Benefit of Clergy Act 1267

Statutes made at Marlborough, alias Marleberge, 18 Novemb. Anno 52 HEN. III. and Anno Dom. 1267.

Benefit of Clergy Act 1267

1267 (52 Hen. 3) C A P. XXVI.

IN the Year of Grace, One thousand two hundred sixty seven, the two and fiftieth Year of the Reign of King HENRY, Son of King JOHN, in the Utas of St. Martin, the said King our Lord providing for the better Estate of his Realm of England, and for the more speedy Ministration of Justice, as belongeth to the Office of a King, the more discreet Men of the Realm being called together, as well of the higher as of the lower Estate: It was provided, agreed, and ordained, that whereas the Realm of England of late had been disquieted with manifold Troubles and Dissensions; for Reformation whereof Statutes and Laws be right necessary, whereby the Peace and Tranquillity of the People must be observed:Wherein the King, intending to devise convenient Remedy, hath made these Acts, Ordinances, and Statutes underwritten, which he willeth to be observed for ever firmly and inviolably of all his Subjects, as well high as low.

A Clerk bailed upon a Capital Offence, refuseth to answer.

IF a Clerk, for any Crime or Offence touching the Crown, be arrested, and after by the King's Commandment, let to bail, or replevied, so that they, to whom he was let to bail, have him before our Justices, the Sureties from henceforth, nor they to whom he was let to bail, shall not be amerced (if they have his Body before our Justices) although he will not answer before them, by reason of a Clerk's Privilege, nor cannot by reason of his Ordinary. ''Bro. Cofom 111. 2 Inst. 150. Altered by 28 H. 8. c. 1. and 32 H. 8. c. 3. which or dain that Clergy shall be used as others be.''

Note : this act is listed in the Chronological Table of Statutes as the Benefit of Clergy Act, 1267