Charitable Gifts Act 1601
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
(43 Eliz. 1) C A P. IV.
'WHEREAS Lands, Tenements, Rents, Annuities, Profits, Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, Money and Stocks of Money, have been heretofore given, limited, appointed and assigned, as well by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, and her most noble Progenitors, as by sundry other well disposed Persons; some for Relief of aged, impotent and poor People, some for Maintenance of sick and maimed Soldiers and Mariners, Schools of Learning, Free Schools, and Scholars in Universities, some for Repair of Bridges, Ports, Havens, Causways, Churches, Sea-Banks and Highways, some for Education and Preferment of Orphans, some for or towards Relief, Stock or Maintenance for Houses of Correction, some for Marriages of poor Maids, some for Supportation, Aid and Help of young Tradesmen, Handicraftsmen and Personsdecayed, and others for Relief or Redemption of Prisoners or Captives, and for Aid or Ease of any poor Inhabitants concerning Payments of Fifteens, setting out of Soldiers and other Taxes; which Lands, Tenements, Rents, Annuities Profits, Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, Money and Stocks of Money, nevertheless have not been employed according to the charitable Intent of the givers and Founders thereof, by reason of Frauds, Breaches of Trust, and Negligence in those that should pay, deliver and employ the same:' (2) For Redress and Remedy whereof, Be it enacted by Authority of this present Parliament, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal of , for the Time being, and for the Chancellor of the Duchy ofLancaster for the Time being for Landswithin the County Palatine ofLancaster , from Time to Time to award Commissions under the Great Seal of England or the Seal of the County Palatine, as the Case shall require, into all or any Part or Parts of this Realm respectively, according to their several Jurisdictions as aforesaid, to the Bishop of every several Diocese and his Chancellor, (in case there shall be any Bishop of that Diocese, at the Time of awarding of the same Commissions) and to other Persons of good and sound Behaviour, (3) authorizing them thereby, or any four or more of them, to enquire as well by the Oaths of twelve lawful Menor more of the County, as by all other good and lawful Ways and Means, of all and singular such Gifts, Limitations, Assignments and Appointments aforesaid, and of the Abuses, Breaches of Trusts, Negligences, Mis-imployments, not imploying, concealing, defrauding, mis-converting or Mis-government of any Lands, Tenements, Rents, Annuities, Profits, Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, Money or Stocks of Money, heretofore given, limited, appointed or assigned, or which hereafter shall be given, limited, appointed or assigned, to or for any the charitable and godly Uses before rehearsed: (4)And after the said Commissioners or any four or more of them (upon calling the Parties interessed in any such Lands, Tenements, Rents, Annuities, Profits, Hereditaments, Goods, Chattels, Money and Stocks of Money) shall make Enquiry by the Oathsof twelve Men or more of the said County (whereunto the said Parties interessed shall and may have, and take their lawful Challenge and Challenges), (5) and upon such Enquiry, Heating and Examining thereof, set down such Orders, Judgments and Decrees, as the said Lands...
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