Sumptuary Law

Sumptuary Law

Introduction to Sumptuary Law

Sumptuary Law, any law restraining excessive individual consumption, such as expenditure on food and dress, or attempting to control religious or moral conduct.

The ancient Romans had several sumptuary laws; for example, the lex orchia in 181 bc limited the number of dishes at a feast. In England sumptuary laws were introduced by King Edward III and King Henry VII.

In Japan, before the modern era, sumptuary laws were detailed, prohibiting the farmers and merchants from the use of certain materials (such as silk) and restricting the consumption of the nobles and samurai (for example, specifying the maximum number of palanquins at a wedding). ” (1)

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Notes and References

Guide to Sumptuary Law


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