J. H.
P.S.—I would suggest that the names should be classed in the different periods of history, beginning with the Britons.
LICENSE TO MAKE MALT IN 1596.
Among the old family deeds relating to the manor of Wishanger, I find the following curious and interesting document. It affords evidence that in 1596 there was a dearth of corn which was general through the kingdom; that barley was then much used for bread; that there was a custom, either general, or occasioned by the scarcity, that the poor should be served in open market, at an accustomed hour; that one of the means relied upon to supply food to the people was to restrain the making of malt; and, therefore, that malt liquor must have been very generally consumed by our forefathers at that time.
The writing is in perfect preservation, and the ink jet black.
I give it in the original orthography, according to the literature of those easy times when every man spelled that that was right in his own eyes and the world was little troubled with dictionaries or critics.
JULIUS PARTRIGE.
Birmingham.
"Glour.—Wee, her Mats Justices of the Peace within this Countey, whose names are hereunder writen accordinge to the late orders publyshed by her Matie and the Lo. of her most honorable privye Counsell for and concerninge the dearth of corne and graine, and for the better effectinge whereof we have taken recognizance of all such as shall make any malte, what quantitye they shall make, and where they shall buy it, and when, and to sell the same soe by them converted into malte in the open markett next unto them adioining, and for that none can soe doe without he be thereunto especially licenssed by us and pesented by the Jury Have therefore licenssed and by these psents doe licensse the Bearer hereof Georg Fowler of Hibley to convert into Malte one quarter weekly and to buy the same Barley soe by him to be converted in the any the next Mkett Towne unto him adioininge and that one houre after the poor shall be served at the least. praying yose to whom it shall and may appertaine quietly to pmitt and suffer him soe to doe whout anye of yor lette interupcion or molestation the said Georg Fowler comitinge nothing to the hdance of our last orders only (these[2]) psnts in execution.
"In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names the fourthe of December in the nine and thirtiethe year of the raigne of our Sovraigne lady Elizabethe by the grace of God of England Fraunce and Ireland Queene Defender of the ffaith A.D. 1596.