1766-Oct.

1766-Oct. (approx.): The British Crown issued an embargo on all vessels carrying grain or flour to foreign countries to combat the excessive high price of bread. This measure was triggered by food riots that had broken out in several provinces of the United Kingdom due to severe shortages. Furthermore, a second edict prohibited the distillation of spirits from grain, wheat, or flour to preserve food supplies for human consumption. These economic restrictions demonstrated the urgent efforts of the British state to manage domestic social unrest through market intervention.