SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 123 



The swans and geese were fattened in coops on oats and 

 peas. Rabbits, bought as usual at high prices, are also found, 

 forty couple of which are brought from Bushey in Herts. 



The beer supplied to the feast is of two qualities, valued 

 generally by the gallon, but also by a c quart,' a measure which, 

 as far as these accounts supply information, is unique. The 

 wine and spices are not priced. The latter seem to have been 

 purchased in London. The former was brought from South- 

 ampton, and the carriage, probably more expensive because 

 needed in winter time, was costly. The quantity supplied, 

 three tuns, that is, 756 gallons, was in accordance with the 

 magnitude of the feast, and the copious potations of our an- 

 cestors on the rare occasions of a great festivity. 



Waxen torches for light, candles, and linen for the tables 

 are mentioned. Nor was the feast absolutely wanting in an 

 attempt to produce some artistic effect. A man is engaged to 

 paint c Subtilties,' though the rate of his remuneration does 

 not indicate any very great effort or capacity, or perhaps 

 demand for his craft. The cooks are well paid. The gold- 

 smith is engaged to make a new mace for the bedel r , the 

 metal, of course, as was customary with all craftsmen, having 

 been supplied him by his employers. 



It need hardly be said that such a feast was a very excep- 

 tional occurrence. After the period before us, the weekly bills 

 of fare of the fellows of Merton are preserved in sufficient 

 quantity for enabling us to discover the daily life of the mem- 

 bers of this society. 



It is well known that the social life of the middle ages 

 distinguished rank and age with great strictness. The younger 

 served the elder, the inferior the superior without hesitation. 

 The junior scholars waited on the seniors and fulfilled many 

 functions which would now be thought menial, but which the 



r The bedel of the University was an important officer in medieval times. One of his 

 functions was the collection of culets, a small annual tax paid by all members of the 

 University from the remotest period, in order to form a fund for the vindication of 

 academical privileges. 



