Their office was such an important one for the well-being of the scholars that it was found convenient to extend to them the privileges and protection of the University, and in return to exact an oath of fairdealing from them.[2] [1] O. H. S., 27, Boase, xxxvi. [2] Cf. Grace B. ix, xiii, xliii.; O. H. S., 29, Madan, Early Oxf. Press, 266; Mun. Acad., 532, 544, 579.
Before the end of the thirteenth century the University's privileges had been extended to servientes known as parchment-makers, scribes, and illuminators; in 1290 the privileges were confirmed.[1] Certain stationers were then undoubtedly within the University as servientes, but in 1356 they are recorded positively as being so with parchmenters, illuminators, and writers: and again in 1459 "alle stacioners" and "alle bokebynders" enjoyed the privileges of the University, with "lympners, wryters, and pergemeners."[2] These privileges took them out of the jurisdiction of the city, although they still had to pay taxes, which were collected by the University and paid over to the city treasurer. [1] Mun. Acad., 52. [2] Ibid., 174, 346.