in law, is where three or more persons, assembled together, commit some unlawful act, with force and violence, to the disturbance of the peace; as beating some person, forcibly entering upon the possession of the lands, houses, &c., of another, or breaking down inclosures, houses, &c.

By stat. 1 Geo. I. cap. v. if any persons to the number of twelve or more, unlawfully and riotously assembled, continue together for an hour, after being required, by a justice of the peace, or other magistrate, to disperse, they shall be deemed guilty of felony without benefit of clergy. However, prosecutions upon this statute, must be begun within one year after the offence is committed.