262 ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 



Oxford. Beans and peas are again found at rather high prices. Oats 

 are cheaper. 



1548-9. Prices rise considerably. The year begins with the rates of 

 the previous year, but the market stiffens gradually till in March wheat 

 reaches us. 8d., the highest price of the year. It falls again in May 

 and July, but rises anew towards the end of September. The Cam- 

 bridge average is 7-r. 7f< Large purchases are made at full rates for 

 the navy in London, and at low rates ; less than 6s. at Portsmouth in 

 the summer, where wheat, malt, flour, and beer corn are also bought, 

 the last we are told being a mixture of wheat and oats. Barley is 

 bought in large quantities at Portsmouth and at low prices. Malt is 

 at a moderate price in Oxford, but is dear in London. Oats are 

 dearer. Rye, beans, and peas have not been found. 



1549-50. Prices are very high again. Wheat begins at very high 

 rates, and goes on increasing till it reaches i6.r. zd. at Cambridge in 

 August. Similar prices are paid at Pembroke College, though the 

 dates are not given. It is bought at still higher rates for the navy, 

 the average here being 19^. 4^. Biscuit too is 8s. ^d. the hundred 

 pounds, nearly treble the price of 1546. Barley is bought at high 

 prices for the navy, and malt at proportionate rates, though the 

 average is lowered by a purchase at a comparatively low rate in 

 Oxford. Oats are dear. Beans, peas, and rye have not been 

 found. 



1550-1. The evidence is very scanty. The harvest was again 

 bad, and prices were very high. The Cambridge accounts are 

 unfortunately wanting for this year, but the average is, I do not doubt, 

 fairly given. To judge from the price of flour, corn was as dear in 

 Oxford as in London. Barley is not found. Malt is not so dear as 

 might be expected. Oats are very dear. Beans, peas, and rye are 

 absent. 



1551-2. The information is derived from King's College, Cam- 

 bridge, and from the Princess Elizabeth's household book at Hatfield. 

 The average at the former is 23^. 8%d., at the latter 17^. At Cam- 

 bridge the highest price is realised on Nov. 2, when a purchase is 

 made at 26s. 8d., but, as will be inferred from the average, there is 

 little variation from the high rates which prevailed. At Hatfield, one 

 entry is at the unprecedented amount of 32^., and once more the 

 price is 26s. Sd. But towards the latter part of the account, prices fall 

 to a little over 7^. on two occasions. Barley is again wanting. Malt 

 at Oxford is cheap, and oats at Hatfield are not so dear as might 

 have been expected. Beans, peas, and rye are wanting. 



