8 



*' meaner sorte" at 27s. to the fat at 45s. From Hallovnnas to 

 Christmas the price was 39s. 8d. to 46s. 8cl. From Claristmas to 

 Shrovetide 41s. 4d. to 48s. 4d. Sheep, from shearing time to 

 Christmas ranged at 2s. 4d. for the meaner sort to 43. for the fat. 

 From Michaelmas to Shrovetide from 2s. 4d. to 4s. 4d. The 

 penalty for disobedience was £5 for every ox sold and 10s. for 

 every sheep. The profit to be allowed to the butcher was also 

 fixed, and it was further ordered that a sufficient supply of 

 animals should be sent to market.* 



Notwithstanding this " dred commandment," the fanners, sup- 

 ported by the continued slackness of the magistrates in enforcing 

 it, resisted a compulsory sale, and in " their gredie and insaciable 

 avaryce" refused to supply the markets at the " reasonable" j^rices 

 named for them. Consequently the King, " not mynded to suffer 

 such lewde, insolent, and very strange behaviour," on the 17th 

 November, cancelled all his former letters to the J.P.'s, and 

 placing the matter in the hands of the sheriff, appointed a Com- 

 tnission to assist him, with power if need be, as " the insolency 

 and wilfulness of many was so great," to assemble the force of the 

 shire. The Commissioners were to " cause" the Justices to see 

 the markets supplied in a " quiet manner," and if any farmer 

 refused to produce the quantity ordered, it was to be taken from 

 him, and removed to the market by the constable of his parish, 

 and the disobedient party sent up to be dealt with by the Council 

 for his contempt. t By orders of the 18th Nov., carried into 

 Somerset by Lord Russell, the Commissioners were to allow the 

 baggers, or carriers from one covmty to another, to add a fair 

 profit for their trouble to the prices fixed.J 



This effort also proved a failure, and the Council, obliged to 

 give way, pretended to discover, by the "judgement of men of 



• Proclamation 3 Edward VI., 2 July, 1550. 



t State Papers, 1550, Vol. x., folio 5. 

 % State Papers, 1550, Vol. xi., fols. ti and 7. 



