During the reign of George I of England, the British government passed The Riot Act in 1714. This act was imposed because there were many people (mainly Catholics) who opposed the reign of the new Hanoverian king, and it was feared that the people might revolt during the period of political and social unrest. Whenever twelve or more persons were unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled together and disturbed the public peace, the act made it the duty of a justice, sheriff, mayor, or other authority to read them the following proclamation:

"Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons being assembled immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the act made in the first year of King George for preventing tumultuous and riotous assemblies. God save the King."

It was a felony to obstruct the reading of the proclamation or to remain or continue together unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously for one hour after the proclamation was made, or for one hour after it would have been made but for being hindered. The act required the justices to seize and apprehend all persons continuing after the hour, and indemnified them and those who acted under their authority from liability for injuries caused thereby. The punishment for the felony was penal servitude for life, or for a term of not less than three years, or imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than two years. Prosecutions for an offense against the act had to commence within 12 months after the offense.