FUR. 583 



fourth c stanlyng/ Lastly, c swansdown' is quoted as a lining, 

 and seems to be the cheapest bought at that time, to judge 

 from the persons to whom it is served. 



In the three years 1310, 1312, and 1313 rabbit-skins are 

 purchased as a lining for robes, the average price of five entries 

 being a little less than i*. \\d. the dozen. The price is 

 suggestive, not only because, according to modern values, it is 

 relatively high, but because it indicates that the extraordinary 

 price of rabbits, on which comment has been already made, 

 was not due to the value set on their skins, but, in all appear- 

 ance, to the simple fact of their scarcity. Some rabbit-skins 

 are purchased at Balisax in Ireland, under the year 1282, (vol. ii. 

 p. 567. ii.), at about 8|*/. the dozen. 



The russet and blanket dresses of the brethren and sisters of 

 Maiden Bradley were lined with lamb-skins, and during the four 

 years for which information has been obtained as to the annual 

 charges which this foundation incurred for the clothing of its 

 inmates, we find entries of dressed skins for lining, the amount 

 annually purchased being two hundred and upwards. These 

 skins are worth, on an average of four years, iy. 6d. the 

 hundred, and represent the cheapest kind of lining. 



In the year 1350 five sets of furs are purchased for the 

 Salden lunatic, whose lands were in the custody of the Crown 

 for this and the three years following. They are rated at zs. 

 each. This must have been a better quality than lamb-skins. 



In the year 1361 the chaplain at Elham receives a livery 

 and a fur lining valued at 51. 6d. This price suggests a still 

 better quality. 



The knights (mtlites) who are dependent on Bigod receive for 

 the three years 1284, 1285, 1288 certain fur linings of 'squirrel 

 and stanlyng.' These articles are rated at the same price, 

 7*. 7</., 75-., and 12-r., for the three years respectively. In the 

 year 1287 the fur is called 'squirrel and ruskin,' and is valued 

 at 10*. In 1286 furs, no doubt of the same quality, are worth 

 i ox. 6d. each. These entries give an average of 9*. $d. the set 

 of fur lining. 



