Every country is different, with totally unidentical laws. Sometimes, these laws border on the majorly ridiculous, and other times, they point to significant cultural values that might differ from your own. Many people will need help understanding and believing some of the strangest and obsolete laws that exist in the UK and have been in force since medieval times. From a law prohibiting gambling in any British public library to one in which killing a swan is seen as treason, these laws will make you think about how much crazier these laws can get.
Here are some of the laws that you will never believe that one can end up being imprisoned, get a ticket for, or even fined:
1) Carrying wood planks along a pavement is illegal unless it intends to unload from a vehicle.
The Metropolitan Police Act says, “A plank of wood must not be carried along a pavement. It can only be moved if it is being unloaded from a vehicle or taken into a building.”
This law dates back to medieval times when carts were often overloaded, and the wood would fall off, posing a danger to pedestrians.
2) If you are attempting to fly a Kite in a public place, it is technically considered illegal.
What is considered a normal activity in other countries during summertime is flying a kite in a public place; it is a big surprise that this is considered illegal in the United Kingdom.
Metropolitan Police Act 1839, section 54, bought this law to prevent common nuisances and dangers to local passengers.
3) As per the rumor, placing a postage stamp bearing the monarch’s head upside down is treason.
At number 5 in our list of the UK’s weird laws, Under the Treason Felony Act of 1848, it is an offense to “place any mark upon His Majesty’s coin or currency with intent to deface the same.”
Some rumors say that placing a stamp upside down would be treason because of the perception of dishonoring the monarchy’s image, but this has been cleared and proven to be not true by the Royal Mail, and a stamp is still acceptable if placed upside down.
4) It is by law considered illegal if you are drunk in a pub or on licensed properties in England and Wales.
Section 12 of The Licensing Act of 1872 prohibits people from being found drunk on any highway or other public place, whether a building or not, or any licensed premises.
The act was amended in the Licensing (Amendment) Act in 1988 to extend this prohibition in all public places, which also includes pubs, clubs, and even private homes if they sell alcohol there. You could face a whopping £200 fine if you can’t hold your liquor.
5) You cannot dress up as a police officer, armed forces member, or sailor.
Seamen’s and Soldiers’ False Characters Act of 1906 and the Police Act of 1996 is known to be one of the stupidest laws ever which came into power to prohibit the people of the UK from portraying themselves as a police officer, all army members, sailor or solider for any occasion not to create confusion for the public to differ the normal crowd from them and also to avoid getting the people into a dangerous situation.
6) Hanging your clothes across the street.
It is one of the old laws as it came into power by the Town Police Clause Act 1847. Shockingly, it is still in force as it states that hanging your clothes across the street is illegal. The police officials will fine you for this. If a police officer catches you doing it, they can fine up to 1000 pounds.
7) Killing a Swan
As unfair as it sounds, it is true that this rule does not apply to all birds but only to Swans, as it is illegal to kill them as they belong to the queen.
This law goes back to the 12th century when the Crown declared ownership of all mute swans to prevent people from eating them!
8) Watching TV without a license
Imagine being summoned by the police to watch TV. I know it sounds wild, but it is true in the UK by the Communications Act 2003, Section 363. Watching TV without a license is a criminal offense, and you could be fined up to £1,000 if caught.
While it might be much fun to go sliding down an icy street on a sled or just your shoes, another weird UK law makes this illegal.
Not only is it extremely menacing, but it is also very troublesome. It can be a blast for residents, which is why it is mentioned in the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, Section 54, that the members of Parliament Cannot Wear Any Armour Inside Parliament Quarters.
A Statute forbidding the Bearing of Armour (1313) Act is still in effect today and makes it illegal in UK law to wear a proper suit of armor in the Houses of Parliament.
Edward II put the statute into place to stop the violence between the two factions of Parliament, the pro-royalist Lancastrians and the anti-royalist Earl of Gloucester’s party.
Below is a complete video of laws of the United Kingdom, Don’t miss it.
Conclusion
Since Britain has been around for hundreds of years, having a few weird laws in Britain is normal. Of course, it creates a headache for everyone when they don’t revoke old laws still on the books. Whenever you decide to visit any new country or place, thoroughly understanding the local laws beforehand is smarter. It will help you to respect the country’s customs and cultures. It might be that you would have unknowingly broken some rules in your lifetime.
