[Milton-L] Treason law

[Sabrina Baron]

Here it is from G. R. Elton, <<The Tudor Constitution>>, Cambridge  
University Press, 1982:

p. 60
The treason law was updated under Henry VIII in 1534 for the first  
time since 1352.  Henry and Cromwell were concerned to condemn those  
who denied Henry's Supreme Headship of the Church in England.  [This  
was More's offense--he would not take the oath recognizing Henry as  
such.]

pp. 62-3  transcript of extract from the statute of 1534

<<those who do maliciously wish, will or desire by words or writing,  
or by craft imagine, invent, practise, or attempt any bodily harm to  
be done or committed to the King's most royal person, the Queen's or  
their heir's apparent>>


[The sentence of treason was generally carried out by attainder,  
which required no hard evidence or proof.  It required only assertion  
or accusation.]

Sabrina Baron
University of Maryland