(Apologies if this has appeared twice.) I'm trying to find out about the tobacco trade into England (especially London) in c1625. I am deciphering Court of the Exchequer documents about a Ralphe Akehurst who was accused of non-payment of duty on a hundred weight of tobacco in 1625. Ralphe had a tobacco business at the Tobacco Rowle in Tower Street and was moving "burdens" in "private ways". His people were going to the signe of the George in Southwarke and the "dwelling" called Tobacco Rowle. All very cloak and dagger.<g> So far I have street maps showing the George and Tower Street c1555, 1597 and 1736 as well as some undated engravings of the George. My next step is to get a working knowledge of the tobacco trade in order to put the documents into context, and my initial questions are :- was tobacco only coming into England from America ? how did the trade operate ? what was the duty payable on tobacco ? what was the cost of tobacco per pound after the duty had been paid ? what was the usual size of cargo shipped ? what is tobacco rowle ? are there custom records available for c1625, and where could I find them ? I have contacted the Customs & Excise Museum and am awaiting a reply. If anyone could give me any help, guidance or suggestions of where to look etc, it would be much appreciated. I apologise if this is off-topic Regards and many thanks in advance Judith Akhurst