GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH. 10^ 



while three hundred and ninety-one are found in the second. 

 The last roll is probably complete., and reckoning five to a 

 family, the inhabitants of Colchester and its neighbouring 

 vills were probably about two thousand. 



The valuation given is, with perhaps the exception of corn 

 and a few other prices, factitious, that is, the articles .are 

 estimated considerably below their ordinary value. Wheat is 

 valued at 6s. 8d., rye at 55-., barley, peas, and beans at 4$-., 

 oats at is. Salt and iron are also at ordinary prices, the 

 one at >]\d. the bushel, the other at is. 6d. the hundred. 

 Wool, fat, seacoal, and lime are also rated at ordinary prices. 

 But cattle and domestic furniture are greatly below their 

 average values. Oxen are valued at 6s. &/., bulls and cows 

 at 5-r., pigs and calves at if., affri at y. y sheep and lambs 

 at 8^. and 6d. These rates are far less than any real price; 

 and the estimate made of household furniture is equally low. 



According to the first roll, the clergy were nine; the land- 

 owners, apparently possessing what we should call independent 

 means, were seven ; tanners were eleven ; shoemakers thir- 

 teen; general merchants (mercatores) nine; fishmongers six; 

 butchers five; bakers four. Besides these we find the follow- 

 ing occupations : aleman, barber, dealer, dyer, fancer, farrier, 

 fishmonger, fuel-dealer, fuller, glazier, glover, linendraper, 

 miller, seacoal-dealer, charcoal-dealer, parchment-maker, rope- 

 dealer, tailor, smith, weaver. It is not possible to decide on 

 the occupation of eighty-nine persons assessed to the tax. 



The description of persons contributing to the assessment 

 of 1301 is far more varied, though there are two hundred and 

 twenty-nine persons whose occupation is not specially desig- 

 nated. There are twelve clergymen, ten persons apparently 

 of considerable substance, sixteen shoemakers, thirteen tanners, 

 ten smiths, eight weavers, and eight butchers ; seven bakers, 

 six fullers, and six girdlers ; five nautse, four millers, and four 

 cissores ; three dyers, fishermen, carpenters, and spicers. The 

 following trades are also enumerated : cooper, white-leather- 

 seller, potter, parchment-maker, pelliparius, cook, tiler, bowyer, 



