CHAPTER XXVI. 



SUNDRY ARTICLES. 



THERE yet remain a few articles, of rare occurrence but of 

 some interest, on which a few words by way of comment may 

 be permitted. 



It has been observed that goats were very rarely kept ; they 

 are found, however, occasionally. Kids are quoted at Lecton 

 in 1291, at very various prices, viz. at is. id., ic*/., and $d. 

 The managers of the Determination Feast also buy them at 

 is. ^d. and is. 6d. Goats (in kid) are quoted once, seven such 

 being sold at Theydon in 1310 at iod. 



There is one entry of grues, by which we must, I suppose, 

 understand herons. If so they are expensive, for they cost 

 is. 8d. each. 



It is well known that the peacock was a bird on which our 

 forefathers set great store. A few prices of peacocks have 

 been given in a former chapter. But sometimes a peacock's 

 tail was purchased, as a garnish I suppose. Three such are 

 quoted: one in 1273, at 4l^? one * n I2 77> a ^ I 2^? another 

 in 1323, at 4</.; in which last, however, eighteen feathers are 

 also included. 



Hawks are frequently mentioned in the earlier Bigod ac- 

 counts, and always as bought. It is probable that the bailiffs 

 of the several manors were allowed to encourage venturous 

 boys in bringing young birds for purposes of training. They 

 are bought at about zd. apiece, the purchase of no less than 

 121 of these birds being recorded. But a falcon bought at 



