Video: Professor Martyn Bennett explains some unusual laws still in use today
As MP Crispin Blunt claims the Government is about to create a ‘fantastically stupid’ law making some common chemicals illegal, Ryan Johns has been examining a few other rules and regulations which have come in for some stick for being over-zealous or strange down the years – and some are older than you think.
When Carl Froch was made a freeman of Nottingham in 2014, it was sharing a title with the likes of Brian Clough which stood out for him as one of the most humbling benefits.
But along with the pride and status comes an unusual gift.
As a freeman, the Gedling-born boxer can gather together some sheep and run them over Trent Bridge whenever he likes, taking his sweet time as he goes.
And in theory, a council highways officer and even the law can’t lift a finger.
This is just one of a series of ancient laws and customs which are outdated and almost never enforced, yet which still technically stand, should certain people ever feel the need to herd livestock over the Trent.
While the sheep-freeman right is true, it is unusual in that it has not been adapted into a more modern equivalent, says Martyn Bennett, Professor of Early Modern History at Nottingham Trent University.
“In the past, towns were able to pass laws and regulations that governed the way people behaved in the town, and protected them.
“In a city like Nottingham, which has had it’s ability to pass laws for about a thousand years, the area was heavily dependent on its trade – so a lot of bylaws were about protecting the roads.
“Bylaws against dumping manure or rubbish on roads, meant that in the 16th century people who didn’t follow those laws could be brought before the courts and fined.”
Today these laws are now best known as rules designed to prevent fly-tipping.
One of the more unusual local rules which seems ancient, but was only introduced in 2003, says that anyone who wishes to carry a weapon or explosive on a NET tram must have permission from the operators – it is believed this rule was introduced to allow Robin Hood actors to carry replica swords and bow and arrows.
No sheep or bananas: Unusual local laws and rules still technically in force
- Only a Freeman of the City is legally allowed to drive his flock of sheep across Trent Bridge whenever he likes
- Pedestrians should not make slides in ice on public footpaths
- Passengers should not carry a weapon on a tram without permission from NET
- People should not drop banana skins on rights of way
- Citizens must not build pigsties on roads
- People must not install insecure window boxes on their homes
Many of the laws we have governing the way we live our lives today are based on laws from long before we were born, according to Professor Bennett.
He said: “Some of today’s by-laws look very similar to one’s you’d find several hundred years ago.
“For example, playing a musical instrument or singing on a tram is banned for causing nuisance to the passengers, similarly at the beginning of the 17th century people were concerned that music shouldn’t be played too loud.”
So next time you are taking a tram, remember to get permission to carry your long bow or blow your trumpet…
