The Strange Laws of Old England
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English laws still in use today
Embark on a tour of Old England by discovering some of the oldest and weirdest laws ever to be enacted over the years in the UK.
Unbelievably some of these laws are still in force today.
The Strange Laws of Old England features some of the most bizarre and unusual laws of the British legal system. Discover, also, links to the strange laws of other countries in Europe and the US.
Fascinating and Eccentric Laws
Punishments, courts and laws
This squidoo lens aims to give a fascinating insight into the laws of Olde England. It will feature some of the weirdest of laws no longer in use and of laws that are still active today.
This lens will also give many links to resources where more interesting and strange laws can be found from other countries across the world.
Some intriguing chapters that can be found in The Strange Laws of Old England are:
The laws that never were
Curious Cases
Laughable Libels
Silliness in the city
Wacky Witch Laws and
Death is no Excuse
Trial by Ordeal
In medieval times, the accused was forced to carry a red-hot piece of coal a required distance (the length of the nave of a Church) or walk with a blindfold on over a bed of red-hot coals. If he/she emerged unblemished and uninjured, or healed quickly, then they would be found not guilty.
(Sounds a bit like witchcraft (or the methods to prove witchcraft) to me...)
The Strange Laws of Old England
Nigel Cawthorne
The Strange Laws of Old England
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The Statute of Diet and Apparel
In 1336 it was against the law for men to have more than 2 courses at a meal to safeguard against obesity. This law was laid down by Edward III (enforced by Edward IV and Henry VIII). Many other laws governed the non-consumption of meat on a Friday and Saturday, excessive eating and drinking and during Lent.
The Dietary laws were later repealed by Queen Victoria.
The law of wearing Make-up
Elizabeth I was responsible for the law that banned women from using cosmetics to lead a man into marriage. This included false hair, make-up, false hips(?) and high-heeled shoes. (She'd have a fit if she was around today..!)
Strange Laws from Europe and the US
No dying in Parliament
Not technically against the law but it is not allowed for anyone to die in Parliament. The death certificate is not issued until after the body is removed from Parliament. The reason? Anyone dying in Parliament would be legally entitled to a state funeral as Parliament is part of the Palace of Westminster.
Did you know?
taken from The Strange Laws of England by N Cawthorne
that it's against the law to check into a hotel in London under assumed names for the purpose of love-making?
that under a statute of Edward II all whales washed up on the shore belong to the monarch?
that you are not allowed to feed or shoe horses on the road?
that ladies are not allowed to show their ankles in public in St Peters?
that under a decree of Charles II six ravens must be kept in the Tower at all times?
The Most Barbaric Murderers of Our Times
and other fascinating reading by Nigel C.
Punishments
Prisoners were mutilated before the 12th Century so that they could be easily identified by everyone else.
Facts of the Law
Age of Criminal Responsibility - 7
Children were often executed. In 1814, for example, in one day, five children were sentenced to death. They were aged between 8 and 14.
(Compare these facts to today (apart from the execution figures...) where the age of Criminal responsibility in the UK is now 10).
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lyndon
Sep 28, 2011 @ 2:26 pm | delete
- ive heard of 2 laws from an old book i had one was you are allowed to take your wife up on the walls of yok on the summer solstice and cane her with a birch branch and another is if you have a glass of port in a pub after last orders its the only drink that legally they cant throw you out till you have consumed it
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PrometeusOlimpicus
Jul 23, 2010 @ 5:43 am | delete
- nice lens ! great read while you pretend to work :) Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
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TheWhistler
Feb 3, 2010 @ 6:05 pm | delete
- I love this kind of minutia, we have some strange old laws in Canada too.
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by inkserotica
I'm a Freelance Writer and Reviewer, who will try her hand at anything. I have a passion for the paranormal, forensics, true-crime, horror, video games,... more »
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