Areopagitica

Since printing first became popular in England royal proclamations have occasionally altered press freedom. The Stationers' Company of London was established in 1557. 97 London stationers and their descendants received the exclusive right to print and publish in the English dominions through regular apprenticeship. Thus all printing was concentrated in London under direct government oversight. Without a specific licence nobody who was not a member of the Stationers' Company could publish legally.Milton's Areopagitica a defence of the right to free speech was published in November 1644 as a protest against this Order. It is a pamphlet that takes the shape of a speech that is meant to be delivered to the legislature.