Disabilities were legal restrictions and limitations placed on the Roman Catholics of England since the issuance of theAct of Supremacy in 1534. These disabilities were first sanctioned by thePenal Laws, enacted under the reigns ofHenry VIII andElizabeth I. They were followed by theClarendon Code (1661–65) and theTest Act (1673).
In spite of the promulgation of theToleration Act (1689), that removed manycivil disabilities, the Catholics still had to face limitations in respect of property rights, succession rights and education. Catholics also still had no right to assemble and pray. Theoath of abjuration required, swearing against the legitimacy of theJacobite succession, was also counted as a disability, and remained in place until 1829.[1]
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