Archaic British Laws

[fluffymark]

All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.

In London, you are not allowed to keep a pigsty in the front of your home.

Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks.

All male orgies are illegal, although add one woman and it’s legal.

Until 1976 cab drivers were required by law to carry a bale of hay to feed a horse.

It is illegal to stand within one hundred yards of the reigning monarch when not wearing socks.

It is still an offence to beat or shake any carpet rug or mat in any street in the Metropolitan Police District, although you are allowed to shake a doormat before 8am.

Placing a postage stamp that bears the Queen (or King) upside down is considered treason.

A Member of Parliament must not enter the House of Commons wearing a full suit of armour.

Committing suicide is classified as a capital crime – punishable by death.

A 1307 law ensures that the head of any dead whale found on the British coast becomes the property of the king and the tail belongs to the queen (she need the bones for her corset).

Royal Navy ships which enter the Port of London are required to provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.

In Chester you are allowed to shoot a Welsh person with a bow and arrow provided it is done inside the city walls and after midnight.

It is still illegal for cabbies to carry rabid dogs or corpses and by law they must ask all passengers if they have small pox or the plague.

In Scotland, it is illegal to be a drunk in possession of a cow.

Anybody know any more amusing obsolete british laws?

Comments

[drivenapart.livejournal.com]

The thought of being surrounded by a guard of honour is actually sweet :) However, my concern would be that would-be Welsh-smiters atop a castle, would see a circle of taller people surrounding an already tall chap and walking with his every step and think "A-ha! A Welshman...importantly as a bullseye!".

I wouldn't stand a chance. I think my only hope is plate armour :)

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Or persuading everybody in the city that you're great and they don't want to shoot you.

[drivenapart.livejournal.com]

It's certainly a consideration, but would probably take a full-page advert in a local newpaper, a major TV advertising campaign and a complete distortion of all the known facts! :)