Areopagitica

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The book explores the evolution of press freedom in England, particularly after the introduction of printing. It details the establishment of the Stationers' Company in 1557, which granted 97 London stationers exclusive rights to print and publish. This centralization of printing in London placed it under strict government oversight, requiring anyone wishing to print to obtain a special license. The Company also held the authority to monitor and confiscate unauthorized publications, highlighting the tension between regulation and freedom of expression in early modern England.