It is difficult to compare the prices in Devon and Cornwall with the rest of the counties because the size of the bushel varied in Cornwall and was often twice as great as that used elsewhere; in Devon also the Winchester measures were not always used.
[169] The commission is dated Oct. 21, 1573: it attributes the high prices to the greediness of corn-dealers who secretly export abroad, and it empowers commissioners to order farmers to bring to market such portions of grain as they prescribe, and to sell the same at reasonable prices. They were also to advertise the Council of their difficulties, to the intent the Council might assist them. D. S. P. Vol. 92, No. 41. The rough draft of the Commission is amended in Cecil's handwriting. D. S. P. Vol. 92, No. 40.
[170] On April 29th, 1586, these letters were sent to the maritime counties. On May 7th to eight of the home counties, and on May 22nd to seventeen other counties and to Wales. Privy Council Register, Vol. XIV. pp. 79, 98 and 119.
[171] Ib., p. 91, 6th May, 1586.
[172] See below.
[173] Privy Council Register, Vol. XIV. p. 93, 6 May, 1586. The difficulty in the cloth trade was connected with the concessions granted to the Merchant Adventurers. Their privileges forced the English manufacturer to sell cloth to them only. When there was a slackness in trade these concessions were always questioned or annulled. In December, 1586, the Company say they will raise a stock and buy more cloths than they can at present sell so that the workfolk of Somerset and Wilts can be employed. If this fails they consent that the trade shall be thrown open. This was apparently afterwards done, but difficulties were still thrown in the way of the "Merchant strangers." Privy Council Register, p. 237, Sept. 1587. The Earl of Leicester wrote both to Walsingham and Burleigh on the subject. In his letter to Walsingham he says the towns of the West, Bristol and Hampton, are falling into decay, and there is an "exstraeme cry and compleynt of ye poore for lack of work such as have bin sett on work heretofore by clothiers." The cause, the clothiers say, is because they "can not have reasonable price nor utterance for their cloth in London." He says that "sondry of the most hablest ... are worthie great favor and thanks for they to ther great loss kepe more now on than ever they did for the poor's sake." Dom. State Papers, Queen Eliz., Vol. 200, Nos. 5 and 10.
[174] Lansdowne MSS., Nos. 48, 51.
[175] Ib., Vol. 48, No. 52.
[176] Ib. See Appendix.
[177] The Council appear to have held a meeting on the last day of the year 1586 expressly to sign these orders. Cal. of State Papers, Dec. 31st, 1586.