Oath of Supremacy

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Lithograph of Daniel O'Connell refusing to take the oath of supremacy.
Caption: "One part of this Oath I know to be false; and another I believe to be untrue. House of Commons, May 20, 1829."

The Oath of Supremacy required any person taking public or church office in the

Elizabeth I of England, under the Act of Supremacy 1558. The Oath was later extended to include Members of Parliament (MPs) and people studying at universities. In 1537, the Irish Supremacy Act was passed by the Parliament of Ireland
, establishing Henry VIII as the supreme head of the Church of Ireland. As in England, a commensurate Oath of Supremacy was required for admission to offices.

In 1801, retained by the

Oxford University students was not removed until the Oxford University Act 1854
.

Text of the Oath as published in 1535

I, (name) do utterly testifie and declare in my Conscience, that the Kings Highnesse is the onely Supreame Governour of this Realme, and all other his Highnesse Dominions and Countries, as well in all Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall things or causes, as Temporall: And that no forraine Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate, hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction, Power, Superiorities, Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiasticall or Spirituall within this Realme. And therefore, I do utterly renounce and forsake all Jurisdictions, Powers, Superiorities, or Authorities; and do promise that from henchforth I shall beare faith and true Allegiance to the Kings Highnesse, his Heires and lawfull Successors: and to my power shall assist and defend all Jurisdictions, Privileges, Preheminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the Kings Highnesse, his Heires and Successors or united and annexed to the Imperial Crowne of the Realme: so helpe me God: and by the Contents of this Booke.[1]

Text of the Oath as published in 1559

I, A. B., do utterly testify and declare in my conscience that the Queen's Highness is the only supreme governor of this realm, and of all other her Highness's dominions and countries, as well in all spiritual or ecclesiastical things or causes, as temporal, and that no foreign prince, person, prelate, state or potentate hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence or authority ecclesiastical or spiritual within this realm; and therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all foreign jurisdictions, powers, superiorities and authorities, and do promise that from henceforth I shall bear faith and true allegiance to the Queen's Highness, her heirs and lawful successors, and to my power shall assist and defend all jurisdictions, pre-eminences, privileges and authorities granted or belonging to the Queen's Highness, her heirs or successors, or united or annexed to the imperial crown of this realm. So help me God, and by the contents of this Book.[2]

Punishment

Roman Catholics who refused to take the Oath of Supremacy were indicted for treason on charges of

papal authority, and his refusal to accept the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. In 1535, he was tried for treason, convicted on perjured testimony, and beheaded.[3][4]

Exceptions and retention

Under the reigns of

Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
.

Abolition for MPs

In 1828, the Irish Catholic leader

Whig opposition, the Catholic Relief Act became law in 1829.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Cromwell, Thomas (25 February 2012). "Oath of Supremacy 1535 (Actual Text/ Sir Thomas Audley)". queenanneboleyn.com. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Life in Elizabethan England 21: More Religion". Elizabethan.org. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  3. .
  4. .
  5. ^ Bloy, Marjorie (2011). "The Peel Web-Wellington's speeches on Catholic Emancipation". A Web of English History. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2011.