Newcastle-on-Tyne municipal records contain many references to presents of sugar loaves. There are for example gifts to noblemen who called at the town on their way to Scotland. In January 1593, we find particulars of 23s. 7d. for sugar and wine "sent in a present to my L. Ambassador as he came travling through this towne to Scotland called my L. Souch."
"Paide for 2 gallons of secke 2 gallons and a quarte of clared wine 11s. 3d.
A sugar loaf weis 8 lb. and a quarter at 18d. per pound 12s. 4d."
A little later the Earl of Essex was bound for Scotland and received a present at the hands of the local authorities. The town accounts state:
"Sept. 1594.--Paide for four sugar loaves weide 27-3/4 lbs. 41s. 8d.
4 gallons secke 10s. 8d. -------- Soma 63s. 4d."
In the following month the Earl of Essex, in company of my Lord Wharton, returned from North Britain and received sugar and wine costing the town £4 14s. 10d. The details of the amount are as under:--
"Oct. 1594.--Paide for 3 sugar loves weide 30-1/4 lb. 18d. per lb. £2 5s. 10d.
The Bishop of Durham was not overlooked. In February, 1596, we find an entry as follows:--
"Paide for 4 pottles secke and 2 quarte, for 3 pottles of white wine, and 4 pottles and a quarte of clared wine for a present to the bishop of Dorum 17s. 6d.
Paide for 11 lb. of suger which went with the wine 18d. per pounde 16s. 6d."
"Mr. Maiore and his brethren" enjoyed sugar and sundry pottles of wine.
It is satisfactory to find that the ladies were not neglected at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Here is an entry referring to the entertainment of the Mayoress and other ladies:--
"April, 1595.--Paide for secke, suger, clared wine, and caikes, to Mrs. Maris, and other gentlewomen, in Mr. Baxter, his chamber 6s. 8d."
In the same month is an entry far different in character. It is a charge of 4d. for leading a scolding woman through the town wearing the brank. Payments for inflicting punishment on men and women frequently occur.
The accounts of the borough of St. Ives, Cornwall, contain an item as follows:--
"1640.--Payde Nicholas Prigge for two loaves of sugar, which were presented to Mr. Recorder £1 10s. 0d."
The records of the city of Winchester include particulars of many presents of sugar loaves and other gifts. On March 24th, 1592, it was decided at a meeting of the municipal authorities to present the Lord Marquis of Winchester with a sugar loaf weighing five pounds, and a gallon of sack, on his coming to the Lent Assizes. The accounts of the city at this period contain entries of payments for sugar loaves given to the Recorder for a New Year's present, and for pottles of wine bestowed on distinguished visitors.