Shakespeare's environment

by C. C. Stopes

For Silvered Boults, rings, and hooks for curbes and esses, vli.

For 3 snaffles, hatchte, and gilte at xiiis. iiiid. a piece, xls.

“The Accompt of Lord Compton”—Exchequer 436 (1), 20-21 James I—gives a long list, among which are the items—

Three bottell byttes without bosses at vis. a piece, xviiis.

For trymming & moutheing 22 byttes for Coursers at iiis., iiili. [sic].

In 1624 there is a little variety in Lord Compton’s bill—Exchequer Q.R. 436 (2):

To John Shakespeare for 8 Bittes for the horses of the crimson carroche [“For the Queen of Bohemia” is the marginal reference] at xvs. a bitte, vili.

To John Shakespeare for 6 bittes with chased and gilt bosses at xxs. a piece, vili.

For a dozen of Snaffles, xxs.

To John Shakespeare for 2 gilt and silvered bitts for the said sadles, vli.