These 16 bizarre laws – some dating back to the Medieval period – could still land you in trouble with the police in England and Scotland today.
If you find yourself gambling in a library, walking a cow along the street during the day or keeping the head of a whale that has washed up on the beach – you could be forced to pay a hefty fine or even serve jail time.
It comes after MailOnline revealed some of the world’s most peculiar laws still in existance today, including it being illegal to flush the loo after 10pm in Switzerland or break wind after 6pm in Florida.
Read below to find out whether you might inadvertently be a criminal…
1. Being drunk in a pub is illegal
The Metropolitan Act of 1839 states it is illegal for anyone to be ‘drunk in charge of Licensed Premises’.
If you are found to be intoxicated it could result in the owner of a bar being fined.
The Licensing Act of 2003 also forbids supplying alcoholic beverages to people already inebriated, and if this is broken you could be fined £200 as part of a level 1 penalty or £5,000 as part of a level 5 penalty.
So, think on the next time you and your friends have ‘one too many’ down the local.
Ever been drunk in a pub before? Technically, you were breaking the law according to the Metropolitan Act of 1839
2. You are not allowed to slide on ice or snow in London
According to the Metropolitan Police Act of 1989, this law prohibits people making or using a slide ‘on ice or snow in any roadway or other thoroughfare’ if it poses a ‘common hazard’ to other Londoners.
You may be punished up to £500 if you commit the offence, but it’s not the only ordinary activity which is forbidden…
3. Flying a kite in a public place is technically illegal
Flying a kite with friends on a lovely summer day in the park might seem like a great idea, but under section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 this is actually illegal.
The law was originally brought in to prevent there being common nuisances and any danger to local passengers.
Who would have thought flying a kite could be such a serious crime?
Kite-flying without a licence is also illegal in India according to the Indian Aircraft Act of 1934 and offenders could be imprisoned for up to two years
4. It is unlawful to carry a plank of wood along a pavement unless it is being unloaded from a vehicle
The Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 requires that any boards of wood carried on a pavement can only be done so if it is unloaded from or being loaded onto a vehicle.
This law dates back to the Middle Ages when carts were regularly overloaded and people were at risk of falling wood.
This certainly fits the tag of bizarre and strange.
5. A pet cannot mate with another pet from the Royal household
Keep a close leash on your pets if you happen to find yourselves near the Royal Family’s beloved corgi dogs.
Up until 1965 this offence would have resulted in the death penalty!
The Royals clearly don’t believe in love at first sight between animals.
It is highly unlikely that your pets will be rubbing shoulders with the Royal Household’s, but it might be handy to know that letting them mate is illegal
6. The act of gambling in British libraries is prohibited
Under the Libraries Offences Act 1988 it is illegal to not only bet and gamble in a library but also to behave in a disorderly manner or use violent and abusive language.
The law applies in England and Wales but it is only relevant to a limited degree today.
Looks like any bookworms will have to save the gambling for Vegas!
7. Cab drivers have a legal responsibility to ask passengers if they have the plague or smallpox
Don’t be offended if a taxi driver asks if you have the plague – it’s the law!
As part of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 a cab driver has a right to refuse anyone who may have a notifiable disease.
They may also elect to transport you and then immediately disinfect their vehicle, unlike a bus driver who must refuse you altogether.
A taxi driver has the right to ask passengers if they have the plague or smallpox according to a 1984 law
8. Members of Parliament are forbidden from wearing a suit of armour inside Parliament
The 1313 Act of The Statute Forbidding Bearing of Armour means that Members of Parliament are not permitted to wear a suit of armour inside Parliament.
The statute came about as a result of Edward II who wanted to prevent nobles from threatening to use force when Parliament was called.
It is said that the Earl of Lancaster still attended Parliament carrying weapons until at least 1319.
Lets hope nobody comes dressed as a knight on Halloween.
9. You cannot stroll cows along the street during the day
The Metropolitan Streets Act of 1867 makes it illegal to walk cattle through the streets between 10am and 7pm.
This law stems from the Metropolitan Police District but you can get around it by gaining special authorisation from the Police Commissioner.
Just don’t be alarmed if you see people walking their cows down the high street at night, it’s perfectly legal.
There is also a law under section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872 that prohibits you from being drunk while managing cattle.
When this law was implemented in 1867 the original fine was ‘a penalty of not more than ten shillings for each head of cattle, thus driven or conducted’
10. Playing knock down ginger
Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 states that it is illegal for ‘every person who shall wilfully and wantonly disturb any inhabitant by pulling or ringing any doorbell or knocking at any door without lawful excuse’.
This might finally scare children off playing this annoying game once and for all…
11. Shaking your carpet on a street in London is unlawful
According to Section 60 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 it is an offence to beat or shake the dust off your carpet or rug in the street in London.
You are permitted to shake your doormat, but only if it’s before 8am.
Clearly the Government don’t appreciate how to keep a house tidy.
12. The head of a whale or sturgeon needs to be offered to the reigning monarch when they become beached
Dating back to 1322, this law was created when Edward II decreed that the head of a whale should be given to the King or Queen while the rest of the carcass belonged to whoever found it.
Iceland has a similar law where any whale that washes ashore must be reported to the local sheriff who then decides if it should be given to the King or Queen.
I’m not too sure King Charles would want the head of a whale mind you.
Edward II originally created this law in 1322 decreeing that the head of a whale which has washed ashore should be given to the King or Queen
13. You cannot jump the queue at tube station ticket halls
According to London Underground by-laws imposed by Transport for London it is an offence to jump the queue at a tube station ticket hall.
The law was put in place as it can cause a lot of frustration for other people waiting in line and it can also be dangerous if people are pushing past each other to get to a train.
If only they could impose this law at theme parks…
14. Purchasing alcohol after 10pm is illegal in Scotland
Punishable by a £100 fine, you are not allowed to buy alcohol after 10pm in Scotland.
Alcohol can only be sold between 10am and 10pm, even in 24-hour supermarkets and off-licenses unlike in England.
Just before 10pm there is usually a wild rush to the stores to beat the alcohol cut-off time.
If you’re in Scotland for a night out make sure you buy your booze early as after 10pm it is illegal to buy alcohol from a shop
15. The term ‘manslaughter’ does not exist
Fear not, they’ve just got another name for it…
In Scotland the most closely related term is ‘culpable homicide’.
Culpable homicide covers instances where the death of a person is caused by the reckless, dangerous or negligent actions of another person. The punishment is life imprisonment.
16. If someone knocks on your door, you must allow them to use your toilet
Last but certainly not least, many Scots consider it a law to let others use your bathroom if they knock on your door.
Although there is nothing in Scottish legislation that suggests this is genuinely enforceable, it all stems from the country’s love of hospitality according to historians.
Perhaps the most bizarre rule in this selection – many Scots consider it a law to let others use your bathroom if they knock on your door
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk