Bizarre Laws and Curious Customs of the UK

‘An endlessly fascinating journey through the extraordinary laws that have shaped every aspect of British society from Anglo-Saxon times to the present day. Impeccably researched and engagingly, often humorously written, it delivers so many jaw-dropping moments that I found it impossible to put down. A truly remarkable book.’ - Tracy Borman - Chief Curator for HM Historic Royal Palaces, Author, historian & broadcaster

In the UK, we have some bizarre laws that have littered the statute books of our sceptred isle throughout history. Not all of them have been repealed over the centuries. Some of them made perfect sense at the time they were introduced but seen through modern eyes, now appear archaic and draconian. Despite the great efforts of the Law Commission in England and Wales to review and recommend reforms for many of these outdated laws, there are centuries of law that must be painstakingly gone through.

As well as some bizarre laws, the UK also has its fair share of curious customs and time-honoured traditions that have been observed for centuries. On the surface, many appear to be nothing more than theatrical pomp and pageantry. However, they are all born from strong rationale.

The UK parliament seems to have had a particular penchant for passing laws related to fish and animals, indecency and passing sentences with some humiliating public punishments.

This book is a highly entertaining read for anyone who enjoys learning about the more bizarre applications of UK law throughout the centuries, along with some rather macabre consequences along the way.

Have you ever heard a bizarre law and thought, that can’t possibly be true? Is it genuine? Was it ever in existence or just an urban myth that became so embellished over time? There are surprisingly, a great many laws still in existence on the statute books today, that would make your jaw drop. Whilst bizarre as these laws may now seem to us, it begs the question, are we in fact, unknowingly breaking these laws on a regular basis?

For example…

• Is it illegal to cause a nuclear explosion?
• Are you required to talk to the police?
• Is Knock and Run illegal?
• Was it illegal to grow a beard?
• Do all swans belong to The King?

…all these questions and more will be answered in this Volume 1 of a 3 volume series by Monty Lord.

Reading this book, you may be inclined to laugh heartily, let out a sorrowful cry or recoil in abject horror at some of the more gruesome sentences passed for breaking these weird laws.

With over 130 bizarre but nevertheless true, laws and customs, you can use this book to satisfy your curiosity about what our ancestors had to contend with over the years, or perhaps as a reference guide for trivia quizzes.

Monty Lord has a strong interest in challenging injustices through the law. He became a BBC Young Reporter and a Director and Legal/Investigative Reporter for Young Legal Eagles. As a world memory champion, Monty is the youngest person in the United Kingdom with the most world records, holding 5 Guinness World Records for world memory challenges. An accomplished public speaker, Monty has spoken avidly about The Rule of Law, access to the law for children and young people and using enhanced memory techniques to address inequalities in the education system. He's spoken about the rights of the child at TEDx talks, Amnesty International and to world leaders at the United Nations in Geneva. He advocates for children and young people at the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth. Monty sits on the committee of Amnesty UK's Children's Human Rights Network.

The Rt. Hon. Nigel Evans MP, Deputy Speaker (The House of Commons), Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales (2001-03)