An extract from a proclamation about lapses in payment of the hearth tax for fireplaces and stoves, 19 December 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 45/12 pt 1 f239
- Why did Charles make this proclamation?
- In what ways have some people avoided paying hearth tax?
- How is the payment of hearth tax to be strictly enforced?
Transcript
By the King
A PROCLAMATION
For the more exact and punctual Collecting and Answering His Majesties Revenue arising upon Fire-hearths and Stoves.
CHARLES R
Whereas Our Revenue arising by fire-hearths and Stoves, hath of late time been very much in arrear, and continues still behind and unpaid in parts of Our Kingdom, partly through the misdemeanours of some persons who have presumed to conceal many fire-hearths and Stoves for which by Law they are chargeable, And to prevent the discovery of such frauds, refuse to permit Our Officers or their Deputies to make their views, or to take Distresses; And partly through neglect or connivence of several Justices of Peace, chief Magistrates, Ministers, Constables and Churchwardens, who have given too much countenance to illegal and undue certificates, and too little assistance to Our Officers and their Deputies in Collecting the said revenue, who they have in some places suffered to be reproached and sometimes assaulted without punishing the Malefactors, although it be the Duty of all Constables, headboroughs, and other inferior Officers, to accompany, assist and defend Our Officers and their Deputies in their Collections, and the duty of all Justices of the Peace, and chief Magistrates in their respective places and Callings and with the utmost of their Authority to support Our Revenue so well established by Law, and so necessary to the safety and defence of Us and our good Subjects: we therefore resolving for the time to come to take a strict Account of all such persons as shall hereafter be found wanting in their Duty to Us, and to the Laws of Our Kingdom, have thought fit by the advice of Our Council, to Declare, and do hereby publish Our Royal Will and pleasure, that all Arrears of our said Revenue, as well those which were incurred at or before the Feast of St Michael, in the year of Our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and five, as those which have incurred since, and all future growing duties, shall forthwith and with all possible speed and diligence, be collected and levied by, and paid unto Our respective Officers and their Deputies appointed for that purpose; That is to say, what was due, at or before Michaelmas 1665 to such Receivers or Collectors as already are, or there it be commissioned by Us in pursuance of the Act of Parliament in that behalf, and to none other;
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Simplified transcript
A proclamation by the King for the strict and punctual collection of his Majesty’s tax on fireplaces and ovens.
CHARLES R
Our income from taxation on fireplaces and ovens is due and continues to remain unpaid in parts of the Kingdom, partly owing to wrongdoing of some people who have blocked up many fireplaces and ovens to avoid paying the tax. To prevent being discovered, some people have refused to let our officers do their inspections.
Several government officials have accepted certificates for excusing payment and little help has been given to officials trying to collect the taxes. In some places these officers have been attacked and the troublemakers not punished by constables and others whose duty it is to assist and defend them. It the duty of all justices of the peace and magistrates to use their powers to support the collection of this legal revenue which is necessary for the safety and defence of the King and country.
It is now time to make a strict record of those who have failed in their duty to the monarchy and to the laws of the kingdom. With advice from my council, I publish my royal command that all previous payments unpaid and those due on or before the Feast of St Michael [29 September] in the year of 1665, and those after, shall be collected immediately and paid to my officers and deputies appointed for the purpose. Taxes are due to be paid, at or before Michaelmas [September to December] 1665 to the usual collectors, or to those sent by the King by Act of Parliament and to no one else.
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