Second Succession Act

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The Second Succession Act of Henry VIII's reign was passed by the Parliament of England in 1536, removing both Mary and Elizabeth from the line of the succession.

The Act was formally titled the Succession to the Crown: Marriage Act 1536 (citation 28 Hen. VIII c.7), or the Act of Succession 1536.

The Act superseded the First Succession Act, which had declared Henry's daughter Mary to be illegitimate and Elizabeth to be his legitimate heir, by declaring Elizabeth a bastard. This followed the conviction and execution of Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth's mother.

As a result, Henry was left without a legitimate heir until Prince Edward was born in 1537.

The succession was subsequently changed by the Third Succession Act, which returned both Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession.