66 ON THE PLACE OF FISH IN 
I40I-I540, the second that of 1541 and 1582, the 
third is the ratio of the rise in the later period 
approximately calculating to two places of decimals, 
the first column being taken as a unity. 
There is also another entry. 
Before the Reformation religious houses consumed 
a vast amount of fish, and a fish diet, partly ecclesias- 
tical rule, partly from necessity, occupied a large 
portion of the year. After the Reformation the 
Anglican Church continued to prescribe a fish diet on 
fast days and in Lent, partly to sustain a national 
industry, partly as a relic of ancient rule. Most of 
the prices here collected are of salt fish for keeping, 
for winter and Lenten diet. Monks are said to have 
imported the grayling of the Shropshire and Here- 
fordshire streams, 
All fish was dear at the beginning of the fifteenth 
century, lowest during the forty years 1481-1520 
inclusive. 
White herring were purchased at Cambridge only, 
the red at Oxford also. 
Fresh salmon, Canterbury, 1404, sold at the enor- 
mous price of 7s. each; at Bicester and Cambridge in 
1439 from 10d. to Is. lod. At Oxford in 1450 price 
from Is. 4d. to Is. 10d. 
Qe 
AE Netley Abbey ways ata 
3; Cambridge” ..-14on 3 
5 5 i SIAOZI,, eke 
5» Oxtord .e5. o147 07 5 
» Wymondham, 1492 51) 2 
» Cambridge’ * .. 1405 .4,50) «34 
5 Lhormbury ys > 150755,05' 2G 
———a 
