PLOUGH-SHOES, OR PLOUGH-FEET. 539 



wrought-iron articles at a little more than id. the pound before 

 the Plague, and a little more than id. after that time. 



In the first ten years plough-shoes are not found ; and this 

 absence is so singular, that I am disposed to think their addi- 

 tion to the plough was begun at this time. The price is high 

 during the years 12711280. But in the other decennial 

 periods they represent the rise and fall of iron and iron instru- 

 ments with accuracy. A rise takes place, as usual, in 1311- 

 1320, from which a slight decline follows. Then come the 

 high price of 1351-1360, the still higher rate of 1361-1370, 

 and a marked decline to the close of the century. 



In the year 1349 the Elham bailiff purchases a plough com- 

 plete for 4^. Such a price can be easily comprehended from 

 an examination of the money value generally quoted for each 

 part of the implement. The frame would be worth about 

 ij. 64. ; the share is. ; the coulter about as much- the shoe 

 about ^d. ; the clouts to strengthen the mould-board about id. 



The ploughman was also provided with a pole shod with a 

 flat iron, and called in later times an akerstaff; the purpose 

 of which was to clear the mould-board from any stiff earth 

 which might cling to it while the plough was in work. 



In fine, the consumption of iron in the charge of the ploughs 

 was one of the heaviest items of outlay on the farm. It is by 

 the fact, that the bailiff notes the extraordinary charge which 

 he may happen to incur on this head, that the scanty informa- 

 tion which the accounts supply as to dry seasons is due. 



The receptacle for seed, called a seedlep, was, we may con- 

 clude, a wooden vessel, fastened to the waist of the sower, and 

 made in that peculiar shape which may be remembered by 

 some of my readers, though, in consequence of the all but 

 universal practice of drill sowing, such an implement is rapidly 

 passing into complete disuse. But I have only found four 

 examples among the numerous accounts which have been ex- 

 amined. Three of these, before the Plague, cost on an average 

 a little more than id. ; one, after that event, is purchased for 

 4^ It is probable, however, either that baskets were used 



