The King's Decree
An academic exploration of parliamentary legislation enacted by the Parliament of England between 1422 and 1460.
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Introduction to Lancastrian Legislation
Parliamentary Authority
This compilation details the legislative output of the English Parliament during a significant period of the 15th century, specifically the reign of Henry VI (1422-1460). These acts represent the formalization of royal and parliamentary will, shaping the governance, economy, and social fabric of England.
Legislative Context
Acts of Parliament were the primary form of statute law. Each act listed here originates from a specific parliamentary session, often identified by the regnal year (e.g., 1 Henry VI). The descriptions provide a summary of the act's purpose and its eventual legislative fate (e.g., repealed or still in force).
Chronological Framework
The period covered spans the early years of Henry VI's reign, marked by the continuation of the Hundred Years' War and internal political developments, through to the tumultuous period leading into the Wars of the Roses. Understanding these statutes offers insight into the administrative and legal priorities of the era.
Parliament of 1422 (1 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The first Parliament of King Henry VI convened at Westminster from November 9 to December 18, 1422. This session, traditionally cited as 1 Henry VI, addressed various matters of governance and finance.
Statute c. 1: Royal Mint
Chapter 1: Authorized the King's council to assign locations for minting currency. Its provisions concerning currency regulation were later repealed.
Statute c. 2: Purveyance
Chapter 2: Mandated the proclamation of statutes concerning purveyors (officials who requisitioned goods for the royal household) in every county. This act was subsequently repealed.
Statute c. 3: Irish Nationals
Chapter 3: Defined the conditions under which individuals from Ireland could reside in England. This statute was repealed in the 19th century.
Statute c. 4: Mint Procedures
Chapter 4: Stipulated the procedures for the Master of the Mint regarding the handling of gold and silver for coinage. Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Military Service Debts
Chapter 5: Addressed financial provisions related to individuals retained for military service under King Henry V. Repealed.
Statute c. 6: Merchant Exchanges
Chapter 6: Revived and continued provisions concerning security for exchanges made by merchants associated with the Roman court. Repealed.
Parliament of 1423 (2 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The second Parliament of Henry VI convened at Westminster from October 20, 1423, to February 28, 1424. This session is cited as 2 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Liberties Confirmation
Chapter 1: Confirmed existing liberties pertaining to the church and various individuals and entities. This act remains in force.
Statute c. 2: St. Leonard's Hospital
Chapter 2: Provided a remedy for the recovery of dues owed to St. Leonard's Hospital in York. Repealed in 1948.
Statute c. 3: Duke of Bedford's Rights
Chapter 3: Granted John, Duke of Bedford, the right to defend his legal claims by attorney while engaged in the King's service abroad. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: Staple Merchandise
Chapter 4: Mandated that all staple merchandise exported from England, Wales, and Ireland must be directed to Calais, as long as the staple remained there. Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Wool Exportation
Chapter 5: Established penalties for exporting wool or pelts without proper customs clearance, except to Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 6: Gold and Silver Export
Chapter 6: Defined the permissible reasons for exporting gold or silver from the realm. Repealed.
Statute c. 7: Tanners and Cordwainers
Chapter 7: Addressed the prohibition against cordwainers (shoemakers) engaging in the tanning trade, imposing penalties. Repealed.
Statute c. 8: Irish Nationals' Conduct
Chapter 8: Required Irish nationals residing in England to provide surety for their good behavior. Repealed.
Statute c. 9: Currency Regulation
Chapter 9: Aimed to eliminate a specific type of currency known as 'blanks'. Repealed.
Statute c. 10: Gold and Silver Embroidery
Chapter 10: Penalized deceitful practices in the working of gold and silver embroidery. Repealed.
Statute c. 11: Reversal of Outlawries
Chapter 11: Provided for the reversal of outlawries pronounced against individuals serving the King abroad. Repealed.
Statute c. 12: River Thames Nuisances
Chapter 12: Empowered justices to address and remove nuisances affecting the River Thames. Repealed.
Statute c. 13: Court Officers
Chapter 13: Defined the appointment criteria for inferior officers within the King's courts. Repealed.
Statute c. 14: Standard Measures
Chapter 14: Established standard measures for vessels containing wine, eels, and herrings. Repealed.
Statute c. 15: Royal Assayer's Duty
Chapter 15: Outlined the duties of the King's assayer, controller, and master of the mint. Repealed.
Statute c. 16: Price of Silver
Chapter 16: Set the price for a pound of silver in plate or mass. Repealed.
Statute c. 17: Silver Work Quality
Chapter 17: Stipulated the fineness standards and required marks for silver harness (work). Repealed.
Statute c. 18: Labourer Wages
Chapter 18: Granted justices of the peace the authority to set wages for artificers and workmen. Repealed.
Statute c. 19: River Fishing Nets
Chapter 19: Prohibited the fastening of nets to riverbanks, regulating fishing practices. Repealed.
Statute c. 20: Reversionary Rights
Chapter 20: Allowed individuals in reversion to pursue claims to estates, regardless of defaults by previous possessors. Repealed.
Statute c. 21: Escape from Custody
Chapter 21: Defined treasonous conduct for individuals escaping custody after indictment. Repealed.
Parliament of 1425 (3 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The third Parliament of Henry VI convened at Westminster from April 30 to July 14, 1425. This session is cited as 3 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Labourer Confederacies
Chapter 1: Prohibited masons and other artificers from forming confederacies or assemblies to regulate wages. Repealed.
Statute c. 2: Sheep Exportation
Chapter 2: Restricted the export of sheep without royal license. Repealed.
Statute c. 3: Customs Officers
Chapter 3: Penalized customs officers for concealing the King's duties. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: Butter and Cheese Export
Chapter 4: Allowed for the licensed export of butter and cheese. Repealed.
Statute c. 5: River Lee Navigation
Chapter 5: Authorized the Chancellor to issue commissions for the improvement and regulation of the River Lee. Repealed.
Parliament of 1426 (4 Henry VI)
Session Overview
Known as the "Parliament of Bats," this assembly convened at Leicester from February 18 to June 1, 1426. It is cited as 4 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Sheriff's Writs
Chapter 1: Mandated sheriffs to return writs promptly and summon impanelled jurors. Repealed.
Statute c. 2: Protection for Normandy Service
Chapter 2: Confirmed protections for individuals serving in Normandy or France, allowing defense by attorney. Repealed.
Statute c. 3: Record Amendments
Chapter 3: Allowed justices to amend certain records according to prior statutes. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: Writs for Knights
Chapter 4: Ensured that writs and processes concerning individuals recently knighted would not abate due to their new status. Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Corn Export
Chapter 5: Granted general license for the export of corn. Repealed.
Parliament of 1427 (6 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The fifth Parliament of Henry VI met at Westminster from October 13, 1427, to March 25, 1428. This session is cited as 6 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Exigent on Indictment
Chapter 1: Regulated the timeframe for issuing a 'capias' (a writ of process) against indicted persons in the King's Bench. Repealed.
Statute c. 2: Assize Panel Delivery
Chapter 2: Stipulated the timely delivery of panel copies to parties before assizes and Nisi prius sessions. Repealed.
Statute c. 3: Artificer Wages
Chapter 3: Empowered justices of the peace to set wages for artificers and workmen via proclamation. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: Knight Election Writs
Chapter 4: Addressed the process for sheriffs regarding the election of knights of the shire for Parliament. Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Commissioners of Sewers
Chapter 5: Provided for the granting of commissions of sewers and defined their operational scope. Repealed.
Statute c. 6: Wool Shipment to Calais
Chapter 6: Permitted merchants to ship wool and woolfells to Calais from specified ports. Repealed.
Parliament of 1429 (8 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The sixth Parliament of Henry VI convened at Westminster from September 22, 1429, to February 23, 1430. This session is cited as 8 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Clergy Privileges
Chapter 1: Affirmed the liberties of clergy participating in convocations, aligning them with parliamentary privileges. Repealed.
Statute c. 2: Trade with Denmark
Chapter 2: Regulated trade with Denmark, specifying permitted ports of entry. Repealed.
Statute c. 3: Commissioners of Sewers
Chapter 3: Allowed commissioners of sewers to execute their own ordinances. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: Livery Regulations
Chapter 4: Prohibited the purchase or wearing of liveries to gain support in disputes ('maintenance'). Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Weights and Measures
Chapter 5: Mandated common balances and weights in cities and boroughs, and regulated wool purchases. Repealed.
Statute c. 6: Treasonous Threats
Chapter 6: Classified the act of threatening to burn a house if money is not paid as high treason. Repealed.
Statute c. 7: Knight Election Qualifications
Chapter 7: Defined the qualifications for electors choosing knights of the parliament, establishing a £40 freehold requirement. Repealed.
Statute c. 8: Labourer Wages Confirmation
Chapter 8: Confirmed previous statutes regarding the wages of labourers and workmen. Repealed.
Statute c. 9: Forcible Entry
Chapter 9: Addressed the duties of justices of the peace concerning forcible entry and detainer of property. Repealed.
Statute c. 10: Indictment Process
Chapter 10: Regulated the process awarded upon indictments removed into the King's Bench. Repealed.
Statute c. 11: London Apprenticeship
Chapter 11: Affirmed the rights of London citizens to take apprentices according to their customs. Repealed.
Statute c. 12: Amendment of Records
Chapter 12: Allowed judges to amend certain defects in records. Repealed.
Statute c. 13: Protections for French Service
Chapter 13: Limited the exceptions in protections granted to those serving in France, specifically regarding 'assise of Novel Disseisin'. Repealed.
Statute c. 14: Riotous Felonies
Chapter 14: Addressed procedures for dealing with individuals committing felonies during riots and fleeing. Repealed.
Statute c. 15: Record Amendment (No. 2)
Chapter 15: Further provisions for amending defects in judicial records. Repealed.
Statute c. 16: Escheators' Inquests
Chapter 16: Regulated the process and timing of inquests conducted by escheators. Repealed.
Statute c. 17: Staple Goods Export
Chapter 17: Mandated forfeiture for staple goods exported to places other than Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 18: Calais Staple Ordinances
Chapter 18: Established ordinances concerning merchandise prices and the mint at Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 19: Mariner's Shipments
Chapter 19: Penalized mariners for carrying merchandise to unauthorized locations instead of Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 20: Trade with Calais
Chapter 20: Prohibited Calais merchants from purchasing staple merchandise beyond the sea. Repealed.
Statute c. 21: Export to Scotland
Chapter 21: Repealed licenses for exporting merchandise elsewhere than Calais and penalized exports to Scotland. Repealed.
Statute c. 22: Wool Winding and Packing
Chapter 22: Set standards for winding and packing wool, prohibiting certain practices. Repealed.
Statute c. 23: Woolen Yarn Export
Chapter 23: Prohibited the export of woolen yarn 'thrums'. Repealed.
Statute c. 24: Trade with Aliens
Chapter 24: Regulated payments to alien merchants and required immediate payment for goods. Repealed.
Statute c. 25: Mayor of Calais Term
Chapter 25: Stipulated a two-year term for the Mayor of the Staple at Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 26: Franchises Jurisdiction
Chapter 26: Penalized actions that usurped the jurisdiction of lords or mayors. Repealed.
Statute c. 27: Severn River Robberies
Chapter 27: Provided remedies against robberies and injuries on the River Severn navigation. Repealed.
Statute c. 28: Oxford Bridges
Chapter 28: Authorized the construction of bridges at Burford and Culhamford in Oxfordshire. (Note: Chapter numbering varies; this is Ruffhead c. 28).
Statute c. 29: Alien Party Inquests
Chapter 29: Stipulated the use of 'de medietate linguae' (half native, half foreign jury) when an alien was a party. Repealed.
Parliament of 1430 (9 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The seventh Parliament of Henry VI met at Westminster from January 12 to March 20, 1431. This session is cited as 9 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Assizes Adjournment
Chapter 1: Provided for the adjournment of assizes and Nisi prius during parliamentary sessions. Repealed.
Statute c. 2: Alien Trade Credit
Chapter 2: Modified rules on credit terms for sales to alien merchants. Repealed.
Statute c. 3: Owain Glyndŵr Proceedings
Chapter 3: Validated legal proceedings against Owain Glyndŵr, with savings for his heirs. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: Executors' Indentitates
Chapter 4: Allowed executors to maintain 'indentitates nominis' (legal recognizances). Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Severn River Passage
Chapter 5: Ensured free passage on the River Severn for goods and chattels. Repealed.
Statute c. 6: Indictment Process Confirmation
Chapter 6: Confirmed procedures for indictments removed into the King's Bench. Repealed.
Statute c. 7: Sheriff Qualifications (Hereford)
Chapter 7: Addressed the conduct of the Sheriff of Herefordshire regarding fees and duties. Repealed.
Statute c. 8: Wey of Cheese Weight
Chapter 8: Defined the standard weight of a 'wey' of cheese. Repealed.
Statute c. 9: River Lee Navigation
Chapter 9: Authorized the Chancellor to grant commissions for improving the River Lee. Repealed.
Statute c. 10: Attorneys for Religious Persons
Chapter 10: Allowed certain abbots and religious persons to appoint attorneys. Repealed.
Statute c. 11: Bastardy Proclamations
Chapter 11: Stipulated proclamations before issuing writs concerning bastardy. Repealed.
Statute c. 12: Amendment of Judgements
Chapter 12: Allowed judges to amend certain defects in records and judgments. Repealed.
Statute c. 13: Protections for French Service
Chapter 13: Reaffirmed protections for those in the King's service in France, excluding 'assise of Novel Disseisin'. Repealed.
Statute c. 14: Riotous Felonies
Chapter 14: Addressed procedures for felonies committed by rioters fleeing into hiding. Repealed.
Statute c. 15: Record Amendment (No. 2)
Chapter 15: Provided further means for amending defects in judicial records. Repealed.
Statute c. 16: Escheators' Inquests
Chapter 16: Regulated the process and certification of inquests by escheators. Repealed.
Statute c. 17: Staple Goods Forfeiture
Chapter 17: Mandated forfeiture for staple goods exported to unauthorized locations. Repealed.
Statute c. 18: Calais Staple Ordinances
Chapter 18: Continued ordinances regarding merchandise prices and the Calais mint. Repealed.
Statute c. 19: Mariner's Shipments
Chapter 19: Penalized mariners for unauthorized shipments of staple merchandise. Repealed.
Statute c. 20: Trade with Calais
Chapter 20: Prohibited Calais merchants from buying staple goods outside England. Repealed.
Statute c. 21: Export Penalties
Chapter 21: Repealed certain export licenses and imposed penalties for exports to Scotland. Repealed.
Statute c. 22: Wool Standards
Chapter 22: Set standards for wool preparation and prohibited certain practices. Repealed.
Statute c. 23: Woolen Yarn Export
Chapter 23: Prohibited the export of woolen yarn 'thrums'. Repealed.
Statute c. 24: Alien Trade Payments
Chapter 24: Regulated payments to alien merchants, requiring silver payment and immediate settlement. Repealed.
Statute c. 25: Mayor of Calais Term
Chapter 25: Stipulated a two-year term for the Mayor of the Staple at Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 26: Franchises Jurisdiction Penalty
Chapter 26: Penalized interference with the jurisdiction of lords or mayors. Repealed.
Statute c. 27: Severn River Robberies
Chapter 27: Provided remedies against robberies on the River Severn. Repealed.
Statute c. 29: Alien Party Inquests
Chapter 29: Mandated jury composition ('de medietate linguae') when an alien was involved. Repealed.
Statute (Second Part)
10 Henry VI, Stat. 2: This part of the session's legislation included provisions related to the payment of judges and other matters. Repealed.
Parliament of 1432 (10 Henry VI)
Session Overview
The eighth Parliament of Henry VI convened at Westminster from May 12 to July 17, 1432. This session is cited as 10 Henry VI.
Statute c. 1: Calais Staple Recognisances
Chapter 1: Ensured recognisances taken before the Mayor of Calais were effective within England. Repealed.
Statute c. 2: Knight Election Qualifications
Chapter 2: Further defined the qualifications for electors of knights of the shire, reinforcing the £40 freehold requirement. Repealed.
Statute c. 3: Letters of Request
Chapter 3: Provided for letters of request concerning goods seized from English subjects by Danes. Repealed.
Statute c. 4: False Plaintiff Entries
Chapter 4: Penalized false entries indicating a plaintiff's appearance when they had not appeared. Repealed.
Statute c. 5: Calais Maintenance
Chapter 5: Reaffirmed statutes concerning the maintenance of specific locations around Calais. Repealed.
Statute c. 6: Indictment Process Confirmation
Chapter 6: Confirmed the process for indictments removed into the King's Bench. Repealed.
Statute c. 7: Staple Goods Forfeiture
Chapter 7: Mandated forfeiture for staple goods exported to unauthorized locations. Repealed.
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References
References
- "There is no c. 28 in the Statutes of the Realm; see note there, vol. 2 p. 261"[9]
- Safe Conducts Act 1414 (2 Hen. 5. Stat. 1. c. 6)
- Safe Conducts Act 1414 (2 Hen. 5. Stat. 1. c. 6)
- 26 Hen 6. c. 3
- Safe Conducts Act 1414 (2 Hen. 5. Stat. 1. c. 6)
- Short title assigned in the Republic of Ireland by the Short Titles Act 1962.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document was generated by an AI and presents information based on historical records of English parliamentary acts from 1422-1460. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, the content is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
This is not legal advice. The information provided is a summary and may not encompass the full legal context or historical nuances of each statute. Users should consult primary sources and qualified legal historians for definitive interpretations or specific legal applications.
The creators are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.