BENEFIT

OF CLEBGY, was a privUege clergymen, which originated in a saperatitious for the church, whereby the clergy of Popish tries were either partially or wholly exempted the jurisdiction of the lay tribunals. It extended England only to the case of felony; and though was intended to apply only to clerical felons or yet as every one who could read was, by the England, considered to be a derk, when the ments of learning came to be diffused almost man in the community became entitled to this lege. If it was a layman who claimed this privilege he was branded wil^ a hot iron on the left for laymen were not permitted to receive the twice. Benefit of clergy, as it often gro ly fered with the regular course of justice, was abolished by 7 and 8 Greo. lY. c. xxviiL s. 6.