To a centre of National Education, such as the University of Cambridge has always been, a Printing-press is as indispensable as a Library; and recent researches have shewn that printers, more or less closely connected with the University, have been established in Cambridge from very ancient times. The earliest of these, so far as we know, is John Siberch, the friend of Erasmus, who printed books at Cambridge in 1521 and 1522. Eight volumes only are recorded as the products of his press; but one of these claims to be the first book printed in England in which Greek characters occur.

We do not know why Siberch ceased to print, or whether his business was taken up by a successor. One thing, however, is certain. The ruling party in the University were determined to keep the production and sale of books so far as possible in their own hands; for in 1529 we find them petitioning Cardinal Wolsey that “for the suppression of error” there should be three booksellers only allowed in Cambridge, who should be sworn not to bring in or sell any book which had not first been approved by the censors of books in the University. This petition, evidently actuated more by a desire to exclude heresy than to promote learning, did not take effect till 1534, when King Henry the Eighth empowered the University to appoint “three stationers or printers or sellers of books” who might print all manner of books approved by the Chancellor, or his vicegerent, or three doctors.