Treason Act 1766 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act for altering the Oath of Abjuration and the Assurance; and for amending so much of an Act of the Seventh Year of her late Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An Act for the Improvement of the Union of the two Kingdoms, as, after the Time therein limited, requires the Delivery of certain Lists and Copies therein mentioned to Persons indicted of High Treason, or Misprision of Treason. |
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| Citation | 6 Geo. 3. c. 53 |
| Territorial extent | |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 6 June 1766 |
| Repealed | 15 June 1945 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Treason Act 1708 |
| Repealed by | Treason Act 1945 |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Treason Act 1766 was a law passed by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1766. An Act of Parliament is a formal law made by the country's government. At this time, the Parliament of Great Britain made laws for England, Scotland, and Wales.
This law had two main purposes. First, it changed a special promise called the "Oath of Abjuration." This oath was a promise to reject certain claims to the throne. Second, the Act changed some rules for trials involving high treason. Treason is a very serious crime against the country or its ruler.
Contents
What the Treason Act 1766 Did
Changing the Oath
Sections 1 and 2 of the Treason Act 1766 focused on the oath of abjuration. This oath was a promise that people had to make. It meant they would not support anyone who claimed to be the rightful king or queen of Britain, other than the current monarch.
Rules for Treason Trials
Section 3 of the Act changed some rules for trials related to high treason. Specifically, it dealt with treason that involved counterfeiting, which means making fake money. Before this Act, people accused of treason had to be given a list of the witnesses and jurors who would be part of their trial.
This rule about providing lists had only just started in 1766. It began when James Francis Edward Stuart passed away. He was known as the Jacobite pretender. A "pretender" is someone who claims to be the rightful ruler, even if someone else is on the throne. With his death, the government felt less threatened by those who supported his claim. So, they changed the rules for certain treason trials.
When the Act Ended
The Treason Act 1766 was eventually cancelled. It was officially repealed, or taken out of law, on 15 June 1945.
See also
- High treason in the United Kingdom
- Treason Act
