( 33 ) 



to be made by the bakers, so that the baker might sell 

 and gain in every quarter threepence, besides the bran 

 and two loaves for the heater of the oven, and for four 

 servants four halfpence, for two boys a farthing, for al- 

 lowance in salt an halfpenny, for candle a farthing, for 

 fuel threepence, and for a bulter an halfpenny, and this 

 was the rate. When wheat was sold for 6s. the quarter 

 then shall every loaf of fine manchet weigh 41 shillings, 

 and every loaf of cheat shall weigh 24 shillings. When 

 wheat is sold for $s. 6d. per quarter, then manchet shall 

 weigh 20 shillings and cheat 28 shillings. When wheat 

 is sold for $s., then manchet shall weigh 24 shillings and 

 the cheat bread 32 shillings. When wheat is sold for 

 4-r. 6d., manchet shall weigh 32 shillings and cheat 42 

 shillings. When wheat is 4f., manchet shall weigh 36 

 shillings and cheat 46 shillings. When wheat is $s. 6d., 

 manchet shall weigh 42 shillings and cheat 54 shillings ; 

 and so forth, down to is. 6d. per quarter, when manchet 

 was to weigh 77 shillings and cheat 88 shillings (Holin- 

 shed). 



1203 In London there fell great rains, thunderings, and 

 hail-stones as big as eggs, whereby many trees and corn 

 were destroyed, and birds were seen flying in the air with 

 fire in their mouths, and to set fire in houses and burn 

 them (Chronicle of the Mayors of London}. 



1204 This year the air towards the north and east parts 

 seemed to be on a bright fire for the space of six hours 

 together. It began about the first watch of the night on 

 the first of April (Holimhed ; M. of W.). 



April 16. An eclipse of the moon (M. of W.). 

 General plague throughout Europe (Lowe). 



1205 Stowe writes that on St. Hilary's day (January 15) 

 began a frost which continued till 22nd day of March so 

 that the ground could not be tilled. The following 

 summer wheat sold at 13 shillings and fourpence a quarter, 

 or about ten times its then usual price (Holinshed) 



D 



