According to the Treason Act of 1351, high treason in the UK is the crime of disloyalty to the Crown, which includes plotting the murder of the sovereign, committing adultery with the sovereigns consort, levying war against the sovereign, and adhering to the sovereigns enemies, giving them aid and comfort. In the past, high treason was considered the most serious of offenses and was often met with extraordinary punishment, including hanging, drawing, and quartering, which was the usual punishment until the 19th century. However, since the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 became law, the maximum sentence for treason in the UK has been life imprisonment. A person may not be indicted for treason committed within the United Kingdom unless the indictment is preferred within three years of the commission of that offense, except for treason which consists of designing, endeavoring, or attempting to assassinate the sovereign. There is no time limit on the prosecution of treason committed outside of the United Kingdom.