FOR AS MOCHE AS by the common lawes of this re­alme dyuers of the kynges subiectes, beinge seised of ma­ners landes tenementes and hereditamentes, as ioynte te­nantes, or as tenantes in common, with other of any estate of inheritaunce, in their owne ryghtes, or in the ryghte of their wyues, by purchas descent or otherwise, and euery of them so beinge ioynt tenantes, or tenantes in common, haue lyke right title interest and possession in the same maners landes tenementes and heredy­tamentes for their partes or portions ioyntly or in common vndeuidedly together with other, and none of them by the lawe dothe or may knowe theyr seuerall partes or portions in the same, or that that is his or theirs by it selfe vndeuided: & can not by the lawes of this realme otherwise occupy or take the profites of the same, or make any seuerance diuision or partition therof, without other of their mutuall assentes and consentes: by reson wherof di­uers and many of them, being so ioyntly and vndeuidedly seised of the said maners landes tenementes and hereditamentes, oftentymes of their per­uers couetous and malicious myndes and wylles, ayenst all right, iustyce, equitie, and good cōscience, by strength and power, haue not only cutte and fallen downe all the woddes and trees growynge vppon the same, but also haue extirped subuerted, pulled downe, and destroyed al the houses edifici­ons and buyldynges medowes pastures commons, and the holle commo­dities of the same, and haue taken and conuerted theym to their owne vses and behofes, to the open wronge and disherison, and ayenst the myndes and wylles of other, holdynge the same maners landes tenementes and heredy­tamentes ioyntly or in common with them, and they haue ben always with out assured remedy for the same. Be it therfore enacted by the king our most dradde souerayne lorde, and by thassent of his lordes spirituall and tempo­rall, and by the cōmons in this present parliament assembled, that al ioynt-tenauntes, and tenauntes in common that nowe be, or hereafter shall be, of any estate or estates of inheritaunce in their owne rightes, or in the right of their wyues of any maners landes tenementes or heredytamentes within this realme of Englande, Wales, or the marches of the same, shal and may be coacted and compellyd, by vertue of this present acte, to make particion betwene them of all suche maners landes tenementes and hereditamentes as they nowe holde, or hereafter shal holde as ioynt tenantes or tenantes in cōmon, by writte De participatione facienda, in that case to be deuysed in the king our souerayne lordes courte of Chancery, in lyke maner and fourme as co­perceners by the common lawes of this realme, haue ben and ar compella­ble to do, and the same writte to be pursued at the common lawe.

¶Prouided alway and be it enacted, that euery of the sayde ioynt tenan­tes or tenauntes in common, and their heires, after suche partition made, [Page] shall and may haue ayde of the other, or of their heires, to the entent to de­raigne the warrantie paramount, and to recouer for the rate, as is vsed be­twene coperceners after partition made by the order of the common lawe, any thynge in this acte conteyned to the contrary not withstandynge.

WHERE AS DIVERS and many of the lordes, knyghtes, esquiers, gentylmen, and other the kynges subiectes with­in this his realme, at their greatte costes and charges haue caused to be made within their seueral groundis many pon­des stewes and motes, and stored them with dyuers kyndes of fyshes, as pikes breames Carpes tenches and other fys­shes, wherof they haue thought to haue had great commoditie, as well for the pleasure of their frendes, as for their owne commoditie and profite to­wardes the necessary fyndynge of their houses, dyuers and manye lyghte and vnreasonable persons of this realme, being of no good rule nor hone­stie, lyttell or nothynge regardyng god, the feare of theyr soueraygne lorde the kynges highnes, nor his lawes, haue not only fyshed the sayde pondes stewes and motes, as well by nyghte as by daye, with nettes hookes and baytes of dyuers sortes, but also with great nomber of mysruled persones, haue entred into suche groundes, and there, with great violence haue bro­ken vp the heedes of the sayd pondes, stewes, and motes, and destroyed and taken the fysshe of the same pondes stewes and mootes, to the greate dys­pleasures and losses of the owners of the sayde pondes stewes and motes, and contrary to all good reason ryght and conscience. Wherfore be it enac­ted by the kynge our sayde soueraygne lorde, with the assent of the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present parlyament as­sembled, and by the auctoritie of the same, that as welle all maner of fys­shynges with any nettes hokes or baytes of what kynde so euer they be, in any seuerall ponde stewe or mote, with an intente to steale fysshe out of the same, doone or commytted at any tyme after the feaste of the Natiuitie of sayncte Iohn Baptiste nexte commynge, that is to saye, in the .XXXI. yere of the reygne of our sayde soueraygne lorde, from the howre of syx in the euentyde, vnto the howre of syxe in the mornynge, ayenste the wylles and myndes of the owners or possessioners of suche pondes stewes or mo­tes, as also the vnlawfull breakinge vp of the heed of any seuerall ponde stewe or mote, by daye or by night, after the sayd feast, without colour of ti­tle so to do, wherby any fysh of the same ponde stewe or mote is taken or de­stroyed, against the will or mynde of the owner or possessioner of the same, be to all intentes denied taken and adiudged felony: and that those persons so offendinge, shall haue and suffer all suche peynes of deathe and punysh­mentes, [Page III] as other felons ought to haue and suffre for felony by the course of the lawes of this realme.

¶ And also be it further enacted by the auctoritie afore sayd, that yf any su­che euyll disposed persons, after the feast before limitted, do fysh in the day tyme, at any other tyme then is before rehersed, in any suche seuerall pon­des, stewes or motes, with any maner of nettes hookes or baytes, as is a­foresayde, what kynde so euer they be of, against the will pleasure & mynde of the owners or possessors of the same seuerall pondes stewes or motes, not hauynge any maner of colour of title so to do, and therof be lawfully conuicted at the suyte of our soueraigne lorde the kynge, or the partie greued: that then the sayd parties so conuicted, shall suffre imprisonment by the space of thre monethes, and after the sayde thre monethes expired, shall fynde suffi­cient suretie for his or their good aberinge, or els to remayne still in pryson without bayle or mainprise, vnto such tyme he or they can fynd such suertie.

THe kynge our soueraigne lorde, for dyuers consyderations his maiestie mouinge, by auctoritie of this his hyghe court of parliament, enacteth ordeyneth and establyssheth, that as well all the lordships maners landes tenemētes woddes pastures rentes seruices reuersions remayndres aduousons & all other what so euer hereditamentes, set lyenge and beyng within his countie of Kent, of the which Thomas Crumwell knight of the honorable order of the Garter lorde Crumwell of Wymbyldon, lorde priuy seale, Thomas Burgh knight lorde Burgh, George Broke knight lorde Cobham, Andrewe Wyndesor knight lorde Wyndesor, Thomas Cheyne knyght treasourer of our sayde soueraigne lorde the kynges most honourable housholde, Christofer Hales knight maister of the rolles of our sayd so­ueraigne lordes court of Chancery, Thomas Willoughby knight one of y^e iuges of the kynges court of the cōmen place, Anthony Seyntleger knight Edwarde Wotton knight, Edwarde Boueton knyght, Roger Cholmeley knight seriaunt at lawe, Iohn Champneis knight, Iohn Baker squier our sayde soueraigne lorde the kynges generall attourneye, Reynolde Scotte squier, Iohn Guldeford squier, Thomas kempe squier, Edward Thwayt­tis squier, William Rooper squier, Anthony Sandis squier, Edwarde Isaac squier, Percyuall Hart squier, Edward Monyns squier, Wylliam Whetnall squier, Iohn Fogge squier, Edmond Fetyplace squier, Thomas Hardres squier, William Waller squier, Thomas Wilforde squyer, Tho­mas Moyle squyer, Thomas Harlakynden esquyer, Geffrey Lee squier, Iames Hales, Henry Husee, and Thomas Roydon gentylmen, or any of theym is or be seysed to his or their owne vse or vses, in fee simple or in fee cayle, the whiche now bene of the tenure and nature of Gauelkynde, & heretofore haue bene departed, or be departible betwene heyres males, by the [Page] custome of Gauelkynde, shall from hensforth be clerely chaunged from the sayd custome tenure & nature of Gauelkynde, & in no wyse hereafter be de­parted or departible by the sayd custome of Gauelkynd, betwene heyres males, but shall remayne reuert abyde descende come and be after and accor­ding as lordships maners landes tenementes and other hereditamētes do or may descende remayne reuerte abyde come or be, accordinge to the com­mon lawe of this realme, and as other maners landes and tenementes be­yng in the sayd countie of Kent, whiche neuer were holden by seruice of so­cage, but be & alwayes haue bene holden by knight seruice, do descende remayne reuerte abyde come & be: And in lyke maner to descende, & be descendable, remayne reuerte come & be inheritable to the heyre or heyres, after & accordinge to the sayd common lawes of this realme of England. And that all & singular the sayd lordshippes, maners, landes, tenementes, & other hereditamentes with thappurtenaunces of the sayd lorde Crumwell, lorde Burgh, lorde Cobham, lorde Wyndesor, Thomas Cheyne, Christofer Hales, Thomas Willoughby, Anthony Seyntleger, Edwarde Wotton, Edwarde Boueton, Roger Cholmeley, Iohn Champneis, Iohn Baker, Reynolde Scotte, Iohn Guldeford, Thomas kempe, Edwarde Thwayt­tis, William Rooper, Anthony Sandis, Edwarde Isaac, Percyual Hart, Edward Monyns, Wylliam Whetnall, Iohn Fogge, Edmond Fetyplace, Thomas Hardres, William Waller, Thomas Wilforde, Thomas Moyle, Thomas Harlakynden squier, Geffrey Lee, Iames Hales, Henry Husee, and Thomas Roydon, or any of theym, and which before the makynge of this acte haue bene of the sayd nature and tenure of Gauelkynde, in y^e sayd countie of Kent, shall from hensforth be accepted taken enherited demed & iudged to be, lyke as lordeships maners landes tenementes, and other he­reditamentes at the common lawe of this realme, and in suche maner and forme, as yf the same maners lordships landes tenementes and other here­ditamentes had neuer bene of the sayd nature of Gauelkynde, any vsage or custome in the sayde countie of Kent heretofore had accepted or vsed to the contrary not withstandinge. Sauinge alwayes and reseruinge to all and singular persons, other than the sayde lorde Crumwell, lorde Burgh, lorde Cobham, lorde Wyndesor, Thomas Cheyne, Christofer Hales, Thomas Willoughby, Antony Seintleger, Edward Wotton, Edwarde Boueton, Roger Cholmeley, Iohn Champneis, Iohn Baker, Reynold Scotte, Iohn Guldeford, Thomas Kempe, Edward Thwaites, Williā Roper, Anthony Sandys, Edward Isaac, Perciual Hart, Edward Monyns, Williā Whet­nal, Iohn Fogge, Edmond Fetyplace, Thomas Hardres, Williā Waller, Thomas Wylford, Thomas Moyle, Thomas Harlakyndē squire, Geffrey Lee, Iames Hales, Henry Husee, & Thomas Roydō, or any of thē, & to eue­ry of thē, ayenst any other of thē, all such right title interest & inheritance, as they or any of thē had before y^e making of this act, of to or ī any of y^e said maners lādes ten̄tes woddes pastures rētes seruices reuerciōs remainders aduousons & other y^e p̄misses, as if this p̄sent act had neuer ben had nor made.

IN most humble wyse shewen vnto your hyghnes your true and faithfull subiectes, the mayre baylyffes and commonaltie of your citie of Exetour, that where of olde antiquitie as well the citesens and dwellers within your sayde citie as all other both denysens and straungers, applienge & comming from any partes of beyond the see, or of this realme to your port of Exeter, haue had course and recourse with their shippes botes and vessels goodes and marchaundises in the ryuer of Exe, to and from the hye see, vnto your sayde citie, to the great commoditie, common welth, & profit of your sayde citie, and all the countrey therabout, as by diuers recordes & wrytinges, remayninge as well in your sayd citie as also at Westm̄, playn­ly doth appeare: Which commoditie of longe tyme hath bene so destroyed and letted by woyres and dryuinges of sandes and grauell, by course of the water, into the sayd ryuer, and other lettes and noysances, that at this day, and of longe tyme past, shyppes botes and vessels haue not had ne yet can haue their course to and from your sayd cytie, as of olde tyme they haue had by reason wherof your sayd suppliantes of longe tyme haue ben and yet be compelled and enforced to cary their goodes and marchaundises frome the shippes boates and vessels to your sayd citie by lande, to their yerely char­ges of. CCCC. markes sterlinges and aboue, besyde great hurtes and los­ses taken in their sayd goodes and marchandises by the cariers of the same which hath not onely bene and yet dayly is to the gret hurt decay and enpo­ueryshing of the marchantes of your sayd citie, but also of the coūtrey ther­aboutes by reason of the ouerflowing and drowninge of the medowes pa­stures and ground lyenge by the sayd ryuer, with the hygh springes of the see & the studdes of the fresh water cōming to the sayd ryuer, & by reason of which charges susteyned in carieng their goodes & marchandises by lande vnto the sayd citie, as is before sayd, the marchantes & owners of the sayd wares & marchandises are driuen to sel the same moch more derer than they wold do, yf the sayd marchādises might be cōueyed & brought vnto y^e sayd citie by water, to the great hurt & preiudice of al your graces subiectes in y^e sayd parties. For reformation wherof, it may please your hyghnes, of your most noble & abundant grace, with thassent of your lordes spirituall & temporal, & the cōmons in this present parliament assembled, & by auctoritie of y^e same, to enact ordeyn & establysh, y^t it may & shalbe lawful, at al tymes after y^e feast of Easter now next cōming, to your sayd suppliantes maire bayliffes & comminaltie of your sayd citie of Exetor, & their successors, to pluck down dyg moyne breke bank & cast vp al & al maner of weires rockes san­dis grauel & other lettes & noysances, whatsoeuer they be in y^e sayd ryuer, & also in other places & groūd cōueniēt & necessary for y^e same whosoeuer they be, lyeng betwen your said citie & y^e high see, & further to do & make al other thinges requisite & necessary, wherby y^e said shippes botes and vessels may [Page] haue their sure course and recourse in the sayd ryuer, to and from your sayd citie, and there to charge and discharge the sayd gooddes and marchandi­ses without let or disturbaunce of any person or persons, gyuinge and pay­enge therfore vnto the lorde or lordes, owner and owners of the soile, where suche dyggynge and mynynge shalbe, in recompence and satisfaction of & for the lande and grounde so to be dygged and myned, after the rate of .xx. yeres purchase, or els as moche, for the same, as shalbe adiuged ordeyned and determined by the kynges iustices of assise in the countie of Deuon̄ for the tyme beyng, the election & libertie of which recompence and satisfaction so to be had, to be at the choyce of the lordes and owners of the sayd landes and tenementes, without any let denier vexation or trouble of the sayd lord lordes owner and owners, or any other person or persons, by sute in the law or otherwyse, vpon peyne of forfayture of .xx. li. of lefull money of Englād for euery tyme that they or any of them do attempt the cōtrary therof, wher­of the one halfe shalbe to our sayd soueraygne lorde, and the other halfe to him or them, that will sue therfore by action of det byll playnt or informati­on in any the kynges courtes, wherin the partie defendant shall not wage his lawe, nor in the sayde action actions or sutes any essoyn licence nor protection shalbe allowed. And also gyuynge and payeng to the tenauntes fermers and occupiers of suche lande or grounde for suche hurte and losses, as they or any of them shall susteyne and haue by the same, as moche as shalbe assessed adiuged and determined by the sayde iustices of assises in the sayde countie of Deuon̄ for the tyme beynge, or by suche persons as by them shal be assigned and deputed for the same. The sayde recompence and satisfaction as well concerninge the lordes and owners of the sayde lande & ground, as to the tenantes fermers & occupiers of the same, to be payd by the maire bayliffes and comminaltie of the sayde citie for the tyme beynge, and their successours within the space of sixe wekes next after the ratinge assessinge & determininge of the same, onles that the maire baylyffes and comminaltie of the sayd citie, and their successours, can otherwyse compounde or agree with the lordes owners tenantes fermers and occupiers of suche land and grounde or with any of them. And in case it happen the Mayre bayliffes & comminaltie of the sayd citie to make defaute of payement of the sayd recō ­pence and satisfaction, and resist to pay the same, as is before rehersed, that than the lorde lordes, owner, owners, tenauntes, fermers, or occupiers of suche lande or ground, that is greued therwith, and to whome the satisfac­tion and recompence ought to be payde, shall & may lawfully commence afferme or take his or their action of det by the course of the common lawe, a­gainst the Mayre, baylyffes, & commonaltie of the sayde cytie for the tyme being, & their successours, for the recouery of the same in any countie with­in this realme, at the will & pleasure of the partie greued, & lyke proces thervpon to be had, as in actions of det at the common lawe, grounded vpō cō tract or specialties, hath vsed to be had, in the which actions of det suite or suytes to be had, no wager of law essoyn licēce nor protectiō shalbe allowed.

FOrasmoch as it hath pleased the kyng our most excellent & most drad souerayne lorde of late to erecte buylde and make a goodly sumptuous beautiful and princely manour, decent & conuenient for a kyng, and the same hath ornated with parkes gardeins or­chardes & other thinges of great cōmoditie & pleasure thervnto adioynynge, mete and partinent to his royall maiestie, mooste requisite for the prosperous continuance of his most royal person, which the subiectes of this his realme most entierly aboue all worldly thinges chiefly desyre of al­myghty god: his grace ensuing the aduancement & amplication of his rea­sonable and princely cōmodities to be nye vnto his said manour, heretofore of late hath assigned & limitted a certayne territorye or grounde for a chace therof to be made, for nouryshynge generation and feedynge of beastes of venery and of foules of warren: and for furnyture and perfection thereof, the kynges maiestie by indenture made betwene his grace on the one parte, and syr Richard Page knight, Thomas Hennage esquier, Iohn Carleton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a downe gentylmen, Robert Alcetour, Ro­bert Hamond, & diuers other honest and substanciall men, named in the said indenture, for & in the name of all fre tenantes, hauing any estate of inheri­tance, and in the name of all customary tenantes, hauyng any astate of in­heritance by custome, of or in any landes or tenementes, within the procin­ctes of the sayde Territorie or grounde, limitted and assygned for the sayde Chace & waren, hath certainly & plainly declared the procinctes, limites ambites & boūdis of the same Territory or ground, & his gratis liberties priui­leges & cōmodities to be had in & vpon the same: the tenor of which sayd in­denture hereafter plainly & fully insueth, y^t is to say, THIS INDENTVRE made the fyrst day of October, in the .XXIX. yere of the reigne of our most excellent & most drad souerain lord HENRY the eight, by the grace of god kyng of Englande and of Fraunce, defendor of the faith, lord of Irelande, & in erth supreme hed of the church of England, betwene the same our soue­rayn lord the kyng of thone partie, and syr Richard Page knight, Thomas Hēnage esquier, Iohn Carleton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a Downe gentylmen, Robert Alcetour, Robert Hamonde, Thomas Stakforde, Ri­charde Wykar, Iohn a Gate thelder, Iohn a Gate the yōger, Williā Stak forde, Iohn Boughton, Richarde Biers, Germyn Bandall, Iohn Wolfe, William Floiter, Richard Hunt, Iohn Cony, Robert Parker, Williā Tyce, Richarde Wheteley, Robert Nortrige, Iohn Machin, Iohn Barō, Richard Wodclerk the yōger, Iohn Clere, Iohn Grenetre, Richard Heyward, Chri­stofer Poūtfret, Richard Wolf, Iohn Bulworth, Thomas Driuer, Thomas Horringham, Iohn Nortrige, Williā west, Iohn Hardwyn, Richard New­mā, Iohn Hamōd the yōger, Iohn Blake, Iohn Daly, George Thew, Cle­ment Garred, Iohn Hamōd thelder, Ambrose Grenetre, Walter Caluerley, [Page] Richard Nele, Lionell Browne, Robert Hall, Thomas Marshe, Thomas Skete, Iohn Beryman, Iohn London, Iohn Wodhous, Iohn Grene, and Iohn Wolfe, for and in the name of all the free tenauntes, hauynge any estate of inheritance, and in the name of all customary tenantes, hauynge any estate of inheritaunce by custome of and in any landes or tenementes within the lordships maners townes and villages of Estmulsey, Westmul­sey, Walton, Esher, Weybridge, and part of Cobham, and other parishes, villages, and hamlettis, what so euer they be within the limittis of the chace that is named to be callyd Hampton courte chace, of the other parte, witnes­seth, that where our sayd souerayne lorde the kyng hath of late erected buil­ded and made within the countie of Middelsex, a goodly sumptuous hous, beautifull and princely manour, mete and conuenient for a kynge, and the same endewed with parkes orchardes gardeynes, and other great commo­dities and pleasures thervnto adioyning and belongyng, and his grace in­tendyng the prosperous continuance and preseruation as well of his moste royall persone, as for the fournyshynge of the manour with manyfold thin­ges of pleasure, for the disporte, pastyme, comforte, and consolation of his hyghnesse, his heyres and successours, his gracis pleasure is to erecte and make a Chace about the said manour, for thencreace of venery and fowle of warreyn, whiche Chace shall be callyd Hampton courte chace: and that the sayd lordshyps, maners, townes, and vyllages of Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Walton, Esher, Weybrige, and part of the towne or village of Cobham, in the countie of Surr̄, and al landes tenementes medowes lesues woddes, & pastures lienge and beinge within the limites metes and boundes hereaf­ter declared, shall be had reputed and taken within the sayde Chace, and to be parcell therof to all intentes and purposes, whiche metes & boundes are limited appoynted and do extend as foloweth, That is to wyt, at & from the Themmis syde, on the south syde of the manor of Hampton court directely as the pale shall be newely erected made and sette to Cobham, and so forthe as the pale shall leade and be sette aboute Cobham parke pale, of Byslette parke, and from thens folowynge the same pale to the water of Wey, and so forthe by the south syde of the ryuer of Wey, and the ryuer of Themmis, vnto the fyrst commensment and begynnynge of the sayd pale. Wherfore it is condescended granted concluded and fully agreed betwene the sayd par­ties to these indentures by these presentes. And our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge in accomplyshment of his graces plesure, by these presentes doth ordeyne make erecte publyshe and declare the sayd Chace. And that the sayd lordshyps manors townes and vyllages of Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Wal­ton, Esher, Weybridge, and parte of Cobham, and all landes, tenementes, medowes, woddes, lesues, and pastures lyeng and beinge within the limit­tes metes and boundes afore named, shalbe from hensforth free chace and warren for all maner beastes of venery and foule of warren, and shall haue all suche and lyke lyberties iurisdictions and preeminences as any ancient Chace or forest within this realme hath or of right ought to haue: and euery [Page VI] person and persons, that shall fortune hereafter to trespas or offende with­in the sayde newe chace, shall incurre and runne into lyke daunger penal­ties, losse, and forfayture, as if the same offence had ben done or commyt­ted in any other chace or foreste within this realme of Englande: And that the sayde newe chace be from hensforth named and called Hampton courte chace. And it is further condiscended, graunted, and agreed betwene the sayde partyes by these presentes, and oure sayde souerayne lorde the kynge for hym, his heyres, and successours, promyseth, graunteth, and agreethe to and with the sayde syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn Car­leton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a Downe, and all other the sayd te­nantes and freeholders, theyr heyres and assignes, that it shall be laufulle to the same syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn Agmondesham, Iohn Carleton, Thomas a Downe, and other the tenauntes aboue na­med, and to all other persones, beinge freeholders within the sayde Chace, and to euery of them, their heires and assignes, to felle cutte downe and ca­rye away at all tyme and tymes hereafter, at his or theyr pleasure, all and parcell of his or theyr woddes, groues, copies, and sprynges, growynge and beinge within the sayde chace, without lycence of the kynges highnes, his heires or successours, or of any offycer within the sayde chace, and with­out lette and interruption of the same officers, or any of them. And also that it shalbe laufull to the sayde syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn Carleton, Iohn Agmondesham, Thomas a Downe, and other the tenan­tes aboue named, and all other persons, as well freeholders as copye hol­ders as customarye tenauntes within the lymittes of the sayde chace, and to euery of them, their heyres and assygnes, at all tyme and tymes hereaf­ter, to make the hedges and fences aboute their corne, growynge vppon their owne grounde within the sayde chace, at theyr owne wylle and plea­sure, to kepe out the dere therof, durynge all suche tyme onely, as the corne shall growe vpon the same grounde. And that the officers of the said chace, durynge the same tyme, shall suffre the same hedges and fences to stande and to remayne, to thentent abouesayde. And after euery suche time as the corne shall be serued and caried awaye, it shall be laufulle to the offycers of the sayde chace to make dere leapes and breakes in the sayde hedges and fences, for and to the entente that the dere maye haue course and recourse into the grounde, where the corne was sowen, for their feedynge, durynge all suche tyme as the same landes shall be and remayne vnsowen.

And in consyderation thereof, our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge, for hym, his heyres and successours is pleased and contented, that his and theyr offycers of the reuenues within the limittes of the same chace, shall yerely for euer at euery payement, defalke, allowe, and deducte the thyrde parte of the free rente, that euerye freeholder oughte to paye for theyr se­ueralle freeholdes within the lymyttes of the same Chace. And alsoo the kynges hyghenesse is pleased and contented, that where any customarye tenaunt, or tenauntes hauynge any estates of inherytaunce in any custo­marye [Page] landes or tenementes within the said chace, after the custome of any maner there, wherof the same customary landes or tenementes beinge hol­den, for the whyche customarye landes or tenementes, the next heire of eue­ry suche customarye tenaunt, after the deathe of his auncestour, by and ac­cordynge to the same custome ought to paye fyne, in euerye suche case the kynges officers of the reuenues within the sayde Chace, shall defalke, de­ducte, and allowe to the nexte heire of euery such tenant, dieng seised of any customary landes or tenementes within the lymittes of the sayde chace, the moytie or halfe of euery suche fyne, that he by the sayde custome ought to paye for his landes there: the same fyne to be rated and assessed after the rate of the fyne that the same tenaunt soo dienge seysed, laste payde to the lorde therof, for the same landes or tenementes, and not otherwise. And that the moytie of euerye suche fyne be conteyned in euery copye, that hereafter shall be made to any suche tenaunte, by the offycers of the courtes of eue­rye suche manour within the lymittes of the sayde Chace. And the sayde syr Rycharde Page, Thomas Hennage, Iohn̄ Carleton, Iohn Agmon­desham, Thomas a Downe, and other the tenauntes and freeholders of the sayde lordeshyppes, manours, townes, and vyllages of Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Walton, Esher, Weybridge, and parte of Cobham, doo co­uenant and graunte, and euery of theym for hym and his heyres couenan­teth and graunteth to and with our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge, his heires and successours, that they and all other the tenantes and freholders, within the lymittes of the sayde chace, and euery of theym, shall at all ty­mes hereafter stande to obey perfourme, and kepe, within the sayde chace, all and syngular suche lawes, ordynaunces, penalties, fynes, and amer­cyamentes, as appertayne to a chace, and all suche as hereafter shall be prouided or made by any lawe or statute, concernynge the preseruation or mayntenaunce of the sayde chace: excepte and onely reserued to the sayde tenauntes, all suche liberties and commodyties before by these presentes vnto theym appoynted and lymitted within the sayde chace. In wytnesse whereof our sayde soueraigne lorde the kynge to the one parte of these pre­sente Indentures, remaynynge with the sayde freholders and customa­rye tenauntes hath caused his greate seale of Englande to be putte: and to the other parte of the same Indentures, remaynynge with our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge, the sayde freeholders and customarie tenaun­tes, as well for them selfe as in the name of all other tenauntes and inha­bytantes within the lymites of the sayde chace, haue putte to their seales, the daye and yere aboue wrytten. Be it therfore enacted by auctoritie of this present parlyamente, that the sayde indenture shall persiste continue & abide good effectual and in full strength and vertue, according to the word tenour and effect therof. And that the kynge our soueraine lord, his heyres and successours for euer, shall haue & enioye their liberties & priuileges, cō ­modities & plesures of fre chace and warren for all maner of beastes of venery, & foules of warē, within & vpō the said townes villages & parishes of [Page VII] Estmulsey, Westmulsey, Walton, Esher, Weybridge, and part of Cobhā, and in all other places and groundes, lyenge or beynge within the procin­ctis lymites and boundes of the sayde Territorie or grounde lymitted and assigned by the sayd Indenture for the sayd chace and warren. And that the same Territory or grounde shalbe called named and knowē by the name of Hampton court chace. And that all and singular transgressours and offendours, taken knowen or proued to haue committed or doone any maner of offence, within or vpon the sayd chace or warren, contrary to the fourme or effect of any part of the sayd indenture, shall incurre and fall into lyke daungers, penalties, and forfaytures, as any other lyke offendours, commit­tinge or doynge any wronge trespas or offence in anye other forest or chace within this realme, may do or shall do.

¶ And furthermore be it enacted, that our sayd soueraygne lord the kyng, his heyres and successours, at his and their libertie and pleasur, may make constitute and assigne suche and as many officers, ministers, and kepers, in for and vpon the sayde chace and warren, as to him or them frome tyme to tyme shall be thoughte behouefull conueniente and necessarye. And that all and syngular lawes, actes, and statutes heretofore made, concernynge the kepynge nourysshynge encreace and supportation of anye of the fore­stes, chaces, and warrens of this realme, or anye of theym, or towchynge or concernynge directions, corrections, penalties, refourmations or pu­nysshementes for anye maner of offences doone or committed within anye suche forestes, chaces, or warens, shall be frome henseforthe extended and executed in to and vppon all transgressours and offendours in the sayde chace, called Hampton courte chace, and into or vppon the sayde warren of the same.

¶And bicause that the sayd manor of Hampton court is thus, as is afore­sayd, decorated and enuironned with thinges of hygh and princely commodities, Be it further enacted by auctoritie of this present parliament, that the manor of Walton vpon the Temmes, in the sayd countie of Surr̄, be­yng parcel of the Duchye of Lancaster, and the manour of Walton Leghe, in the sayd countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Gy­les Leghe esquier deceassed, and the house of Oteland, and all landes tene­mentes rentes seruices and hereditamentes in Weybridge Walton & Chartesey, in the sayd countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghenes of Iohn Rede, son and heyre of William Rede, and the manours of Byflete and Weybridge in the sayd countie of Surr̄, beynge parcell of the Duchye of Cornewal, and all the landes and tenementes in Walton and Weybridge aforesayd, late purchased by the kynges hyghenes of Iohn Goldwel & his wyfe, & all those landes & tn̄tes in Walton aforesayd, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Iohn Carleton, & the manour of Estmulsey in the sayd countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of y^e presidēt & sco­lers of Corpus Christi college in Oxford, & the manor of Mulsey in y^e sayde countie of Surr̄, which late belonged to y^e late monastery of Marten in the [Page] sayde countye of Surr̄: And the manour of Sandon in the sayde countie of Surr̄, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of the mayster & bretherne of the hospitall of saynt Thomas spittell in Suthwarke, in the sayd coun­tie of Surrey: And the manour of Weston in the sayd countie of Surrey: late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of the abbesse and couent of the mo­nastery of Barkyng in the countie of Essex: And the manour of Imworth in the sayde countie of Surr̄, late pourchased by the kynges hyghenes of Thomas Duke of Norf. And the manour of Esher in the sayde countie of Surr̄, late pourchased by the kynges hyghenesse of the reuerente father in God Stephyn byshop af Wynchester: and the landes and hereditamentes with thappurtenances, called Heywod, lyenge within the sayd chace, whi­che late belonged to the late priory of Newerke in the sayd countye of Sur­rey: And all those manours landes tenementes and hereditamentes, ly­enge within the sayde chace, whiche syr Rychard Page knyght hathe lately bargayned and solde vnto our sayde soueraigne lorde the kynge: and al lā ­des tenementes and hereditamentes, which be the sayd syr Rychard Pages lyenge and beynge within the sayde chace: And all other manors landes tenementes rentes reuercions seruices and hereditamentes, within the limy­tes and Territory of the same chace, which the kynges hyghnes before this tyme hath opteyned bought or purchased of any person or persones bodyes politike or corporate: And all the fee ferme or yerely rent or annuitie of the borough or towne of Kyngston vpon Temmes, in the sayd countie of Surrey: And the manours of Hanneworth and Kynton, otherwyse called Cold Kennyngton, and the parke of Hanneworth and Cold Kennyngton, in the countie of Middelsex: And the manoure of Feltham in the sayde countye of Middelsex, whiche manoure of Feltham was late pourchased by the kynges kyghnes of the mayster and bretherne of the hospitall of Burton lazer, in the countie of Leycester: And the manour of Todyngton in the sayd countie of Middelsex, late purchased by the kynges hyghenes of the abbot and couent of the monastery of Westmynster, in the countie of Middelsex: and all landes tenementes and hereditamentes, lyenge in the parysshe of Hampton in the sayde countie of Middelsex, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Thomas Arthure, Thomas Gone, Iohn Vnydale, Iohn Vpton, Thomas Elys, and Iohn Lewes, or of any of them: And all lādes te­nementes, and hereditamentes, in the parysshe of Hanneworth, in the sayd countie of Middelsex, late purchased by the kynges hyghnes of Iohn Willyams, Iohn Combes, Rycharde Harris, William Couper, Robert Wat­tes, Thomas Fitzwater, Richarde Laurence, Thomas Carpenter, Iohn Byckes, Paule Coke, and the persone of the paryshe of Hanneworth afore sayde, or of any of them: And all the landes & tenementes in Kenten, in the sayde countie of Middelsex, lately purchased by the sayde oure soueraigne lorde the kynge, of the maister & brethren of the hospitall of Sauey, in the countie of Midd: And all other maners lādes tenementes & hereditamētes in Kingston, Hāworth, Kentō, Coldkeningtō, Felthā, Todingtō, & Hāpton, [Page VIII] whiche our sayd souerayne lorde the kynge, before this tyme hath bought purchased or obteyned of any person or persons, bodyes polityke or corpo­rate, shall from hensforth be perpetually vnited annexed deined reputed & taken to be parte parcell and membres of the sayde manour of Hampton courte. And that the same manour of Hampton court, together with all o­ther the sayde manours landes tenementes and other the premisses aboue rehersed and specified, so vnited & annexed to the same manour of Hamp­ton court, shall from hensforth be named callid accepted and taken the ho­nour of Hampton courte. And that the sayde manour of Hampton courte shall from hensforthe be the chiefe and capitall place and parte of the sayd honour of Hampton courte.

¶Be it also further enacted by auctoritie afore sayd, that the sayd honour and chace of Hampton courte, and all the manours landes tenementes he­reditamentes, and other the premisses aboue rehersed, shall from hensforth be in the order suruey rule and gouernance of the court of Augmētations of the reuenues of our souerayne lorde the kynges crowne, and to be gran­ted let and set to ferme by the offycers and mynisters of the same court, in such maner and fourme as other the manours landes and tenementes, appoynted to the same court, ben or ought to be letten or graunted. And that all the fermes issues reuenues and profittes, commynge and growynge of the premysses, and of euery parte therof, shalbe taken and receyued to the kynges vse, by the mynisters and officers of the same court, in such maner and fourme as is vsed and had of other manours landes & tenementes cō ­mytted to thorder suruey & gouernāce of the said courte of augmentatiōs: any acte statute ordinance custome or vse heretofore had made or vsed to the contrary therof notwithstandynge.

¶AND furthermore be it enacted by auctoritie aforesayd, that all and syngular the tenantes, as wel freeholders & copy holders, as other, and all and syngular personnes, whiche owe suite to any of the sayde manours, or to any leete or lawdaye, to be holden within the procincte of any of them, and the heyres successours & assygnes of euery of the sayde tenantes, shall do theyr suites seruices and customes, and paye theyr rentes to the sayde sondry manours, and in suche tymes, as they dydde and ought to do be­fore the makynge of this presente acte. And that the sayde tenantes and sutours or any of them, or the heires successours, or assignes of them or any of them, at any tyme hereafter, shall not be charged nor chargeable to or with any other seruices suites customes rentes or other charges, nor be cō ­pelled to doo or paye the same in any other place or places, nor anye of the seuerall tenures chaunged alterated or charged, otherwyse than they were or ought to doo or be before the makynge of this acte, any thynge therin conteyned to the contrary notwithstandynge. Sauynge alway and reser­uyng to al and singular free tenātes and customary tenantes of any lādes tenementes and hereditamentes, lieng or being within the procinctes lymites and bondes of the sayd Chace, callyd Hampton court chace, specified & [Page] declared by the sayd indenture, and to the heyres successours & assignes of euery of them, all and singular liberties profytes commodities and aduantages to them appertaynynge, accordyng to the true intent and pleasure of our sayde soueraygne lord the kynge, signified and declared by the same indenture: any thinge in this acte aboue written not withstandynge.

¶Prouyded alwaye, that this acte, or any thinge therin conteyned, shall not be preiudiciall or hurtfull to any person or persons, theyr heyres execu­tours successours or assignes, for any leases demises grauntes or couenaū tes heretofore had made or graunted to them or any of theym, of the sayde manours and other the premisses, or any part or parcell therof, by any per­son or persons, beynge owners of the sayd manours landes and tenemen­tes, and other the premisses, or any part or parcell therof, or by any of their auncestours or predecessours, or by any person or persons lawfully auctorised by them or any of them, for any demise lease or graunt therof made.

¶ Sauynge alwaye to al and euery person and persons, their heyres suc­cessours executours and assignes, other then suche persons, as were parti­es or priuy to the bargaynes sales gyftes or grauntes of the sayd manours and other the premisses, or any parte therof, and theyr wyues theyr heyres and successours, and the wyues heyres and successours of euery of them, al suche right title vse interest possessyon lease leases ferme fermes for terme of lyfe lyfes yeres or otherwise: & all grauntes liberties rentes charges profyttes couenaūtes and all other commoditie and commodities, which they or any of them haue, might or ought to haue, or here after shall or shoulde haue, in of or to the premisses, or any part or parcell of them, in suche ma­ner and fourme, as thoughe this acte, or any thinge therein conteyned to the contrary therof had neuer bene had nor made: any thynge in this pre­sent acte to the contrary therof not withstandynge.

¶AND for as moch as the sayde maners of Byflete and Weybridge, be­fore the makyng of this acte were parcell of the Duchie of Cornewall, and now separated and taken from the same by reason of this acte. Be it ther­fore enacted by auctoritie afore sayde, that the manour of Shippon, with thappurtenaunces, in the countie of Berk. whiche latelye belonged to the late monasterye of Abendon, in the same countie of Berk. nowe dissolued, shall frome henseforth be vnited & annexed to the sayde Duchie of Corne­wall, and shalbe accepted and taken for and as part and parcel of the same Duchie of Cornewall, in such lyke maner and fourme, to all intentes and purposes, as the sayde manours of Byflete and Weybridge were before the makynge of this acte, and that the same manour of Shippon, and the yssues reuenues and profyttes therof, shall from hensforth be surueyed receyued and answered by and before suche persons, officers and ministers, and in suche lyke maner and fourme, as other the manours landes tene­mentes and hereditamentes, parcell of the sayde Duchie of Cornewall, be and shalbe surueyed receyued and answered.

¶Prouyded alway that this acte, or any thynge therin conteyned, shal not [Page IX] be preiudiciall or hurtfull to any person or persons, their heyres executours successours or assignes, or any demyses leases offices grauntes or couenaū tes heretofore had made or graunted to them or any of them, of the sayd manour of Shippon, or any part or parcell therof, by our soueraigne lord the kynge, or by any other person or persones, beynge owner or owners of the same manour of Shippon: this act, or any thinge therein conteyned to the contrary therof not withstandinge.

BE it enacted by auctoritie of this present parliament, that al and singular such religious persons, aswel men as women, professed of what order rule or habyt so euer they were, whi­che be, or hereafter shalbe put at their liberties from the danger seruitude and condicion of their religion and profession whervnto they were professed, by reason of suppression dis­soluinge forfeyture by atteyndre, rendring or otherwyse gyuinge vp to the handes of the kynges maiestie, or any other the same monasteries, abbeys, priories, or other religious houses or places, wherin the same religious persons were professed, shall by auctoritie of this present parliament, frome & after the first daye of the same parliament, and frome and after the tyme, y^t they were or shalbe put at such libertie, haue free libertie to purchase to thē and their heyres in fee simple, fee tayle, for terme of lyfe for yeres or at will, manours landes tenementes rentes annuities and other hereditamentes & thinges whatsoeuer they be in lyke maner and fourme, as thoughe they or any of them had neuer bene professed, nor entered into any suche religion.

And furthermore that they the same religious persons and euery of theym, shalbe made able by auctoritie of this present act, to sue and to be sued in al maner of actions playntes and suytes what so euer they be, of and for any matier or cause growen sythens and after the tyme of their seuerall deraig­mentes or departinge out of their religion, in all courtes and places within this realme, as other the kynges subiectes be. And furthermore that they & euery of them shall and maye from hensforth, vse and exercise, receyue take haue and enioye all and euery lawfull thinge and thinges to be growen fal or happened to them or any of them, after the sayd deraigment or departing out of their religion, in as large and ample maner forme and condicion, as yf they had neuer bene professed, nor entered into religion, the same profes­sion or religion, or any lawe custome or vse within this realme to the contrary therof in any wyse not withstandinge.

¶Prouyded alwayes & be it further enacted by auctoritie afore sayd, that none of the same religious persons, shall or maye at any tyme hereafter be taken demed or iudged for or as heyre or heyres or inheritable to any person or persons to any purpose respect construction or intēt in the law: nor y^t they [Page] nor any of them by vertu of this acte be receyued admitted or demed able in the lawe, to demande challenge receyue or take any manours landes tene­mentes or hereditamentes, or any other thinge or thinges, by reason of or for any former title right interest matier or cause, had made done or growen to any respect or purpose, before their sayd seuerall deraigmentes or depar­tinges out of their religion. Nor that any of the sayd religious persons be­ynge priestes, or such as haue auowed religion at .xxi. yeres or aboue, and therto then consented, continuinge in the same anye whyle after, not duely prouinge by wytnes or other lawfull meanes some vnlawfull cohercion or compulsion done to them or any of them for makynge of any suche vowe, or constrayning them to remayne in their religion, be enabled by vertu of any wordes clause or sentence before in this act expressed, to marye or take anye wyfe or wyues, but that they and euery of them be clerely excluded and put from the same to all intentes and purposes: any thinge before in this acte conteyned to the contrary hereof in any wyse not withstanding.

WHERE in the parliament begunne and holden at London the thirde daye of Nouembre, in the .XXI. yere of the reigne of our most drad soueraygne lorde kynge HENRY the eyght, & from thense adiorned to Westm̄, and there holden and continued by dyuers prorogations, vntyll the dissolution therof, an act was made & establysshed, declaryng and concerning as well how aged pore and impotent persons, compelled to lyue by almes, shulde be ordered and vsed, as also how vacaboundes and myghty stronge beggers shulde be whipped and punysshed: and at the sayde parliament one other act was made and e­stablysshed for the restreynt of carieng and conueyeng of horses and mares out of this realme: and also at the sayd parliament one other act was made and establyshed for punyshment of Welshmen, attempting assautes or af­frayes vpon any the inhabitauntes of Hereford Gloucestre or Shropshire: And also at the sayd parliamēt one other act was made and establyshed for punyshment of the vice of Buggery, declaring suche offence to be felonye, which sayd foure seuerall actes were also made to endure to the last daye of the next parliament, as by the same foure seuerall actes more playnely ap­peareth. And where also in the sayde parliament one other act was made & ordeyned amonge other thinges, for restrayning the cariage of brasse laten and coper out of this realme: And also one other act was there made in the sayd parliament for the true makynge of cabels, halsers and roopes: And also one other act for the true wyndynge of wolles: And one other act to restreyne kyllyng of weynlynges bullockes steres or heffers, beynge vnder y^e age of two yeres, which sayd foure seuerall actes last before remēbred, were [Page X] than made to endure and continue vnto the next parliamēt, as by the same foure seuerall actes more playnely appeareth. And where also in the sayde parliament one other acte was made and establyshed for the atteyntes to be sued for punyshement of periury vpon vntrue verdytes: And also one o­ther acte was there made in the sayde parliament, concernynge peauterers: And also one other acte was there made in the sayde parliamēt, concerning sowinge of flaxe and hempe: all which sayde thre seuerall actes laste before rehersed, were then made and ordeyned to continue and endure to the laste daye of the next parliament, as by the same thre seuerall actes more playn­ly at large is shewed and maye appeare. And where also in the sayde parliament one other acte was made and establyshed for makynge of iayles in dyuers shyres of this realme, whiche same acte was then made to continue & endure for one yere next after thende of the same parliament, as by the same acte also more playnely appeareth. And where also in the parliament begon and holden at Westm̄ the .viii. daye of Iune, in the .XXVIII. yere of the raygne of our sayde most drad soueraigne lorde kynge HENRY the VIII. and there continued and kept vntyll the dissolucion therof, it was ordeyned and enacted, that all and singular the sayde seueral actes aboue remembred and euery of them shulde continue and endure in their force and strengthe, and also be obserued and kept vntyll the last daye of the next parliament, as by the same acte amonges other thinges therin conteyned more playnly ap­peareth. And for asmoche as all and singular the sayde seueral actes aboue mencioned, be good and beneficiall for the common welthe of this realme, Be it therfore enacted and ordeyned by the auctoritie of this present parlia­ment, that all and singular the sayde seuerall actes, and euery of them, and all clauses articles and prouisions in them and euery of theym conteyned, shall continue and endure in their force and strengthe, and be obserued and kept vntyll the last daye of the next parliament.

FOr as moche as the kynges mooste royall maiestie for dy­uers consyderations by thaduise of his counsell hathe here­tofore set forth dyuers and sondrye his graces Proclamati­ons, as well for and concernynge dyuerse and sondrye arti­cles of Christes religion, as for an vnitie and concorde to be had amongeste the louynge and obedient subiectes of this his realme and other his dominions, and also concerning thaduancement of his common welthe and good quiet of his people, whiche neuer the lesse dyuers and many frowarde wylfull and obstinate persones haue wylfully contempned and broken, not consyderinge what a kynge by his royall po­wer [Page] may do: and for lacke of a direct statute and lawe to cohart offenders, to obey the sayd proclamations, which beynge styll suffred, shulde not only encorage offendours to the disobedience of the preceptes and lawes of al­myghty God, but also sund to moche to the great dishonour of the kynges most royall maiestie (who maye full yll beare it) and also gyue to great hart and boldnes to all malefactours & offendours: Consydering also that so­deyn causes and occasions fortune many tymes, which do require spedy remedyes, and that by abydinge for a parliament, in the meane tyme mighte happen great preiudice to ensue to the realme: and weyng also, that his maiestie (which by the kyngely and regall power gyuen him by God, maye do many thinges in suche cases) shulde not be dryuen to extende the libertie & supremitie of his regall power and dignitie by wilfulnes of frowarde sub­iectes: it is therfore thought in maner more then necessary, that the kynges hyghnes of this realme for the tyme beynge, with thaduise of his honorable councell, shuld make and setforth proclamations for the good and politike order and gouernaunce of this his realme of England Wales and other his dominions frome tyme to tyme, for the defence of his regall dignitie, and thaduauncement of his common welth, and good quyet of his people, as the cases of necessitie shall requyre: And that an ordinary lawe shoulde be prouyded by thassent of his maiestie and parliament, for the due punyshe­ment correction and reformation of suche offences and disobediences, Be it therfore enacted by the auctoritie of this parliament, with the kynges maiestie, the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons assent, that al­wayes the kynge, for the tyme beyng, with thaduise of his honorable councell, whose names hereafter folow, or with thaduise of the more part of thē maye setforth at all tymes, by auctoritie of this act, his proclamations, vn­der suche penalties and peynes, and of such sort, as to his hyghenes, and his sayde honorable councell, or the more part of them: shall seme necessary and requisite. And that those same shalbe obeyed obserued and kepte, as though they were made by act of parliament, for the tyme in them limitted, onelesse the kynges hyghnes dispence with them or any of them vnder his great seale.

¶Prouyded alwayes that the wordes meanynge and intente of this acte, be not vnderstonde interpretat, construed, or extended, that by vertue of it any of the kynges lyege people, of what estate degre or condicion so euer he or they be, bodyes politike or corporate, their heyres or successours, shoulde haue any of his or their enheritaunces lawfull possessions offices liberties priuileges francheses goodes or cattalles taken from them or any of them: Nor by vertue of the sayd act suffre any peynes of death, other than shalbe hereafter in this act declared. Nor that by any proclamation, to be made by vertue of this acte, any actes, common lawes, stondinge at this present tyme in strength and force, nor yet any lawful or laudable customes of this realme, or other his dominions, ne any of them, shalbe infringed broken or subuerted: And specially all those actes, stondinge this houre in force, whi­che [Page XI] haue ben made in the kinges highnes tyme: but that euery such person and persons, bodies politik and corporate, theyr heires and successours, & the heires and successours of euery of them, their inheritances laufull pos­sessions offices liberties priuileges francheses goodes & cattals shal stand and be in the same state and cōdition, to euery respecte & purpose, as if this acte or prouiso had neuer be had or made. Except such forfaytures peynes and penalties, as in this acte and in any proclamation, whiche hereafter shall be sette forth by auctoritie of the same, shall be declared and expressed. And excepte suche personnes, whiche shall offende any proclamation to be made by the kynges hyghnes, his heyres or successours, for and cōcernyng any kynde of heresies, agaynst christen religion.

¶Furthermore be it enacted by the auctoritie of this present parlyament, that to the intent the kynges subiectes shulde not be ignorant of his proclamations, euery shireffe or other officer and minister, to whom any such pro­clamation shalbe directed by the kynges writte vnder his great seale, shall proclayme or cause the same to be proclaymed within .xiiii. dayes after the recepte therof, in foure seuerall market townes, yf there be so many, orels in syxe other townes places or villages, within the lymittes of their aucto­ritie. And they to cause the same proclamatiōs to be fixed and set vp open­ly vpon places conuenient in euery such towne place or village, vpon peyn and penaltie of suche summe and summes of money, or imprisonement of body, as shall be conteyned in the sayd proclamation or proclamations.

¶And be it further enacted by the auctorite aforesayd, that yf any person or persons, of what estate degre or condition so euer he or they be, which at any tyme hereafter do wilfully offende and breke, or obstinatly not obserue and kepe any suche proclamation, or any article therin conteyned, whiche shall procede from the kynges maiestie, by thaduise of his councell, as is aforesayd: that then all and euery suche offender or offenders, beynge ther­of within one halfe yere nexte after theyr or his offence cōmitted, accused, & therof within .xviii. monethes nexte after the same offence so conuicted by confessyon or lawfull witnesse, and proues before the archebyshop of Can­terbury Metropolitan, the Chauncellour of Englande, the lorde treasorer of England, the president of the kynges most honourable councel, the lord priuy seale, the great Chaumberlayne of Englande, lord admirall, lord ste­warde or graund mayster, lorde Chamberlayne of the kynges moste hono­rable housholde, two other bishops, being of the kynges councell, suche as his grace shall appoynte for the same, the secretarie, the tresorer & control­ler of the kynges most honorable householde, the mayster of the horse, the two chief iudges, & the master of the Rolles, for the tyme beyng, the Chan­cellour of the augmentations, the Chancellour of the Duchy, the chief ba­ron of theschequer, the two generall surueyours, the chauncellour of thes­chequier, the vnder Treasorer of the same, the treasorer of the kinges chamber, for the tyme being, in the Sterre chamber at Westm̄, orels where: or at the least before the halfe of the nomber afore rehersed, of which nomber the [Page] lorde Chancellour, the lord Tresorer, the lord president of the kynges most honorable councell, the lorde Priuie seale, the Chamberlayne of England, the lord admyrall, the two chief Iudges for the tyme beyng, or two of them shalbe two: shall lose and pay suche penalities forfaitures of sūmes of mo­ney to be leuied of his or theyr landes tenemētes goodes and cattals to the kynges vse, and also suffre suche imprisonment of his body, as shall be ex­pressed mencioned and declared in any such proclamation or proclamatiōs whiche suche offender or offenders shal offende & breke, or not obserue and kepe, contrary to this acte, as is aforesaid. And that execution shalbe had done & made agaynst euery such offender and offenders, with the addition of the names or surnames townes or coūties mistery or occupation of the sayd offenders, by such order proces wayes & meanes, & after suche maner forme and condition, as by the kynges highnes, and the sayd councel shall be deuised and thought moste conuenient for example of suche offenders.

¶Prouyded alwaye, that none offender, whiche shall offende contrary to the forme of any suche proclamations, shall incurre the danger & penalite therof, except such ꝓclaclamation or proclamatiōs be had done or made in such shire or countie, where thoffender hath or shall dwell or be most cōuer­sant within a yere before. ¶And be it further enacted by thauctorite afore sayd, that the lord chancellour, the lord priuy seale, and either of them, with thassent of .vi. of the forenamed, shall haue power and auctoritie by theyr discretions, vpon euery informatiō to be giuen to them or to either of them touchyng the premisses, to cause proces to be made ageynste all & syngular suche offenders, by writtes vnder the kynges great seale, or vnder his gra­cis priuie seale, in fourme folowyng, that is to saye, Fyrste by proclamation vnder a peyne or a penalite, by the discretion of the aforesayd chancellours appoynted, for the awardynge of processe, and if he appere not to the same, without a laufull excuse, than the said chancellours to awarde out another proclamation, vppon allegeance of the same offender, for the due examination triall and conuiction of euery suche person & persons, as shall offend contrary to this acte, for the due execution to be had of and for the same, in maner and forme as is aboue remembred. Except it be within the libertie of the countie palatine of the duchy of Lancaster. And in case it so be: than to passe by the chācellor of the kinges duchy of Lancaster, vnder y^e seale of the said duchy, with the assent of .vi. at the least of the afore named coūcellours ¶Be it also further enacted by thauctoritie aforesayd, y^t yf any person or persons do cōmitte any offence, contrary to the forme & effecte of this acte, and after the same offence done or cōmitted, do obstinately willingly or cō ­temptuosly auoyde and depart out of this realme, for and to thentent that he wyl not answere to suche offence or offences by hym cōmitted and done, contrary to this acte, that than euery such wylfull and contemptuous per­son, auoydynge or departynge out of this realme, shalbe adiudged a tray­tour, and his facte high treason, and shall haue and suffre suche peynes of death, and also forfayte goodes and cattals, landes and tenementes, as in [Page XII] case of high treson. Sauyng to al & singular person & persons, bodies po­litik & corporat, their heires & successors, & to the heires & successours of eue­ry of them, other than such person and persons, their heyres and successors, and the heires and successours of euery of them, that shal offend contrary to this act, and thervpon obstinatly willingly or contemptuously auoyde & de­parte out of this realme, as is aforesayde, all suche righte title vse intereste rentes reuersions remainders lease leases grauntes annuities offices com­mons profittes commodities and other hereditamentes what so euer, in & to all and syngular suche honours castels manours landes tenementes and other hereditamentes, whiche any suche offender or offenders shall haue at the tyme of his or their offence or offences of treason committed, or at any tyme after, in suche lyke maner fourme and condicion, to all intentes cōstructions and purposes, as if this acte had neuer ben had or made: any thyng conteyned in this acte to the contrary in any wyse not withstandyng.

¶And it is further enacted by y^e auctoritie aforesayd, that yf any person or persons, offendyng contrary to this acte, do wyllyngly and contemptuously withdrawe absent eloyne or secretly hyde hym selfe within any parte of this realme, or any of the kynges dominions, by the space of two monethes next after any writ of Proclamation shalbe made directed & proclaymed against hym or them, as afore is rehersed, and therof by any conuenient or reasona­ble meane may haue knowlege, so that by eloynyng of hym self, his offence can not be examined tried and iudged within the sayd tyme of .xviii. mone­thes: that than euery suche person and persons so offendinge, shall stande and be as a person conuicted of thoffences againste him obiected, and also lose and pay all and euery suche forfayture summes of money, and also suf­fer suche imprisonment as to the same offence shall appertayne.

¶And be it further enacted, that yf it happen our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge to deceasse (whose lyfe God longe preserue) before suche tyme as that person, which shalbe his next heyre or successour to the imperiall crown of this realme, shall accomplyshe and come to the age of .xviii. yeres: that than all and syngular proclamations, whiche shalbe in any wyse made and setforth into any parte of this realme, or other the kynges dominyons, by vertue of this acte, within the foresayde yeres of the sayde next heyre or suc­cessour, shalbe setforth in the successours name than being kynge, and shal importe or beare vnderwritten the full names of suche of the kynges hono­rable councell than beinge, as shall be the diuisours or setters forthe of the same, whiche shall be in this case the hole nomber afore rehersed, or atte the least the more parte of theym, or elles the proclamations to be voyde and of none effecte.

¶Prouyded also that yf any Proclamation or Proclamations hereafter shalbe directed by vertue of this acte, to the iustices of the peace of any shire or countie, that then within .xiiii. dayes after the recept therof, the same iu­stices shall and may by their discretions diuide them selfes in sondrye par­tes and places within the limytes of their commission, for the due and spe­dye [Page] execution of the contentes of the same proclamation or proclamations, and they and euery of them doynge or causynge to be done with conuenient spede in their sondry lymittes, as moche as in theym reasonable doth lye or rest to be done, for the dewe and spedy execution of the same proclamation or proclamations: than euery such of the same Iustices, as so shall do his di­ligence, or as moche as in him reasonable resteth to be done, shal be discharged and exonerated against the kynges highnes his heyres and successours of and for euery penalitie or peyne, limitted and appointed by the same pro­clamation to euery of the same iustices.

¶ Prouided also, that no iustices of peax shalbe charged hereafter by ver­tue of any such proclamation, with or for any peyne or penalitie, for not do­ynge or executinge of the same proclamations, but onely in the shyre or coū tie, where any such iustices of peace shall or do inhabyte, dwell, or be moste conuersant or abydinge.

¶ Prouided also that the forsayd counsaylours appointed or to be appointed by vertue of this act, or any parte thereof by the kynges hyghenes, his heyres or successours, to and for the hearing and determination of euery of­fence, committed contrary to any of his or their proclamation or proclama­tions, shall from tyme to tyme, knowing the kynges determinate pleasure first therin, haue full power and auctoritie to diminishe or mitigate the pe­nalties of the somme, or sommes of money, which shalbe conteyned in any of the sayde proclamatiōs hereafter to be made by the kynges hyghnes his heyres or successours.

FOr as moch as it is not vnknowen, the slouthfull and vn­godly lyfe, which hath bene vsed amonge al those sort, whi­che haue borne the name of religious folke, and to thintent that from hensforth many of them might be turned to better vse, as hereafter shall folow: wherby goddis worde myght the better be set forth, children brought vp in lerninge, cler­kes norished in the vniuersities, old seruauntes decayed to haue lyuinges, almes houses for pore folke to be susteyned in, reders of Grece, Ebrew, and latine to haue good stipende, dayly almes to be ministred, mendinge of hye wayes, exhibition for ministers of the church. It is thought therfore vnto the kynges hyghnes most expedient and necessary, that mo byshoriches collegiall and cathedrall churches shalbe establysshed in stede of these foresayd religious houses, within the foundacion wherof these other titles afore re­hersed, shalbe establysshed. Be it therfore enacted by auctoritie of this pre­sent parliament, that his hyghnes shall haue full power and auctoritie frō tyme to tyme, to declare & nominat by his letters patētes or other writingis [Page XIII] to be made vnder his greatte Seale, suche noumber of bysshoppes, suche nomber of cities, sees for bysshoppes, cathedrall churches, and dyoces by metes and bondes, for thexercise and mynistration of their episcopall offy­ces and adminystration, as shall appertayne, and to endowe theym with suche possessyons, after suche maner fourme and condition, as to his most excellente wysedome shall be thoughte necessary and conuenyent. And al­so shall haue power and auctoritie to make and diuise translations, ordy­nances rules and statutes concernynge theym all and euery of theym, and further to do all and euery other thing and thinges, what so euer it be, whi­che shall be deuised and thought requisite conuenient and necessarye by his mooste excellent wysedome and discretion, for the good perfection and ac­complyshement of all and syngular his sayde mooste godly and graciouse purposes and intentes, touchynge the premysses, or any other charytable or godly dedes to be deuised by his highnes concernynge the same. And that all and syngular suche translations nominations of bishops cities sees and lymittation of dioces for byshops, erections, establishmentes, foundations, ordynances, statutes, rules, and al and euery other thyng and thinges, whi­che shalbe deuysed comprised and expressed by his gracis sondry and seueral letters patentes or other writinges vnder his greatte seale, touchynge and concernynge the premisses, or any of them, or any circumstances or depen­dances therof, necessary and requisite for the perfection of the premisses, or any of them, shall be of as good strength force value and effect, to al inten­tes and purposes, as if suche thynges, that shall so be diuised expressed and mencioned in his letters patentes or other writinges vnder his great seale, had ben done made and had by auctoritie of parliament.

FOR AS MOCHE AS in all great councels and congre­gations of menne, hauynge sondrye degrees and offyces in the common wealthe, It is very requisyte and conuenyent, that an order shulde be hadde and taken for the placyng and syttynge of suche persones as ben bounden to resorte to the same, to the entent that they, knowynge theyr places, maye vse the same without displeasure or lette of the councell. Therfore the kyn­ges most royall maiestie, althoughe it appertayneth vnto his prerogatiue royall to gyue suche honour, reputation, and placynge to his councellours, and other his subiectes, as shall be semynge to his most excellent wysedom, is neuerthelesse pleased and contented for an order to be hadde and taken in this his moste hyghe courte of parliament, that it shalbe enacted by aucto­ritie of the same, in maner and fourme as hereafter foloweth.

¶Fyrste it is enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that no persone or persones [Page] of what estate degree or condicion so euer he or they be of, (except onely the kynges chyldern) shall at any tyme hereafter attempt or presume to sytte or haue place at any syde of the clothe of estate in the parliament chamber, no­ther of the one hande of the kynges hyghnesse nor of the other, whether the kynges maiestie be there personally present or absent. And forasmoch as the kynges maiestie is iustely and laufully supreme heed in erthe vnder god of the churche of Englande, and for the good exercyse of the sayd most royall dignitie and offyce, hath made Thomas lorde Crumwell, and lorde priuie seale his vicegerent for good & due ministration of Iustyce to be had in all causes and cases touching the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction, and for the godly refourmation and redresse of all errours heresyes and abuses in the sayde churche. It is therfore also enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that the sayde lorde Crumwell, hauynge the sayde offyce of vicegerent, and all other per­sons, whiche hereafter shall haue the sayde offyce of the graunt of the kin­ges highnes, his heires or successours, shall sytte and be placed as welle in this present parliament, as in all parlyamentes to be holden herafter, on the right syde of the parliament chamber, and vppon the same fourme that the archbyshop of Canturbury sytteth on, and aboue the same archbyshop and his successours, and shall haue voyce in euery parliament to assente or dys­sent, as other the lordes of the parliament.

¶And it is also enacted, that next to the sayd vycegerent shall syt the arch­byshop of Canturbury: and than nexte hym on the same fourme and syde shall sytte the archbyshop of Yorke: and next to hym on the same forme and syde, the byshop of London: and next to hym on the same syde and fourme the byshop of Duresme: and nexte to hym on the same syde and fourme the byshop of Wynchester, and than all the other bishops of both prouinces of Canturbury and yorke, shall sytte and be placed on the same syde after their auncienties, as it hath ben accustomed.

¶And forasmoche as suche other personages, whyche nowe haue, and here after shall happen to haue other great offyces of the realme, that is to say, the offyces of the lorde Chancellour, the lord Tresourer, the lord president of the kynges most honorable councel, the lord priuie seale, the great cham­berlayn of England, the constable of Englāde, the Marciall of Englande, the lorde Admiral, the grand Master or lord steward of the kinges most ho­norable houshold, the kinges chamberlayn, & the kinges secretory haue not hertofore ben apointed & ordred for the placing & sitting in the kinges most high court of ꝑliment by reson of their officis. It is therfore now ordeinid & enacted by thauctorite aforsaid, y^t the lord Chancellor, the lord tresorer, y^e lord p̄sident of the kinges coūcel, & the lorde priuy seale, being of the degre of ba­rōs of the parliment or aboue, shal syt and be placed aswel in this present ꝑ­liment, as in al other parliamentis herafter to be holden, on the left side of y^e said ꝑliment chamber, on the higher part of the forme of the same side aboue all dukes, except only suche as shall happen to be the kinges son, the kingis broder, y^e kinges vncle, y^e kinges neuew, or the kīges broders or sisters sons.

[Page XIIII]¶ AND IT IS also ordeyned and enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that the great Chamberlayne, the Constable, the Marciall, the lorde Admirall, the great Mayster or lorde Stewarde, and the kynges Chamberlayn, shall sytte and be placed after the lorde Priuie seale, in maner and fourme folo­wynge, that is to say, euery of them shall sytte and be placed aboue all o­ther personages beinge of the same estates or degrees, that they shall hap­pen to be of, that is to say, the great Chaumberlayne fyrste, the Constable next, the Marciall thyrde, the lorde Admirall the fourth, the graund Mai­ster or lorde Stewarde the fyfte, and the kynges Chamberlayn the syxt.

¶ AND it is also enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that the kynges chiefe Secretorie, beinge of the degree of a baron of the parlyamente, shall sytte and be placed afore and aboue all barons, not hauynge any of the offyces afore mencioned. And if he be a byshop, that than he shall sytte and be pla­ced aboue all other bysshoppes, not hauynge any of the offyces aboue re­membred.

¶ AND it is also ordeyned and enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that all dukes, not afore mencioned, marquesses, erles, vycountes, and barones, not hauyng any of the offyces aforesayd, shal sytte and be placed after their auncienties, as it hath ben accustomed.

¶And it is further enacted, that yf any persone or persons, which at any tyme hereafter shall happen to haue any of the sayd offyces of lorde Chaun­cellour, lorde Treasourer, lorde Presydente of the kynges councelle, lorde Priuye seale, or chiefe Secretorie, shalbe vnder the degree of a baron of the parliament, by reason wherof they can haue no interest to gyue any assente or dissent in the sayd howse, that then in euery suche case, suche of them as shall happen to be vnder the sayd degree of a baron, shall sytte and be pla­ced at the vppermoste parte of the sackes, in the myddes of the said parlia­ment chaumber, eyther there to sytte vppon one fourme, or vpon the vpper­moste sacke, the one of them aboue the other in order, as is aboue rehersed.

¶Be it also enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that in all trialles of tresons by peeres of the realme, if any of the peres that shall be callyd hereafter to be triours of suche tresons, shall happen to haue any of the offices aforsaid: that than they, hauyng suche offices, shall sytte and be placed accordyng to theyr offyces, aboue all the other peeres, that shalbe called to suche trials, in maner and fourme as is aboue mencioned and rehersed.

¶And it is also enacted by auctoritie aforesayd, that as welle in all parlia­mentes, as in the Sterre chaumber, and in all other assembles and confe­rences of counsayle, the lorde Chauncellour, the lorde Treasourer, the lord President, the lord Priuie seale, the great Chamberlayn, the Constable, the Marciall, the lorde Admirall, the Graunde maister or lorde Stewarde, the kynges Chamberlayne, and the kinges chiefe Secretory, shall sytte and be placed in suche order and facion as is aboue rehersed, and not in any other place, by auctoritie of this present act.

VVhere in the parliament begonne and holden at London the third day of Nouember, in the .xxi. yere of the reigne of our most drad souerayne lorde kyng HENRY the .viii. and from thens adiourned to Westm̄, and there holden and continued by dyuers prorogations vnto the .iiii. daye of Februarye, in the .xxvii. yere of the reigne of our sayd souerayne lorde, and than and there holdē and continued vnto the dissolution therof, one act and ordinance was made in the session of the said ꝑliament, holden the sayd .iiii. day of February, wherby amonges diuers other thinges, diuers shires and counties were newly made & named within the dominion & principalitie of Wales, & diuers townes parishes lordships cōmotes & cātredes within the said dominion & principalite were allotted apointed & limitted to the said seuerall shires & counties, as by the same act more plainly and particularly a­mong other thinges appereth. And forasmoch as by credible information it was comen into the kinges knowlege, after the makyng of the said act, that som lordships townes parishes cōmotes hundredes & cantredes were not in differently allotted & limitted to the shires named in the sayd act, for the commoditie of the kynges subiectes inhabited therin. It was therfore ordeined and enacted by auctorite of the parliament holden at Westm̄ the .viii. day of Iune, in the xxviii. yere of the kynges reigne, that the kynges highnes, du­ring the tyme of .iii. yeres next after the ende of the same parliament, shulde haue power & auctoritie by writing vnder his great seale, to allot appointe assigne and limite to euery of the shires named in the sayde acte, suche and so many lordshyps townes parisshes hamlettes hundredes commotes and cantredes, as his maiestie by his moste high wysedome shulde thynke con­uenient and agreable, for the ease and commoditie of his louyng subiectes the inhabitauntes of his said dominion & principalitie: And shuld likewise haue power and auctoritie to name and assigne the shire townes in euery of the sayd shires, named in the sayd acte. And that euery suche limitation ap­pointment nomination and assignement, to be made by the kinges highnes in that behalfe, by auctoritie of the sayd acte, shulde be as good and effectu­all to all intentes & purposes, as though it had ben done and made, plainly & ꝑticularly by auctoritie of parliament, any thing conteined in the said act, in the session of the said parliament holden the .iiii. day of Februarye, in the xxvii. yere, or any thing or thinges to the contrary therof not withstanding.

¶And forasmoch as the tyme of .iii. yeres limited to the kingis maiestie by the sayd act, made in the .xxviii. yere of his gracis reigne, is nigh expired, & y^t his highnes hath had such gret affaires & vrgēt causes to do, concernyng the state and welth of this realme, that by occasion therof his maiestie hath had no cōuenient tyme nor leysure, to accōplyshe & execute the power & auc­toritie committed to his highnes by the sayd acte, made in the sayde .xxviiii. yere of his reigne, Be it therfore enacted by auctorite of this p̄sent ꝑliamēt, [Page XV] that his maiestie, during the space of other .iii. yeres, next after y^e fyrst daye of this present parliamēt, shal haue like power and auctoritie, to do vse execute and accomplishe all and euery thing and thynges limitted & apoynted to his maiestie to be done vsed and accōplished by the same act, made in the said .xxviii. yere of his gracis reigne, in as large and ample maner, in euery condicion, as his maiestie mought haue done vsed and accōplished within the said time of thre yeres, limitted by y^e same acte, as is aforesaid. And that euery such limitation appoyntment nominatiō & assignemēt to be made by the kinges highnes in that behalfe, by auctoritie of this present act, during the space of the said other .iii. yeres, next after y^e fyrst day of this p̄sent par­liamēt, shalbe as good & effectuall, to all intentes & purposes, as though it had ben done & made playnly and particularly by auctoritie of ꝑlyamente.

VVhere in the parlyment holden at Westm̄. the .xi. yere of the reigne of the noble prince of famous memory kyng Henry the vii. it was ordeined, and amōgest other thinges enacted & established, that no man of what condition or degree so euer he be, shuld take or cause to be takē the egges of any faucō goshauk or laner out of the nest, vpon peyn of imprisonment by one yere, & further to fyne at the kynges wyl. Not withstanding which estatute diuers ydel & yll disposed persōs, lytel or nothing regarding or fearing the pein in the same estatute cōteyned, haue not desisted to take egges of faucōs goshaukes & laners out of the nestes, to y^e vtter distructiō of thencrease of the same fau­cōs goshaukes & laners, if due reformatiō in that behalfe be not prouided. In cōsideration wherof it is ordeined & enacted by the kynge our souerayn lord, the lordes spiritual & tēporal, & the cōmons in this present parliament assembled, & by thauctoritie of the same, y^t yf any person or persons of what estate degree or conditiō so euer he or they be, after the feast of the natiuitie of our Lady next cōming, vnlaufully or wrongfully take or cause to be ta­ken any egge or egges of any faucō goshauke or laner, or the birdes of any Faucon Goshauke Laner or Laneret, out of or frome any neste or nestes of any faucon goshauke or laner, within any of the honors castels maners landes ten̄tes woddes or other groūdes what so euer they be, of the kynges highnes for the time being, wherof his said highnes is seised in demain possessiō or reuersiō, or wherof he taketh the rētes issues reuenues or profitis: that than the same offence and offences, & euery of them, shall be adiudged and taken to be felony, and the offender and offenders therin, being therof laufully conuicted & attainted, by & accordyng to the lawes of this realme, shalbe demed & adiudged felons, & shal haue & suffre such peynes of death, [Page] and also lose and forfayte their goodes and cattalles, landes, and tenementes, as in case of felony by the course of the cōmon lawes of this realme.

¶Prouided always, that this acte or any thing therin before ordeyned & enacted, extende not, nor be in any wise preiudicial or hurtful to any person or persons, whiche after the sayd feast of the natiuitie of our lady, shal take or cause to be taken any egge or egges of any faucon goshauke or laner, or the byrdes of any faucon, goshauke, laner, or lanerette, out of or from any neste or nestes of any faucon, goshauke, or laner, within any honours cas­telles manours landes tenementes woddes or other groundes, wherof or wherin any person or persons, bodies politike, & corporate, other than the kynges highnes his heires and successours, or any of them, than shal haue any estate of inheritaunce: any thyng before expressed or mencioned to the contrary therof not withstandynge.

¶AND be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayd, that yf any per­son or persons, after the sayd feast of the Natiuitie of our lady, happen to fynd and take vp any faucon, gerfaucon, Ierkin, sacre, or sacret, goshauke laner, or laneret, beynge the kynges hauke or haukes, & hauyng vpon hym or them the marke of the kynges armes and veruels: that then, if the same personne or persones, whiche shall fynde and take vppe any suche faucon gerfaucō, ierkyn, sacre or sacret, goshauk, laner, or laneret, within .xii. days next after the takynge vp of any suche hauke, do not brynge or cause to be brought the same hauke so by hym taken, to the maister of the kinges haukes, or to some of his gracis fauconers, or within the tyme next abouesaid, do not gyue knowlege of the takyng vp of any such hauke to the said mai­ster of the kynges haukes for the tyme beyng, or to the shireffe of the shire, for the tyme beyng, where any suche hauke shall be taken vp, or to oone of the kynges fauconers for the tyme beynge, nere abydyng in or to any such partes, where any such hauke shalbe founden and taken vp, as is aforsaid that than euery suche fyndynge and takynge vp of any suche hauke, & not bryngyng nor gyuyng knowlege therof, as is afore sayd, shalbe adiuged & taken to be felony: and the offender and offenders therin, being therof lau­fully cōuicted and atteynted, by & accordynge to the lawes of this realme, shall haue and suffre suche peynes of deth, and also lose and forfayte his & their goodes and catalles landes and tenementes as in case of felonye by the course of the common lawes of this realme.

¶Prouyded alwayes, that this acte nor any thynge therin cōteyned, be or shalbe in any wyse preiudiciall or hurtfull to any person or persones, that hereafter shall fynde and take vp any of the sayd haukes of the kynge our souerayne lord his heires or successours, & by chance negligently or casual­ly agaynst his or their wyll, lose the same hauke or haukes: or if the same hauke dye ayenste his or theyr wyl, before they can or may delyuer the same hauke, as is aforesayd.

¶And where also iustyce and equitie requyreth, that euerye inheritour & possessour or manours landes or tenementes within this realme of Eng­lande, [Page] shuld accordyng to their estates or possessions peasibly and quietely haue take and enioy the profites reuenues and cōmodities of the same, as well in thynges of hygh pleasure, as in thynges commonly valuable, with out iniurie rapine or other extorte wrong to be committed and done to any of them, within or vpon the same, & in especial of & in thinges of plesure, as in hunting within forest parke or chace of the kynges, the quenes, the prin­cis, or of any other of the kynges laufull chylderne for the tyme beyng, or­deyned and prouided for or concernyng his hyghnes, or their pleasure: Be it therfore ordeyned and enacted by thauctoritie of this present parliamēt, that yf any person or persons, of what estate degree or condicion so euer he or they be, after the sayd feast of the Natiuitie of our lady next commynge, at any tyme of the day, that is to say, betwene the tyme of the arysing of the sonne, and goynge downe of the same, with his face hydde or couered with hode or vysar, or with his face peynted, or hymselfe otherwyse disguised, to thentēt that he wold not be knowen, wrongfully enter into any forest park or chace of the kynges highnes, the quenes, the princis, or of any other of the kynges said chyldern for tyme beyng, or into any other grounde of his or theirs, inclosed with walle or pale, ordeyned and vsed for keping and no­rishing of dere, to thentent to steale any of the same dere, and by any meane of huntynge or otherwyse, as is aforesaid, by stealthe flee or take any of the same dere, or dryue or chace any of them out of the same forest, chace, parke, or other ground inclosed, as is aforesaid, ordeyned and vsed for kepyng & nourishing of dere, as is aforsaid, to thentent to steale the same dere. Or yf any person, after the sayd feast last before remēbred, at any tyme of the daye as is aforesayd, with his face hydde or couered with hood or vysar, or with his face peynted, or hym selfe otherwise disguysed, to thentent that he wold not be knowen, take kyll or flee with any hey or other nette, or with any fir­rette or pursnet, any of the conyes or rabbettes, being within any grounde soyle or place, beyng laufull warren of the kynges hyghnesse, the quenes, the princis, or of any other the kinges sayde chyldren, for the tyme beyng, & beyng kepte or vsed as warren for the mayntenaunce and nonrishynge of conyes and rabbettes, or in fourme aforesayde, take kylle or flee any co­nyes or rabbettes, beynge within any of the kynges parkes, his heires and successours, or within any parke of the quenes, the princis, or of any other of the kynges sayd chyldern for the tyme beyng. Except it be suche person or persons, as hath or shall haue the said conies and rabbettes in ferme, or shalbe licenced by the writynge of the kyng, the quene, the pince, or of any other of the kinges said chyldern, so to do. Or if after the said feast any person or persons, at any tyme in the nyght, that is to say, betwene the tyme of the goyng downe of the sonne, and arrysynge of the same, wrongfully en­ter into any forest chace parke or other ground inclosed, as is aforesaid, of the kynges hyghnes, the quenes, the princis, or of any other of the kynges sayd chyldern for the tyme beyng, inclosed, ordeined & vsed for the kepyng and nourishynge of dere, to thentent to flee steale & take any of the dere of [Page] the said forest chace or parke, or other groūd inclosed, as is aforsaid, ordey­ned and vsed for the fyndyng of dere, or by any meane of huntyng or other wise, to thentent to steale at any time of the nyght, as is aforesayde, slee or take any of the dere being in the same: or by any meane in the sayd nyght tyme, chace or dryue out of any such forest chace parke or other groūd inclo­sed, as is aforsaid, of the kinges, his heires and successors, or of the quenes the princis, or of any other of the kinges sayd chyldern, for the tyme being, any of the dere of the same, to thentent to steale the same deere. Or at any tyme of the nyght aboue writen, take kyl or slee with any hey or other net, or with any fyrret or pursnette, any of the conies or rabbetes in any groūd or soyle, being a lauful free warren of the kinges highnes for the tyme being, and being kept and vsed as a warren, as is aforesayd, or take kyll or slee in forme next aforesyd any conies or rabbetes, in any of the parkes of the kinges highnes, his heires or successors, or of the quenes, the princes, or of any other of the kynges said childern for the tyme being. Except he or they that shall so offende, hath or shal haue the same conies in ferme, or otherwise li­censed, as is aforesayd: that than euery suche offender and offenders for their offences by them or any of them commytted and done, contrary to the purporte and effect of this acte, shalbe demed adiudged & taken as a felon, and euery such offence by any of them committed and done, cōtrary to this act, as is aforesaid, shalbe demed and adiudged felony. And that euery su­che offender and offenders, which shall be therof conuicted and atteynted, accordynge to the lawes of this realme, shall haue and suffre such lyke pu­nyshement, and incurre such losses and forfaitures for the same, as ben or­deyned for other felons by the common lawes of this realme.

¶Prouided alway and be it enacted by thauctoritie aforesaid, that no maner of person or persons, of what estate or degree so euer he or they be, shall hereafter be made, demed, or taken by any maner of meane, as accessarie or accessaries to any offender or offenders, offendyng in any thing cōtrary to the tenour and effect of this act, or of any article or clause therin conteined, but onely such person and persons as shall hereafter abbette and procure any such offender or offenders, to committe and do any offence contrary to this acte, whiche person or persons so abbetting and procuryng any offen­der or offenders, to cōmitte and do any offence contrary to the tenour and effecte of this acte, shall after the same offence done, by the auctoritie afore sayd, be adiudged demed and taken as accessary & accessaries, in lyke ma­ner as in cases of felony at the common lawe.

¶Prouided alway, that any word article clause sentence forfayture peyne or punyshement in this acte before expressed and declared, shall not in any wyse extende to any person or persons, that shall hunt take kyll or slee any dere conies or rabbetes by day or nyght, cōtrary to this acte, in any chaces forestes or warens of the kynges, the quenes, the princis, or of any other the kynges sayd chyldern, set lyenge & beynge within his gracis dominion of Wales, or in the borders ayenst Scotlande, the foreste of Snowden in [Page XVII] Wales only excepted: any thynge in this acte before declared & mencioned to the contrary in any wise not withstandyng.

¶Prouided alway, that this acte or any thinge therein conteyned, extende not to any persone or persones, whiche shall not be laufullye indyted of any offence in this acte conteyned within one yere nexte after any suche offence committed or done: This acte or any thyng therin conteyned to the contra­ry not withstandynge.

WHere dyuers & sondry abbottes priors abbesses prioresses & other ecclesiasticall gouernors & gouernesses of diuers mo­nasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitals houses of friers, and other religious and ecclesiasticall houses and places, within this our soueraigne lorde the kynges re­alme of Englande and Wales, of their owne free and vo­luntary myndes, good wylles and assentes, without constraynt coaction or compulsion of any maner of person or persons sithen the .iiii. day of Febru­ary, the .xxvii. yere of the raigne of our nowe most drad souerayne lorde, by the dewe order and course of the common lawes of this his realme of En­glande, and by their suffycient writinges of recorde vnder their couent and common seales, haue seuerally gyuen, granted, and by the same their wry­tynges seuerally confirmed all their sayde monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitals houses of friers, and other religious and eccle­siasticall houses and places, & all their sites circuites and procinctes of the same, and al and singular their manours lordships granges messes landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercions seruices woddes tithes penciōs porciōs churches chapels aduousons patronages annuities, righ­tes entries condicions cōmons letes courtes liberties priuileges and fran­cheses appertaining or in any wyse belongyng to any suche monasterie ab­bathie priorie nonry college hospitall house of friers, and other relygious and ecclesiasticall houses & places or to any of them, by what so euer name or corporation they or any of them were than named or callyd, and of what order habite relygion, or other kynde or qualitie so euer they or any of them than were reputed knowen or taken: To haue and to holde al the said mo­nasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles houses of friers and other religious and ecclesiastical houses and places sites circuites pro­cinctes manours landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercions seruices, and all other the premisses, to our sayde soueraigne lorde, his hey­res and successours for euer, and the same their sayd monasteries abbathies [Page] priories nonries colleges hospitals howses of friers, and other relyigious and ecclesiasticall houses and places sites circuites procynctes manours lordshyps graunges meases landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercions seruices and other the premisses, voluntarily as is aforesayde, haue renounced lefte and forsaken, and euery of them hath renounced lefte and forsaken: Be it therfore enacted by the kyng our soueraygne lorde, and the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present parli­ament assembled, and by auctoritie of the same, that the kyng our souerain lorde shall haue holde possede and enioye to hym his heires and successours for euer, all and syngular suche late monasteries abbathies prioryes non­ries colleges hospitalles houses of friers, and other religious and ecclesia­sticall howses and places, of what kyndes natures qualities or diuersities of habites rules professions or orders they or any of them were named kno­wen or called, which syth the sayd .iiii. day of Februarye, the .xxvii. yere of the reigne of our sayde soueraygne lorde, haue bene dissolued suppressed renounced relynquyshed forfayted gyuen vp or by any other meane come to his highnes, and by the same auctoritie, and in lyke maner shall haue holde possede and enioye all the sites circuites procinctes manours lordeshyppes granges meases landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercions seruices woddes tithes pentions portions personages appropried vycara­ges churches chapelles aduousons nomynations patronages annuyties, ryghtes interestes entrees condicions cōmons letes courtes liberties priui­leges francheses and other what so euer hereditamentes, whyche appertay­ned or belonged to the said late monasteries abbathies priories nonries col­leges hospitalles houses of friers, and other religious or ecclesiastical hou­ses and places, or to any of them, in as large and ample maner and forme, as the late abbottes priours abbesses prioresses, and other ecclesiasticall go­uernours and gouernesses of suche late monasteries, abbathies, prioryes, nonries colleges hospitalles houses of friers and other religious and eccle­siasticall houses and places, had helde or occupyed, or of ryghte oughte to haue had holden or occupyed in the ryght of theyr sayde late monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles howses of friers, or other relygiouse or ecclesiasticall houses or places, at the tyme of the sayd dissolu­tion suppression renouncynge relynquyshyng forfaytynge gyuynge vp, or by any other maner of meane commyng of the same to the kynges highnes sythen the .iiii. day of February aboue especified.

¶And it is further enacted by the auctorytie abouesayde, that not onely all the sayde late monasteries abbathies pryories nonries colleges hospy­talles howses of friers and other relygyous and ecclesyasticall houses and places sites circuites procinctes manours lordeshyppes graunges meses landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercyons seruyces and all other the premysses, forthwith immediatly and presentely, but also all other monasteries abbathies priories nonries collegis hospitals hous [...]s of friers and al other religious and ecclesiastical houses and places, which herafter [Page XVIII] shall happen to be dissolued suppressed renounced relinquysshed forfayted giuen vp, or by any other meane come vnto the kinges highnes, and also al the sites circuites procinctes manours lordships graunges meases landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercions seruyces woddes tythes pencions portions personages appropriate vicarages churches chapelles aduousons nominations patronages annuities rightes interestes entrees condicions commons letes courtes lyberties pryuileges francheses and o­ther hereditamentes, what so euer they be, belongyng or appertainynge to the same or to any of them, whan so euer and as sone as they shall be so dis­solued suppressed renunced relinquished forfaited giuen vp, or by any other meane come vnto the kinges highnes, shalbe vested demed and adiuged by auctoritie of this present parliament, in the very actuall and real seson and possession of the kynge our sayd soueraigne lord his heires and successours for euer, in the state and condition as they nowe be, and as thoughe all the sayd late monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles hou­ses of friers, and all other religious and ecclesiasticall houses and places so dissolued suppressed renunced relinquysshed forfaited gyuen vp or come to the kynges highnes, as is aforesayde, as also the sayde monasteries ab­bathies priories nonries colleges hospitals houses of friers and other reli­gious & ecclesiasticall houses and places, whiche hereafter shall happen to be dissolued suppressed renunced relinquyshed forfayted gyuen vp or come vnto the kynges highnesse sites circuites procinctes manours lordeshippes graunges landes tenementes and other the premisses, what so euer they be, and euery of them were in this present act specially and particularly reher­sed named and expressed by expresse wordes names titles and faculties, and in their natures kyndes and qualities.

¶And be it also enacted by thauctoritie aforsaid, that all the said late monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospytals houses of friers and other religious and ecclesiasticall houses and places, whiche bene dissolued suppressed renunced relinquished giuen vp, or come to the kynges hyghnes by any maner of meanes as is aforesaid, and al the manors lordships grā ­ges landes tenemētes & other the premisses (except suche therof as be comen to the kinges handes by atteinder or atteinders of treson) And al the sayde monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitals houses of friers and other religious and ecclesiasticall houses & places, which hereafter shal happen to be dissolued suppressed renunced relinquished forfaited giuen vp or come vnto the kinges highnes, & all the manours lordeships graunges landes tenementes medowes pastures rentes reuercions seruices woddes tithes porciōs pēcions ꝑsonages appropriate vycarages churches chapels aduousōs noīations patronagis ānuities rightis interestis entries cōditiōs cōmons letes courtes liberties priuileges frācheses & other hereditamentes what so euer they be, belonging to the same or to any of them, excepte suche therof, which shal happen to come to the kinges highnes by atteinder or at­teinders of treson) shalbe in the order suruey & gouernāce of our sayd soue­raigne [Page] lorde the kynges courte of Augmentations of the reuenues of his crowne, and of the chancellour officers and minysters of the same. And all the fermes issues reuenues and profytes, commynge and growynge of the premisses, and of euery parte therof (except before excepte) shall be ordered taken and receyued to the kynges vse by the sayde chauncellour, minysters, and offycers of the same courte, in suche and lyke maner and fourme as the monasteries, pryories, sites, circuites, manours, granges, meses, landes, tenementes, rentes, reuercions, seruices, tythes, pencions, portions, ad­uousons, patronages, ryghtes, entrees, condytions, and other heredyta­mentes late appertaynynge or belongyng vnto the monasteries abbathies priories or other religious houses, late by auctoritie of parliament suppres­sed, bene ordered surueyed and gouerned. Sauynge to all and euery per­son and persons and bodies politike and theyr heyres and successours, and the heires and successours of all and euery of them, other thanne the sayde late abbottes, priours, abbesses, pryoresses, and other ecclesyasticall go­uernours and gouernesses of the sayd late monasteryes abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles houses of fryers, and other religious and ec­clesiasticall houses and places and theyr successours, and the successour of euery of them, and suche as pretende to be founders patrones or donours of suche monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospytalles hou­ses of friers and other ecclesiasticall howses and places, or of any manours messuages landes tenementes or other hereditamentes, belongynge to the same, or to any of theym, theyr heyres and successoures, and the heyres and successours of euery suche founder patrone or donour, and the now abbot­tes priours abbesses prioresses, and other ecclesiastical gouernours and go­uernesses of suche monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospi­talles houses of friers, and other religious and ecclesiasticall howses and places, whiche hereafter shall happen to be dissolued suppressed renounced relinquished forfaited gyuen vp or com to the kynges highnes, and such as pretende to be founders patrons or donours of such monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles houses of friers and other ecclesiasti­call houses and places, or of any manours messuages landes tenementes or other hereditamentes to the same belongyng, or to any of them, their hei­res and successours, and the heyres and successours of euery of theym, all suche right title clayme interest possession rentes charges annuities leases fermes offyces fees lyueries and lyuynges portions pencions corrodies cō ­mons synodes proxies and other profytes, whiche they or any of them haue clayme ought may or myght haue had in or to the premisses, or to any parte or parcell therof, in suche lyke maner fourme and condition, to all intentes respectes constructions and purposes, as if this acte had neuer bene hadde ne made, rentes seruyces, rentes seeke, and all other seruyces and suites onely excepte.

¶Prouided always, and be it enacted by the auctoritie abouesayde, that if any late abbotte priour abbesse prioresse or other ecclesiastical gouernour or [Page XIX] gouernesse abouesayd, within one yere next before the dissolucion suppressi­on renuncynge relinquyshynge forfaytinge gyuinge vp or commynge to y^e kynges hyghenes of his late monastery, abbathie priorie nonrie college hospitall house of friers, or other religious or ecclesiasticall house or place, hath made any lease or graunt vnder his couent or common seale, or otherwyse, for terme of lyfe, or for terme of yeres, of the syte, circuite, and procincte of his sayde late monastery, abbathy, priory nonry college hospitall house of friers or other religious or ecclesiasticall house or place, or of any part ther­of, or of any manours, messuages, graunges, landes, tenementes, person­nages appropriate, tythes, pencions, portions, or other hereditamentes, which belonged or appertayned to his sayde late monastery abbathy priory nonry college hospitall house of friers or other religious or ecclesiasticall house or place, which manours, meassuages, graunges, landes, tenemen­tes, personages appropriate, tythes, pencyons, portions, or other heredita­mētes were not before the same lease cōmonly vsed to be set nor let to ferme, but kept and reserued in the manurance tyllage or occupation of the sayde gouernour or gouernesse, for the mayntenance of hospitalitie and good house kepinge, or within one yere as is aboue sayd, hath made any lease or graunt for terme of lyfe, or for terme of yeres, of any manours, measuages landes, tenementes, medowes, pastures, woddes, personages appropriat, tythes, pencions, porcions, churches, chapelles, or other hereditamentes, what so euer they be, wherof or in the which any estate or interest for terme of lyfe, yere or yeres, at the tyme of makynge of any suche graunte or lease, than hadde his beynge or contynuaunce, and than was not determined, fy­nysshed, or expyred, or within the tyme of one yere, as is abouesayde, hathe made any lease or graunte for terme of lyfe, or for terme of yeres of any manours, messuages, landes, tenementes, medowes, pastures, woddes, per­sonnages appropriate, tythes, pencions, porcions, churches, chapelles, or other hereditamentes, what so euer they be, vppon the whiche leases and grauntes the vsuall and olde rentes and fermes accustomed to be yelden and reserued by the space of twentye yeres nexte before the first daye of this present Parlyamente, is and be not therevpon reserued and holden: Or yf anye suche gouernoure or gouernesse hathe made anye bargayne or sale of his wooddes within one yere, as is afore lymitted, whiche wooddes be yet growynge and standynge, that then all and euery suche lease graunte bar­gayne and sale of woodde or wooddes shall be vtterly voyde and of none effecte.

¶And it is also enacted by auctoritie aforesayde, that all feoffementes fy­nes and recoueries hadde made knowledged or suffered by any gouernour or gouernesse, without the kynges lycence vnder his great seale, within one yere nexte before the dissolution, renouncynge, relynquysshynge, forfay­tynge, gyuynge vppe, or commynge to the kynges hyghenesse of his sayde monasterye, abbathye, pryorye, nonrye, colledge hospytall, house of friers, or other religious or ecclesiasticall house or place, of anye manours [Page] meases, landes, tenementes, or other heredytamentes, what soo e­uer they be, whyche the sayde late abbotte, pryoure, abbesse, pryoresse, and other ecclesyasticall gouernour and gouernesse, or anye of theym, or any of their predecessours hadde or helde of the gyfte, graunte, or confyr­mation of our sayde soueraygne lorde, or of any of his hyghnesse proge­nytours, or of the whyche monasteryes, abbathies, pryories, nonries, col­ledges, hospytalles, howses of fryers, or other relygyouse and ecclesiasti­call howses or places, oure sayde soueraygne lorde was founder or patron, or whyche manours, meases, landes, tenementes, or other heredytamen­tes were of the auncyent or olde foundation or possessyon of the sayd late monasteries, abbathyes, pryories, nonries, colledges, hospytalles, how­ses of fryers, or other religyous or ecclesiasticall howses or places, shall be vtterly voyde and of none effecte.

¶AND IT IS FVRTHER enacted by thauctoritie abouesayde, that if any abbotte, pryour, abbesse, pryoresse, or other ecclesiasticall gouernour or gouernesse of any monasterye, abbathie, pryorie, nonrye, colledge, hospy­tall, house of fryers, or other religious, or ecclesiastical howse or place, whi­che hereafter shall happen to be dissolued, suppressed, renounced, relinqui­shed, forfayted, gyuen vp or come to the kynges hyghnesse within one yere nexte before the fyrste day of this present parlyament haue made or here­after do make any lease or graunt vnder his couent or cōmon seale, or other wise for terme of yeres, or lyfe or lyues, of the site circuite and procincte of his sayde monastery abbathy priory nonry colledge hospitall house of fry­ers, or other relygious or ecclesiasticall hous or place, or of any part therof, or of any manours, messuages, landes, tenementes, personages appropri­ate, tithes, pencions, portions, or other hereditamentes belongynge or ap­pertaynynge to his sayde monasterye, abbathy, priory, nonrie, college, hos­pytall, house of friers, or other relygious or ecclesyastycall howse or place, whyche manours, meases, graunges, landes, tenementes, personnages appropryate, tythes, pencions, porcions, or other heredytamentes, what soo euer they be, were not before the same lease commonlye vsed to be sette nor lette to ferme, but kepte and reserued in the manurance tyllage or occu­pation of the sayd gouernour or gouernesse for the mayntenaunce of hos­pytalite, and good howse kepynge, or nowe be in the manuraunce, tyllage or occupation of the sayde gouernour or gouernesse for the mayntenaunce of hospytalytie and good howse kepynge, or within oone yere nexte be­fore the fyrste daye of this presente parlyamente, hathe made, or hereaf­ter shall make any lease or graunte for terme of lyfe, or for terme of yeres, of any manoures, meases, landes, tenementes, medowes, pastures, wod­des, personnages appropriate, tythes, pencions, portions, churches, cha­pelles, or other heredytamentes, what soo euer they be, whereof and in the whyche any estate or intereste for terme of lyfe, yere or yeres, atte the tyme of makynge of anye suche graunte or lease thanne hadde his be­inge or contynuaunce, or hereafter shall haue his beinge or contynuaunce, [Page XX] and than was not determyned finyshed or expired, or at the tyme of any su­che lease to be made shall not be determyned fynyshed or expired, or with­in one yere nexte before the fyrste daye of this presente parliamente, hath made or hereafter shall make any lease or graunte for terme of lyfe, or for terme of yeres, of any manours, messuages, landes, tenementes, medo­wes, pastures, woddes, personages appropryate, tithes, pencions, porti­ons, churches, chapels, or other hereditamentes, what so euer they be, vp­pon the whiche leases and grauntes, the vsualle and olde rentes and fer­mes accustomed to be yelden and reserued by the space of .xx. yeres nexte before the sayd fyrst daye of this present parliament, is or be not, or heraf­ter shall not be thervpon reserued & yelden: Or yf any such gouernour or gouernesse of any suche monastery, abbathie, priory, nonry, colledge, ho­spytalle, house of fryers, or other religiouse or ecclesiasticall house or place, whiche hereafter shall happen to be dyssolued, suppressed, renounced, re­lynquysshed, forfayted, gyuen vppe, or comme to the kynges hyghnesse, within one yere nexte before the fyrste daye of this presente parlyamente, hathe made, or hereafter shall make any bargayne or sale of his woddes, whiche woddes be yet growynge and standynge, that thanne all and euery suche lease graunt bargayne and sale of wodde or woddes, shall be vtterly voyde, and of none effecte.

¶And it is also enacted by thauctoritie aforesayd, that all feoffemētes fy­nes and recoueries hadde, made, knowledged, or suffered, within oone yere nexte before the fyrste daye of this present parlyament, or hereafter to be hadde made knowledged or suffered by any gouernour or gouernesse of any monasterye, abbathie, priorie, nonrie, colledge, hospytall, house of fryers, or other religiouse or ecclesiasticalle howse or place, whiche here­after shall happen to be dissolued, suppressed, renounced, relynquysshed, forfayted, gyuen vppe, or comme to the kynges hyghnesse, withoute the kynges lycence vnder his greatte seale, of any manours, meases, landes, tenementes, or other hereditamentes, what soo euer they be, whiche the sayde abbottes, priours, abbesses, prioresses, and other ecclesiasticall go­uernours and gouernesses, whiche hereafter shall happen to be dissolued, suppressed relinquyshed forfayted gyuen vp or come vnto the kinges highnes, as is afore sayde, or any of theym, or any of theyr predecessours hadde or helde, or haue and holde of the gyfte, graunte, or confirmation of oure sayde soueraygne lorde, or of any of his hyghnesse progenytoures, or of the whiche monasteries, abbathies, priories, nonries, colledges, hospy­talles, howses of friers, or other relygious or ecclesiasticall howses or pla­ces, oure sayde soueraygne lorde is founder or patrone, or whiche ma­nours, meases, landes, tenementes, or other hereditamentes, were or be of the auncient or olde foundation or possession of the sayde monasteries, abbathyes, pryories, nonries, colledges, hospitalles, howses of fryers, or other relygiouse or ecclesiastical howses or places shall be vtterly voyde and of none effecte.

[Page]¶Prouided alway, & be it enacted by auctorite abouesayd, that yf any ab­bot prior abbesse or prioresse, or other gouernour or gouernesse abouesayd, within one yere nexte before the fyrste daye of this present parliament, or yf any late abbotte, priour, abbesse, prioresse, or other late gouernour or gouernesse aboue sayd, within one yere nexte before any such dissolution, suppressyon, renouncynge, relynquyshynge, forfaytynge, gyuynge vppe, or com­mynge to the kynges hyghnesse of the premysses, or of any parcell there­of, as is aforesayde, haue made any demyse, lease, or graunte, to any per­sonne or personnes for terme of yeres, of any manoures, meases, landes, tenementes, personnages appropryate, tythes pencyons, portions, or o­ther hereditamentes aforesayde, whiche persone or personnes at the tyme of the sayde demyse, lease, or graunte, hadde and helde the same to ferme for terme of yeres than not expyred: that thanne the sayd personne or per­sonnes, to whome any suche demyse, lease, or graunt hathe bene soo made, shall haue and holde the same for the terme of .xxi. yeres oonely frome the tyme of the makynge of the sayde demyse, lease, or graunte, yf so many ye­res be by the same demyse lease or graunte specified limitted and expressed, orels for so many yeres as in suche demyse lease or graunt ben expressed, so that the olde rente be thervpō reserued, and so that the same lease or leases excede not .xxi. yeres. This acte or any thyng therin conteyned to the con­trarye not withstandynge.

¶Prouyded also, and be it enacted by thauctoritie abouesayd, that yf any abbotte pryor abbesse prioresse, or other late gouernour or gouernesse with in one yere next before any suche dyssolution suppression renuncyng relin­quyshynge forfaytynge gyuynge vp or commynge vnto the kynges hygh­nesse of the premysses or of any parcell therof, as is aforesayd, haue made any demyse lease or graunte to any persone or persones for terme of lyfe or lyues of any maners meses landes tenementes personnages appropriate, tythes pencyons portions or other hereditamētes aforesayd, which person or persons or any of them, at the tyme of the sayde demyse lease or graunte, hadde and helde the same for terme of lyfe or lyues, or for terme of yeres than not expired: that then the sayde person or persones, to whom any su­che lease or graunt hath bene soo made, shall haue and holde the same for terme of theyr lyfe or lyues, soo that the olde rente be ther vppon reserued: This acte or any other thynge therin conteyned to the contrarye thereof not withstandynge.

¶Prouyded also and be it enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde, that all & syngular leases and grauntes, made by Copy to any persone or persons of any of the sayde mesuages, landes, tenementes, personnages appropry­ate, tythes, pencyons, portions, or other hereditamentes aforesayde, for terme of lyfe or lyues, whiche by the custome of the countrey, hathe ben vsed to be demysed, letten or graunted by copye of courte rolle, shall be good and effectuall in the lawe, so that the olde rente be reserued by and v­pon euery suche lease and leases: this acte or any thynge therin conteyned [Page XXI] to the contrarye in any wyse not withstandynge.

¶Prouided alwaye and be it further enacted by thauctoritie aforesayde, that all leases heretofore made of any the premisses by auctoritie of our soueraygne lorde the kynges courte of augmentations, of the reuenues of his crowne, and all suche leases feoffementes and woddesales, made by the sayde gouernours or gouernesses, or any of theym, vnder theyr couent sea­les, or vnder the couent or common seale of anye of theym, within one yere nexte before the dissolution suppression renuncynge relinquisshyng forfay­tinge gyuynge vp or commynge to the kynges hyghenes, of the sayde mo­nasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles houses of friers, or other religious or ecclesiasticall houses or places, whiche sayde leases graūtes feoffementes and wodde sales haue ben examined enrolled decreed or affirmed in our sayde soueraygne lorde the kynges courte of augmenta­tions, and the decree of the same put in wrytynge, sealed with the seale of the sayde courte of Augmentations, shall be good and effectuall accordyng to the same decree: any clause or acte, heretofore in this present acte to the contrary notwithstandynge.

¶Prouyded alwaye and be it alsoo further enacted by thauctoritie aboue sayde, that yf any personne or personnes haue iustely and truely, without fraude or couyne, payde or gyuen any summe or summes of moneye to any the sayde late gouernours or gouernesses, for the bargayne and sale of any wooddes, beynge and growynge in or vppon any manours, landes, tene­mentes, or hereditamentes, whiche apperteyned or belonged to the sayde late monasteries, abbathies, priories, nonries, colleges, hospitalles, hou­ses of friers, or other religious or ecclesiastical places, or vnto any of them, whiche bargayne and sale, by auctoritie of this acte, is made voyde and of none effecte, and by meane thereof the kynges hyghnes may haue and take the commoditie and profytte of suche wooddes, so bargayned and soulde: that then the Chauncellour and other officers of our sayde soueraygne Lorde the Kynges courte of Augmentations, or three of theym, wherof the Chauncellour for the tyme beynge shall be one, of oure sayde soueraygne Lorde the kynges treasure, remaynyng in the treasorye of the same courte, shall satisfye and recompence euery suche personne and personnes, suche somme of moneye, or other recompence, as the same Chauncelloure and officers, or three of theym, wherof the sayde Chauncelloure shall be one, shall thynke mete and conuenient. And yf any other person or personnes, shall happen to take profyte and commoditie, by reason of auoydynge of suche woodde sales by auctorite of this acte, that then euerye personne and personnes, whiche maye or shall take suche profyte, shall be ordered for sa­tisfaction to be made to the parties, that shall happen to be greued by this acte, by the sayde Chauncelloure and other the officers of the same courte.

¶Prouided also, and be it further enacted by thautoritie aboue sayd, that all and euery person and persons theyr heyres and assignes, whiche sythen [Page] the sayde .iiii. daye of February, by licence pardone confirmation relese assente or consente of our sayd soueraygne lorde the kynge, vnder his gret seale heretofore gyuen had or made, or here after to be had or made, haue obteyned or purchased by indenture fyne feoffement recouery or other­wyse of the sayde late abbottes, priours, abbesses, prioresses, or other go­uernours or gouernesses of any suche monasteries, abbathies, priories, nonries, colleges, hospitalles, houses of friers, or other religious or eccle­siasticall houses or places, any monasteries, priories, colleges, hospital­les, manours, landes, tenementes, medowes, pastures, woddes, chur­ches, chapelles, personages, tythes, pencions, porcions, or other heredita­mentes, shall haue and enioye the same accordynge to suche wrytynges and assurances as bene thereof before the daye of this present parlia­ment or hereafter shall be had or made.

¶Sauynge to all and euery person and personnes and bodyes politike theyr heyres and successours, and to the heyres and successours of euery of them other than the sayde late abbottes, abbesses, priours, prioresses, and other gouernours and gouernesses and theyr successours, and the succes­sours of euery of them, and suche as pretende to be founders, patrons, or donours of the sayd monasteries, abbacies, priories, nonries, colleges, ho­spitalles and other religious or ecclesiasticall houses or places or of any of them, or of any manours, mesuages, landes, tenementes, or other he­reditamentes late belongynge to the same, or to any of theym and theyr heyres successours, and the heyres and successours of euery suche founder patrone, or donour, all suche ryght, tytle, interest, possession, rentes, an­nuities, commodities, offices, fees, liueries, and liuynges, porcions, pen­cions, corrodies, synodes, proxies and other profytes, whiche they or any of them haue ought or mought haue had in or to any the sayde monaste­ris, abbathies, priories, colleges, hospitalles, manours, landes, tenemen­tes, rentes seruices, reuertions, tythes, pencions, portions or other heredi­tamentes at any tyme before any suche purchas, indentures, fines, feoffe­mentes, recoueries or other lawfull meane betwene any suche parties had or made, as is aboue sayd, this acte or any thynge therin conteyned to the contrary notwithstandynge.

¶And where our sayde soueraygne lorde syth the .iiii. daye of February, the sayde .xxvii. yere of the reigne of our sayd souerayne lorde, hath optey­ned and purchaced as well by exchaunges as by gyftes bargaynes fynes feoffementes recoueries dedes enrolled and otherwyse of dyuers and son­dry persons many sondry and dyuers honours castels manours landes te­nementes medowes pastures woddes rentes reuersiōs seruices and other hereditamētes, and hath not onely payd dyuers and sondry great summes of money for the same, but also hath gyuen and graunted for the same, vn­to dyuers and sondry persons dyuers & sondry manours landes tenemen­tes and hereditamentes, and other recompenses in and for full satisfaction of all such honours castelles manours landes tenementes rentes reuerci­ons [Page XXII] seruices and other his hereditamentes by his hyghenes opteyned or had as is aboue sayd. Be it therfore enacted by the auctoritie aboue sayde, that our sayd soueraygne lorde the kynge, his heyres and successours, shal haue holde possede and enioye all suche honours castels manours landes tenementes and other hereditamentes as his hyghenes syth the sayd .iiii. daye of February, the .xxvii. yere aboue sayde, hath obteyned and had by waye of exchaunge bargayne purchace or other what so euer meane or meanes accordynge to the true meanynge and intent of his hyghnes bargayn exchaunge or purchas, mysrecitall misnamynge or non recytall or not na­mynge of the sayd honours castelles manours landes tenementes and o­ther hereditamentes comprised or mēcioned in the bargaynes or writinges made betwene the kynges hyghnes and any other partie or parties: or of the townes or counties, where the sayd honours castelles manours landes tenementes and hereditamentes lye and ben, or any other mattier or cause what so euer it be in any wyse not withstandynge.

¶Sauinge to all and euery person and persons, and to their heyres, bodies politike and corporate and to theyr successours and to euery of them, o­ther then suche person and persons, and their heires and theyr wyfes, and the wyues of euery of them, bodyes politike and corporate and theyr successours and euery of them, of whome the kynges hyghnes hath optayned by exchange gyfte bargayne fine feoffement recouery dede enrolled or other­wyse, any suche honours castels manours landes tenemētes and other hereditamentes as is afore sayde, all suche ryghte tytle vse interest possession rentes charges annuities cōmodities fees and other profyttes (rentes ser­uices and rentes seckes only except) which they or any of them haue might or ought to haue had in or to the premisses so obteyned and had, or in or to any parcell therof, yf this acte had neuer ben hadde nor made, this presente acte, or any thynge therin conteyned to the contrary notwithstandynge.

¶And where it hath pleased the kynges hyghnes of his most aboundant grace and goodnes, aswell vpon dyuers and sondry cōsyderations his maiestie specially mouinge, as also otherwyse to haue bargayned solde chaunged or gyuen and graunted by his graces seueral lettres patentes indentures or other writinges, aswell vnder his hyghnes great seale, as vnder the seale of his hyghenes Duchie of Lancastre, and the seale of thoffice of the augmentations of his crowne, vnto dyuers and sundry of his louyng and obedient subiectes, dyuers and sondry honours castelles manours mona­steries abbathies priories landes tenemētes rentes reuerciōs seruices personages appropriated aduousons liberties tithes oblations portions pen­cions franchises priuileges liberties and other hereditamentes commodi­ties and profittes, in fee simple fee tayle for terme of lyfe, or for terme of ye­res: For auoydynge of whiche sayd lettres patentes and of the cōtentes of the same, dyuers sondry and many ambiguities doubtes & questiōs might hereafter aryse be moued and styred, as wel for misrecital or nonrecital, as for dyuers other mattiers thinges or causes to be alleged obiected or inuented [Page] againste the sayde lettres patentes, as also for lacke of fyndyng of offi­ces or inquisitions, wherby the title of his hyghnes therein ought to haue bene founde, before the makynge of the same lettres patentes, or for misre­citall or nonrecitall of leases, as well of recorde as not of recorde, or for lacke of the certayntie of the values, or by reason of misnamynge of the honours castelles manours monasteries abbathies priories landes tenemen­tes and other hereditamentes comprised and mencioned within the same lettres patentes, or of the townes and counties, where the same honours castelles manours monasteries abbathies priories landes tenementes rentes and other hereditamētes lyen and ben, as for dyuers and sondry other suggestions and surmises, which hereafter might happen to be moued surmised and procured against the same lettres patentes: all be it the wordes in effect conteyned in the sayde lettres patentes be according to the true in­tent and meaning of his most royall maiestie. Be it therfore enacted by the authoritie of this present parliment, that as wel all and euery the sayd let­tres patentes indentures or other wrytinges and euery of them, vnder the seale or seales aboue sayde, or of any of them, made or graunted by the kynges hyghnes, sythen the sayd .iiii. day of February, the sayde .xxvii. yere of his most noble reigne as all and singular other his graces lettres patētes indentures or other writinges to be had made or graunted to any person or persons within thre yeres next after the making of this present acte of any honours castels manours monasteries abbathies priories nōries colleges hospitalles houses of friers or of other religiouse or ecclesiasticall houses or places sitis circuitis procinctis landes tenementes personages tythes pencions portions aduousons nominations and all other hereditamentes and possessions, of what kynde nature or qualitie soo euer they be, or by what so euer name or names they or any of them be named knowen or reputed, shall stande and be good effectuall and auaylable in the lawe of this realme to all respectes purposes constructions and intentes agaynste his maiestie his heyres and successours, without any other lycence dispensa­tion or tollerance of the kynges hyghnes his heyres or successours, or of any other person or persons what so euer they be, for any thyng or thynges conteyned or hereafter to be conteyned in any such lettres patentes inden­tures or other writynges: any cause consideration or thynge materiall to the contrarye in any wyse not withstandynge.

¶Sauynge to all and singular persones, bodyes politike and corporate, theyr heyres and successours, & the heyres and successours of euery of them other then his hyghenes his heyres and successours, and the sayde gouer­nours and gouernesses and theyr successours donours founders and pa­trons afore named and theyr heyres and successours, and all other persons claymyng in theyr ryghtes or to theyr vse, or in the ryght or to thuse of any of them, all suche ryght title clayme interest possession reuercion remaydre offices annuities rentcharges and commons, whiche they or any of theym haue ought or mought haue had in or to any of the sayd honours castelles [Page XXIII] manours, monasteries, abbathies, priories, landes, tenementes, and o­ther hereditamentes in the sayde letters patentes made, or hereafter to be made, comprysed at any tyme before the makynge of the sayde or suche lettres patentes: This acte or any thynge therin conteyned to the contrary not withstandynge.

¶AND where dyuers and sondry abbottes pryours abbesses pryoresses and other ecclesiastical gouernours and gouernesses of the sayd late monasteries abbathies priories nunries colleges hospitals houses of friers and other religious and ecclesiastical houses & places, haue had posseded and enioyed dyuers and sondrye personages appropriated tithes pencions and portions, and also were acquited and discharged of and for the payment or paymētes of tithes to be payd out or for their sayd monasteries abbathies priories nunries colleges hospitalles houses of friers, and other religiouse and ecclesiasticall houses and places manoures meassuages landes tene­mentes and hereditamentes: Be it therfore enacted by thactoritie aboue sayd, that as well the kynge our sonerayne lord, his heyres and successors, as all and euery such persone and persons, theyr heyres and assignes, whi­che haue or herafter shal haue any monasteries abbathies priories nunries colleges hospitals houses of friers, or other ecclesiasticall houses or places sites circuites procinctes of the same, or of any of theym, or any manours, mesuages, personnages appropriate, tithes, pencions, porcions, or other hereditamentes what so euer they be, whiche belonged or appertayned, or whiche now belonge or appertayne vnto the sayde monasteries abbathies priories nunries colleges hospitals houses of friers, or other religious and ecclesiastical houses or places, or vnto any of them, shall haue holde reteyn kepe and enioy as well the sayde personages appropriate tithes pencions and portions as the sayde monasteries abbathies priories nonries colleges hospitalles houses of friers and other religiouse and ecclesiasticall houses and places sites circuites procinctes manours meses landes tenementes and other hereditamentes, what so euer they be and euery of them, accor­dynge to theyr estates and titles, dyscharged and acquieted of payment of tythes as freely and in as large and ample maner as the sayde late abbot­tes priours abbesses prioresses and other ecclesiastical gouernours and gouernesses, or any of them hadde helde occupied, posseded, vsed, reteyned, or enioyed the same, or any parcell therof at the days of theyr dissolution sup­pressyon renuncynge relynquishynge forfaytynge gyuynge vppe, or com­minge to the kynges highnes of such monasteries abbathies priories nun­ries colleges hospitals houses of friers, or other religious or ecclesiasticall houses or places, or at the day of the dissolution suppressyon renuncyng re­linquishynge gyuyng vp or commynge to the kynges hyghnesse of any of them: this acte or any thyng therin conteyned to the contrary not withstandyng. ¶Sauynge to the kynges hyghnes his heyres and successours all and all maner of rentes seruices and other dueties, what soo euer they be, as yf this acte had neuer ben had nor made.

[Page]¶And be it further enacted by actoritie of this present parlyament, that suche of the sayd late monasteries abbathies priories nunries colledges hospytals houses of fryers, and other religious and ecclesiasticall howses and places, and all churches and chapels, to theym or any of theym belon­gynge, which before the dissolution suppression renouncyng relinquishing forfayting gyuyng vp or cōmyng vnto the kinges highnes, were exempted from the visitation or visitatiōs and all other iurisdiction of the ordinary or ordinaries, within whose diocesse they were sytuate or sette, shall frome hensforth be within the iurisdiction and visitation of the ordinarie or or­dinaries, within whose diocesse, they or any of them be situate and sette, or within the iurisdiction and visytation of suche persone or persones, as by the kynges highnes shall be limited or appoynted: This acte or any other exemption libertie or iurisdiction to the contrary not withstandynge.

¶And where before this tyme it hath pleased the kynges maiestie, atte the contemplation and humble peticion of the ryghte noble Thomas duke of Norf. to gyue his royall assent and lycence by his gracis worde, without any maner of lettres patentes, or other writyng, to purchase and receyue to hym & to his heires for euer, of Wylliam Flatbery, late abbot of the monasterye of Sipton, in the countie of Suff. and couente of the same late mo­nasterie nowe beynge dissolued, all the same monasterie togyther, with all and syngular manours, lordeshyppes, landes, tenementes, woddes, wa­ters commons courtes letes aduousons patronages personages vycara­ges chauntries free chapelles tithes portions of tithes pencions annuities rentes suites seruices reuersyōs remaynders and all other thynges, whi­che were the hereditamentes or the possessions of the sayde late monaste­rye, where so euer they laye or were within the realme of Englande. And in lykewyse oure sayde soueraygne lorde gaue lyke lycence by his gracis worde vnto the ryghte honourable George lorde Cobham, to pourchase and receyue to hym & to his heires for euer, of the late master and bretherne of the colledge or chauntrie of Cobham, in the countie of Kent, nowe be­ynge vtterlye dyssolued, the site of the same colledge or chauntrie, and all and syngular theyr hereditamentes and possessions, as well temporall as ecclesiastical, where so euer they lay or were within the realme of England. Be it therfore enacted by thauctoritie of this present parlyament, that the acte aboue wrytten, or any thynge therein conteyned, shall not be in anye wyse preiudiciall or hurtfull to the sayde Duke, and lorde Cobham, or to eyther of them, or to the heyres or assignes of eyther of theym: but that the same duke and lord Cobham and eyther of them sondryly, and the heyres & assygnes of eyther of them, shall and may haue holde receyue and enioy the premisses by them sondrily purchased or receyued, accordyng to the purportes and effectes of such euidēces writinges and cōueiances, as they or any of them sondrily haue caused to be deuised and made to theym, or to theyr vses for the same. Sauynge alwaye and reseruynge to all and syngular persons and bodies polityke and to their heyres & successours, other than [Page XXIIII] the sayde late abbotte and couent, and theyr successours, and the sayde late maister and bretherne, and theyr successours, and the founders of the same monasterie or of the sayde college or chauntrie, and the heires of eyther of them, and all donours, graunters, or augmenters of them, or of eyther of them, and the heires and assignes of either of them, all suche rightes titles possessions rentes seruices fees offices annuities corrodies lyueries leases & al other their such interesses profites & cōmodities, as they or any of them had shulde or ought to haue, of to or in any of the premisses sondrily pour­chased or receyued by the sayde duke or lorde Cobham, it this presente acte had neuer ben had or made, any thynge in the same acte to the contrary be­inge in any wyse not withstandynge.

WHERE THE KYNGES MOST excellent maiestie is by gods law supreme heed immediatly vnder him of this hole churche and congregacion of England, intendinge the conseruation of the same churche and congregacion in a true syncere and vniforme doctrine of Christes religion, callyng also to his blessed and most gracious remembraunce, aswel the great and quiet assurance, prosperous increace, and other innumera­ble commodities, whiche haue euer ensued come and folowed of Concord agreement and vnitie in opinions, as also the manyfolde peryls dangers and inconueniences, which haue heretofore in many places and regions, growen spronge and ar rysen of the diuersities of myndes and opinions, especially of mattiers of Christen religion: And therfore desyring, that su­che an vnitie myght and shoulde be charitably establysshed in all thinges, touchynge and concernynge the same, as the same so beynge establysshed myghte chiefly be to the honoure of almyghtye God, the verye authoure and fountayne of all true vnitie and syncere concorde, and consequentlye redounde to the common welth of this his hyghenes moste noble realme, and of all his louinge subiectes, and other resiauntes and inhabitauntes of or in the same: hathe therfore caused and commaunded this his mooste hyghe courte of Parlyamente, for sondrye and manye vrgente causes and consyderations, to be at this tyme sommoned, and alsoo a Synode and conuocation of all the archebysshoppes, bysshoppes, and other ler­ned men of the clergy of this his realme, to be in lyke maner assembled.

[Page]And for as moche as in the sayde parliament Synode and conuocation, there were certayne articles matiers and questions proponed & setforthe, touchinge Christen religion, that is to saye. ¶ First, whether in the moste blessed Sacrament of thaltar remayneth after the consecration, the sub­staunce of bread and wyne, or no. ¶ Secondly, whether it be necessary by goddes lawe, that all men shoulde be communicate with both kyndes or no. ¶ Thirdly, whether priestes, that is to saye, men dedicate to God by priesthode, maye by the lawe of God, marye after, or no. ¶ Fourthly, whe­ther vowe of chastitie or wydowhed made to God aduisedly by man or woman, be by the law of God to be obserued or no. ¶ Fyftly, whether priuate Masses stande with the lawe of God, and be to be vsed and continued in the church and congregation of England, as thinges, wherby good Christen people maye and do receyue bothe godly consolation, and holsome be­nefytes, or no. ¶ Sixtly, whether Auricular confession is necessarye to be reteyned, continued, vsed, and frequented in the church, or no. ¶ The kynges most royall maiestie, most prudently ponderynge and consyderynge, that by occasion of variable and sondry opinions and iudgementes of the sayde articles, great discorde and variance hathe arysen, aswell amongest the clergy of this his realme, as amongeste a great nombre of the vulgar people, his louynge subiectes of the same: And beynge in a full hope and trust, that a full and perfect resolution of the sayde articles, shulde make a perfyte concorde and vnitie generally amonges all his louynge and obedient subiectes, of his most excellent goodnes not onely commaunded, that the sayde articles shulde deliberatly and aduysedly, by his sayde archebys­shops, byshops, and other lerned men of his clergye, be debated argued, and reasoned, and their opinions therin to be vnderstand declared & kno­wen, but also most graciously vouchesaued, in his owne princely persone, to discende and come into his sayd hyghe courte of Parlyament and councell, and there lyke a prince of most hyghe prudence, and no lesse lernynge, opened and declared many thinges of hygh lernyng and great knowlege, touchinge the sayd articles mattiers and questions, for an vnitie to be had in the same. Whervpon after a great and longe deliberate and aduised disputation and consultation had and made, concernynge the sayde articles, as well by the consent of the kynges hyghenes, as by thassent of the Lor­des spirituall and temporall, and other lerned men of his clergye in their conuocation, and by the consent of the commons in this present Parliamēt assembled, it was and is fynally resolued accorded and agreed in maner & fourme folowynge. That is to say. ¶ First, that in the most blessed Sacrament of the altare, by the strength and efficacy of Christes myghty worde (it beynge spoken by the priest) is present really vnder the forme of bread & wyne, the naturall body & bloud of our sauiour Iesu Christ, con­ceyued of the virgyn Mary: And that after the consecration there remay­neth no substance of bred or wyne nor any other substance, but the substāce of Christ, God and man.

[Page XXV]¶Secondly, that communion in both kyndes, is not necessary Ad salutem, by the lawe of God to all persons. And that it is to be beleued & not doubted of, but that in the flesshe, vnder fourme of bred, is the very bloud: and with the bloude, vnder fourme of wyne, is the very flesshe aswell aparte, as thoughe they were both togyther.

¶ Thirdly, that priestes, after the order of priesthode receyued, as afore, maye not marye by the lawe of God.

¶ Fourthly, that vowes of chastitie or wydowhed, by man or woman made to God aduisedly, ought to be obserued by the lawe of God: and that it exempteth them frome other liberties of Christen people, which without that they might enioye.

¶ Fyftly, that it is mete and necessary, that priuate Masses be continued and admitted in this the kynges Englyshe churche and congregation, as wherby good Christen people, orderynge theym selfes accordyngly, do re­ceyue both godly and goodly consolations and benefytes: and it is agre­able also to goddes lawe.

¶ Sixtly, that Auricular confession is expedient and necessary to be reteyned and continued vsed and frequented in the church of God. For the whi­che most godly study peyne and trauayle of his maiestie, and determinati­on and resolution of the premisses, his moste humble & obedient subiectes, the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present parliament assembled, not onely rendre and gyue vnto his hyghenes, their most hyghe and harty thankes, and thinke them selfes most bonden, to praye for the longe continuance of his graces most royall estate, but also beyng de­syrous, that his moste godly enterprise maye be well accomplysshed and brought to a full ende and perfection, and so establysshed, that the same myght be to the honour of God, and after to the common quiete vnitie and concord to be had in the hole body of this realme for euer. Most humbly besechen his royall maiestie, that the resolution and determination aboue writen of the sayde articles, maye be establysshed and perpetually perfyted by authoritie of this present parliament. It is therfore ordeyned and ena­cted by the kynge our souerayne lorde, the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present parliament assembled, and by the autho­ritie of the same, that yf any person or persons within this realme of Eng­lande, or any other the kynges dominiōs, after the .xii. daye of Iuly nexte commynge, by worde, wrytinge, imprinting, cyfring, or in any other wyse, do publysshe, preache, teache saye, afferme, declare, dispute, argue, or hold any opinion, that in the blessed Sacrament of the altare, vnder fourme of bred and wyne (after the consecration therof) there is not present, really, y^e naturall body and bloude of our sauiour Iesu Christ, conceyued of the virgyn Marye, or that after the sayd consecration, there remayneth anye sub­stance of bred or wyne, or any other substance, but the substance of Christ, God and man. Or after the tyme aboue sayde, publysshe, preache, teache, saye, afferme, declare, dispute, argue, or holde opinion, that in the flesshe, [Page] vnder fourme of bred, is not the verye bloude of Christe. Or that with the bloude, vnder the fourme of wyne, is not y^e very flesshe of Christ aswell a­parte as thoughe they were both togither. Or by any of the meanes aboue sayde, or otherwyse, preache, teache, declare, or afferme the sayde Sacra­ment to be of other substance, than is aboue sayde, or by anye meane con­tempne depraue or despice the sayde blessed Sacrament: that then euerye suche person and persons, so offendinge, their aydours, conforters, coūsaylours, consentours, and abettours therein, beynge thereof conuicted in fourme vnderwriten, by the authoritie aboue sayde, shalbe demed and ad­iudged heretikes. And that euery suche offence, shalbe adiuged manifeste heresy. And that euery suche offendour and offendours, shal therfore haue and suffre iudgementes execution peyne and peynes of deth, by way of burnynge, without any abiuration clergye or seyntuary, to be therfore permit­ted had allowed admitted, or suffered. And also shall therfore forfeyte and lese to the kynges hyghenes, his heyres and successours, all his or their honours, manours, castels, landes, tenementes, rentes, reuertions, serui­ces, possessions, and all other his or their hereditamentes gooddes and ca­tals, termes and freholdes, what so euer they be, which any suche offender or offenders shall haue at the tyme of any suche offence or offences, committed or done, or at any tyme after, as in any cases of hyghe treason.

¶And furthermore be it enacted by the authoritie of this present parlya­ment, that yf any person or persons, after the sayd .xii. day of Iuly, preache in any sermon or collation, openly made to the kynges people: or reache in anye common schole, or to other congregacion of people: or beynge called before suche iudges, and accordynge to suche fourme of the lawe, as here­after shalbe declared, do obstinately afferme, vpholde, maynteyne or de­fende: that the communion of the sayde blessed Sacrament in bothe kyn­des, that is to saye, in fourme of bred and also of wyne, is necessary for the helthe of mans soule, to be gyuen or ministred, or ought or shulde be gyuen or ministred to any person in both kyndes. Or that it is necessary so to be receyued or taken by any person (other than by priestes beynge at Masse, and consecrating the same.) Or that any man, after the order of priesthode receyued (as afore sayde) maye marye, or maye contracte matrimonye. Or that any man or woman, which aduisedly hath vowed or professed, or shall vowe or professe chastitie or wydowhed, maye marye, or maye contract matrimony. Or that priuate Masses be not lawfull, or not laudable, or shuld not be celebrated had nor vsed in this realme, nor be not agreable to the la­wes of God. Or that Auricular confession is not expedient and necessarye to be reteyned and continued, vsed & frequented in the churche of God. Or yf any priest, after the sayde .xii. day of Iuly, or any other man or woman, whiche aduisedly hathe vowed, or after the sayde daye aduisedly do vowe chastitie or wydowhed, do actually marye or contract matrimony with any person: that then all and euery person and persons, so preaching teaching, obstinatly affermynge, vpholdynge maynteyninge or defendynge, or ma­kynge [Page XXVI] mariage or contract of matrimony, as is aboue especified, be and shalbe, by authoritie aboue writen, demed and iudged a felon and felones. And that euery offender in the same, beynge therfore duely conuicted or at­teynted by the lawes vnderwryten, shall therfore suffre peynes of deth, as in cases of felony, without any benefyte of clergy, or priuilege of church or sainctuary, to him or her to be allowed in that behalfe. And shall forfeyte all his or her landes and goodes, as in cases of felony. And that it shalbe lawfull to the patrone or patrones of any maner of benefice, which any su­che offendour, at the tyme of his sayde conuiction or atteyndre had, to pre­sent one other incumbent thervnto, as yf the same person, so conuicted or atteynted, had bene bodyly decessed.

¶Also be it enacted, by the auctoritie afore sayde, that yf any personne or persons, after the sayde .xii. daye of Iuly, by worde wryting, printinge, ci­phringe, or otherwyse than is aboue rehersed, publysshe declare or holde opinion, that the sayde communion of the blessed Sacrament, in both kyndes afore sayde, is necessary for the helth of mans soule to be gyuen or mi­nistred in both kyndes, and so ought or shoulde be gyuen and ministred to any person, or ought or shoulde be so in bothe kyndes receyued or taken by any person, other than by priestes beynge at Masse, and consecratinge the same, as is afore sayde. Or that any man, after the order of priesthode re­ceyued, as is afore sayde, maye marye, or maye make contract of matrimo­ny: Or that any man or woman, which aduisedly hath made or shall make a vowe to God of chastitie or wydowhed, maye marye, or maye make con­tract of matrimony. Or that priuate Masses be not lawfull or not lauda­ble, or shulde not be celebrated had nor vsed, nor be agreable to the lawes of God. Or that Auricular confession is not expedient and necessary to be reteigned and continued, vsed and frequented in the church of God: euery person, beynge for any suche offence dewely conuicted or atteynted by the lawes vnderwriten, shall forfayte & lose to the kynge our soueraigne lorde, all his goodes and catalles for euer, and also the profytes of all his landes tenementes annuities fees and offices durynge his lyfe, and all his benefices & spirituall promotions shalbe vtterly voyde: And also shall suffre im­prisonement of his body at the will and pleasure of oure sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge. And yf any suche person or persones, beynge ones conuict of any the offences mencioned in this article, as is aboue sayde, doo after­warde eftsones offende in any of the same, and be therof accused indited or presented and conuict agayne by authoritie of the lawes vnderwritten: that then euery suche person and personnes, so beynge twyse conuict and atteynted of the sayde offences, or of any of them, shalbe adiudged a felon and fe­lons, and shall suffre iudgement execution and peynes of death, losse & for­fayture of landes and goodes, as in cases of felony, without any priuilege of clergye or seynctuary to be in any wyse permitted admitted or allowed in that behalfe.

¶Be it further enacted, by the authoritie aboue sayde, that yf any person, [Page] whyche is or hath ben a prieste before this present parlyament, or durynge the tyme of sessyon of the same hath maryed, and hath made any contracte of matrimony with any woman, or that any man or woman, whiche before the makynge of this acte, aduysedly hath vowed chastitie or wydowheed, before this present parlyament, or durynge the session of the same, hath ma­ried or contracted matrimony with any person: that than euery suche ma­riage and contracte of matrimonye shall be vtterly voyde and of none ef­fecte: And that the ordynaries, within whose diocesse or iurisdictions the person or persons so maried or contracted, is or be resident or abyding, shall frome tyme to tyme make separation and deuorces of the sayde maryages and contractes.

¶And ferther it is enacted by the auctorite abouesaid, that if any man, whiche is or hath ben prieste, as is aforesaid, at any tyme from or after the sayd xii. day of Iuly nexte commynge, do carnally kepe or vse any woman, to whome he is or hath ben maried, or with whom he hath contracted matry­monye, or openly be conuersant, kepe companye and familiaritie with any suche woman, to the euyll example of other persons: euery suche carnalle vse copulation open conuersation kepyng of company and familiaritie, be and shalbe demed and adiuged felony, as wel ayenst the man as the womā. and that euery such person so offending, shalbe enquired of, tried, punished, suffre lose and forfait al and euery thing and thinges as other felons made and declared by this acte, and as in case of felony as is aforesayd.

¶Be it also further enacted by the auctoritie aforsayd (not gyuyng aduan­tage or detriment to any article afore rehersed) that if any man, which is or hath ben priest, or hereafter shall be, at any tyme after the sayd .xii. daye of Iuly, do carnally vse and accustome any woman, or kepe her as his con­cubyne, as by payenge for her bourde, maynteyning her with money array or any other gyftes or meanes, to the yuell example of other persones: that than euery suche offender beinge therof duely conuicted or atteynted by the lawes mencioned in this act, shall forfayt and lose all his goodes and cat­talles, benefices, prebendes, and other spiritual promotions and dignities, and also shall haue and suffre imprisonment of his body at the kynges wyl and pleasure. And that euery of the sayd benefices prebendes and other promotions and dignities shall be to all intentes and purposes vtterly voyde as if the sayd offender had resigned or permuted. And if any suche offender or offenders at any tyme after the sayde conuiction or atteynder, efteso­nes committe do or perpetrate the sayd offences, or any of theym, next afore rehersed, and be thereof dewely conuicted or attaynted by the lawes afore­sayde: that than all and euerye suche offence and offences shall be demed and adiudged felonye: and the offender or offenders therein shall suffer peynes of deathe, and loose and forfayte all his and theyr goodes, landes, and tenementes, as in cases of felonye, without hauynge any benefytte of clergie or saynctuarie.

¶And be it farther enacted by the auctoritie aforesaide, that those women, [Page XXVII] with whome all and singular of the foresayde priestes shall in anye of the forsayde wayes haue to do with, or carnally know; as is afore sayde, shall haue lyke punishment as the priestes.

¶And be it further enacted, by the auctoritie aboue sayde, that yf any per­sonne or personnes, at any tyme hereafter, contempne, or contemptuouslye refuse denye or absteyne to be confessed at the tyme commonly accustomed within this realme & church of Englād, or cōtēne or contemptuously refuse deny or absteyne to receyue the holy and blessed sacrament aboue sayd, at y^e tyme commonly vsed and accustomed for the same: that than euery suche offender, beynge therof duely conuicted or atteynted by the lawes vnder­written shall suffre suche imprisonnement, and make suche fyne and raunsome to the kynge our souerayne lorde and his heyres, as by his hyghenes, or by his or their counsell shalbe ordered and adiuged in that behalfe. And yf any suche offendour or offendours, at any tyme or tymes after the sayde conuiction or atteynder so had, do eftsones contempne, or contemptuously refuse denye or absteyne to be confessed, or to be communicate in maner and fourme aboue wryten, and be therof duely conuicted or atteynted by the la­wes vnderwriten: that then euery suche offence shalbe demed and adiuged felonye, and the offendour or offendours therin shal suffre peynes of death, and lose and forfayte al his and their goodes landes and tenementes, as in cases of felony.

¶And for full and effectuall execution of the premisses before deuised or­deyned, and enacted by this act, Be it furthermore enacted by thauthoritie of this present parliament, that immediatly after the sayde xii. daye of Iu­ly (next comminge), sondry commissions shalbe made, from tyme to tyme, in­to euery shere of this realme, and Wales, and in and to suche other places within the kynges dominions, as shall please his maiestie, to be directed to the archebysshop or bysshop of the dioces, and to his chauncellour or com­missary, and to suche other persons, as shalbe named by his hyghnes, or by suche other, as his maiestie at his pleasure shal appoynt, to name the same: which archbyshop or byshop, his chauncelour or commissary, and other persons so to be named, or thre of them at the least, wherof the archebysshop or bysshop, or his chauncelour or commissary to be one, shall holde and kepe their sessions within the lymittes of their commission foure seuerall tymes of the yere at the leaste, or oftener, yf they shall thinke it expedient by their discrecions, and shall haue power and authoritie, by vertue of this act, and their sayd commission as well to take infourmation and accusation, by the othes and depositions of two able and lawfull persons at the least, as to enquire by the othes of .xii. men, of all and singular the heresies, felonies, contemptes, and other offences aboue writen, committed doone or perpetrate within the lymittes of their cōmission. And that euery such accusation & in­fourmation, conteyning the matier names surnames & dwellyng places of y^e offenders, & the day yere place & coūtie, whā & wherin their offences were committed, shalbe of as good force and effect in the lawe, as yf the matier [Page] therin conteyned had bene presented by verdite of .xii. men.

¶And neuerthelesse it is further enacted, that euery of the sayde archebysshops and bysshops, and euery of their chauncellours commissaries archediacons and other ordinaries, hauynge any peculiar ecclesiasticall iurisdi­ction within this realme or in Wales, or in any other the kynges domini­ons, shall haue full power and authoritie, by vertue of this acte, aswell to enquire in their visitacions and Sesus, as there & els where within their iurisdictions, at any other tyme or place, to take accusations and informations, as is aforesayde, of the heresies felonies contemptes and offences aboue mencioned, done committed or perpetrate within the lymittes of their iurisdiction & authorities. And that euery suche accusations infour­mation and presentment, so taken or had as is afore sayde, shall be of as good force and effect, as yf the matier therein conteyned, had bene presen­ted before the iustices of peace in their sessions. And alsoo that iustices of peace in their sessions, and euery steward vndersteward and deputie of ste­ward, of any lete or lawedaye, in their lete or lawedayes shall haue lyke power and authoritie by vertu of this act, to enquire by the othes of .xii. lawfull men, of al and singular the heresies felonies contemptes and other of­fences aboue written done perpetrate or committed within the lymittes of their commissions and authorities.

¶And it is also enacted by the authoritie afore sayd, that euery suche per­sonne or personnes, afore whome any presentement infourmation or accu­sation shalbe made & taken, as is afore sayd, shall examine the accusours, what other wytnes were by and present at y^e tyme of doynge and commit­tinge of the offence, wherof the enformation accusation or presentement shalbe made? and howe manye other than the accusours haue knowledge therof. And shall haue power and authoritie to bynde by recognisaunce, to be taken afore them, as well y^e sayd accusours, as all suche other persons, whome the same accusours shall declare to haue knowlege of the offences by theym presented or enfourmed, euery of them in .v. li. to the kynge our soueraygne lorde, to appeare before the commissioners, afore whome the offendour or offendours shalbe tried, at the daye of the tryall of suche offendours. And that all and singular indifementes presentmentes accusations informations and recognisaunces, taken and had as is aforesayde, with­in .xx. dayes next after the takyng of the same, shalbe certified in due forme by wrytinge vpon parchemyn, by the taker or takers thereof, vnder his or their feales, vnto any one of the sayd commissioners to be appointed as is aforesayde, within the lymittes of whose commission, the heresies felonni­es contemptes and offences, whereof any suche presentement inditement infourmation or accusation shalbe taken or had, as is aboue written, shal­be committed done & perpetrate. And yf any person or persons, which here after shall happen to take any suche accusation infourmation presentment or recognisaunces as is aboue saym [...]do ake defalte of the certificat ther­of, contrary to the fourme aboue reheedsr: that than euery person and per­sons, [Page XXVIII] so offendynge, shall forfayte to our soueraygne lorde the kynge for e­uery suche defalte .x. li.

¶And it is further enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that the sayde commissioners, or thre of them at the least, as is afore sayde, by vertue of this act and their commission, shal haue ful power and authoritie to make lyke processe against euery person and persones, indyted presented or accu­sed, in forme as is aboue remembred, as is vsed & accustomed in cases of felony, & that as well within the limittes of their commission, as into all o­ther shyres and places of the realme Wales and other the kynges domini­ons, as wel within lyberties as without: and the same processe to be good and effectuall in the lawe as in cases of felony: And vpon the appearance of any of the offendours, shall haue full power and authoritie, by vertue of this acte, and the sayde commission, to heare and determyne the foresayde heresies felonies contemptes and other offences, accordynge to the lawes of this realme, and theffectes of this acte.

¶And it is also enacted, by the authoritie abouesayde, that euery of the sayd commissioners, vpon any suche accusation presentement or informa­tion, shal endeuour him selfe effectually, without affection drede or corruption, to apprehende & take the offendours: & after the apprehension of any suche offender or offenders, shall haue full power & authoritie to committe them to warde. And that the sayd cōmissioners, or two of them at the least, shall haue full power and authoritie, to let any person or persones so accu­sed or presented, vpon sufficient suerties by their discretions, to bayle, for their apparaunce to be tried accordinge to the tenour fourme and effecte of this acte.

¶And further it is enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that yf any per­son or personnes, whiche hereafter shalbe named and assigned, to be com­missioner or commissioners, as is abouesayd, be accused, indited, or presen­ted of or for any the offences aboue written: that than all and euery suche commissioner or commissioners, so accused indyted and presented, shalbe examined, put to answere, and tryed of and vpon any such offence, accordyng to the tenour and effecte of this acte, before such other person or persons, as it shal please the kynges highnes to name assigne and appoynt by his gra­cis commission, to heare and determine the same.

¶And it is further enacted, by the authoritie aboue sayde, that no persone nor persons, which at any tyme hereafter, shalbe accused indited or presen­ted, as is aboue sayde, shalbe admitted to the chalenge of any person or per­sonnes, which shalbe empanelled for the triall of his or theyr offence for any matter or cause, other thā for malice or enmitie. Which chalenge shal forth­with be tried in lyke maner as other chalenges be vsed to be tried in cases of felonye.

¶And it is further enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that all foreyne plees, triable by the countreye, whiche at any tyme hereafter shalbe pleaded by any person or persons hereafter to be arrayned or put to aunswere vpon [Page] any accusation inditement or presentement, of or for any of the offences a­boue specified, or of or for any of them: shalbe tried before the same cōmissioners, afore whom such person or persones shall be arrained or put to aun­swere, and by the iurours that shall trie the sayde offence or offences, with­out any further respyte or delay.

¶And it is further enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that all Mayres sheryffes frowardes baylyffes of liberties, gaolers, and other officers and ministers, of what name degree or condicion so euer they be, and euerye of them, shall frome tyme to tyme truly and diligently receyue & serue all & all maner the proces preceptes and commaundementes to them or any of them by the sayde commissioners or any of theym to be made gyuen or directed, touchinge or concernynge the premisses or any patrell therof, and shal also frome tyme to tyme be obedient and attendaunt vnto the sayde commissio­ners for the tyme beynge, for the due execution of this present act, or of any thinge therin conteyned.

¶ And it is also enacted, that euery personne, whiche shall be named to be commissioner in the sayde commission, after that he hath knowlege therof, shall effectually put his diligence and attendance in and about the executi­on of the sayde commission: And before that he shall take vpon him thexecucion of the same commission, shall take a corporall othe before the lorde chā cellour of Englande for the tyme beynge, or before him or them, to whome the sayde lorde chauncellour shall directe the kynges writte of Dedimus pote­statem, to take the same. (The tenoure of whiche othe here after en­sueth.

¶ Ye shall swere, that ye to your counnynge wytte and power shall truely and indifferently execute the authoritie to you gyuen by the kynges commission, made for correction of heretikes and other offendours, mencioned in the same commission, without any fauour affection corruption drede or malece to be borne to any personne or personnes, as God you helpe and all sainctes. And in case that any of the sayde persones named to be commissioners refuse to take the sayde othe, or willyngly absent or aloigne him selfe frome the takynge of the sayde othe: than euery suche personne so offendinge, and the same offence extreted or certified into the kynges eschequer by the sayde lorde chancellour, or by him or them, to whome any suche writte of Dedimus potestatem, as is afore sayde, shalbe directed, shall forfayte and loose to oure sayde soueraigne lorde the kynge, for euery tyme so offendinge, fyue mar­kes of lawful money.

¶ And it is also enacted by the auctoritie aboue fayde, that the sayde com­missioners, and euery of them shall frome tyme to tyme haue full power & authoritie, by vertue of this acte, to take in to his or their kepynge and pos­session, all and all maner of bokes, which bene and hathe bene or hereafter shalbe setforth red or declared within this realme, or other the kynges do­minions, wherin is or bene conteyned or comprised any clause article mat­tier or sentence, repugnant or contrary to the tenour fourme or effect of this [Page XXIX] present act, or any of the articles conteyned in the same: And the sayd com­missioners, or thre of theym at the least, to burne, or otherwyse destroye the sayde bokes or any part of them, as vnto the sayde commissioners, or vnto thre of them at the least, shalbe thought expedient by their discretions.

¶And it is also enacted by the auctoritie abouesayde, that euery person vicar curate or parysh priest of euery parysh churche within this realme or o­ther the kynges dominions or his or their deputie vpon the sonday next af­ter the first daye of September next ensuynge, and so from thensforth ones in euery quarter of the yere at the least, shall openly playnely and distinctly rede this present acte in the parysh churche, where he is person vicar curate parysh priest or deputie, vnto his or their paryshens than assembled togi­ther, to heare diuine seruice. And that euery suche persone vicare curate, or parysh priest, makynge defaulte of redinge this act, contrary to the fourme afore sayde, shall forfayte vnto oure sayde soueraygne lorde, his heyres or successours, for euery suche defaulte .xl. s. sterlyng. Sauynge to all & singular person and personnes, bodyes polytike and corporate, their heires and successours, and to the heyres and successours of euery of them, (other than all and singular suche person and persons, that shalbe hereafter con­uicted or atteynted of or for any of the offences or contemptes aboue specified, their heyres and successours, and the heyres and successours of euery of them) all such right title clayme interest entree possession rentes reuercions fees annuities commons offices profyttes and demaundes what soeuer, as they or any of them haue, or than at the tyme of the sayde conuiction or at­teynder had, shal haue of in or to any honours castels lordeshyps manours landes tenementes liberties franchesies aduousons and other hereditamē ­tes, which any suche person or persons, beynge so conuicted or atteynted, as is afore sayde, had or were intitled to haue at the tyme of their offence or of­fences committed, or at any tyme after: & that in as ample maner fourme and condition, to al intentes constructions and purposes, as yf this act had neuer be had nor made, any thinge conteyned in this acte to the contrary in any wyse not withstandinge.

¶ Prouyded alwaye, that the lordes shall not haue ne clayme any eschetes of any offendour or offendours, that shalbe iudged to be burned by auctoritie of this act.

¶And bycause dispucions and doubtes myghte perhappis ryse hereafter vpon these wordes in this acte, that is to saye, Aduisedly made to God, Be it therfore prouided and enacted, by auctoritie afore sayde, that these wordes in the acte, that is to saye, aduysedly made to God, for vowes of chastitie or wydowhed, shalbe all onely taken expounded and interpreted, to bynde suche person or persons and none other (sauynge priestes) to & by the same, which at the tyme of any of their so vowinge (beynge therto admitted) were or shalbe of the age of .xxi. yeres or aboue, and then dyd or do consente sub­mitte them self or condiscende to the same, and continue or continued in ob­seruation [Page] of it any whyle after: Oneles any suche person or persons doo or can duely proue any vnlawfull cohercion or compulsion done to them or a­ny of them for makynge of any suche vowe.

GOD SAVE THE KYNGE.