Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642-1660

The full text of legislation passed into law during the Interregnum. Contains over 900 pieces of legislation. ranging from that concerning the trial and execution of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury to the regulation of trade in currants, and from the propagation of the Gospel in the New World to the draining of the Great Fen. Originally published in three volumes, it is here given together, along with a table of acts passed and a substantial introduction.

British History Online (no series). Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

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Table of Contents

Title Page(s)
August 1650: An Act for the Advancing and Regulating of the Trade of this Commonwealth. 403-406
August 1650: An Act to prohibit all Commerce and Traffique between England and Scotland, and Enjoyning the departure of Scots, out of this Commonwealth. 406-409
August 1650: An Act against several Atheistical, Blasphemous and Execrable Opinions, derogatory to the honor of God, and destructive to humane Society. 409-412
August 1650: An Act for the further explanation of a former Act, Entituled An Act for the selling the Fee-farm Rents belonging to the Commonwealth of England, formerly payable to the Crown of England, Dutchy of Lancaster, and Dutchy of Cornwall. 412-419
August 1650: An Act giving further Power to the High Court of Justice. 419
August 1650: An Act and Declaration of the Parliament of England, touching a Pamphlet, Entitled, 'A Declaration by the Kings Majesty, to His Subjects of the Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland'. Printed at Edinburgh, 1650. 420
September 1650: An Act for the Encouragement and Indempnity of such Persons as voluntarily Engage themselves in the Service of the Parliament in this time of Common Danger. 420-422
September 1650: An Act for appointing Commissioners for the Excise. 422-423
September 1650: Act for the Repeal of several Clauses in Statutes imposing Penalties for not coming to Church. 423-425
October 1650: An Act for prohibiting Trade with the Barbadoes, Virginia, Bermuda and Antego. 425-429
October 1650: An Act for Sale of the Manors of Rectories and Gleab-Lands, late belonging to Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Deans and Chapters. 429-439
October 1650: An Act for the more speedy effecting the Sale of the Manors of Rectories and Gleab-Lands, late belonging to Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Deans and Chapters, and other Offices and Titles... 440-442
October 1650: An Act touching the sale of Corn and Meal. 442-444
October 1650: An Act for setled Convoys for securing the Trade of this Nation. 444
November 1650: An Act prohibiting Trade to Scotland. 445-447
November 1650: An Act for easing the charge of Lords of Manors or Liberties, and their Bayliffs in passing their Accompts in the Court of the Publique Exchequer. 447-449
November 1650: An Act for making Ships and Merchandizes taken or to be taken from the King of Portugal or any of His subjects, To be Prize. 449-451
November 1650: An Act for regulating the making of Stuffs in Norfolk and Norwich. 451-455
November 1650: An Act for turning the Books of the Law, and all Proces and Proceedings in Courts of Justice, into English. 455-456
November 1650: An Act for raising of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Four Moneths... for Maintenance of the Forces in England, Ireland and Scotland, Raised by Authority of Parliament for the Service of this Commonwealth. 456-490
November 1650: An Act for George Manby to prohibit any to make use of his Invention for the boyling of all sorts of Liquors for fourteen years. 490-492
December 1650: An Act for Establishing an High Court of Justice within the Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Huntington, Cambridge, Lincoln, and the Counties of the Cities of Norwich and Lincoln, and within the Isle of Ely. 492-493
December 1650: Commissions and Instructions. 494-495
January 1651: An Act touching the Importation of Bullion. 495
January 1651: An Act Enabling the Lords Commissioners for Custody of the Great Seal of England, to issue Commissions of Delegates in Cases of pretended Marriages. 496-497
January 1651: An Act for taking away the Fee of Damage Cleere, or Damna Clericorum. 497
January 1651: An Act for a Seal of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England. 497
February 1651: An Act for Sale of the Fee-farm Rents and for the doubling of moneys thereupon. 498-500
February 1651: Act Constituting a Council of State. 500-504
February 1651: An Act establishing the Powers of Lord Admiral of England, and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports upon the Councel of State. 504
February 1651: An Act for authorizing Colonel Popham, Colonel Blake and Colonel Dean, or any two of them to be Admiral and General of the Fleet.. 504-505
March 1651: An Act for laying an Imposition upon Coals, Towards the Building and Maintaining Ships for Guarding the Seas. 505-509
April 1651: An Act concerning the new Invention of Melting down Iron, and other Metals, with Stone-Coals, and other Metals with Stone- Coals without Charking thereof. 509-510
April 1651: An Act for continuing the Jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty. 510
April 1651: An Additional Act concerning the proceedings of the Law in English. 510-511
April 1651: An Act for continuing the Assessment of One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Six Moneths, from the Five and twentieth of March, One thousand six hundred fifty one, for Maintenance of the Armies in England, Ireland and Scotland 511-513
April 1651: An Act for the Impresting of Soldiers for the Service of the Commonwealth in Ireland. 513-514
June 1601: An Act For making Navigable the River of Wye. 514-517
July 1651: An Act for enabling the Judges of the Northern Circuit, to hold an Assize at Durham, on Monday the Eleventh day of August 1651 517-520
July 1651: An Act for the sale of several Lands and Estates forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason. 520-545
July 1651: An Act for sale of the Goods belonging to the late King, Queen and Prince. 546-548
July 1651: An Act against stealing or killing of Deer. 548
August 1651: An Act for prohibiting any person to take above Six pounds for Loan of One hundred pounds by the year. 548-550
August 1651: An Act prohibiting Correspondence with Charles Stuart or his Party. 550-551
August 1651: An Act concerning the Militias in the respective Counties within this Commonwealth. 551-552
August 1651: An Act with Instructions to the Commissioners of the respective Militias. 552-554
August 1651: An Act Impowering the Militia of the City of London to raise Horse. 554-555
September 1651: An Act enabling the Commissioners of the Militia to raise Moneys for the present Service of this Commonwealth. 555-556
September 1651: An Act providing for Maimed Soldiers and Widows of Scotland and Ireland. 556-559
October 1651: An Act for increase of Shipping, and Encouragement of the Navigation of this Nation. 559-562
January 1652: An Act Appointing a Committee for the Army, and Treasurers at Wars. 562-564
February 1652: An Act for making void all Titles of Honor, Dignity or Precedencies given by the late King since the 4 January 1641. 564-565
February 1652: An Act of General Pardon and Oblivion. 565-577
February 1652: An Act foi the better and more effectual Discovery and Prosecution of Thieves and High-way-men. 577-578
March 1652: An Act for Impresting of Sea-men. 578-580
April 1652: An Act prohibiting the planting of Tobacco in England. 580
April 1652: An Act for transferring the Powers of The Committees for Obstructions. 581-582
April 1652: A further Additional Act for Relief of Poor Prisoners. 582
June 1652: An Additional Act for Sale of the Fee-farm Rents. 583-588
June 1652: An Act for transferring the Powers of the Committee for Indempnity. 588-590
July 1652: Relief of Counties doubly charged with Assessments, by default of Treasurers, Receivers-General, &c. 590-591
August 1652: An Act for several Lands and Estates forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason, appointed to be sold for the use of the Navy. 591-598
August 1652: An Act for the Setling of Ireland. 598-603
August 1652: An Act for stating and determining the Accompts of such Officers and Soldiers as are or have been imployed in the Service of this Commonwealth in Ireland. 603-612
September 1652: An Act for calling home Seamen and Mariners and Inhibiting such to serve abroad without License. 612-614
September 1652: An Additional Act for Sale of Fee-farm Rents. 614-618
September 1652: An Act for reviving a former Act for Relief of Persons upon Articles. 618-620
October 1652: An Act for disabling Delinquents to bear Office, or to have any Voice or Vote in Election of any Publique Officer. 620-621
October 1652: An Act For Further Impowering the Commissioners for removing Obstructions To determine Claims. 621-622
October 1652: An Act For the Continuance of Judicatories in Scotland, 622
November 1652: An Additional Act for Sale of several Lands and Estates forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason. 623-652
December 1652: An Act touching the Receipts severall Receipts of the Revenue of Treasuries of the Comonwealth and the bringing the same into one Treasury 652-653
December 1652: An Act for an Assessment at the Rate of One hundred and twenty thousand Pounds by the Moneth for Six Moneths...towards the Maintenance of the Armies in England, Ireland and Scotland; as also for the Navy. 653-688
December 1652: An Act for ascertaining the time of payment of Moneys due upon Weavers-Hall Bills. 688
December 1652: An Act Appointing a Committee for the Army, and, Treasurers at War. 688-690
December 1652: An Act For further Doubling The Sum of One hundred thousand pounds, Upon an Act, Entituled, An Act for Sale ot several Lands and Estates forfeited to the Commonwealth for Treason. 690-691
December 1652: An Act for the exposing to Sale divers Castles, Houses, Parks, Lands and Hereditaments belonging to the late King, Queen or Prince, exempted from Sale by a former Act. 691-696
January 1653: An Act impowring Commissioners for Inspecting the Treasuries to issue Warrants for payment of the Monies appointed for the use of the Navy. 696
January 1653: An Act for reviving of a former Act, Entituled, 'An Act against Unlicensed and Scandalous Books and Pamphlets, and for Regulating of Printing', with some Additions and explanations. 696-699
February 1653: An Act For making Salt-Petre. 699-702
April 1653: An Act for Probate of Wills, and granting Administrations. 702-703
July 1653: An Act Appointing a Committee For the Army, And Treasurers at War. 703-708
July 1653: An Act for Constituting Commissioners for ordering and managing the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy. 708-711
July 1653: An Act Touching the several Receipts of the Revenue and Treasuries of the Commonwealth, and bringing the same into one Treasury. 711-712
July 1653: An Act for setling the Jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty. 712-713
August 1653: An Act for taking away Fines upon Bills, Declarations and Original Writs. 713
August 1653: An Additional Act for stating and determining the Accompts of the Officers and Soldiers of the Army in Ireland. 714-715
August 1653: An Act touching Marriages and the Registring thereof; and also touching Births and Burials 715-718
September 1653: An Act concerning the Planters of Tobacco. 718-719
September 1653: An Explanatory Additional Act for the Sale of the remaining Fee-farm Rents, and the finishing of that whole affair. 720-722
September 1653: An Act for continuing the Priviledges and Jurisdictions of the County of Lancaster. 722
September 1653: An Act for the speedy and effectual Satisfaction of the Adventurers for Lands in Ireland, and of the Arrears due to Soldiery there, and of other Publique Debts, and for the Encouragement of Protestants to plant and inhabit Ireland. 722-753
October 1653: An Act for the relief of Creditors and Poor Prisoners. 753-764
October 1653: An Act for Accompts and Clearing of Publique Debts; And for discovering Frauds or Concealments of anything due to the Commonwealth 765-767
October 1653: An Act Touching Idiots and Lunatiques. 767-768
October 1653: An Act impowering the Committee of the Army to state and determine the Accompts of all Officers and Soldiers, and others imployed by them, for moneys by them received from the 26 of March 1647, until the 25 July 1653. 768-772
October 1653: An Act For The better and more effectual Discovery and Prosecution of Thieves and Highway Men. 772-773
November 1653: An Act for Redress of Delays and Mischiefs arising by Writs of Error, and Writs of false Judgement in several Cases. 773-774
November 1653: An Act for Repealing of a Branch of a certain Act of the late Parliament, Entituled, An Act for Subscribing the Engagement. 774-775
November 1653: An Act for regulating the making of Stuffs in Norwich and Norfolk 775-780