I imagine George's information is probably referring to licensing hours, rather than licensing of vendors or premises. John Riley ----- Original Message ---- From: Mike Gould <mike.gould@ndirect.co.uk> To: LEICESTERSHIRE-PLUS-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, 24 March, 2008 8:33:17 PM Subject: Re: [LEI] pub licence Hi George, I'm afraid you're way out. I quote from Ancestral Trails, by Herber: >From 1552 Justices of the Peace at Quarter Sessions were authorised to select the persons (victuallers) who should be permitted to keep alehouses. Victuallers obtained a licence from the Justices and submitted a bond of surety (or recognizance) for the orderly keeping of such houses. Of course, very few of these early licences have survived, although often the Quarter Session records have. Best wishes, Mike -----Original Message----- From: leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of George Smith Sent: 23 March 2008 22:53 To: LANCSGEN-L@rootsweb.com; ENG-LINCSGEN-L@rootsweb.com; LEICESTERSHIRE-PLUS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [LEI] pub licence Someone was asking about When Pub licences were first started. It certainly was not in the 18th centuary. It is very late 19 century or early 20th century. I think restricted hours brought in in 1916 as Munition workers were missing work through late drinking If you go to http://www.cambridge-camra.org.uk/ale/309/licensing-history.html you can read the history of pub licences.