Westminster Confession - Law Dictionary Search Results
Home Dictionary Name: westminster confessionWestminster confession
Westminster confession, a document containing a statement of religious doctrine drawn up at a conference of British and Continental Protestant divines at Westminster in the year 1643, which subsequently became the basis of the Scotch Presbyterian Church....
Sanctuary
Sanctuary, privilege of, existed in England from a period commencing soon after the conversion of the Saxons to Christianity. Its effect was that a person accused of any crime except treason or sacrilege might by flying to any church or churchyard, or even to certain other places in Westminster, Wells, Norwich, or York, or in London to Whitefriars or the Savoy, within forty days, on confession and taking oath of abjuration of the realm (see ABJURATION), escape to a foreign country, under the disability of not being able to return without the royal licence. If arrested during the forty days, he might put in the plea of Sanctuary. The privilege extended to civil as well as criminal process, but was attended by attainder of blood and forfeiture of goods.Sanctuary and abjuration were abolished in 1625 by 21 Jac.1, c. 21, after having been restricted by 26 Hen. 8, c. 13, 27 Hen. 8, c. 19, and 39 Hen. 8, c. 12.Means an area declared as a sanctuary by notification under the provisions of Chap...
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