run the coffee house by herself. Her tolerant attitude frequently gave way to rages and she earned a new nickname, "The Virago". Adkins increasingly showed drunken behaviour which landed her in court frequently. However she was adept at playing the system and sometimes manipulated her court appearances to be transferred to the Court of King's Bench. The prosecution did not pursue the charges due to the much greater expense of King's Bench hearings. After refusing to pay a £200 fine for keeping a disorderly house, King was imprisoned. King remarried to a Mr Hoff. King retired in about 1745, and following a long illness, died on 17 September 1747, in her country house at Haverstock Hill. Adkins left her money to her son, who was described as a "very hopeful young fellow and on whom she bestowed a liberal education at Eton School". References Bibliography 1696 births 1747 deaths English criminals 18th-century English businesswomen English female prostitutes 1718 crimes in Europe Criminals from London 18th-century English businesspeople 18th century in London