# Licensing Act lapses (1695)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1695-licensing-act-lapses
Categories: main-event

Pre-publication censorship under the Licensing Act ended in England. Within the broader Stuarts & Revolutions period, the shared monarchy of England, Scotland and Ireland produced conflicts over religion, taxation and sovereignty that culminated in civil war, revolution and union. This event is placed at 1695 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The change encouraged a more open print culture and rapid growth of newspapers and political debate.

## Why it matters
The change encouraged a more open print culture and rapid growth of newspapers and political debate.

Ruler at the time: [William III](https://english-history.com/rulers/william-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Licensing Act lapses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Licensing+Act+lapses&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Licensing Act lapses](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Licensing+Act+lapses)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281600%E2%80%931699%29)
- [UK Parliament — Living Heritage](https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/)