[206] Froissart, Buchon, ii., 758.
[207] “Paston Letters,” 1901, Introd., p. clxxvi.; cf. for example, Thorold Rogers’ “Hist. of Ag. and Prices,” ii., 608. “Megge, the daughter of John, son of Utting,” pays only 1s. for her marriage; but “Alice’s daughter” pays 6s. 8d.; and so on to “Will, the son of John,” and “Roger, the Reeve,” who each pay 20s. That is, it was possible for the lord of the manor to squeeze £20 in modern money out of a single peasant marriage.
[208] Sarradin, “Deschamps,” p. 256.
[209] Riley, p. 379. It must, however, be remembered that the ordinary rate of interest then was twenty per cent. Thus Robert de Brynkeleye receives the wardship of Thomas atte Boure, who had a patrimony of £300 (14th-century standard). With this Robert trades, paying his twenty per cent. for the use of it, so that he has to account for £1080 at the heir’s majority. Of this he takes £120 for keep and out-of-pocket expenses, and £390 for his trouble, so that the ward receives £570. The Royal Household Ordinances of Edward II.’s reign provide for the maintenance of wards until “they have their lands, or the king have given or sold them.”—“Life Records,” ii., p. 19.
[210] Ste-Palaye, loc. cit., i., 64 ff.; ii., 90. This rule of age, like all others, had, however, been broken from the first. As early as 1060, Geoffrey of Anjou knighted his nephew Fulk at the age of 17; and such incidents are common in epics. Princes of the blood were knighted in their cradles.
[211] Walsingham, ann. 1307, 1381; “Eulog. Hist.,” iii., 189, 389. The woman avoided the battle only by withdrawing her accusation.
[212] Gower, “Mirour,” 17521.
[213] “Prediche Volgari,” ii., 115, and iii., 176.
[214] I quote from the 15th-century English translation published by the E.E.T.S. (pp. 25, 27, 81; cf. 23, 95; the square bracket is transferred from p. 23). Between 1484 and 1538 there were at least eight editions printed in French, English, and German.
[215] Rashdall, “Universities of Europe,” ii., 599.