In March 2013 the Law Commission’s Statute Law Repeals team put together a document summarising the answers to some of the queries that they regularly receive about
alleged old laws. (Find the full document here.) While most of the curiosities documented have no basis in the law as it currently stands, some do, including:
It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour. This dates back to the 1313 Statute Forbidding Bearing of Armour.
Under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 (which had force well beyond the London Metropolitan area) the following are illegal:
– carrying a plank along the pavement
– firing a cannon within 300 years of a dwelling house
– beating or shaking any rug or carpet in the street (although shaking a doormat is OK before 8am).
Under the Metropolitan Streets Act 1867 it is illegal to drive cows down the roadway without the permission of the Commissioner of Police.
And under the the Licensing Act 1872, it is an offence to be drunk in charge of a carriage, horse, cow or steam engine, or whilst in possession of a loaded firearm.
From: Legal Curiosities: Fact or Fable?