78 
TJrdahl—Historical Survey of Fee Systems. 
trates in each parish to suppress them or to grant licenses, on 
receiving bond from the keeper for the maintenance of good 
order. Stringent laws against tippling were also enacted. But 
drunkenness continued to increase. So in 1710 a so-called stamp 
duty of Is was imposed on each victualler’s license. Gradually 
the license fee was increased, until in 1815 in amounted to 4£ 
4s. But it was found that this charge bore too heavily on the 
lower class of houses; therefore a change was made which grad¬ 
uated the license according to the rating or assessed valuation 
of the house in which the liquor was sold. The charge ranged 
from 2£ 2s for a house rated at less than 15£, to 4£ 4s for one 
rated over 20£. None of these licenses permitted the sale of 
wine, which in the sixteenth century was confined entirely to 
the taverns as distinguished from the ale-houses. The regula¬ 
tion of these did not begin till 1553, when it was found neces¬ 
sary to demand a magisterial license, because of the increased 
consumption of wine and “ the great numbers of taverns set up 
in back lanes, corners, and suspicious places. ” The power to 
license was given to local authorities, but the number of licenses 
which might be issued in each town was limited by law. The 
crown, however, continued to hold and exercise its prerogative 
of licensing taverns, until after the restoration; and, further¬ 
more, the two Universities and one or two corporate towns 
possessed the right as one of their ancient privileges, the rev¬ 
enue from which went to the support of the schools. 
In 1710 a fee was levied in the form of a stamp, costing 4s, 
which was required to be affixed to all licenses, no matter by 
whom granted. The charges or fees for licenses were increased 
from time to time up to 1757, when the retail license was fixed 
at 5£. From this time on, all liquor licenses became more and 
more interrelated. The various kinds became differentiated, 
and distinct, and the amounts paid are increased, so that in 
1825 a dealer’s license would cost 10£, and a victualler’s 4£ 4s. 
Uniformity was also attained between England, Ireland, and 
Scotland. Regulation was no longer the only consideration. 
Revenue, foreign policy, and commercial relations all influenced 
the amount and character of the charges. 
In 1840 the license charges were classified according to the 
