ORIGIN OF FOOLSCAP PAPER.
Everybody knows what "foolscap" paper is, but few probably know how it came to bear this singular cognomen.
When Charles I. found his revenues short, he granted certain privileges, with a view to recruit them, amounting to monopolies, and among these was the manufacture of paper, the exclusive right of which was sold to certain parties, who grew rich and enriched the Government also, at the expense of those who were obliged to use paper.
At this time all English paper bore in water marks the royal srms. The Parliament under Cromwell made jest of this law in every conceivable manner ; and, under indignities to the memory of King Charlie, it. was ordered that the royal arms be removed from the paper, and the "fool's cap and belts" substituted. These, in their turn, were also removed when the Rump Parliament was prorogued, but paper of the size of the Parliament journal still bears the name of "foolscap."
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Bibliographic details
Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 21, 2 January 1907, Page 5
Word Count
161ORIGIN OF FOOLSCAP PAPER. Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 21, 2 January 1907, Page 5
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