Item #66876 A Bill Intituled An Act to repeal an Act, made in the Parliament of Ireland in the Twenty-eighth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, against Witchcraft and Sorcery. [6th April 1821]. ANONYMOUS, Witchcraft Act Repeal.

A Bill Intituled An Act to repeal an Act, made in the Parliament of Ireland in the Twenty-eighth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, against Witchcraft and Sorcery. [6th April 1821].

London: George Eyre and Andrew Strahan, 1821. First Edition. A single disbound leaf. Folio (11 1/4 x 7 ½ inches) Text on the recto only. Royal coat of arms at head of page, then "Anno Primo & Secundo / Georgii IV. Regis." then the name of the act [as in the title above], followed by a brief (ten line) description of its purpose, followed by the printer's details. The act was designed to repeal a 1586 Statute "against the practices of the wicked offences of conjurations, and of invocations of evill spirites, and of sorceries, enchantments, charms and witchcrafts" which was passed by the Parliament of Ireland, which allowed for the execution of anyone found guilty of causing death by spells or charms, with lesser penalties for other offences. Although very seldom used it remained on the Statute Books until this legislation was passed. The act to repeal was first read three times before the House of Commons, and then on March 28th 1821, had its first reading before the House of Lords. It had a second reading before the Lords on March 30th and was then ordered to be put before a Committee of the Whole House which recommended that it be passed without amendment. It was then given a third reading by the Lords, who passed it without amendment, as did the Commons when it was re-presented to them, finally receiving Royal Assent and passing into law on April 6th, when this formal announcement was published. This single leaf, most likely extracted from a collection of Parliamentary Acts as it has a few small chips in the left-hand margin. A hint of discoloration, but overall VG+ condition, an attractive and historic item that would display nicely if framed. Item #66876

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