CAXTON', WILLIAM, to whom England owes the introduction of printing, was born, according to his own statement, in the Weald of Kent. Of the date of his birth nothing is known with certainty, though Oldys places it in 1412. Lewis and Oldye suppose that between his fifteenth and eighteenth years he was put apprentice to one Robert Large, a mercer or merchant of considerable eminence, who was afterwards successively sheriff and lord mayor of London, and who, upon his death in 1441, remembered Caxton in his will by a legacy of 20 marks. Caxton at this time had become a freeman of the Company of 3lercers. His knowledge of business however induced him, either upon his own account or as agent of some merchant, to travel to the Low Countries for a short time. In 1464 we find him joined in a commission with one Robert Whitehill, to continue and confirm a treaty of trade and commerce between Edward IV. and Philip, duke of Burgundy, or, if they found it necessary, to make a new one. They are styled in it ambassadors and special deputies. This commission at least affords a proof that Caxton had acquired a reputation for know ledge of business. Seven years afterwards Caxton describes himself as leading a life of case, when, "having no great charge or occupation," he set about finishing the translation of Raoul le Fevre's 'Recueil des Histoirea de Troye,' which he had commenced two years before, in 1469. The original was the first book he printed, and this translation the third. Of Caxton's pursuits and travels abroad we know little more than that in his peregrinations he confined himself, for the most part, to the countries of Brabant, Flanders, Holland, and Zealand, and finally entered into the service, or at least the household, of Margaret, duchess of Burgundy, who encouraged him to finish his translation of Le Fevre's 'History of Troy,' assisted him with her criticisms upon his English, and amply rewarded him upon the completion of his labour. From the prologues and epilogues of this work we discover that he was now somewhat advanced in years, and that he had learnt to exerciie the art of printing, but by what steps he had acquired this knowledge cannot be discovered; his types only show that he acquired it in the Low Countries. He does not appear to have seen any of the
beautiful productions of the Roman, Venetian, and Parisian presses before he had caused his own fount of letters to be cut.
The original of Raoul's 'History,' the 'Oration of John Russell on Charles Duke of Burgundy being created a Knight of the Garter,' and the ' Translation' of Raoul, were, as far as we know, Caxton's first three works : the last finished in 1471. A 'Stanza' by Wynkyn de Worde notices an edition of 'llartholommus de Proprietatibua Rerum' as printed by Caxton at Cologne (about 1470), but tho actual existence of this edition is unknown. Nor has more certain information yet been obtained of the exact period of Caxton's return to his native country. The usual supposition has been that he brought the art of printing into England in 1474, and that this date is indicated by the figures which are united in the centre of his device as a printer. In 1477 however he had undoubtedly quitted the Low Countries and taken up his residence in the vicinity of Westminster Abbey, where and in which year he printed his Dictes and Sayings of the Philoso phers.' Stowe says he first exercised his business in an old chapel near the entrance of the Abbey; but a very curious placard, a copy of which, in Caxton's largest type, is now at Oxford in the late Mr. Douce's library, shows that he printed in the Almonry. It Is as follows :—" If it plese any man spirituel or temporel to bye ony Pyee of two and thre comemoracions of Salisburi van emprynted after the forme of this present lettre whiche ben wel and truly correct, late hym come to Westmonester in to the Almonesrye at the reed pale and he ehal have them good chepe. Sapplico stet cedula." According to Bagford, Caxton'e office was afterwards removed to King-street.