Index Expurgatorius Anglicanus Or, a descriptive catalogue of the principal books printed or published in England, which have been suppressed, or burnt by the common hangman, or censured, or for which the authors, printers, or publishers have been prosecuted

This nineteenth‑century reference assembles a remarkable inventory of the books that English authorities once condemned, burned, or used as evidence against their creators. Compiled by a diligent antiquarian, it lists each title, its printer, and the official decree that led to its suppression. The introduction explains the ambition to capture the full spectrum of censored literature within a single, modestly sized volume.

The catalogue ranges from early Protestant tracts, such as William Tyndale’s English New Testament, to polemical pamphlets like Simon Fish’s appeal to the poor, and even historical chronicles that threatened the throne. Brief annotations reveal the fates of many authors—imprisonment, exile, or execution—offering a stark portrait of the risks associated with dissent. By naming the specific proclamations and dates, the work situates each case within the turbulent religious and political shifts of the sixteenth century.

For listeners fascinated by the history of ideas, the index serves as a portal to the hidden world of banned books, illustrating how censorship shaped England’s cultural landscape. Its concise entries and careful bibliographic details make it both an informative guide and a vivid reminder of the power of the written word.