Prelates Act 1267

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

Prelates 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.

Remedies for Successors of Prelates for Wrongs done to their Predecessors, &c.

A Remedy for Prelates for Wrongs done in the time of their Predecessors, or during the Vacation.

IT is provided, That if any Wrongs or Trespasses be done to Abbots, or other Prelates of the Church, and they have sued their Right for such Wrongs, and be prevented with Death before Judgment given therein; their Successors shall have Actions to demand the Goods of their Church out of the Hands of such Trespassers.

(2) Moreover, the Successors shall have like Action for such Thingsas were lately withdrawn by such Violence from their House and Church, before the Death of their Predecessors, though their said Predecessors did not pursue their Right during their Lives.

(3) And if any intrude into the Lands or Tenements of such Religious Persons in the time of Vacation, or which Lands their Predecessors died seised as in the Right of their Church, the Successors shall have a Writ to recover their Seisin.

(4) And Damages shall be awarded them, as in Assise of Novel disseisinis wont to be. ''Fitz. Trespass, 205, 211, 237, 242.'' ''Fitz. Brief, 176, 296, 359, 623, 828.'' 2 H. 4. 4. ''2 Inst. 251. Regist. 72, 125. F. N. B. 112.'' Note : this act is listed in the Chronological Table of Statutes as the Prelates Act, 1267