I was intrigued to discover recently that, under the Salmon Act of 1986, it’s illegal to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances. Of course, this means you can be arrested for handling potentially stolen goods and not, presumably, using a salmon as a tennis racket or playing it like a banjo. But it did send me looking for other unusual or outdated laws which are still on the statute books.
Did you know that it’s illegal to carry a plank along the pavement in London? I assume this is because the police have seen too many Laurel and Hardy movies. Other unlawful activities include driving cows along the highway without permission and firing a cannon within 300 yards of a dwelling house. And since 1313 members of Parliament have been forbidden to wear armour in the House, which goes some way to explaining why Prime Minister’s Questions has been so dull lately.
There are plenty of myths around outdated laws which turn out not to be true. So, no, you can’t shoot foreigners with a longbow in Chester or Hereford after curfew (nor in all likelihood could you ever); Oliver Cromwell, killjoy though he was, never actually banned eating mince pies at Christmas; and yes, you are permitted to hide a Catholic priest in your house should you so desire (it’s good to have a hobby that involves meeting other people).
Valeriana pyrenaica
Lifting our gaze from the quirks of the law, in parish notices Judit has sent us a picture of another gansey to admire. It’s John Northcott’s pattern from Rae Compton’s book (or “Straight Outta Compton” as controversial rappers NWA called their album celebrating ganseys), simple and elegant, and the light grey heather colour allows the pattern to stand out clearly. It is a gift for a very lucky young man. Many thanks as ever to Judit for sharing her ganseys with us!
Grasses by the river
And harking back to strange laws, of course the UK has never had a monopoly on these. In ancient times it was illegal to die on the island of Delos, which was a holy place to the gods (whaddaya gonna do, shoot me?). My favourite though is Peter the Great’s 1698 beard tax, which he introduced to make Russian men look more modern. The idea was that you either had to shave or buy a “beard token”, which you would show to police on demand: if you couldn’t produce a token, they were allowed to forcibly shave you (presumably saving canny Russians a fortune in barbers’ fees). Unsurprisingly the law proved unenforceable, and was finally repealed by another The Great, Catherine, in 1772. Anyway, so much for the law. Now I have a strange urge to eat a mince pie, handle a salmon and, after counting to 100, go see if I can find a Catholic priest hiding somewhere in my house…
Many thanks Gordon and happy summer days I admire your Flamborough .
Hello Judit, it’s always a pleasure to showcase your knitting, and thank you for bringing so many old patterns to life.
We have laws which will no doubt seem strange to our descendants. I hope they do – they seem strange to me already.
The July 4th holiday began with unauthorized fireworks last night and will no doubt last all week. Getting into the spirit, my doctor’s office is closed until Thursday. There is rain promised but it doesn’t seem to have happened yet, just rumbles of thunder and heat wave weather all week.
Hi Tamar, it’s always interesting to wonder what our descendants will find bizarre, objectionable or just plain wrong about our laws, our language or our lives. I remember when plastic was cool! Hope you have some decent weather soon.
Hi, well we’ve had flaming June ( must have missed it) so toJuly, dreich, dreich and mair dreich, with the sun playing peek a boo like a cheeky burlesque dancer with too many fans. Live in hope, eh. Your gansey certainly helps to cheer with it’s vibrancy, so to further aid cheer ordered and received Michael Pearsons updated revised book. £20 very,very well spent so thanks to you et al for past reccomendations. Also bought Howl’ s Moving Castle .
Have remebered about drunk in charge of a horse or bicycle against the law. Also requirement to wear a hat/cap under the Cappers Act. Also the fines payable for no attendance at church.
As far as I am aware in the City of the County of Edinburgh, boys from age 12 were allowed to smoke but only smoke a pipe. I stil do at 66 and remember I and friends receiving stern talks if seen or caught smoking cigs but if I had my pipe nothing of note. This extended to Musselburgh and going to play rugby against Loretto Boys School and seeing boys in Musselburgh High St bright red Blazers,shirt tie and shorts smoking pipes. I am aware in places that boys had a break in lessons in a.m. to allow the boys to smoke their pipes,at times with tobacco supplied by schoolmaster. Possibly why morning break at school has been maintained. ( boys worked in afternoon). No doubt many of these strange,quirky laws still remain. Enjoy.
Query:Would you know what has befallen the Caithness.org website or indeed Bill Fernie? Just wondering as I am proceeding ( slowly ) down first sleeve of gansey from Thurso/Scrabster. Just wondering. Best regards .
Hi Kevin, Caithness.org hasn’t been updated for a few years now, except for jobs. It’s a real shame, as it was part of what made Caithness feel unique and special. Don’t know why, I must ask.
My teachers never forced tobacco onto us students. I feel like I had a neglected childhood now…