31_Hen._8
This is a list of acts of the Parliament of England for the years 1539–1540.
For acts passed during the period 1707–1800, see the list of acts of the Parliament of Great Britain. See also the list of acts of the Parliament of Scotland, the list of acts of the Parliament of Ireland.
For acts passed from 1801 onwards, see the list of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. For acts of the devolved parliaments and assemblies in the United Kingdom, see the list of acts of the Scottish Parliament, the list of acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the list of acts and measures of Senedd Cymru; see also the list of acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
For medieval statutes, etc. that are not considered to be acts of Parliament, see the list of English statutes.
The number shown after each act's title is its chapter number. Acts are cited using this number, preceded by the year(s) of the reign during which the relevant parliamentary session was held; thus the Union with Ireland Act 1800 is cited as "39 & 40 Geo. 3 c. 67", meaning the 67th act passed during the session that started in the 39th year of the reign of George III and which finished in the 40th year of that reign. The modern convention is to use Arabic numerals in citations (thus "41 Geo. 3" rather than "41 Geo. III"). Acts of the last session of the Parliament of Great Britain and the first session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom are both cited as "41 Geo. 3".
Acts passed by the Parliament of England did not have a short title; however, some of these ats have subsequently been given a short title by acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (such as the Short Titles Act 1896).
Acts passed by the Parliament of England were deemed to have come into effect on the first day of the session in which they were passed. Because of this, the years given in the list below may in fact be the year before a particular Act was passed.
The first session of the 7th Parliament of King Henry VIII, which met at Westminster from 28 April 1539 until 28 June 1539.
No acts were passed during the second session.
Public acts
{{legislationuk|act |- | {{|Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common Act 1539|note1=[1]|public|1|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act concerning Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common.}}
| {{|Fishing Act 1539|public|2|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act that fishing in any several Pond, Stew or Mote, with an Intent to steal Fish out of the same, is Felony.}}
| {{|Certain Lands in Kent Disgavelled Act 1539|public|3|28-06-1539|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act changing the Custom of Gavelkind.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|River Exe Act 1539|public|4|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act concerning the amending of the River and Port of Exeter.}}
| {{|Manor of Hampton Court Act 1539|public|5|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act whereby the King's Manor of Hampton Court is made an Honour, and a new Chase thereto belonging.}}
| {{|Monasteries, etc. Act 1539|public|6|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act that such as were religious Persons may purchase, sue and be sued, in all manner of Actions.}}
| {{|Continuance of Laws Act 1539|public|7|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act concerning the Continuance of the Statute for Punishment of Beggars and Vagabonds, and of certain other Statutes.}}
| {{|Proclamation by the Crown Act 1539|public|8|28-06-1539|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act that Proclamations made by the King's Highness, with the Advice of His Honourable Council, shall be obeyed, and kept as though they were made by Act of Parliament.|note4=
(Repealed by Treason Act 1547) }}
| {{|Bishops Act 1539|public|9|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act authorising the King's Highness to make Bishops by his Letters Patent.}}
| {{|House of Lords Precedence Act 1539|note1=[2]|public|10|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act concerning placing of the Lords in the Parliament Chamber, and other Assemblies and Conferences of Council.}}
| {{|Wales Act 1539|public|11|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act authorising the King's Highness newly to allot certain Townships in Wales.}}
| {{|Taking of Hawks Act 1539|public|12|28-06-1539|archived=n|An Act concerning wrongful taking of Hawks' Eggs and Birds out of the Nests; finding and taking up of the King's Hawks; hunting in the King's Forest, Park or Chase, or other Ground inclosed; and killing of Conies within any lawful Warren of the King's.}}
| {{|Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1539|note1=[3][4]
or the Dissolution of Greater Monasteries Act 1539
or the Second Act of Dissolution
or the Second Suppression Act|public|13|28-06-1539|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for the Dissolution of all Monasteries and Abbies.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989) }}
| {{|Statute of the Six Articles|note1=
or the Six Articles Act 1539|public|14|28-06-1539|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for abolishing of Diversity of Opinions of certain Articles concerning Christian Religion.|note4=
(Repealed by Treason Act 1547) }}
}}
Private acts
{{legislationuk|act |- | {{|Attainder of Marquis of Exeter and others.|private|15|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Lady Taylboys' jointure.|private|16|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of Mansion House in St. Laurence Pountney to Earl of Sussex.|private|17|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of Chester Place to Earl of Hertford.|private|18|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of Rycott Manor to Sir John Williams.|private|19|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Lady Rochford's jointure.|private|20|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of lands to Sir Christopher Hales.|private|21|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Restitution of Sir Henry Norreys Act 1539|private|22|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of lands to Sir Richard Rich.|private|23|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of lands to Sir Henry Long and Sir Thomas Seymour.|private|24|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of Bath Place to Earl of Southampton.|private|25|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange between Bishops of Rochester and Carlisle and Lord Russell.|private|26|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Chancery Clerks' House.|private|27|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of lands to Wyatt and Culpeper.|private|28|28-06-1539|archived=n|}}
}}
Sources
- "31° Hen. VIII". The Statutes of the Realm. Vol. 3: 1509 to 1547. pp. 717–743 – via Hathi Trust.
- "Anno tricesimo primo Henrici VIII". The Statutes at Large. Vol. 4 – 1 Richard III to 31 Henry VIII – 1483-4 to 1539. pp. 447–471 – via Internet Archive.
- "Anno tricesimo primo Henrici VIII". The Statutes at Large. Vol. 4 – 1 Richard III to 31 Henry VIII – 1483-4 to 1539. pp. 447–471 – via Internet Archive.
- "Anno tricesimo primo Henrici VIII". The Statutes at Large. Vol. 4 – 1 Richard III to 31 Henry VIII – 1483-4 to 1539. pp. 447–471 – via Internet Archive.
- Journal of the House of Lords. Vol. 1: 1509-1577. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1830 – via British History Online.
- Chronological Table of and Index to the Statutes. Vol. 1: To the End of the Session 59 Vict. Sess. 2 (1895) (13th ed.). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1896. p. 50 – via Google Books.
- Chronological Table of the Statutes: Covering the Period from 1235 to the End of 1971. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1972. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-11-840096-1 – via Google Books.
- "Acts of the English Parliament from 1539". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives.
- "Chronological Tables of the Private and Personal Acts: Part 1 (1539–1601)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives.
The third session of the 7th Parliament of King Henry VIII, which met from 12 April 1540 until 24 July 1540.
Public acts
{{legislationuk|act
|-
| {{|Statute of Wills|note1=
or the Wills Act 1540[5]|public|1|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act how Lands may be willed by Testament.|note4=
(Repealed by Wills Act 1837) }}
| {{|Limitation of Prescription Act 1540|note1=
or the Statute of Limitations 1540|public|2|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for Limitation of Prescription.}}
| {{|Perpetuation of Laws Act 1540|public|3|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the Continuation of certain Acts.}}
| {{|Treasons in Wales Act 1540|public|4|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for Trial of Treasons in Wales.}}
| {{|Execution Act 1540|note1=[6]|public|5|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for Contentation of Debts upon Execution.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Conveyance of Horses into Scotland Act 1540|note1=[7]|public|6|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for Trial of Felonies upon conveying of Horses into Scotland.}}
| {{|Tithe Act 1540|note1=[3]|public|7|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the true Payment of Tithes and Offerings.}}
| {{|Game Act 1540|public|8|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act against Sellers and Buyers of Pheasants and Partridges.}}
| {{|Maintenance and Embracery Act 1540|note1=[3][8]|public|9|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act against Maintenance, Embracery; and against unlawful buying of Titles.|note4=
(Repealed by Criminal Law Act 1967) }}
| {{|Priests, etc. Act 1540|public|10|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the Moderation of the Punishment of Incontinency of Priests and Women offending with them.}}
| {{|Stealing Hawks' Eggs Act 1540|note1=[9]|public|11|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning stealing of Hawk's Eggs, Conies and Deer.}}
| {{|Sanctuaries Act 1540|public|12|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Sanctuaries, Privileges of Churches and Church-yards.}}
| {{|Horses Act 1540|public|13|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning the Breed of Horses of higher Stature.}}
| {{|Navigation Act 1540|note1=[7]|public|14|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for Maintenance of the Navy of England, and for certain Rates of Freights.}}
| {{|Religion Act 1540|public|15|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors, Commissary, Archdeacons and their Officials, to be in the Commission of the Act concerning the Abolition of erroneous Opinions in Christian Religion.}}
| {{|Aliens Act 1540|note1=[10]|public|16|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Strangers.}}
| {{|Paving of Holborn, Aldgate, etc. Act 1540|public|17|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for paving of Aldgate to Whitechapel, High Holborn, Chancery Lane, Grays-Inn Lane, Shoe Lane and Feuther Lane.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Rebuilding of Certain Towns Act 1540|public|18|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for re-edifying of decayed Houses in sundry Towns, and Places of the Realm.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Rebuilding of West Country Towns Act 1540|public|19|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for re-edifying of decayed Houses in sundry Towns of the West Parts.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Suppression of Monasteries Act 1540|public|20|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Privileges and Franchises.}}
| {{|Trinity Term Act 1540|public|21|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the Abbreviation and Limitation of Trinity Term.}}
| {{|Tenths Act 1540|public|22|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning the Accounts of Bishops and others, for the Tenth granted to the King's Majesty.}}
| {{|Taxation Act 1540|public|23|24-07-1540|archived=n|The Subsidy of the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury.}}
| {{|Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (Possessions, etc.) Act 1540|public|24|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning the Lands and Goods of the Hospitals of St. John of Jerusalem in England and Ireland, to be hereafter in the King's Hands and Disposition.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Treason Act 1540|public|25|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act declaring the Dissolution of the King's pretensed Marriage with the Lady Anne of Cleves.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Religion (No. 2) Act 1540|public|26|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning true Opinions and Declarations of Christ's Religion.}}
| {{|Certain Recent Grants and Licences Avoide Act 1540|public|27|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for the Resumption of extraordinary Grants and of Licences of Absence; and Reversions in the Town of Calais, and the Marches of the same, and in Berwick; and of the Sheriffwicks for Life in Wales.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Leases Act 1540|public|28|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act that Lessees shall enjoy their Farms against the Tenants in Tail.}}
| {{|Lands at Oswaldbeck, Nottinghamshire (Descent) Act 1540|public|29|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning customable Lands in Osweldebek Soke.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Mispleadings, Jeofails, etc. Act 1540|note1=[11]|public|30|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Mispleading, Jeofails[lower-alpha 1] and Attorneys.}}
| {{|Recoveries Act 1540|public|31|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the avoiding of Recoveries by Collusion, by Tenants for Term of Life.}}
| {{|Joint Tenants for Life or Years Act 1540|public|32|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Joint Tenants for Term of Life or Years.}}
| {{|Disseisin Act 1540|public|33|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act that wrongful Disseisin is no Descent in the Law.}}
| {{|Grantees of Reversions Act 1540|note1=[12]|public|34|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning Grantees of Reversions to take Advantage of the Conditions to be performed by the Lessees.}}
| {{|Forest Act 1540|public|35|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act that Justices of Forests may make Deputies.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Fines Act 1540|note1=[13]|public|36|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the Exposition of the Statute of Fines.}}
| {{|Cestui que vie Act 1540|note1=[3][14]|public|37|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|For Recovery of Arrearages of Rents by Executors of Tenant in Fee-simple.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1969) }}
| {{|Marriage Act 1540|note1=[3][15]|public|38|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning Pre-contracts of Marriages, and touching Degrees of Consanguinity.|note4=
(Repealed by Marriage Act 1949) }}
| {{|King's Household Act 1540|public|39|24-07-1540|archived=n|The Jurisdiction of the Great Master of the King's Household.}}
| {{|Physicians Act 1540|note1=[3]|public|40|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning the Privileges of Physicians.|note4=
(Repealed by Medical Act 1956) }}
| {{|Horsebread Act 1540|note1=[9]|public|41|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning baking of Horse-bread.}}
| {{|Concerning Barbers and Chirurgians Act 1540|public|42|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning Barbers and Surgeons to be of one Company.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1986) }}
| {{|Shire Days in County of Chester Act 1540|public|43|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning Shire-days in the County Palatine of Chester.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Royston Act 1540|public|44|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act that the Town of Roysten is reduced to one new Parish.}}
| {{|Court of First Fruits and Tenths Act 1540|public|45|24-07-1540|archived=n|The Erection of the Court of the First-fruits and Tenths.}}
| {{|Court of Wards Act 1540|public|46|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act for the Establishment of the Court of the King's Wards.|note4=
(Repealed by Tenures Abolition Act 1660) }}
| {{|Payment of Tenths by Bishop of Norwich Act 1540|public|47|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act that the Bishop of Norwich shall be charged with the Collection of the King's Tenth, in his Diocese.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Tenure of Castle of Dover Act 1540|note1=[7]|public|48|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|An Act concerning the Castle of Dover, Castle-Wards, and other Munitions thereabout.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948) }}
| {{|Act of General Pardon 1540|public|49|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act concerning the King's most gracious, general and free Pardon.}}
| {{|Taxation (No. 2) Act 1540|public|50|24-07-1540|archived=n|An Act for the Grant of two Subsidies, and four Fifteenths and Tenths to the King by the Temporalty.}}
| {{|Queen Consort Act 1540|note1=[3]|public|51|24-07-1540|repealed=y|archived=n|The Kinges aucthoritie to make Joyntures & to geve landes to the Prince, &c.|note4=
(Repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1969) }}
}}
Private acts
{{legislationuk|act |- | {{|Cancellation of unpaid debts in Cofferer's custody.|private|52|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Creation of the Honour of Ewelme by separating the Honour of Wallingford from the Duchy of Cornwall and uniting it to the manor of Ewelme.|private|53|24-07-1540|archived=n|[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] }}
| {{|Uniting various manors to Windsor Castle.|private|54|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Honour of Hampton Court: annexation of the Manor of Nonsuch.|private|55|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Uniting various manors to the Honour of Petworth.|private|56|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|County Palatine of Duchy of Lancaster: placing the Monastery of Furness within the survey, letting and setting of the Chancellor and officers of the county.|private|57|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Attainder of Giles Heron.|private|58|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Attainders of Richard Fetherston, Thomas Abell, Edward Powell, William Horne, Laurence Cooke and Margaret Tyrrell for adherence to the Church of Rome.|private|59|24-07-1540|archived=n|[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6][lower-alpha 7] }}
| {{|Attainders of Butolph, Damplipp, Brindholme, Philpot, Gryning, Barnes, Geratt, Jerome and Carewe for adherence to the Church of Rome.|private|60|24-07-1540|archived=n|[lower-alpha 8][lower-alpha 9][lower-alpha 10][lower-alpha 11][lower-alpha 12][lower-alpha 13] }}
| {{|Attainders of William Byrd, Lord Hungerford and others.|private|61|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Attainder of Lord Cromwell.|private|62|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange of lands between King and Prebend of Rugemore.|private|63|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Creating the Parish of St. Saviour, Southwark by uniting the parishes of St. Margaret and St. Mary Magdalen.|private|64|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Resumption of the assignment made of the King's Household.|private|65|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Sale between King and Sir Richard Rich.|private|66|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of Rotherfield Greys (Oxfordshire) to Sir Frances Knolles.|private|67|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange of lands between the King and Elizabeth Hill.|private|68|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Audrey Hare's estate: enabling her to sell land despite her minority.|private|69|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Richard Long, concerning Shingay.|private|70|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Sir Edward and Dame Isabel Baynton.|private|71|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of lands to Harper.|private|72|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange between the King and Duke of Norfolk.|private|73|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange between the King and Lord La Warr.|private|74|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Concerning Mr. Wyatt.|private|75|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange between Lord Audley, Sir Thomas Poynings and others.|private|76|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange between the King and Mr Wyat.|private|77|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Assurance of lands to the Earl of Hertford.|private|78|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Marquis of Dorset and Lord John Gray.|private|79|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
| {{|Exchange of lands between the King and the Duke of Norfolk.|private|80|24-07-1540|archived=n|}}
}}
Sources
- "32° Hen. VIII". The Statutes of the Realm. Vol. 3: 1509 to 1547. pp. 744–825 – via Hathi Trust.
- "Anno tricesimo secundo Henrici VIII". The Statutes at Large. Vol. 5 – 32 Henry VIII to 7 Edward VI – 1540 to 1552-3. pp. 1–64 – via Internet Archive.
- Journal of the House of Lords. Vol. 1: 1509-1577. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1830 – via British History Online.
- Chronological Table of and Index to the Statutes. Vol. 1: To the End of the Session 59 Vict. Sess. 2 (1895) (13th ed.). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1896. pp. 50–51 – via Google Books.
- Chronological Table of the Statutes: Covering the Period from 1235 to the End of 1971. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1972. pp. 47–48. ISBN 978-0-11-840096-1 – via Google Books.
- "Chronological Tables of the Private and Personal Acts: Part 1 (1539–1601)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives.
- This short title was assigned by the Statute Law Revision Act 1948
- "Wills Act 1540". vLex.
- "Execution Act 1540". vLex.
- Merkin, Rob (2021). Marine Insurance: A Legal History. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 978-1-78811-675-6.
- Short title given by the Statute Law Revision Act 2007 (No. 28)
- Belofsky, Nathan (2010). The Book of Strange and Curious Legal Oddities: Pizza Police, Illicit Fishbowls, and Other Anomalies of the Law That Make Us All Unsuspecting Criminals. Penguin. ISBN 9781101188965.
- "Aliens Act 1540". vLex.
- "Fines Act 1540". vLex.
- "Marriage Act 1540". vLex.
