Act for the Advancement of True Religion
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2018) ) |
| Act of Parliament | |
 34 & 35 Hen. 8. c. 1 | |
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| Royal assent | 12 May 1543 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Treason Act 1547 |
Status: Repealed | |
The Act for the Advancement of True Religion (
The Act allowed moral plays to be performed if they promoted
The Act claims that "malicious minds have, intending to subvert the true exposition of Scripture, have taken upon them, by printed ballads, rhymes, etc., subtilly and craftily to instruct His Highness' people, and specially the youth of this his realm, untruly. For reformation whereof, His Majesty considereth it most requisite to purge his realm of all such books, ballads, rhymes, and songs, as be pestiferous and noisome". However, the Act also commanded that "all books printed before the year 1540, entituled Statutes, Chronicles, Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's books, Gower's books, and stories of men's lives, shall not be comprehended in the prohibition of this Act".
The Act was repealed under Henry's son,
References
- William Chappell, Popular Music of the Olden Time a Collection of Ancient Songs, Ballads and Dance Tunes Illustrative of the National Music of England: Part One (Kessinger, 2004).
- Janette Dillon, The Cambridge Introduction to Early English Theatre (Cambridge University Press, 2006).