Various notes from the White Book of London (Liber Albus)
| The Price of Poultry | vii Rich II | Fol. 242A (p.401) |
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The best cygnet shall be sold for four pence; the best purcel, for six pence; the best goose, for six pence; the best capon, for six pence; the best hen, for six pence; the best pullet, for two pence; the best rabbit, with the skin, for four pence; and without the skin, for three pence;--and no foreigner shall sell any rabbit without the skin:--the best [1] river mallard, for three pence; the best [2] dunghill mallard, for two pence half- penny; the best teal, for two pence; the best snipe, for one penny; four larks, for one penny; the best woodcock, for three pence; the best par- tridge, for four pence; the best plover, for three pence; the best pheasant, for twelve pence; the best curlew, for six pence; a dozen thrushes, for six pence; a dozen finches, for one penny; the best heron, for sixteen pence; the best bittern, for eighteen pence; the best [3] brewe, for eighteen pence; the best egret, for eighteen pence; twelve pigeons, for eight pence.
[1] The wild duck
[2] The tame duck
[3] This bird, which is also mentioned in the Archæologia and the Antiq. Report. I. p.268, has not been identified; not improbably the `blarye', or bald coot, may be meant.
| Of cleansing the Streets and Lanes | Edw. I | Fol. 201A (p.239) |
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And that all the lanes leading towards the Thames, from the King's high- ways, from Castle Baynard unto the Tower of London, shall be kept clear, that so persons on horseback may without hindrance ride and go unto the Thames; and if it be not so, the Sheriffs shall cause the same to be done at the cost of those who have caused the impediment; and neverthe- less, let those who thus impede be heavily amerced.
And that no courtesan [or] common brothel-keeper shall be residing within the walls of the City, under pain of imprisonment.
| Of Paviours | Edw. I. | Fol. 201A (p.242) |
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And that paviours shall receive for making the toise of pavement, at all seasons, well and lawfully, that is to say, seven feet and a half in length, and the foot of Saint Paul in breadth, two pence and no more; and they shall make the same of good [1] `assize'.
[1] I.e. quality, as fixed by regulation or assize.
| Of Bread | Edw. I | Fol. 215B (p.308) |
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`Loaves must be made for sale at the rate of two and four for the penny; and no kind of loaf shall be made for sale at a greater price, but only two loaves, or four, for a penny, and this according to the Assay of this present year.
`No bread shall be coated with bran, or made of bran, so as to be found worse when broken than it is on the ouside.'
Every baker shall have the impress of his seal appearing on his bread, that so the same may be more easily and readily known. And this manner of sealing shall be used as well in brown bread as in white.
No baker shall sell bread in his own house, or before his oven; but he shall have a basket with his bread in the market of his lordship the King; that so, in case the bread, according to the market price of corn, be not of full weight, the body of the baker may be amenable to justice.
No baker shall enter the Churchyard of Saint [1] Michael's, or the market of Westchepe, Greschirchem, Billyngesgate, Botulveswharf, or Queen-Hythe, or shall go on board of any vessel to buy corn, before Prime is rung.
No baker shall cause his fre to be lighted with fern, stubblem straw or reeds.
No baker shall harbour a person beyond one night, unless he is pre- pared to produce such person to stand his trial, in case he shall commit an offence.
| Of the Sale of Ale | Edw. I | Fol. 216A? (p.311) |
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Let proclamation be made, that every brewer and brewster sell the gallon of best ale for one penny halfpenny, and the gallon of second for one penny, and not more, to any person; and that they make and brew as good ale, or better, as they were wont before the proclamation, lately made in this same year and place. [...]