39 



From Milverton, Willia. Frauncis and Willia. Every, after strict 

 enquiry in that hundred, and the four western titliings of East 

 Kingsbury, could find neither hoarding nor combination, nor 

 secret transportation. The cause they conceived of the continued 

 high prices was, that last year's store was " weU nigh altogether 

 spent," before the new harvest, which was not so plentiful as 

 expected. The market was sufficiently furnished and they would 

 do their utmost to abate prices.* 



Most of these returns mention a good supply or store, but the 

 next certificate, from Jo. Wyndham and Tho. Luttrell, for the 

 lumdreds of WUliton, Freemanors, and Carhampton,. speaks no 

 doubt with great truth as to the cause of the scarcity. They 

 state that they had taken an "exact view" of every man's store, 

 but their common experience had taught them, " that viewing and 

 searching for corn had ever caused the countrymen and corn- 

 masters to suspect an imminent dearness, and thereupon, as much 

 as possible to conceal theii* corn, so causing a dearth without a 

 scarcity." The crop of last harvest being exliausted their district 

 had been suppHed from Wales, and many " good husbandman " to 

 " relieve theii- own wants did resort to their own corn fields, 

 before the same was thoroughly ripe." The other causes of 

 scarcity were, they supposed, the too free export to Ireland two 

 years together when somewhat plentiful, and "under cover 

 thereof," it was thought, into foreign countries also. At the then 

 harvest the corn had a good " kerniuge " and prices had fallen, 

 wheat from 10/- to 6/-, rye from 8/- to 5/-, barley 7/- to 5/-, peas 

 and beans 6/- to 4/-, and would fall yet as more corn was threshed. 

 There was much suspicion of secret transportation but it could 

 not be detected, t 



Kelating to this last paragraph a case did presently come to 

 their notice. By information from the customs one Sylvester 

 Bickham, of Watchett, was charged before them with ingrossing, 



* State Papers, 1631, Vol. cciii., fol. 88, 28 Nov. 

 t State Papers, 1631, Vol. cciii., fol. i8, 17th November. 



