The Suppression of the Jesuits
While the suppression of the Jesuits began in the Catholic monarchies of Portugal, Spain and France, where the Jesuits had nearly autonomous powers on huge tracts of land, exercising "state within a state" power which threatened the royal prerogatives, the Protestant nations tended to regard all priests as Jesuits, and the name came to be used synonymously with Catholic prelate. The laws of the English monarchs, for example, directed at the suppression of Irish Catholicism, regarded as an important part of the rebellion of Irish peasants against their new English masters, were seen as directed primarily at the Jesuits.
LAWS IN IRELAND CONCERNING THE SUPPRESSION OF POPERY
9 Will III c.1 (1697):
An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and
all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 1. Whereas it is notoriously known, that the late rebellions in this
kingdom have been promoted by popish bishops and other ecclesiastical persons of
the popish religion, and forasmuch as the peace and publick safety of this
kingdom is in danger by the great number of said the clergy now residing here,
and settling in fraternities contrary to law, and to the great impoverishing of
his Majesty's subjects who are forced to maintain them, and said the clergy do
not only endeavour to withdraw his Majesty's subjects from their obedience, but
do daily stir up and move sedition and rebellion , all popish archbishops,
bishops, vicars-general, deans, jesuits, monks, friars, and all other regular
popish clergy shall depart out of this kingdom before the 1st day of May, 1698,
and if any of said ecclesiastical persons shall after that day be in this
kingdom, they shall suffer imprisonment, and remain in prison until transported
out of his Majesty's dominions, wherever his Majesty or the chief governors of
this kingdom shall see fit, and if any person so transported shall return, he
shall be guilty of high treason.
9 Will III c.1 (1697):
An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and
all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 2. All such popish clergy shall before the 1st day of May repair to certain
named seaports to await transportation into some parts beyond the sea, giving
their names to the mayor who shall make a list and with the collector of the
port, assist in the transporting of such clergy.
9 Will III c.1 (1697):
An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and
all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 3. After the 29th day of December, 1697, such popish clergy as enter this
kingdom shall suffer twelve months imprisonment, and then transportation; upon
return after transportation, they shall be guilty of high treason.
9 Will III c.1 (1697):
An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and
all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 4-5. Anyone who shall knowingly harbour such popish clergy shall for the
first offence forfeit 20 pounds, for the second offence, double that sum, and
for the third offence, shall forfeit all his lands during his life, and also his
goods and chattels, one half to his Majesty, one half (not to exceed 100 pounds)
to the informer.
9 Will III c.1 (1697)
An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and
all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 8-10. Every justice of the peace, shall from time to time issue their
warrants for apprehending such popish clergy, and for suppressing all
monasteries or other popish fraternities or societies, and give accounts of the
same. Any justice of the peace, mayor, or other officer who shall neglect their
duty to execute this act shall forfeit 100 pounds for each such neglect, one
half to his Majesty, one half to the informer, and be disabled from serving as
justice of the peace during his life.
2 Ann c.3 (1703):
An Act to prevent Popish Priests from coming into this Kingdom
Sec. 1. Whereas great numbers of Popish bishops, deans, fryers, jesuits, and
other regulars of the popish clergy come into this kingdom from France, Spain,
and other foreign parts, under the disguise of being Popish secular priests,
with intent to stir up her Majesty's Popish subjects to rebellion, and for that
sufficient proof to convict them cannot be had, they have hitherto remained in
this kingdom contrary to law, to the great prejudice of her Majesty's Protestant
subjects and to the hazard of the publick peace, every clergyman of the popish
religion who shall come into this kingdom and every person who shall knowingly
conceal the same, shall be liable to such penalties, forfeitures, and
punishments as is imposed on popish bishops etc. by the act of 9 Will III c.1.
2 Ann c. 3: (1703):
An Act to prevent Popish Priests from coming into this Kingdom
Sec. 2. Any person who shall knowingly harbour such clergyman of the popish
religion shall be liable to such penalties as are imposed on the harbourers of
popish regulars.
2 Ann c. 3: (1703)
An Act to prevent Popish Priests from coming into this Kingdom
Sec. 3-4. Justices of the peace, mayors etc are enjoined to use utmost diligence
in apprehending such popish priests; neglect of this duty to be punished by a
forfeiture of 100 pounds, one half to the Queen, the other to the informer.
Jurisdiction over returned priests shall be in such county wherein they shall be
taken or in any county where her Majesty shall appoint.
2 Ann c.7 (1703):
An Act for registering the Popish Clergy
Sec. 1. Whereas two acts lately made for banishing all regulars of the Popish
clergy out of this kingdom and to prevent Popish priests from coming into the
same may be wholly eluded, unless the government be truly informed of the number
of such dangerous persons as still reside among us, all popish priests now in
this kingdom shall after 24 June, 1704 register at the next quarter sessions,
with their name, age, the parish of which he pretends to be popish priest, the
time and place of receiving popish orders, and from whom received, and give two
sureties of fifty pounds for peaceable behaviour and not remove to any other
part of the kingdom.
And all popish priests who shall not so register shall be committed to the
common gaol till they be transported.
2 Ann. c. 7: (1703)
An Act for registering the Popish Clergy
Sec. 1 cont.. All popish priests being so convicted shall be transported out of
this kingdom, and shall incur the same penalties upon returning as popish
bishops and regulars, by the Act of 9 Will. III, ch 26. Clerks of the peace are
to transmit returns of such registrations, or forfeit 10 pounds.
2 Ann c.7 (1703):
An Act for registering the Popish Clergy
Sec. 2. Every popish priest who shall convert and conform to the Church of
Ireland as by law established shall have 20 pounds yearly for their maintenance
and till they are otherwise provided for, said money to be levied on the
inhabitants of such county or city or town where such converted priest did last
officiate.
And such converts shall publickly read the liturgy of the Church of Ireland in
the English or Irish tongue, in such places as the archbishop or bishop of that
diocese shall appoint.
2 Ann c.7 (1703):
An Act for registering the Popish Clergy
Sec. 3. No popish priest shall have any popish curate. Every popish priest that
shall neglect to register shall depart out of this kingdom before the 20th of
July, 1704, and any remaining shall be esteemed a popish regular clergyman, and
prosecuted as such.
4 Ann c.2 (1705):
An Act to explain and amend an Act, intituled An Act for registering the popish
clergy
Sec. 1. Whereas two acts lately made for banishing popish clergy do not extend
to the great numbers of popish priests as have been ordained in this kingdom
since the time appointed for registering the popish clergy, if any popish priest
shall after the 24th day of June 1705 be found in this kingdom other than those
priests who shall have registered, shall be liable to the penalties imposed on
popish bishops and regulars.
4 Ann c.2 (1705):
An Act to explain and amend an Act, intituled An Act for registering the popish
clergy
Sec. 2. Any persons who knowingly harbour such unregistered popish clergymen
shall be liable to the penalties imposed on concealers of popish bishops and
regulars.
4 Ann c.2 (1705):
An Act to explain and amend an Act, intituled An Act for registering the popish
clergy
Sec. 4. Any mayor, justice of the peace or other officer who shall neglect to
execute this Act shall forfeit 50 pounds, one half to the Queen, one half to the
informer.
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec 17. The acts of 2 Ann c.3 and 4 Ann c.2 requiring the registration of popish
clergy, are hereby made perpetual.
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 18. The annual maintenance for converted priests is raised to 30 pounds
yearly, to be levied on the inhabitants of such county where such converted
priest did last reside, and requires them to not only read the common prayer or
liturgy of the Church of Ireland, but also to preach weekly in the English or
Irish tongue as the bishop shall direct.
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 19. Every popish priest which keeps a curate shall lose the benefit of
being registered, and he and his popish curate shall be prosecuted as popish
regulars.
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 20. For discovering, so to lead to the apprehension and conviction of any
popish archbishop, bishop, vicar general, jesuit, monk, or other person
exercising foreign ecclesiastical jurisdiction, a reward of 50 pounds, and 20
pounds for each regular clergyman or non-registered secular clergyman so
discovered, and 10 pounds for each popish schoolmaster, usher or assistant; said
reward to be levied on the popish inhabitants of the county where found.
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 22. All registered popish priests shall take the oath of abjuration before
the 25th of March, 1710, or incur the penalties as a popish regular.
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 25. No popish priest shall officiate anywhere but in the parish where he
officiated at the time of registration, without incurring the penalties as a
popish regular
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 31-33. Any papist clergy or schoolmaster liable to transportation under
these Acts shall within three months be transported to the common gaol of the
next seaport town, to remain until transported. If any merchant freighting any
ship outward bound for any port not within the kingdoms of Great Britain or
Ireland refuse to take such papists, not exceeding five per ship, if required by
the chief magistrate, the collector of customs shall not discharge such ship
until such merchant shall consent to receive and transport such papists. Such
merchant shall receive 5 pounds for the transportation of every such person to
any part of the West Indies not being subject to her Majesty, and 3 pounds to
Europe, and shall enter into a recognizance in the amount of 50 pounds that he
shall transport such papist outside of her Majesty's dominions. If any such
papist shall be found in this kingdom out of the custody of the said merchant or
ships master, he shall suffer the penalties of such regular clergyman who hath
been banished and returned again.
31 Geo II c.9 (1759):
An Act for reviving, continuing, and amending several temporary Statutes
Sec. 1 The act of 8 Ann c.3 so far as it relates to the encouragement to popish
priests becoming protestants, shall be revived and continued in force for 11
years.
An Act for banishing all papists exercising
any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 6-7. No person shall bury any dead in any suppressed monastery, abbey, or
convent, upon pain of forfeiting ten pounds, which sum shall be recovered from
any person present at the burial, one half to the informer, one half to the
minister and church wardens of the parish where such offences shall be
committed.. Appeal may be made to the next judges of assize or to the justices
at the next quarter sessions.
8.01
7 Will III c.14 (1695):
An Act declaring which days in the year shall be observed as holy-days
Sec. 1. Whereas many idle persons refuse to work at their lawful calling on
several days in the year, on pretence that the same is dedicated to some saint,
or pretended saint, for whom they have or pretend to have reverence, and chuse
to spend such days in idleness, drunkenness, and vice, to the scandal of
religion, no other day except those days listed herein, or some other day
set apart by order of his Majesty, shall be kept holy. Any common labourer or
servant who shall refuse to work for the usual and accustomed wages on any other
day, shall forfeit two shillings on conviction. If such offender fail to pay the
fine, he shall be publickly whipped.
8.02
7 Will III c.14 (1695):
An Act declaring which days in the year shall be observed as holy-days
Sec. 2-3. Any constable who refuses to execute this punishment shall himself be
bound over for contempt, and if found guilty, fined not more that 20 shillings.
Provided no justice of the peace shall execute this statute for offenses against
his own personal interests, or where complaint was made more than 10 days after
the offence.
8.021
9 Will III c.1 (1697):
An Act for banishing all papists exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and
all regulars of the popish clergy...
Sec. 6-7. No person shall bury any dead in any suppressed monastery, abbey, or
convent, upon pain of forfeiting ten pounds, which sum shall be recovered from
any person present at the burial, one half to the informer, one half to the
minister and church wardens of the parish where such offences shall be
committed.. Appeal may be made to the next judges of assize or to the justices
at the next quarter sessions.
8.03
2 Ann c.6 (1703):
An Act to prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 26. Whereas the superstitions of popery are greatly increased by the
pretended sanctity of places, especially of a place called St. Patrick's
Purgatory in the county of Donegal, and of wells to which pilgrimages are made
by vast numbers, all such meetings and assembles shall be adjudged riots,
and unlawful assemblies, and punishable as such, and all sheriffs, justices of
the peace and other magistrates shall be diligent in putting the laws against
offenders into due execution.
8.04
2 Ann c.6 (1703):
An Act to prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 27. All persons so assembling contrary to this Act shall forfeit ten
shillings, one half to the informer, one half to the poor of the parish where
such offender shall be convicted.
And if such offender shall not pay said sum, he shall be committed to a
constable to be publickly whipped.
And all persons who at such assemblies build booths or sell ale, victuals, or
other commodities, shall forfeit twenty shillings, to be levied by sale of such
goods, and in default of such sale, by imprisonment until paid.
And magistrates are required to demolish all crosses, pictures, and inscriptions
that are anywhere publickly set up and which are the occasion of popish
superstitions.
8.05
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 21. Any 2 justices of the peace may summon any popish person of sixteen
years or upwards, to appear in three days and give testimony on oath where and
when he heard or was present at the celebration of the popish mass, and who
celebrated the same, and who were present at the celebration thereof, and
likewise touching the residence of any popish priest or any popish schoolmaster
who may be disguised, concealed, or itinerant in the country, and also to fully
answer to all such circumstances and things touching on such popish persons.
Such person not appearing, or answering, shall be committed to the common gaol
for twelve months, unless he or she pay down a sum not exceeding twenty pounds,
for the use of the poor of the parish.
Provided that such examination shall be only of such offenses committed within
thirty days before such examination, and shall not subject the party examined to
any penalty, or be used in evidence against him, unless said person is indicted
for having committed wilful perjury in such examination
8.06
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 23. Any two justices of the peace, by warrant directed to any sheriff or
constable, may summon any man of 16 years and upward, to appear before such
justices, and take and subscribe the oath of
abjuration.
And if such person not appear, or refuse to take the oath, he may be committed
to the common gaol or house of correction for three months, unless he pay a sum
not to exceed forty shillings as said justices may require, to the use of the
poor, and such offender shall be forever incapable of having a license to bear
arms.
And three months after such refusal, two justices may summon such offender to
take the oath, and if he shall not appear or refuse again, may commit him to
gaol for six months, unless he pay a sum not to exceed 10 pounds, nor under 5
pounds, to the use of the poor, and the offender be bound with two sufficient
sureties to appear at the next assizes or gaol delivery and to be of good
behaviour.
At which assizes or quarter sessions the said oath shall be tendered to said
offender by the justices of assize in their open assizes, or quarter sessions
and if said offender shall refuse to take the oath, he shall incur the penalties
of praemunire.
8.07
8 Ann c.3 (1709):
An Act for explaining ... an Act to Prevent the further Growth of Popery
Sec. 24. Provided that any of those protestant dissenters called Quakers, who
scruple taking any oath, who produces a certificate under the hands and seals of
six credible men of his society, owning him to be one of them, and who
subscribes a declaration to same effect as the oath of
abjuration, as well as the
declaration against transubstantiation, shall
be exempted from the penalties of this Act.
8.08
6 Geo I c.5 (1719):
An Act for exempting the Protestant Dissenters of this Kingdom from certain
Penalties,...
Sec. 13. Nothing in this act on behalf of protestant dissenters shall extend to
give any ease of advantage to any person professing the popish religion, nor to
any person who shall deny the doctrine of the blessed Trinity.