BEFORE AND AFTER THE PLAGUE. 677 



seen (vol. ii. p. 608) that the farmer obtained for the three years 

 1387-1389 an abatement of two marks (ji bs. 8</.), on the 

 plea of the excessive cheapness of corn. It is probable that this 

 consideration was shewn in consequence of the low prices of 

 13865 for in the three years 1386-1388 the price of wheat was 

 only 4*. i*/., y. 4!^., y. 8^W., while it rose to nearly an average 

 in 1389, being 5*. ^d. in this year. Similarly the Wolford 

 farmer is allowed for one year (1387) a deduction of ^i from his 

 rent for the same cause. But Wolford was the most fertile of 

 the Merton College estates. Of course such a concession is no 

 proof that the farmer was badly off or being ruined, or in any 

 way within what has been called agricultural distress. A re- 

 duction of rents consequent on plentiful harvests is susceptible 

 of more than one interpretation, and is seldom assignable to the 

 poverty of the farmer. 



The subjoined tables give an account of the profit and loss 

 account of Cuxham manor, and a valuation of the capital in- 

 vested in the farm, for the years 1332 and 1350. 



