Richard II was the king responsible for the first ‘urban sanitary act’ in 1388. Before this the cities and towns were responsible for their own hygiene, now there was a centrally legislated act to force them into line. The first English Sanitary Act dealt with offal and slaughter houses; prohibited the casting of animal filth and refuse into rivers or ditches, and corrupting of the Air.
Reference:
- http://medievalaccommodation.com/medieval-britain/LMB%20Pages/pages-h-m/hygene.htm
- http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=9573
Photo: http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/richard-ii-of-england-3.jpg