6 28 ON THE PRICE OF FOREIGN PRODUCE. 



much dearer. Two entries in the accounts of Earl Clare for 

 the years 1284 and 1285 give zs. $d. and 2s. 9^. respectively, 

 and a purchase of one pound of this article for the King's 

 Wardrobe in 1307 is effected at ys. Is it possible that the 

 ancient can be identified with the modern name? 



CLOVES. These aromatic buds are occasionally mentioned, 

 twelve entries being found in the accounts which I have 

 examined. With the exception of saffron, it is on the whole 

 the costliest of the several spices. Its price fluctuates exceed- 

 ingly. It is found as high as j^i it. 4^. the pound at Oxford 

 in 1329, and as low as 3*. 4^. at Bicester seventy years after- 

 wards. If we can admit an entry given from London (under 

 the name of c cariofilad') as cloves, it is to be found at a still 

 lower rate, being purchased on this occasion at is. id. The 

 average derived from the twelve entries, omitting this last 

 quotation, is about 8*. 3^. the pound. 



Such an article of course could not be used except under 

 very extraordinary circumstances. We must conclude also, 

 either that the supply of this spice was exceedingly uncertain, 

 or that its quality varied very considerably. The latter may 

 be admitted to be the cause of such irregularities in the market 

 value, if we allow that Sanuto is right when he asserts that 

 Eastern spices, imported to Europe by the Egyptian route, were 

 c< cocta devastata perforata." 



CINNAMON, &c. Cinnamon is mentioned twice in the 

 accounts, and on both occasions at a rate which may be 

 considered moderate, although there is a great variation in 

 the two entries. In 1264 it is bought in London for the King 

 at 9*/. the pound; and again in London under the year 1345, 

 and in St. Martin's market, at is. icd. But it may be doubted 

 whether canella, which is quoted more frequently, is not to 

 be identified with cinnamon. Nine entries of canella, com- 

 mencing with 1264 and concluding with 1399, give an average 

 of is. id. the pound. The price is highest in the years 1376, 

 1377, when it is sold at is. the pound. 



MACE has been found on seven occasions. The average 



