Excludes Roman Catholics from succession to the Crown; and declares
that if a Roman Catholic obtains th eCrown, "the people of these
realms shall be and are thereby absolved of their allegiance." Settles
the Crown on the Electress Sophia,[3] and "the heirs of her body being
Protestants." Requires the sovereign to join in communion with the
Church of England. No war to be undertaken in defence of any
territories not belonging to the English Crown except with the consent
of Parliament. Judges to hold their office during good behavior. No
pardon by the Crown to be pleadable against an impeachment by the
House of Commons (S488).
[2] This act, says Taswell-Langmead, is "the Title Deed of the
reigning Dynasty, and a veritable original contract between the Crown
and the People."
[3] The Electress Sophia was the granddaughter of James I: she married
the Elector of Hanover, and became mother of George I. See
genealogical table of Descent of the English Sovereigns in the
Appendix.