“The forfeiture of five pounds for every month wherein he, she or they shall offend therein) but shall (i case they persevere to offend) receive the severest punishments that may by Law be inflicted.” – By the King
This statement is important to understand the two passages regarding the suppression of coffee houses because the King acknowledges how critical it is for insisting that if you do offend this policy then you shall receive a severe punishment. Further in the text to follow this new policy of his , he requires the Justices of the Peace and Chief Magistrates in all the cities to hold a meeting explaining the decline for “selling or retailing of any Coffee, Chocolate, Sherbett or Tea.” to make sure the word spreads quickly. He also wants for the licenses to be suspended and never to issue it to someone again. As for the women’s petition regarding this situation , it was the same and could have forced the king to abide by these women. The women were disappointed by the lack of activity done to satisfy their wives such as sexual activities.
The quote said by the King is vital because those who supported his idea were women and some of his supporters. Many women explained that men where gossiping more than women at these Coffee houses but that doesn’t seem clear to me as if men are not allowed to talk to each other. Coffee supposedly made the men tired and fatigue as if being old of age. As for another reason they believed their men went about to these Coffee Houses were because of how it was said at the time that they would be cured of being drunk. Overall to put an end to this controversy , the proclamation was withdrawn before being put into effect because of how the King’s ministers loved coffee.
