11 



the garrisons on the "frontures." The quantity thus bought in 

 Somerset by the Lord Treasurer, Wilhani Kussell, was three- 

 hundred quarters of beans only. No other corn is mentioned.* 



No sooner, hoAvever, did it become known that hirge purchases 

 were being made, tlian some " ill disposed persons, partly to 

 move the misliking of the common and meaner sort of people," 

 and partly to enhance the values, spread abroad, also secretly, 

 that prices were rising and that the buying was on behalf of 

 some favoured ones, to whom the Queen intended to grant 

 licenses for export.t By this means the original scheme was 

 frustrated, as prices rose so I'apidly that a real dearth was 

 threatened by the general withholding. Compared with the 

 prices of 1563, those now ruling differed greatly. Delivered "in 

 port" wheat was 60/- a quarter, rye 33/4, barley 20/-, malt 19/-, 

 oats 13/4, and peas 15/:]: The purchases were consequently 

 stopped, a promise publicly made that no licenses for export 

 should be granted, and the corn already bought was again 

 distributed. The onus of the great rise was as usual laid upon 

 the " engrossers and forestallers," and all such, by Proclamation, 

 were " strayghtly" commanded to be committed to pri8on.§ 



A few years later the question of a regular supply again cropped 

 up, and special Commissioners were sent into each county to 

 make enquiries and see the markets well and properly supplied; 

 also the Judges on Circuit were ordered to explain the " true 

 intention" of the various statutes bearing on the subject. This 

 was done in Somerset and duly reported to the Council by 

 Serjeant John Jeflfrys on the 27th July, 1572. Enclosed was a 

 certificate from the Justices as to the prices and the ability of the 

 county to export. The i^rice of wheat was marked — best 28s., 

 seconds 17s 4d., rye 16s., barley 8s. 8d., oats 5s. 4d., and 



* State Papers, 1565, Vol. xxxviii., fol. 38. 



t State Papers, 1565, Vol. xxxix.,fol. 15. 



X State Papers, 1565, Vol. xxxviii. , fol. 40. 



§ State Papers, 1566, 20 Janaary, Vol. xxxix., fol. 16. 



