Taste buds are undeniably finicky creatures. Mark Twain seemed to sense this over a century ago, when he waxed poetic about the watermelon:

“The true Southern watermelon is a boon apart, and not to be mentioned with commoner things. It is chief of this world’s luxuries, king by the grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat. It was not a Southern watermelon that Eve took; we know it because she repented.”

We have been extolling opulent edibles for ages. Below, we present ten mouth‑watering marvels whose price tags dwarf their modest mass, proving that some bites really are worth more than their weight in gold.

10 Luxury Foods Overview

10 The Golden Araucana Egg

The Araucana originates from Chile and is famed for laying striking blue‑colored eggs. In New York City, the upscale Tocqueville plate serves a single soft‑poached Araucana egg atop a bed of creamy risotto, accompanied by a choice of either silky tagliatelle or hand‑rolled gnocchi. This indulgent entrée commands a $100 price tag, largely due to the lavish garnish of purple Perigord truffles that crown the egg.

9 Yubari King Melon

The Yubari King melon, a hybrid cantaloupe crafted from the Earl’s Favorite and the Burpee varieties, is cultivated exclusively within climate‑controlled greenhouses in Yubari on Japan’s Hokkaido island. Its flavor profile blends mellow, juicy notes of the Earl’s Favorite with the extra sweetness of the Burpee, delivering a cascade of cantaloupe on the front palate, watermelon in the middle, and a lingering pineapple finish. While a standard melon sells for $50‑$100, the inaugural, perfectly spherical fruits of each season can fetch up to $26,000 at auction.

8 Hop Flowers

Hop blossoms, the aromatic component of beer, grow on trellised vines that climb overhead wires. When a vine reaches the end of its support, it produces horizontal shoots that develop into bines, each ending in a cluster of flowers. Hop shoots rank among the planet’s fastest‑growing plants, stretching 8‑20 inches weekly. Harvests must occur between March and April, before the shoots blossom. Early‑season harvests are so coveted that they are auctioned for roughly €1,000 per kilogram (about $1,250 per 2.2 lb).

7 Gold‑Leaf Pizza With White Truffles

Edible gold, while offering no nutritional value, serves as the ultimate status symbol for the affluent. In Malta, Margo’s Pizzeria crafts a 14‑inch masterpiece crowned with white truffles and flecked with 24‑carat gold leaf. The white truffles, known as Alba madonna, rank among the world’s priciest fungi, fetching roughly €3,940 per kilogram (about $5,122 for 2.2 lb). The pizza also features buffalo mozzarella from Campania’s water‑buffalo herd and a generous dusting of gold flakes. The establishment recommends forgoing tomato sauce, as its acidity can mute the truffle’s nuanced aroma. The entire creation sells for €1,800 (approximately $2,400).

6 Romanee‑Conti Grand Cru (Wine)

The Domaine de la Romanee‑Conti consistently ranks among the globe’s most valuable wines. With only four acres under vine, the estate yields roughly 3,500 bottles annually, of which a mere 500 are the Grand Cru version. The 2005 vintage, considered moderately excellent, commands an average of £7,400 ($11,800) per 12‑bottle case—about $983 per bottle or $245 per glass. A 1990 vintage bottle sold for $10,953 in May 2011, translating to $2,738 per glass. Tasting notes describe the 2005 reds as “young, tight, and unevolved, yet bursting with sweet red fruit, firm ripe tannins, subtle oak, electrifying acidity, and a sensual mouthfeel that wraps the palate before exploding in succulence.”

5 Angelito Araneta, Jr.’s Sushi Roll

Chef Angelito Araneta, Jr. proclaims his creation the world’s priciest sushi roll, pricing at $1,971 for four pieces. The roll incorporates 12‑year‑old Italian balsamic vinegar, Japanese rice, 70‑year‑old virgin water, Muscovado sugar, Norwegian pink salmon, pink salmon roe, cucumber, mango, foie gras, smoked‑then‑pickled sea cucumber, genuine crab meat, wild saffron, butter‑infused mayo, twelve local Palawan pearls, and four 0.20‑carat African diamonds of VVS clarity. Each piece is also wrapped in 24‑carat gold leaf, making it a true edible extravaganza.

4 Madeleine Truffle Chocolate

While most chocolate truffles are ganache‑filled confections, the Madeleine Truffle distinguishes itself by embedding a genuine Perigord mushroom truffle at its core. Perigord truffles, harvested from France’s Aquitaine region, command roughly €3,940 per kilogram (about $5,122 for 2.2 lb). The truffle is enrobed in 70 % dark Valrhona chocolate, blended with sugar, heavy cream, Indonesian vanilla, and pure Italian white truffle oil, then dusted with extra cocoa. Master chocolatier Knipschildt hand‑crafts each 2‑ounce truffle for $250, equating to $2,000 per pound, and ships them worldwide in silver boxes lined with silk ribbons.

3 Jamon Iberico de Bellota

Jamon Iberico de Bellota, literally “acorn‑fed Iberian ham,” hails from a narrow region straddling the Spanish‑Portuguese border, where black Iberian pigs roam oak groves and subsist solely on acorns. This diet imparts a profound, earthy flavor unattainable in pigs fed conventional grains. After a two‑week salting period, the hams cure for three years, then are sliced ultra‑thinly for serving. Exported to the United States only in 2007, they command $96 per pound, with connoisseurs describing the taste as “absolutely beyond belief.”

2 Donkey Milk Cheese

Donkey milk, though less common than bovine or equine milk, can be transformed into cheese. Produced exclusively in the Zasavica River basin of western Serbia, this smoked cheese derives from the milk of roughly 100 Balkan donkeys. It requires a staggering 25 liters of donkey milk to yield a single kilogram of cheese. Tasters report a flavor reminiscent of Leerdammer’s nutty sweetness at the front, transitioning to a tomato‑like saltiness akin to Parmesan, delivering a mouth‑numbing experience. Priced at about $700 per pound, it stands among the world’s priciest cheeses.

1 The Golden Opulence Sundae

Served exclusively at New York’s Serendipity 3, the Golden Opulence Sundae epitomizes over‑the‑top decadence. Patrons must place orders at least 48 hours in advance to secure the rare ingredients. The sundae layers three to five scoops of vanilla ice cream—sourced from Tahiti and Madagascar—topped with 23‑carat gold leaf and drizzled with Amedei Porcelana chocolate, often hailed as the planet’s priciest cocoa. Additional embellishments include candied persimmons, pineapple, peach, currants, gold‑dipped almonds, marzipan cherries, and blocks of Venezuelan criollo chocolate. A 24‑carat gold‑plated spoon studded with genuine diamonds accompanies the dish, which arrives in a crystal goblet lined with gold. The entire indulgence is priced at $1,000, guaranteeing that diners will literally excrete gold.

So there you have it—ten culinary marvels that prove some flavors are truly worth their weight in gold. Whether you’re a gourmand with deep pockets or simply love dreaming about the most extravagant bites, these luxury foods showcase the pinnacle of indulgence.

When you think about legislation, you usually picture rules that keep society in check or punish misbehavior. Yet, every corner of the world hides some bewildering statutes that can easily catch an unsuspecting visitor off guard. Below are 10 really strange laws you might accidentally break, each more peculiar than the last.

10 You Can’t Like Winnie The Pooh In Poland

Kids’ minds are impressionable, so local councils sometimes take extra care when choosing mascots for playgrounds. In the Polish town of Tuszyn, the council went a bit overboard. They deemed Winnie the Pooh an “inappropriate hermaphrodite” because the beloved bear lacks discernible genitalia. One council member quipped, “The problem with that bear is it doesn’t have a complete wardrobe,” noting the bear’s half‑naked state as a concern.

During a secret‑recorded meeting that later leaked, a participant even claimed the author of the character, over 60 years old, had allegedly “cut Pooh’s testicles off with a razor blade” to address identity issues. The debate grew heated, with accusations flying about the bear’s indecency.

Ultimately, the council opted for a fully clothed Polish children’s figure, ensuring every character would be “from head to toe” covered, just to be safe.

9 You Can’t Hold A Fish In A ‘Suspicious Manner’ In England

One might assume an Englishman can cradle his catch however he pleases, but the 1986 Salmon Act says otherwise. Section 32 stipulates that handling a salmon—or any listed fish such as trout, eel, lamprey, smelt, or other freshwater species—in a “suspicious manner” can land you with a fine up to £800.

The law is oddly specific about the offense yet vague about what actually constitutes a “suspicious manner,” leaving room for interpretation. Alongside this, England also bans activities like flying a kite to annoy neighbors, drinking in a pub beyond legal limits, ringing a doorbell without a lawful excuse, or keeping pigs outside the house (yes, literally outside).

These quirks illustrate how legislation can sometimes target the most unexpected behaviors.

8 You Can’t Be Fat In Japan

Although obesity rates in Japan are relatively low, the government took a proactive stance in 2008 with the so‑called “Metabo Law.” This regulation mandates that every citizen over 40 must have their waist circumference measured annually. If a person exceeds the prescribed limits, they receive a three‑month window to slim down.

Should the individual fail to meet the target, they’re subjected to compulsory dietary advice and guidance, followed by a six‑month “re‑education” period if progress remains insufficient. Employers are also on the hook, facing fines up to $19 million if they don’t ensure staff compliance.

Since its inception, the Metabo initiative has reportedly shaved obesity rates by 3.5 percent—a modest but noteworthy achievement in a nation already lean.

7 You Can’t Have Funni Names In Germany

German authorities are keen on preventing children from becoming targets of teasing, especially when it comes to their names. To that end, the government maintains a list of approved names for birth certificates, imposing several restrictions.

Parents may not pick ordinary nouns—like a fruit name—or any moniker that could subject the child to ridicule. Names such as “Reignbeau” or “Kal‑El” would be rejected. Additionally, the name must be a recognized one; “River” or “North” would not qualify. Finally, the chosen name must clearly indicate the child’s gender—”Indio” or “Dusti” would be insufficient.

While the law curtails whimsical naming, it still permits traditional names, even those with a controversial past; for instance, “Adolf” remains legal, albeit rarely used.

6 You Must Wear Speedos In France

Public swimming pools across France enforce a strict dress code for men: only ultra‑tight swimming trunks—commonly known as Speedos—are permitted. Anyone attempting to dive in wearing shorts may be “rescued” by lifeguards or even hauled out with a large hook.

The rule, allegedly grounded in hygiene concerns, has been on the books since 1903. Although French legislators have revisited the regulation several times, it remains in force and is rigorously applied.

If you find yourself in the wrong swimwear, fear not—most pools stock vending machines that dispense microscopic, regulation‑compliant trunks in any color you desire.

5 You Can’t Build Sandcastles In Italy

Italy is home to a host of quirky prohibitions, ranging from bans on miniskirts and low‑cut jeans to fines for swearing, lying on park benches, or climbing trees. Beachgoers must also follow a litany of rules, such as not wearing swimwear after leaving the shore or hanging towels out of hotel windows.

One of the most peculiar statutes exists in the seaside town of Eraclea, near Venice: constructing sandcastles on the beach is illegal. Local officials argue that these sand structures create obstructions, potentially endangering beachgoers.

So, while you can soak up the sun, building a towering sand fortress is a no‑go—safety first, even on the sand.

4 You Cannot Be Reincarnated Without Permission In China

In 2007, China enacted a regulation that requires Buddhist monks to obtain written authorization before reincarnating. This move was framed as an effort to institutionalize the management of reincarnation, especially concerning the next “Living Buddha” after the current Dalai Lama passes away.

The Chinese government hopes to play a role in selecting the Dalai Lama’s successor, a position traditionally determined by religious tradition. The Dalai Lama himself has stated he will not reincarnate in Tibet while it remains under Chinese control, though he could theoretically reappear elsewhere.

This law underscores Beijing’s desire to exert influence over religious affairs, even extending to matters of spiritual rebirth.

3 You Can’t Have A Water Pistol In Cambodia

Water pistols, typically seen as harmless toys for summer fun, are prohibited in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city’s governor banned the sale, import, and possession of these devices, citing a desire to maintain a peaceful public image.

While the ban seems draconian, authorities have designated specific zones where citizens may enjoy water‑gun play. However, they discourage the use of talcum powder to dry off afterward, as it can lead to people rubbing powder onto each other’s faces—a practice deemed undesirable.

Thus, if you plan a splash‑filled celebration in Cambodia, be sure to check the local regulations first.

2 You Cannot Hike Naked In Switzerland

In 2009, voters in the Appenzell Inner‑Rhodes region of the Swiss Alps voted to outlaw naked hiking. The surge of German tourists trekking the mountains au naturel sparked complaints from locals who found the sight of hikers in just boots and a grin “thoroughly disturbing and irritating.”

The Swiss government responded with hefty fines for anyone caught hiking in the buff, asserting the need to uphold public decency. While nature lovers have challenged the ruling, the high court upheld the ban, emphasizing societal standards.

So, if you fancy a clothes‑free trek in the Alps, be prepared to pack at least a pair of modest shorts—or a Speedo.

1 You Can’t Crush Beer Cans With Your Breasts In Australia

If you’ve ever entertained friends by crushing a beer can between your bare breasts, you’ll want to think twice before trying that trick down under. In 2007, an Australian barmaid was fined A$1,000 after the Liquor Control Act deemed her “entertaining” customers in that manner a breach of regulations. Her bar manager was also fined.

Police statements made clear the stance: “It sends a clear message to all licencees … that we will not tolerate this type of behavior in our licensed premises.” The barmaid, allegedly forced to work underground after the incident, was also observed crushing cans with her buttocks and dangling spoons from her nipples, yet she refused to appear in court personally.

Her spokesperson suggested law enforcement focus on more serious crimes, asking, “If the police are fair dinkum about protecting people in pubs and clubs, why don’t they target the real issues instead?”

Travelers, keep these oddities in mind—knowing the law can save you from unexpected fines and awkward moments abroad.

When you hear the phrase top 10 high stakes, your mind probably jumps to glittering chandeliers, roulette wheels humming, and the intoxicating scent of destiny. Breaking the bank—winning so much that a casino’s coffers run dry—is the ultimate fantasy for anyone who steps onto the felt. While the house usually wins, a select few daring souls have managed to flip the script, walking away with fortunes that made headlines and, in some cases, left the very institutions trembling.

Top 10 High Stakes Winners

10 Joseph Jagger

Joseph Jagger began his life as a modest mill worker in Yorkshire, England, back in 1880. Until his fateful decision to head for Monte Carlo, he had never ventured more than a few miles from his hometown. Facing bankruptcy and the looming threat of debtors’ prison, he resolved that if he was to gamble with a penny, he might as well gamble with a pound.

He borrowed money from family members, boarded a steamship to France, and then caught a train straight to Monte Carlo’s famed casino district. Though not a gambler by nature, Jagger was an engineer at heart and noticed a subtle tilt in the roulette wheel—numbers on one side appeared ever so slightly more likely to surface than those on the opposite side.

Casino overseers kept a close eye on Jagger as his winning streak unfolded, yet they could not pinpoint any systematic cheating because, in truth, he had none. He walked away with £80,000—a staggering sum for his era—purchased thirty terraced houses, and distributed them among family and friends. Legend has it he never placed another wager again.

Jagger’s astonishing victory forced roulette manufacturers worldwide to redesign their wheels to eliminate any bias. So, the next time you see a perfectly level wheel, you can thank the spirit level Jagger unintentionally put to use.

9 Don Johnson

Don Johnson earned the moniker “whale” long before his famed Atlantic City run, having already secured multi‑million‑dollar wins at both the Borgata and Caesar’s. When he sauntered into the Tropicana, the casino’s management braced for a storm.

Seated at a high‑roller blackjack table, Johnson played for a full twelve‑hour stretch, averaging one hand per minute and betting a cool $100,000 per hand. The pace was relentless, the stakes astronomical.

During a single round, Johnson split his hand twice and walked away with an $800,000 windfall. By the end of his marathon session, his total haul topped almost $6 million.

Casino staff kept a vigilant watch, suspecting card counting—a legal yet frowned‑upon tactic that could lead to a ban. They found no evidence of counting, and were forced to honor his massive win.

Johnson’s edge stemmed from an intimate understanding of how odds were calculated and when to swing the bet size. In 2011, with many casinos scrambling for high‑rollers, the Tropicana’s manager granted him a $100,000‑per‑hand limit (a decision that later cost the manager his job). The casino also offered generous discounts, flexible split rules, and even altered the number of decks in the shoe—all subtle tweaks that nudged the odds in Johnson’s favor.

He kept playing until the casino withdrew its concessions, cashed out his chips, and left, prompting the establishment to issue a profit warning in the wake of his departure.

8 The MIT Students and Las Vegas

If you’re a student hunting a side gig, the typical options might be low‑pay, part‑time gigs. But for a handful of math prodigies at MIT, the payoff was far more dazzling.

During the 1990s, a team of MIT undergraduates, led by professional gambler Bill Kaplan, turned to blackjack as a lucrative pursuit. Kaplan, already blacklisted for card‑counting, assembled a rotating roster of the brightest minds, each trained in the art of counting cards.

The team’s roster evolved as members graduated, a constant churn that helped them evade detection for years. At the height of their operation, they would jet to Las Vegas every weekend, returning home with bags overflowing with cash. In one particularly lucrative weekend, they amassed over $400,000.

Even with elaborate disguises and a strict rotation through various casinos, the team eventually attracted attention and, like their mentor before them, were banned from the tables.

The Hollywood film 21 (trailer above) draws loosely from this real‑life saga, immortalizing their daring exploits on the silver screen.

7 Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab, the flamboyant American steel magnate, was as famous for his industrial achievements as for his impulsive gambling habits. In 1902, he journeyed to Monte Carlo and took a seat at a roulette wheel that, unbeknownst to most, was perfectly balanced—no tilt to exploit.

Undeterred, Schwab played relentlessly for several days, enduring streaks of bad luck before the tide turned. He began to consistently hit the table maximum, winning as much as 75,000 francs per hand.

After a marathon session, casino officials declared that Schwab had “broken the bank,” though the exact sum he walked away with remains a mystery. Unfortunately, the windfall did little to secure his financial future; by the time of his death, his once‑estimated $40 million fortune had evaporated, leaving him insolvent and even owing a Catholic college $25,000, despite a promise to bequeath $2 million.

The college never received a penny, underscoring the fleeting nature of high‑stakes triumphs.

6 Paul Newey

Paul Newey, a businessman turned high‑roller, made headlines in 2005 when his daring roulette spree forced a Birmingham casino to issue a profit warning after he walked away with a £3 million jackpot in a single night.

Newey, who amassed wealth by offering high‑interest loans to those in need, was not shy about placing massive bets. In January 2005, he wagered up to £300,000 on a single spin, employing a “Full and Complete” strategy that covered every possible permutation of a single number, effectively yielding odds around 3‑to‑1 and turning a £300,000 stake into nearly a million pounds.

However, his triumph was short‑lived. Within the following month, Newey reportedly lost the entire £3 million he had won, though he appeared unfazed. In 2012, he shifted his focus to poker, only to be knocked out on the second day of the World Series.

His roller‑coaster ride serves as a vivid reminder that even the biggest wins can evaporate just as quickly as they appear.

5 Archie Karas

Anargyros “Archie” Karas rose from humble beginnings to become a legend in casino lore, credited with the longest winning streak ever recorded. Over a two‑year period, he transformed a modest $50 stake into a jaw‑dropping $40 million.

Karas first earned his keep as a pool‑hall hustler before moving into poker. At one point, he sat at a poker table with $7 million in chips, daring world‑class opponents. He even bested a three‑time World Series champion, pocketing $1.2 million from the veteran.

When elite players began refusing to face him due to the astronomical stakes, Karas shifted gears again, this time to dice—pure chance. During an evening at Binion’s Horseshoe, he monopolized every $5,000 chip on the floor, amassing roughly $18 million in chips stacked in $500,000 racks. The casino eventually asked him to sell back some chips so other patrons could still play.

After two years of unbridled success, the tide turned. Karas lost $20 million on dice, followed by a $17 million bust in baccarat, before returning to dice and shedding another $2 million. In a three‑week frenzy, he hemorrhaged $39 million of his $40 million fortune.

Reduced to his final million, he briefly revived his luck at poker, doubling his money, only to watch it evaporate once more when he returned to dice. The legendary run had finally come to an abrupt end.

4 Charles De Ville Wells

In 1891, Charles De Ville Wells arrived in Monte Carlo with $4,000—a princely sum for the era, roughly ten times its modern equivalent. He claimed a single roulette table for the entire evening, refusing to pause for food or drink.

He returned the next day and again for three consecutive days, always occupying the same seat at the same table. Spectators lined up eight deep around his spot, eager to watch his bets and even attempt to mimic his strategy.

His winning streak was so dramatic that the casino’s cash reserves were exhausted multiple times, forcing play to be halted ten separate occasions while vaults were opened to replenish funds—this predates the invention of the poker chip.

Wells claimed to have devised a system for beating the roulette wheel, though many suspect he was a seasoned con man. Some historians argue the casino itself may have staged his triumph for publicity.

Despite the massive $4 million haul, Wells’s fortunes waned. He died in 1922, interred in a pauper’s grave while still owing two weeks’ rent, a sobering reminder that even monumental wins can’t guarantee lasting security.

3 Ed Thorp

Professor Ed Thorp ventured to Las Vegas in the 1950s with his wife, only to discover that the game of blackjack could be mathematically cracked. His insights culminated in the 1962 bestseller Beat the Dealer, which proved, with scientific certainty, that players could tilt the odds in their favor.

Casinos, feeling the sting, altered the game’s rules overnight to neutralize Thorp’s method. The move backfired spectacularly: blackjack tables emptied as players fled, prompting establishments to revert to the original rules to revive traffic.

With the classic rules restored, Thorp’s strategy resurfaced, drawing crowds of hopefuls—most of whom lacked the skill or discipline to sustain a winning edge.

The surge in player interest boosted casino attendance, even if the majority left empty‑handed. Thorp himself enjoyed considerable success at the tables and later applied his analytical genius to the stock market, achieving returns far beyond typical expectations.

He chronicled his financial triumphs in another bestselling book, cementing his reputation as a pioneer in both gambling and investing.

2 Akio Kashiwagi

In 1990, billionaire Akio Kashiwagi—one of the world’s top five high‑rollers—regularly wagered $10 million in a single night. His path crossed with Donald Trump, who had just acquired three Atlantic City casinos and was eager to showcase a marquee player.

Trump invited Kashiwagi to play baccarat, where the Japanese magnate typically risked $250,000 per hand. Despite counsel to the contrary, Trump roped him into a specially roped‑off table, drawing throngs of onlookers. Within half an hour, Kashiwagi was up $500,000; by night’s end, his lead swelled to $4 million.

When his winnings reached $6 million, Kashiwagi decided he’d had enough of the spectacle, cashed out, and returned to Japan, much to Trump’s irritation.

Undeterred, Trump extended another invitation, this time stipulating that Kashiwagi bring $2 million and stay until he either doubled his money or lost it all. Over five days, Kashiwagi’s fortunes reversed, and he fell $10 million behind. Trump halted the game, prompting Kashiwagi to accuse the casino of bad‑faith dealings.

Kashiwagi left a $6 million cheque to cover his losses—only for it to bounce. Both parties accused each other of betrayal, and the episode ended in mutual animosity.

Subsequently, all three of Trump’s Atlantic City casinos declared bankruptcy, while Kashiwagi met a gruesome end, discovered stabbed 150 times with a samurai sword. Trump never reclaimed his money.

1 Nick Leeson

The world’s most infamous gambler didn’t need to sit at a casino table; he shattered the bank from a trading floor. Nick Leeson, a youthful star trader at Barings Bank, the venerable British institution, was entrusted with both trading and settlement duties—a dangerous combination of unchecked authority.

At 27, Leeson was generating massive profits for the bank. Yet when his speculative bets soured, he concealed the losses in a secret account, hoping to recoup them with ever‑riskier positions.

Instead of reporting the setbacks, Leeson doubled down, creating a feedback loop of hidden losses and increasingly aggressive trades.

The lack of oversight proved fatal. In 1995, a short‑term wager on the Nikkei index hinged on the market staying stable overnight. A sudden earthquake in Japan sent the index plummeting, magnifying Leeson’s exposure.

Desperate, he placed a series of frantic trades before finally fleeing, leaving a terse note that simply read, “I’m sorry.”

By the time authorities caught up with him in Germany, his hidden losses topped $1 billion, driving Barings Bank into bankruptcy.

Sentenced to four years behind bars, Leeson reinvented himself as an after‑dinner speaker, sharing cautionary tales about unchecked risk. His story inspired the film Rogue Trader, cementing his place in financial folklore.

10 People Who Successfully Gamed The Lottery

The Middle Ages spanned from roughly AD 500 to AD 1500. It was a period filled with famine, plague, and war. Ruled by the king, the people of medieval England lived under a feudal system heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.

During the Middle Ages, both laws and the penalties for breaking them were very different from the ones we are familiar with today. From football being outlawed to the practice of witchcraft being punishable by death, here are ten ludicrous laws from the Middle Ages that, thankfully, are no longer in place.

Related: Top 10 Ridiculous Laws That Are Still Enforced Across The World

10 Playing Football Was Forbidden

While football players today have a reputation of being dramatic over the smallest of injuries, their predecessors were the exact opposite. Medieval football was a violent game. While there were not as many rules, there was a lot more bloodshed. Rather than a ball, an inflated pig’s bladder was kicked up and down the entire length of a village, with the goals sometimes miles apart. Players could kick and punch both the bladder and their opponents, resulting in many injuries and the occasional death.

Football was banned in 1349 by Edward III, not because he was concerned about public health but rather about national security. Not only was England at war with France in 1349, but the country was also suffering the loss of many lives due to the Black Death, a global epidemic of the bubonic plague. Edward III wanted his remaining, healthy men to be focused on their archery practice rather than getting distracted by football. The punishment for playing football was six days imprisonment.^[1]

9 Blowing One’s Nose Was Illegal

Newmarket, a town in the English county of Suffolk, is known as the birthplace of horse racing. The practice dates back to the 12th century, but James I popularized it after building a palace there in 1606, which drew in a lot of people.

Over time horse racing in Newmarket grew into a large business, and the town was forced to establish laws to protect the horses, including one that made it illegal for people to blow their noses in the street. This was to reduce the risk of the horses getting sick. What a nightmare it must have been for people with hay fever!

Blowing one’s nose wasn’t the only thing that could get a person in trouble. Anyone walking around with a head cold or temperature had to pay a fine. Obviously, Horse racing was a serious business.^[2]

8 You Had to Have Your Master’s Permission to Get Married

Today, it’s daunting enough having to ask the father of your partner for their child’s hand in marriage. While this practice is done out of respect, the answer given does not decide your future, and you can still get married—even if the father does not give his blessing. This, however, was not the case in the Middle Ages.

Societal rank played a large role in medieval life, especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid. Peasants and serfs working and living under landowners essentially had no freedom. A man wanting to get married not only had to get the father”s permission but also their landowner’s.

For a woman, the situation was even worse. If her husband died, the landowner could force them to marry another man in a relatively short amount of time. If they refused, they could receive punishment. ^[3]

7 Wearing Long, Pointy Footwear Was Forbidden

Fifteenth-century Britain was a time of flamboyance. Along with short shirts, long, pointy-ended shoes known as crackows, or pikes, had become the height of men’s fashion. It was believed that the longer the toe, the more masculine and rich the wearer, so much so that shoes sometimes extended up to five inches beyond the toe. This led to the ends occasionally having to be tied around the wearer’s ankles.

As the fashion continued growing and peasants began wearing more extravagant clothing, the English crown finally decided to step in. They wished to preserve the feudal hierarchy and stop people from dressing above their social rank. Between 1463 and 1604, a law passed that said that “No knight under the rank of a lord, esquire, or gentleman, nor any other person, shall wear any shoes or boots having spikes or points which exceed the length of two inches.” The punishment was a fine of three shillings and four pence, which is just over US$136.^[4]

6 People Could No Longer Eat More Than Two Courses

In the Middle Ages, there were many sumptuary laws that restricted what people could eat and drink. They were intended to reduce excessive eating and prevent people of lower social status from matching the lifestyles of those above them.

In 1336, a law banned that people, no matter their rank, shall be served a meal with no more than two courses. Soup, it made sure to specify, counted as a full course meal and wasn’t just a sauce. The exception to the law was on certain festivals, such as Christmas, where three courses were allowed.^[5]

5 Commit a Crime, Go through an Ordeal

In medieval England, the peasants had strength in their numbers. To stay in power and prevent revolts, the upper-class authorities made it so that even the smallest of crimes committed had harsh penalties. The idea of this was to make the poor fear stepping out of line. Even petty crimes (theft, disturbing the peace—which often meant the king—or vagrancy) sometimes resulted in harsh punishments, from flogging to having some part of the body cut off (hands were quite common). Until 1215, even being accused of a crime resulted in the punishment of enduring an ordeal that revealed a person’s innocence or guilt.

There were three ordeals:

Ordeal by fire: The accused held a red-hot iron bar in their hands and walked three meters. After three days of being bandaged up, the wound on the hand would be looked at to determine the accused’s fate. If it was healing, they were innocent; if it wasn’t, they were guilty.

Ordeal by water: The accused was tied up and thrown into a body of water. If they sank, they were innocent. If they floated, it was seen that the river had not accepted them, and, therefore, they were guilty.

Ordeal by combat: This was combat between the accused and accuser. It was believed that God would give strength to the innocent. It must be noted that the fight often ended in the loser’s death.

The practice of ordeals was declared over by the Pope in 1215 and was replaced by a jury process.^[6]

4 No Sex on Certain Days of the Week

Throughout the Middle Ages, there were a number of religious laws that tried to restrict when a person could have sex. In an average seven-day week, a married couple could only have sex on four of the days. Days in which sex was prohibited included Thursday and Friday because people were supposed to prepare for Holy Communion and Sunday—because it was the Lord’s day.

And that wasn’t all. Throughout the year, there were many other periods where sex was banned, including 47 to 62 days during Lent, the 35 days before Christmas, and the time around the Feast of Pentecost, which could be anywhere from 40 to 60 days.

Medieval people believed that eye contact was an important part of sexual attraction. It was said that “the eye was not a passive receiver but was instead active in sending out rays of sight toward the object of vision. The very act of looking could stimulate desire in the observer and the observed.” Women were advised to be careful about when they looked at men—so as to not tempt them at the wrong time.^[7]

8 Playing Tennis Was Forbidden

Football wasn’t the only sport banned in the Middle Ages. In 1485, it became illegal for young men who weren’t nobles to play tennis, with the only exception being on Christmas day. Medieval tennis was believed to disrupt labor and encourage gambling in workers because participants were left in unsupervised situations without their masters around.

The banning of tennis in the lower classes helped to maintain the feudal hierarchy. Tennis began to be seen as an exclusively upper-class sport because it needed expensive equipment and required an understanding of complex rules and social etiquette.

Tennis eventually became known as “the sport of kings,” with Henry VII and Henry VIII both apparently very into the game. A Venetian Ambassador who watched Henry VIII play in his youth said, “It was the prettiest thing in the world to see him play; his fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest texture.” Thankfully today, tennis can be played by all.^[8]

2 Blasphemy Resulted in the Loss of One’s Tongue

In the Middle Ages, people had to watch their tongues, both physically and metaphorically, to avoid breaking the religious law regarding blasphemy, the action of speaking ill about God or sacred things. The law was put in place by the medieval Catholic Church to maintain control and order.

The church viewed blasphemy as a severe crime and gave it an equally severe punishment. The penalty for blasphemers was harsh. Often a person would be bound and tied while their tongue was removed with hot pliers, leaving them mute for the rest of their lives. Other punishments included stoning and hangings.^[9]

1 Practicing Witchcraft Was Punishable by Death

In the Middle Ages, people did not understand how many things worked around them, especially natural phenomena, as much was unknown to the scientific world. Humans, in general, do not like uncertainty, and the people of the Middle Ages were no different. Usually, God was their answer for things that could not be explained. However, when it came to naturally occurring ill-fortunes such as sickness, bad harvests, and the deaths of animals, they blamed witches because God, in their eyes, could not do evil.

Witches were believed to be able to summon evil spirits and demons, but in reality, they were usually just poor, elderly women who owned a cat. While widespread witch trials throughout Europe didn’t reach their peak until the late fifteenth century, certain women were ostracized and punished when seen as different.

In 1542, the Witchcraft Act was passed by parliament and established that witchcraft was a crime punishable by death. Witch-hunting became huge after that, especially in southeast England, and it is believed that over 500 people were put to death between the 15th and 18th centuries.^[10]