COMPLETE: 'The Riot Act' by British Parliament - NF/kr

earthcalling · Post by **earthcalling** » April 29th, 2006, 5:55 pm

Complete! See our catalog page:
http://librivox.org/the-riot-act-by-british-parliament/

The Riot Act of 1714 gave us the phrase 'to read the Riot Act' - meaning to give someone a stern warning, a full run-down of the consequences of their behaviour. And the Riot Act was heavy. It's basic message was: No more Mister Nice Guy. Oh, and don't blame us if we accidentally kill you while we're being not nice.

It's a short piece, but instructive.

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/8142

I'll record it when I next have quiet time.

David

kayray · Post by **kayray** » April 29th, 2006, 7:43 pm

Sounds interesting, David! I'll be your MC. You're an old hand a solos, right? (at least, your name seems really familiar...) Anyway if you have any questions let me know :)

earthcalling · Post by **earthcalling** » April 30th, 2006, 1:49 am

Sure thing, Kara, and thank you!

David

earthcalling · Post by **earthcalling** » May 5th, 2006, 2:35 pm

Kara,

The deed is done.

I'll write a summary, but we may need to strong-arm someone into proof-listening.

http://download.yousendit.com/BD4454830F67884A

David

a.r.dobbs · Post by **a.r.dobbs** » May 5th, 2006, 2:51 pm

I cannot resist -- I want to be able to interrupt anyone who in future begins to rake me over anything like the coals:

"I've had the riot act read to me before this, and it was much better done than you can manage, so let it rest."

...by way of saying: I'll proof-listen!

a.r.dobbs

kayray · Post by **kayray** » May 5th, 2006, 2:52 pm

LOL! Thanks, Anita. Let me know how it goes.

a.r.dobbs · Post by **a.r.dobbs** » May 5th, 2006, 3:46 pm

Well, it went just as perfectly as was to be expected.

All unlawful, riotous, or tumultuous inclinations within in me have promised that within the hour they'll disperse into groups of 11 or less and replace any church, building, barn, or outhouse they may inadvertently have begun to pull down.

a.r."the non-felon"dobbs

kayray · Post by **kayray** » May 5th, 2006, 3:49 pm

Marvelous. I shall start cataloging. Post that summary when you get a chance, David.

earthcalling · Post by **earthcalling** » May 5th, 2006, 11:53 pm

Anita - Many thanks indeed! Glad to see it's put a stop to your feloning.

Kara - Here is my summary:-

The Riot Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1714, the first year of the reign of George I, and came into effect in August 1715. This was a time of widespread social disturbance, as the preamble describes; the Act sought to put an end to this.

A group of twelve or more people, ?being unlawfully, riotously and tumultuously assembled?, would be read a proclamation; they must disperse within an hour, on pain of death. The same fate would befall anyone preventing the reading of the proclamation, or damaging buildings while on a riot. If the law enforcement officers happened to injure or kill a rioter, they were immune from prosecution.

The reading of the proclamation, the wording of which is detailed in the Act, was the necessary first step before action could be taken against the rioters. This gave us the phrase ?to read the riot act?, to give a stern warning or rebuke.

The Act was repealed in Britain in 1973, but had long since fallen into disuse there. A version is still in force in Canada.

Hmm, it looks a bit long here. If you think so, do feel free to edit.

David

kayray · Post by **kayray** » May 6th, 2006, 9:39 am

Done!
http://librivox.org/the-riot-act-by-british-parliament/

Your summary was fine :)