جورج الثالث ملك المملكة المتحدة
Legislation began to address the problem from 1649 onwards, but it was slow to make a difference. Helen Small writes that, under جورج الثالث ملك المملكة المتحدة (1760–1820), new legislation prevented debts of under 40 shillings leading to jail (£ in 2014), but even the smallest debt would exceed that once lawyers' fees were added. Under the Insolvent Debtors Act 1813, debtors could request release after 14 days by taking an oath that their assets did not exceed £20, but if a creditor objected they had to stay inside. Even after years in prison, the debt remained to be paid.