Religion and belief: Key dates 1689 to 1829

1689
Toleration Act: allowed dissenters to worship in their own chapels and meeting houses, provided these were licensed by Justices of the Peace

1698
Blasphemy Act: denial of Christianity made punishable with three years imprisonment

1699
Popery Act: disallowed Catholic schooling, inheritance and purchase of land

1715
'Papists Act': required Catholics to register their names and estates

1722
Act levied a tax on Catholics

1736
Witchcraft Act repealed the laws against witchcraft

1778
Catholic Relief Act: Catholics allowed to purchase land and join the army

1791
Catholic Relief Act: gave Catholics freedom of worship and removed other restrictions

1828
Repeal of Test and Corporation Acts removed remaining barriers against dissenters

1829
Catholic Emancipation Act: allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament, vote in elections and hold public office