However, we know, from the humanity of his character, that it could never have been suggested by him.
NOTES to Chapter XXIII.

Death for Trifling Larcenies.
When Connecticut and New Haven were framing their first codes, larceny above the value of twelve pence was a capital crime in England--as it had been since the time of Henry I .-- Dr.J.Hammond Trumbull's Blue Laws, True and False, p.

17.
The curious old book called The English Rogue makes the limit thirteen pence ha'penny: death being the portion of any who steal a thing 'above the value of thirteen pence ha'penny.' NOTES to Chapter XXVII.
From many descriptions of larceny the law expressly took away the benefit of clergy: to steal a horse, or a HAWK, or woollen cloth from the weaver, was a hanging matter.

So it was to kill a deer from the King's forest, or to export sheep from the kingdom .-- Dr.J.Hammond Trumbull's Blue Laws, True and False, p.13.
William Prynne, a learned barrister, was sentenced (long after Edward VI.'s time) to lose both his ears in the pillory, to degradation from the bar, a fine of 3,000 pounds, and imprisonment for life.

Three years afterwards he gave new offence to Laud by publishing a pamphlet against the hierarchy.