44 THE GANNET 



keepers of the island, as to lessen their wages to the extent 

 of 5s., and the fowls beside, although they cannot be sold, 

 nor are the keepers willing to eat them . . . yet he 

 estimated them at 40d."^ 



The date of this " inquisition " is 1274, and it affords the 

 earliest documentary evidence there is relating to any 

 Gannets' breeding-place, preceding the first record of the 

 Bass Rock by about 150 years, and thus its interest is 

 not easily over-rated. 



We next learn from Steinman's researches that in 

 1321, during the reign of Edward II., owing to Marisco's 

 acquiring or recovering Lundy, an inquisition of what was 

 on the island had again to be made, and again the Gannets 

 come in for mention. 



Translation of the Inquisition by Mr. Steinman. 



" There is also a rabbit warren worth in ordinary years 

 100s., but this year destroyed in great part by the men of 

 John de Wylyngton and the Scots. Also a certain rock 

 called the Gannets' stone, with two places near it where 

 Gannets settle and breed, worth in ordinary years 66s. 8d., 

 but this year destroyed in part by the Scots. Also eight 

 tenants, who hold their land and tenements by a certain 



* " Coll. Top. et G.," IV., p. 317. In nearly every other place young 

 Gannets and Puffins were looked upon as fit liuman food at a later date. 



