In connection with the Black Death it is noteworthy how frequent famines were in the earlier part of the fourteenth century and how food sales were regulated; the rules of the Court Leet in the sixteenth century would, no doubt, be in practice at this earlier period in some parts of England.
A good instance of fourteenth century naval warfare, the French make no use of mobility but make conditions as near as possible to land fighting; the English, however, use advantage of wind and are already carrying heavier artillery than their opponents, an English naval characteristic later.
Lancaster was cousin to Edward II, and his rival for power; in 1314 he practically controlled the kingdom, but provoked the envy of Pembroke and was captured at Boroughbridge in 1322 and executed. This period of great royal princes rivalling the king, culminates in the usurpation of Henry IV and the Wars of the Roses. The extract gives a vivid picture of the various ranks in the household of such a lord. It may be used to compare values and prices in this century with those of the thirteenth century (see _London Records_) and with fifteenth century wages.
(Stow, _Survey of London_, Book I, p. 96)
The Mint is the Office and Place where the King’s Coin is made, be it Gold or Silver Which is at present, and for a long Time hath been kept, in the Tower of London.
(1) The Warden, who is the Chief: and by his Office is to receive the Silver from the Goldsmiths, and to pay them for it....
(2) The Master Worker, who receiveth the Silver from the Warden, causeth it to be melted; and delivers it to the Moniers, and takes it from them again when it is made.
(4) The Master of the Assay, who weigheth the Silver, and seeth whether it be according to the Standard.
(6) The Surveyor of the Melting; who is to see the Silver cast out.
(7) The Clerk of the Irons; who seeth that the Irons be clean and fit to work with.
(8) The Engraver, which graveth the Stamps for the Money.
(9) The Smiter of Irons, who after they are graven, smiteth them upon the Money.
(10) The Melters, that melt the Bullion before it comes to the Coining.
(11) The Blanchers who do anneal, boil and cleanse the Money.
(14) The Moniers, who are some to sheer the Money, some to forge it; some to beat it broad, some to round it and some to stamp or coin it.