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every barrel of ale supplied to "Alehouse keepers and
Tipplers not licensed," and required the Churchwardens
and Overseers to employ half the penalty (one half being
awarded to the informer) in the relief of the poor. Another
measure passed a few years later (1607-8) for "Repressinge
the odious and loathsome synne of Drunkenness" recites
some of the evils of excessive drinking:—
Whereas the loathsome and odyous Synne of Drunkenness is of
late growen into Common use being the roote and
foundacion of many other [enormious] synnes as Bloodshed,
Stabbinge, Murder, Swearinge, Fornication, Adulterye and
such like Be it enacted That all and every
persons which after fortie dayes shall be drunk
and shall be lawfullie convicted, shall, for every such offence
forfeit and lose Fyve shillings . . to be paid within one
weeke to the Handes of the Churchwardens of that Parish
who shall be accomptable therefore to the use of the Poore
of the same Parishe. And if the person so convicted shall neglect
to paye Then the same shall be from tyme to
tyme levyed of the Goods by Warrant and if the
offender be not able to paye then he shalbe comytted
to the Stocks to remaine by the space of Six Howers.
For neglecting the "due correccion of offenders" contables
were rendered liable to a penalty of ten shillings, to
be paid to the Churchwardens for the relief of the poor.
An Order in Council, bearing date 31st January 1639-40,
was directed to the Justices of Westminster requiring
them to suppress at once "a tavern" at a private house in
King Street, "the City of Westminster being already
pestered by a multitude of taverns"; and the Magistrates
were enjoined not to permit any more taverns to be opened
within their jurisdiction.
The Vestry passed a resolution on 6th July, 1670:—
That the present Churchwardens doe make what progresse they
can in discovering how and howmanie Wine Licenses have
usually been formerly Granted by the Cittie of Westmr and
make Report from time to time of their proceedings therein.
The machinery of the law fell short of the requirements,