1 88 ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 



1262. The information is scanty, and the prices very various. 

 The rates in London and Oxfordshire are estimated from aggregate 

 quantities of barley and oats in the latter, wheat and rye in the 

 former. The price at Handley, a place which I have been unable 

 to identify, unless it be in Dorset, is excessive. It is likely that, if 

 larger evidence could be procured, the average would be considerably 

 reduced. 



1263. The localities are partly in the south, partly in the north. 

 The purchases for Rochester were part of the munitions laid in 

 against the siege of the castle. The rates of other kinds of grain 

 are proportional. 



1264. The largest portion of the evidence for this year has been 

 obtained from the roll of expenses incurred by Eleanor, the wife of 

 Simon de Montfort, in her journey from Odiham to Dover. The 

 rates are high, and probably give a factitious value. The rest of the 

 localities are midland and northerly. 



1265. The information is very scanty; two places only having 

 been found, in Berkshire and Northamptonshire. But to judge from 

 the proportionate prices of such other kinds of grain as are priced, 

 the rate is low. 



1266. The information more abundant and various, ranging from 

 the Isle of Wight to Yorkshire. The average is apparently to be 

 depended on, and the proportion is satisfactory. Prices of rye are 

 derived from two localities only ; and though too high for the general 

 average, are sufficiently near for the purpose of comparison with 

 prices of wheat, barley, and oats from the same places. 



1267. The information as far south as Winchester, as far north 

 as Durham. The average is nearly the same as in the preceding 

 year. The price of other grain is low. 



1268. The facts of this year are derived chiefly from the east 

 and south-east of England. But the price is low, and the proportion 

 fairly preserved. Beans, &c. are higher than the proportion, falling 

 but little below the price of wheat. Oats are also high priced, and 

 the rate points on the whole to a scanty crop. 



1269. The information is very slender, and the localities supply- 

 ing it are diverse. Wheat is priced from Herts, York, and Wilts, if 

 indeed we can identify the last-named locality with Swindon. A low 

 price of oats is found in Norfolk. Rye appears from Durham only, 

 and vetches from Gloucestershire. 



1270. With this year the evidence begins to be much more 

 abundant and satisfactory. Prices are high, wheat having sold in 



