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The Laws of Virginia (1610-1611)
Whereas his Majesty, like himself a most zealous prince, has in
his own realms a principal care of true religion and reverence to God
and has always strictly commanded his generals and governors, with
all his forces wheresoever, to let their ways be, like his ends, for
the glory of God. And forasmuch as no good service can be performed,
or were well managed, where military discipline is not observed, and
military discipline cannot be kept where the rules or chief parts
thereof be not certainly set down and generally know, I have, with
the advice and counsel of Sir Thomas Gates, Knight,
Lieutenant-General, adhered unto the laws divine and orders politic
and martial of his lordship, the same exemplified, as addition of
such others as I found either the necessity of the present state of
the colony to require or the infancy and weakness of the body thereof
as yet able to digest, and do now publish them to all persons in the
colony, that they may as well take knowledge of the laws themselves
as of the penalty and punishment, which, without partiality, shall be
inflicted upon the breakers of the same.
1.First, Since we owe our highest and supreme duty, our
greatest, and all our allegiance to him from whom all power and
authority is derived and flows as from the first and only fountain,
and being especial soldiers impressed in this sacred cause, we must
alone expect our success from him, who is only the blesser of all
good attempts, the king of kings, the commander of commanders, and
lord of hosts, I do strictly command and charge all captains and
officers, of what quality or nature soever, whether commanders in the
field or in town or towns, forts or fortresses, to have a care that
the Almighty God be duly and daily served and that they call upon
their people to hear sermons, as that also they diligently frequent
morning and evening prayer themselves by their own exemplar and daily
life and duty herein, encouraging others thereunto, and that such who
shall often andwillfully absent themselves be duly punished according
to the martial law in that case provided.
2.That no man speak impiously or maliciously against the holy
and blessed Trinity or any of the three persons, that is to say,
against God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, or
against the known articles of the Christian faith, upon pain of death.
3.That no man blaspheme God's holy name upon pain of death, or
use unlawful oaths, taking the name of God in vain, curse, or bane
upon pain of severe punishment for the first offense so committed and
for the second to have a bodkin thrust through his tongue; and if he
continue the blaspheming of God's holy name, for the third time so
offending, he shall be brought to a martial court and there receive
censure of death of his offense.
4.No man shall use any traitorous words against his Majesty's
person or royal authority, upon pain of death.
5.No man shall speak any word or do any act which may tend to
the derision or despite of God's holy word, upon pain of death; nor
shall any man unworthily demean himself unto any preacher or minister
of the same, but generally hold them in all reverent regard and
dutiful entreaty; otherwise he the offender shall openly be whipped
three times and ask public forgiveness in the assembly of the
congregation three several Sabbath days.
6.Every man and woman duly, twice a day
upon the first tolling of the bell, shall upon the working days
repair unto the church to hear divine service upon pain of losing his
or her day's allowance for the first omission, for the second to be
whipped, and for the third to be condemned to the galleys for six
months. Likewise, no man or woman shall dare to violate or break the
Sabbath by any gaming, public or private abroad or at home, but duly
sanctify and observe the same, both himself and his family, by
preparing themselves at home with private prayer that they may be the
better fitted for the public, according to the commandments of God
and the orders of our church. As also every man and woman shall
repair in the morning to the divine service and sermons preached upon
the Sabbath day in the afternoon to divine service and catechizing,
upon pain for the first fault to lose their provision and allowance
for the whole week following, for the second to lose the said
allowance and also to be whipped, and for the third to suffer death.
7.All preachers and ministers within this
our colony or colonies shall, in the forts where they are resident,
after divine service, duly preach every Sabbath day in the forenoon
and catechise in the afternoon and weekly say the divine service
twice every day and preach every Wednesday. Likewise, every minister
where he is resident, within the same fort or fortress, towns or
town, shall choose unto him four of the most religious and better
disposed as well to inform of the abuses and neglects of the people
in their duties and service of God, as also to the due reparation and
keeping of the church handsome and fitted with all reverent
observances thereunto belonging. Likewise, every minister shall keep
a faithful and true record of church book of all christenings,
marriages, and deaths of such our people as shall happen within their
fort or fortress, towns or town, at any time, upon the burden of a
neglectful conscience and upon pain of losing their entertainment.
8.He that, upon pretended malice, shall murder or take away the
life of any man, shall be punished with death.
9.No man shall commit the horrible and detestable sins of sodomy,
upon pain of death; and he or she that can be lawfully convict of
adultery shall be punished with death. No man shall ravish or force
any woman, maid or Indian, or other, upon pain of death; and know
that he or she that shall commit fornication, and evident proof made
thereof, for their first fault shall be whipped, for their second
they shall be whipped, and for their third they shall be whipped
three times a week for one month and ask public forgiveness in the
assembly of the congregation.
10.No man shall be found guilty of sacrilege, which is a
trespass as well committed in violating and abusing any sacred
ministry, duty, or office of the church irreverently or prophanely,
as by being a church robber to filch, steal, or carry away anything
out of the church appertaining thereunto or unto any holy and
consecrated place to the divine service of God, which no man shall do
upon pain of death. Likewise, he that shall rob the store of any
commodities therein of what quality soever, whether provisions of
victuals, or of arms, trucking stuff, apparel, linen, or woolen, hose
or shoes, hats or caps, instruments or tools of steel, iron, etc., or
shall rob from his fellow soldier or neighbor anything that is his,
victuals, apparel, household stuff, tool, or what necessary else
soever, by water or land, out of boat, house, or knapsack, shall be
punished with death. . . .
11.Every minister or preacher shall, every Sabbath day before
catechising, read all these laws and ordinances publicly in the
assembly of the congregation upon pain of his entertainment checked
for that week.
From "Articles, Lawes, and Orders, Divine, Politique, and
Martiall for the Colony of Virginea," in William Strachey, For
the Colony in Virginea Britannia: Lawes, Divine, Morall and Martiall,
Etc. (London: Walter Barre, 1612), 1-7, 19.
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