Alex Carson
Laws
No matter what country you visit, there are going to be laws. Many laws are similar from country to county; however, there are some really strange laws that you can’t help but wonder if they are real or not. Here are some ridiculous UK laws that not even the British can believe are real.
UK Laws: Statute Of 1324
Everyone knows that Queen Elizabeth loves corgis. What you may not know is that she also loves fish. The Statute of 1324 issued by King Edward II declares that all dolphins, whales, and sturgeons are royal fish. This means that they are all property of the Crown. The Queen literally owns her own version of Sea World.
UK Laws: Polish Potato Order Of 2004
In 2004, there was an outbreak of ring rot disease among Polish potato crops. After that, the UK began vetting the process for Eastern European spuds. For Polish potatoes to make their way into the country, the shippers must jump through plenty of hurdles. They also must give each potato its own certificate that the potatoes are safe to eat.
Salmon Act, Section 32
This law protects citizens who are unknowingly in possession of salmon that was illegally caught, taken, or killed. The subject title is “Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances,” which sounds pretty strange. It makes you picture men on the streets, secretly selling salmon from their trench coats.
Treason Felony Act Of 1848
Treason is defined by a crime or betraying a nation. There are plenty of ways to commit treason, but in Britain, you can commit treason by putting a stamp on an envelope the wrong way. Under this 19th century act, if you put a stamp with the monarch’s image upside down, you have committed treason. Making a small error like this doesn’t seem to be a treasonous act; however, they take these things very seriously in the United Kingdom.
UK Libraries Offenses Act Of 1898
People expect the library to be quiet. If you make noise, you will likely get shushed. In Britain, anyone who behaves in a disorderly way at the library can be arrested in. Also, don’t try having a poker game at your local library because gambling is considered disorderly. It’s not like many high stakes poker games are being held in libraries, but if you are thinking about having one, you might find yourself in jail before you can win the pot.
Statute Forbidding Bearing Of Armour Of 1313
If an aspiring politician is fond of dressing up like a 14th-century knight, they cannot do so when entering the house of Parliament. King Edward II enacted the law when there was a great deal of political instability in England. The law is further supported by the Statute of Northampton of 1328, which allows only certain government officials to carry a weapon.
Prohibitions and Inspections Act Of 1998
This is a very obvious law. It says that any British national who detonates a nuclear device, either at home or abroad, will be ordered to spend their lives in prison. The Act was rewritten as the Crime and Security Act of 2001. If you are thinking about taking a trip to Britain with your nuclear device, you better think twice about it. If you detonate, you will go to jail. This is a pretty obvious law, and it makes you wonder why the Brits thought that it would need to be a law. It is pretty much common sense.
Metropolitan Police Act Section 54
This is a detailed list of “nuisances by persons in thoroughfares.” It seems reasonable, but some of the offenses are crazy. Under the law, you cannot ring doorbells excessively, slide on the ice, or fly a kite. You also cannot sing songs that are considered obscene, profane, or indecent. The Act also makes it illegal to carry flooring planks while walking on a sidewalk. You also cannot carry ladders, wheels, or hoops. The Act was written to make it easier for pedestrians to walk down the streets of London. Today, with all of the foot traffic on a daily basis in London, this Act is still strictly enforced. Fortunately, we have trucks now that can bring these materials to the job sites.
London Hackney Carriage Act Of 1831
This law was written when horse-drawn carriages were the main form of transportation. According to the Act, drivers were required to keep a bale of hay in the carriage at all times to feed the horses. Even though this is no longer the preferred means of transportation, the law is still in effect. Also, it is illegal to feed your horse in the street to prevent traffic. Most drivers back then would use a feed bag or feed their horses by hand.
