Scrofula, the King’s Evil, was believed to be cured by the touch of the sovereign. Hone printed a notice of 18 May 1664 that Charles II meant to go on healing his people for the evil through the month of May and then give over until Michaelmas. The sick were warned not to come up to town in the meantime and lose their labour.
Touching for the King’s Evil in May
Printed under 18 May · London
No longer kept
His sacred majesty having declared it to be his royal will and purpose to continue the healing of his people for the evil during the month of May
From Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. 2, cols. 681-682. Read the original
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