerp magistrates included a broad hint that he was eager to serve them.

... il supplie treshumblement a Vos dittes Segneuries qu'il leur plaise avoir esgard a la bonne volunté et dessein dudit remonstrant, desireux de leur faire tout humble service....^2.

On 17 April 1582 Plantin wrote to the Duke of Anjou this request:

..........
Ce consideré qu'il plaise a vostre Altesse confirmer les previleiges octroiez par cy devant [the States General] audict suppliant et en consideration du grand bien et utilité qui revient au publiq de l'imprimerie dudict suppliant en tant que besoing est ou devoir luy octroyer de nouveau l'estat d'imprimeur de V.A. pour imprimer tous eedictz, mandemens, lectres patentes, statuz, ordonnances, placcars et autres choses concernant le publiq en general et pour chacune ville en particulier avec les fruitz, prouffictz, emolumens, exemptions de charges personnelles tant du guet et de la garde que de loger personne par fourier.^3.

Prior to this request Plantin had been named printer to the States General. A document dated 17 May 1578 has always been considered the earliest known announcement of his appointment.

1. Eeuwich Edict ende gebodt opt accord gedaen tusschen Heer en Johan van Oistenrijck... Ende de generale Staten van dese Landen.... Gepubliceert te Bruessele den xviiten dach van Februario M.D.LXXVII. Gedruct t'Antwerpen by Christoffel Plantijn hooftdrucker der Con. Maiesteyt. Anno M.D.LXXVII. Met Privilegie.

2. Correspondance, VI, 36.

3. Correspondance, VII, 48-49.

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Comme les Estatz generaulx pour le bien et repos de ces pays ont trouvé convenir d'avoir certain imprimeur, pour mectre en lumiere ce que pourra pour l'advenir concerner les affaires desdits pays, pour ce est-il qu'ilz ont accepté en qualité que dessus Mre. Christoffle Plantin demourant en Anvers, a condition que quantesfois se mectra quelque chose en lumiere, ledit Plantin en delibvrera ausdicts Estatz trois cens exemplaires gratuitement, et le surplus a ung liart chascun feuillet compté celluy qui ne sera que commencé pour entier, bien entendu aussy qu'il ne pourra vendre ou distribuer aulcuns exemplaires devant que lesdicts Estatz luy ayent consenty et accordé. Faict en l'assemblee desdicts Estatz generaulx le xvii^e de may xv^clxxviii.
Par ordonnance desdicts Estatz, Houfflin.

Les deputez et commis a la chambre des aydes ont enregistré la presente ordonnance consentans en tant que en eulx est que le contenu d'Icelle soit accompli. Et ont signé cestes en Anvers le xxiiii^e de may 1578.

Jehan de Tolnare, Jan de Penants Serveels.

(Au dos:) 17, May 1578, Signé Houfflin.
24. dud. signé. Tolnaer, Penants, Serveels
Acceptation des Estats generaux pour C. Plantin.^4.

Although this document contains no reference to a request on Plantin's part, the words ‘ilz ont accepté... Plantin,’ and ‘Acceptation des Estats generaux pour C. Plantin’ imply that he offered his services. Since no definite proof was available, however, Maurits Sabbe asked in 1937: ‘Was this position imposed on him, or did he request it? We do not know. In any case, he accepted it.’^5.

Maarten Schneider, in his study of early official printers in The Netherlands, criticized Sabbe for asking the question, calling it an attempt to excuse Plantin's duplicity.^6. A few pages later Schneider

4. Correspondance, V, 304. Jehan Houfflin was a deputy from Tournai and a secretary of the States General. Jean de Tollenaere, Heer van Cuerne; Jean de Pennants, treasurer of Brabant; and A. Serveels were members of the Chamber of Appeals; see Resolutiën, II, 4, 13, 862, and 866.

5. ‘Werd hem die betrekking opgelegd of vroeg hij ze? Wij weten het niet. In elk geval hij nam ze aan.’ Maurits Sabbe, De Meesters van den Gulden Passer (Amsterdam, 1937), 53.

6. ‘Het stellen van de vraag... kan ik slechts zien als een poging, Plantijn's houding zoveel mogelijk te willen redden.’ Voorgeschiedenis, 25, footnote 64.

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stated that Plantin had offered his services to the rebels, but the author presented no new evidence, quoting only Plantin's request to Anjou.^7.

New evidence was near at hand. Schneider consulted the published Resolutiën of the States General edited by N. Japikse, but overlooked some very pertinent information there which would have strengthened his criticism of Maurits Sabbe. In the section entitled ‘Varia, 1578,’ Japikse reported the following transactions between Plantin and the States General.

-	27 April werd op het request van Plantijn beschikt: hem op het eerste punt bij Matthias te steunen, om het door hem gewenschte octrooi te krijgen; hem voor de rest te verwijzen naar de magistraat en de kolonels van Antwerpen (Resolutie in dato).
-	12 Mei werd een request van hem gezonden aan de Kamer der Beden om advies (Resolutie in dato post prandium).
-	17 Mei werd op een remonstrantie van Christoffel Plantijn beschikt: conform het advies van de Kamer der Beden acte in forma voor hem te depescheeren, waarvan het dubbeld [sic] zou blijven in de griffie (Resolutie in dato post prandium).
-	28 Juni werd op de remonstrantie van Guillaume Silvius, drukker van den Koning, beschikt: de Staten kunnen zijn pretensie niet inwilligen, omdat zij met Christoffel Plantijn een overeenkomst hebben aangegaan (Resolutie in dato).^8.
-	19 September werden de pretensiën van denzelfden gezonden aan de Kamer der Beden om advies (Resolutie in dato).
-	25 Oct.: Laurin gelast Plantijn 312 p. 18 s. van 40 p. te betalen (Resolutie in dato post prandium).
-	29 Oct.: nog een remonstrantie van hem (Resolutie in dato).
-	22 November deed ‘C. Plantin, imprimeur des Estat Généraulx,’ dezen een boek, getiteld: Theatrum Orbis, cadeau (Resolutie in dato).
-	20 Dec.: Hem 237 p. 2 s van 40 gr. te betalen (Resolutie in dato).^9.

This record of events is a mine of information untapped by Plantin scholars. From it we learn that -

7. Voorgeschiedenis, 28-29.

8. That Schneider saw these pages of the Resolutiën is proved by his comment on this entry; see Voorgeschiedenis, 12.

9. Resolutiën, II, 509-510. These are brief summaries of the original resolutions; only the more important resolutions are reproduced in extenso by Japikse.

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1.	Plantin did indeed ask to work for the States General; his request for an exclusive privilege was considered by the legislative assembly on 27 April 1578.
2.	On 12 May the States received a second request from Plantin, and decided on 17 May that he should obey a decision made by the Chamber of Appeals. Thus the document dated 17 May 1578 is the result of this transaction.
3.	Plantin sent the States General two additional requests in 1578.
4.	Plantin was called ‘Imprimeur des Estat Généraulx’ as early as 1578, even though he did not print this appellation on his title pages until 1581.

The above chronology is a guide for interpreting four recently-discovered documents concerning Christopher Plantin and the States General. Two letters written by Plantin to the assembly and two notifications of his appointment as their official printer lay undiscovered in the Archives Générales du Royaume de Belgique and the Museum Plantin-Moretus.

The first document is Plantin's initial request for a printing monopoly from the States General.^10. After reminding them of the careful work he had already done for them, he asked that they issue an acte general naming him their only printer, or at least give him the privileges for works he had already printed for them. Plantin's ironic reason for the request was that the edicts of the King forbade all printers to issue anything without official permission. The letter is not dated, but the date written in the margin by a secretary of the States agrees with the date given in the Resolutiën - 27 April 1578.

The reply from the States General was not slow in coming. According to the first marginal note, on 27 April the States delegated the Pensionary of Mechlin^11. to present Plantin's request to Matthew, Archduke of Austria and governor of the rebellious Low Countries. On 29 April a secretary wrote a second marginal note on Plantin's letter; Matthew had granted Plantin the right to print all the ma-

10. See Document I.

11. Josse de Claerout, Heer van Hamme; see Resolutiën, II, 5.

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terial for the States General. His privilege was to last three years, with the understanding that before publishing, he would show the proofs to the Council of State. A summary of the privilege appeared in most of Plantin's publications for the States General in 1578, 1579, and 1580.

Sommaire du Privilege
Par acte du xxix iour d'Avril M.D.LXXVIII. est permis à Christophle Plantin Imprimeur de sa Maieste, de pouvoir imprimer tout ce qui luy sera ordonne par Messeigneurs les Estats generaux: & deffendu a tous autres de faire le semblable, pour le temps & terme de trois ans prochainement venants, sur les peines plus amplement contenues en l'Acte Original.
Soubsigne, Pottelsberghe.^12.

This summary refers to the acte original drawn up by Matthew and his Council of State, which in 1578 was a branch of the States General assisting the governor. A rough draft of this act is in the same portfolio that contains Plantin's petition.^13. His Highness, in the name of the King - the States had not yet officially renounced their allegiance to Philip - gave Plantin permission to print ‘tous livres, placcartz, ordonnances et autres chose que luy seront ordonnees par lesdicts Estatz generaulx.’ For the next three years, other publishers were forbidden to print or counterfeit any official publications for the States General.

Something about his appointment left Plantin dissatisfied, for on

12. Corneille de Pottelsberghe was audiencier, an office created by the Dukes of Burgundy. It was the duty of the audiencier, as the governor's secretary, to receive the incoming requests. He also drew up important documents and was in charge of the records of the Council of State, which explains why Plantin's letter and the document in reply to it lie together in the Papiers d'état et de l'audience in Brussels. On Pottelsberghe see Resolutiën, II, 863. On the duties of the audiencier see M. van Haegendoren, Les archives générales du royaume, aperçu des fonds et des inventaires (Brussels, 1955), 163.

13. See Document II. Since the Council of State made the decision, and not the States General themselves, Plantin's letter and the rough draft of his privilege are among the papers of the Council of State in Brussels, and not in the archives of the States General in The Hague.

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12 May he sent a second petition to the States General. Perhaps he wanted more details, or protested against instructions of which there is no record. In any event, the States considered it necessary to send him a supplement to the acte original. Dated 17 May 1578, the supplement contains stipulations made by the Chamber of Appeals concerning free copies for the States, price of remaining copies, and censorship.^14.

There is a record in the Resolutiën of two more petitions sent by Plantin to the States General in 1578. Japikse believed that the petition received on 19 September was an undated letter that he found in the Archives Générales in Brussels and reproduced in his publication.^15. It is a request for payment of 312 florins, 18 stuivers, for the printing of Listes des moyens generaulx and other placards. The rough draft of this request, however, is in the Museum Plantin-Moretus and is dated 10 October 1578.^16. Therefore it could not have been the petition received on 19 September of that year. Schneider's explanation of this discrepancy is unsatisfactory. He assigned the letter reproduced in the Resolutiën the date 19 September 1579, calling it a second request, identical to the one written on 10 October 1578.^17. This explanation cannot stand since the letter reproduced in the Resolutiën has a marginal note dated 11 October 1578. The two documents are a rough draft and final copy of one and the same letter, sent on 10 October 1578.

Plantin's petition received by the States General on 19 September 1578 was probably a letter requesting payment of 173 florins, 14 stuivers, for the printing of some unnamed ‘livrets et placats.’ The rough draft of this letter is in the Museum Plantin-Moretus.^18. An unrelated letter on the opposite side of the sheet is dated 13 September 1578, reason enough to believe that the letter in question was written on the same day, or at least prior to 19 September. This letter of request for payment is worded so much like the one

14. See this document on page 250 above.

15. Resolutiën, II, 885-886.

16. Reproduced in Correspondance, VI, 29.

17. Voorgeschiedenis, 25.

18. See Document III.

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dated 10 October 1578, that the editor of the Correspondance believe them to be identical and reproduced only the latter.^19.

There is no record in the Resolutiën that Plantin was paid the sum of 173 florins, 14 stuivers. This sum was probably included in the 312 florins, 18 stuivers that he requested on 10 October 1578. On 25 October Matthias Laurin, treasurer of the States General, was instructed to pay Plantin the larger sum. The petition received by the States on 29 October 1578 was most likely another request for payment, for on 20 December of that year the treasurer was instructed to pay Plantin 237 florins, 2 stuivers.

Plantin's three-year privilege expired in April 1581, and there is no record of a renewal until later that year. At least two printers took advantage of this situation and published placards for the States General during the summer of 1581. The Museum Plantin-Moretus owns several pamphlets with titles beginning Placcaet vande Staten Generael.... printed in July 1581 by Charles Silvius of Leiden and Cornelis de Rekenare of Ghent. One of these publications is the famous Placard of Dismissal in which Philip II was deposed from dominion over his provinces in the Low Countries. The edition issued by Silvius has these words on the title page: ‘Met privilegie voor twee iaren;’ no summary of a privilege from the States is included, however. In Plantin's publication of this placard there is no trace of a privilege, only the words ‘door 't bevel vande Staten’ - by command of the States - whereas on other placards printed at this time he still calls himself printer to the States General. Plantin evidently did not wish to claim any privilege for the Placard of Dismissal, a damaging publication for anyone who wanted to maintain good relations with the King.

In August 1581 the States General adjourned for the year, and the government was in the hands of the Landraad, a Council of State which met in Ghent. One of their first transactions was to reappoint Plantin as official printer. A summary of his privilege is

19. See Correspondance, VI, 29, where the source is given as ‘Archives Plantiniennes, IX, fos. 74 et 75.’ Actually the letter printed in the Correspondance appears only on folio 75 recto; on folio 74 recto is written the letter reproduced below as Document III.

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found in the booklet describing the attempted assassination of the Prince of Orange.

Sommaire du Privilege^20.
Les Estats generaux des Provinces unies de ces Pays bas, ont permis à Christophle Plantin Architypographe desdits Pays, de pouvoir imprimer toutes sortes de Placcarts, Statuts & Ordonnances, concernantes la Police, & autres affaires pour le bien de Pais, & villes susdites. Et par l'advis & deliberation de ceux du Conseil d'Estat par eux ordonné, & estably, Defendent à tous Imprimeurs des Pays & Seigneuries de pardeça, d'imprimer, faire, ne souffrir imprimer aucun desdits Placcarts, Statuts, Ordonnances ou autres choses concernantes la Police & bien desdits Pays & villes, qu'icelluy Plantin aura imprimé par la charge ou ordonnance desdits Estats, ou d'aucune des villes particulieres desdites Provinces: Sur peine de confiscation de tout ce qu'ils en auroient faict, ou faict faire: & d'en estre punis arbitralement, selon qu'il sera trouvé au cas appartenir. Donné en la ville de Gand, le troisiesme iour de Septembre, M.D.LXXXI.
Soussigné
Par ordonnance de mesdits Seigneurs & Estats Generaux, au Conseil d'Estat par eux estably.
I. van Asseliers^21.

For a second time Plantin was named exclusive printer of all material the States might need. In the above summary, however, there is no clause as to the length of the agreement. Plantin understandably omitted this stipulation when drawing up the summary, since his second privilege was for only one year. We learn this from the acte original conserved in the Museum Plantin-Moretus.^22. In this document are several new details concerning the printer's relationships with the legislative assembly.

20. Reproduced from folio A i v^o of Recueil au vray de l'Assasinat commis en la Personne du tresillustre Prince, Monseigneur le Prince d'Orange.... A Anvers, En l'Imprimerie de Christophle Plantin. M.D.LXXXII.

21. Jan van Asseliers was secretary of the city of Antwerp. He was appointed secretary of the Council of State in 1577, and succeeded Pottelsberghe as audiencier in 1579; see Resolutiën, I, 147, 153, and II, 725.

22. See Document IV.

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1.	‘Christophle plantin Architypographe de ces pays bas.’ The former official printer to the King had become architypographus to his rebellious subjects who no longer acknowledged Philip II as their sovereign. In 1581 Plantin began to print ‘Imprimeur des Etats Generaux’ on his title pages. On 17 April 1582, in his letter to the Duke of Anjou, he called himself ‘choizi par les ducs de Brabants et depuis par les Estatz Generaulx pour estre Architypographe.’^23.
2.	‘Que aultres s'avancent d'imprimer incontinent apres lesdicts placcartz et ordonnances en plus petite lettre, mauvais papier, et souvente fois incorrect.’ Other printers had been encroaching on Plantin's rights, and their products were unsatisfactory.
3.	‘Scavoir faisons que nous ces choses considerees audict suppliant inclinans favorablement a sadicte supplication et requeste.’ Plantin requested this second privilege, and probably included a strong complaint on the violation of his rights.^24.

It is unlikely that Plantin received a third appointment as official printer to the States General, since there is no record of his having published for the assembly in 1583. This was a year of great unrest. Anjou's treachery and the advance of Spanish troops caused the Prince of Orange and the center of power to withdraw from Antwerp to Middelburg and thence to various cities in Holland. Plantin himself was inclining northward; he established a printing house in Leiden in 1583 where he began publishing books for the University. Here he also printed for the States General, but on different terms than before; the privilege in a pamphlet dated 17 March 1584 is for that publication only and claims none of the rights of 1578 or 1581.

23. Correspondance, VII, 48.

24. Schneider reported that the States General gave Charles Silvius a three-year privilege for the printing of the rebuttal to the ban that Philip II had issued against William of Orange; see Voorgeschiedenis, 17. If his statement were correct, this privilege - dated 29 December 1580 - would have been a violation of Plantin's rights. The privilege, however, was granted by the States of Holland, not the States General; see Apologie ofte Verantwoordinghe des... Heeren Wilhelms van Godes ghenade Prince van Orangien.... Teghen den Ban ofte Edict by forme van Proscriptie ghepubliceert by den Coningh van Spaegnien.... (Leiden, Charles Silvius, 1581), 192.

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D'extract vande Privilegie^25.
Myne Heeren de Generale Staten der gheunieerde Nederlantsche Provincien, hebben gheconsenteert, ende consenteren midts desen, Christoffel Plantijn te moghen doen drucken, sekeren Brief by mynen voornoemden Heeren, gheschreven aen den Prince van Chimay, Gouverneur van Vlaenderen, etc. Interdicerende allen anderen druckers den selven naer te drucken.
Actum ter vergaderinge der voornoemde Heeren, Staten, den xvii^en Martij M.D. lxxxiiij.
Ter ordonnantie der selve.
M. de Hennin^26.

On 22 June 1584 Plantin received another privilege from the States, which has been summarized by Japikse in the Resolutiën.

22 Juni - Gheaccordeert Christoffel Plantin, hooftdrucker deser Nederlanden, octroy in forma, ghelijck hem verghunt is by den Coninck in den cancelrye van Brabant in date den 15 Meerte 1563 voor ses jaeren naer impressie van elcke editie, prout latius in literis.^27.

This is not a reappointment as official printer, but merely a six-year copyright for each book he might choose to publish. There was little advantage in printing for the States at that time, for the cause of independence seemed almost lost. Members were deserting the States for Spain, and Philip II's troops were advancing to the very walls of Antwerp.

Prior to the siege of Antwerp, Plantin's presses in that city issued placards presenting the decrees made by the States in Delft, but it is doubtful that these had more than a local distribution. The privileges found in earlier placards are not present, only an ominous phrase on the title page, ‘Deur bevel vande Overheyt’ - by command of the authorities. Since Plantin had twdee solicited these

25. Reproduced from folio Biv v^o of Sent-brief Vande Generale Staten der geunieerde Nederlandtsche Provincien aen mijn Heere den Prince van Chimay Gouverneur van Vlaenderen:... Tot Leyden, Ten huyse van Christoffel Plantijn. M.D.LXXXIIII.

26. Mattheus de Hennin replaced Jehan Houfflin as secretary of the States General in 1582; see Resolutiën, III, xxix.

27. Resolutiën, IV, 717.

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authorities for a printing monopoly, it is difficult to believe that they now were forcing him to print their placards, even though the printer insisted that this is what happened.^28. It is more likely that he had his eye on the balance of power, which in 1584 was tipping in favor of Spain.

The following year it was expedient for Plantin (to use his own words) to ‘trim his sails’ once again. Antwerp capitulated in August 1585. A few months later Plantin returned to Antwerp to resume his printing activities there. In 1586, after a lapse of six years, his title pages once again name him ‘imprimeur du Roy.’

28. Correspondance, VIII & IX, 251-252.

Conclusion

The answer to the question Maurits Sabbe asked in 1937 is that Plantin did indeed request the privilege granted him by the States General in 1578. He lost no time in soliciting the favor of the rebellious legislators; his first letter of application was written soon after their removal from Brussels to Antwerp, and the States immediately appointed him their official printer.

Neither Sabbe nor his critic Schneider suspected that there was a sequel to the 1578 appointment. Plantin jealously guarded his rights as official printer, and requested a renewal in 1581. His second privilege was for only one year, and after it expired, Plantin's printing activity for the States diminished. In 1584 the States granted him a six-year protection for each of his publications. It proved a rather useless favor, because the following year Plantin returned to the side of Spain.

This essay in no way purports to be an exhaustive study on the subject of Christopher Plantin and his relationships with the States General. Such an undertaking should include publication of the pertinent archival material referred to by Japikse in the Resolutiën, plus a search for missing links in the chain of documents, such as Plantin's remonstrantie that prompted the act of 17 May 1578, and his letter requesting the second privilege. The documents reproduced below, however, are enough to give a clear picture of Plantin's

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role as printer in the rebellion against Spain. This phase of Plantin's career, usually told in a few sentences, is in reality rich in details that give new nuances of meaning to the words so often used to describe the Antwerp printer - a capitalistic genius.

Document I
A letter from Christopher Plantin to the states general
[26 april 1578]

A Messeigneurs Messieurs les Estats generaux

Remonstre en toute humilité Christophle Plantin comment par l'ordonnance de vos Seigneuries il a, en toute diligence à luy possible, nagueres imprimé les Listes des moyens generaux,^29. et soubs pareille ordonnance et diligence il imprime maintenant l'Ordonnance et declaration nouvelles sur l'entretenement de la Pacification de Gand etc.^30. et est et sera tousiours enclin de s'employer à tout ce qu'il leur plaira luy ordonner qui soit en son pouvoir. Mais d'autant que les Edits de sa Majesté portent defense que nul imprimeur ait à imprimer quelque chose sans en obtenir congé et acte d'iceluy: je supplie treshumblement vostre Seig[neu]ries qu'il leur plaise luy faire octroyer et donner acte general de pouvoir luy seul (avec seclusion d'autres pour tel temps qu'il leur plaira) imprimer toutes choses qui luy seront ordonnees par vos [dicts] Seigneuries, ou pour le moins des susd[icts] livretz, avec consentement de les pouvoir distribuer où bon luy semblera. Et d'autant que la diligence d'imprimer requiert jour et nuit l'assiduité des ouvriers desquels il se sert à l'imprimerie; il supplie davantage à vostre Seig[neu]ries qu'il leur plaise luy faire donner tel Acte qu'ils trouveront convenir, suivant lequel les Capitaines et autres à qui apartiendra, ayent à exempter lesd[icts] ouvriers qu'il occupera lors à l'impression des choses hastives (et non autrement) [d']aller^31. au guet, à la ronde du fouissement des fortifications de ceste ville. Et led[ict] suppliant s'efforcera de plus en plus au service de vosd[icts] Seig[neu]ries et priera dieu pour la bonne sante et prosperité d'icelles et de la Patrie.

29. Listes des Moyens Generaux, Resolus par son Alteze, Monseigneur le Prince d'Oranges, le conseil d'Estat, & les Estatz generaux. A Anvers, De l'Imprimerie de Christofle Plantin, Imprimeur du Roy. M.D.LXXVIII.

30. Ordonnance et Declaration Nouvelle du Roy sur l'entretenement de la Pacification de Gand.... En Anvers, De l'Imprimerie de Christofle Plantin. M.D.LXXVIII.

31. The paper is slightly damaged here.

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[Marginal notes:] Touchant le premier. Le pensionnaire de Malines^32. est par les estatz generaulx depute pour le remonstrer à son Alteze affin que le suppl[ian]t puisse obtenir sa demande et quant a la requeste. Le r[en]voyent au magistrat et coulonelz de ceste ville faict en l'assemblee desd[ict]s estatz le xxvij d Apvril 1578.

A. Blyleven^33.

Son alteze accord au[dict] suppliant lacte de pouvoir seul avec exclusion d aultres imprimer toutes choses qui luy seront ordonnees par les estatz generaulx pour le terme de trois ans a paine de confiscation des livres par aultre imprimes et peines arbitraires, bien entendu que le suppliant sera tenu a tout communiquer a son Alteze et c[on]seil devant imprimer. Faict en Anvers le 29 dapvril l'an 1578.

N. Sille^34.

Source: Brussels, Archives Générales du Royaume, Papiers d'état et de l'audience, No. 1690³, ‘Correspondance arts, sciences, et lettres.’^35.

32. See footnote 11.

33. Adolf Blyleven, alderman of the city of Antwerp and a delegate to the States General. On 19 April 1578 he and Jehan Houfflin (the signer of the document dated 17 May 1578) were appointed secretaries to the States General; see Resolutiën, II, 13.

34. Nicasius de Sille, Pensionary of the city of Namur. In 1578 he was secretary of the Council of State; see Resolutiën, I, 4 and 153.

35. This is a portfolio of letters to and from sixteenth-century printers, musicians, architects, and other artists. Several of the letters were reproduced by Alexandre Pinchart in Archives des Arts, Sciences, et Lettres. Documents inédits. 3 vols. Ghent, 1860-1881.

Document II
Plantin's first privilege from the states general
29 april 1578

Sur la Req[ues]te p[resen]tée à son Alteze de la p[ar]t de Christoffle plantin Imprimeur Jure du Roy en ceste ville d'anvers, tendant afin quil puist seul imprimer toutes choses qui luy seront ordonnees par mes[sieurs] les Estatz g[ene]raulx des pays de p[ar] deça. Son Alteze a au nom et dela p[art] de sa Ma[jes]té accorde et consenti. Accorde et consent par cestes aud[ict] Christoffle plantin supl[ian]t quil puist et pourra seul avec exclusion d'autres imprimer tous livres, placcartz, ordonnances et autres choses que luy seront ordonnees p[ar] lesdicts Estatz generaulx. Et ce pour le temps

[p. 262]

et terme de trois ans prochaine[ment] venans Sans pour ce aucunement faire contre les placcartz et ordonnances de sa Majeste. Interdisans tous autres imprimeurs et libraires pour le temps et termes de trois ans de pouvoir imprimes ou contrefaire les livres, placcarts et aulcuns autres choses venants dela part desdicts Estatz generaulz, a paine de confiscation d'icelles, par aultres imprimez, et pardessus ce de peine arbitraire. Bien entendu que ledict suppliant sera tenu avant povoir imprimer quelque chose le monstrer au conseil d estat estant estant [sic] leu par S[on] Alteze pour le communiquer à Sa Majeste. Fait en Anvers soubs le nom de son Alteze le xxix jour d avril 1578.

Source: Brussels, Archives Générales du Royaume, Papiers d'état et de l'audience, No. 1690³, ‘Correspondance arts, sciences, et lettres.’ I wish to thank Mlle. Lucienne van Meerbeeck of the Archives Générales du Royaume for her help in the transcription of this and the above document.

Document III
A letter from Christopher Plantin to the states general
[13 september 1578]

A Messeigneurs Messieurs les Estatz Generaulx.

Remonstré en toute humilite Christophle Plantin treshumble s[ervi]teur de vos Seigneuries comment suivant l'ordonnance receue d'icelles il a en la plus grand diligence a luy possible imprimé les livrets et placarts a luy delivres, desquelz (oultre certain nombre excedant iii^e exemplaires lesquelz il ne compte a rien) il a fornie les p[ar]ties contenues es billetz cy attachéz montants a la somme de florins 173. st. 14. -. dont ledit remonstrant supplie a vos Seig[neu]ries qu'il leur playse de luy faire dresser ordonnans p[our] en recepvoir le payement a ce qu'il puisse tant mieulx aller entretant les ouvriers de son Imprimerie et continuer de les tenir prestz au commandement et service d'icelles et au bien de la patrie, p[our] la prosperite de laquelle et la bonne sante et toute felicite de vosdittes Seigneuries ledit suppliant sera tenu ledit suppliant [sic] de prier Dieu etc.

Source: Antwerp, Museum Plantin Moretus, Archive IX, ‘Brieven, 1572-1581,’ folio 74 r^o.

[p. 263]

Document IV
Plantin's second privilege from the states general
3 september 1581

Les Estatz g[ene]raulx des provinces Unies de ces pays bas. A tous ceulx qui ces p[rese]ntes verront Salut.

De la part de Christophle plantin architypographe de ces pays bas, nous a este expose que estant luy par nous et les Magistrats des villes cesd[ict]es provinces unies journellement employe pour imprimer placcartz, Statutz, et ordonnances concernantz la police et bien des pays et villes susd[ict]es respectivement, Et qu'ayant soy fidellement employe de imprimer avecq une bonne et rare l[ett]re et bon papier, et faict diligamment conferer et corriger avecq les originales minutes tout a ses grande paines, fraiz et despens, Que aultre s'avancent d'imprimer incontinent apres lesd[ict]s placcartz et ordonnances en plus petite lettre, mauvais papier, et souventes fois incorrect, changeantz par fois par cela les sens desd[ict]s placcartz et ordonnances, en grand prejudice de la Republicque, Nous a tres instamment prie et requis qu'ayant regard a ce que dict est n[ost]re bon plaisir soit de defendre a tous Imprimeurs desd[icts] pays, de doresenavant plus imprimer aulcuns placcartz, Statutz, ordonnances, que led[ic]t suppl[ian]t aura par n[ost]re charge, ou par charge de quelques Magistratz des villes imprime, sur paine de confiscation de ce qu'ilz en seront, et oultre ce amender vers nous.

Scavoir faisons que nous ces choses considerees aud[ic]t suppliant inclinans favorablement a sad[ict]e supplication et requeste, Et affin que led[ic]t suppl[ian]t ne perde sa paine, fraiz, et despens que luy convient faire pour lad[ict]e impression, Avons par advis et deliberation de ceulx du Conseil d'estat par nous ordonne et establi, defendu et defendons par cesd[ict]es l[ett]res a tous Imprimeurs des pays et S[eigneu]ries de pardeca que pendant le temps et terme d'ung an, commenchant avoir cours apres la date de l'impression de ch[ac]un desd[ict]s placcartz, Statutz, et ordonnances que led[ic]t suppl[ian]t aura par n[ost]re charge ou par charge des villes particulieres comme dessus imprimees, n'impriment facent ou souffrent imprimer lesd[ict]s placcartz, Statutz, et ordonnances sur paine de confiscation de ce qu'ilz en auront faict ou faict faire, et aultrement en estre puniz arbitralement, selon qu'il seroit trouve au cas appertenir. A condition toutes fois que le suppl[ian]t sera tenu des placcartz et ordonnances susd[icts] donner a nous ou aud[ic]t Conseil par nous establi la quantite de trois cens

[p. 264]

exemplaires, et s'il en fault d'advantaige pour les envoyer aux Consaulx provinciaulx a l'accoustume leur sera tenu delivrer moyennant payant ung liart pour ch[ac]un feuillet. Et que led[ic]t suppl[ian]t ne pourra vendre ou distribuer aulcuns desd[ict]s placcartz, Statutz ou ordonnances devant qu'ilz en soyent deubement publiez par cry publicq a l'accoustume, ny a plus hault pris vendre le feuillet d'icelles que au pris ordinaire des aultres libvres par luy ou aultres en Anvers imprimees, a paine de perdre l'effect de cestuy n[ost]re Octroy. Si donnons en mandement a noz treschiers et bien amez le Chancellier et gens du Conseil en Brabant, Marcgrave et Escoutette d'anvers et tous aultres Justiciers et Officiers qui ce appartiendra que de la p[rese]nte grace, conge, Licence, octroy, accord et deffence, et de tout le contenu en cestes, durant le temps selon et par la maniere que dict est, ilz souffrent, facent et laissent led[ic]t suppl[ian]t plainement et paisiblem[ent] ioye et usez, sans luy faire, mectre, ou donner ne souffrir estre faict mis ou donne aulcun destourbier ou empeschement au contraire/ Puis qu'avons ainsy par deliberation de conseil trouve convenir. En tesmoing dequoy avons faict mectre le seel des Estatz de Brabant a ces p[rese]ntes pour n'avoir aultre a la main.

Donne en la ville de Gand le troisiesme jour de Septembre, L'an de n[ostr]e Seigneur xv^c quatre vingt et ung.

[On the reverse side:] Par ordon[n]an[ce] de mesd [ict]s Seig [neu] rs Les Estatz g[ene]raulx au Conseil d'Estat par eux establi.

J. van Asseliers^36.

Source: Antwerp, Museum Plantin-Moretus, Archive 1179, Privilege 210. Dr. Leon Voet, curator of the Plantin Museum, kindly showed me where to find this document and helped me with its transcription.

36. See footnote 21.