EMPLOYED IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY. 467 



found in a manuscript of the thirteenth century c, and in 

 which each town or place is characterized by some produce or 

 specialty, Coventry is said to have been the place in which 

 soap was manufactured. All the entries but one are of the 

 thirteenth century, and the average from nine of these is 

 rather under \d. the pound. If we take a dozen pounds in 

 the first four years 1282-5, it is 9^.; in 1286 it is 9!^.; in 

 1288 and 1295, u.; in 1297, is. 6d. in 1337, 1^.3^. Most 

 of the entries are from Kent. 



The price is low, and suggests that the art was not only 

 practised at home, but that it was well known and general. 

 It is not likely that soap manufactured in Coventry was sold 

 in Kent. As will be seen by comparing the price of grease, 

 soap was as cheap, or even cheaper, and the manufacturer must 

 have known how to procure potash or soda for this purpose. 



One other material deserves a passing notice. Our fore- 

 fathers seem to have used ruddle in much the same way that 

 the modern agriculturist employs it. Once, in 1268, it is 

 bought by the bushel at is. On all other occasions it is bought 

 by the pound. Of such purchases there are twelve entries 

 between 1338 and 1372, at prices varying from id. to a 

 farthing, the last, no doubt, being considerably increased by 

 distance from the place from which it could be procured. The 

 general average is a little over id. the pound. In 1392 mention 

 is made of ochre being bought at the same rate, and for the 

 same purpose. 



LIME. I have included this article under the general head 

 of agricultural materials because it was frequently used as a 

 manure, although, of course, the greater part of the entries 

 found in the second volume refer to purchases for building 

 purposes. The use of lime as destructive to vermin and 

 weeds, and as a means for breaking stiff clays, was known 



c Douce 98, Bodley. Among these are the following : Escoles de Oxford, Auberge 

 de Stanford, Scarlet de Nicholl (i. e. Shoreham), Blanket de Blye, Burnet de Beverley, 

 Russet de Colcestre, Fer de Gloucestre, Hareng de Geremouth, Saumon de Berwic, 

 Peleryn de Shrewsberie, Beverie de Banburie, Ganns de Haverhill. 



H h 2 



