FOURTEENTH CENTURY PRICES

(Stow I, p. 243)

HOUSEHOLD OF THOMAS, EARL OF LANCASTER

One whole year’s expenses. Seventh of Edward II

£s.d.
Amounting to795713
To wit:
In the Pantry, Buttery and Kitchen3405--
For 184 Tons, one Pipe of Red or Claret Wine and one Ton of White Wine, bought for the House104176
For Grocery Ware18017-
For six Barrels of Sturgeon19--
For 6800 Stockfishes, so called, and for dried Fishes of all sorts, as Lings, Haberdines and other4167
For 1714 Pound of Wax, with Vermilion and Turpentine to make Red Wax31474
For 2319 Pounds of Tallow Candles, for the Household, and 1870 of Lights for Paris Candles, called Perchers31143
Expenses on the Earl’s great Horses, and the Keeper’s Wages18643ob.
Linnen Cloth for the Lord and his Chaplains, and for the Pantry4317-
For 129 Doz. of Parchment, with Ink483
Sum£1230177ob.
Item:
For2Cloths of Scarlet for the Earl against Christmas.
1Cloth of Russet for the Bishop of Anjou.
70Cloths of Blue for the Knights (as they were then termed).
15Cloths of Medley for the Lord’s Clerks.
28Cloths for the Esquires.
15Cloths for Officers.
19Cloths for Grooms
5Cloths for Archers.
4Cloths for Minstrels and Carpenters, with the Sharing and Carriage for the Earl’s Liveries at Christmas£46013
Item:
For7Furs of variable Minever [or powdered Ermin]
7Hoods of Purple
395Furs of Budge, for the Liveries of Barons, Knights and Clerks
123Furs of Lambs for Esquires, bought at Christmas£147178
Item:
65Cloths Saffron Colour, for the Barons and Knights in summer.
12Red Cloths mixt for Clerks
26Cloths Ray for Esquires £ s. d.
1Cloth Ray for Officers’ Coats in Summer and
4Cloths Ray for carpets in the Hall£345138
Item:
100Pieces of Green Silk for the Knights
14Budge Furs for Surceats
13Hoods of Budge for Clerks, and
75Furs of Lambs for the Lord’s Liveries in summer, with Canvas and cords to truss them£7219-
Item:
Saddles for the Lord’s Liveries in summer£5168
Item:
For one Saddle for the Earl of the Prince’s Arms£2--
Sum£1079183
Item:
For Things bought whereof nothing can be read in my Note£241141ob.
For Horses lost in the Service of the Earl£8668
Fees paid to Earls, Barons, Knights and Esquires£628156
In Gifts to Knights of France, the Queen of England’s Nurses, to the Countess of Warren, Esquires, Minstrels, Messengers and Riders£9214-
Item:
168Yards of Russet Cloth, and 24 Coats for Poor Men, with Money given to the Poor on Maunday Thursday£8167
Item:
24Silver Dishes, so many Sawcers, and so many Cups for the Buttery, one Pair of Paternosters, and one Silver Coffin, bought this Year£10356
To divers Messengers about the Earl’s business£34198
In the Earl’s Chamber£5--
To divers Men for the Earl’s old debts£8816-ob.
Sum£1207711
The Expenses of the Countess at Pickering for the Time of this Account, as in the Pantry, Buttery, Kitchen and other Places, concerning these offices£285134ob.
In Wine, Wax, Spices, Cleaths, Furs and other things for the Countess’s Wardrobe£15474ob.
Sum£43986q.
Summa Totalis for the Whole Expences£7957134ob.

Thus much for the Earl of Lancaster.

CHAPTER V
FIFTEENTH CENTURY LIFE