When did impressment start?

Impressment, the practice of forcibly recruiting individuals into military service, particularly in naval contexts, began in earnest during the 17th century. The British Royal Navy notably employed impressment as a means to bolster its ranks, especially during times of conflict, such as the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. This practice was highly controversial and contributed to tensions between Britain and the United States, particularly leading up to the War of 1812.