1.It’s Illegal to Die in the Houses of Parliament
You may have heard the strange claim that dying in the Houses of Parliament is illegal. It’s the kind of quirky “fact” that makes its way into pub conversations and trivia nights. But here’s the truth: no such law exists. This myth likely stems from the idea that anyone who dies in a royal palace—technically including the Palace of Westminster—would be entitled to a state funeral. However, there is no legal precedent or statute supporting this claim.
In reality, people have died within the Houses of Parliament without any legal consequences. One of the most famous cases was that of Prime Minister Spencer Perceval, who was assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons in 1812. If there were any truth to this supposed law, his death would have caused a legal dilemma—but, of course, it did not. The Law Commission has even clarified that there is no basis for this claim, reinforcing that it is nothing more than a widely circulated myth.
So, while collapsing in Parliament might earn you a dramatic headline, it won’t land you in legal trouble. But it does make for an amusing piece of legal folklore, adding to the long list of bizarre misconceptions about British law.
2.The Monarch Owns All the Swans on the Thames
If you’ve ever strolled along the River Thames and spotted a swan gliding gracefully across the water, you might not realize that, technically, it belongs to the King. This peculiar tradition dates back to the 12th century when swans were considered a delicacy fit for royal feasts. To ensure a steady supply, the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans (Cygnus olor) in open waters across England and Wales, though this right is primarily exercised along the Thames and its tributaries near Windsor.
But the monarch isn’t the only one with a claim to these birds. Thanks to historical grants, two ancient trade guilds—the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Worshipful Company of Dyers—also have rights to own swans. Every July, this shared ownership is reaffirmed through a centuries-old tradition known as “Swan Upping.” In a grand ceremonial display, teams from the Crown and the livery companies row along the Thames, counting and marking the swans to monitor their health and population.
Though swan ownership is now largely symbolic, harming or killing one remains a serious offense under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. So, if you ever find yourself tempted to disturb a royal swan, think twice—it might just land you in legal trouble.
3.Killing a Royal Deer Could Get You Executed
In medieval England, hunting wasn’t just a pastime—it was a privilege fiercely guarded by the monarchy. Under the Norman kings, the Forest Laws were enacted to protect royal hunting grounds, particularly deer, which were considered exclusive property of the Crown. These laws were so severe that poaching a royal deer was not merely a crime—it was treason. The punishment? Execution.
The harshest iteration of these laws came with the Black Act of 1723, which made it a capital offense to hunt, wound, or steal deer in royal forests without permission. This was part of a broader crackdown on poaching and rural crime, reflecting the monarchy’s determination to maintain control over its game reserves. The law was brutally enforced, with many poachers facing the gallows for what today might be considered a minor offense.
While execution for deer poaching has long been abolished, strict regulations remain. The Deer Act 1991 continues to protect deer in England and Wales, making it illegal to kill or take them without proper authorization. Though the stakes are no longer life and death, the legacy of these laws serves as a reminder of how power and privilege shaped British legal history.
4.Whale and Sturgeon Are Officially “Royal Fish”
Of all the peculiar privileges granted to the British monarchy, few are as enduring—or as overlooked—as the claim to certain marine creatures. Under an ancient law dating back to the reign of King Edward II in 1322, whales and sturgeons caught in British waters or found beached along the coastline are considered the personal property of the reigning sovereign. These creatures, known as “royal fish,” were historically prized for their size, rarity, and valuable resources—whale oil for lamps and sturgeon roe for caviar.
The origins of this law reflect medieval attitudes toward natural wealth and royal authority. In an era when monarchs asserted dominion over land, forests, and even wildlife, large and economically valuable fish were no exception. The law originally ensured that any sturgeon or whale landed in England would be presented to the Crown, reinforcing the monarch’s supreme ownership of the realm’s natural resources. While this decree remains technically in force, it is rarely enforced today. Instead, beached whales and sturgeons are typically handled by conservation organizations or scientific institutions rather than Buckingham Palace.
Despite its antiquated nature, the law still holds symbolic significance. It serves as a reminder of the sweeping powers once wielded by the monarchy—some of which, even in the modern era, remain legally intact.
5.The Ban on Wearing Armor in the House of Commons
It may sound like something out of a medieval fantasy, but yes—wearing armor in the House of Commons is technically illegal. This peculiar law dates back to 1313, when King Edward II issued the Statute forbidding Bearing of Armour. At the time, England was rife with political tensions, particularly between the king and his nobles, who often arrived at Parliament armed and ready for conflict. The law explicitly forbade prelates, earls, barons, and the commonalty from entering Parliament in armor or carrying weapons, aiming to prevent debates from escalating into violent confrontations.
The backdrop to this law was Edward II’s turbulent reign, which was marked by his controversial favoritism toward Piers Gaveston—a relationship that enraged the nobility. Armed factions within Parliament posed a real threat to governance, making it necessary to enforce a rule ensuring that political disputes remained verbal, not physical. Though the law has never been repealed, it’s obviously obsolete today; MPs no longer storm Westminster in chainmail. Still, it serves as a fascinating relic of a time when parliamentary sessions could turn into battlegrounds.
