Appendix C - The Charitable Uses Act, 1597: 39 Elizabeth I c. 6

Summary

An Acte to reforme Deceiptes and Breaches of Trust, towching Landes given to charitable Uses

Whereas divers Colledges Hospitalles Almes Houses and other Places within this Realme of Englande have bene founded and ordeyned, somme of them by the Quenes most Excellent Majesty and by other her noble Progenytors, and somme by other godly and weldisposed persons, for the Charitable Releife of pore aged and ympotent People maymed Soldyers Scholes of Learninge Orphanes and for such other good charitable and lawful purposes and yntentes: And where divers Landes Tenementes and Hereditamentes Leases Goodes and Chattels have bene given limitted and appointed for the like charitable good and lawfull Uses Intentes and Purposes, as also for Reparacion of Highwaies Amendmentes of Bridges and Sea Banckes, for the Maintenance of Fre Schooles and pore Schollers, as also for the Releife and preferment of Orphanes and fatherles Children, and such like good lawfull and charitable Uses; which Landes Tenementes and Hereditamentes Goods Leases and Chattelles have bene and are still like to be most unlawfully and uncharitably converted to the Lucre and Gayne of somme fewe greedy and covetous persons, contrary to the true intente and meaning of the givers and disposers thereof: To thende such godly and charitable purposes and uses may be from henceforth observed and contynued according to the true intent and meaning of the Givers and Founders thereof, and according to the true entent and meaning of any the foresaid good godly and charitable uses and intentes.