| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Acte for the punyshment of diverse Treasons.[2] |
|---|---|
| Citation | 5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 11 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 April 1552 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1948 |
| Relates to | Treasons Act 1534 |
Status: Repealed | |
The Treason Act 1551 (5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 11) was an Act of the Parliament of England.
The Act was described as "purely procedural" by the House of Lords in R v Joyce,[3] but in fact extended the definition of high treason. It became treason to seize one of the King's forts and then not surrender it within six days of being ordered to. This form of treason had originally been enacted in the Treasons Act 1534 and then abolished by the Treason Act 1547. It was soon abolished again by the Treason Act 1553, but would be restored again by the Rebellion Act 1572 (this time without the 6 day deadline).
It was also made treason to say that the king was a heretic or usurper, in writing or (for the third offence only) in speech.
The Act re-enacted some existing procedural rules in prosecutions for treason and misprision of treason. However the Act amended procedure by stating that a person accused of committing treason only by "open preaching or words" must be prosecuted within three months of the offence, instead of the 30-day limit previously established by the Treason Act 1547.
The Act also prohibited the widow of a man convicted of treason from claiming her dower.[4]
- ^ The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by section 5 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1948. Due to the repeal of those provisions, it is now authorised by section 19(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978.
- ^ These words are printed against this Act in the second column of Schedule 2 to the Statute Law Revision Act 1948, which is headed "Title".
- ^ DPP v. Joyce at para 355
- ^ Section XIII