The Quaker Act 1662 (14 Cha. 2. c. 1) was an act of the Parliament of England which required subjects to swear an oath of allegiance to the king, which Quakers did not do out of religious conviction. It set out specific penalties for first (a fine of up to £5, or three months' imprisonment with hard labour), second (a fine of up to £10, or six months imprisonment with hard labour), and third (transportation) offence. It also allowed that should the defendant subsequently agree to swear oaths and not attend unlawful assemblies (as defined by the Act) then all penalties would be cancelled.
Subsequent developments The whole act was repealed by section 1 of the Places of Religious Worship Act 1812 (52 Geo. 3. c. 155).
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