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This proclamation by Charles II appeared in the London Gazette of December 1675. Coffee-houses in England had become meeting-places for intellectuals and other groups who would discuss politics and other subjects. King Charles had been alerted by spies to the seditious possibilities of the coffee-houses, and made a proclamation suppressing the establishments; it was withdrawn because it was legally unsustainable in its curbing of basic rights. Charles instead taxed heavily the public sale of coffee, forcing the establishments to find ingenious ways of continuing without suffering punitive costs.
Charles R.
Whereas it is most apparent that the multitude of coffee-houses of late years set up and kept within this kingdom, the dominion of Wales and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and the great resort of idle and disaffected persons to them, have produced very evil and dangerous effects, as well for that many tradesmen and others do therein misspend much of their time, which might and probably would otherwise be employed in and about their lawful callings and affairs, but also for that in such houses, and by occasion of the meetings of such persons therein, divers false, malicious and scandalous reports are devised and spread abroad, to the defamation of his Majesty’s government and to the disturbance of the peace and quiet of the realm, his Majesty hath thought it fit and necessary that the said coffee-houses be for the future put down and suppressed, and doth (with the advice of his Privy Council) by this his royal proclamation strictly charge and command all manner of persons that they or any of them do not presume, from and after the 10th day of January next ensuing, to keep any public coffee-house, or to litter or sell by retail in his, her or their house or houses (to be spent or consumed within the same) any coffee, chocolate, sherbet or tea, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perils.
And for the better accomplishment of this his Majesty’s royal pleasure his Majesty doth hereby will and require the justices of peace within their several counties, and the chief magistrates in all cities and towns corporate, that they do at the next respective general sessions of the peace to be holden within their several and respective counties, divisions and precincts, recall and make void all licences at any time heretofore granted for the selling or retailing of any coffee, chocolate, sherbet or tea; and that they or any of them do not for the future make or grant any such licence or licences to any person or persons whatsoever.
And his Majesty doth further hereby declare, that if any person or persons shall take upon them, him or her, after his, her or their licence or licences recalled, or otherwise without licence, to sell by retail (as aforesaid) any of the liquors aforesaid, that then the person or persons so offending shall not only be proceeded against upon the statute made in the fifteenth year of his Majesty’s reign (which gives the forfeiture of five pounds for every month wherein he, she or they shall offend therein) but shall (in case they persevere to offend) receive the severest punishments that may by law be inflicted.
Given at our court at Whitehall this twenty-ninth day of December 1675, in the seven and twentieth year of our reign.
Source: London Gazette. 27-30 December, 1675.
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Coffee; Charles II (of England)
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