We, Christian etc., make everyone aware that we have taken notice that many, in Denmark and Germany, dare print the Danish books that now exist in the new Bible that we have had printed in our city Copenhagen, and that many of these books are forgeries and incorrectly printed but are nevertheless kept and sold in these realms. The same applies to many other Danish and German books which are not suitable to exists in these realms. We wish that from this day forward no books shall be printed that are in the Danish Bible or

that any of these books be printed, sold, or be kept, in these realms. No other Danish or German books may be kept in these realms unless they have been reviewed by the university in our city Copenhagen or the superintendent of each diocese. If they are considered to be books suitable for sale, and they have our permission, they may then be sold in these realms.

If anyone is found to be printing, selling or being in possession of any of the aforementioned books, he shall be treated as having broken this covenant, and whatever he may have accrued through such actions shall be confiscated, and he shall be punished as if he had not followed our writs and orders. Half of the books shall be confiscated [and given] to us and the other half to the claimant.

Issued at Nyborg on the Wednesday following St. Martin’s Day, 1552.

The Lord the King has written this with his own hand.