Penalties for 'seditious words and rumours'
against the queen, 1580-1
| The penalties for disloyalty and treason steadily increased during
the Tudor period. As tension escalated between England and Spain,
so too did official suspicion of anyone disseminating information
critical of the monarchy. This Act of Parliament from the reign of
Elizabeth I, specifies capital punishment for anyone writing seditious
books, while the spreading of seditious rumours was punishable either
by the pillory or the loss of both ears or by a fine of £200 plus
six months' imprisonment. If anyone was foolish enough to commit a
second offence, it would be adjudged a felony and the punishment would
be death and forfeiture of property and possessions. Catalogue reference: C 65/172, no. 2 (1580-1) |
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