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Page:Royal Assent by Commission Act 1541.pdf/1

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An Act concerning the Attainder of the late Queen Katharine and her Complices.

QUEEN Katharine attainted of Treason, and her Complices, and all their Lands and Tenements, Goods and Cattels shall be forfeit to the King. It shall be lawful for any of the King's Subjects, if themselves do perfectly know, or by vehement Presumption do perceive, any Will Act or Condition of Lightness of Body in her which shall be the Queen of this Realm, to disclose the same to the King, or some of his Council; but they shall not openly blow it abroad, or whisper it, until it be divulged by the King or his Council. If the King, or any of his Successors, shall marry a Woman which was before incontinent, if she conceal the same, it shall be High Treason, and so shall it be in any other knowing it, and not revealing it to the King, or one of his Council, before the said Marriage, or within twenty Days after. If the Queen, or Wife of the Prince, shall by Writing Message Words Tokens or otherwise, move any other to Rave carnal Knowledge with them, or any others shall move either of them to that End, then in the Offender it shall be adjudged High Treason.

III. Be it declared by Authority of this present Parliament, That the King’s Royal Assent by his Letters Patent under his Great Seal, and signed with his Hand, and declared and notified in his Absence to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and to the Commons, assembled together in the high House, is and ever was of as good Strength and Force, as though the King’s Person had been there personally present, and had assented openly and publickly to the same.

IV. And be it also enacted, That this Royal Affent, and all other Royal Assents hereafter to be so given by the Kings of this Realm, and notified as is aforesaid, shall be taken and reputed good and effectual to all Intents and Purposes, without Doubt or Ambiguity; any Custom or Use to the contrary notwithstanding.