[I.] High treason to endeavour to disappoint the same by any overt act or deed.N.I.
For prevention whereof if any person or persons at any time . . . F1 shall endeavour to deprive or hinder any person, who shall be the next in succession to the crown for the time being, according to the limitations in the before recited acts mentioned, from succeeding after the decease of her Majesty (whom God long preserve) to the imperial crown of England, and the dominions and territories thereunto belonging, accordig to the limitations in the beforementioned acts: (that is to say) such issue of her Majesty’s body as shall from time to time be next in succession to the crown, if it shall please God to bless her Majesty with issue; and during the time her sacred Majesty shall have no issue, the princess Sophia, electoress and dutchess dowager of Hanover, and the heirs males of her body, being protestants; and after the decease of the said princess Sophia, the next in succession to the crown for the time being, according to the limitation of the said acts; and the same maliciously, advisedly, and directly shall attempt by any overt act or deed, every such offence shall be adjudged high treason, and the offender or offenders therein, their abettors, procurers and comforters, knowing the said offences to be done, being thereof convicted or attainted, according to the laws and statutes of this realm, shall be deemed and adjudged traytors, and shall [F2be liable to imprisonment for life], and all losses, and forfeitures, as in cases of high treason.
Textual Amendments
F1Words repealed by Statute law Revision Act 1953 (2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 5), Sch. 2
F2Words in s. 1 substituted (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 36(2)(d); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1)(g)