CIDER AND FRUIT. 419 



conclude, from the inclemency of the spring. Such a report is 

 made at Alton Barnes in 1379, 1395, 1397* 1398. 



The manufacture of cider, though far from being universal, 

 was common; but it is seldom the case that any record is 

 supplied of its sale except in bulk, that is, by the tun or pipe. 

 But though the evidence is by no means abundant, it is, 

 I think, quite sufficient for a general, if not for decennial 

 averages, during the 130 years for which entries are found. 

 The produce varies in price from a halfpenny a gallon to three 

 farthings and a penny, though on the whole the rate is very uni- 

 form. As on other occasions, the dearest decade is 1361-1370. 

 After this 1331-1330, and next 1371-1380. In the other periods 

 there is no marked change. Had evidence been supplied of 

 the sale of cider during the last ten years, its price would not, 

 I am persuaded, have been very high. It may be observed that 

 the price of cider is higher in the neighbourhood of London, 

 and also, as usual, in Kent. Sometimes, but not always, it 

 appears that when sold by the gallon, the price is higher than 

 when it is sold by the tun. Cider was served out on some 

 estates to the harvest labourers in lieu of beer. 



A barrel, that is I suppose a pipe, of perry is quoted at 

 Cuxham under the year 1376. This, however, is the only 

 occasion on which I have detected it. 



Apples are sold, as a rule, by the quarter. The price 

 however is very various, and suggestive of very little. I am 

 disposed to think that the general average may be relied on, 

 as indicating the ordinary price at which they could be pur- 

 chased. Those under 1270, which are taken at Lopham for 

 the king's use, must have been choice, as probably those from 

 Clopton in 1280, designated as garden fruit. In the year 1345 

 some fruit is called costard at Letherhead, and is sold at an 

 exceptionally high rate. Apples are found in Ireland. 



Pears are much dearer than apples. The entries, however, 

 are few. The average from ten of these entries is nearly is. id. 

 the quarter. In the year 1264 some pears are purchased by 

 the hundred. These were bought for Eleanor, Countess of 



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