English legislation concerning the enforcement of military discipline, primarily over mutineers and deserters. The Declaration of Rights (1689) had declared illegal a standing army without parliamentary consent. To strengthen parliamentary control of the army, the 1689 Mutiny Act was enforced for one year only, theoretically giving Parliament the right of an annual review. In fact there were years (1689–1701) when it was not in force and both army and navy long retained their close connection with the sovereign. Only when the crown ceased to pay for the upkeep of the army did Parliament’s annual review become effective.