RURAL ECONOMY IN YORKSHIRE IN 1041. 143 



what sorte soever it weare. I have knowne others, nowe of 

 late, give to theire thrashers hd. a quarter for oates, 7d. a quar- 

 ter for barley, and \0d. a quarter for wheate, rye, and pease ; 

 but these rates are given onely att such times when come bleedes 

 not well ; but theire custome is, all way es, that each of them 

 shall have a threave of strawe every weeke, which is supposed 

 to bee allowed for buyinge and furnishing them with swipples 

 and flailebandes. Twelve sheaves of corne make a stooke, of 

 what graine soever it bee that is bownde up in sheaves ; and 

 hkewise twelve sheaves, layd on the floore and threshed, goe to 

 a stooke of strawe ; and two stookes, or twenty-fower sheaves, 

 make a threave of strawe. Wheate strawe and rye strawe are 

 usually both att a rate, and have formerly beene solde for 2^/. a 

 stooke, afterwards they weare raised to 'M. the stooke, and are 

 nowe usually solde for 4f/. the stooke, or 8f/. the threave ; 

 and wheate and rye strawe hath beene solde att Yorke, in a 

 scarce and deare yeare, for five groates a threave. Haver 

 strawe likewise, and barley strawe are (for the most parte) both 

 of a price, and have formerly beene solde for one pennie a 

 stooke, but since have beene raysed to three halfe pence a stooke, 

 or "M. the threave, and sometimes, in an harde winter when fo- 

 ther is scarce, husbandmen will not sell theire haver and barley 

 strawe under M. a threave. It is the use w\i\\ most husband- 

 men (when barley strawe is shorte and noe way fitte for thatch) 

 to thro we the same out of doores, that theire swine and goodes 

 aboute the yarde may worke amongst it, and have the benefitt 

 thereof, and then afterwards will they give leave to poore folkes 

 to rake of the uppermost and best of the strawe which is 

 throwne out, and soe sell it unto them by the bottle for bruinge, 

 bakinge, or wallinge ; the usuall price is 4f/. the bottle, and the 

 buyer is to carry away as much as hee canne. Rye strawe is 

 accounted the best for beddinge of horses, and wheate strawe 

 the best for beddinge of swine, because they will worke amongst 

 it, and not leave soe much as a knotte in that kinde of strawe. 

 Barley strawe is accounted the best for oxen that drawe, be- 

 cause it is fownde hearty, and not altogeather soe faint as haver 

 strawe. Haver strawe is accounted the best for kyne, because 

 that barley strawe is sayd to drye them of theire milke : haver 

 strawe is likewise accounted the best for gelt beasts, which are 

 kept att the stande-heckes and neaver worke ; the reason is be- 

 cause they take the best likinge to this kinde of strawe. 

 Wheate strawe, rye strawe, and pease strawe are alsoe given to 

 gelt beasts, in time of neede when other strawe is wantinge, 

 yett pease strawe is sayd to loosen theire teeth in theire head, 

 and wheate and rye strawe to bee steare, and very troublesome 



