As early as A.D. 1559, the first year of Elizabeth’s reign, a law was passed compelling every person holding office, either temporal or spiritual, under the crown, to take an oath of allegiance declaring the queen the supreme head of the church. The penalty for refusing this oath was forfeiture of goods and imprisonment, and a persistence in such refusal, _death_. Whoever affirmed the spiritual supremacy of the pope was declared guilty of treason; penalty, confiscation and _death_. Attendance at Mass was to be punished by perpetual imprisonment, and non‐attendance at Protestant service by a weekly fine. In the fifth year of her reign, any aider or abettor of such offenders was for the first offence to be fined and imprisoned for life, for the second to suffer _death_. Any clergyman celebrating Mass or refusing to observe the regulations of the _Book of Common Prayer_ forfeited offices, goods, and liberty. In the thirteenth year, introducing into the kingdom a bull or other instrument of the pope was treason, penalty _death_; abetting the same, _death_; acting under such authority, _death_; introducing, wearing, or having in his or her possession an _Agnus Dei_, cross, etc., confiscation and perpetual imprisonment; and for leaving the kingdom without permission, forfeiture of lands and personal estate. In the twenty‐third year, any person granting absolution from sin in the name of the “Roman Church,” or receiving the same, their aiders, etc., was declared guilty of treason, penalty _death_; and for not disclosing knowledge of such offenders, confiscation and imprisonment. In the twenty‐ninth year, the tax for non‐ attendance at Protestant service was increased to £20 per lunar month, or forfeiture of two‐thirds of all lands and goods; and for keeping a schoolmaster or tutor, other than a Protestant, a fine of £10 per month was imposed, together with imprisonment at pleasure. By the statutes of the 21st, 27th, and 28th Elizabeth, every priest, Jesuit, or other ecclesiastic ordained out of the realm was obliged forthwith to leave the kingdom, and in case of his return he was to suffer _death_; those who received or harbored him were subject to a like punishment. Those being educated abroad were required to return home, and after neglect to do so, upon their being found in the kingdom, were to be put to _death_. For contributing money for colleges abroad and for sending students there, fine and imprisonment for life were considered adequate punishments; but by the 25th chapter of Elizabeth, all who persisted in refusing attendance on Protestant worship were liable to be transported for life, and if they evaded the statute they were liable to suffer _death_.(106)