The Disposal of Farm Pi'oduce. 237 



could they have but spoken, might have told many a tale of 

 royal favour and disfavour from the date of their foundation in 

 1250 to that of their demolition in 1597. The City grudgingly 

 suffered the presence of these Easterlings for the sake of that 

 substantial assistance which was always forthcoming when the 

 object was worthy. Bishopsgate was maintained, repaired and 

 once rebuilt principally out of funds supplied by the Hanse, 

 which also sustained one-third of the charges necessary for its 

 defence. For a long time these merchants were the sole im- 

 porters of foreign corn, but without the City's licence they were 

 not allowed to supply the bakers and brewers. The mayor 

 and sheriffs of London were, however, kept in a gracious 

 mood by a judicious administration of perquisites ; so that 

 when Queen Elizabeth finally abolished this association, the 

 corporation felt obliged to console their City officers for the 

 loss of Hanseatic gifts in wax, herrings, and sturgeon, by an 

 annual money compensation. 



