Part 5/8:
The 17th century saw a surge in the popularity of coffee in England, where it gained a reputation as a health tonic. However, the emergence of coffee houses, known as "Penny Universities," sparked concern among women—who alleged that coffee rendered their husbands impotent and excessively chatty. These sentiments culminated in a pamphlet from 1674, blaming coffee for drastically changing men’s behavior and vitality.
King Charles II of England, triggered by the disruption this caused among his subjects, attempted to clamp down on coffee houses. On December 29, 1675, he issued a proclamation to suppress them, claiming they diverted attention from more practical work and spread harmful rumors about his government.