The Riot Act 1549 (3&4 Edw.6 c.5) was an
Act of the
Parliament of England. It made it
high treason for 12 people or more to assemble and attempt to kill or imprison any member of the King's council or change the laws, and refuse to disperse when ordered to do so by a
justice of the peace
A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or ''puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission ( letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sa ...
, mayor or sheriff. This offence was abolished by the
Treason Act 1553, but another Act of that year, 1 Mar. Stat.2 c.12, recreated it, but this time as a
felony.
''Commentaries on the Laws of England'', Book IV chapter 11
William Blackstone (1st ed., 1869)
The 1549 Act also made it a felony for 12 or more people rioting for various other purposes to refuse to disperse for an hour after being ordered to do so.
See also
* High treason in the United Kingdom
* Treason Act
References
Acts of the Parliament of England (1485–1603)
1549 in law
Treason in England
1549 in England
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