Correspondence with James the Pretender (High Treason) Act 1701
The Correspondence with James the Pretender (High Treason) Act 1701 (13 & 14 Will. III, c. 3) was an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of England passed in 1701. The Act—the long title of which was "An Act for the Attainder of the pretended Prince of Wales of High Treason"—[1] was a response to the Jacobite claim to the English and Scottish thrones of James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender), who declared himself King James III of England and Ireland and VIII of Scotland upon the death of his father, the exiled James II of England, in September 1701.
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act for the Attainder of the pretended Prince of Wales of High Treason |
|---|---|
| Citation | 13 & 14 Will. III, c. 3 |
| Territorial extent | Kingdom of England |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 7 March 1701 [N.S.: 17 March 1701][lower-alpha 1] |
| Repealed | 30 July 1948 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1948 |
Status: Repealed | |
The Act expressed the "utmost Resentment of so great an Indignity" and "manifest violation" to William III of England, declared the "pretended Prince of Wales" was convicted and attainted of high treason and that he was "to suffer Pains of Death and incurr all Forfeitures as a Traitor"; and provided that if any English subject was to knowingly hold any correspondence with James Stuart, or with any person in his employ, or to knowingly spend or transmit any sum of money for the use of James, then on conviction they would be deemed guilty of high treason. If these offences were committed outside the realm, then they could be brought to trial in any English county.
This Act was repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act 1948.
See also
Explanatory notes
- During the lifetime of William III, two calendars were in use in Europe: the Old Style Julian calendar in Britain and parts of Northern and Eastern Europe, and the New Style Gregorian calendar elsewhere. In this article, dates up to 1752 follow the Julian calendar with New Year falling on 1 January. Dates thereafter, including the repeal date, are given according to the Gregorian calendar.
References
- "William III, 1701: An Act for the Attainder of the pretended Prince of Wales of High Treason [Chapter III. Rot. Parl. 13 & 14 Gul. III. n.3.]". Statutes of the Realm. Volume 7: 1695–1701: 739. 1820. Retrieved 16 February 2007.
- W. C. Costin; J. Steven Watson, eds. (1952). The Law & Working of the Constitution: Documents 1660–1914. Volume I (1660–1783). A&C Black. pp. 96–97.