Anno quinto reginæ Elizabethe. At the parliament holden at Wesmynster the .xii. of Ianuary, in the fyfth yere of the raigne of our soueraigne lady, Elizabeth by the grace of god, of England, Fraunce, and Irelande, quene, defendour of the the fayth. [et]c. To the hygh pleasure of almyghtye God, and the weale publique of this realme, were enacted as foloweth

¶ An Acte of the Quenes Maiesties most gracious generall and free Pardon. ¶ The .xxxi. Chapter. (Book 31)

THE Quenes moste excellent Maiestie perceauyng y^e good wylles and faythfull hartes of her louyng and obedient Subiectes at al times towardes her hyghnes, for the good gouernaunce and defence of this her Realme, and doubting that the same her obedient subiectes haue manye and sundrye wayes fallen into the daunger of diuers penalties and for∣faitures by the lawes and Statutes of this Realme: Hath thaught mete to extende her clemencie and pitie towardes her sayde louyng and obedient subiectes, with her liberall and free pardon, accordyng to her Princely and Kyngly power, and thereby to discharge some parte of such great paynes, penalties, and forfaitures, wherewith her sayde subiectes stande nowe burdened and charged, trustyng assuredly that they wyll continue in theyr due obedience and faith∣fulnesse towardes her Maiestie, and hereafter in such fort obey the good lawes & Statutes of this Realme, and specially such as in this session of Parliament are deuised, as to them & euery of them of ryght and duetie appertayneth. And therefore her Maiestie is well pleased and contented, that it be enacted by the aucthoritie of this present Parliament, in maner and fourme folowyng.

That is to saye, that all and euery of her sayde Subiectes (aswell Spirituall as Temporall) of this her hyghnes Realme of Eng∣lande, Wales, the Isles of Iernesey and Gernesey, the Townes of Barwicke, & Newehauen in Normandy, theyr heyres, successours, executours, and administratours of them and euery of them. And all and singuler bodyes in any maner of wyse corporated, Cities, Boroughes, Shires, Rydynges, Hundredes, Lathes, Rapes, Ma∣pentakes, Townes, Vyllages, Hamlettes, and Tythynges, and euery of them, and the successour and successours of euery of them: shalbe by aucthoritie of this present Parliament, acquited, pardo∣ned, released, and discharged, agaynst the Quenes Maiestie, her

heires, successours, and executours, and euery of them, of al maner of Treasons, Felonyes, Robberyes, offences, contemptes, alienati∣ons, trespaces, Intrucions, Entrees, wronges, deceiptes, misde∣meanours, forfaitures, penalties and profites, summes of money, paynes of death, paynes corporall and pecuniary, and generally of all other thynges, causes, quarrels, suites, iudgementes, and exe∣cutions, in this present Acte hereafter not excepted nor forprysed, whiche maye be or can be by her hyghnes in any wyse or by any meane pardoned, before and vnto the first day of Ianuary, in this present fyfth yere of her moste gracious raigne, to euery or any of her sayde subiectes, bodyes corporate, Cities, Boroughes, Shires, Rydynges, Hundredes, Lathes, Rapes, Wapentakes, Townes, Vyllages, and Tythynges, or any of them. And also the Quenes hyghnes is contented, that it be enacted by aucthoritie of this pre∣sent Parliament, that her said free pardon shalbe as good & effectu∣all in the lawe to euery of her said subiectes, bodies corporate, and other before rehearsed, in & against all thynges, which be not here∣after in this present Acte excepted and forprysed, as the same par∣don shoulde haue ben, yf all offences, contemptes, forfaitures, cau∣ses, matters, suites, quereles, iudgementes, executions, penal∣ties, and all other thynges (not hereafter in this Act excepted and forprysed) had ben perticulerly, singulerly, specially, and plainely named, rehearsed, and specified, and also pardoned by proper and expresse wordes and names, in their kyndes, natures, and quali∣ties, by wordes and termes thervnto requisite to haue ben put in, and expressed in this present Acte of free pardon. And that her sayde Subiectes, nor any of them, nor the heyres, executours, or administratours of any of them, nor of the sayde bodyes cor∣porate and others before named, nor any of them, be nor shal∣be sued, vexed, or inquieted, in theyr bodyes, goodes, landes, or cattelles, for any maner of matter, cause, contempte, misdemea∣nour, forfaiture, trespas, offence, or anye other thyng suffred, done, or committed before the sayde fyrste daye of Ianuarye, a∣gaynste her hyghnes, her Crowne, dignitie, prerogatiue, lawe or statutes: But onely for suche matters, causes, and offences, as be playnely rehearsed in the exceptions in this present Act, hereafter mentioned, and for none other: Any Statute or Statutes, lawes, customes, vsages, or president heretofore hadde, made, or vsed to the contrary, in any wyse notwithstandyng. Also the Quenes hyghnes of her bounteous liberalitie, by aucthoritie of this pre∣sent Parliament, graunteth and freely geueth to euery of her said Subiectes, and to euery of the sayde bodyes corporate, and other before rehearsed, and euery of them, all goodes, cattelles, debtes,

fines, issues, profites, amerciamentes, forfaitures, and summes of money, by anye of them forfaited, whiche to her hyghnes do or shoulde belonge or appertayne, by reason of any offence, contempt, trespas, entree, misdemeanour, matter, cause, or quarrell, suffred, done, or committed by them or any of them, before the sayde fyrste day of Ianuary, which be not hereafter playnely forprysed and ex∣cepted in this present Act. And that all and euery the Quenes said Subiectes, and all and singuler bodyes corporate, and other be∣fore rehearsed, may by hym or them selfe, or by his or theyr depu∣tie or deputies, or by his or theyr attourney or attourneys, accor∣ding to the lawes of this Realme, pleade and minister this present Acte of free pardon, for his or theyr discharge, of, and for euery thyng that is by vertue of this present Acte pardoned, discharged, geuen or graunted, without any fee or other thyng in any wyse paying to any person or persons, for writing or entree of the iudge∣ment, or other cause concernyng suche plee, wrytyng, or entree, but onely .xvi. pence to be payde to the officer or Clarke that shall entre the plee, matter, or iudgement for the parties discharge in that behalfe: Any Statute, vsage, or custome to the contrary, notwithstandyng.

AND furthermore, the Quenes hyghnesse is contented and pleased, that it be enacted by thaucthoritie of this present Parlia∣ment, that her sayde free pardon, by the generall wordes before rehearsed, shalbe reputed, demed, adiudged, allowed, and taken in all maner of Courtes of her hyghnes, & els where, aswell in the wordes and clauses of the exceptions and forprises specified in this present Acte, as in all and singuler other clauses, wordes, and sen∣tences mentioned and rehearsed in the sayde free pardon, most be∣neficially and auayleably to all and singuler her sayde subiectes, bodyes corporate, and others before rehearsed, and to euery of them, and moste strongly in barre and discharge agaynst her hygh∣nes, her heyres, successours, and executours, in euery thyng, with∣out any ambiguitie, question, or other delaye whatsoeuer it shal∣be to be made, pleaded, obiected, or alleaged by the Quene our so∣ueraigne Ladye, her heyres, successours, or executours, or by her or any of theyr generall attourney or attourneys, or by any person or persons for her hyghnes, or any of her heyres, successours, or executours.

And further, it is enacted by the Quene our soueraigne Lady, & by the aucthoritie of this present Parliament, that if any officer or Clarke of any of her hyghnes Courtes, cōmonly called the kynges Bench, Chaūcery, & cōmon place, or of her Exchequer, or any other

officer or Clarke of any other of her Courtes within this Realme, at any tyme after the .xxvi. day of this present moneth of Apryll, make out or write out any maner of writtes or other proces, or any extreates, sommons, or other preceptes, whereby any of the sayde Subiectes, or any of the sayde bodyes corporate, or other before rehearsed, or any of them, shalbe in any wyse arrested, attached, distreigned, sommoned, or otherwyse vexed, inquieted, or grieued in his or theyr bodyes, landes, tenementes, goodes, or cattelles, or in any of them, for or because of any maner thyng pardoned or dis∣charged by vertue of this Acte of free pardon: or yf any Sheriffe or Excheatour, or any of theyr deputie or deputies, or any Bayliffe or other officer, by colour of his or theyr office, or otherwayes, after the sayde .xxvi. day of Apryll, do leuye, receaue, or take any thyng pardoned or discharged by this Acte: That then euery such person so offendyng, and therof lawfully condempned, shall yelde and pay for recompence thereof to the partie so grieued or offended, treble damages, besydes all costes of the suite, and neuerthelesse, all and singuler suche writtes, proces, extreates, and preceptes so to be made, for or vpon any maner thing pardoned or discharged by this present Acte of free pardon, shalbe vtterly voyde, & of none effect.

Except and alwayes forprised out of this generall and free Par∣don, all and all maner of hygh Treasons, committed or done by any person or persons, by any ouert dede or acte, agaynste the Quenes moste royall person, and all conspiracies, and confedera∣cies trayterously had, committed, or done by any person or persons agaynst the Quenes person. And also excepted, all and all ma∣ner of Treasons, committed or done by any person or persons in the parties beyonde the Sea, or in any other place out of the Quenes dominions. And all suites, punyshementes, executions, paynes of death, forfaitures, & penalties, for or by reason or occa∣sion of any of the treasons and offences before excepted. And also (except and forprised out of this free pardon) all and all maner of forgyng and counterfaityng of whatsoeuer money or coyne cur∣raunt in this Realme, and all and all maner of offences, impeti∣cions, punyshementes, forfaitures, paynes of death, iudgementes, and executions for the same. And also excepted and forprysed out of this generall and free pardon, all and euery pyracy and rob∣bery done vppon the Sea, and all maner of voluntary murders, and wylfull poysonynges, and all and euery burgularye in any dwellyng house, and all and euery robbery done vpon any person or persons in any dwellyng house or houses in the day tyme, and all robberies done vpon or to any mans or womans person in the hygh way, or els where, and all and singuler accessaryes of or to

any of the sayde offences. And also all rapes and carnall rauyshe∣mentes of women. All wylfull escapes (aswell) of Traytours and Felons (as also) of Clarkes attaynted. And also excepted out of this generall and free pardon, all persons attaynted or outlawed for any treason, murther, robbery, or burgulary. And also (excep∣ted) al and euery maner of takyng from the Quene of any goodes, issues, rentes, reuenues, or profytes, of any manours, landes, te∣nementes, or hereditamentes of any Traytour, Murderer, Felon, Clarke or Clarkes, being persōs attainted, outlawed, or fugitiues, or of any of them. And also excepted out of this pardon, all ma∣ner of Intrucions, had, made, or done, by any person or persons, in or vpon any manours, landes, tenementes, or other hereditamen∣tes, of our soueraigne Lady the Quene, and the takyng of any the issues and profites of the same landes or tenementes of our sayde soueraigne Lady, and also all suites and impeticions for the same. And (excepted) also all wastes committed or done in any of the Quenes Wardes landes, or in the Wardes landes of anye of the Quenes Committees. And also all & euery fine and fines, for the single and double value of the mariage or mariages of all & euery the Quenes wardes, at any tyme growen to the Quenes Maiestie or any her noble progenitours. And also all & euery consealement of any Custome or Subsedy. And all and singuler accomptes of al and euery Collectour and Collectours of any Subsedye, Fyftene, Beneuolence, Myse, or Contribution. And of euery other person whatsoeuer, that ought to be accomptaunt to the Quenes hygh∣nes, or to her most noble father Kyng Henry the eyght, or to King Edwarde the syxt, or Quene Mary, or to any of them, & the heires, executours, and administratours of euery such accomptaunt. And all and singuler arrerages of accomptes, and all impeticions, suites, demaundes, and executions for the same. And also (ex∣cept) all inclosures and decayes of houses of husbandrye, and the conuertyng of any lande from tyllage to pasture, made, done, com∣mitted, or permitted, contrary to the fourme and effecte of anye Statute or Statutes heretofore made. And excepted and forpri∣sed out of this free pardon, all issues, fines, and amerciamentes, affered, taxed, set, extreated, or entred, seuerally or perticulerly, touching & concernyng any one person, or mo persons ioyntly, ex∣tendyng to the summe of .vi. poundes, or aboue. And yet neuer∣thelesse, all and singuler other fines (aswell) fines pro licencia concordandi (as other) set, taxed, entred, or extreated, and all other issues and amerciamentes (aswell reall as other) which seuerally or perticu∣lerly extende not to the summe of .vi. poundes, whether they be totted, or not totted, taken to the charge of the Sheryffe, or not

taken to his charge, extreated or not extreated, or whether they be turned into debte or not turned into debte, and not beyng le∣uied nor receaued by any Sheriffe or Sheriffes, Bayliffes, mini∣sters or other officers, to the Quenes Maiesties vse: shalbe fully, clearely, and playnly pardoned and discharged agaynst the Quene our soueraigne Lady, her heyres, and successours for euer, by this present Acte of free pardon. And also excepted and forprised out of this free pardon, all and all maner of deceiptes and offences of all and singuler monyers, and other officers, mynters, or worke∣men, of, or in any of the Quenes myntes, within this Realme or any other her dominions, and all impeticions and punyshements for the same. And also excepted and forprysed out of this general and free pardon, all rauyshmentes and wrongfull takyng and withholdyng of any the Quenes Wardes, or Wardes landes, at any tyme commen or growen to the Quenes handes, and not yet discharged. And also (excepted) all tytles and actions of Quare impe∣dit, and all homages, reliefe and reliefes, Rentes seruices, Rentes charges, Rentes seckes, & the arrerages of the same, not done or payde to the Quenes hyghnes. And also excepted, all summes of money graunted to the Quenes Maiestie, or to any her noble progenitours, by waye or meane of Subsedye, Fyftene, Beneuo∣lence, or Contribution, or by any of the same wayes or meanes. And also all debtes which were or be due to our soueraigne Ladye the Quene, or to the moste noble Kyng of famous memory Kyng Henry the seuenth, or to Kyng Henry the eyght, Kyng Edwarde the sixt, or to the late Quene Mary, or to any person or persons to any of theyr vses, by any condempnation, recognisaunce, obliga∣tion, or otherwyse, other then such as are due vpon any obligati∣on or recognisaunce forfaited before the sayde fyrst day of Ianuary for non appearaunce in any court or other place, or for not kepyng of the peace, or not beyng of good behauyour. And also, excepted & forprised out of this pardon, al & singuler those forfaitures being due or accrewed to our soueraigne Lady the Quene by any penal∣tie of any Statute or Statutes, whiche forfaitures be conuerted into the nature of debt, by iudgement, or by the agrement of the offendour or offendours, or els wherof there is any verdict past for the Quene. And also (excepted) all forfaitures and other penal∣ties and profites growen or due to the Quene by reason of any of∣fence, contempt, or other Acte, hadde, suffred, committed or done contrary to any Statute or Statutes, or contrary to the common law, wherof any information is geuen in the Quenes Exchequer or into the Kynges Bench, or wherof the Quenes hyghnes by her byll signed, or otherwyse, heretofore hath made any gyft or assigne∣ment

to any person or persons. And also excepted and forprised out of this generall and free pardon, all such persons as the tenth day of this present moneth of April be in prison within the Towre of London, or in the pryson of the Marshalsea, or in the Fleete, and all persons put to execution before the sayde tenth daye of Apryll. And also excepted out of this free pardon, all offences of forgyng or counterfaityng of any false dedes, escriptes, or wry∣tinges. And also excepted all penalties, forfaitures, and tytles of condition accrewed or growen to the Quenes Maiestie by rea∣son of the breache or not perfourmyng of any couenaunt or condi∣tion. And also excepted out of this generall and free pardon, al and euery such person and persons whiche haue heretofore fledde out of this Realme of Englande, or any other the Quenes domi∣nions for any offēce of hygh Treason, petie Treason, or misprision of Treason. And also excepted out of this pardon, all and eue∣ry offence and offences, touchyng or concernyng the carrying, sen∣dyng, or conueying ouer the Seas or out of this Realme, of any golde, syluer, iewels, or any coyne of golde or syluer, contrarye to the lawes or Statutes of this Realme, vnlesse it were or be by the Quenes licence. And also excepte, all such persons as be fledde and gone out of this Realme, contrary to the lawes and Statutes of this Realme, without the Quenes Maiesties licence. And also all such persons as haue obteyned and had licence to departe the Realme for a tyme, and nowe do abyde out of the Realme without any lawfull excuse after the tyme of theyr licence expired.

Prouided alwayes, and be it enacted by the aucthoritie of this present Parliament, that all and euery person and persons, which haue tendered and ought to sue lyuery out of our sayde soueraigne Lady the Quenes handes, of, or for any manours, landes, tene∣mentes, or hereditamentes, whatsoeuer they be, shall sue his or theyr lyuery and lyueryes out of our sayde soueraigne Ladye the Quenes handes, of his or theyr manours, landes, tenementes, and hereditamentes, in lyke maner and fourme as they and euery of them should and ought to haue done yf this Acte hadde neuer ben had ne made: Any article, thyng or thinges in this present Acte of generall and free pardon, comprised and specified to the contrary, notwithstandyng.

And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesayde, that in case it be obiected to or against any Sheriffe, or Sheriffes, or other accomptantes in the Quenes court of Exchequer, or in any other her courtes, that any Sheriffe or Sheriffes or other officers ac∣comptantes haue receaued or taken any such fines, issues, or amer∣ciamentes, as by this present Acte be pardoned and acquited: that

then euery such Sheriffe & Sheriffes, and other accomptantes, shalbe discharged and acquited therof, by his or theyr owne corpo∣rall othe, to be ministred and taken openly before the Barons in the sayde court of Exchequer, or before the Iustices in any other court, without any further tryall in that behalfe.

Prouided alwaye that this present Act of free pardon, nor any thyng therin conteyned, in any wyse extende to discharge, remitte or acquite any person or persons, for any such issues, fines, or amer∣ciamentes, as any Sheriffe heretofore haue accompted for before the Barons of the Quenes Exchequer, or els where, and payde the same issues, fines, and amerciamentes, vpon his or theyr sayde accompt, determined to the Quenes vse, and hath his or theyr Quietus est for the same.

Prouided alwayes and be it enacted by the aucthoritie afore∣sayde, that it shalbe lawefull to all and euery Clarke and other of∣ficer of any the Quenes Courtes, to awarde and make writtes of Capias vtlegatum at the suite of the partie plaintyffe, agaynst such per∣sons outlawed as be pardoned by this Acte, to thintent to compell the defendaunt and defendauntes to make aunswere to the playn∣tyffe or playntyffes, at whose suite he or they were outlawed. And that euery person so outlawed, shal sue a writte of Scire facias against the partie or parties at whose suite he or they were so outlawed, before this pardon in that behalfe shalbe alowed to hym that so is outlawed.

GOD saue the Quene.