CONTENTS

[PART I: 1000-1485]
SECTION I
[THE EARLY ENGLISH MANOR AND BOROUGH]

1.[Rights and Duties of All Persons] (Rectitudines singularum personarum), c. 1000[5]
2.[The form of the Domesday Inquest], 1086[9]
3.[The borough of Dover], 1086[10]
4.[The borough of Norwich], 1086[11]
5.[The borough of Wallingford], 1086[13]
6.[The customs of Berkshire], 1086[15]
7.[Land of the Church of Worcester], 1086[15]
8.[The manor of Rockland], 1086[16]
9.[The manor of Halesowen], 1086[16]
10.[The manor of Havering], 1086[17]

SECTION II
[THE FEUDAL STRUCTURE]

1.[Frankalmoin], temp. Henry II[22]
2.[Knight Service], 1308[23]
3.[Grand Serjeanty], 1319[24]
4.[Petty Serjeanty], 1329[25]
5.[An action on the feudal incidents due from lands held by petty serjeanty], 1239-40[25]
6.[Free socage], 1342[26]
7.[Commutation of a serjeanty for knight service], 1254[27]
8.[Commutation of service for rent], 1269[27]
9.[Subinfeudation], 1278[28]
10.[Licence for the widow of a tenant in chief to marry], 1316[29]
11.[Marriage of a widow without licence], 1338[30]
12.[Alienation of land by a tenant in chief without licence], 1273[30]
13.[Wardship and marriage], 1179-80[30]
14.[Grant of an heir's marriage], 1320[31]
15.[Wardship], 1337[31]
16.[Collection of a carucage], 1198[32]
17.[An acquittance of the collectors of scutage of a sum of £10 levied by them and repaid], 1319[33]
18.[Payment of fines in lieu of knight service], 1303[34]
19.[The assessment of a tallage], 1314[35]
20.[A writ Precipe], c. 1200[36]
21.[Articles of enquiry touching rights and liberties and the state of the realm], 1274[36]
22.[Wreck of sea], 1337[40]

SECTION III
[THE JEWS]

1.[Charter of liberties to the Jews], 1201[44]
2.[Ordinances of 1253][45]
3.[Expulsion of a Jew], 1253[46]
4.[Punishment for non-residence in a Jewry], 1270[47]
5.[Grant of a Jew], 1271[47]
6.[Ordinances of 1271][48]
7.[Removal of Jewish communities from certain towns to others], 1275[50]
8.[Disposition of debts due to Jews after their expulsion], 1290[50]

SECTION IV
[THE MANOR]

1.[Extent of the manor of Havering, 1306-7][56]
2.[Extracts from the Court Rolls of the manor of Bradford,1349-58][65]
3.[Deed illustrating the distribution of strips, 1397][76]
4.[Regulation of the common fields of Wimeswould], c. 1425[76]
5.[Lease of a manor to the tenants, 1279][79]
6.[Grant of a manor to the customary tenants at fee farm], ante 1272[81]
7.[Lease of manorial holdings, 1332][82]
8.[An agreement between lord and tenants, 1386][84]
9.[Complaints against a reeve, 1278][84]
10.[An eviction from copyhold land], temp. Henry IV.-Henry VI[85]
11.[Statute of Merton, 1235-6][87]
12.[An enclosure allowed, 1236-7][88]
13.[An enclosure disallowed, 1236-7][89]
14.[A villein on ancient demesne dismissed to his lord's court, 1224][89]
15.[Claim to be on ancient demesne defeated, 1237-8 ][90]
16.[The little writ of right, 1390][91]
17.[Villeinage established, 1225][92]
18.[Freedom and freehold established, 1236-7][93]
19.[A villein pleads villeinage on one occasion and denies it on another], 1220[93]
20.[An assize allowed to a villein, 1225][95]
21.[A freeman holding in villeinage, 1228][96]
22.[Land held by charter recovered from the lord, 1227][97]
23.[The manumission of a villein, 1334][97]
24.[Grant of a bondman, 1358][98]
25.[Imprisonment of a gentleman claimed as a bondman, 1447][98]
26.[Claim to a villein], temp. Henry IV-Henry VI[100]
27.[The effect of the Black Death, 1350][102]
28.[Accounts of the Iron Works of South Frith before and after the Black Death, 1345-50][103]
29.[The Peasants' Revolt, 1381][105]

SECTION V
[TOWNS AND GILDS]

1.[Payments made to the Crown by gilds in the twelfth century], 1179-80[114]
2.[Charter of liberties to the borough of Tewkesbury], 1314[116]
3.[Charter of liberties to the borough of Gloucester], 1227[119]
4.[Dispute between towns touching the payment of toll], 1222[121]
5.[Dispute with a lord touching a gild merchant], 1223-4[123]
6.[The affiliation of boroughs], 1227[124]
7.[Bondman received in a borough], 1237-8[125]
8.[An inter-municipal agreement in respect of toll], 1239[126]
9.[Enforcement of charter granting freedom from toll], 1416[126]
10.[Licence for an alien to be of the Gild Merchant of London],1252[127]
11.[Dispute between a gild merchant and an abbot], 1304[128]
12.[Complaints of the men of Leicester against the lord], 1322[131]
13.[Grant of pavage to the lord of a town], 1328[133]
14.[Misappropriation of the tolls levied for pavage], 1336[135]
15.[Ordinances of the White Tawyers of London], 1346[136]
16.[Dispute between Masters and Journeymen], 1396[138]
17.[Ordinances of the Dyers of Bristol], 1407[141]
18.[Incorporation of the Haberdashers of London], 1448[144]
19.[Indenture of Apprenticeship], 1459[147]
20.[A runaway apprentice], c. 1425[148]
21. [Incorporation of a gild for religious and charitable uses], 1447 [148]

SECTION VI
[THE REGULATION OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, AND COMMERCE]

1.[Assize of Measures], 1197[154]
2.[Grant to the lord of a manor of the assize of bread and ale and other liberties], 1307[155]
3.[An offence against the assize of bread], 1316[156]
4.[Inquisition touching a proposed market and fair], 1252[157]
5.[Grant of a fair at St. Ives to the abbot of Ramsey], 1202[158]
6.[Grant of a market at St. Ives to the abbot of Ramsey], 1293[158]
7.[Proceedings in the court at the fair of St. Ives], 1288[159]
8.[The Statute of Winchester], 1285[160]
9.[The recovery of debt on a recognisance], 1293[161]
10.[Procedure at a fair pursuant to the Statute for Merchants], 1287[162]
11.[The aulnage of cloth], 1291[163]
12.[The Ordinance of Labourers], 1349[164]
13.[Presentments made before the Justices of Labourers], 1351[167]
14.[Excessive prices charged by craftsmen], 1354[169]
15.[Fines levied for excessive wages], 1351[169]
16.[Writ to enforce payment of excess of wages to the collectors of a subsidy], 1350[170]
17.[Application of fines for excessive wages to a subsidy], 1351-2[171]
18.[Labour Legislation: the Statute of 12 Richard II], 1388[171]
19.[Labour Legislation: a Bill in Parliament, 23 Henry VI], 1444-5[176]
20.[Organisation of the Staple], 1313[178]
21.[Arguments for the establishment of home staple towns], 1319[180]
22.[Ordinances of the Staple], 1326[181]
23.[The election of the mayor and constables of a Staple town], 1358[184]
24.[Royal letters patent over-ruled by the custom of the Staple], c. 1436[185]
25.[Prohibition of export of materials for making cloth], 1326[186]
26.[Commercial policy], temp. Edward IV[187]
27.[The perils of foreign travel], 1315[188]
28.[Grant of letters of marque and reprisals], 1447[190]
29.[Grant of liberties to the merchants of Douai], 1260[192]
30.[Aliens at a fair], 1270[193]
31.[Confirmation of liberties to the merchants of Almain], 1280[194]
32.[Alien weavers in London], 1362[195]
33.[The hosting of aliens], 1442[197]
34.[An offence against Stat. 18 Henry VI for the hosting of aliens], 1440[198]
35.[Imprisonment of an alien craftsman], c. 1440[199]
36.[Petition against usury], 1376[200]
37.[Action upon usury], c. 1480[201]

SECTION VII
[TAXATION, CUSTOMS AND CURRENCY]

1.[Form of the taxation of a fifteenth and tenth], 1336[204]
2.[Disposition of a subsidy of tonnage and poundage], 1382[206]
3.[The king's prise of wines], 1320[206]
4.[The custom on wool], 1275[207]
5.[The custom on wine], 1302[208]
6.[The custom on general imports], 1303[211]
7.[Administration of the search for money exported], 1303[216]
8.[Provisions for the currency], 1335[217]
9.[Opinions on the state of English money], 1381-2[220]

[PART II: 1485-1660]
SECTION I
[RURAL CONDITIONS]

1.[Villeinage in the Reign of Elizabeth], 1561[231]
2.[Customs of the Manor of High Furness], 1576[232]
3.[Petition in Chancery for Restoration to a Copyhold], c.1550[234]
4.[Petition in Chancery for Protection against Breach of Manorial Customs], 1568[241]
5.[Lease of the manor of Ablode to a Farmer], 1516[245]
6.[Lease of the Manor of South Newton to a Farmer], 1568[246]
7.[The Agrarian Programme of the Pilgrimage of Grace], 1536[247]
8.[The Demands of the Rebels led by Ket], 1549[247]
9.[Petition to Court of Requests from Tenants Ruined by Transference of a Monastic Estate to lay hands], 1553[251]
10.[Petition to Court of Requests to stay Proceedings against Tenants Pending the Hearing of their Case by the Council of the North], 1576[254]
11.[Petition from Freeholders of Wootton Bassett for Restoration of Rights of Common], temp. Charles I[255]
12.[Petition to Crown of Copyholders of North Wheatley], 1629[258]
13.[An Act Avoiding Pulling Down of Towns], 1515[260]
14.[The Commission of Enquiry Touching Enclosures], 1517[262]
15.[An Act Concerning Farms and Sheep], 1533[264]
16.[Intervention of Privy Council under Somerset to Protect Tenants], 1549[266]
17.[An Act for the Maintenance of Husbandry and Tillage], 1597[268]
18.[Speech in House of Commons on Enclosures], 1597[270]
19.[Speeches in House of Commons on Enclosures], 1601[274]
20.[Return to Privy Council of Enclosers furnished by Justices of Lincolnshire], 1637[275]
21.[Complaint of Laud's Action on the Commission for Depopulation], 1641[276]

SECTION II
[TOWNS AND GILDS]

1. [A Protest at Coventry against a Gild's Exclusiveness], 1495[282]
2. [A Complaint from Coventry as to Inter-Municipal Tariffs], 1498[282]
3.[The Municipal Regulation of Wages at Norwich], 1518[282]
4.[The Municipal Regulation of Markets at Coventry], 1520[283]
5. [The Municipal Regulation of Wages at Coventry], 1524[284]
6. [An Act for Avoiding of Exactions taken upon Apprentices in Cities, Boroughs, and Towns Corporate], 1536[284]
7.[An Act whereby certain Chantries, Colleges, Free Chapels and the Possessions of the same be given to the King's Majesty], 1547[286]
8. [Regrant to Coventry and Lynn of Gild Lands Confiscated under 1 Edward VI], c. xiv (the preceding Act), 1548[291]
9. [A Petition of the Bakers of Rye to the Mayor, Jurats, and Council to prevent the Brewers taking their trade], 1575[294]
10. [Letter to Lord Cobham from the Mayor and Jurats of Rye concerning the Preceding Petition], 1575[295]
11.[ The Municipal Regulation of the Entry into Trade at Nottingham], 1578-9[295]
12. [The Municipal Regulation of Markets at Southampton], 1587[296]
13.[The Municipal Regulation of Wages at Chester], 1591[296]
14.[The Company of Journeymen Weavers of Gloucester], 1602[297]
15. [Petition of Weavers who are not Burgesses], 1604-5
[299]
16. [Extracts from the London Clothworkers' Court Book], 1537-1627[300]
17.[The Feltmakers Joint-Stock Project], 1611[302]
18.[The Case of the Tailors of Ipswich], 1615[305]
19.[The Grievances of the Journeymen Weavers of London], c. 1649[307]

SECTION III
[THE REGULATION OF INDUSTRY BY THE STATE]

1.[Proposals for the Regulation of the Cloth Manufacture ](temp. Henry VIII)[317]
2.[Administrative Difficulties in the Regulation of the Manufacture of Cloth], 1537[319]
3.[An Act Touching Weavers], 1555[320]
4.[Enactment of Common Council of London as to Age of Ending Apprenticeship], 1556[323]
5.[William Cecil's Industrial Programme], 1559[323]
6.[ The Statute of Artificers], 1563[325]
7.[Proposals for the Better Administration of the Statute of Artificers], 1572[333]
8.[Draft of a Bill Fixing Minimum Rates for Spinners and Weavers], 1593[336]
9.[Draft Piece-list Submitted for Ratification to the Wiltshire Justices by Clothiers and Weavers], 1602[341]
10.[ An Act empowering Justices to fix Minimum Rates of Payment], 1603-04[342]
11.[Administration of Acts Regulating the Manufacture of Cloth], 1603[344]
12.[Assessment made by the Justices of Wiltshire, dealing mainly with other than Textile Workers], 1604[345]
13.[Assessment made by the Justices of Wiltshire, dealing mainly with Textile Workers], 1605[351]
14.[Administration of Wage Clauses of Statute of Artificers], 1605-08[352]
15.[Administration of Apprenticeship Clauses of the Statute of Artificers], 1607-08[353]
16.[The Organisation of the Woollen Industry], 1615[354]
17.[Proceedings on the Apprenticeship Clauses of the Statute of Artificers], 1615[356]
18.[A Petition to Fix Wages Addressed to the Justices by the Textile Workers of Wiltshire], 1623[356]
19.[Appointment by Privy Council of Commissioners to Investigate Grievances of Textile Workers in East Anglia], 1630[357]
20.[Report to Privy Council of Commissioners appointed above], 1630[358]
21.[High Wages in the New World], 1645[360]
22.[Young Men and Maids ordered to enter Service], 1655[360]
23.[Request to Justices of Grand Jury of Worcestershire to assess Wages], 1661[361]
24.[Proceedings on the Apprenticeship Clauses of the Statute of Artificers], 1669[361]

SECTION IV
[THE RELIEF OF THE POOR AND THE REGULATION OF PRICES]

1.[Regulations made at Chester as to Beggars], 1539[366]
2.[A Proclamation concerning Corn and Grain to be brought into open Markets to be sold], 1545[367]
3.[Administration of Poor Relief at Norwich], 1571[369]
4.[The first Act Directing the Levy of a Compulsory Poor Rate], 1572[372]
5.[The first Act requiring the Unemployed to be set to Work], 1575-6[373]
6.[Report of Justices to Council Concerning Scarcity in Norfolk], 1586[373]
7.[Orders devised by the Special Commandment of the Queen's Majesty for the Relief and Ease of the Present Dearth of Grain within the Realm], 1586[374]
8.[The Poor Law Act], 1601[380]
9.[A note of the Grievances of the Parish of Eldersfield], 1618[381]
10.[Petition to Justices of Wiltshire for Permission to Settle in a Parish], 1618[382]
11.[Letter from Privy Council to Justices of Cloth-making Counties], 1621-2[382]
12.[Letter from Privy Council to the Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace in the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the Employment of the Poor], 1629[383]
13.[The Licensing of Badgers in Somersetshire], 1630[385]
14.[Badgers Licensed at Somersetshire Quarter Sessions], 1630[385]
15.[The Supplying of Bristol with Grain], 1630-1[385]
16.[Proceedings against Engrossers and other Offenders], 1631[386]
17.[Order of Somersetshire Justices Granting a Settlement to a Labourer], 1630-1[386]
18.[Report of Derbyshire Justices on their Proceedings], 1631[387]
19.[Letter from Privy Council to Justices of Rutlandshire], 1631[390]
20.[Judgment in the Star Chamber against an Engrosser of Corn], 1631[391]

SECTION V
[THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE]

1.[Letters Patent granted to the Cabots by Henry VII], 1496[400]
2.[The Merchant Adventurers' Case for Allowing the Export of Undressed Cloth], 1514-36[402]
3.[The Rise in Prices, the Encouragement of Corn growing, and the Protection of Manufactures], c. 1549[404]
4.[Sir Thomas Gresham on the Fall of the Exchanges], 1558[416]
5.[The reasons why Bullion is Exported] (temp. Eliz.)[419]
6.[The Italian Merchants Explain the Foreign Exchanges], 1576[420]
7.[An Act Avoiding divers Foreign Wares made by Handicraftsmen Beyond the Seas], 1562[424]
8.[An Act Touching Cloth Workers and Cloth Ready Wrought to be Shipped over the Sea], 1566[426]
9.[Incorporation of a Joint Stock Mining Company], 1568[427]
10.[An Act for the Increase of Tillage], 1571[428]
11.[Instructions for an English Factor in Turkey], 1582[431]
12. [The Advantages of Colonies], 1583[434]
13.[Lord Burghley to Sir Christopher Hatton on the State of Trade], 1587[438]
14.[A List of Patents and Monopolies], 1603[440]
15.[Instructions Touching the Bill for Free Trade], 1604[443]
16.[The Establishment of a Company to export Dyed and Dressed Cloth in place of the Merchant Adventurers], 1616-17[454]
17.[Sir Julius Cæsar's proposals for Reviving the Trade in Cloths], 1616[460]
18.[The Grant of a Monopoly for the Manufacture of Soap], 1623[461]
19.[The Statute of Monopolies], 1623-4[465]
20.[An Act for the Free Trade of Welsh Cloths], 1623-4[468]
21.[The Economic Policy of Strafford in Ireland], 1636[470]
22.[Revocation of Commissions, Patents and Monopolies Granted by the Crown], 1639[472]
23.[Ordinance establishing an Excise], 1643[475]

[PART III: 1660-1846]
SECTION I
[INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS]

1.[Defoe's account of the West Riding Cloth Industry], 1724[482]
2.[Defoe's account of the Woollen Trade] (temp. George II)[483]
3.[Defoe's account of the Corn Trade] (temp. George II)[487]
4.[Defoe's account of the Coal Trade] (temp. George II)[491]
5.[A description of Middlemen in the Woollen Industry], 1739[492]
6.[Report on the Condition of Children in Lancashire Cotton Factories], 1796[495]
7.[Newcastle Coal Vend], 1771-1830[497]
8.[The Old Apprenticeship System in the Woollen Industry], 1806[499]
9.[A Petition of Cotton Weavers], 1807[500]
10.[Depression of Wages and its Causes in the Cotton Industry], 1812[501]
11.[Evidence of the Condition of Children in Factories], 1816[502]
12.[Change in the Cotton Industry and the Introduction of Power Loom Weaving], 1785-1807[505]
13.[Evidence by Factory Workers of the Condition of Children], 1832[510]
14.[Women's and Children's Labour in Mines], 1842[516]
15.[Description of the Condition of Manchester by John Robertson, Surgeon], 1840[519]

SECTION II
[AGRICULTURE AND ENCLOSURE]

1.[Enclosure Proceedings in the Court of Chancery], 1671[525]
2.[Advice to the Stewards of Estates], 1731[526]
3.[Procedure for Enclosure by Private Act], 1766[528]
4.[Farming in Norfolk], 1771[530]
5.[A Petition against Enclosure], 1797[531]
6.[Extracts on Enclosure from the Surveys of the Board of Agriculture], 1798-1809[532]
7.[Arthur Young's Criticism of Enclosure], 1801[536]
8.[Enclosure Consolidating Act], 1801[537]
9.[General Enclosure Act], 1845[541]

SECTION III
[GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF WAGES, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, AND PUBLIC HEALTH]

1.[An Act against Truck], 1701[545]
2.[A Wages Assessment at a Warwickshire Quarter Sessions], 1738[546]
3.[Spitalfields Weavers Act], 1773[547]
4.[A Middlesex Wages Assessment under the Spitalfields Act], 1773[551]
5.[Agricultural Labourers' Proposals for a Sliding Scale of Wages], 1795[552]
6.[Debates on Whitbread's Minimum Wage Bill], 1795-6[554]
7.[Arbitration Act for the Cotton Industry], 1800[568]
8.[Amendment of the Arbitration Act], 1804[570]
9.[The First Factory Act], 1802[571]
9A.[ Minutes of Committee on Children in Factories][573]
10.[Calico Printers' Petition for Regulation], 1804[573]
11.[Report on Calico Printers' Petition], 1806[574]
12.[Cotton Weavers' Petition against the Repeal of 5 Elizabeth], c. 4, 1813[576]
13.[Debates on the Regulation of Apprentices], 1813-14[577]
14.[Resolutions of the Watchmakers on Apprenticeship], 1817[588]
15.[Report of the Committee on the Ribbon Weavers], 1818[590]
16.[The Cotton Factory Act of 1819][591]
17.[Oastler's First Letter on Yorkshire Slavery], 1830[592]
18.[Factory Act], 1833[594]
19.[Proposals for a Wages Board for Hand-Loom Weavers], 1834[596]
20.[Coal Mines Regulation Act], 1842[598]
21.[Debate on Factory Legislation], 1844[599]
22.[Factory Act], 1844[612]
23.[Recommendations of the Commission on the Health of Towns], 1845[614]

SECTION IV
[COMBINATIONS OF WORKMEN]

1.[A Strike of the Journeymen Feltmakers], 1696-99[619]
2.[A Petition of Master Tailors against Combination among the Journeymen], 1721[622]
3.[A Dispute in the Northumberland and Durham Coal Industry], 1765[625]
4.[Sickness and Unemployment Benefit Clubs among the Woolcombers], 1794[626]
5.[Combination Act], 1799[626]
6.[Combination Act], 1800[627]
7.[The Scottish Weavers' Strike], 1812[631]
8.[The Repeal of the Combination Acts], 1824[633]
9.[A Prosecution of Strikers under the Common Law of Conspiracy], 1810[635]
10.[An Act Revising the Law affecting Combinations], 1825[636]
11.[The Conviction of the Dorchester Labourers], 1834[638]
12.[An Address of the Working Men's Association to Queen Victoria], 1837[641]
13.[A Chartist Manifesto on the Sacred Month], 1839[642]
14.[The Rochdale Pioneers], 1844[643]

SECTION V
[THE RELIEF OF THE POOR]

1.[Settlement Law], 1662[647]
2.[Defoe's Pamphlet "Giving Alms no Charity"], 1704[649]
3.[The Workhouse Test Act], 1722[650]
4.[Gilbert's Act], 1782[652]
5.[Speenhamland "Act of Parliament"], 1795[655]
6.[The Workhouse System], 1797[657]
7.[Two Varieties of the Roundsman System of Relief], 1797[660]
8.[Another Example of the Roundsman System], 1808[660]
9.[A Report of the Poor Law Commission], 1834[661]
10.[The Poor Law Amendment Act], 1834[663]
11.[Outdoor Relief Prohibitory Order], 1844[664]

SECTION VI
[FINANCE AND FOREIGN TRADE]

1.[Act abolishing Tenure by Knight Service, etc.], 1660[670]
2.[Navigation Act], 1660[670]
3.[Proposals for Free Exportation of Gold and Silver], 1660[671]
4.[An Attack on the Navigation Act], c. 1663[672]
5.[Free Coinage at the Mint Proclaimed], 1666[674]
6.[The East India Company and the Interlopers], 1684[675]
7.[Foundation of the Bank of England], 1694[676]
8.[The Need for the Recoinage of 1696][677]
9.[Speech by Sir Robert Walpole on the Salt Duties], 1732[678]
10.[Pitt's Sinking Fund Act], 1786[679]
11.[The Suspension of Cash Payments], 1797[681]
12.[Pitt's Speech on the Income Tax], 1798[683]
13.[Foreign Trade in the early Nineteenth Century], 1812[689]
14.[Debate on the Corn Laws], 1815[692]
15.[The Corn Law of 1815][697]
16.[Free Trade Petition], 1820[698]
17.[The Foundation of the Anti-Corn-Law League], 1839[701]
18.[The Bank Charter Act], 1844[702]
19.[Debate on the Corn Laws], 1846[705]

PART I: 1000-1485