What do you think?
Rate this book
The Strange Laws of Old England
Did you know that:
It's against the law to check into a hotel in London under assumed names for the purpose of love-making?
The law of habeas corpus came about because of a London lady's drunken parties?
Under a statute of Edward II, all whales washed up on the shore belong to the monarch?
Under Tudor law, Welshmen are not allowed into the city of Chester after dark?
The law requiring a London taxi driver to carry a bale of hay on top of his cab to feed the horse was in force until 1976?
Oliver Cromwell passed laws ordering the demolition of theatres, the imprisonment of actors, and the fining of the audience?
You're not allowed to feed or shoe horses on the road? However, you can herd cattle along the streets, provided you do not "wantonly and unlawfully pelt, drive or hunt any such cattle".
Nigel Cawthorne takes the reader on an entertaining tour of the wilder shores of the British legal system; he has unearthed an extraordinary collection of the most bizarre and arcane laws that have been enacted over the centuries. Some of the laws, incredibly, are still in force. It is still illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour...
This elegant and amusing book is perfect for everyone fascinated by the eccentric history of these islands.
It's against the law to check into a hotel in London under assumed names for the purpose of love-making?
The law of habeas corpus came about because of a London lady's drunken parties?
Under a statute of Edward II, all whales washed up on the shore belong to the monarch?
Under Tudor law, Welshmen are not allowed into the city of Chester after dark?
The law requiring a London taxi driver to carry a bale of hay on top of his cab to feed the horse was in force until 1976?
Oliver Cromwell passed laws ordering the demolition of theatres, the imprisonment of actors, and the fining of the audience?
You're not allowed to feed or shoe horses on the road? However, you can herd cattle along the streets, provided you do not "wantonly and unlawfully pelt, drive or hunt any such cattle".
Nigel Cawthorne takes the reader on an entertaining tour of the wilder shores of the British legal system; he has unearthed an extraordinary collection of the most bizarre and arcane laws that have been enacted over the centuries. Some of the laws, incredibly, are still in force. It is still illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour...
This elegant and amusing book is perfect for everyone fascinated by the eccentric history of these islands.
266 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2004
21 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Cawthorne
316 books124 followersNigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".
One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.
Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).
Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".
One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.
Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 7, 2018
And so to the second of the curious strange old facts of England - (its not really a series I guess the author Nigel Cawthorne just found so much material here hr had enough for this book too).
It pretty much follows the same style of the Curious Cures in that it lists facts and details sometimes following a thread (for example debtors prison) or at other times just fixing on a specific historic event.
The book is easy to pick up and start reading even if you have not read a page from it in quite a while (to be honest I read alternately reading this and the curious cures book) and didn't really feel I was at a disadvantage.
Now one of the things that struck me about this book - unlike the curious cures which obviously no such remedies still exist (well I hope not and if they did they would quickly be hitting the front of the newspapers) is that some of these laws still stand - not on any reasonable or sensible reason but for the fact no one has thought about getting round to repeal them - a case of how on earth would that be prosecuted in the first place.
These sorts of books always interest me to see where we as a society came from but they can only hold my interest for so long - after a while I need something else. So a fun read if you find it but I would not say it demands a place on your book case - I think we all can think of titles that deserve that.
It pretty much follows the same style of the Curious Cures in that it lists facts and details sometimes following a thread (for example debtors prison) or at other times just fixing on a specific historic event.
The book is easy to pick up and start reading even if you have not read a page from it in quite a while (to be honest I read alternately reading this and the curious cures book) and didn't really feel I was at a disadvantage.
Now one of the things that struck me about this book - unlike the curious cures which obviously no such remedies still exist (well I hope not and if they did they would quickly be hitting the front of the newspapers) is that some of these laws still stand - not on any reasonable or sensible reason but for the fact no one has thought about getting round to repeal them - a case of how on earth would that be prosecuted in the first place.
These sorts of books always interest me to see where we as a society came from but they can only hold my interest for so long - after a while I need something else. So a fun read if you find it but I would not say it demands a place on your book case - I think we all can think of titles that deserve that.
October 14, 2015
An ineresting little book of old laws some revoked and some still in force. My favourite is the Outer Space Act 1986 in which a magistrate can basically ask an invasion force to leave! So that scene where an English official asks them to leave is not a comedy moment, WHA'!
June 1, 2017
I'm using this more as a reference book - and for amusement at times - rather than reading cover to cover.
Excellent source of old and wacky laws for entertainment or research.
Excellent source of old and wacky laws for entertainment or research.
August 23, 2013
Rather than being a fun collection of quirky local laws and ribald eccentricities of the court system, this reads far more like a stuffy "Gosh! Isn't law funny?!" type of book.
Once you get your head down and force your way through the deluge of tedium and pompous manner in which the book seems to be written, you might find a handful of interesting laws and facts - such as it's illegal to be drunk in a pub - only to have any and all fun novelty sapped straight out of those quirks by the remarkably staid and aloof manner they're conveyed to you.
For once, and I hate myself a little for saying it, this is a book that could do with a bit of dumbing down or at least a little entertainment stitching into it rather than just being about as fun a read as a law textbook.
If you're a lawyer, studying law or working in the legal system you're probably the perfect audience for this book.
History lovers on the other hand would be far better off sticking to what they can glean from such outlets as episodes/books by the TV show QI rather than trying to plough through this tweed.
Once you get your head down and force your way through the deluge of tedium and pompous manner in which the book seems to be written, you might find a handful of interesting laws and facts - such as it's illegal to be drunk in a pub - only to have any and all fun novelty sapped straight out of those quirks by the remarkably staid and aloof manner they're conveyed to you.
For once, and I hate myself a little for saying it, this is a book that could do with a bit of dumbing down or at least a little entertainment stitching into it rather than just being about as fun a read as a law textbook.
If you're a lawyer, studying law or working in the legal system you're probably the perfect audience for this book.
History lovers on the other hand would be far better off sticking to what they can glean from such outlets as episodes/books by the TV show QI rather than trying to plough through this tweed.
June 8, 2012
I like how strange and funny some of these laws are especially the ones about sports. It helps if you know the British money system though.
February 2, 2020
The Strange Laws of Old England is another fun text from Nigel Cawthorne exploring some of the bizarre laws of the past, and how long it took for some to be withdrawn! Many of them seem ridiculous even for the time when they were passed, and they are certainly amusing to us today. This is a work you can either read through or dip into now and again when you have five minutes to spare. Either way, you are bound to come across an interesting anecdote or two.
April 5, 2025
This is a fun book. I wouldn't count on its accuracy because the whole idea that bits of antique legislation are still in force because they haven't been specifically revoked is nonsense. But you don't read books like this for facts. This is what we, in the UK and Ireland, call a loo book. Pretty self explanatory. But fun and if it doesn't make you laugh as you sit on the loo its pages can have another use in an emergency.
My star rating reflects humour enjoyed, nothing else.
My star rating reflects humour enjoyed, nothing else.
December 27, 2023
A fact that ho savage were the people but also there were some who made laws to keep everyone in controlled manner. Amazed by reading laws that we can never think of. Overall it was a good experience to read work of Nigel cawthorne
October 5, 2015
British Law is an unusual beast: established by a combination of statute and precedent, with both central and local authority influence, it differs from the Roman Law based systems prevalent in continental Europe. As a result, it contains much that is anachronistic or just downright strange. Cawthorne has mined various legal documents to present a collection of some of the stranger examples, both historic and current.
Books like this are usually casual reads. Short, snappy sections with little structure or organisation make for popular toilet reading (not for myself, I should add) and such books sell on a certain lightness of touch. Unfortunately, whilst Shakespeare was right to observe that brevity is the soul of wit, it doesn't follow that to be brief is, in itself, to be witty. Cawthorne brings very little to the table beyond an ability to research the facts, meaning that much of the book is fairly dry. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the intent and the book is meant to be a serious work of non-fiction, a guide to the legal system for people whose attention span has been ground down by Twitter, but if Cawthorne is setting himself up as a latter-day Stephen Pile, he has clearly some way to go.
That said, the book isn't that long and it does have its moments (mostly because of the absurdity of some of the entries) so if you're after a law-based toilet read then this may be just the thing. It's not bad enough that I'd advocate a different application in the same room, but it is a bit of a missed opportunity.
Books like this are usually casual reads. Short, snappy sections with little structure or organisation make for popular toilet reading (not for myself, I should add) and such books sell on a certain lightness of touch. Unfortunately, whilst Shakespeare was right to observe that brevity is the soul of wit, it doesn't follow that to be brief is, in itself, to be witty. Cawthorne brings very little to the table beyond an ability to research the facts, meaning that much of the book is fairly dry. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the intent and the book is meant to be a serious work of non-fiction, a guide to the legal system for people whose attention span has been ground down by Twitter, but if Cawthorne is setting himself up as a latter-day Stephen Pile, he has clearly some way to go.
That said, the book isn't that long and it does have its moments (mostly because of the absurdity of some of the entries) so if you're after a law-based toilet read then this may be just the thing. It's not bad enough that I'd advocate a different application in the same room, but it is a bit of a missed opportunity.
November 3, 2013
A good read that gives you an interesting (and insane, at times) look into what life must have been like in England during the noted time periods. it's easy to imagine life then after reading through laws which once governed the people. Of course it is not full of modern day laws or even very recent laws...however, that should be given away by the title of the book...
Easy, entertaining and randomly educational read.
Easy, entertaining and randomly educational read.
June 28, 2007
My friend Peace gave me this funny little book. It's portable with short entries which make it good reading on the bus or boat. I tried sudoku but sucked at it--so I bring this book instead to pass the time.
November 22, 2015
A little dry although it was separated by short entries in each chapter so not a difficult read.
Unfortunately, my favourite law was part of the very last one, The Outer Space Act 1986. The government can use force to stop an invasion unless the aliens have a licence to do so!
Unfortunately, my favourite law was part of the very last one, The Outer Space Act 1986. The government can use force to stop an invasion unless the aliens have a licence to do so!
May 25, 2015
A fun "bathroom read" to glance at a bit here and there. It gives some context for a lot of the odd laws, but not quite enough to make sense read all together. Much of it is simply presented as "look at how crazy people were back then" without the reasons why the laws made sense at the time.
September 15, 2010
Loved it - some wild and wacky laws still "alive" today.
May 14, 2016
A fantastic and very interesting collection! Highly recommended read for anyone with an interest in law.
August 28, 2016
Arresting aliens... That is the best rule I've read in this book. Its right in the last page.
March 20, 2018
Interesting stuff, felt a little dense in places though
October 23, 2021
An interesting collection of legal curiosities. A book to dip into, rather than to read straight through. And the title is a slight misnomer: not all of the contents are about England, some are not old, and some sections are about legal procedures rather than laws as such. But the theme of strangeness in its various forms runs throughout. It was enlightening to read about some of the quirks that lasted through many more centuries than you might expect, and shocking to discover the brutality of some legal procedures in the past.
June 3, 2019
A book I was keen to read and my enthusiasm was enhanced by the quirky and amazing laws that have marched across England's historic stage. Do read if you like something a little different, its worth it.
June 6, 2020
Sadly not as amusing as expected, it turned out to be very dry with snippets of amusement scattered sparingly in the pages. A struggle to finish, and I confess I may have skipped the ends of some paragraphs so may have missed the gold nugget that would have improved the rating.
November 30, 2021
This was a very interesting read. Laws from the medieval period, abolished laws, and some still in effect today in England are discussed in this book. Many of them ridiculous, some terrible (horrific). You can look back on them and have a big sigh of relief that they aren’t in effect anymore 🤣
December 11, 2021
This is an eccentric little book full of archaic laws, some of which survive to this day, probably because Parliament have never got around to repealing them. A very fun little read, especially if you are a lawyer or a politician.
February 3, 2023
Cruel, bizarre, and often amusing, the laws of old England continue to entertain even now. A little bit off putting was the lack of sources at the end, but even if some of the laws were not strictly true, it was still fun to read.
June 19, 2024
An interesting read however I wish more of the medieval terminology had been defined. I appreciate this book is probably more orientated towards history buffs as opposed to those interested in legal history but alas more definitions would've made this a more engaging book.
April 20, 2020
Fun book about legal things, which is an interest I have especially when it relates to land laws and my work
March 25, 2021
Some interesting bits but a lot of things that i found boring
May 14, 2021
An interesting book, easy to dip in and out of. Annoyingly littered with spelling mistakes, clearly the book didn't get much budget for a proper proofread.
February 22, 2024
now i want to rewatch horrible histories…
November 24, 2015
c2004. Twenty three chapters with some bizarre and quirky facts about the law. The UGA had to point out on Page 165 under the Section headed 'The End of Public Hanging' that there must be an error of fact as Queen Victoria was definitely not ruling in 1818 (she was only born in May 1819) which kind of ruined the rest of the book for me as I started to doubt. Be that as it may, it is a quick read and light hearted which suited my mood. Recommended to the lighter hearted members of the normal crew. "When Elizabeth I came to the throne, she was determined to clamp down on vagrancy, but in Wales bards had traditionally survived by begging. So in her 1568 proclamation banning vagrancy, Elizabeth set up the Eisteddfod, so that true bards could be distinguished from idle beggars.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews