All
monies received by them for the sale of pledges were to be
paid into the chests within eight days. The sale of a pledge
was not to be deferred longer than three weeks. Without
special leave they could not themselves buy the pledges,
directly or indirectly: a wholesome and no doubt very
necessary provision. Pledges were not to be lent for more
than ten days. All pledges were to be honestly appraised.
When a pledge was sold, the buyer's name was to be
written in the stationer's indenture. No stationer could
refuse to sell a pledge; nor could he take it away from
Oxford and sell it elsewhere. He was bound to mark all
books exposed for sale, as pledges, in the usual way, by
quoting the beginning of the second folio. All persons
lending books, whether stationers or other people, were
bound to lend perfect copies. This oath was sworn afresh
every year.[4]
[1] Ibid., xxxviii.
[2] Mun, Acad., xl.-xlii.
[3] Ibid., 253.
[4] Mun. Acad., 383-7.
Many stationers were not sworn. They speedily
became serious competitors with the privileged traders.
By 1373 their number had increased largely, and restrictions
were imposed upon them.
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