I saved a magnificent article from Time Out a couple of months ago, which listed little-known legislation that still applies in our capital city.

Did you know, for example, that a London cab driver has to ask alll passengers whether they are suffering from smallpox or the plague, before letting them in the cab? Or that it’s illegal for commoners to permit their pet to ‘have carnal knowledge of a pet of the Royal House’?

What really caught my eye, though, was the work of the “statute law revision team”, which repeals obsolete legislation. According to its team leader:

“Most of the London acts we’re repealing are about provision for workhouses.”

I wonder… Some deep, dark, dusty legal tome… An ancient Act, permitting – nay, requiring – gentlemen to administer sound thrashings for misconduct on workhouse land…. A new building, constructed on the site of the old workhouse (so still deemed legally to be covered by the Act)… A girl misbehaving… The subsequent thrashing administered with the full authority of the law, even in these modern times…