Why was impersonating an Egyptian a capital offense in eigteenth century England?

Answer 1

I'm not sure it was a capital offence, but I have read of offenders being whipped, and banished from any given area or sentenced to hard labour.

It had to do with Gypsies who, at times, claimed to hail from Egypt on pilgrimages. Hence, many people referred to them as "Egyptians". They were often found guilty of what is probably equivalent to today's Obtaining Money through False Pretences by practising activities often associated -rightly or wrongly - with Gypsies, for example palmistry, horse-trading, begging and theft. Gypsies would regularly use forged documents to allow them safe passage, which often swindled people or town authorities into providing them with food and shelter, or merely giving them money just to go away.

Therefore any unscrupulous person could, in theory, pretend to be, or dress like, a Gypsy (or "Egyptian") and con people into thinking they had to provide for them.

Hope this helps.

Another reason may be that in Ancient Egyptian royal society it was considered normal for Pharaohs to commit incest to keep the bloodline strong. England was a highly religious society and for Christians incest was a grievous sin. So it may be that to "Impersonate and Egyptian" meant to commit incest which may have resulted in capital punishment.