November 1656: The pretended Title of Charles Stuart, &c, Renounced and Disannulled.

November, 1656

[27 November, 1656.]

For the better establishment of the Peace of this Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Territories and Dominions thereunto belonging, and for the prevention of the Designs and Attempts of the Enemies thereof; the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses in this present Parliament assembled, Do, in the Name of all the people of this Commonwealth, fully, freely, absolutely, and for ever disclaim and renounce all Fealty, Homage, or Allegiance, pretended to be due unto Charls Stuart, eldest Son of the late King Charls; James Stuart second Son of the said late King; Henry Stuart, third Son of the said late King; or any other the Issue or Posterity of the said late King; or any person or persons pretending, or which shall at any time hereafter pretend Title, by, from, or under him, them, any, or either of them, to hold or enjoy the Crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland; or of either or any of them; Or to have the Name, Title, Stile, or Dignity of King or Queen of Great Brittain, King or Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, Prince of Scotland, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, any or either of them; or to have and enjoy the Power, Government, or Supream Magistracy of this Commonwealth, or of any part thereof, or of any the Territories or Dominions thereunto belonging; or to have or enjoy as King or Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or of either or any of them, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, or Prince of Scotland, all or any the Honours, Mannors, Lands, Tenements, Possessions, and Hereditaments heretofore belonging or appertaining to the said Crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or to any or either of them; or to the principality of Wales, Dutchy of Lancaster or Cornwal, or any or either of them.

And be it declared and Enacted by his Highness the Lord Protector and this present Parliament assembled, and the authority thereof, That the said Charls Stuart, James Stuart, Henry Stuart, and all other the Issue and Posterity of the said late King, and all and every person and persons pretending, or which shall or may at any time hereafter pretend Title or Claim from, by, or under him or them, be, and are, and shall for ever be absolutely and utterly excluded and debarred from holding or enjoying the Crown of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or any or either of them, or any the Dominions or Territories thereunto belonging; and from holding or having the Name, Title, Stile, or Dignity of King or Queen of Great Brittain, King or Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or any or either of them, or of any the Dominions thereunto belonging, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, Prince of Scotland, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, or Duke of Gloucester, and from all Title, Claim or Right, as King or Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or of either or any of them; Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, or Prince of Scotland unto all or any the Honours, Manors, Lands, Tenements, Possessions, or Hereditaments heretofore at any time belonging or appertaining to the said Crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or any or either of them, and also from having, exercising, or enjoying any Power, Authority, Government or Magistracy, in or over this Commonwealth, or any the People thereof; And that all such Right, Title, Claim, or pretence of Right, Title, or Claim, which they, or any of them, at any time heretofore, at present, or in time to come, have, do, shall, or may make, is hereby declared and Adjudged, and shall for ever hereafter be Adjudged and taken to be utterly void and of none effect.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, and it is Enacted, That if any person or persons shall endeavour or attempt by force of Arms or otherwise, or shall be aiding, assisting, comforting, or abetting unto any person or persons, that shall by any waies or means whatsoever, endeavour or attempt the reviving or setting up of any pretended Right, Title, or Claim of the said Charls Stuart, James Stuart, Henry Stuart, or of any other the Issue or Posterity of the said late King, or of any person or persons claiming under him or them, to any the Offices, Stile, Title, Dignity, or Authority aforesaid, or any of them, or shall declare, publish, or any way promote such pretended Right, Title, or Claim, or shall give or contribute any sum or sums of Money, or other aid or assistance to the said Charls Stuart, James and Henry, any or either of them; That then every such Offence shall be, and is hereby deemed and adjudged High Treason, and all and every the Offenders therein, their Councellours, Aiders and Abettors, being thereof Convicted within three years after such Offence committed, shall be deemed and adjudged Traitors, and shall suffer and have such pains of Death and Forfeitures, as in case of High Treason is used and Ordained.