Test Acts

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.04: English Writing and Culture of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1688.
Vol. editors: Jennifer Brady (Rhodes College), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne), Claire Preston (Queen Mary, University of London), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University)

Domains

Legislation (Bills, Acts, Laws ...)
Religious and political repression

Dates

Date of occurrence 1673-03-29

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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(25 Car. II c. 2) This act strengthened the Corporation Act of 1661 by requiring all office holders under the Crown, including Members of Parliament, to receive Holy Communion in the Church of England at least once a year, to swear allegiance to the crown, and to declare themselves opposed to the doctrine of transubstantiation (the article of Roman Catholic faith which holds that the eucharist actually becomes the flesh of Christ when administered as a sacrament). The Act effectively disbarred both Dissenters and Catholics from military, political and public office. Where Protestant Dissenters were concerned, its effect was moderated by the Toleration Act passed by the new government of William of Orange in 1689. It remained in force against Catholics until repealed in 1829 by the…

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135 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Test Acts". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 16 February 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1096, accessed 20 April 2024.]

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