ã iiij

EXTRACT FROM THE REGISTERS

of Parliament.

A decorative woodcut initial 'E' featuring a figure and floral patterns.
Seen by the Court the Letters Patent original: "lettres Patentes." These were open royal decrees granting rights, monopolies, or titles. of January eighth, fifteen hundred ninety-nine, signed Henry, and below, By the King, Forget, and sealed with the great seal, by which, yielding to the petition of Olivier de Serres, Lord of Pradel, he is permitted to have printed, by whomever he sees fit, and to sell and distribute the copies of his book, The Theatre of Agriculture, without others being able to do so for ten years after the printing, under penalty of confiscation and an arbitrary fine: other Letters Patent of renewal original: "relief d’adresse & surannation." This refers to a legal process to validate a document that had expired or remained unexecuted for too long. and the request for the ratification of these, and the conclusions of the King's Prosecutor General, all being considered: THE SAID Court, in ratifying the said letters, has ordered and orders that the petitioner shall enjoy what is contained within them, according to their form and tenor. Done in Parliament the fifth day of July, sixteen hundred two.

Signed,

VOISIN.

The aforementioned Privilege was likewise verified according to its form and tenor by Monsieur the Provost of Paris, the twenty-first day of August, sixteen hundred three.

PRIVILEGE OF THE IMPERIAL MAJESTY.

original: "Privilegium Caesareae Maiestatis"

A decorative woodcut initial 'R' with ornamental leafy designs.
RUDOLPH the Second Rudolph II (1552–1612) was the Holy Roman Emperor, known as a great patron of the arts and sciences., by the favoring divine clemency, elected Emperor of the Romans, always August, and King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, etc.; Archduke of Austria; Duke of Burgundy, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, and Württemberg; Count of Tyrol. Olivier de Serres, Lord of Pradel in Languedoc, has caused it to be set forth before us that he has in hand a certain book, written by him in the French language, which is entitled The Theatre of Agriculture and Management of the Fields original: "Le Theatre d’Agriculture & Mesnage des Champs", and that he has determined to have it printed by a printer chosen for this purpose, which will provide great utility and delight to the reader; however, he fears that, as is common, others might copy the edition of the same book with their own type to his detriment. Since, therefore, he has humbly asked us that by our authority we might deign to protect this edition and provide for his indemnity by our privilege: We, considering both the utility of the said book and his own labor and expense, did not wish to fail his most humble prayers. Therefore, to all and singular printers, booksellers, and others who practice any trade in books, we strictly interdict and forbid...