The History of the Waldensians

Copy of the Privilege In the 17th century, a 'Privilege' was an exclusive license granted by the government. It acted as an early form of copyright, protecting a printer's investment by preventing others from publishing the same work for a set number of years.

A decorative woodcut initial 'D' featuring floral motifs and a central vase-like element.

THE STATES GENERAL The sovereign governing body of the Dutch Republic. of the United Netherlands have consented and granted, and do hereby consent and grant, to Nicolaes Vincensz. van Spieringx-hoeck, Book-printer, living in Dordrecht: That for the period of the next six years, he alone shall be permitted in the United Provinces to print and publish a certain translation which he has had made of a book entitled the History of the Waldensians, divided into three parts: the first, dealing with their origin, beginning, and the persecution which they suffered throughout all of Europe for more than four hundred and fifty years. The second part, the histories of the Waldensians, otherwise named the Albigensians, and the third part, containing the doctrine and discipline which they held in common, as well as the refutation of their enemies, compiled together from various authors by Jean Paul Perrin of Lyon. Forbidding all and any inhabitants of the United Netherlands from reprinting the aforementioned translation, which the said Spieringx-hoeck has had made, in whole or in part within the aforementioned period of six years, or bringing it into the United Netherlands if printed elsewhere, to be sold therein, without the consent of the aforementioned Nicolaes Vincensz. van Spieringx-hoeck, under penalty of forfeiture of the reprinted copies, and additionally the sum of two hundred Carolus guilders The Carolus guilder was a standard currency in the Habsburg Netherlands, named after Emperor Charles V., one-third of which is to be applied to the benefit of the Officer who shall make the legal claim, the second third for the benefit of the Poor, and the remaining third for the benefit of the aforementioned Spieringx-hoeck. Done at the Assembly of the highly mentioned Lords States General, in The Hague, on the 22nd of May, in the year 1624.