[185] The justices of Gloucestershire say that in their several allotments they have "visited the marketts, seen the poore relieved as we may, searched the barnes, storehouses and grenyers of farmers and others hable to furnishe the marketts with corne, and having consideration to theyr private families have in discretion appointed them a certeyne quantytie of certen kindes of graine to be by them brought weekelie to the markett accordinglie, and of such our appointments have kepte books in writinge and doe finde therapon, that as yet the said farmers and others doe fullfill our appointments in this behalfe without any disobedyence. And further according to the said your lettres we have sett downe several prices upon everie kinde of graine within the severall divisions of this Shire, as in respecte of the distaunce of the places and the present tyme of necessytie we have thought most convenyent, after which rate we will herafter in our several limitts have care to see the same solde as may be beste for the relief of our poore neighbours." Dom. State Papers, Queen Eliz., Vol. 189, 50.
[186] A letter was written from the Council to the justices of Notts stating that the greate quantitie of corne of one Freston "should be employed for relieving the necessitie of the shire." If he refuse to follow their directions they are to take the corn and cause a "quantitie to be solde at reasonable prices in the markettes adjoyning for the reliefe of the poore people."
[187] Egerton MSS. 2644, f. 55.
[188] Vol. 191, No. 12. See Appendix. In Bedfordshire the justices for the hundreds of Manshed, Flett and Redbornestoke state that "the farmers do sell to the poore labourers barley for xxd ye bushell and iis the most," and that have so "promysed to do untill August next." The ordinary price of barley as reported in the same document was 2s. 8d. the bushel. Vol. 200, No. 10. I.
[189] Vol. 190, 14.
[190] Vol. 198, 74.
[191] The appointment of overseers or collectors for the poor was first ordered by the statute of 1572. In Hemlingford they seem to have been two distinct offices.
[192] Vol. 198, No. 77. IV.
[193] In the orders themselves the justices are ordered to "use all other good meanes that ar not menconed in these orders that the marketts be well served and the pore releyved ... duringe this time of dearth." The letters sent with them stated that the orders were devised because of "Her Majestie's care for the releefe of the poore in this tyme of derthe." See note above. Many reports show that the orders were intended to help the poor. One from Kington, Warwickshire, is signed by the Sir Thomas Lucy of Shakespearian fame and by Richard Verney. The report is said to be sent "in the execution of the orders sett downe by the lords of her mats moste honorable privie councell for the desposinge of corne and graine in reliefe of the poore and furnishinge the marketts." Ib., Vol. 198, 77. I. See also Beds. justices report orders taken "for the staie of the dearthe of graine and the reliefe of the poore therof." D. S. P. Vol. 200, No. 10.
In Buckinghamshire overseers were appointed "to see in our absence all things dulye performed as well for the reliefe of the poorer sort as otherwise." Vol. 199, I. II. IV. V., &c.