CHARLES THE FIFTH

We wish it to be known to all and singular. Since our faithful and beloved subject of the Holy Empire, Peter Apian, foremost expert in mathematical matters, has most humbly petitioned us, stating that he has resolved to publish certain Ephemerides Astronomical tables predicting the positions of celestial bodies., together with other small works mentioned below, at his own great expense and with much labor in both invention and editing, for the common use of all good men and students. And since he fears that these same works might now be printed by others—who strive to hunt for their own advantage from the disadvantage of another, and who wickedly convert the fruits of another's honest labor to their own use—which would result in no small loss to him, he has asked that we might deign to assist him with the prerogative of our Privilege for a certain number of years, during which time no one would dare to attempt such a thing.

And since we, out of our innate and natural favor for the study of the most excellent and honorable liberal arts, strive to promote the benefit and remove the loss of those who are accustomed to be of signal service to the Republic—both through their diligent and industrious work and their considerable vigilance, which they tirelessly expend in advancing the good arts and in publishing useful books, sparing neither expense nor labor—it happens that we more easily grant our singular Grace in this matter to the aforementioned Apian, condescending to his prayers and humble petition.

Therefore, by the tenor of these presents, we strictly forbid all and singular printers, booksellers, and any others whomsoever, from printing or causing to be printed, without his consent, the books listed below—which the forenamed Apian has either already destined for publication or will ever communicate to all the learned in public—namely:

• The Ephemerides lasting from the year of our salvation 1534 to 1570;

• Furthermore, books on Shadows;

• The Centiloquium A "Hundred Sayings" or collection of aphorisms. on Arithmetic;

• Another small book on Arithmetic, with the demonstrated Rules of Algebra original: "Regulis Cossæ" — 'Cossic' was the early Renaissance term for algebra, from the Italian 'cosa' (the thing/the unknown).;

• On the measurement of vessels with the ingenious discovery of the empty part;

• Daily schedules or Almanacs with annual judgments or (as the common people say) Practica, in which individual changes in the weather and the selection of days are contained;

• Likewise, books on Conjunctions;

• Ptolemy, from that most recent translation by Willibald Pirckheimer, never before published, with the most correct Tables, shaped in a quadrangular figure (the likes of which have not been printed until now);

• Also the books of Ptolemy in Greek, truly learned and (as was most worthy of such a great author) elegant, retaining that native grace of his in his own language;

• A book on Eclipses;

• The book of Azophi Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, a 10th-century Persian astronomer., the most ancient Astrologer;

• The books of Geber Jabir ibn Aflah, a 12th-century Spanish-Arab mathematician and astronomer.;

• The Perspectiva A fundamental work on optics. of Witelo, an author both most ancient and most learned, a vast work and most praised for the very delight of its subject matter;
  We have called this present work the "Emperor's [Caesarean] Astronomy," a title fitting for both the Emperor and the King, to both of whom we have dedicated it.

• The Emperor’s Astronomy;

• A book on Critical Days Days significant in medical prognosis based on astrology.;

• Books on the Rainbow;

• Resolved Tables now recently calculated by the same man;

• A new Astronomical and Geometrical Staff The "Radius," a cross-staff used for measuring angles between stars., together with the various uses of Sines and Chords;

• A book on the Mirror aptly adapted for the most beautiful measurements;

• A Cosmographical Introduction with observations of every kind likewise by sines and chords, with the addition of a double Meteoroscopium An instrument for solving problems in spherical trigonometry., both flat and (what will be unheard of to most) made of numbers;

• And a Universal Astrolabe of numbers, as new as it is most useful;

• Tables or Maps, as they call them, general maps of the whole world, or even particular maps of certain Regions or Provinces;

And whatever the said Apian shall publish in mathematical matters under his own Title and name, or if any ancient monuments of mathematical things never before printed are now recognized and restored by his industry, or even just illustrated with figures, through whatever printers he wishes. Let no one print these within the space of thirty years, to be counted from the day of publication, without his own will, nor expose them for sale or sell them once printed, under penalty of Ten Marks of pure Gold, half to be paid to our Imperial Chamber and the other half to the said Apian without fail, as well as the loss of the books thus printed in imitation, which, wherever he finds them, he may claim for himself and take into his possession, either by himself or his agents, or with the help of the local Magistrate. In testimony of these letters, secured by the attachment of our Seal. Given in our Imperial City of Ratisbon Modern-day Regensburg, Germany., the third day of the month of July, in the Year of our Lord 1532, in the twelfth year of our Empire, and the seventeenth of our other Kingdoms.

A large, hand-colored woodcut of the Imperial coat of arms of Charles V. It features a double-headed eagle with a halo around each head, holding a sword and a scepter. On its breast is a complex shield representing various territories (Castile, Leon, Aragon, Sicily, Austria, Burgundy, etc.), surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Above the eagle is the imperial crown. Flanking the eagle are the two Pillars of Hercules with the motto "PLVS VLTRA" on scrolls. The entire composition is framed by a decorative border.