William III, 1698-9: An Act for the better ascertaining the Tythes of Hemp and Flax. [Chapter XVI. Rot. Parl. 11 Gul. III. p. 3. n. 7.]

Recital of Stat. 3 W. & M. c. 3.

Persons sowing Hemp or Flax, to pay Tithe of 5s. per Acre.

Whereas an Act made in the Third Yeare of the Reigne of His Majesty and the late Queen intituled An Act for the better ascertaining the Tythes of Hemp and Flax was made to continue but for Seaven Yeares and to the End of the next Session of Parliament after such Term ended and is now expired And whereas the said Act hath by Experience been found very usefull and necessary Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That from and after the Five and twentieth Day of March which shall be in the Yeare of our Lord One thousand seaven hundred all and every Person or Persons who shall sow or cause to be sowne any Hemp or Flax in any Parish or Place in the Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales and Towne of Berwick upon Tweed shall pay or cause to be paid to every Parson Vicar or Impropriator of any such Parish or Place Yearely and every Yeare the Summe of Five Shillings and no more for each Acre of Hemp and Flax soe sowne before the same be carried off the Ground and so proportionably for more or lesse Ground soe sowne For the Recovery of which Summe or Summs of Money the Parson Vicar or Impropriator shall have the common and usuall Remedy allowed of by the Laws of the Land

II. Proviso for Lands already discharged of Tithe.

Provided That this Act or any thing therein contained shall not extend to charge any Lands discharged by any Modus Decimandi ancient Composition or otherwise discharged of Tythes by Law

III. Proviso for Payment of Tithe of Flax and Hemp in Modes already established.

Provided alwaies That nothing herein contained shall extend or be construed to extend to make any Alteration in the Right or Manner of Payment of Tythes of Flax and Hemp to any Ecclesiasticall Person incumbent of any Parsonage Vicarage or Curacy or to any Impropriator or Body Corporate having or holding any Impropriation for such Ground as hath at any Time since the Second Day of February One thousand six hundred eighty four and before the Second Day of February One thousand six hundred ninety one been sowne with Flax or Hemp and paid Tythe in Kind to such Incumbent Impropriator or Body Corporate respectively but that the same shall continue and be payable and paid as fully and in such Manner as formerly Any thing in this Act to contrary notwithstanding

IV. Contituance of Act.

Provided That this Law shall continue in force for Seaven Yeares to be accounted from the said Five and twentieth Day of March and from thence to the End of the next Sessions of Parliament and no longer.