William Rastell

William Rastell (1508 - 27 August 1565) was an English printer and judge, born in London. At the age of seventeen he went to the University of Oxford, but did not take a degree, being probably called home to superintend his fathers business. The first work which bears his own imprint was "A Dyaloge of Sir Thomas More" (1531), a reprint of the edition published by his father in 1529. He also brought out a few law-books, some poetry, an edition of "Fabyans Cronycle" (1533), and "The Apologye" (1533) and "The Supplycacyon of Soulys" of his uncle Sir Thomas More. His office was in Fletestrete in saynt Brydys chyrche yarde. He became a student at Lincolns Inn on 12 September 1532, and gave up the printing business two years later. In 1547 he was appointed reader. On account of his Catholic convictions he left England for Leuven; but upon the accession of Mary he returned, and was made serjeant-at-law and treasurer of Lincolns Inn in 1555. His patent as judge of the Queens Bench was granted on 27 October 1558. Rastell continued on the bench until 1562, when he retired to Leuven without the queens licence. By virtue of a special commission issued by the barons of the Exchequer on the occasion an inventory of his goods and chattels was taken. He died in Leuven in 1565.

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