| Description | From: Charles II, king of England
Under the Act of Uniformity [14ChasII, c4], all cathedral chapters are to obtain a copy of the act and the prayer book annexed to it, sealed under the great seal, by 25 Dec 1662, to prevent future disputes and so that the book can be produced in court if required. Other copies are to be deposited in the Tower of London and with the courts at Westminster. Three of the commissioners appointed by the king are to examine each copy of the book and compare it with the copy annexed to the act. They are to correct any mistakes by the printer and seal each book when they have examined it. Exemplified at the request of the dean and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral. Sent patent. The clerk is Barker.
Initial letter decorated with printed portrait of the king, head and shoulders only, wearing a furred robe and a collar of the Order of the Garter. First line with elaborate, printed, penwork initials and printed decoration, including an achievement of the royal arms, with shield of arms, helmet, crest, mantling and supporters, panels containing a crowned lion statant standing upon a crown and a crowned lion sejeant seated upon a crown, holding a sword in its right forepaw and a sceptre topped with a fleur de lis in its left, roses, thistles and winged insects.
Given at Westminster [Middlesex].
Attached to a printed copy of the Act of Uniformity and Book of Common Prayer (London, 1662), with engraved title page by D[avid] Loggan, containing many manuscript alterations and additions. At the end of the book is the commissioners' certificate, dated 13 Dec 1662, signed and sealed by Joseph Henshaw, dean of Chichester Cathedral, Richard Chaworth, William Brabourne, Mark Frank, archdeacon of St Albans, and George Stradling. |