What was the impact of the Printing Press?

The printing press was first used in England in 1476. Edward IV had encouraged the printing of English books translated from the original Latin or French.  But what was its impact?

1. It helped to standardise English. There were 5 different dialects across medieval England. The use of a standard printed language helped to smooth these regional variations.

2.  It helped spread humanist ideas - although most books printed were stories such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales or King Arthur. Henry VII encouraged the use of printing and even created a post in 1504, 'The King's Printer'. Both he and Henry VIII showed little interest in the printing of humanist ideas and instead preferred stories of brave knights.

3. The availability of books led to more gentry and noble classes learning to read. As a result more and more books were published. The nation became more literate. Books were expensive though so often they were shared or their ideas were then spread orally.