The London Journal of Arts and Sciences

For centuries our coal industry was plagued by regulations and taxes, but a tax imposed in 1667 seemed to have nothing to do with coal at all.

Coal-burning was heavily regulated as early as 1306 by Edward I — ostensibly on environmental grounds, though the powerful charcoal lobby was not at all displeased to see this new competitor hobbled by Parliament. Yet supplies of wood for charcoal dwindled, and coal could no longer be ignored; so from Elizabeth I onwards, the coal industry was less regulated, but more taxed.

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