THE HALL. 695 



from \v\d. in 1587, the lowest price noted, to $s. in 1667, the 

 highest. In the latter case it is a purchase by Master, appar- 

 ently for his child's nursery. The ordinary price is from 

 is. 6d. to 3.?., and the article does not become dearer at the 

 latter end of the century. 



Another very common convenience in the hall is the chafing- 

 dish. With rare exceptions up to the end of the Civil War 

 they are low-priced, from is. each to is. 6d., though in 1628 a 

 great chafing-dish is at 2s. 6d., in 1631 two brass articles are at 

 4s. 9*/., and two in 1632, of which the material is not specified, 

 at 3*. 4(1. In 1658 Eton College gives 7*. a-piece for two, in 

 1668 All Souls College pays 8s. for a brass chafing-dish, in 

 1675 Winchester College js. In 1686 Eton College gives 

 ios., and in 1692 S. John's College pays 43. In 1697 an d 

 1698 King's College gives 6s. for large brass chafing-dishes. 

 These conveniences were probably brought into halls and 

 chambers in cold weather, either to keep food hot, or to 

 supply additional warmth. They are called calcfactoria in 

 older accounts. 



As stated above, saucers appear to have been supplied at 

 table, especially in places where wooden trenchers were used. 

 They are of very uniform price, described as large and small, 

 the former once at 5^., but generally at $s. a dozen, the latter 

 at from 2s. 8d. to 2J., most commonly the latter price. In the 

 last year in which they are found, 1645, they are only is. $d. a 

 dozen. I do not imply that they are discontinued after this 

 date, but after the Civil War began, the particulars of the King's 

 College accounts are not nearly so accurate as they were 

 previously to this event, and these items are merged in minor 

 expenses. 



Leather drink ing-jacks are found in twenty-six years, from 

 the first of the period, till close on the end of the seventeenth 

 century. The prices are principally from Eton College, and 

 they generally cost from 2s. ^d. to $s. In 1 617, however, Eton 

 College gives 4*. $\d. each for three new jacks, but in 1623 

 again only 2s. 6d. Between 1629 and 1638 the price is from 



