CLASS J.
Statutes relating to Religion and Ecclesiastical
Authority.*
[ No. I. ] 35 Edward l. st. 1. c. 2.- Religious Persons
shall send nothing to their Superiors beyond the Sea.
[ No. II. ] 25 Edward III. st. 5. c. 22.—He that pur
chaseth a Provision in Rome for an Abbey, shall be out of the King's Protection, and any Man may do with him as with the King's Enemy.
* The Statutes referred to in this Division tinued impression that those restrictions are very numerous, and their Contents are might be withdrawn, as inapplicable to the very material and important as matter of present state of the country, and unnecessary legal and political history. Considering the with regard to the interests and security of nature of this work, and the space which it the established Church, I have so far entered already occupies, I have thought it eligible into the controversy as to state the grounds to insert only such Statutes as may still be of that impression, in a series of “ Letters considered as material in respect of their on the Legal Disabilities of Roman Catholics practical operation, with the exception of and Dissenters, and the Dangers appretwo of the ancient Statutes, which explain hended from their Removal.” — Ridgway, the object and meaning of the once important 1813; but I am aware that any investigaexpression, Præmunire. The restrictions that tion, partaking of the nature of political constill exist form the subject of a controversy troversy would not be consistent with the which is still maintained with considerable design and character of this collection. warmth. Under the strong and long con
[ No. III. ] 25 Edward III. st. 6.—The King and other
Lords shall present unto Benefices of their own, or their
Ancestors Foundation, and not the Bishop of Rome. 25 Edw. III. WHEREAS late in the Parliament of good memory of Edward King
of England, Grandfather to our Lord the King that now is, the 35 Ed. I. C. 4.
thirty-fifth
year of his Reign, holden at Carlisle, the Petition heard, put $ 3.
. before the said Grandfather and his Council in his said Parliament by the • Commonalty of the said Realm, containing, That_whereas the holy • Church of England was founded in the Estate of Prelacy, within the • Realm of England, by the said Grandfather and his Progenitors, and the
Earls, Barons, and other Nobles of his said Realm, and their Ancestors, 'to inform them and the People, of the Law of God, and to make Hospitalities, Alms, and other works of charity, in the Places where the Churches were founded, for the Souls of the Founders, their Heirs, and
all Christians; and certain Possessions, as well in Fees, Lands, Rents, as * in Advowsons, which do extend to a great Value, were assigned by the * said Founders to the Prelates and other People of the holy Church of
the said Realm, to sustain the same Charge, and especially of the Possessions which were assigned to Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Religious, and all other People of holy Church, by the Kings of the said Realm, Earls, Barons, and other great Men of this Realm; the same Kings, Earls, Barons, and other Nobles, as Lords and Advowees, have . had and ought to have the Custody of such Voidances, and the Present
ments and the Collations of the Benefices being of such Prelacies. The Pope be- • II. And the said Kings in Times past were wont to have the greatest stows spiritual Part of their Council, for the Safeguard of the Realm when they had Livings upon Need, of such Prelates and Clerks so advanced; the Bishop of Rome Aliens not
accroaching to him the Seigniories of such Possessions and Benefices,