PRIVILEGE.

A decorative drop cap letter "H" featuring ornate foliage and scrollwork designs.
HENRY by the grace of God King of France & of Navarre, to the Provost of Paris, Seneschal of Lyon, Poitou, Anjou, & Maine, Bailiff of Berry, & Champagne; or their Lieutenants, and to all our other Justices & Officers to whom it shall appertain, Greetings. Regarding the fact that our dear & well-beloved Olivier de Serres, Lord of Pradel in Languedoc, Olivier de Serres (1539–1619) was a French Protestant author and agriculturalist whose estate, Pradel, served as an experimental farm. has made us understand that he has composed a book entitled, The Theatre of Agriculture, in which the Management of Fields original: "Mesnage des Champs." This term encompasses the total stewardship, economy, and practical husbandry of a rural estate. is clearly represented in all its parts, as much by the doctrine of the Ancients as by the experience of the Moderns, which book he desires to have printed & brought to light; but he fears that after the first printing of it, others besides those to whom he has given the charge and power to do so, might wish to take it upon themselves to print it or have it printed, without his knowledge and against his will, depriving him by this means of the pain he has taken in the research and composition of it, if he were not provided with our necessary letters; and desiring that the said Lord of Pradel may reap some fruit from his pains, and be in some way rewarded for his work & labor performed on this occasion, the whole resulting in the utility of our subjects. For these reasons, by the advice of our Council, We have permitted and granted, and do permit and grant to the said Lord of Pradel by these presents, to have his said book, The Theatre of Agriculture & Management of Fields, printed by such Printer or Printers, in the place or places, and as many times as shall seem good to him, and to sell and distribute the copies thereof through all the places and areas of our Kingdom, lands, and lordships under our obedience; without anyone other than himself, or those to whom he has permitted to do so or having right and power from him, being able to print it, or have it printed, in whole or in part, or to sell or distribute it, and this during the time of ten years next and consecutive, counting from the day and date of the printing of the said book. And to this effect, We have forbidden, and do very expressly forbid all our subjects to buy, trade, or make use of any improper printing of the said book, in whatever sort or manner it may be, under penalty of confiscation of the same, and an arbitrary fine. Thus we command you, and very expressly enjoin each of you, each in his own right as it shall appertain to him, that you allow the said petitioner to fully and peacefully enjoy and use this our present Privilege and the contents therein, without causing, placing, or giving, or allowing to be caused, placed, or given to him any trouble or hindrance; and where any has been done or given to him, you shall remove it and restore it to its first and proper state, constraining and causing to be constrained all those who are to be constrained for this purpose, by all due and reasonable ways and manners, notwithstanding any Edicts, ordinances, mandates, prohibitions, and letters to the contrary. For such is our pleasure. Given at Paris the 8th day of January, the year of grace one thousand five hundred ninety-nine, and of our reign the tenth.