Richard Chiswell and his Publications in the Late 17th Century
TAKANO Michiyo
Abstract
Richard Chiswell (1640-1711) was one of the leading London publishers of the latter half of theseventeenth century. Although he was an important figure in the book trade, not much is known
about him. This paper attempts to discover more about Chiswell through his publications andbooklists. The booklists are the pages of book advertisements usually found at the end of books.
In England the practice of using booklists to advertise books started in the mid 17th century.
Chiswell made some 120 booklists and used them to sell his stock. His publications count over a
thousand, but he did not advertise every single title in his booklists. Therefore, those advertised
were selected with some intention.
Chiswell started this practice in the 1670’s, and later on, from the 1680’s, he more regularly
inserted his booklists at the end of his publications. His booklists were varied in style andin contents. In this paper we look at Chiswell’s booklists produced between 1680 and 1700,
and examine the changes in them. These changes and what they reflect will be the key tounderstanding more about Chiswell the man and the bookseller.
Key words: Richard Chiswell, booklists, book history

Richard Chiswell was one of the leading London

Britain. After the Great Fire of London he started

publishers of the latter half of the 17th century. The

his business in St. Paul’s Churchyard, which was

English Short Title Catalogue (ESTC) lists overindeed the centre of book trade in the 17th century.

1,000 books published by Chiswell, and this number

His master John Shirley was not an especiallyindicates the scale of his business. He was printerimportant publisher of his day. Shirley had a shop

to the Royal Society in 1681, and he was one of thecalled Pelican in Little Britain in 1644-1660, and hebooksellers who published Shakespeare’s fourth

was not among the major booksellers -- both ESTC

folio. Chiswell was also important in the Stationer’s

and Wing’s Short Title Catalogue list only 4 books

Company, so he was apparently a very significant

published by him. So, we are tempted to say thatbookseller and publisher of the period. However,

Chiswell’s success would not have owed much to his

little has been studied about him neither as a person

master.1） Chiswell published his first book during

nor as a bookseller. Chiswell was born in London in

his apprenticeship in 1661, and the author of the1640. He was the son of a haberdasher, and we dobook was Simon Patrick, an Anglican priest, who

not know what school he attended or what kind ofremained very important to Chiswell all his life.

religious education he might have had as a boy. He

Because not much is known about Chiswell as a

was apprentice to the stationer John Shirley until

person, one wonders how we could discover more

1662, when he established himself and had his firstof his life – could the books he published or sold tell

bookshop called Two Angels and a Crown in Little

something about him? Of course it is not always

山梨県立大学 国際政策学部 国際コミュニケーション学科
Department of International Studies and Communications, Faculty of Glocal Policy Management and Communications,
Yamanashi Prefectural University− 74 −

Richard Chiswell and his Publications in the Late 17th Century

true that people publish what they believe in or

stocks as a marketing device.

what they like since book publishing is a business.

According to the ESTC and the Early English

However, if we look at Chiswell’s contemporary

Books Online, Chiswell made over 100 kinds of list

booksellers such as Richard Royston and Henryand inserted them in his books. Still, it is difficult

Herringman, we are able to trace something of their

to determine exactly how many booklists were

belief in their publications. Royston had a strong

produced for several reasons. First, to some people

faith in the Anglican high church, and Herringman

booklists were merely advertisements – those who

advocated the preservation of classic English

found it unnecessary would just tear them away

literature. Therefore, it seems worthwhile to try

from their own copy. Therefore, we cannot expectand discover something about Chiswell throughthat the booklists always remained in their original

what he published and sold. As mentioned above,

place. Second, the 17th-century books we see now

Chiswell published a great number of books, andhave been rebound in most cases. It would be only

additionally he dealt in so many books which were

natural that some booklists were lost in the course

originally published by his father-in-law Richardof rebinding. Therefore, you cannot expect to find

Royston who died in 1686. In order to grasp the

all the booklists even though databases say that theytransitions in Chiswell’s books, we should examine

are there. In other words, we do not always find thebooklists which Chiswell used to advertise his stock

booklists where they should be and, vice versa, we

to his customers. Of course he did not advertise allfind some booklists where they are not expected.

the books he had in the booklists. Certain books

Also, some booklists were printed in the blank space

were selected for each list. More than 100 kinds ofon a page, and others were made individually andbooklists were made by Chiswell, and if we examine

inserted in the books.

them and find out their tendencies, we might be able

may have been used more than once and inserted

to learn something about his situation, his religious

in different books. This makes it harder to find out

persuasion and political stance, and his sales tactics

exactly how many kinds of booklist were complied.

at different phases of his life. This paper attempts

In this study, therefore, I attempt to analyse the 78

to discover more about Chiswell by his publications

booklists from the 1680’s and 90’s which are actuallyand booklists.

in my hands.

So those made individually

It was in the 1670’s when Chiswell started his
Chiswell’s early booklists

practice of producing booklists and later from theBooklists are the pages of book advertisements

1680’s he more often included his booklists at the

we usually find at the end of books. In England theend of his publications. At first his lists tended topractice of using booklists to advertise the books

be long, and some would show the price of books asthstarted in the mid 17 century. The late Professor

well.3） The books were grouped mostly by their size,Peter Lindenbaum pointed out that it coincided

from folios to duodecimos, and the lists would deal

with the Interregnum which would indicate thatwith books of various fields and interests. Besides

the booksellers were making clear their religious

his regular lists which would show his stock, there

and political stances through their booklists to theirwere lists which only introduced newly publishedprospective customers during this sensitive period

books. Some other of his lists deal exclusively withof time.

2）

But once the practice was common, andespecially after the Restoration, booklists were
naturally complied to advertise the booksellers’particular authors, and this type of booklist became
dominant from the early 1690’s onwards.
Let us take an example of Chiswell’s booklist and− 75 −

山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策部紀要

No. 6（2011）

look at it in detail in order to discover the tendencyof his publications as well as his business tactics.
One of Chiswell’s favourite authors, Gilbert Burnett,
an Anglican churchman, wrote a book titled Some
Passages of the Life and Death of the Earl of Rochester
who Died the 26 th of July, 1680 and it was publishedin the same year. This book was a big success for
Chiswell since it sold well and there were several
editions after 1680. Of course, the Earl of Rochester
was a very famous Restoration libertine figure
and the book attracted people’s attention because
Rochester repented his sins and converted to
Anglicanism on his deathbed. Burnet’s account ofRochester’s conversion is fascinating, so the bookattained great popularity. Chiswell inserted a long
booklist in this first edition of Rochester. Perhaps
Chiswell believed that the book would be successful,and that’s why he was ready to use 8 octavo pages
for the booklist. The list reads as follows:

Books printed for and sold by Richard Chiswel.
FOLIO.n
Speed’s Maps and Geography of Great Britain
and Ireland, and of Foreign Parts.
Dr. Cave’s Lives of the Primitive Fathers.
Dr. Cary’s Chronological Account of Ancient
time.
Wanly’s Wonders of the little World, or Historyof Man.
Sir Tho. Herbert’s Travels into Persia, &c.
Sir Rich. Baker’s Chronicle of England.
Causin’s Holy Court.
Wilson’s Compleat Christian Dictionary.
Bishop Wilkin’s Real Character, or Philosophical
Language.
Pharmacopoeia Regalis Collegii Medicorum
Londineisis reformata.
Judge Jone’s Reports in Common Law.
Judge Vaughn’s Reports in Common Law.
Cave Tabula Ecclesiasticorum Scriptorum.
Hobbe’s Leviathan.
Lord Bacon’s Advancement of Learning.
Bishop Taylor’s Sermons.
Sir Will. Dugdale’s Baronage of England, in two
Vol.

− 76 −

Ravanelli Bibliotheca Theologica in three Vol.
QUARTO.
The Several Informations exhibited to theCommittee, appointed by Parliament, to enquire
into the burning of London. 1667.
Godwin’s Roman Antiquities.
Dr. Littleton’s Dictionary.
Bishop Nicholson on the Church Catechism.
The Compleat Clerk.
Dr. Pierce on Gods Decrees.
History of the late Wars of New England.
Dr. Outram de Sacrificiis.
Bishop Taylor’s Disswasive from Popery.
Garissolius de Chr. Mediatore.
Corpus Confessionum Fidei.
Spanhemi Dubia Evangelica 2 Vol.
Dr. Gibb’s Sermons.
Parkeri Disputationes de Deo.
Caryl on Job compleat, 12 Parts.
Description and History of the future State ofEurope, I s.
Fowler’s Defence of the Design of Christianity,
against John Bunyan, I s.
Lyford’s discovery of Errors and Heresies of
the Times, 4 s.
Dr. Sherlock’s Visitation-Sermon at Warrington,
1659. 6 d.
Dr. West’s Assize-Serm. at Dorchester, 1671.
6d.
Mr. Dobson’s Sermon at Lady Farmers Funeral,
1670. 8 d.
Directions for Improvement of Barren Land, 6 d.
Culverwel’s Discourse of the Light of Nature, 3
s. 6 d.
Dr. Meric Casaubon’s Letter to Dr. Du Moulin,
about Experimental Philosophy, 6 d.
Lord Hollis’s Relation of the Unjust Accusationof certain French Gentlemen charged with a
Robbery, 1671. 6 d.
The Magistrates Authority asserted, in a
Sermon by James Paston.
OCTAVO.
Conold’s Notion of Schism according to theAncients, with Reflections on Mr. Hales.
The Posing of the Parts.
Elborow’s Rationale upon the English ServiceBook.
Burnet’s Vindication of the Ordination of theRichard Chiswell and his Publications in the Late 17th Century

Church of England.
Winchester Phrases.
Wilkin’s Natural Religion.
H a rd c a s t l e ’ s C h r i s t i a n G e o g r a p h y a n dArithmetick.
Ashton’s Apology for the Honours andRevenues of the Clergy.
Lord Hollis’s Vindication of the Judicature of
the House of Peers, in the case of Skinner.
----Jurisdiction of the House of Peers in case of
Appeals.
----Jurisdiction of the House of Peers in case of
Impositions.
----Letter about the Bishops Vote in Capital
Cases.
Xenophont. Cyropaedia. Gr. Lat.
Duporti Versio Psalmorum Graeca.
Grew’s Idea of Philological Hist. continued on
Roots.
Spaniards Conspiracy against the State of
Venice.
Batei Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia.
Brown’s Religio Medici.
Several Tracts of Mr. Hales of Eton.
Bishop Sanderson’s Life.
Dr. Tillotson’s Rule of Faith.
Gregorii Etymologicon Parvum.
Pasoris Grammatica Grae. Novi Testamenti, 4 s.
Rossei Gnomologicon Poeticum.
Gouge’s word to Saints and Sinners.
Dr. Simpson’s Chymical Anatomy of the Yorkshire Spaws; with a
Discourse of the Original of Hot Springs andother Fountains, and a Vindication of Chymical
Physick, 3s.
----His Hydrological Essays, with an Accountof the Allum-works at Whitby, and someObservations about the Jaundice, 1s. 6d.
Dr. Cox’s Discourse of the Interest of thePatient in reference to Physick and Physicians,
and Detection of the Abuses practiced by the
Apothecaries, 1s. 6d.
Organon Salutis: Or an Instrument to cleanse
the Stomach: with divers New Experimentsof Tobacco and Cofee: with a Preface of Sir H.
Blunt, 1 s.
Aristotle’s Problems.
Dr. Cave’s Primitive Christianity, in three Parts.
Allen’s Discourse of two Covenants, 1672. 2s.
Ignatius Fuller’s Ser mons of Peace and− 77 −

Holiness, 1672. 1s. 6d.
Lipsiu’s Discourse of Constancy, 2s. 6s.
Willis Anglicisms Latiniz’d, 3s. 6d.
Buckler of State and Justice against France’s
Design of Universal Monarchy, 1673.
A free Conference touching the Present Stateof England at home and abroad, in order to the
Designs of France, 1673. 1s.
Bishop Taylor of Confirmation, 1s. 6d.
Mystery of Jesuitism, third and fourth Parts.
2s. 6d.
Sanderson Judicium Academ. Oxoniens. deSolenni Liga, 6d.
Dr. Samway’s Unreasonableness of the
Romanists, 1s. 6d.
Record of Urines, 1s.
Dr. Ashton’s Cases of Scandal and Persecution,
1674. 1s.
DUODECIMO.
Farnabii Index Rhetoricus.
Cineronis Orationes Selectae.
Hodder’s Arithmetick.
Horatius Minelli.
Sands Ovids Metamorphoses.
Grotius de Veritate Religionis Christianæ.
Bishop Hacket’s Christian Consolations.
VICESIMO QUARTO.
Lucius Florus. Lat.---Id. Truth. 16°
Crums of Comfort.
Valentine’s Devotions.
Guide to Heaven.
Books lately Printed.
Guillim’s Display of Herauldry, with large
Additions.
Dr. Burnet’s History of the Reformation of the
Church of England, Folio.
Dr. Burlace’s History of the Irish Rebellion,
folio.
Herodoti Historia, Græ. Lat. Fol.
Mr. John Jenison’s Additional Narrative about
the Plot.
Cole’s Latin and English Dictionary, with large
Additions.
William’s Sermon before the Lord Mayor,
Octob. 12. 1679.
----History of the Gunpowder Treason.
----Impartial Consideration of the Speeches of山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策部紀要

No. 6（2011）

the Five Jesuits Executed for Treason, Fol.
Relation of the Massacre of the Protestants inFrance.
Tryals of the Regicides, 8°.
Dangerfield’s Narrative of the Pretende
Presbyterian Plot.
Mr. James Brome’s Two Fast Sermons. The
Famine of the Word threatned to Israel, andGods Call to Weeping and Mourning.
Account of the Publick Affairs in Ireland since
the discovery of the late Plot.
Dr. Jane’s Fast Sermon before the House ofCommons, April 11. 1679.
Dr. Burnet’s Two Letters written upon the
Discovery of the late Plot, 4to.
Decree made at Rome, March 2d March, 1679.
condemning some Opinions of the Jesuits andother Casuists, 4to.
Mr. John James’s Visitation Sermon, April 9.
1671. 4to.
Mr. John Cave’s Fast Sermon on Jan. 30. 1679.
4to.
----His Assize Sermon at Leicester, July 31.
1679. 4to.
Certain Genuine Remains of the Lord Bacon,in Arguments Civil, Moral, Natural, &c. witha large Account of all his Works, by Dr. Tho.
Tenison, 8°.
Dr. Puller’s Discourse of the Moderation of the
Church of England, 8°.
The Original of all the Plots in Christendom;with the Danger and Remedy of Schism: By
Dr. William Sawel, Master of Jesus College
Cambridge, 8°.
A Discourse of Supream Power and Common
Right: By a Person of Quality, 8°.
Dr. Edw. Bagshaw’s Discourse upon SelectTexts against the Papist and Socinian, 8°.
Mr. Rushworth’s Historical Collections: The
Second Volume, Fol.
----His large and exact Account of the Trial of
the Earl of Strafford, with all the Circumstances
p re l i m i n a r y t o , c o n c o m i t a n t w i t h , a n dsubsequent upon the same, to his Death. Fol.
Remarques relating to the state of the Churchof the three first Centuries, wherein areinterspersed Animadversions on a Book, called
A View of Antiquity: By J. H. Written by A. S.
Speculum Baxterianum, or Baxter against

Baxter. 4to.
The Countrey-man’s Physician. For the use ofsuch as live far from Cities, or Market-Towns,
8°.
Dr. Burnet’s Sermon before the Lord Mayor
upon the Fast for the Fire, 1680. 4°.
Conversion and Persecutions of Eve Cohan, aPerson of Quality of the Jewish Religion, lately
Baptized a Christian, 4to.
New England Psalms, 12°.
An Apology for a Treatise of Humane Reason.
Written by Mr. Clifford Esq; 12°.
The Laws of this Realm concerning Jesuits,
Seminary Priests, &c. explained by divers
Judgments and Resolutions of the Judges; withother Observations thereupon, by William
Cawley Esq; Fol.
In the Press.
Dr. Burnet’s History of the Reformation of the
Church of England. The second and last Part,
Fol.
Bishop Sanderson’s Sermons.
Fowlis his History of Romish Conspiracies,
Treasons, and Usurpations. Fol.
The Tything-Table, 4to.
Markmam’s Perfect Horseman, 8°.
Robinson’s Phrases for Winchester-School, 8°.
The History of the Powder-Treason, with aVindication of the Proceedings and Mattersrelating thereunto, from the Exceptions madeagainst it, and more particularly of late years
by the Author of the Catholick Apology, andOthers; to which is added a Parallel betwixt
That and the Present Plot, in 4to.
FINIS.

The list above consists of two parts: the regularpart which shows Chiswell’s stock grouped by theirformat, and the particular part which introduces
newly published books. In the regular part there arearound 140 books, mostly published (or reprinted)
in the late 1670’s. They cover a wide range offields including religion, history, mathematics, law,etc; 20% of them were folios, 30% quartos, and
40% octavos. The folios were naturally the mostexpensive, and they include such famous, learned− 78 −

Richard Chiswell and his Publications in the Late 17th Century

works as John Speed’s Maps and Geography ofhistory. Historical Collections was written based

Great Britain and Ireland, William Cave’s Lives ofon historical documents from the early 17th

the Primitive Fathers, Thomas Holyoake’s A Large

century. If historical books had been more like

Dictionary, Latin and English, Sir Richard Baker’s

tales, this history book was novel and different in

A Chronicle of the Kings of England, and eventhat the author Rushworth depended on first-hand

Hobbes’ Leviathan and Bacon’s Advancement of

documents such as parliamentary speeches andLearning. The quartos include Jeremy Taylor’s A

public papers to write his books. The main concern

Dissuasive from Popery, Increase Mather’s Historyof this book was the revolution and regicide, but theof the Late Wars of New England, and John Dobson’s

author remained neutral and left his readers to judge

Sermon. We notice that the quartos are mostly

the events of the past. Also, Rushworth’s book on

religious works. The octavos include sermons andthe trial of Thomas Wentworth, the earl of Strafford,

medical works. Although the octavos are large inwas written in the same way. These books would

number, most authors are relatively unknown today.

have been the outcome of the contemporary interest

The duodecimos include classical authors such as

in the revolution of the 1640’s. Thus, the main

Cicero, Horace, and Ovid. The vicecimos are mostly

subjects of Chiswell’s books in this list are religion

devotional works.

and history.

It is interesting to note that we do

What information does this booklist provide us?

not see any kind of unity in the authors’ religiousFirst, this list implies that Chiswell was already apersuasions or political stances. Mostly the authors

successful bookseller by 1680. The sheer number

are Anglican, but some are more supportive ofof books, especially the number of famous folios

the king and others are not. This point suggests

indicates this. Second, among the religious books,

Chiswell’s eclecticism and also his good skills inthe books by Anglican priests are dominant, butbusiness.

there are also authors of other persuasions including

The list of 1680 is fairly long, and contains books

Increase Mather, a famous puritan writer. Amongof various interests.

the books newly printed or in the press, several

expected the readership to be large and unspecified.

titles are related to the Popish Plot of 1678. It was

We do not see any particular deviation from thea topical subject, and it seems that people reacted

norm in Chiswell’s publications as far as this list

very quickly to this historical event. Some books

is concerned. However, we do see the extensive

are controversial religious literature. It seems

scale of his business. His publications were variedthat Chiswell was inclined to publish anti-Catholic– they fall into such categories as biography, history,

books throughout his career. About one-third ofreligious literature, travel literature, science, and so

his religious books were sermons by Anglicanon. Therefore, this list probably encompasses thepriests such as John Cave and Robert Sanderson.

whole range of Restoration books.

It indicates that Chiswell

We learn from the diary of John Evelyn or Samuel

Chis well prepa red more book lists in the

Pepys that people of those days very much enjoyed

1680’s. For example, let us have a look at a

the speeches or sermons of famous clergymen.

booklist from 1681. Gilbert Burnet’s famous work

Sermons were therefore very popular books, andThe History of the Reformation of the Church ofnaturally they were printed mostly in handy formats.

England was published in two volumes in 1679

We also notice that there are books about

and 1681. The first volume (1679) was a success,c o n t e m p o r a r y h i s t o r y.

Fo r e x a m p l e , J o h nbecause the publication coincided with the Popish

Rushworth’s two books deal with early Stuart

Plot. Therefore, Chiswell must have had a great− 79 −

山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策部紀要

No. 6（2011）

expectation toward, or confidence in, the sales of

Chiswell, but we can at least say that Chiswell did

the second volume too. The second volume (1681)

not obediently follow his father-in-law in terms ofrecounts the history of the Reformation during thebusiness.

Elizabethan period. The booklist we find in thisAf ter the death of Royston the number ofbook is almost identical in content to the one wepublications by Chiswell rose up. We can confirm

have just looked at – the ample 1680 list at the end

this in the Term Catalogues. The Term Cataloguesof the Rochester book. The books are arranged bywere quarterly pamphlets issued in London for

their format, and this time a couple of new titles arebooksellers from 1668-1706. They provide us aadded. One thing to note is that this very book, The

great deal of information about books printed andHistory of the Reformation of the Church of England,sold in that period.5） As an executor of Royston’sis introduced in the booklist. This suggests thatwill, Chiswell most probably took care of his

most probably this list was made separately andcustomers as well. Therefore, the scale of his

inserted later at the end of the book. Besides, there

business expanded and so in the late 1680’s theare some books which are priced. This seems tonumber of Chiswell’s booklists increased. However,reflect his older practice, and also makes the list

the size of the booklists was smaller. Usually theinconsistent. The sheer size of this list − 3 folio

lists were no longer than 2 pages, and they would

pages − illustrates the scope of Chiswell’s businessonly introduce the books newly printed. This may

activities.

mean that Chiswell had somehow managed toDuring the late 1680’s we observe a change indispose of his old stock as he seems to have been

Chiswell’s booklists. Richard Royston, Chiswell’s

concentrating on his new publications in the latefather-in-law, died in 1686, leaving a great number

1680’s.

of books to his granddaughter Elizabeth, who wasalso Chiswell’s step-daughter. We can see the list

Booklists in the 1690’sof Richard Royston’s copies inserted in Antiquitates

Af ter 1690 we see a change in Chiswell’s

Christianae (1703) by Jeremy Taylor and William

booklists. He started to add an advertisement about

4）This list is four, two-column folio pages

subscription publications to the regular booklists.

long, and shows Royston’s titles which were entered

Subscription publication was a publishing methodin the register of the Stationer’s Company inwhich supposedly developed in seventeenth-century

chronological order. Royston started his publishing

England, and it enabled authors and publishers

career in 1629 with a broadside sheet, and during

to publish more specialised, and expensive

his lifetime he published over 800 books. He wasacademic books. Chiswell used this method toa strong advocate of the royalist cause, and he ispublish such books as Sir Thomas Pope Blount’s

known as the publisher of Charles I’s Eikon basilike

Censura Celebriorum Authorum (1690) and Henry(1649).

He was printer to Charles I, Charles II,

Wharton’s Anglia Sacra (1691). The former book is

and James I. He did have hard times during thea biographical dictionary of the distinguished writers

Interregnum, but after the Restoration he wasincluding historians, philosophers, and theologians.

favoured by the royals and acquired power in the

The latter is an important history of the medieval

stationer’s company. Royston’s shop was badly

church. Both books were frequently advertised

damaged by the Great Fire of London in 1666, andin Chiswell’s later booklists. The print run would

after the 1670’s he published very few new titles.

have been around 500, and it would seem that they

We are still not sure how influential Royston was toprobably did not earn a good number of subscriptions

Cave.

− 80 −

Richard Chiswell and his Publications in the Late 17th Century

even though these books were of great significance,since Chiswell kept listing the titles in his later
booklists in order to advertise that they were stillavailable.
Let us now take an example from Chiswell’sbooklist of 1696.

Books printed for Richard Chiswell.
Dr. Thomas Tenison, now Lord Archbishop of
Canterbury, his Sermon concerning Discretionin giving Alms. 1668.
----His Sermon against Self-love, before theHouse of Commons. 1689.
----His Sermon of doing Good to Posterity,
before Their Majesties. 1690.
----His Sermon concerning the Wandring of theMind in God’s Service, before the Queen: Feb.
15. 1690.
----His Sermon of the Folly of Atheism, before
the Queen: Feb. 22. 1690.
----His Sermon preached at the Anniversary
Meeting of the Clergy-mens Sons: Decem. 3.
1691.
----His Sermon concerning the Celestial Bodyof a Christian, before the Queen on Easter-Day.
1694.
----His Sermon concerning Holy Resolution,
before the King at Kensington: Decemb. 30.
1694. on Psal. 119. 106.
----His Sermon at the Funeral of the Queen,in the Abby-Church in Westminster: March 5.
1694/5.
Dr. Bu r n et, L ord Bis h op of Sa r u m, h is
Discourse of the Pastoral Care. 8vo.
----His Four Discourses delivered to the f the
Diocess of Sarum: Concerning, I. The Truthof the Christian Religion. II. The Divinity
and Death of Christ. III. The Infallibility andAuthority of the Church. IV. The Obligations
to continue in the Communion of the Church.
8vo. 1694.
----His Sermon at the Funeral of Archbishop
Tillotson. 1694.
----His Sermon Preach’d before the King at
St. James’s Chapel, on the 10th. of February
1694/5, being the first Sunday in Lent, on 2 Cor.
6. 1.

− 81 −

Dr. Patrick (now Lord Bishop of Ely) his
Heart’s-Ease; or, a Remedy against all Troubles:
With a consolatory Discourse, particularly
direted to those who have lost their Friends
and Relations. To which are added Two Papers,
printed in the time of the late Plague. The
Sixth Edition corrected. 12mo. 1695.
----His Answer to a Book spread abroad by theRomish Priests, intituled, [The Touchstoneof the Reformed Gospel] wherein the true
Doctrine of the Church of England, and many
Texts of the Holy Scripture, are faithfully
explained. 8vo. 1692.
----His Eight several occasional Sermons since
the Revolution. 4to.
----His Exposition of the Ten Commandments.
8vo.
A Vindication of their Majesties Authority
to fill the Sees of the deprived Bishops: In a
Letter occasioned by Dr. B---’s Refusal of the
Bishoprick of Bath and Wells. 4to.
A Discourse concerning the Unreasonablenessof a new Separation, on Account of the Oaths tothe present Government. With an Answer tothe History of the Passive Obedience, so far as
relates to them. 4to.
A Vindication of the said Discourse, concerning
the Unreasonableness of a new Separation,from the Exceptions made against it in a Tractcalled, [A brief Answer to the said Discourse,&c.] 4to.
Rushworth’s Historical Collections. The Third
Part, in Two Volumes. Containing the principal
Matters which happened from the meeting of
the Parliament, Nov. 3. 1640 to the end of theYear 1644. Where in is a particular account of
the Rise and Progress of the Civil War, to that
Period. Fol. 1692.
The Letters of the Reverend Father Paul,Counsellor of State to the most Serene Republicof Venice, and Author of the Excellent Historyof the Council of Trent. 1693.
An Impartial History of the Wars of Ireland.
In Two Parts. From the Time that Duke
Schomberg landed with an Army in that
Kingdom, to the 23d. of March 1692. when
their Majesties Proclamation was published,declaring the War to be ended. Illustrated
with Copper Sculpture, describing the mostimportant Places of Action. By George Story,

山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策部紀要

No. 6（2011）

an Eye-Witness of the most remarkable
Passages. 4to. 1693.
Dr. John Conant’s Sermons, Publish’d by Dr.
Williams, 1693. 8vo.
Of the Government of the Thoughts. The 2d.
Edition, By Geo. Tully, Sub-Dean of York. 8vo.
1694.
Origo Legum: Or, a Treatise of the Origineof Laws, and their Obliging Power; as alsoof their great Variety; and why some Laws
are immutable, and some not, but may sufferchange, or cease to be, or be suspended,or abrogated. In seven Books. By George
Dawson, Fol. 1694.
A brief Discourse concerning the Lawfulnessof Worshipping God by the Common-Prayer: In
answer to a Book intituled, [A Brief Discourseof the Unlawfulness of Common PrayerWorship.] By John Williams, D.D. 4to. 1694.
A true Representation of the absurd andmischievous Principles of the Sect commonly
known by the Name of Muggletonians. 4to.
1694.
Memoirs of the most Reverend Thomas
Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury: Wherein
the History of the Church and the Reformationof it during the Primacy of the said Archbishop,
are greatly illustrated, and many singularMatters relating thereunto, now first published.
In Three Books. Collected chiefly from
Records, Registers, Authentick Letters, andother Original Manuscripts. By John Strype.
M.A. Fol. 1694.
A Commentary on the First Book of Moses
called Genesis. By the Right Reverend Father
in God Simon Lord Bishop of Ely. 4to. 1695.
The History of the Troubles and Trial of themost Reverend William Laud Lord Archbishopof Canterbury; wrote by himself during his
Imprisonment in the Tower. To which isprefix’d the Diary of his own Life faithfullyand entirely published from the Original Copy;
and subjoined a Supplement to the preceding
History; The Archbishop’s last Will; His large
Answer to the Lord Say’s Speech concerning
Liturgies; His Annual Accounts of his Provincedelivered to the King, and some other things
relating to the History. Publish’d by Henry
Wharton, Chaplain to Arch-bish. Sancroft, andby his Grace’s Command Fol.

The possibility and Expediency and Necessityof Divine Revelation. A Sermon preach’d at St.
Martin’s in the Fields, January 7 1694/5, at the
beginning of the Lecture for the ensuing Year,
Founded by the Honourable Rob. Boyle, Esq; byJohn Williams, D.D.
----The Certainty of Divine Revelation, being
his Second Ser mon preach’d at the said
Lecture, Feb. 4 1693.
----His Vindication of the Sermons of his GraceJohn Archbishop of Canterbury, concerning theDivinity and Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour,and of the Lord Bishop of Worcester’s Sermon
on the Mysteries, of the Christian Faith, fromthe Exceptions of a late Socinian Book Intituled[Considerations on the Explications of theDoctrine of the Trinity]. To which is annexeda Letter from the Lord Bishop of Sarum, to
the Author of the said Vindication on the same
Subject. 1695.
Historia Episcopis & Decanis Londinensibus
necnon de Episcopis & Decanis Assavensibus
a prima utriusq; fundatione ad Annum MDXL.
Accescit Appendix instrumentorum quorundam
insignium duplex Autore Henrico Whartono,
A.M. 1695.
Advertisement.
There will be published Several Sermons andDiscourses of the Most Reverend Dr. John
Tillotson late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury,by order of his Administratrix, faithfullytranscribed from his own Papers, by Dr. John
Barker Chaplain to his Grace. Which aredisposed of to Richard Chiswell and his Assigns.
If Any pretend to publish any other, (except
those already Printed,) they are to be look’dupon as Spurious and False. And the Publishers
will be proceeded against according to the Law.
The first that will be published, are his Sermonsof Sincerity and Constancy in the Faith andProfession of the True Religion, which are in
the Press, and will be finish’d this Easter Term
1695.
This list was inserted in a book, again, written by
Gilbert Burnet. Above we looked at the list in his
Rochester book of 1680. This time the book is on
the much lamented death of Queen Mary. Mary was− 82 −

Richard Chiswell and his Publications in the Late 17th Century

a very popular queen, so this book was also expectedof the lists were restricted to particular authors,

to sell well. In fact, this book, An Essay on thesuch as Burnet and Patrick. The lists which

Memory of the late Queen, was quickly reprinted after

exclusively feature Patrick’s books especially standits first publication in 1695. The readership would

out. Patrick wrote about 260 books and Chiswell

have been varied, since Queen Mary was broadly

published 48 of them. Royston published 67 books

supported by the public. Yet the subject matters of

by Patrick, so he was important to Royston as

the books in the list are mostly religion. The books

well. This is partly because Patrick was born inare not grouped by their format but by their authors

1626 and started writing in the 1650’s – he was aor by the year of publication.

contemporary of Royston, rather than Chiswell.

We notice here that the authors in this booklist

Patrick’s most famous work was The Parable of theare among the most influential figures of the

Pilgrim, which was quite similar to John Bunyan’s

Church of England of that period. Nine books by

Pilgrim’s Progress but written from the Anglican

Thomas Tenison, the Archbishop of Canterbury, arepoint of view. Nevertheless, Patrick’s controversial

introduced first. This may be because it was only

anti-Catholic works or his interpretations of theproper to list the works by Tenison, who had beenbibles are now considered more important from avery close to the queen and gave a sermon at her

historical perspective. Besides Patrick and Burnet,

funeral. The other books advertised in the list are

William Cave was also a noteworthy author for

mostly new, but there are some which we have seen

Chiswell. Cave was an Anglican high churchman,in the other list of 1680. For example, Rushworth’s

and wrote about early church history, saints, andHistorical Collections are in both lists. Actually it

church fathers. Chiswell published those folio books

was the second volume which appeared in the list of

by him embellished with engravings.

1680, and this time it was Historical Collections, thethird part, in 2 vols. It was published in 1691/2, after

Conclusion

Rushworth died in 1690. The third part had been

Chiswell began to deal in the books which his

ready for the press by 1681, but it had to wait for thefather-in-law Richard Royston left in the late 1680’s.

right time to be published. Among the new books of

In his will, Royston named his granddaughter

note, we find a book about Archbishop Laud. This

Elizabeth as the inheritor. Elizabeth was a daughter

book was mentioned in the correspondence betweenof Chiswell’s wife by her previous marriage, andSamuel Pepys and John Evelyn in May 1694. BothLuke Meredith, the bookseller, who had beendiarists seem to have been looking forward to theapprenticed to Royston, was Elizabeth’s husband.

publication of this book by Henry Wharton.

Chiswell was an executor of Royston’s will and he

In addition, there is an advertisement at theend, which includes a warning of piracy. The
6）

successfully exercised his abilities in dealing withhis books.

word “assigns” would indicate the congers, and

To Royston, the Tory publisher, Jeremy Taylor was

3 volumes were published from 1695 to 1696.

one of his most important authors. They knew each

Tillotson was Archbishop of Canterbury and he wasother by the 1640’s, and during the Interregnum

indeed an important author of the day.

Royston published Taylor’s major works including

After the early 1690’s, Chiswell produced fewer

Holy Dying and Holy Living (1651). Royston wasbooklists. In this decade, there are perhaps onlyarrested and imprisoned for publishing royalista few examples of lengthy booklists, and the rest

books in 1645, and he also was in trouble whentended to be short. We also notice that quite a few

he published Charles I’s Eikon basilike. After the− 83 −

山梨国際研究山梨県立大学国際政策部紀要

No. 6（2011）

Restoration he continued to publish Taylor’s otherworks, and in practice, he was the only publisherof Taylor’s works. Taylor was a strong high church

volumes in early 20th century, refers to Chiswell in his
introduction as a “man to watch”.
６）The term “conger” is explained in John Feather, A
Dictionary of Book History (New York: Oxford UP, 1986),

Anglican priest, and it is observable from his

p.76, as follows: The conger was an informal group of

publications that Royston shared the same view

members of the trade who worked together for their

toward the church. Taylor’s books were advertisedcommon commercial benefit. Congers dealt with threematters−wholesaling, copyrights and printing−although

in Chiswell’s booklists, but not as often or as

the activities were not always mutually exclusive in

extensively as Burnet’s or Patrick’s. Burnet andany particular conger. The congers evolved in 1680s as

Patrick were very different clergymen. Yet Chiswella means of protecting copyrights against piracy whenpublished so many books by these two authors. We

the temporary lapse of the Printing Act, from 1679 to
1685, left the trade without copyright owner producednote the lack of consistency in Chiswell’s books,

an edition, and then sold the copies in bulk at a generous

unlike Royston’s, and he published books by thetrade price to other leading members of the trade. They

authors of different disciplines for the sake ofthen sold them at a profit to the retail booksellers bothbusiness.

in London and the country. Hence, if the title werepirated, all the members of the conger would be affected,

Chiswell was the person who established thenot just the copyright owner. Since the members of themodern book trade – he started the conger systemconger substantially controlled the trade's market outlets,

and he sold books published by other booksellers

it became almost impossible to sell a pirated edition

besides his own publications. In addition, Chiswell’sthrough conventional book trade channels. From this elfprotection there emerged a regular system of wholesaling

booklists reflect the changes in the publishing trade

along these lines, within a group of perhaps 15 or 20

in the later seventeenth century, including theleading London bookseller/publishers, and it continued to

publication by the subscription system. It mightseem unsafe to decide his political allegiance andreligious beliefs by his publications, but as seen
above his booklists do explain some details offunction until c.1720.

Selected Bibliography
Burnet, Gilbert. Some Passages of the Life and Death of theRight Honourable John Earl of Rochester, who died the 26 th

Chiswell’s life and career.

of July, 1680, written by his own Direction of his Death-Bed.
London: 1680.
---. An Essay on the Memory of the Late Queen. 2 nd. ed.
London: 1696.

Notes

Blayney, Peter. The Bookshops in Paul’s Cross Churchyard.

１）One thing which might be worth noting here is that

(Occasional Publications of the Bibliographical SocietyNo.5) London: 1990.

Shirley and Chiswell published books by the same author

De la Bedoyere, Guy. Particular Friends: The Correspondence

Meric Casaubon.
２）Professor Lindenbaum discussed this in his paperof Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn. London: Boydell, 1998.

“Publishers’ Booklists and the Constr uction of

Lindenbaum, Peter. “Authors and Publishers in the Late

Communities in Milton’s London” which was given at 9th

Seventeenth Century, II: Brabazon Aylmer and the
Mysteries of the Trade”. The Library, 32-57, 2002.

International Milton Symposium, University of London,

McKenzie, D. F., ed. Stationers’ Company Apprentices 1641-

July 10, 2008.
３）Chiswell’s later lists do not indicate the prices. It is

1700. Oxford: Oxford Bibliographical Society, 1974.

possible that book prices were changing so Chiswell

Plomer, H.R. Dictionaries of the Printers and Booksellers Whodeliberately tried to avoid showing it. There were still

Were at Work in England, Scotland and Ireland 1557-1775.
London: Bibliographical Society, 1977.

other booksellers’ lists with price after the 1680’s.
４）The new Dictionary of National Biography wrongly

Rivington, Charles A. Pepys and the Booksellers. York,England: Sessions Book Trust, 1992.

indicates that the list was inserted in Edward Cave’s

Taylor, Jeremy. Holy Living and Holy Dying. 2 vols. Edited by

Antiquitates ecclesiasticae [1703].
５）Edward Arber, who collected and published them in 3

− 84 −

P. G. Stanwood. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989.