246 ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 



are distinctly those of scarcity, especially in the eastern counties, the 

 highest prices being in Durham, which practically drew its supplies 

 from the south-east. 



1483-4. The information is very copious. The King's Hall 

 accounts give an average of 6s. 2\d. But there is also an Oxford 

 account of Magdalen College, in which the entries are put down 

 carefully day by day, as the purchases were made, from October 1 1 , 

 1483, to August 26, 1484, the only account of what must have been 

 a regular series which has been preserved in the archives of the 

 college. But the muniments of this college have been kept in the 

 most jealous seclusion, and treated with uniform neglect. Had they 

 been preserved with the commonest care, they would have been 

 invaluable. Barley is represented by two entries only, both in Dur- 

 ham, and both implying purchases in Norfolk. Malt is purchased at 

 Cambridge at an average of 4^. gd., and at Oxford at an average of 

 6s. 2\d. y the malt entries at Magdalen being nearly as copious as 

 those of wheat. Oats are dear in Wilts and cheap in Durham. 

 Beans and peas, of which copious returns are given at Oxford, are 

 rather cheap. The college buys a quarter of bean malt, an entry 

 which has been recognised before. 



1484-5. The price of wheat falls to an average, prices being low 

 in Cambridge, where the average is 3^. gd. It is 5^. d. at Heyford, and 

 with this year, as the monks at Bicester commuted their annuity into 

 money at 26s. Sd., this most valuable entry, which has been preserved 

 almost uninterruptedly for more than a century, ceases. Barley is at 

 its natural proportion. Malt is only represented by the King's Hall 

 entries. Oats are cheaper, but have not fallen proportionately. 

 Beans and peas are cheap. Rye in one entry is rather dear. 



1485-6. Prices are low. The average at King's Hall is 4*. 5^., 

 a little less than the general average. King's College buys no corn, 

 but wheat flour, the average of which is 5-r. 4^., the entries extending 

 from December to August. Oats and meal are cheap. Beans and 

 peas are represented in one entry only. Rye has not been found. 



1486-7. Prices are a little higher. The average at King's Hall is 

 4^. 7^., and of flour at King's College $s. ^\d. Barley is bought 

 in Durham at high rates ; malt at King's Hall at 2s. 5^., at King's 

 College at 2s. *]\d. Oats are a trifle dearer, as are also beans and 

 peas. One entry of rye is as high as that of wheat in the same 

 place. 



1487-8. The prices of corn are little changed, except by a slight 

 increase. Wheat is represented at King's Hall only by a small 



