Whereas of late many rebellious riots and tumults have been in divers
parts of this kingdom, to the disturbance of the publick peace, and the
endangering of his Majesty's person and government, and the same are
yet continued and fomented by persons disaffected to his Majesty,
presuming so to do, for that the punishments provided by the laws now
in being are not adequate to such heinous offences; and by such rioters
his Majesty and his administration have been most maliciously and
falsly traduced, with an intent to raise divisions, and to alienate the
affections of the people from his Majesty therefore for the preventing
and suppressing of such riots and tumults, and for the more speedy and
effectual punishing the offenders therein; be it enacted by the King's
most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords
spiritual and temporal and of the commons, in this present parliament
assembled, and by the authority of the same, That if any persons to the
number of twelve or more, being unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously
assembled together, to the disturbance of the publick peace, at any
time after the last day of _July_ in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and fifteen, and being required or commanded by any one
or more justice or justices of the peace, or by the sheriff of the
county, or his under-sheriff, or by the mayor, bailiff or bailiffs, or
other head-officer, or justice of the peace of any city or town
corporate, where such assembly shall be, by proclamation to be made in
the King's name, in the form herin after directed, to disperse
themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their
lawful business, shall, to the number of twelve or more
(notwithstanding such proclamation made) unlawfully, riotously, and
tumultuously remain or continue together by the space of one hour after
such command or request made by proclamation, that then such continuing
together to the number of twelve or more, after such command or request
made by proclamation, shall be adjudged felony without benefit of
clergy, and the offenders therein shall be adjudged felons, and shall
suffer death as in a case of felony without benefit of clergy.