674 ON THE PRICE OF FOREIGN PRODUCE. 



been made. If the high rate of 1473 were omitted, the average 

 would be 25 s. i\d. If that of 1482 were omitted, the average 

 would be 2,6s. *]\d., i.e. the two decades would be very near 

 the general average. 



The entries of almonds are more copious, for the greater part 

 of the period comprised in these volumes, than those of any 

 other fruit. The use of these nuts was very familiar and com- 

 mon, as one may see by looking into medieval cookery books. 

 They were the most cherished luxury of monasteries and colleges. 

 Benefactors often gave gifts to the former, in order to supply, on 

 stated days, a mess of boiled almonds to the monks. 



After 1540 the use of almonds becomes rare, and the price 

 rises exceedingly. I have no entry at all for the decade 1561- 

 70, and it will be seen that the average after 1540 is more than 

 doubled that, in short, the price is higher for this article than 

 for that of any foreign produce, except figs (for which I have 

 given a reason) and rice. If the three particularly dear years 

 were omitted, the difference would be even more striking. 

 But in drawing the averages in my work, I have seen that I 

 had to include high as well as low prices, except in cases where 

 the entry was a manifest error, or the price was evidently due 

 to a merely momentary scarcity. 



SUGAR. The entries of the price of sugar, though far 

 scantier, especially in the earlier years, than I could wish, are 

 exceedingly instructive. They require a rather detailed 

 comment. 



For the first fifty years of the fifteenth century the price 

 of sugar is very high, and the entries are very few, the prices 

 being virtually prohibitive. In 1455 a small quantity is bought 

 by Netley Abbey at a slightly lower price. In 1458 a larger 

 quantity is purchased by King's College at i8s. the dozen. In 

 the next year a large quantity is bought by Si on at Ss. y 

 There are no entries till 1463, when it is again iSs. In 1464 

 it is i6s. ; in 1465, 14^. ; in 1466, again iSs. In 1468 it is us. ; 

 in 1469 and 1472, iaj. ; in 1476, Ss. 6d. ; in 1480, $s. 6^., being 

 bought on this occasion in considerable quantity; in 1481, 



