[74] More information can be derived from the roll of ‘Household expenses of the Bishop of Hereford,’ 1289-1290.
[75] See Ritson, Metrical Romances, vol. iii.
[76] Fleetwood (Chronicon Preciosum, 1707) states that ‘by the rains in harvest the dearth was such that wheat came to 30s. and 40s. the quarter. And good ale was at the gallon (per lagenam, from whence our flagon) 2d., the better sort 3d., the best 4d. So that a proclamation was fain to be issued out that a lagena of ale should be sold at 1d., and that no wheat should be malted (imbrasiatum).’
CHAPTER VIII.
PLANTAGENET PERIOD (continued).—EDWARD III. TO RICHARD III.
For a picture of the social life of the remainder of the fourteenth century, we turn of necessity to one who was the ornament of two of the most brilliant courts in the annals of England, viz. those of Edward III. and his successor, Richard II. We are for ever indebted to him for exquisite pictures of genuine English life and character in its infinite phases. And it may be here noticed, as bearing upon our subject, that this
Geoffrey Chaucer
was the son of a wine merchant; that by circumstance and ability he won for himself the patronage of Edward III.; that he was made controller of the customs of wine and wool in the port of London, and had a pitcher of wine daily from the royal table. Towards the close of the century he is supposed to have retired to pass the calm evening of his active life at Woodstock, where he is said to have composed his immortal Canterbury Tales.
The prologue, whether written by Chaucer or not, states that he was going to pass the night at the Tabarde Inn, in Southwark, previous to setting out on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas à Becket at Canterbury. A number of pilgrims, twenty-nine sundry folk, meet at this hostelry in good fellowship. There they sup together; after which ‘mine hoste’ proposes that they shall journey together to Canterbury; that, in order to beguile the way, each shall tell a tale to and fro, and whoever tells the best shall have a supper at the expense of the rest; of course at his hostelry. The company assent. ‘Mine hoste’ is appointed judge and reporter of the stories. The pilgrims, or characters composing the social party, are, to all intents, an inventory of English society as it existed at that day. We seem actually to see the daily life of each reflected in the marvellous mirror. Allusions to drink abound. Thus, in the prologue, he describes a Prioress, and her delicacy of manners at table, as becomes a gentlewoman:—