[461] _D. S. P._, Chas. I., Vol. 187, 22; Vol. 189, 39. The High Sheriff of Suffolk states that "much good haue ensued."
[462] _Dom. S. P._, Chas. I., Vol. 187, 12.
But the strongest argument that on the whole these measures were beneficial is to be found in the fact that they were enforced throughout the country by the justices with very few protests. The justices would as a rule be landlords and generally corn owners; the regulations were against their interests, and, unless they had thought that they contributed to the public welfare, they would have complained more and performed less. When they thought a course objectionable they said so: many of them did not approve of a second search of the stocks of corn[463]; in several instances they said that the order to prevent millers from buying corn was not beneficial, because the millers sold in small quantities to the poor who did not come to market[464]. But the rest of the orders concerning corn were enforced nearly always without comment or with approval.
[463] _Ib._ Vol. 188, 92, Vol. 189, 12, 29.
[464] _Cal. of State Papers_, Jan. 27, 1623, _Dom. S. P._, Chas. I., Vol. 182, Nos. 2, 1 and 67.
[Sidenote: 3. Reasons for the adoption of the corn regulations.]
It is not difficult to see reasons for the success of such an organisation. Corn fluctuated violently in price because of the narrowness of the area from which the supplies came. Even with our own worldwide supply a corner in wheat has been attempted and for a time maintained. When little corn was imported into England, and even counties were largely self-supporting, farmers might easily raise the price by keeping back their corn from market[465].
[465] The following examples show that prices varied considerably in different parts of the country at the same date.
_Dom. S. P._, Chas. I. Price of bushel of wheat. Barley.
Cornwall, Feb. 5th, Vol. 184, 16 9_d._ a gall. or 6/- 5¼_d._ 3/6 for eight galls. for eight
Flint, Feb. 10, Vol. 184. 61 5/- a bushel 3/6 a bushel
Kingsbridge and Dodbrooke Devon, 8/- for 13 galls. 5/8 for 13 or 1630/1, Vol. 184, 3 or 4/11 for eight 3/7 for eight galls.
Edwinsey and Odsey, Feb. 18th 8/- a bushel 5/2 a bushel Vol. 185, 27
Appletree, Derby, Feb. 21st, 8/- do. 6/- do. Vol. 185, 41