Whales belong to the queen and other strange British laws

There have been many strange laws, but some of these are still in force as they have never been abolished. Others are modern and just as weird.

For example, The Royal Prerogatives of 1324 says that all cetaceans and sturgeons found off the coast of England are ‘royal fish’ or belong to the monarch . The law also exists today even if it is rarely used. WIKIPEDIA

No one can wear an armour in Parliament, this law dates back to 1300 when in fact there could be a reason. No armour has been worn in years, but the law still stands.

It is not allowed to shake carpets before eight in the morning!

It is illegal to dress up as a policeman unless you are a policeman at work, always even at masquerades or for Halloween. I don’t know if anyone has ever been convicted, but the law requires a heavy sentence and in jail.

In London, it is illegal to fire a cannon within 275 metres from a house.

It is also illegal not to queue on the London Underground. And it’s illegal to ride a horse while drunk.

It is illegal to use London transport or taxis knowing that you have a contagious disease, initially it was for the plague, now it could be for the coronavirus. According to the law, before getting on you must notify the driver, which was feasible when there were carriages, a little less with the subway or the DLR.

It is not legal to write on banknotes, it is also illegal to destroy a coin if minted after 1969. This law is from 1971.

The Salmon Act of 1986 says that it is illegal to touch the fish in a suspicious way. What they mean is unclear.

You cannot pay with a smartphone if you are in the car with the engine running, technically it is driving with a mobile phone in your hand.

In Scotland, if you are in a public toilet and someone knocks, legally you are supposed to let them in.

Anyone who has a dog or cat must be careful that they do not mate with a dog or cat of the royal family. It would be a crime.

Pursuant to Article 12 of the Licensing Act 1872, it is forbidden to stay in a pub if drunk. It is also an offence under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 for a pub keeper to allow drunkenness or disorderly conduct on the premises.

A law of 1854 says that it is forbidden to carry a plank, to ski or ride a sled and fly a kite on the pavement.