iScto |9ork S>tatt CoIIegE of gfgrtcultute ^t Cornell ©rahersitp Stfiaca, M. |?. Cornell University Library S 600.B16 Records of the seasons, prices of agricu 3 1924 003 340 050 a Cornell University g Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003340050 RECORDS OF THE hmam^ '§xm^ oi %Qxunlinxnl '^xaHna, AND PHENOMENA OBSERVED IN THE BRITISH ISLES. RECORDS OF THE Seasons, Prices of JIgi^igultural Pi[Oduge, PHENOMENA OBSERVED THE BRITISH ISLES. Collected by T. H. BAKER, Fellow of the Meteorological Society » Eonton : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO., Stationers' Hall Court. Warminster: B. W. COAXES, "Journal" Office. B. W. Coaxes, Printer, "Journal" Office, Warminster. PREFACE. THJi:^>£ialku»iiiiiaHeeflafiaUi^ seasons, pnc@Syu,#$i4 dili^i; ERR A TA. On page 190, line 2-], for 1714, read 1741. „ „ 356, line I, last column, for July 6, read June 6. „ „ 328, line 2, y&r strong, r^a^/ stormy. „ „ 342, line I, for hailstones, read hailstorms. i> » 313, line 2, for barley, read lambs. Omissions: — 1881. Wool, 1^. per lb. 1882. Wool, i^y. per lb. ascertain whether any appreciable change had taken place within historical limits, or whether we were always liable to cycles of cold, wet, and ungenial seasons. The result of his researches is the follow- ing collection of facts, which have been extracted from old chronicles and other standard works ; the authority whence taken being added to each. And it appears to him that the English climate was always much the same as at present. Periods of famine have occurred at various times, invariably caused by wet and cold seasons. One of these PREFACE. The following record of seasons, prices, and other facts interesting to the agriculturist, and also to every observer of natural phenomena, was collected by the writer in the first place from notes which he had made on the principle of Captain Cuttle, whose advice was — " When found, make a note of" After the succession of adverse seasons which culminated in 1879, remarks were continually being made that our English climate had deteriorated, to a very great extent. This induced the writer to endeavour to ascertain whether any appreciable change had taken place within historical limits, or whether we were always liable to cycles of cold, wet, and ungenial seasons. The result of his researches is the follow- ing collection of facts, which have been extracted from old chronicles and other standard works ; the authority whence taken being added to each. And it appears to him that the English climate was always much the same as at present. Periods of famine have occurred at various times, invariably caused by wet and cold seasons. One of these vi Preface. lasted through nearly the whole of Edward II.'s reign, when, , for twenty years or more, incessant rains were noted to have fallen every summer, with only two or three exceptions ; and as we were then dependent on our home produce, the sufferings of the people from scarcity were unparalleled, and the death of cattle and sheep (no doubt from rot) was a national calamity. Fifty years later corn was dear for some years owing to the wet seasons, but this period seems to have been of a less severe character than the preceding one. Then followed a series of years generally fruitful, although occasionally some wet years intervene, yet we find no long period of dearth till 1542, when we have a continuation of rainy summers and bad crops of corn till the end of the century, with occasionally a more fruitful year than its neighbours ; the consequence of which seems to have been the conversion of arable land into pasture, which is specially noted by Hume. In 1692 commenced a series of extraordinarily bad seasons. They have been traditionally referred to as the barren years at the close of the seventeenth century. Again in 1773, Gilbert White remarks : "Such a run of wet seasons as we have had the last ten or eleven years would have produced a famine a century or two ago." Then another cycle of bad seasons commenced in 1792, and continued with few intermissions up to 18 17, since which the wet and dry years were pretty evenly balanced to 1875, then began the wet period through which we are now passing. Holinshed, who wrote in Preface. vii the 1 6th century, says, speaking of England: "The aire (for the most part) throughout the Hand is such as by reason in maner of continuall clouds, is reputed to be gross, and nothing so pleasant as that is of the maine. Nevertheless it is more inclined to feeding and grazing, than profitable for tillage and bearing of corne." Again : " Certes this fruitfulnesse was not unknown to the Britons long before Caesar's time, which was the cause wherefore our predecessors living in those days in maner neglected tillage, and lived by feeding and grazing onelie." Thus it will be seen that our climate, even from remote ages, was never considered so well adapted for the growth of corn as for the feeding and grazing of stock ; consequently it may be concluded that in general the atmosphere was humid, and dry seasons the exception rather than the rule. The writer had no idea that a somewhat similar collection of pheno- mena had been made till his work was nearly brought to a close, when " Lowe's Natural Phenomena " was brought to his notice, and to which he is indebted for a few of the incidents recorded. There is but little' in this summary of facts which lays any claim to originality ; but as much of the information has been gathered from sources out of the reach of the general public, he trusts his work will be of some use as a reference, if nothing more, to those interested in its contents. The thanks of the Author are particularly due to Professor fames E. Thorold Rogers, M.P., and the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, Oxford, for permission to tnake use of the numerous Extracts from, that valuable Work entitled ''''History of Agriculture and Prices in England,^' which em- braces a period from 1259 to 1582, and which arc acknowledged in the following pages by- having fRogersJ attached to them,. RECORDS OF THE SEASONS, PRICES, AND PHENOMENA, RELATIKG TO Agriculture in ti)t $ritisf() Mti. B.C. 730 The first eclipse of the moon on record happened on March 19 (Hone). 55 August 30. A violent gale off the British coast when Julius Caesar landed. A.D. 47 or 48 Was a very severe famine {Anglo Saxon Chronicle). 94 A great piece of kalendar wood appeared to be on fire, but in the morning there appeared no such token {query Aurora borealis) ; and in Angus it rained frogs {Holin- shed). 220 A great frost in England lasting five months {Lowe). 230 The river Thames at London frozen over for six weeks (some authors say a.d. 250) {Lowe). 245 In Lincolnshire many thousand acres were flooded by the sea which have never been recovered {Camden). 272 Dreadful famine. People obliged to eat the bark of trees. 291 Most English rivers frozen for six weeks {Lowe). 300 Great famine in Scotland. B ( 2 ) 306 Famine in Scotland ; thousands of persons died (Lowe). 310 Famine in England ; 40,000 persons are said to have perished (Lowe). 329 Most British rivers frozen for six weeks (Lowe). 353 Great flood in Cheshire; 5,000 persons and great quantity of cattle perished (Lowe). 359 Very severe frost in Scotland for fourteen weeks (Lowe). 369 Nearly the whole world shaken by an earthquake (Lowe). 394-395 Earthquake throughout Europe, September to November (Mallet). 401 The Black Sea frozen over (Chambers). 430 In Britain so many persons were destroyed by plague that the living were scarcely sufficient to bury the dead (Lowe). 436 At York it rained blood, and trees in sundry places being blasted withered and died. Many houses in Cheap- side, London, were swallowed up (Holinshed). 447 A terrible famine, with pestilence and sword, came on the British so fiercely that the living were not sufficient to bury the dead (Matthew of Westminster). 452 The Danube frozen (Chambers). 465 Great tempest, with hail and rain, so that one might scarce see one another (Holinshed). 497 A star of marvellous size and brilliancy appeared, shining with one single ray, attached to which ray was extended a ball of fire in the shape of a dragon, and out of its mouth proceeded two rays (M. of W.). 508 In winter all the rivers in Britain were frozen up for above two months (Lowe). 526 Dry fog, accompanied by earthquake and volcanic eruptions (Lowe). 538 February 16. The sun was eclipsed from early dawn till 9 a.m. (A. S. C). 539 The sun was obscured from the morning till the third hour (M. of W.). ( 3) 540 June 20. The sun was eclipsed and the stars ap- peared full nigh half an hour after 9 a.m. 541 A comet appeared in Gaul so bright that the whole heaven appeared to be on fire. Also real blood rained out of the clouds ; and about the same time a certain individual's house was seen to be sprinkled with blood, and a terrible mortality of men followed {M. of W.). 542 The sun appeared about noondays, all wholly of a bloody colour. The element appeared full of bright stars to every man's sight, continually, for the space of two days together. Grass and herbs in Yorkshire ap- peared to be all stained with blood (Hector Boetius). 543 September 6. Earthquake felt universally throughout the then known world (Mallei). 545 Cold so intense in winter that the birds allowed them- selves to be caught {Lowe). 554 The winter was so severe with frost and snow that the birds and wild beasts could be caught by the hand (M. of IV.). 655 An appearance like that of lances was seen in the air, reaching from the north to the west (M. of W.). 558 The Danube was quite frozen over (Dugdale). A dreadful plague over all Europe, Asia, and Africa {Lowe). 565 In this year there were seen many signs in the sun and moon {M. of W.). 567 Fiery spears were seen in the air {M. of W.). 580 Fire was seen to run along the heaven {M. of W). 643 The cold so intense that the Black Sea was frozen over. Snow in some places drifted to the depth of ninety feet ( Chambers). fi64 Great eclipse of the sun, May 3, about ten of the clock. A great dearth and mortality ensued, both in Britain and Ireland. About this time a sore and grievous pestilence for three years together, consuming a greater number of men than were left alive {Holinshed). (4) May I. The sun was eclipsed, and a great pestilence in Britain {A. S. C). 665 There was so terrible a mortality in England that men came in crowds to the precipices which overhang the sea, and threw themselves headlong down, preferring to perish by a speedy death rather than by the slow torture of disease (M. of W.). 671 In this year was the great destruction of birds (A. S. C. ; M. of W.). 678 In the month of August a blazing star appeared, with a long bright beam, like to a pillar. It was seen eyery morning for the space of three months together. No rain fell in the province of the South Saxons for the space of three years, so that the people were brought into great misery by reason of famine {Jlolinshed). Matthew of Westminster puts the comet in 677. In August the star comet appeared and shone for three months every morning like a sunbeam (A. S. C). 685 In this year there was bloody rain in Britain {A. S. C). 686 There was an eclipse of the moon. The sun was also eclipsed on the 3rd of May, at about ten o'clock. And the 'same year a most terrible pestilence ensued, which lasted all July, August, and September {M. of W.). 695 There was an eclipse of the sun this year {M. of JV.). Great frost in England. The river Thames frozen over for six weeks (Lowe). 697 Corn in the harvest time appeared bloody, and in Scotland it rained blood (^Holinshed). 729 January there appeared two comets very terrible to behold ; the one rising in the morning before the rising of the sun, and the other after the setting thereof, and they appeared thus every morning and evening for the space of a fortnight together {Holinshed). In this year the star comet appeared {A. S. C. ; also M.ofW.) 733 On the eighteen calends of September the sun suffered (5 ) a great eclipse about three of the clock in the afternoon, insomuch that the earth seemed to be covered with a black and horrible penthouse (^HolmsketT). The sun was eclipsed, and all the sun's disc was like a black shield {A. S. C. ; M. of W.). 734 On the second day before the calends of February, the moon was covered with a redness like blood for nearly a whole hour at about the time of cock crow ; a darkness then coming on, she returned to her usual brightness (Roger de Hoveden). In this year the moon was as if it had been sprinkled with blood (A. S. C. ; Roger de Hoveden). 738 Great inundation at Glasgow ; more than 400 families drowned {Fordun). 739 Dreadful famine {Farmer's Almanack). 743 JanuEiry i. Aurora borealis brilliant in England (Lowe). 744 Stars went shooting rapidly (A. S. C). 745 Fiery strokes were beheld in the air, such as no men of that generation had ever seen before, and were visible throughout almost all the night of the calends of January (Roger de Hoveden). 747 There were seen stars falling from heaven, so that all who beheld them thought that the end of the world was at hand (M. of W.). 752 July 31. An eclipse of the moon (M. of W. ; Roger de Hoveden). 756 On the eighth day before the calends of December, the moon on her fifteenth day, being about her full, appeared to be covered with the colour of blood, and then the dark- ness decreasing, she returned to her usual brightness ; but in a wondrous manner a bright star followed the moon, and passing across her, preceded her when shining at the same distance at which it had followed her before she was darkened (Roger de Hoveden). 759 Greatest frost on record, from October ist to February 26th (F. A.). (6) 760 An eclipse of the moon took place about midnight on August I (M. of W.). 761 In this year was the great winter (A. S. C). 763 Summer so hot the springs dried up {Lowe). 764 There fell such a marvellous great snow, and therewith so extreme a frost, as the like had not been heard of, continuing from the beginning of the winter almost till the midst of spring, with the rigour whereof trees and fruits withered away, and not only feathered fowls, but also beasts on the land and fishes in the sea died in great numbers (Holinsfied ; Roger de Hoveden). 765 Fiery strokes were seen in the air, such as formerly appeared on the night of the calends of January, 745 {Roger de Hoveden). 770 Stars were seen to fall from heaven in an awful manner {M. of W.). 772 34,000 persons killed at Chichester by an epidemic {William of Malmesbury). 773 A red cross appeared in the heavens after sunset {A. S. C). 774 Dreadful signs in the heavens after sunset of a red colour, and to the great astonishment of people serpents were seen in Sussex {Roger de Hovederi). 776 Fiery and terrible signs were seen in the heavens after the setting of the sun {M. of IV.). 788 Blood rained down on the earth from heaven {M. of W.). 790 Blood fell from heaven as drops of rain {Holinshed). 793 Excessive whirlwinds and lightnings ; a great famine soon followed {A. S. C). Dreadful prodigies alarmed the wretched nation of the English ; for terrific lightnings and dragons in the air and strokes of fire were seen hovering on high, and shooting to and fro, which were ominous signs of the great famine and the frightful and ineffable slaughter of multitudes of men which ensued {Roger de Hoveden). (7 ) 794 A tempest (A. S. C. ; Roger de Hovedeii). Aurora borealis brilliant {Lowe). 795 Fearful lightnings and dragons blazing in a dreadful manner were seen to fly through the air, signs which fore- shadowed a mighty famine {M. of W., 'jg4 ; Roger de Hoveden). March 28. The moon was eclipsed between cock crowing and dawn {A. S. C. ; Roger de Hoveden). 797 Seventeen days of unusual darkness (Z. Townsend). A great dearth and famine {Holinshed). There were seen around the sun three other suns {M. of W.). 799 In the British seas a very great number of ships were wrecked or dashed against each other together and sunk, with a vast multitude of men {Roger de Hoveden). 800 On the ninth day before the calends of January, the day before the Nativity of our Lord, a mighty wind, blowing either from the south or south-west, by its indescribable force destroyed many cities, houses, and towns in various places ; innumerable trees were also torn up from the roots. In the same year an inundation took place, the sea flowing beyond its ordinary limits. An extensive murrain also prevailed among the cattle in various places {Roger de Hoveden , M. of W.). On Christmas Even chanced a marvellous tempest of wind, which overthrew whole cities and towns and trees in great numbers, besides other harm by death of cattle, etc. {Holinshed). 801 January 16. The moon was eclipsed at the second hour of the night {A. S. C). 802 December 20. The moon was eclipsed at dawn(^..S'.C). 806 The Rhone frozen over. The cold was from 18 to 20 centigrade degrees below zero {Anon). The moon eclipsed September i and June 4. A sign of the cross appeared in the moon at dawn, and on August 30 a wonderful circle appeared about the sun {A. S. C). (8) 809 July 1 6. The sun was eclipsed the twenty-ninth day of the moon, the fifth hour of the day {A. S. C). 810 Cattle plague very violent in England {Lowe). 823 Dreadful famine {F. A.). Thousands of people died in England. 827 The moon was eclipsed on midwinter's mass night {A. S. C). Great frost for nine weeks {Lowe). 836 Great inundation of the river Tweed; the country for thirty miles round laid waste {Lowe). 839 Two comets of dreadful aspect to the beholders : the one went before the rising of the sun in harvest season, and the other followed the going down thereof in the spring of the year {Holinshed). 848 An eclipse of the sun took place at 6 o'clock on October i {M. of IV.). 849 A pillar of light rose up to heaven and was visible for thirty days {M. of W.). 850 The Adriatic entirely frozen over {Chambers). 859 The Mediterranean so frozen that carriages were used on the Adriatic Sea (Z. Townsend). 860 Beasts as they were pasturing in the fields, roaring after a strange sort suddenly died {Holinshed). 868 A comet was distinctly seen {Roger de Hoveden; M. of W.). 870 A sudden tempest arose and continued for many days {M. of IV.). 874 All the lochs, rivers, and all manner of other waters were frozen in Scotland, from the beginning of November till the latter end of April ; and when the frost brake and the snows melted there was such a flood flowing over all the plains as the like had not been seen. Moreover, there was a mighty comet seen, with fiery rays issuing forth from the same, during the month of April, to the great horror of all who beheld it {Holinshed). 877 A great storm in which perished 120 ships at Swanwick {A. S. C). (9) 880 March 1 4. The sun was eclipsed one hour of the day (A. S. C). October 13. Eclipse of the moon {M. of W.). 891 About the time of Rogation Sunday a comet appeared {M. of W.). 892 The vines were killed by frost, and cattle died in their stalls (Chambers). About May 29, or earlier, appeared a comet {A. S. C). 897 A mortality of cattle and of men {A. S. C). 898 Vines killed by frost, and cattle died as in 892 {Chambers). 904 The moon was eclipsed {A. S. C). 905 October 20. A comet {A. S. C). 906 A ■ comet appeared and lasted nearly half the year {M. of W.). 908 Most of the rivers of England frozen for two months {Lowe). 923 River Thames at London frozen for thirteen weeks (Lowe). 926 In this year fiery beams of light appeared in the north part of the sky {A. S. C; M. of W.). By the law of Athelstan a sheep was valued at is. ; the fleece was f of the whole sheep. An ox was computed at six times the value of a sheep, a cow at four. A horse was valued at ^os., a mare a third less, a man at ^^3. The board wages of a child was the first year 8^., together with a cow's pasture in summer and an ox's in winter {Hume). 944 1,500 houses destroyed in London by a great storm. This gale extended over the whole of England {Preston Herald). 954 A great famine in England, Wales, and Scotland, which lasted four years {Lowe). 962 Great mortality. The great fever was in London {A. S. C). 966 A palfrey was sold for twelve shillings {Hume). 970 About this time, for the space of six months together, there appeared no sun by day nor moon by night in any ( 10) part of the realm; but still was the sky covered with continual clouds, and sometimes such outrageous winds arose, with lightnings and tempests, that the people were in fear of present destruction {Holinshei). 971 The sun was continually covered with clouds for six months' space {Holinshed). 974 Earthquake in England {M. of W.). There was a great earthquake throughout the whole of England (Roger de Hbveden). 976 A star appeared in the sky : above in the firmament ; which strong-minded men of deep learning, skilful men and wise soothsayers, universally call a comet. The vengeance of the Almighty was upon the nation, and a dire famine in the country {Canterbury Annals). In the autumn of this year a comet was seen {Roger de Hoveden). 976 Here in this year was the great famine in England {A. S. C). A comet appeared, and a terrible famine ensued {M. of W.). 979 In this year was seen oftentimes a bloody cloud, in likeness of fire, and that was most apparent at midnight, and was coloured in various rays. Then, when it was about to dawn, it glided away {A. S. C. ; Roger de Hoveden; M. of W.). 981 The winter was extremely severe and lasted long. Everything was frozen over, and famine and pestilence closed the year (^Chambers). 986 The great murrain first came among the cattle into England {A. S. C). 987 General mortality amongst cattle, and an epidemical disease which carried off great numbers of people (Zitilefon). Frost began December 22, and lasted 120 days (Lowe). The value of an ox was between seven and eight shillings, a cow about six shillings (Hume). ( II ) There occurred two plagues unknown to the English nation in preceding ages ; namely, a fever aflfecting the people, and a murrain among animals, called " seitha," being a flux of the bowels. These greatly ravaged the whole of England, and aflfected both men and animals with great devastation, and consuming the inner parts of the body raged in an indescribable manner {Roger de Hoveden ; M. of W.). 991 Frost extremely severe and long. Crops failed, and famine and pestilence ended the year {Lowe). 993 and 994 Summers so hot that the corn and fruit dried up {Lowe). 995 This year appeared a comet {Elfrids Annals). 998 River Thames frozen over for five weeks {Lowe). 1000 The moon appeared of a bloody colour, to the great terror of them that beheld it. In the summer next following corn failed and cattle died so generally that if there had not been more plenty of fish got than was accustomed to be, the people had been famished in many places. It rained stones {Holinshed). March 29th. Earthquake throughout the whole of Europe {Old Chronicle). 1001 Divers kinds of sickness vexed the people, as the bloody flix and the burning agues, so that many died thereof {Holinshed). 1005 This year was the great famine throughout the English nation, such as no man can remember before so terrible {Elf rids Annals^; Roger de Hoveden ; M. of IV.). 1007 A great famine, caused partly by the bad seasons and partly by the decay of agriculture {Hume). 1008 A sore tempest, with an outrageous wind, rose {Holinshed ; Roger de Hoveden). 1009 Such a wind came as no man before remembered, and beat all the ships to pieces and cast them upon the land(^.^. C). 1013 Heavy rains this year {Ingulfus). ( 12) 1014 September 28. Came the great sea flood widely through this country, and ran up so far as it never before had done, and drowned many vills, and of mankind a count- less number (A. S. C). 1015 The sea rose with such high spring tides, that over- flowing the countries next adjoining, divers villages, with the inhabitants, were drowned and destroyed {Holin- shed). 1016 An excessive famine throughout Europe (Lowe). 1022 Most excessive heat in summer. Men and animals died (Lowe). 1032 This year appeared that wild fire that no man before or since remembered such ; and, moreover, it did harm in many places {Stigand). 1039 Here came the great wind ( Wulstan's Annals). In this same year the " sester " * of wheat went to fifty-five pence, and even further {A. S. C). There was a very severe storm {Roger de Hoveden). 1040 On Christmas day there was an earthquake. In the summer the sea rose higher and flowed further into the land, than ever it had been seen at any other time. On Midsummer day there was such a vehement frost that the corn and other fruits of the earth were blasted and killed, so that thereupon followed a great dearth in all the country (Holinshed ; Hector Boetius). 1041 This year was a sad time for many things, and stormy bad weather for the fruits of the earth; and so much cattle perfshed as no man can remember, both from disease and bad weather {Stigand). 1041 to 1066 The most terrible famine ever known, insomuch that wheat rose to sixty pennies per quarter, or fifteen shillings of our present money ; consequently it was as dear as if it now cost £^ los. {Hume; Saxon Chronicle). 1042 Earthquake in England {Mall^et). * Sester, a quarter. ( 13 ) 1043 Corn was so dear over all England as no man remembered, and so gteat famine {Stigand). 1044 Famine was so great that the " sester" of wheat went to sixty pence, and even further (A. S. C). 1045 After Candlemas the winter more severe than ever remembered, with frost, snow, and all sorts of bad weather ; so was the death of men and cattle, fowls and fish, through much cold and hunger {Stigand). 1046 Great pestilence over all England this year {Stigand). 1047 There fell a marvellous great snow, covering the ground from the beginning of January until the seven- teenth day of March. Besides this, there happened the same year such tempests and lightnings, that the corn upon the earth was burnt up and blasted, by reason whereof there followed a great dearth in England, and also death of men and cattle (Holinshed). There was over all England a very great mortality this year {A. S. C). The snow fell in the west of England in such vast quantities that it even broke down the woods {Roger de Hoveden). 1048 Here was the severe winter ( WulstarHs Annals). A great earthquake widely throughout England {A. S. C). On the calends of May, being the Lord's Day, there was a great earthquake at Worcester and at many other places. A mortality among men and animals prevailed throughout many of the provinces of England ; and fires in the air, commonly called woodland fires, destroyed towns and crops of standing corn in the province of Derby, and some other provinces {Roger de Hoveden). 1049 May i. Earthquake at Worcester, Wick, and at Derby and elsewhere ; also a great mortality among men, and a murrain among cattle ; and the wild fire also did much evil in Derbyshire and elsewhere {A. S. C). A violent storm {Roger de Hoveden). 1051 Dreadful famine in Lincolnshire {Lowe). ( 14 ) 1058 Very violent weather ( IVulsian's Annals). 1053 Here was the great wind on Thomasmas night, which did much harm ; and also all the midwinter was much wind ( Wulstan^s Annals). On the night of the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle there was a wind so strong and violent that it blew down many churches and houses, and broke numberless trees or tore them up by the roots {Jioger de Hoveden). 1054 This year was so much death of cattle as no man remembered many winters before {Stigand). 1060 On this year was a great earthquake, on Translation ot St. Martin, July 4 ( Wulstan's Annals). 1063 The Thames frozen fourteen weeks. 1064 A blazing star appeared (Holinshed). 1066 April 24. A blazing star appeared, and continued the space of seven days {Holinshed). A comet appeared during seven days, and shone with extreme brightness {Roger de Hoveden). There was seen over all England such a sign in the heavens as no man ever before saw. Some men said that it was the star cometa, which some men called the haired star; and it first appeared on April 24, and so shone all the seven nights {A. S. C). 1067 A tempest {M. of W.). 1069 An extreme hard winter {Holinshed). A famine prevailed to such a degree throughout almost the whole of England, but especially Northumbria and the provinces adjoining, that, compelled by hunger, men ate human flesh, and that of horses, dogs, and cats, and whatever was repulsive to notions of civilization. It was dreadful to behold human corpses rotting in the houses, streets, and high roads, there not being left sufiScient to inter them {Roger de Hoveden). 1070 A great famine {A. S. C). 1071 A great famine {A. S. C). 1072 The cold weather was very severe {Roger de Hoveden). ( IS ) 1075 Some very rough weather (A. S. C). 1076 March 27. Was a general earthquake in England, and in the following winter a frost from November i to middle of April, 1077 {M. of W.). A blazing star appeared on Palm Sunday, being i6th April, about six of the clock, when the air was fair and clear {Holinshed). April 6 and 22. Shocks of earthquakes throughout England {M. of W.). 1078 The moon was eclipsed three nights before Candle- mas. This was the dry summer, and wild fire came in many shires, and burned many towns ; and also many burghs were burnt {A. S. C). 1080 An earthquake, a roaring and shaking of the earth {Holinshed). 1081 December 25. An earthquake all over England, ac- companied with a terrible subterraneous noise (M. of W.). 1083 A great famine {A. S. C). 1083 Great floods in autumn. Great loss of life. Birds and animals seemed awestruck. Tame fowls, hens, geese, and the like fled into the forests and woods, and became wild {Speed). Shortly before the death of Queen Matilda (Novem- ber 2), the rain fell in such torrents that the whole country was much flooded. The very springs seemed as if let loose in many parts ; the foundations of the hills whence they gushed became softened and sunk, overwhelming some considerable villages, occasioning great loss of life. 1085 Earthquake in England, followed by great cold {Mallet). 1086 A very heavy and toilsome and sorrowful year in England through murrain of cattle, and corn and fruits were at a stand, and so great unpropitiousness in weather as no one can easily think ; so great was the thunder and lightning that it killed many men {A. S. C). 1087 The people in all places were pitifully plagued with ( i6 ) burning fevers, which brought many to their end. A murrain also came to their cattle, whereof a wonderful number died. At the same time tame fowls, as hens, geese, and peacocks, forsaking their owners' houses, fled to the woods and became wild (Holinshed). A very great famine over all England through the great tempests, so that many hundred men perished by death (A. S. C.) The nation was attacked by such a great disease and pestilence, that those who escaped the fevers died of famine. For God sent tempests and thunders and light- nings, by which many men perished, and He spared neither animals nor cattle ; but even the domestic birds of England, the peacocks and poultry and geese, fled from the houses, and all became wild birds {M. of W.). 1088 Scarcity of corn. Some crops not ripe till end of November {Lowe). 1089 Great earthquake over all England on third ides of August {Roger de Hoveden), and was so late a season that many men cut their corn about Martinmas or later {Nicholas). 1090 In November, in consequence of a violent tempest the river was so swollen as entirely to sweep away London Bridge, and inundate the banks on each side to a great distance {Bray ley). An earthquake throughout all England, followed by a great scarcity of fruit and a late harvest (Z. Townsend). 1091 A violent and mischievous wind struck London, shaking the towers and buildings and fruit-bearing trees {M. of W.). October 5. Five hundred houses destroyed by a great storm in London (Old Chronicle). Roger de Hoveden says more than six hundred houses and a considerable number of churches. October 5. A marvellous sore tempest fell in sundry parts of England, especially in the town of Winch- ( 17 ) comb, where (by force of thunder and lightning) a part of the steeple of the church was thrown down. 17th of the same month much harm was done in London with an outrageous wind, the violence whereof over- turned and rent in pieces above five hundred houses. Moreover, at Salisbury much hurt was done with the like wind and thunder, for the top of the steeple and many buildings besides were sore shaken and cast down {Holinshed). Noveraber 6. Feast of St. Edmund. London Bridge swept away by force of waters {Florence of Worcester). 1093 By the high spring tides many towns, castles, and woods were drowned, as well in Scotland as in England. After the ceasing of the tempest, the lands that some- time were Earl Goodwin's, by violent force and drift of the sea were made a sandbed, and ever since have been called Goodwin's Sands. Such dreadful thunder hap pened also at the same time, that men and beasts were slain in the fields, and houses overturned even from their foundations. In Lothian, Fife, and Angus, trees and corn were burnt up by fire kindled no man knew how (Holinshed). Terrible flood followed by great frost, and then a second flood, as the like was remembered by none {W. ofM.). This year a great deal of rain fell, and an inundation took place, a greater than which had never been seen {M. of W.). 1093 Such excessive rain, and such high floods, the rivers overflowing the low grounds that lay near unto them, as the like had not been seen of many years before, and afterwards ensued a sudden frost, whereby the great streams were congealed in such sort that at their dis- solving or thawing many bridges, both of wood and stone, were borne down, and divers water-mills rent up and carried away {Holinshed^. ( i8 ) A very wonderful sign appeared in the sun {Roger de Hoveden). After some excessive inundations, which had been caused by the rain, even the large rivers were covered with such a thick ice, which lasted a long time, that they became passable for men and loaded carriages and wagons. At last, when the snow melted, the fragments of ice floating down the river left scarcely one sound bridge in the whole country (M. of W.). 1094 England and Normandy were sore vexed with mor- tality, both of men and beasts, insomuch that tillage of the ground was laid aside in many places, by reason whereof there followed great dearth and famine. Many hideous sights were seen, as flashes of fire, stars falling from heaven, and such like wonders (Holinshed^. Dearth so great in England and France that wheat was sold for almost 20s. per quarter, followed by a pesti- lential fever that carried off multitudes of people (Z. Townsend). Stars were seen to fall from heaven {M. of W.). 1095 On St. Ambrose mass night (that is 2nd nones April) stars fell so thickly that no man might tell them (Nicholas Annals ; Roger de Hoveden). In this year were very unseasonable tempests, and therefore through all this land the earth-fruits were all turned to mediocrity {A. S. C). 1096 This was a year of great famine and time of affliction {Nicholas). 1097 About Michaelmas a star was seen in the south- west for a week. Many men supposed it to be a comet {Nicholas Annals). In an unusual storm of wind and rain, and a very tem- pestuous sea, the Goodwin Sands were formed {Camden). This was in all things a very sad year, and over grievous, from the tempests when the land should be tilled, or after, when the produce should be gathered {A. S. C). ( 19) A wonderful sign in the heavens, like a fire burning in the shape of a cross in October {Roger de Hoveden). 1098 Through much rain the whole year, which ceased not, nearly all the crops on lowlands perished (^Nicholas Annals). Before St. Michael's mass, the heaven appeared almost all the night as if it were burning. This was a very sad year, through the great rains which ceased not all the year {A. S. C). 1099 On St. Martinmas Day much harm done by high tides, such as no man remembered {Nicholas), and it was on the same day a new moon (M. of W.). On the third day of the nones of November, the sea came out upon the shore and buried towns and men very many, and oxen and sheep innumerable (Florence of Worcester ; Roger de Hoveden). 1100 The Thames did rise with such high springs and tides that many towns were drowned, and much hurt done in places about London and elsewhere {Holinshed). At Hampstede, in Berkshire, blood flowed out of the ground for fifteen days together, and made a horrible pool iM. of W.). 1101 Great earthquake in England. Buildings were lifted up and then settled down as before ( W. of M.). 1103 On the morning of St. Laurence mass day, August 10, much harm done to all fruits of the earth by a great wind, such as no man can remember. This year was very afflictive through death of cattle and perishing both of corn and tree fruits {Nicholas), as no man remembered that it ever did before {Roger de Hoveden). A deadly and too fatal mortality took place both of men and animals {M. of W.). 1104 A comet (Z. Townsend). On April 17, four circles were seen round the sun, white and spotted, and marvellously entwined together {M. of W.). ( 20 ) On Tuesday after June 5, there appeared four circles at mid-day about the sun of a white hue, each twined under the other as if they were painted. All who saw it wondered {A. S. C). 1105 This was a very calamitous year through destruction of the fruits of the earth {Nicholas). Earthquake at Ely {Gentleman's Magazine). 1106 On Friday, 14th calends March, at even, appeared an uncommon star, and was seen every even thereafter, long lessening. It appeared in the south-west, was little thought of, and dark, but its beams were very bright, and appeared like an immense beam shining north-east. Some said they saw more unknown stars at this time {A. S. C. ; Roger de Hoveden). On the Thursday before Easter were seen two moons in the heavens before day-break : one in the east and the other west ; both full, and the moon was fourteen days old {M. of W.; Wulstan). 1107 A comet (Z. Townsend). Many said that they saw various tokens in the moon this year, and that against nature her rays increased and diminished {Nicholas). 1109 Very much thunder this year, and that very fearful ( Wulstan). 1110 A comet the sixth day before the ides of July, which was seen to shine for three weeks {Roger de Hoveden'). Earthquake in Shropshire (Z. Townsend). A comet appeared in a strange sort, for rising in the east, when it once came aloft in the firmament, it kept not the course forward but seemed to go backward as if it had been retrograde {Holinshed ; M. of W.). On fifth night of the month of May, the moon appeared in the evening brightly shining, and afterwards by little and little its light waned, so that as soon as it was night, it was so completely quenched that neither light nor orb, nor anything at all of it was seen. And so it continued ( 21 ) very near until day, and then appeared full and brightly shining. It was on this same day a fortnight old. All the night the air was very clear, and the stars over all the heaven were brightly shining, and the tree fruits on that night were sorely nipt (A. S. C). Through tempests the earth fruits were greatly injured, and the tree fruits over all this land almost all perished {A. S. C). The river Trent, at Nottingham, dry from morning till 3 p.m. a mile in length, so that it could be passed with dry feet {Stow ; Roger de Hovedeii). 1111 Very long winter and vehement and inclement time, so that the fruits of the earth were much marred, and greatest death of cattle that any man remembered ( Wul- staii). There was a most severe winter, a dreadful famine, a plague among men, and a murrain among animals, both wild and domestic. There was also a very great mor- tality among birds (Roger de Hoveden). April 2, a terrible mortality of animals began, and likewise a great famine in Normandy {M. of W.). 1112 This was a very good year, and very abundant in wood and in field ; but it was a very sad and sorrowful one, through a most destructive pestilence (A. S. C). There was a great mortality of men {M. of W.). 1113 In the month of May a great comet appeared, and a little afterwards there was an earthquake. 1114 October 15. The sea so decreased and shrank from the old accustomed watermarks and coasts of the land here in this realm that a man might have passed on foot over the sands and washes for the space of a whole day together. The river Thames was so low for the space of a day and a night, that horses, men, and children, passed over it betwixt London Bridge and the Tower, and also under the Bridge, the water not reaching above their knees. Moreover in the month of December the air ( 22 ) appeared red as though it had burned. In like manner the winter was very extreme cold with frosts, by reason whereof at the thawing and breaking of the ice the most part of all the bridges in England were broken and borne down {Holinshed ; M. of W.). This year, in May, was seen a strange star with long rays many nights (^Nicholas). This year were very great winds in October, and im- measurably great on the night octab Sancti Martini, November i8th, and that was everywhere manifest, in woods and in towns {Nicholas). 1115 This year was so severe a winter with snow and frost as no man living remembered, and through which un- measurable cattle death {Nicholas Annals). 1116 An earthquake in December (Z. Townsend). On All Hallows' Day, or November i, great lightning, thunder, and such a storm of hail fell that the people were marvellously amazed therewith. December 13, a great earthquake, and the moon was turned into a bloody colour (Holinshed). This year was a very vehement winter time, both severe and long for cattle and all things (Nicholas). This was a very deficient year in the fruits of the earth through immoderate rains coming immediately before August, and greatly troubled and afflicted until the coming of Candlemas. No mast this year (A. S. C). 1117 This was a very deficient year in corn, through the rains that ceased not almost all the year (A. S. C). December i. Great lightning, thunder, and such a storm of hail fell that the people were marvellously amazed therewith. December 13. There happened a great earthquake, and the moon was a bloody colour. December 16. The heaven was seen very red, as if it were a conflagration {M of W. ; A. S. C. ; Nicholas; and Holinshed). 1118 In the week of Theophany was one evening much ( 23 ) lightning, and a most immoderate thunder clap thereafter {Nicholas). Also, on St. Thomas' mass night was such exceedingly great wind that no man remembered more, and that was everywhere seen both in houses and in trees {Nicholas). 1119 On St. Michael's mass eve was a great earthquake in some places here in the land, though most in Gloucester- shire and Worcestershire {A. S. C). 1130 Earthquake in September (Z. Townsend). 1121 On the night of the vigil of the Birth of our Lord was very great wind over all this land, and that was in many things manifestly seen {Nicholas). 1122 The moon was eclipsed on April 5, and was fourteen days old {A. S. C). March 8. The town of Gloucester burnt by lightning. March 22. On the Tuesday after Palm Sunday was a very violent wind, after which came many tokens over all England. July 25. There was a very great earthquake over all Somersetshire and in Gloucestershire. After- wards on St. Mary's mass day (September 8) there was a very great wind from the third hour of the day to the swart night. Afterwards there were many shipmen on the sea and on fresh water who said that they saw in the north-east a great and broad fire near the earth, which at once waxed in length up to the sky, and the sky sepa- rated into four parts, and fought against it as if it would quench it, but the fire nevertheless waxed up to the heavens. The fire they saw in the dawn, and it lasted so long till it was light over all. This was on December 7 {A. S. C). 1124 Many failures in corn and all fruits, so that between Christmas and Candlemas the acre seed of wheat, that is two seedlips, were sold for six shillings ; and that of barley, that is three seedlips, for six shillings ; and that of oats, that is four seedlips, for four shillings, because there was little corn {A. S. C). ( 24 ) The sun appeared resembling a new moon (Af. of W.). 1125 A famine year (Rogers). In this same year was so great a flood on St. Law- rence's mass day (Aug. lo) that many towns and men were drowned, and bridges shattered, and corn and mea- dows totally destroyed, and famine and disease among men and cattle ; and for all fruit there was so bad a season as there had not been for many years before {A. S. C.) Frost so intense that the eels were forced to leave the water and were frozen to death in the meadows. The dearest year known for wheat (Robert de Monte). 1126 There was a great famine, and so great was the dear- ness of provisions that no one had seen the like in our time, for a horse load of corn was sold at the price of six shillings (Roger de Hovederi). Note, a horse load was one quarter, or eight bushels {T. H. B). 1129 On St. Nicholas' mass night, a little before day, there was a great earthquake {A. S. C). The sun was turned into darkness and the day into night for nearly half an hour, and the stars were visible {M. of. W.). 1130 Ordinary value of a sheep fourpence. 1131 After Christmas, on a Monday night at the first sleep, the heaven was on the north side all as though it were burning fire, so that all who saw it were so affrighted as they never were before. That was on January i ith. This same year was so great a murrain of the cattle as never was in the memory of men over all England. That was in neat and in swine, so that in the town where there were ten or twelve ploughs going there was not one left, and he who had 200 or 300 swine had not one left. After that died the domestic fowls, then flesh meat became scarce, and cheese and butter (A. S. C). 1133 August 2. A wonderful and extraordinary eclipse ( 25 ) of the sun and moon appeared, insomuch that William of Malmesbury, who then lived, writeth that he saw the stars plainly about the sun at the very time of the eclipse. On the Friday after such an earthquake that many houses were overthrown and flames issued from rifts in the earth which defied all attempts to quench them (Holinshed ; M. of W.) 1134 October i. Along the English coast and in the Netherlands the sea rose suddenly with such violence as to inundate the country, returning to its usual level as suddenly {Mallet). On the fourth day before the nones of August, at about the sixth hour, an eclipse of the sun took place to such a degree that the whole of the sun's disc appeared as though covered by a black shield (Roger de Hoveden). 1135 August 2. The day darkened over all lands, and the sun became as it were a three night old moon and the stars about it at midday. Men were greatly wonder- stricken and affrighted, and said that a great thing should come hereafter. So it did, for that year the king died {A. S. C). A mighty great tempest of thunder horrible to hear, and lightning dreadful to behold, the day Stephen arrived in England. Now because this happened in winter time it seemed against nature, and therefore was the more noted as a foreshowing of some trouble {Holinshed'). This storm was on the vigil of the Feast of the Apostles St. Simon and St. Jude {M. of W.). 1137 Corn was dear, and meat, cheese and butter, for none was in the land ; wretched men died of hunger {A. S. C). However a man tilled, the earth bare no corn (A. S. C). 1140 On 13th calends April, in Lent, the sun was darkened, and about noontide men lighted candles to eat by {Hugo). Men were greatly wonder-stricken {A. S. C; M.ofW.). 1142 Earthquake severely felt at Lincoln {Lowe). (26) The Thames was frozen and ground covered with snow before the Feast of the Nativity {Roger de Hoveden). 1145 Oxen worth about three shillings each (Z. M.') 1146 A comet appeared in the west diffusing marvellous rays on all sides {M. of W.). 1147 Excessive heat in August {Roger de Hoveden). 1149 The great rain that fell in the summer season this year did much hurt unto corn standing on the ground, so that a great dearth followed. In the winter also, after about loth December, it began to freeze extremely, and so continued till 19th February, whereby the Thames was so frozen that men might pass over it both on foot and horseback {Holinshed'). This year it began to freeze on December 10, and the frost lasted till February 19, and the Thames was so frozen over that it was rendered passable for foot passeiigers and horses, and even for loaded wagons \m. of W.). 1150 The river Thames was so bound in frosty chains that from December to March horses and carriages used it as a highway (Som. Mag, vol. xv.). Great famine {Saxon Afmals). 1151 Great famine {Saxon Annals). 1158 January 14. A hideous tempest of wind and rain. This year, through great and immoderate rain that fell in the summer, the growing of corn was so hindered that a great death of people ensued {Holinshed). 1153 A great dearth followed by a sore death amongst men and beasts through all Scotland {Holinshed). 1154 Henry, Duke of Normandy, waited at Barfleur one whole month for a fair wind, and on December 7 he set sail and arrived in England on 19th {M. of W.). 1158 Earthquake in London and other places. The river Thames so dried up that it could be passed dryshod (Mallet). 1164 September 20. Three circles were seen to compass (27) the sun, and so continued for the space of three hours to- gether; which when they vanished away two suns appeared and sprang forth after a marvellous manner {Hblinshed). 1165 A certain comet fourteen days together with long beams very terrible to behold {Holinshed). January 25 or 26. Earthquake in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Ely, so severe that persons who had been standing were thrown down, and the bells were made to ring {M. of W.). Two comets made their appearance before sunrise in the month of August, one in the west, the other in the north. A comet is a star which does not appear at all ■ times, but in especial at the death of a king, or upon the ruin of a nation (Roger de Ilovedeti). 1170 A dreadful storm in the first week of March {Roger de Hoveden). 1171 In the night before Christmas Day last past there chanced such a tempest of lightning and thunder that the like had not been heard of; which tempest was not only generally throughout all England, but in Ireland, where it continued all that night and Christmas Day following, to so great terror of the people that they looked for present death {Holinshed; M. of W.). 1172 On the night of the Nativity of our Lord a sudden and terrible thunderstorm was heard in England and Ireland, and throughout the whole kingdom of France {M. of W.). 1174 On the day of Saint Sylvester (December 31) a mighty tempest suddenly arose {M. of IV.). 1175 England and the countries adjoining were sore vexed with a great mortality of people, and immediately after followed a sore dearth and famine (Holinshed; Roger de Hoveden). 1176 A sore eclipse of the sun chanced the sixth ides of January {Holinshed). The sea rose on such a height that many were drowned (28) thereby. Also a great snow fell this year, which by reason of the hard frost that chanced therewith continued long without wasting away, so that fishes, both in the sea and fresh water, died through sharpness and vehemency of that frost; neither could husbandmen till the ground. On Midsummer Day there fell such a storm of hail that it killed many sheep and small cattle. The sun in Septem- ber about noontide was darkened for the space of two hours together, without any eclipse or cause natural by interposition of clouds. In Yorkshire was such terrible thunder with strange .lightning that many abbeys and churches were consumed with the fire (Holinshed). 1177 It rained blood in the Isle of Wight for the space of two days together, so that linen clothes that hung on the hedges were coloured therewith {Holinshed ; Roger de Hoveden). 1178 A great snow filled the valleys and buried the thickets and trees, and when it melted away many cattle and some men were carried away by the flood, and so perished. Jan. 8th. The sun eclipsed {M. of W.). June 1 8. After the setting of the sun there appeared a marvellous sight in the air. For whereas the new moon shone forth very fair with his horns toward the east, straightways the upper horn was divided in two, out of the midst of which division a burning brand sprung up casting from it afar off coals and sparks as it had been of fire. The body of the moon in the meantime that was beneath seemed to wrest and writhe, in resemblance like to an adder or snake that had been beaten, and anon after it came to the old state again. This chanced above a dozen times, and at length from horn to horn it became black. In Septernber following, at six of the clock, a partial eclipse of the sun appeared. About Christmas, at a place called Oxenhall, within the lordship of Darlington, a part of the earth lifted itself up on high in appearance like to a mighty tower, and so it remained from nine of the clock ( 29 ) in the morning till eventide, and then it fell down with an horrible noise, so that as such as were thereabout were put in great fear. That piece of earth with the fall was swallowed up, leaving a great deep pit in the place, as was to be seen many years after {Holinshed). 1179 August 1 8. The moon was eclipsed (Holinshed). 1180 April 25. At Nottingham and throughout the Mid- land counties an earthquake. Many houses were thrown down {Lowe). September 29. Two or three earthquake shocks {Mallet). 1181 An eclipse of the sun on the vigil of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, at 3 o'clock {M. of W.). 1185 On the calends of May, being the day of the Apostles St. Philip and St. James, about mid-day, a total eclipse of the sun was seen, which was followed by thunder and lightning, and a mighty tempest, from the effects of which men and animals perished, and many houses being set on fire thereby were burned to the ground {Roger de Hoveden). A comet appeared fourteen days together with long beams, very terrible to behold. On the Monday in the week before Easter chanced a sore earthquake through all the parts of this land, such a one as the like had not been heard of in England since the beginning of the world. For stones that lay couched fast in the earth were removed out of their places, stone houses were over- thrown, and the great church of Lincoln was rent from the top downwards {Holinshed). 1186 After middle of September an earthquake. In Eng- land houses were thrown down. One of the cities of Calabria overwhelmed in the Adriatic {Mallet). 1188 In the vigil of St. Laurence there was seen at Dun- stable by divers persons a figure of the cross, very long and large, in the air, with the shape of a crucifix thereon. This strange appearance continued in sight from noon till almost night {Holinshed). ( 30) 1189 March 7. A most terrible thunderstorm was heard {M. of W). 1189 A hyde of land (120 acres) was commonly let at 20 shillings a year (Hume). A great famine and mortality caused the human race to waste away in a horrible manner {M. of W.). 1190 A mighty and dreadful tempest on the Holy Day of the Ascension of our Lord {Roger de Hoveden). ' A great dearth reigned in England and France for the space of three or four years, so that a quarter of wheat was sold at i&s. 8d., no small price then {Holinshed). 1191 On Midsummer eve there was such an eclipse of the sun that for three hours such darkness came over the face of the earth that even in the day time the stars appeared plain in the element, for this eclipse began about nine of the clock in the morning {Holinshed ; M. of W.). 1193 Great famine {Dugdale). One standard of weight and measure ordained through- out the whole realm of England {M. of W.). 1194 One night in January, about the first watch, the north- west side of the element appeared of such a ruddy colour as though it had burned without any clouds or other darkness to cover it, so that the stars shined through that redness, and might be very well discerned. Divers bright streaks appeared to flash upwards now and then dividing the redness, through which the stars seemed to be of a bright sanguine colour. In February next, en- suing, one night after midnight the like wonder was seen. On November 2, a little before break of day, the like thing appeared again {Holinshed). Great dearth {Townsend). The price set upon a bull was four shillings, a cow the same, a plough-horse the same, a sheep with fine wool tenpence, with coarse wool sixpence, a sow twelvepence, and a boar twelvepence {Roger de Hoveden). 1195 Great dearth {Townsend). ( 31 ) The harvest was spoilt by the excessive rains and floods {M. of W.). 1196 A marvellous sore death which daily consumed such numbers of people that scarce there might be found any to keep and look to those that were sick or to bury them that died. In the octaves of Pentecost, before this death, there appeared two suns, the true sun and another, which was hard for the common people to distinguish one from the other. A great dearth chanced through this realm of England {Holinshed). War and famine had sore aiHicted the people before, and as yet ceased not ; but as for the pestilence, it began soon after the strange sight {Holinshed). In this year there was in England, and in all its bor- ders, a great famine and mortality among men {Roger de Hoveden). 1197 This year it was ordained that measures of all manner of grain should contain one quantity throughout the realm, that is to say one reasonable horse load ; also that weights should be of like rate, etc. {Holinshed). 1198 More dearth felt in Scotland than ever was heard of before, for a measure of barley, called a boll, was sold for 5 crowns, and yet in the year following was more plentiful abundance than ever had been seen before {Holinshed). There was an extraordinary storm of thunder, light- ning, and rain such as was never seen before ; also a shower of blood fell at Audley {M. of W). 1199 Many great floods in England and on the borders of Scotland by violence, whereof many bridges were borne down {Holinshed). General price of an ox 4 shillings, horse 4 shillings, sow I shilling, sheep in fine wool 10 pence, with coarse wool 6 pence, and 120 acres of land was commonly let at 20 shillings a year {Hume). Earthquake principally in Somerset, persons were thrown from their feet in some places {Mallet). . (32) 1200 About the month of December there were seen in the province of York five moons, one in the east, the second in the west, the third in the north, the fourth in the south, and the fifth as it were set in the midst of the others, having many stars about it, and went five or six times encompassing the other as it were the space of one hour, and shortly after vanished away {Holinshed ). The winter after was extremely cold, and in the spring time came a great glutting and continual rain causing the rivers 'to rise with higher floods than they had been accustomed {Holinshed). 1201 There chanced this year wonderful tempests of thun- der, lightning, hail and abundance of rain in such wise that men's minds were greatly astonished therewith, meadows and marsh grounds were quite overflown, bridges broken and borne down, and great quantity of hay and corn lost and carried away and divers men and women drowned (Holinshed ; M. of W.). January 9. Earthquake at York, accompanied by a noise. May 22. An earthquake in Somerset and Nor- folk {Mallet). 1802 Wheat izs. per quarter {Smith). Besides the sore winter, which passed any other that had been heard of in many years before, both for con- tinuance in length and extreme coldness of frosts, there followed griefly tempests with thunder, lightning and storms of rain and hail of the bigness of hens' eggs, wherewith much fruit and great store of corn was per- ished, besides other great hurts done upon houses and young cattle (Holinshed). Ale was frozen within houses and cellars and sold by weight. Such a great snow fell also therewith that beasts died in many places in great numbers. Moreover from the twelfthtide till February there was every day very terrible earthquakes (Holinshed). A proclamation published for the lawful assize of bread ( 33 ) to be made by the bakers, so that the baker might sell and gain in every quarter threepence, besides the bran and two loaves for the heater of the oven, and for four servants four halfpence, for two boys a farthing, for al- lowance in salt an halfpenny, for candle a farthing, for fuel threepence, and for a bulter an halfpenny, and this was the rate. When wheat was sold for 6^. the quarter then shall every loaf of fine manchet weigh 41 shillings, and every loaf of cheat shall weigh 24 shillings. When wheat is sold for 5J. dd. per quarter, then manchet shall weigh 20 shillings and cheat 28 shillings. When wheat is sold for k^s., then manchet shall weigh 24 shillings and the cheat bread 32 shillings. When wheat is sold for 4^. dd., manchet shall weigh 32 shillings and cheat 42 shillings. When wheat is 4^^., manchet shall weigh 36 shillings and cheat 46 shillings. When wheat is 3^. dd., manchet shall weigh 42 shillings and cheat 54 shillings ; and so forth, down to \s. td. per quarter, when manchet was to weigh 77 shillings and cheat 88 shillings (Holm- shed ). 1203 In London there fell great rains, thunderings, and hail-stones as big as eggs, whereby many trees and corn were destroyed, and birds were seen flying in the air with fire in their mouths, and to set fire in houses and bum them ( Chronicle of the Mayors of London). 1204 This year the air towards the north and east parts seemed to be on a bright fire for the space of six hours together. It began about the first watch of the night on the first of April {Holinshed; M. of W.). April 16. An eclipse of the moon {M. of W.). General plague throughout Europe {Lowe). 1205 Stowe writes that on St. Hilary's day (January 15) began a frost which continued tiU 22nd day of March so that the ground could not be tilled. The following summer wheat sold at 13 shillings andfourpence a quarter, or about ten times its then usual price (Holinshed) D ( 34) 1207 January 27. About midnight a sudden and violent storm of wind coming, threw down buildings, uprooted trees, and destroyed thousands of sheep and cattle (M. of W.). January 17. About the midst of the night there rose such a tempest of wind upon a sudden that many houses were overthrown therewith, and sheep and other cattle destroyed and buried in the drifts of snow which as then lay very deep upon the ground (Holinshed ). Cold so intense that most of the travellers in Germany were frozen to death on the roads (Chambers). Matthew of Westminster says the great storm was January 27. 1208 In the beginning of March there was an eclipse of the sun {M. of W.). 1210 Inundation at Perth about the time of the Feast of St. Michael, which carried off much of the harvest crops from the fields. The waters of Tay and Almond so swelled that the large bridge of St. John was overthrown [Fordun and Major). 1212 July 10. London was burnt (J/, of W.). This was probably a very dry time (T. H. B.). 1213 March. Two comets appeared very terrible to be- hold, the one did shine before the rising of the sun, and the other before the going down thereof. In the winter after there was seen two moons in the firmament, the one being severed from the other and in shape naturally horned (^Holinshed). 1214 The Thames so low between the Tower and the Bridge that women and children waded over it, which continued a whole day. Sands bare several miles from shore (Z. Townsend). 1215 A sudden tempest rose in the channel, in which Hugh de Boves and forty thousand men were drowned {Matthew Paris). 1218 Earthquake in different parts of England this winter {Mallet). ( 35 ) On the night of the Feast of St. Andrew an unequalled and unheard of tempest of thunder, lightning, wind and rain shook nearly the whole world in a terrible manner {M. of W.). 3221 During a violent tempest fiery dragons and flying spirits were seen in the air. Earthquake in England (Mallet). 1322 Great dearth (Z. Townsend). Great tempest of thunder, lightning and rain whereby much hurt was done in divers parts of the realm, and at sundry times as by throwing down steeples, churches and other buildings, with the rootwalting of trees chiefly on 8th February, at Grantham. Likewise in the day of the exaltation of the cross a general thunder happened throughout the realm, and thereupon followed a continual season of fpul weather and wet till Candlemas next after, which caused a dearth of corn so as wheat was sold at 12^. the quarter. Likewise on the day of St. Andrew another terrible tempest of thunder happened through the realm, throwing down and shaking buildings in many places. Moreover on the even of St. Lucie a mighty wind raged which did much hurt. Furthermore there appeared a wonderful comet. The sea also rose with higher tides and springs than it had been accustomed to do {Holinshed). 1223 Wheat twelve shillings per quarter (Smith). Cattle plague prevalent (Lowe). A fiery and hairy comet {M. of W.). 1224 Upon St. Luke's Day (October i8) there blew a great wind out of the north which cast down many houses, steeples and turrets of churches, and turned upside down trees in woods and in orchards (Chronicle). 1225 Great tempests at sea in the spring which caused the death of the Earl of Salisbury, after returning from Gas- cony (Holinshed). 1226 A tempest (M. of W). ( 36) 1228 For the most part of this summer season great thun- ders happened in England. The element also seemed as though it had burned with continual flames ; steeples, churches and other high buildings were stricken with lightning, and the harvest was sore hindered by continual rain. Also in the midst of the day there came a wonder- ful darkness upon the earth (Holinshed). 1229 An ox sold for eight shillings, a heifer for three shillings and fourpence {Somerset Magazine). 1230 January 25. Great tempest of thundfer and lightning, with a filthy savour and stink withal {Holinshed; M. ofW.). May 14. A marvellous eclipse of the sun chanced immediately after the rising thereof, so that the earth seemed as it had been covered again with shade of night. On the 22nd day of November the moon was likewise ecUpsed, being as then thirteen days old {Holinshed). 1232 The morrow after St Martin's day chanced great thunder and lightning, which continued for the space of fifteen days together, to the great terror and fear of the people (Holinshed). The Abbot of St. Albans going on a journey hired seven handsome stout horses, and agreed if any of them died on the road to pay the owner thirty shillings apiece {Hume). 1233 March 23. A terrible thunderstorm, followed by such an inundation of rain, lasting the whole summer, that it everywhere broke up the preserves and fish-potids, and millstreams, throughout nearly the whole of England, and tore up the mills from their foundations. And in the arable lands and fertile orchards, and other places which were quite unusual, springs burst forth, and streams ran in all directions, producing small fishes {M. of W.). A great dearth, by reason that the growth of all things was much hindered by the extreme cold weather. Also there happened about the beginning of November great thunder and lightning, and therewith followed an earth- ( 37 ) quake at Huntingdon and thereabouts, after this came a great death amongst the people being commonly a near companion to great famine and dearth. March 23. A great and terrible tempest of thunder, and after followed a marvellous wet summer with many floods. April 8. In the parts about Hereford and Worcester there appeared four suns in the element besides the natural sun, of red colour and a great circle of crystalline colour, at betwixt six and seven in the morning {Holinshed). Trees split by frost, excessively cold in Italy (^Cham- bers). 1234 Loaded wagons crossed the Adriatic in front of Venice (Z. Townsend). 1235 Sore and exceeding great rains in the spring {Holin- shed). December 20. There chanced a great thunder, and on the first Friday in December, which was the fifth of that month, there was a counterfeit sun seen beside the true sun {Holinshed). Thames rose so high at Westminster that the lawyers were brought out of the hall in boats (Z. Townsend). 1236 Great torrents of rain fell during January, February, and part of March, the rivers overflowed their banks. The Thames broke into the palace at Westminster, and persons crossing the hall were forced to use a boat {A. Y.H.). The Cattegat was a bridge between Norway and Jut- land {Chambers). Great tempests of rain which filled the earth full of water and caused monstrous floods, for this rain con- tinued all the months of January, February, and part of March, and for eight days it rained in manner without ceasing; and upon the tenth of February, immediately after the change of the moon, the Thames rose with such a high tide that boats might have been rowed up and down in Westminster Hall. In the summer following, ( 38 ) ■ there chanced a great drought, continuing by the space of four months or more. On the morrow, after the Feast of St. Martin, and certain days after, the sea burst out with such high tides and tempests of wind that the marsh countries near to the same were drowned up and over- flown ; and besides great herds and flocks of cattle that perished, there was no small number of men lost and drowned. The sea rose continually, inflowing the space of two days and one night without ebbing, by reason of the mighty violence of contrary winds. At Wisbeach, and in villages thereabouts, the people were drowned in great numbers. Also the day before Christmas eve there chanced a great wind with thunder and rain in such ex- treme wise that many buildings were shaken and over- thrown (Holinshed). Such a vast inundation of continued rain fell for about three months, as no one recollected having seen before {M. of W.). This year also a great many large springs burst out, and unusual streams. And the day after the festival of the blessed Martin, and also the day week after, a violent storm of wind, accompanied by noise as if of thunder, raised up the waves of the sea and caused them to exceed their usual bounds, so that boats were lost and much cattle, and a great number of human beings perished {M. of W.). 1237 About March i began sore rain arid tempestuous weather, whereof ensued great floods as before in the beginning of the year passed, though not doing so much hurt as before {Holinshed). Wheat TjS. ^d. per quarter {Smith). 1239 For the space of four months together fell exceeding great rain, yet at length it began to hold up about Easter. The beginning of June there appeared early in the morn- ing, certain days together, before the sun was up, a star of a large compass, the which with swift course was ( 39) carried through a long circuit of the air, sometimes show- ing as it had borne fire with it and sometimes leaving, a it were, smoke behind it {Holinshed) June 12. An eclipse of the sun, which lasted from the third hour till the sixth hour {M. of W.). 1240 In February appeared a comet, very dreadful to be- hold, for the space of thirty days together. May 7. There chanced a great boisterous wind that sore troubled the sky {Holinshed; M. of IV.). There was a great sound heard in sundry parts of England at one self time, as if it had been the noise of some mighty mountain that had fallen into the sea {Holinshed). 1241 October 6. There appeared a right sore eclipse of the sun, very strange to the beholders {Holinshed). This year was one of pestilence and disturbance to the kingdom of England {M. of W.). 1242 November 20. There happened a marvellous tem- pest of thunder and lightning, and therewith followed such an exceeding rain (which continued many days together) that rivers rose on marvellous height ; and the Thames itself, which seldom riseth, or is increased by land floods, passing over the banks drowned all the country for the space of six miles about Lambeth, so that none might get into Westminster Hall except on horse- back {Holinshed). 1243 Wheat 2s. per quarter {Smith). July 26. In the night stars were seen fall from the sky after a marvellous sort, not after the common manner, but thirty or forty at once, so fast one after another, and glancing to and fro that if there had fallen so many very stars, indeed, there would none have been left in the firmament {Holinshed). This year, pregnant with storms to the kingdom of England, yet was tolerably fertile and fruitful {M. of W.). 1244 Wheat 2s. per quarter {Smith). (40) Men took their horses to go to Westminster Hall, because the water ran over all ( W. Thornbury). About the midst of November great thunder and lightning chanced, with a marvellous intemperate season, for the space of fifteen days together {Holinshed). This was both a fruitful and a fertile year, so that a quarter of corn fell to the price of two shillings {M. of W.). 1246 An unprecedented and destructive storm of thunder and lightning, which lasted an entire day and night, terrified the whole length and breadth of England, and many men and much cattle were killed by the lightning {M. of W.). Wheat 16^. per quarter (Smith). On St. Margaret's Day (July 20) a marvellous sore tempest of hail, rain, thunder, and lightning, which, being universal through the realm, did much hurt, and continued the space of sixteen hours together without ceasing (^Holinshed). June I. An earthquake in Kent {Mallet). On St. Mark's Day (April 25) was a great frost and snow, which nipped the leaves of trees and herbs in such extreme wise, that for the more part they withered and faded away {Holinshed). 1247 A famine year {Rogers). Wheat 13^. ^d. per quarter {Smith). A great earthquake about London on the Thames side, on St. Valentine's even, by the which many buildings were overthrown. The sea had ceased from ebbing and flowing for three months before near the English shore, and after the earthquake there was scarce a day without rain till 21st March {Holinshed). On St. Valentine's Day great damage by an earthquake in the metropolis, followed by a season of such foul weather that the spring was a second winter {Holinshed). On January 13, an earthquake took place in several ( 41 ) parts of England, and was very destructive and formid- able, throwing down many houses ; and this was followed immediately by a long continuance of bad weather, an unusual heaviness of the atmosphere, wintry, stormy, cold, and rainy, which lasted to the Festival of Saint Benedict (March 21), so that both farmers and gardeners complained that spring, and the most beautiful portion of the summer, had departed, and been changed into winter ; and they were terribly afraid that they should be dis- appointed in the hope of seeds and plants and crops and harvest (M. of W.). And so this year passed very fruitful to the crops, but a bad year for fruit {M. of IV.). 1248 June i. The moon, immediately upon the setting of the sun, was almost wholly eclipsed, so that little of her might appear. Four days before Christmas an earth- quake in the west country, about Bath and Wells, which shook and overthrew some buildings, specially the tops of steeples, turrets, and chimneys were shaken therewith, and not the bases or lower parts {Holinshed). At St. Edward's tide (March 18) great rain fell in that unseasonable time of the year (^Holinshed). This year passed by temperate and serene as to its weather, filling the barns with abundance of corn, so that a load of corn fell to the price of two shillings. But with respect to the fruits of the orchards, which were in wonderful abundance in the most fertile districts, in the less productive districts there was a perfect plague of worms and grubs which utterly destroyed all the green parts of the trees {M. of IV.). 1249 In June there fell such abundance of rain, specially about Abingdon, that the willow trees, mills,' and other houses standing near the waterside, were borne down and overturned with one chapel also ; and the corn in the field was so beaten to the ground that bread made thereof, after it was ripe, seemed as it had been made of bran {Holinshed). (42 ) And so this year passed without being so fertile as the last, though still it was abundant ; but about the end of the summer the harvest, though it had presented a good appearance, and excited great hopes among men, was injured (M. of W.). 1250 October i. The moon, upon her change, appearing exceeding red and swelled, began to show tokens of the great tempest of wind that followed, which was so huge and mighty, both by land and sea, that the like had not been lately known, and seldom, or rather never, heard of by men then alive. Great damage done by sea and land. Upon Saint Lucies' Day there was a great earthquake at St. Albans, and in the parts thereabouts, with a noise under the ground as though it had thundered. This was strange and marvellous, because the ground there is chalky and sound, not hollow nor loose. Doves, rooks, and other birds that sat upon houses and in boughs of trees fearing this strange wonder flickered up and flew to and fro, showing a token of fear as if a goshawk had been over their heads (Holinshed ; M. of W.). Fire like lightning was often seen in the winter season, and thunderbolts fell in a terrible manner. The air was confused and darkened, as if laden with the thunder and lightning, and inundations of rain (Af. of W.). The water and the sea transgressed its accustomed bounds, and in the sea where there used to be deep water, dry land was now seen, and the places on the borders of the sea were laid waste ; and in England, and especially in the north, there were repeated strange earth- quakes {M. of W.). 1251 A famine with a murrain (Z. Townsend). On St. Dunstan's Day (May 19) there was marvellous sore tempest of weather, the air being darkened on every side from the four corners thereof, and withal chanced such a thunder as few the like had been heard of. In Windsor Park oaks were rent in sunder and turned up (43 ) by the roots, and much harm done, as mills with the millers in them, sheepfolds with their shepherds, and ploughmen, and such as were going by the way were destroyed and beaten down. About the same time the , sea arose with higher tides than usual by the space of six feet. On Christmas Day, in the night, great thunder and lightning in Norfolk and Suffolk beyond measure (Holin- shed; M. of W.). At the time of the equinox the sea overran its natural boundaries by a very great distance {M. of W. ). 1853 On the octaves of the Epiphany chanced an exceed- ing great wind, which did much hurt in divers places of the realm (Hoh'nsAed). A great drought prevailed for four months (M. of W.). 1252 March 13. The new moon was seen, whereas the prime change by natural course should not have been till the sixteenth day following, and for the space of fifteen days that then next ensued the sun, the moon, and the stars appeared of a red colour. And herewith the whole face of the earth seemed as if it had been shadowed with a thick mist or smoke, the wind notwithstanding remain- ing north and north-east. Then began a sore drought, continuing a long time, the which, together with morning frosts and northerly winds, destroyed the fruits and other growing things, which were blasted in such wise that, although at first it was a very forward year and great plenty towards of corn and fruit, yet, by the means afore- said, the same was greatly hindered, and specially in the summer season, when the sun's heat increased and the drought still continued. The residue of such fruits as then remained withered away so that scarce a tenth part was left, and yet there was indifferent store. For if the abundance which the blossoms promised had come for- ward the trees had not been able to have borne the same. The grass was so burned up in pastures and meadows that if a man took up some of it in his hands and rubbed ( 44 ) the same never so little, it straight fell to powder, and cattle were ready to starve for lack of meat, and because of the exceeding hot nights there was such abundance of fleas, flies, and gnats, that people were vexed and brought in case to be weary of their lives. And herewith, chanced many diseases, as sweats, agues, and other. In the harvest time fell there great death and murrain amongst cattle, and specially in Norfolk, in the fens and other parts of the south. This infection was such that dogs and ravens feeding on the dead carrion swelled straightways and died, so that the people durst eat no beef. The cause of the death of cattle was thought to come hereof. After so great a drought, which had continued by all the space of the months of April, May, June, and July, when there followed good plenty of rain, the earth began to yield her increase most plenteously, and so the cattle, which before were hunger starved, fed now so greedily of this new grass that they died. Apple trees and pear trees began again to blossom after the time of yielding ripe fruit (Holinshed). Great inundation of the Humber, which destroyed both man and beast {Paulson). Great tempest upon the sea and fearful {Lowe). 1353 In thf spring and summer was a great drought, and in the harvest season fell such wet that great floods did much hurt Again in the latter end of harvest, about Michaelmas, there was such a drought that men could get no grinding at the mills, but were constrained to go in some places a day's journey off to have their corn ground. On St. Lucie's Day (Dec. 13) there fell a great snow, and withal a winter's thunder for a token of some evil to follow. About the beginning of Lent the new moon was seen four days before she ought to have appeared by her due and common course {Holinshed ; M. of IV.). Another such woeful accident happened as in 1236 (Sir W. Dugdale). (45 ) 1254 On St. Lucie's Day, 1253, there fell a great snow, and withal a winter's thunder. There followed a marvellous sore later end of a winter through cold and oversharp weather, which continued till the Feast of St. Gregory, in March. Also a great murrain and death of sheep and deer, so that of whole flocks scarce one half escaped. The wind continuing thi? year for the space of three months and odd days northerly, did greatly hinder the growth and increase of flowers and fruits, and about the first of July there fell such a storm of hail and rain as the like had not been seen nor heard of in those days, breaking down the tiles and other coverings of houses with boughs of trees by the violent abundance and force of the hailstones and water, which continued above the space of an hour pouring and beating down incessantly {Holinshed). On the Vigil of the Assumption, St. Peter's Church, at St. Albans, struck by lightning. After the Feast of All Saints', a most terrible pestilence, called the tongues' evil, caused the death of many horses, and made many others sick and useless (^M. of W.). 1255 The sea rose with most high tides, rivers were so filled with abundance of water by reason of the great continual rain that marvellous floods followed thereupon. A comet also appeared, and many high buildings were stricken by force of tempests. The moon suffered a marvellous eclipse on the night following the day of St. Margaret in July. It began before midnight, and con- tinued four hours {Holinshed). Violent storms of wind, with heavy rain, from the Feast of St. Valentine into the following month, day, and night, caused an unprecedented confusion. The weather was very unseasonable during nearly the whole of the spring season, and very unfavourable to flowers and trees, be cause the whole of the month of April there was neither rain nor dew to soften the dry earth, or to give it even the slightest refreshment (M. of JV.). (46) 1856 There was a heavy flood in the valley of the Ouse, which swept away the bridge of Bedford, with much hay {JDugdale). Three days after the Feast of St. Ciricus (8th August) a marvellous sore tempest of wind, rain, hail, and thunder that did exceeding much hurt. Mill wheels, by the violence of waters were carried away, and the wind mills were no less tormented with the rage of wind. Arches of bridges, stacks of hay, houses that stood by water sides, and children in cradles were borne away that both wonderful and no less pitiful to see. At Bedford the river of Ouse bare down six houses together, and did unspeak- able hurt thereabouts {Holinshed). 1257 Wheat 243-. per qr. (Smith). 1258 Wheat 17^. per qr. {Smith). The harvest was very late this year, so that the most part of the corn rotted on the ground, and that which at length was got in remained yet abroad till after All- hallowentide (Nov. i), so intemperate was the weather with excessive wet and rain beyond all measure. Hereupon the dearth so increased that even those which had of late relieved other, were in danger to starve themselves. Finally the weather partly amended, and some corn was got in. A quarter of wheat was sold in London for 24J., whereas two or three years before a quarter sold for 2S. The wind continually certain months together kept northerly, the flowers, with other growing things, were so hindered that scarcely they appeared to any purpose till the most part of June was past ; whereupon the hope of receiving the fruits of the earth was quite taken away, and so upon the dearth that happened a sore death and mortality followed for want of necessary food to sustain the pining bodies of the poor people. They died so thick that there were great pits made in churchyards to lay the dead bodies in one upon the other. In the first night of December there chanced a marvel- ( 47 ) lous sore tempest of lightning and thunder with mighty winds and rains as a token and sign of the troubles that after followed. Corn had been dearer if great store had not come out of Almaine, for in France and Normandy it likewise failed ; but there came fifty great ships fraught with wheat and, barley, meal and bread, out of Dutchland, which greatly relieved the poor, for it was certainly affirmed that in three shires of this realm there was not found so much grain of that year's growth as came over in those fifty ships {Holinshed). On the Vigil of the Blessed John the Baptist (June 24) a terrible storm of wind accompanied by torrents of rain fell on and raised all the waters of the Severn from Shrewsbury to Bristol to a degree that has not been seen in our times ; owing to which inundation all the meadows and all the cornfields near the Severn were overwhelmed, and the crops utterly destroyed. Some men were even drowned in the violent waters, and innumerable boys and great quantities of animals of every sort. The same summer many thousand men died in London and other parts of England, from being wasted away by famine. And the ripening of the crops was so late in the autumn, owing to the excessive abundance of rain, that in many parts of the kingdom' the harvest was not got in before the Feast of All Saints' {M. of W.). 1259 Wheat, c^s. g^d. per qr. ; barley, 3^. $^d. ; oats, is. Zd.; rye, 2S. (Rogers). This year not very fertile in corn, and very sparing as to its supply of fruit, and, as has often been seen, very unlike and contrary to the preceding year. During this year, and especially in the autumn season, there was such fine weather and a dry time, that, though the crops were thin, they were nevertheless got in in good time, to the farmers' wish. And while a little before the crop had been so great that if it had been all saved there would have been enough for two years, and yet it was all so (48 ) utterly spoilt that within the year there was actual scarcity ; now in this year, though the crop was but moderate, there nevertheless was such abundance that, owing to the dry season of the harvest, there was a very sufficient provision made quite unexpectedly. Moreover while this year was in England one of scanty crops, in France the vineyards were utterly spoilt by the rain (M. of W.). A very queer description {T. H. B.\ 1260 Wheat, 4^. t)i. per qr. ; barley, 3^. ^d. ; oats, i^. 6^d. ; malt, 3^. $d. Price of a horse, 5 J. 6d. ; cattle, 6s. to ii;'. ; pig, 2s. ; sheep, 9^. ; hen, id. Thrashing wheat, 2d. per qr. Wool, 4|^. per lb. In the summer of this year great and enormous pro- digies were seen in the air, so that some said that the last Judgment was close at hand. There was now an intoler- able famine, and such excessive and uninterrupted thunder- storms that scarcely any one dared to go out of his house, and many people were killed, and the lightning destroyed houses and fields of corn and woods, and inflicted un- heard of dangers in the country. Also there were such hailstones that the stones were not only like peas, but of the thickness of three fingers, and in some places as thick as fifteen fingers. Moreover, as was declared upon oath, great stones were found to have fallen of such a weight that it required three men to lift them. And in other places the crops, which had been expected to be abundant, were so utterly destroyed that they were hardly sufficient to repay the reapers. So this year passed by not very rich in crops, but one which produced great abundance of fruit. For the orchards and gardens and woods were all so fertile in their different kinds that they appeared sufficient to make up for the scantiness of the corn crops. For the price of corn as it existed at the end of the autumn was said to have fallen by Christmas on this account {M. of W.). 1261 About Christmas there was such unbroken fine (49) weather and softness in the air that you would have said it was the pleasant time of summer rather than winter {M. of W.). Corn of all kinds cheap. Wheat, 4^. ^d. per qr. ; oats, 2S. o\d. {Rogers). About the time of the Purification of the Virgin, when there ought to have been fine spring weather, there was a continuance of snow and frost for a fortnight, that no one for many years had seen such a contrariety of seasons and weather. On July 27th, a most violent thunder- storm, attended with flashes of lightning, alarmed the north country, and a thunderbolt falling at Evesham greatly damaged the church {M. of IV.). 1262 Wheat, 6s. id. per qr. ; barley, 3^. 2d. ; oats, is. 9>\d. ; rye, 3^. ^d. {Rogers). The frost began about St. Nicholas' Day (December 6) and continued for the space of a month and more so extremely that the Thames was frozen so that men passed over on horseback (Jffolinshed). After England had been now for six years and more oppressed by a general failure of the crops, at last, in this present year, the earth recovered its fertility, and a joyful and fertile time returned to the productive fields. About the time of the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle there was a violent storm of wind, which threw down not only houses and trees but also towers, whether built of wood or stone, including the church of Croyland, which over- whelmed five men who were standing under it {M. of IV.). 1263 A great dearth by reason of the wet harvest preced- ing, so that the corn was quite marred and corrupted before it could be got beside the ground {Holinshed). Wheat, 3^. iifi/. ; barley, 3^. (>\d.; oats, i^. M. ; peas, 3^. ; vetches, 3^. per qr. {Rogers). July 29. A very marvellous and wonderful prodigy appeared in the firmament about midnight in the direc- tion of the north {M. of W.). E (so) 1264 Corn high. Wax dear {Rogers). Wheat, 4^. 4^. ; barley, 4^. ; oats, is. 2d. ; beans, 2S. 6d. ; peas, 3^. /^\d. per qr. (Rogers). 1265 Corn low. Wheat, 3^. 3^. ; oats, is. 4ld. ; beans and peas, 2s. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, ?>d. per fleece. 1266 Great floods and high tides. There was such an infinite number of worms that not only the leaves and fruits of trees, but also flowers and herbs, were con- sumed by them {Holinshed), Wheat higher, but below average, barley also. Wheat, 4^. i^\d. per qr. ; barley, 4^. Wool, (>\d. per fleece {Rogers). 1267 Wheat about the same as last year, barley and other grain low. Average weight of a fleece of wool at Stock- ton in Sussex is i lb! i oz. Wool, from d,\d. to id. per fleece {Rogers). Wheat, 4^. i\d. per qr. ; barley, 2s. <,\d.; oats, i^. t'^d.; beans, 2s. ^d. (Rogers). 1868 Corn sells low. Wheat, ^s. 3|(/. ; barley, ^s. 6^d. ; oats, 2s. lid. ; beans, 4.S. 6\d. per qr. (Rogers). An exceeding great frost began at St. Andrew's tide, and continued till near Candlemas. The Thames, from the bridge upwards, was so hard frozen that men and beasts passed over. Ships could not enter the Thames, so mer chandise was brought to London from Sandwich and other places by land. In the month of April there chanced a great thunder, tempestuous rain and floods occasioned by the same, very sore and terrible, continuing for the space of fifteen days together. Wool, 2\d. per lb. (Holinshed). 1269 About the Feast of St. Vedast (Feb. 6th) fell so great abundance of rain that the Thames rose so high as it had not done at any time before to remembrance of men then living, so that the cellars and vaults in London by the waterside were drowned, and much merchandise marred and lost. A comet of a marvellous quantity every day toward the south even about noonday. On the Epiph- ( SI ) any day next after, rose so great winds with storms of such great hailstones that many towns were thrown down (Holinshed). Wheat, 5^.; barley, 3^. id.; oats, i^. ']\d. per qr. Horses, 10s. to 14^. each; cattle, 6^. to 12^. each. Wool, ^d. per lb.; weight of fleece, i|-lb. {Hogers). Great frost in Scotland {Lowe). 1270 Wheat high, 6s. /^\d. ; barley, 4J-. o^d. per qr. {Rogers)- Wheat, 1 12s. {Smith). Equal to sixteen guineas a quarter in money of present time {Sviith). The high prices are due to the unfavourable prospects of the coming harvest rather than to the scanti- ness of the actual crop, prices rising rapidly towards the summer of 127 1 {Hogers). A very rainy season during Lent {M. of W.). 1271 Wheat los. per qr. at one time, average 6s. lo^d. ; barley, ^s. i\d. ; vetches, 5^. lod. ; wool, 3f^. per lb. {Rogers). 1272 Wheat, 6s. 4|(/. ; barley, 4J. 7^. ; oats, 2s. /^\d. ; beans, 4J. 7 J(/. ; peas, 4s. ^\d. ; vetches, 3.5. 4^/. Wool, ^d. per lb. ; weight of fleece, i lb. at Lopham {Rogers). 1273 Prices considerably lower. Wheat, Sx. sf(/. ; barley, 4J. o\d. ; oats, 2s. ^\d. ; beans, 3.?. 6d. per qr. {Rogers). 1274 Prices high. Wheat, 6s. <)\d. ; barley, 4J. 8|(f. ; oats, 2S. j^d. ; beans, 4s. g^d. {Rogers). On St Nicholas' even there chanced such an earthquake, with lightning and thunder, and a blazing star called a comet, that the people were brought into no small fear upon consideration thereof {Holinshed). 1275 Wheat, 5.?. o\d.; barley, 3 J. io|^(/. ; oats, 2s. 2\d.; beans, 3J. i\d. per qr. {Rogers). A disease amongst sheep introduced from Spain {Stowe). Probably small -^ox {T. H. B.). Wool, 6j. 4^. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 5 oz. each at Lop- ham {Rogers). -( 52) September ii. A general earthquake .betwixt the first hour and the third. After this it rained blood in the country of Wales {Holinshed). This earthquake destroyed St. Michael's Church, Glas- tonbury {Holinshed'). September ii. A general earthquake between one and three o'clock {M. of W.) 1276 Prices high. Wheat, 6^. ■2.\d.\ barley, 4^. i.od.; beans, 4J. b\d. ; oats, 2s. 8^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, los. iid. per tod; fleeces, 2 lb. 2| oz. each at Heyford {Rogers). So hot and dry in summer that there was scarcely any fodder {Lowe). 1277 Prices high. Wheat, 5.?. i^d. ; barley, 4^. id. ; oats, 2S. 2,%d. ; beans, 5^. 6d. ; peas, 4^-. o^d. ; vetches, 3^-. 6^d. per qr. Wool very dear. (This was probably when scab first appeared.) At one time it reached gd. per lb. {Rogers). Wool, 12.S. 8d. per tod. Lamb wool, 16s. Fleeces average i lb. 5 oz. at Stratton {Rogers). Another hot and dry summer and scarcity of fodder {Lowe). 1278 Prices low, and decline as the summer advances. Oats are rather dear, vetches rather high, beans are low, peas very cheap. Wheat, 4s. 4^d. ; barley, 3^-. &^d. ; oats, 2 j'. i,\d. ; beans, 35. 2\d. ; peas, 2s. g^d. ; vetches, 3^. g^d. (Rogers). Wool, IIS. id. per tod; fleeces, i lb. lof oz. at Bove- combe (Rogers). Drought in England and France (Mallei). 1279 Wheat low, probably an early harvest. Wheat, 5^. i^d. ; barley, y. ii%d. ; oats, 2s. ^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 3^/. per lb. ; weight of fleece, r lb. at Bovecombe. Wool, 8 J. lod. per tod (Rogers). 1380 Corn moderate, barley abundant and cheap. Wheat and oats are dear in Ireland (Rogers). { S3 ) Wheat, 4S. ii^d.; barley, 3^. 61^.; oats, 2S. 4f (/. ; vetches, 2s. "jd. {Rogers). Wool, gj. 2d. per tod {Rogtrs). Great inundation at Winchelsea (Lowe). In February eight semicircles were seen around the sun joined back to back {M. of W.). 1281 Wheat rather high, barley chfeap, beans high. Wheat, 6s. o|(/. ; barley, 3^'. sf^. ; oats, 2s: c,d. ; beans. Si', o^d. ; peas, 4^^. 4\d. per qr. Wool, ^d. per lb. ; weight of fleece, i lb. 3^ oz. at Maldon (Rogers). Drought so great that men passed over the Thames dryshod between Westminster and Lambeth, and over the Medway between Strood and Rochester (Stow). The Thames frpzen and used as a highway, and on the breaking up of the ice, five of the arches of Old London bridge were carried away (M. of IV.). Frost at Christmas with great snow. Rochester and other bridges wholly destroyed at the same time as London bridge was injured (Stow). From the time of the Nativity of the Lord almost up to the Feast of the Purification there was such an abund- ance of frost, cold, and snow as the oldest and most decrepit people at that time alive in England had never felt before (M. of W.). 1282 Wheat high, barley and oats low. Great floods. Wheat, 5 J. \'i\d.; barley, 4^. ij^f. ; oats, 2s. 'i\d. ; beans, 45. -i^d. ; peas, 35. 2\d. per qr. Wool, Zs. <)d. per tod. Fleeces, 2 lbs. f oz. at Harewood (Rogers). Great snow in Austria ( Chambers). Great flood and gale at Boston. The monastery of Spalding and many churches destroyed. At Yarmouth, Donwich, and Ipswich an intolerable multitude of men, women, and children overwhelmed by the waters, espe- cially at Boston (Allen's Lincoln). 1283 Wheat reaches gx. j^d. per qr. ; barley cheap, oats high, peas dear. Wheat, 6^. ii\d.; barley, 4^. s\^. i ( 54) oats, 2s. i,\d. ; beans, 4^. "j^d. ; peas, 4^. g^d. per qr. A very dry year {Eogers). Wool, 3|(/.';per lb. Fleeces, 1 lb. 4 oz. each at Leather- head (Rogers). 1284 Wheat considerably lower. Barley, oats and pulse low. Drought in spring and summer. Wool, Sj. id. per tod. Wheat, i,s. \\\d. ; barley, 3^. i^d. ; oats, is. g^d. ; beans, 2s. g^d. ; peas, 2s. lo^d. per qr. {Rogers). On Easter Day (9th April), being also Leap Year, in the morning, about the rising of the sun, the element was shadowed with such darkness and thickness of air that it seemed to wax night again, and suddenly rose an hor- rible tempest, first of hail and rain and after of snow, that covered all the earth, and then followed such thunder and lightning that men were marvellously amazed there- with, considering it seemed to be against the nature of the season, for scarce in April shall ye hear any such thunder. Yet at length it brake up, and the element re- covered her accustomed clearness (Holinshed). Earthquake in England (Mallet). 1285 Wheat rising, other corn low. Wheat, %s. i\d. ; barley, 3^. (>\d. ; oats, 2s. i\d. ; beans, 3^. 6|if. ; peas, y. 3f(/. ; vetches, 2S. g^d. ; rye, 4J. if(f.; malt, 4J. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, Ss. Sd. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 6 oz. at Gamlin- gay (Rogers). A great thunderstorm in London (Hbveden). 1286 All corn low, malt dear (Rogers). Wheat highest in spring. Wheat, 4s. gd. ; barley, 3^. 3^^. ; oats, 2s. o^d. ; beans, 3^-. o^d. ; peas, 3^. i\d. per qr. Wool, 9^. 3^. per tod. Weight of fleece, i lb. 2 oz. at Stratton. (Rogers). Wheat, according to Smith, ranged from 2s. 8d. to 16s. per qr. this year, and averaged 9^. 4d. 1287 Wheat lower than at any period between 1260 and 1400. The rate appears to have been lowest after the (55 ) spring commenced, suggesting that the prospects of the next harvest were uninterruptedly good. Barley com- paratively high, oats cheap. Wheat, 2s. lo^d. ; barley, 2s. 6\d. ; oats, is. 5f^. ; beans, is. gfi/. ; peas, is. iifif. per qr. {Rogers). Was such plenty of grain that wheat was sold in some places for twenty pence a quarter, and in some places for sixteen pence, and peas for twelve pence a quarter. In the winter of this year great floods, by reason of the ex- ceeding abundance of rain that fell, and the sea along the north-east coasts from Humber to Yarmouth brake into the land, overflowing the same by the space of three or four leagues in breadth, overthrowing buildings and drowning up men and cattle. This chanced on the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord, and in December it brake out again in Norfolk and Suffolk where it did much harm, namely about Yarmouth {Holinshed ; M. of W.). Wheat, 3^. 4^. per qr. (Smith). Wool, Ss. id. per tod. Weight of fleece, 1 lb. 8 oz. at Kenet. 1388 Wheat slightly higher, barley lower, oats very cheap. Wheat, 3^. ofr/. j barley, 2s. ^^d. ; oats, is. 6^d. ; beans, 2^. 2\d. ; peas, 2s. o^d. per qr. {Rogers). Scab very general in sheep (Rogers). First mention of it this year. Wool, gs. 8d. per tod. Weight of fleece, i lb. 2J oz. at Pevensey (Rogers). Wheat varies from Sd. per qr. to gs. a,d. ; average, y. a\d. (Smith). The summer this year exceeded in heat, so that men through the intemperate excess thereof died in divers places (Holinshed). 1289 Wheat much higher, but below the average ; barley and oats low. Wheat, 41. i\d. ; barley, 3^. 2\d. ; oats, i.f. I \\d. ; beans, 2s. (i\d. ; peas, 2s. 6\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 9^. 6d. per tod ; weight of fleece, i lb. 8 oz. at Ditchingham (Rogers'). ( 56) Average price of wheat, los. if//, per qr. ; lowest, 2s. ; highest, 20S. (Smith). July g. Fell a wonderful tempest of hail that the like had not been seen or heard of by any man then living. And after there ensued such continual rain so distempering the ground that corn waxed very dear, so that wheat rose from threepence to two shillings a bushel, and so the dearth increased still almost by the space of forty years, insomuch that sometimes a bushel of wheat was sold at ten shillings {Holinshed). July 15. An earthquake throughout the whole world {Mallet). 1290 Wheat dear in anticipation of a scanty harvest, other corn dear {Rogers). Wheat as high as 95. in two places, and to 14J. 10^. in another. Wheat, 6j-. $\d.; barley, 4.f. sl*^-; oats, 2s. 6f^. ; beans, 4^. d,d. ; peas, 4J- per qr. {Rogers). Wheat, i6y. per qr. {Adam Smith). Wool, 8.f. \\d. per tod ; weight of fleece, i lb. 5 J oz. at Lopham {Rogers). Earthquake nearly universal throughout Europe {Mallet). 1291 Corn fell steadily to the end of April, and then slightly rose. Wheat, 55. ^\d. ; barley, 4^. di\d. ; oats, 2s. 2^d. ; beans, 4s. S^d. ; peas, 4^. 6d. ; vetches, 4s. 'jd. ; rye, 4s. 2\d. ; malt, ^s. id. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 7 J. 2d. per tod; weight of fleece at Pevensey, i lb. 9 oz. {Rogers). 1292 Wheat and barley lower, oats high, peas low. Wheat, ^s. 4^d. ; barley, 3^. iif(/. ; oats, 2S. 4\d.; beans, e^s. ; peas, 35. 6d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, Sj. per tod Rogers). The Rhine was frozen {Chambers). 1293 Wheat very high, reached 10s. 6d. per qr. ; barley equally high. Wheat, 8x. 3^^. ; barley, $s. id. ; oats, 2S. g\d.; beans, 4s. ii\d. ; peas, 55. 2^d. per qr. Rainy harvest {Rogers). (57) Excessively hot summer {Lowe). 1293 May 14. Fell a wonderful snow, and therewith blew such an exceeding wind that great harm was done thereby in sundry places in England. This year wheat was sold in London for two shillings a bushel {ITolinshed). Wool, Sj-. M. per tod. Weight of fleece, r lb. 7 oz. at Staverton {Hogers). 1294 Wheat high, up to 12s. • barley and rye proportionate; oats not quite so high ; beans very high ; and the yield appears to have been bad in quality as well as quantity ; wool very low; wheat, 9^. i^d. ; barley, 6s. if^. ; oats, 2s. io\d. ; beans, 6^. ^^d. ; peas, "js. Sid. per quarter. Reapers paid i\d. per day {Rogers). Wool, 6s. 2\d. per tod ; fleeces, 1 lb. 6 oz. at Topham {Rogers). Excessively hot summer {Lowe). Wheat, 1 6 J. per quarter {Adam Smith). Land at Monkton Farleigh let at 3 pence per acre arable, and 2s. per acre pasture ; i.f. per acre woodland {Wilis. Mag). A great dearth and scarcity of corn, so that wheat was sold in many places at ^os. per quarter, by reason whereof many poor people died for lack of sustenance. Great dearth and death in Ireland this year, and the two years next ensuing {Holinshed). Oxen, 5 J. to 6s. 8d. ; cows and bulls, 5^. to los. ; calves, Sd. to 2s. ; ewes, 6d. ; horses, 155. to 17^. ; lambs, 6d. ; porkers, ^d. to 6d. each ; wheat, 5J. per quarter ; barley, 2 j. ?>d. to 4^. ; oats, is. 4^/. per quarter ; beans, 2S. to 3^. per acre ; twelve ploughs at 3J. each ; carts, 2s. {Monkton Farley Valuer). This year wool was exported from England into Ger- many {M. of W.). This year was sufficiently productive both in corn and fruit, but very rainy, so that a great part of the crops of the earth eventually failed by becoming rotten. And owing to the torrents the Thames overflowed its accus- ( 58 ) tomed limits and covered and soaked the plains of Ber- mondsey and the liberties of Tothill. It also reached the cottages of the dealers in the market, of the cemetery at Westminster, and compelled them to drive in stakes above their dwellings to protect them, and as the torrents of rain prevailed to a great extent, the valleys and pas- tures which were near the rivers were covered all over the kingdom for some time {M. of IV.). 1295 Prices fall considerably, but beans still dear, wool cheap, wax dear. Wool, s^. gd. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 12 oz. at Gamlingay; wheat, 6s., qd. ; barley, 45'. 4f d. in May, to 4J. 2d. in July. Wheat, 4-?. i\d. ; barley, 2s. io\d. ; oats, 2s. i^d. ; beans, 2s. Sd. ? peas, 3.^. i^d. per quarter. Wool about 4 pence per lb. (Rogers). (60) Wool, Ss. 2d. per tod; fleeces, i lb. each at Framlingham. 1304 A considerable rise in the price of wheat during the spring and summer, when it uniformly stood at 6i'. Sd., and one parcel was sold at los. Wheat, 5J. g^d. ; barley, 4^. i^d. ; oats, 2s. 4^d. ; beans, 3^. ii^d. ; peas, 3^. lo^d. per quarter (^Hogers). Wool, gs. $^d. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. each at Cuxham. 1305 Wheat and barley low. Wheat reached its lowest point in April, when it dropt to 4^'. ; oats are universally dear ; beans must have been a failure, as they were sold as high as 8s. ; peas and vetches are also dear ; wheat, 4s. lo^d. ; barley, 3.f. lo^d. ; oats, 2s. g^d. ; beans, 6 j-. 3^.; peas, 4J. 6d. per quarter. Severe winter. Wool, 8j. T,\d. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 4^^ oz. at South- ampton (^Rogers). In this year there was such a burning heat and such a blight and drought throughout the summer, that the hay failed in most parts of the country, and the beasts of the field died for want, and a double heat oppressed mankind (both while the sun was in Libra as well as when he was in Leo). The consequence was that small pox and disease prostrated both children and young men, and rich and poor, and they were also afflicted with freckles and spots, and a great many young maidens died of the small pox. And there followed after this a winter of extreme cold oppressing mankind much, the frost and snow and ice lasting from December 15 to January 25, and the fish died in the ponds, the birds in the woods, and the cattle in the fields, and many of the birds of heaven were so wasted away that they were caught without any net or snare by the hand of man. But this terrible frost was put an end to by a breeze of the south wind which lasted three days ; and when men thought the winter was past, again the sky was collected into clouds, and the east wind set in and lasted, and the frost returned and lasted from February 13 to the same day in April {^M. of W.). , (6i ) 1306 Wheat still lower, falling to 35. dd. in the spring j bar- ley low ; oats high j wheat, 3J. i \\d. ; barley, 3^. Si^-> o^-ts, 2s. i^d. ; beans, 3J. ; peas, 4s. s|(/. per quarter {Rogers). Wool, 8j. I li/. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 5 oz. at Cuxham. 1307 Wheat rises to 5^. 10^. in April at Cuxham, and to 10^. in South Wales in June. Other corn low. Wool much dearer, up to "jd. per lb. Wheat, SJ. ()\d. ; barley, 3^. 2,^d. ; oats, 2^. 4^^. ; beans, y- ^\d. ; peas, 3^. o\d. per quarter. Wool, io,f. s:^\d. ; barley, 5^. 7 '^. ; oats, 3^. <)\d. ; beans, 5^. lo^d. ; peas, 5^-. &d. {Rogers). Wheat, ^()s. 6d. average ; highest, 80^. ; lowest, 6.f. Zd. per qr. {Smith). Wool, is. ']d. per tod ; fleeces, 2 lb at Gamlingay {Rogers). Victuals were so scant and dear, and wheat and other grain brought to so high a price, that the poor people were constrained to eat the flesh of horses, dogs, and other vile beasts ; and yet for default there died a multi- tude of people in divers places of the land. Fourpence in bread of the coarser sort would not suffice one man a day. Wheat was sold at London for four marks the quarter and above. Then after this dearth ensued a great death and mortality of people {Holinshed). A great dearth in Ireland. A measure of wheat in Ireland, called a chronecke, was sold at 24?. ; oats, xds. ; and all other victuals according to the same rate. A number of people perished through famine {Holin- shed). A cow will produce 3^^. worth of cheese and one-third F {66) of a pottle of butter weekly, and the gross annual return from the animal is worth 9^. ( Walter de Henley). 1318 Wheat falls considerably below the average. The effect therefore of the scarcity has ceased. Hay scarce. Murrain among oxen. Wheat, 4^. (i\d. ; barley, 3^. 5^^. ; oats, 2S. id.; beans, 3^. lo^d. ; peas, 3^. 6f(/. per qr. (J?ogers). Wool, gs. lod. per tod; fleeces, i lb. at Langley {Rogers). November 14. An earthquake in England {Mallet). 1319 Prices below the average. Rise in wool. Wet harvest time. Wheat, 5^. g^d. ; barley, 3^. s|^. ; oats, 2s. 2ld. ; beans, 3^. /^d. ; peas, 3^. 4\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, I IS. <)d. per tod ; fleeces, 2 lb. 2 oz. at Cuxham {Rogers). A great murrain and death of cattle through the whole realm {Holinshed). 1320 A rise in the price of wheat anticipatory of the coming harvest. Wheat, 6j. ^d. ; barley, 4^'. if i/. ; oats, 2S. ^d. ; beans, 4^'. i^d. ; peas, 3^. C)\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool higher than at any time during the century, up to c,\d. per lb. {Rogers). Ffarsine prevalent among horses in the summer {Holinshed). Wool, 13^. "jd. per tod; fleeces, i lb. if oz. at Leather- head {Rogers). Earthquake in England {Mallet). 1321 Wheat excessively high. It reaches 21s. 4d. in Sussex. The scarcity is universal. It does not quite come up to the famine of 13 16, still less to the unprecedentedly high prices of May in 1315-16, but the general result must have fallen little short of the distress experienced at these periods. On the whole the highest prices in this second famine are about three and a half times above the average. Butter, dear. Wheat, I IS. T^d. ; barley, 8s. ^d. ; oats, 4^. o%d. ; beans, 9^. i x^d. ; peas^ gs. $^d. per qr. {Rogers). (6; ) Wool, los. gd. per tod; fleeces, i lb. lo oz. at Gamlingay. 1322 Wheat stjll very high, but declining after the middle of April. Other corn proportionate, except oats, which continue very dear. Butter dear. Wheat, ?>s. ii^d. ; barley, 6;'. 6d.; oats, 3^. 2^d. ; beans, "js. M. ; peas, 6^. 4f(/. {Rogers). Wool, ()s. 8d. per tod; fleeces, i lb. 7 oz. at Chippen- ham (Rogers). This year the sun appeared to man's sight in colour like to blood, and so continued six hours ; to wit, from 7 o'clock in the morning of the last day of October until one of the clock in the afternoon of the same day (lloUnshed) . 1323 Wheat sinks to 5^-. in June, other corn likewise. Wheat, 7 J. e,\d. ; barley, 4^. 4,\d. ; oats, 2s. j^d. ; beans, S^. 2>d. ; peas, 5^. ij\d. ; oats, 2s. id. ; beans, y. I id. ; peas, 35. 7^. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, I Of. per tod; fleeces, 4 lb. at Cheddington (Rogers). The summer this year proved exceeding hot and dry, so that springs and rivers failed to yield their accustomed course of waters, by reason whereof great numbers of cattle and beasts, both wild and tame, died through lack (68) of convenient liquor to assuage their vehement thirst {Holinshed). 1326 Prices of wheat very low, especially in the summer, falling in many places down to 2s. 8d. At Hamslap, in Bucks, wheat is sold at 2s. /^d. Barley not so low, oats and rye cheap, beans and vetches rather dear, peas cheap. Wheat, 3^. yf^/. ; barley, y. o^d. ; oats, i^. u^d. ; beans, 4^. ; peas, 2s. g\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, loj. 6d. per tod; fleeces, i lb. 12 oz. at Gam- lingay {Rogers). 1327 Wheat gradually rises as the summer comes on till it reaches 6s. ; barley never above 35., oats cheap. Wheat, 3J. iii^. ; barley, 2s. lo^d. ; oats, 2S. o\d. ; beans, 3^. gd. ; peas, 2S. 6^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, los. 8d. per tod; fleeces, i lb. 8| oz. at Leather- head {Rogers). Owing to a succession of cold rainy harvests the whole kingdom experienced a most grievous famine {Orange). 1328 Considerable rise in price of wheat. It touched 9^. 6d. in August. Other corn follows. Rainy hay harvest. Wheat, 6s. ^\d.; barley, 4J. e^^d. ; oats, 3.f. id.; beans, Zs. "jd. ; peas, ^s. ii^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 85. lod. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 3I oz. at Sweyn- stone {Rogers). November 14. Greatest earthquake ever known in England {L. Townsend). 1329 Prices of wheat commence at %s., and though a fall occurs in the spring it gradually reaches 7^-. in July. Barley participates in the rise. Wheat, 6^-. 6^d. ; barley, 4^-. 6^^. ; oats, 2S. 5frf. ; beans, 4^. ; peas, 3^. 6^d. per qr. {Rogers). No apples. The harvests in the earlier years of Edward III^ reign were on an average abundant {Rogers). Wool, 7^. 4^. per tod {Rogers). 1330 Wheat still dearer. After May it reaches los. 8d. (69) Other com higher except beans, which are low. Barley and peas spoiled by autumn rain. A great drought at Cheddington (most hkely in the spring) {T. H. B.). Wheat, yj. 2 Ji/. j barley, ss. z^d. ; oats, 2J. ii^if. ; beans, 6s. ; peas, 3^. loj^. (Rogers). Corn thrashed badly (Rogers). Wool, gs. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 9I oz. at Cheddington. July 16. A great eclipse of the sun, and for the space of two months before and three months after there fell exceeding great rain, so that through the intemperance of the weather corn could not ripen by reason whereof; in many places they began not harvest till Michaelmas, and in some places they inned not their wheat till AUhallow- tide, nor their peas till St Andrew's tide. On Christmas even, about the break of day, a marvellous sore and terrible wind came forth of the west which overthrew houses and buildings, overturned trees by the roots, and did much hurt in divers places (Holinshed). 1331 Wheat prices are still high, loj. M. is paid at Wood- hall in Suffolk. Other corn high, vetches excessively dear, average is. /^. Mild spring and genial summer, but both dry. Great quantity of cider. Wheat, 7^. T\\d. ; barley, ds. z\d- > oats, j,s. z\d. ; beans, ()S. ^%d.; peas, 5^. ^\d.; rye, 5 J. g\d.; malt, bs. 2\d. per qr. The weight of a fleece of wool is seldom more than two pounds, and often very much less (Rogers). Wool, \os. 6d. per tod. 1332 The wheat harvest of this year must have been gene- rally good, and the weather of that character which suits all soils alike. Uniformity of prices for both wheat and barley, and the remarkable feature of the year is uniform agricultural prosperity. Wheat, 4^. 8|^. ; barley, 3^. Sd. ; oats, 2^. 2d. ; beans, y. lid. ; peas, 35. e^\d. (Rogers). Wool, 8j. per tod. (70) 1333 All corn low. A drought. Carcase of an ox worth about 10^., or \d. per lb. Wheat, 4^. 2|(/. ; barley, 3.?. 3|^. ; oats, 2S. 2^(i. ; beans, 2,s. ^\d. ; peas, 3J. o^d. ; vetches, 3J. 4^. per qr. At Maldon more than half the sheep and lambs are lost from " murrain " {Rogers). At Leatherhead about the same percentage of deaths took place, at Farley 25 per cent, and at Wolford and Basingstoke 34 per cent. {Rogers). Wool, sj. lod. per tod. November 23. At night through a marvellous inun- dation and rising of the sea all along by the coasts of this realm, but especially about the Thames, the sea banks or walls were broken down with violence of the water, and infinite numbers of beasts and cattle drowned, fruit- ful grounds and pastures were made salt marshes, so as there was no hope that in long time they should recover again their former fruitfulness {Holinshed). 1334 Fall in wheat continues till the summer, when a rise in July anticipatory of the coming harvest. Barley and other corn low. Wheat, 4J. o\d. ; barley, 2S. \o\d. ; oats, \s. \o\d. ; beans, ^s. 6d. ; peas, 35. o^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, "js. \d. per tod. Great frost. It lasted at Paris two months and twenty days {Chambers). The produce of wheat about this time seldom reaches two quarters per acre, and is generally no more than one, and sometimes less than this ; barley about two quarters per acre, and oats about the same, seem to be average crops. Winter roots and artificial grasses were entirely unknown. Hence stock was always starved in winter {Rogers). 1335 Wheat rises considerably ; one quotation in April at 6.f. M. Barley, oats, and rye follow, vetches particularly cheap {Rogers). (71 ) Dreadful famine from excessive rains {F.A.). Wheat, 5^. sl^/. ; barley, 3^. g^d.; oats, 2s. 2^d.; beans, 3^. 4f (/. ; peas, 2s. iQ\d.; vetches, 2s. \i^d. (Rogers). Wool, 8j. 4^. per tod ; weight of fleece at Bretham i lb. 15 oz. This year there fell a great abundance of rain, and thereupon ensued murrain of beasts ; also corn so failed this year that a quarter of wheat was sold for forty shil- lings {Holinshed). 1336 Wheat, 4^. \\d.; barley, 3X. ^\d.; oats, 2S. i.\d.; beans, 2s. lod. ; peas, 3^. id. ; vetches, 2.f. lo^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 8s. ^d. per tod ; fleeces, i lb. 14 oz. at Gamlin- gay (Rogers). Wheat, 2s. per qr. (Smith). The average produce of land at Cuxham for four years past is a little over two quarters of wheat per acre, a frac- tion over one quarter of barley, more than i| qr. of oats, and nearly i\ qr. of peas (Rogers). 1337 Abundant harvest. Great flood at Staundon some time this year. Wheat, 3J. Td. ; barley, 2s. "j^d. ; oats, is. ']\d. ; beans, 3.f. 4(/. ; peas, 2s. o\d. per qr. (Rogers'). Wool, e^s. lid. per tod; fleeces, i lb. 6\ oz. at Welwe (Rogers). At London wheat was sold for 2s. per qr., a fat ox for 6s. Sd., a fat sheep for sixpence or eightpence, half a dozen pigeons for one penny, a fat goose for twopence, a pig for one penny, and all other victuals after the like rate (Holin- shed). A comet with long and terrible streams passing from it (Holinshed). 1338 More abundant harvest than any since 1287. Wheat in February down to 2s. 6d. per qr. Prices rises about the middle of May in anticipation of a coming dearth (Of course this refers to 1339 ; T. H. B.). (72 ) Wheat, 3^. 2^d. ; barley, 2S. id. ; oats, is. 6d. ; beans, IS. I i^J. ; peas, is. 8^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat, 3^. ^d. per qr. {Smith). Wool, 6^. gd. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, 3^. per qr. ; barley malt, 2S. ; oat malt, i.f. 8d. per qr. {Accounts of Mynchin Buckland Priory). 1339 Wheat rises loo per cent, at a bound. It reached ?>s. 8d. per qr. Wheat, 5s. lo^d. : barley, 3^. i^^. ; oats, is. S^d. ; beans, 3.?. o^d. ; peas, 2s. g^d. {Rogers). Wheat, gs. per qr. {Smith). Wool, 6s. per tod {Rogers). From the beginning of October to the beginning of December fell such abundance of rain that it hindered greatly the husbandmen in sowing their winter corn. In the beginning of December came such a vehement frost, continuing the space of twelve weeks, that it destroyed almost all the seed that was sown, by reason whereof small store of winter corn came to proof in the summer following, yet all kinds of grain were sold at a reasonable price through want of money {Holinshed). Famine in Scotland. Crops failed and such a famine ensued that the poorer sort of people were reduced to feed on grass, yet at this time wheat in England was only 3^. 4^. per. qr. {Lowe). 1340 Wheat again low, down to 3^. 2d. ; barley, 2s. Wheat, y. 6^d. ; barley, 2s. g^d. ; oats, is. iid. ; beans, 2S. ii\d.; peas, 2s. e^\d. {Rogers). Wool, 6^^. per tod {Rogers). 1341 Wheat very low. A rise in summer in anticipation of higher prices. Wheat, 35. g\d. ; barley, 3^. o^d. ; oats, is. lo^d. ; beans, 2s. 6\d. ; peas, 2s. i\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, ^s. 4d. per tod ; fleeces at Bretham, i lb. 9! oz. A miserable famine both in England and Scotland, or according to some in the year following, that the people (73) were driven to eat the flesh of horses, cats, and such un- used like kinds of meat (Holinshed'). A comet ( Z. TownsencT). 1342 All corn rather dearer. Wheat, 4J. i\d.; barley, 3J. 2\d. joats, 2s. o\d. ; beans, 2S. <^\d. ; peas, 2s. lod. per qr. (^Rogers). Wool, 6s. 6d. per tod (Rogers). Walter de Henley writes : " Two cows will produce a wey (2 cwt.) of cheese from Christmas, when cheese- making generally commenced, till Michaelmas, besides half a gallon of butter each week. If the pasture was lighter as in a wood, or in meadows after mowing, or in the stubble, three cows were needed for the same amount of produce. He says a cow will produce 2,\d. worth of cheese and one-third of a pottle of butter weekly, and estimates the gross annual return from the animal 9^., and strongly advises that cows should if possible be kept. He reckons ten ewes as producing as much milk as one cow. Milk was invariably sold at id. per gallon, and the average price of cheese about \d. per lb. 1343 Dry time. Scanty pasture. Wheat, 5 J. ']\d. ; barley, 3^. 8f(/. ; oats, 2S. i^d. ; beans, 3J. lof^. ; peas, 3^. i^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, &s. gd. per tod j fleeces, i lb. iii oz. at Bichyn- don (Rogers). Walter de Henley says if wheat does not return more than three times the seed a loss is incurred by the agricul- turist, except when it is above 4^. a quarter. He reckons three ploughings, each at sixpence an acre ; hoeing, id.; two bushels of seed at Michaelmas, is. ; second hoeing, \d. ; reaping, 5^/. ; carriage, id. The straw pays for the thrashing. If therefore only six bushels are reaped to the acre, they will be worth only 3^., and will cost 3^^. i\d., no account being taken of the rent of land. 1344 Wheat lower than at any time since 1338. Butter dear. Drought in spring and summer. (74) Wheat, 3^. dd. ; barley, 25. f)\d. \ oats, xs. <^\d. : beans, 2s. \\\d.; peas, 2s. ^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 7J. 8(/. per tod ; fleeces, 2 lb. each at Market Overton {Rogers). 1345 The general character of the wheat crop very similar to that of last year ; prices rise towards the close of the summer. Wheat, 35. 9|i/. ; barley, 2s. g^d. ; oats, 2s. o^d. ; beans, 3 J. ; peas, 2s. ^^d. per qr. (Rogers). The scab very prevalent. Wool, 7 J. 11^. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. iif oz. at Odi- ham (Rogers). This was called " the dry summer,'' as from March till the end of April little or no rain fell, by reason thereof corn was very scant the year following (PigoWs " Chester"). 1346 Price of wheat rises rapidly, towards the summer reaching i o^. Zd. at Wellow in Hants, where barley also makes 7^. per qr. A scarcity. Wheat, ts. \o\d. ; barley, 3^. ii\d.; oats, 2s. J^d. ; beans, 5^. ^d. ; peas, 33-. ^^d. (Rogers). Wool, 6s. I id. per tod. A great rain and an eclipse with a terfible thunder (Holinshed). 1347 Corn yields badly. Wheat, 6^. "j^d. ; barley, 4^. g^d. ; oats, 2s. 4^d. ; beans, 3^. 6^d. ; peas, 3^. 2\d. (Rogers). Wool, 75. (>\d. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 6| oz. at Whad- don (Rogers). All the ewes in the country barren and brought no lambs (Holinshed). Crows, ravens, and pies in the winter season brought forth their brood and ceased in summer and spring time, contrary to their kind. There was such plenty of rats and mice, both in houses and abroad in the fields, that they might not be destroyed (Holinshed). 1348 Labour dear on account of the pestilence. Tenant's (75 ) rents remitted for one, two, and three years. Flocks and herds wandered about at will on account of the scarcity of labour. Wheat much lower. Wax dear. Wheat, 4^. 2d. ; barley, 2S. (>\d. ; oats, \s. sfi/. ; beans, 35. ^^d. ; peas, 2s. 2,d. perqr. (Rogers). Wool, SJ. 8^. per tod {Rogers). From Midsummer to Christmas, for the more part it continually rained, so that there was not one day and night dry together ; by reason whereof great floods ensued, and the ground therewith was sore corrupted, and many inconveniences ensued, as great sickness and other. Neither sea nor land yielding such plenty of things as before. Whereupon victuals and corn became scant and hard to come by. About August the death began in divers places of England, continuing so for the space of twelve months following (Holinshed). The plague visited England, and swept away half the people according to some estimates. Dry fog with earthquake and volcanic eruptions (Lowe). 1349 Wheat much dearer, though it falls slightly towards the summer. Wool lower than it has been in memory of man, about T.\d. per lb. Wheat ^s. ^\d. ; barley, 3^. \Q\d. ; oats, 2S. (>\d. ; beans, 4^. 5;!?. ; peas, 35. i,\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wheat, 2S. per qr. (Smith). Wool, 4^. per tod (Rogers). Pestilence in Scotland slew near the third part of all the people (Holinshed). This year opened with a severe earthquake at Waghen, East Riding of York, which threw the monks from their stalls (Poulsori). 1350 A year of great and general dearth. Cold and wet summer. Wheat is sold in April at ii.f. dd. and \2s. a quarter. Barley, "js. per qr. in March. Wheat, 8j. ■3,\d. ; barley, 6j. /^l. ; oats, 3^. 8d. ; beans, 6j. Zd. ; peas, 55. '}\d. ; vetches, 6s. 8d. {Rogers). Wool, 7^. ^d. per tod; fleeces, i lb. 8 oz. each at Brancaster {Rogers). January 15. There rose such a passing wind that the like had not been heard of in many years before. It began about evensong time in the south, and that with such force that it overthrew and blew down strong and mighty buildings, as towers, steeples, houses, and chim- neys. This outrageous wind continued thus for the space of six or seven days, whereby even those buildings that were not overthrown and broken down were yet so shaken that they, without repairing, wgre not able long to stand. After this followed a very wet season, namely in the summer time and harvest, so that much corn and hay was lost and spoiled for want of seasonable weather to gather in the same {Holinshed). 1363 Wheat very high. Depression in price of wool ceasef, having continued upwards of 30 years {Rogers). Wheat, ?>s. 6d. ; barley, ^s. 2^d. ; oats, 2S. lo^d. ; beans, 4J. ii|^. ; peas, 3^. 8|i/. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat, 1 5 J. per qr. {Adam Smith). Wool, 6s. lod. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 12 oz. each at Eastwood {Rogers). 1364 Price of wheat still high, but declining. Wheat, 7J-. s^d. ; barley, 4^. 2\d. ; oats, 2s. 8^d. ; beans, 5^. ; peas, 3^-. 5^^. per qr. {Rogers). (8o) Grain destroyed by high winds at Apuldrum {Rogers). Wool, 95. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 6 oz. each at Welwe (Rogers). This year, by reason of an extreme sore frost continu- ing from the seventh day of December till the nineteenth day of March (as Walsingham and other old writers do report), the ground lay untilled to the great hindrance and loss of all growing things on the earth {Holinshed). 1365 Wheat much lower. Wheat, ds. o\d. ; barley, 4^. 2\d. ; oats, 2S. ^\d. ; beans, 2)^. 8d. ; peas,- 31. ^^d. ; vetches, 3^. 4^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 9^. 3^. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 11 oz. each at Heghtre (Rogers). 1366 Corn dearer from the prospects of the coming harvest. Wheat, 6s. S^d. ; barley, 4s. g^d. ; oats, 2s. iif^. ; beans, 4^. ; peas, 3^. o^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, los. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 2 oz. each at Gravesend (Rogers). In this year fell great abundance of rain in the time of hay harvest, so that much corn and hay was lost. There was also such fighting amongst sparrows in that season that they were found dead in great numbers. Also there followed great mortality of people, the sickness being so sharp and vehement that many being in perfect health over night when they went to bed were found dead in the morning. Also many died of the small pox, both men, women, and children (Holinshed). 1367 Wheat much dearer. The highest price recorded is 1 1 J. at Finchdale. In Hunts it is as low as ^s. ^d. The rise appears to take place towards summer (Rogers). Wheat, 9>s. ']\d. ; barley, 4J. ■L\d. ; oats, 3 J. i^d. ; beans, 3J. 4^. ; peas, 3^. yd. ; vetches, 5^. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, lis. 8d. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. ij oz. at Brancaster (Rogers). 1368 Wheat varies from 5^. to 8s. per qr. ( 8i ) Wheat, 6s. i^d. ; barley, 4^. ']\d. ; oats, 3^. o\d. ; beans, 5^. 6|^. ; peas, 4^. $^d. ; vetches, 3J-. g^d. (Rogers). Wool, 8 J. \od. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 14 oz. each at Eastwood {Rogers'). 1369 Wheat prices commence at moderate rates and grad- ually rise to an excessive height. The opening rate is T.OS. up to Christmas, but closes at 165. in the summer. In Sussex a small quantity is sold at 20J., and at Wellow, in Hants, the largest sale of the year is at i8j. %d. Barley rose to 13^-. ifd., and oats to i>s. 8d. Quite a famine (Rogers). Wheat, IIS. lo^d. ; barley, &s. 5^^. ; oats, 4s. z^d. ; beans, 7^^. lo^d.; peas, 6s. &d. ; vetches, ^s. s. 2\d.\ barley, 3.f. iof(/. ; oats, 2S. (>\d.; beans, 45. i\d. ; peas, 3^. id. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, los. per tod (Rogers). 1374 Prices much higher. Wheat up to ii.r. 6d. per qr. Drought after August. A tempest on St. Denis' Day. ( 83 ) Wheat, 8j. 2j(/. j barley, 4s. io\d.; oats, 2s. g^d. ; beans, 5^. ^^d. ; peas, 4^'. o^d. {Rogers). Wool, IIJ-. 4^. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 9 oz. each at Eastwood (Rogers). 1375 Last of a series of fourteen years, during which the price of wheat has in no case fallen to the average rate. The market declines from the prospect of the ensuing harvest. Wheat, "js. Q)\d. ; barley, ^s. ; oats, 2S. g^d. ; beans, 4^. io|(/. ; peas, 4^. o\d. per qr. (Rogers'). Wool, i2.f. "jd. per tod (^Rogers). 1376 A very dry summer. All corn much cheaper. Wheat, 4^^. gd. ; barley, 3^-. g\d. ; oats, 2s. 2,%d. ; beans, 4^. T^d. ; peas, 3J. o^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, I IS. id. per tod (Rogers). 1377 Wheat lower than it has been for thirty years. Great drought in spring and summer. Wheat, 3J. S^d. ; barley, ^s. i^d. ; oats, 2S. ^d. ; beans, 3J-. 6d. ; peas, 2^-. 4^d. ; vetches, 2s. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 1 2 J. 7^. per tod (Rogers). 1378 All corn very low. Wheat, 3^. d^d.; barley, 2S. 6\d. ; oats, is. ii\d. ; beans, 3^. ^d. ; peas, 2S. "j^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, IIS. per tod (Rogers). 1379 Considerable rise in the price of wheat. Other corn cheap. No fruit. Wheat, 5^. g^d. ; barley, 2s. gd. ; oats, is. ii^d. ; beans, 3^ iid. ; peas, 2S. io\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, los. iid. per tod (Rogers). A great tempest about the Feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6 (Holinshed). Inclement spring ( ). Wheat, 4s. per qr. (Adam Smith). 1380 Wheat still higher. Barley cheap. Wheat, 6^. 2\d. ; barley, y. i\d. \ oats, 2s. ^d. ; beans, is. ^d. ; peas, 3^-. ik'^- P^r qr. (Rogers). ( 84) Wool, gs. 4d. per tod (Rogers). Great pestilence in Scotland; the third part of the people died {Holinshed'). 1380 to 1480 were a series of harvests unequalled for abund- ance. 1381 Wheat about average price. Wheat, 5.f. ^^d. ; barley, 35. 41I. ; oats, is. 2^d. ; beans, 55. 6d. ; peas, 25. i i%d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, "js. 4d. per tod (Rogers). 1382 Wheat and barley vary but litde. Wheat, 5^. ^^d. ; barley, 3^. o^d. ; oats, is. i i^d. ; peas, 2s. 8^d. ; vetches, 35. 4d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 7^. 4d. per tod (Rogers). Great earthquake 21st May, followed by a watershake 24th (Holinshed). January. On south coast a great gale (Lowe). May 24. Absence of wind in Germany (Mallet). 1383 Wheat rather lower. Other corn dearer. Wheat, 4J. lod. ; barley, 3J. ii-gd. ; oats, 2s. 3|^. ; beans, 45. 813?. ; peas, 31. ^%d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 10s. 2,d. per tod ; lamb wool, 7^. ?>d. (Rogers). In Lent vehement cold weather, insomuch that on Eas- ter Day, at night, through snow that fell and such extreme cold and boisterous storms, there died above five hundred horses in the English army in Scotland, to let pass the loss of men that perished at the same time (Holinshed). 1384 Wheat rather lower, barley cheap. Wheat, 5x. id. ; barley, 35. id. ; oats, 2s. 2^d. ; beans, S.f. ; peas, 3^. 3^;/. ; vetches, 4?. 6d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, ?>s. per tod (Rogers). Winter very severe. Sea frozen at Venice ( Chambers). 1385 Wheat rather higher, barley low, oats rather dear. Wheat, 5^-. o^d. ; barley, 3J. 2\d. ; oats, 2S. sfif. ; beans, 4s. 6d. ; peas, y. ^d. per qr. (Rogers). Great mortality amongst sheep. 1 5 per cent, of sheep and 55 per cent, of lambs died at Alton Barnes (Rogers). (85 ) Wool, 9^ . sd. per tod ; lamb wool, 5J. 4d. {Rogers). Two earthquakes this year {Malkt). 1386 Wheat exceedingly low in price, other corn likewise. Wheat, 4f. \d. ; barley, zj. \\\d. ; oats, xs. bd.; peas, 2s. 2\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, ^s. j,d. per tod; lamb wool, 4f. wd. {Rogers'). 1387 Corn still lower. Wheat, 3J. i,\d. \ barley, 2s. 8\d. ; oats, is. 4^d. ; beans, 3^. ; peas, is. g^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wheat, 2j. per qr. {Adam Smith). Farmers allowed reduction of rents on account of the low price of corn. Carter's wages, los. per annum; shepherd, 10^.; ploughman, 7^. Wool, 7^. iid. per tod ; lamb wool, ^s. iid. {Rogers). 1388 Corn not quite so low. Barley rises towards the summer from unfavourable anticipations of the coming harvest. Wheat, 3^. &\d.; barley, 2S. lo^d.; oats, is. iid. ; beans, 4^. ; peas, 2s. o^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wet harvest. Wool, p. ^d. per tod ; lamb wool, 4^. %d. {Rogers). 1389 Wheat rises considerably. Wheat, 5J-. s|//. ; barley, 3J. o|^. ; oats, 2s. 2d. ; peas, 2S. ?i\d. ; vetches, 2s. 6^d. per qr. {Rogers). Scab and sickness very prevalent among sheep {Rogers). Wool, 7^. e,d. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 2 oz. each at West Horseley {Rogers). Great gale on the south coast {Lowe). 1390 Wheat very dear. Barley equally high. Wheat, 8j. gd. ; barley, ^s. &^d. ; oats, 3J. yd. ; beans, 4s. 6^d. ; peas, 4s. &\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat, 14s. ^d. per qr. {Adam Smith). March 5. A sore and terrible wind rose, with the violence whereof much hurt was done, houses overthrown, cattle destroyed, and trees overturned, After this great (86) mortality by pestilence, so that much youth died every- where. Herewith followed a great dearth of corn, so that a bushel of wheat was sold in some places at thirteen pence, which was thought to be a great price {Holinshed). Wool, "js. 6d. per tod. Fleeces, i lb. 2\ oz. at Popinho {Rogers). 1391 Wheat falling reaches the average price. Wheat, 5^. t^^d. ; barley, 3^. 4^d. ; oats, zs. 351/. ; peas, 31-. s^d. ; vetches, 2s. 2d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 8.f. 2d. per tod ; lamb wool, 4^. ?>d. {Rogers). July 9. The sun seemed darkened with certain gross and evil favoured clouds coming betwixt it and the earth, so as it appeared ruddy, but gave no light from noon till the setting thereof. The price of corn, that had continued high almost for the space of two years, began to fall immediately after harvest was got in, to the great relief of the poor, many of whom died through immoderate eating of nuts and apples. Wool was dog cheap. It sold for ij-. to 3^. per stone at Leicester. Wheat at one time was sold as high as i6j. Zd. per qr. {Holinshed). 1393 Wheat lower than it has been for one hundred years. Wheat, 3^^. 2^d. ; barley, 2s. \^d. ; oats, \s. \o\d. ; peas, 2s. Tod. ; rye, 2S. 2d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, is. lod. per tod; lamb wool, 4s. id. {Rogers). 1393 Corn slightly dearer. Wheat, $s. 8^d. ; barley, 2s. S^d. ; oats, is. ii^d. ; beans, 4^^. lod. ; peas, 3^. o^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 7J-. 8d. per tod ; lamb wool, 5.?. od. {Rogers). In September much hurt was done through exceeding great thunder, lightning, and tempests in many parts of England. Great inundations and floods of water followed shortly after in October. In Essex, in September, many died from pestilence {Holinshed). (87 ) Excessively hot and dry summer {Lowe). 1394 Wheat still very cheap. Wheat, 3J-. lo^d. ; barley, 3J-. 2^ri. ; oats, 2S. i^d. ; beans, 3^. ?id. ; peas, 2^'. ii\d. per qr. {Rogers). No hoeing paid for because it was not wanted {Rogers); query a dry summer {T. H. B.). Wool, "js. lod. per tod; lamb wool, 5^. ^d. {Rogers). Corn allowed to be exported by license of the Crown temporarily {Rogers). Excessively hot and dry summer {Lowe). 1395 Wheat rising, barley very cheap. No apples. Wheat, 5^. ; barley, -^s. 2\d. \ oats, 2S. i,\d. ; peas, 3^. 4f(/. ; rye, 2j. <)d. per qr. {Rogers). Inclement spring. Probably a cloudy and wet sum- mer, as salt is dear. Wool, "js. ?id. per tod ; lamb wool, 5^. 6d. {Rogers). A certain thing appeared in the likeness of fire in many parts of England, now of one fashion, now of another, as it were every night, but yet in divers places all November and December. This fiery apparition often- times when anybody went alone it would go with him, and would stand still when he stood still. To some it appeared in the likeness of a turning wheel burning ; to other some round in the likeness of a barrel, flashing out flames of fire at the head ; to other some in the likeness of a long burning lance ; and so to divers folks, at divers times and seasons, it showed itself in divers forms and fashions a great part of winter, specially in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire ; and when many went together it approached not near them, but appeared to them as it were afar off {Holinshed) . 1396 Considerable rise in the price of wheat. Wheat, 5^. \\\d.; barley, 3J. 3f^. ; oats, 2s. 'jid. ; peas, ^s. 4%d. ; rye, 4^. 2^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 7^^. 2^d. per tod ; lamb wool, 5^-. 2d. {Rogers). Probably a cloudy and wet summer, as salt is still dear {Rogers). ( 88 ) 1397 Wheat slightly lower, other corn dearer. No apples. Wheat, 5^. g^d. ; barley, 4s. 4^d. ; oats, 3^. 4//. ; beans, 4f. ; peas, 5^. K^d. per qr. (^Rogers). Wool, %s. iid. per tod; lamb wool, 5^. 7^. (^Rogers). 1398 All corn cheaper. Much rain in autumn. No fruit. Wheat, 5J-. 2^d. ; barley, 3J. i,\d. ; oats, 2s. 2d. ; peas, 2s. 6\d. ; vetches, 3^'. 4^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 8s. 2,d. per tod ; lamb wool, 5^. ^d. (Rogers'). 1399 Com slightly dearer. Wheat, 5^. 6\d. ; barley, 3^. 6^d. ; oats, 2s. 2^d. ; beans, 3J. io|^. ; peas, 2s. iid. per qr. (Rogers'). ' Wool, Ss. 2d. per tod ; lamb wool, 4^'. 4d. (Rogers). Good arable land worth fifteen years' purchase (at an annual rent of 6d. per acre), or 7^. 6d. per acre (Rogers). 1400 Grain on the whole nearly as dear as in 1390. Wheat, 7^. ii^d. ; barley, 6s. 3|<^. ; oats, 2s. 5jd. ; beans, y. i^d. ; peas, 4^. 6d. per qr. Wet hay harvest (Rogers). Wool, Bs. 2d. per tod; lamb wool, 4^^. \id. (Rogers). 1401 The harvest was probably wet. Wheat still high and malt dear. Wheat is over \os. in several places. Wheat, 7^. s|(/. ; barley, 4^. ()\d. ; oats, 2s. '^d. ; rye, 6x. Sj(f. ; malt, 5^. 4^. ; beans, 4^. 6d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, is. 6^d. per tod (Rogers). A comet (L. Townsend). Wheat, i6j. per qr. (Adam Smith). Unskilled labour, ■^d. per day ; reaping wheat, dd. per acre (Rogers). At Teffont, in Wilts, harvest men are paid ^d. a day with their food, which was about \s. a week (Rogers). 1402 Price of grain declining. Harvest better in south and west than in the Midland and eastern counties. No apples. Wheat, 6^. 8\d. ; barley, 4^. i^d. ; oats, 2^. ^d. ; rye, 5^. 8d. ; beans, 3.?. g^d. ; malt, 4^. g^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, gs. per tod. ( 89) March. A comet in north-east flashing forth fiery beams towards the north. About mid-August such foul weather of winds, tempest, rain, snow, and hail that the like has not been heard of {Holinshed). Thrashing and winnowing wheat, ^d. per qr. ; barley, 2d. ; oats, z.\d. {Rogers). 1403 Prices fallen considerably. Wheat, 4^. -Li\d.; barley, 4^. 2\d. ; oats, 2s, 2\d. ; rye, 31. (^\d. ; beans, 2s. ; malt, 3^. td. per qr. iJRogerf). Wool, 8j. I \d. per tod. Mowing grass, "jd. per acre {Rogers). Harvest men at Alton Barnes paid the same wages as at Teffont in 1401 {Rogers). 1494 Wheat still lower. Abundant harvest. Quoted as low as 2s. in Oxfordshire. Wheat, 4J. \ barley, j,s. /\,\d. ; oats, 2^-. 2d. ; rye, 2S. 2i\d; ; beans, 3^. i^d. ; peas, 2s. ?>jd. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 2>s. io\d. per tod {Rogers). Unskilled labour, 4^. per day {Rogers). Great loss happened in Kent about St. Martin's Day by breaking in of waters that overflowed the sea banks, whereby much cattle was drowned {Holinshed). 1405 The price of wheat sinks again. A year of great plenty, prices being but little in excess of those in the three abundant years, 1392-4. Wheat, 3^^. 9|\d. per tod {Rogers). 1416 Price of corn rises at the beginning of the harvest (92 ) year, though it falls to the average towards its conclusion. It is probable that the high prices represent the harvest of 1416, and the lower values when the harvest of 1417 was anticipated. Barley of low malting quality. Proba- bly indifferent harvest. Wheat, 7^. iif^. ; barley, 4s. 6d. ; oats, 2s. 2^d. ; rye, y. 6d. ; peas, 7,s. 4^. ; malt, $s. y^d. per qr. (^Rogers). Wool, 7^. 4|if. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, ids. per qr. {Adam Smith). 1417 Prices have fallen considerably. An abundant crop of barley of high quality. Wheat, 5J-. 3^^. ; barley, 3^. ?i\d. ; oats, 2s. 2d. ; rye, 4J. ?>\d. ; beans, 2S. 8d. ; malt, 4^. 6d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 6s. 7|rf. per tod {Rogers). 1418 Below an average harvest for wheat, and above for all other kinds of grain. Probably the summer was wet in the southern counties, as the highest rates are reached in Wilts and Sussex. Wheat, 6s. ii^d.; barley, 3^. •jd. ; oats, 2s. o^d. ; rye, jf. ojd. ; beans, y. 4d. ; malt, 3X. 3^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 6s. 8d. per tod (Rogers). 1419 Considerable fall in the price of wheat. Spring corn higher. Wheat, 4s. g\d. ; barley, 4^. 2^d. ; oats, 2s. 3J1/. ; rye, 2S. ()\d. ; peas, 3^. 6\d. ; malt, 4s. 2\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 6s. 2,d. per tod. Unskilled labour, 2\d. per day ; mowing grass, 6\d. per acre {Rogers). 1420 Probably corn did not yield as well as estimated, as wheat rose from 4^. ^d. in November, to is. ^d. later in the season ; and whilst the crop in the eastern counties was plentiful, it was scanty in the south and west Large crop of barley, of low quality probably. Wheat, 6s. 3^. ; barley, 3^. 4^. ; oats, 2s. i\d. ; rye, 3J. 4d. ; peas, 35. 3;^. ; malt, 4^. i^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 8s. per tod {Rogers). (93 ) 1421 On the whole the harvest must have been plentiful, and quality high. Wheat, 5J. 2^d. ; barley, 3^. 4^(/. ; oats, 2s. 5 J(/. ; rye, 3^. 11^. ; peas, 2s. wd.; malt, 2>s. T^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, Sj'. per tod {Rogers). Unskilled labour, 3^. per day (Rogers). 1422 The harvest must have been abundant and of good quality. Prices lower. No apples. Wheat, 4^. 4^. ; barley, ^s. %\d. ; oats, 2s. 2\d. ; rye, 3 J. o\d. ; beans, 4^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 6s. ']d. per tod {Rogers). 1423 The harvest is practically of the same character as the last. Good qualities of barley seem to have been com- paratively scarce. Wheat, 4^. z\'^-> barley, 3^. ^d.; oats, is. ii\d. ; rye, ^s. 6d. ; peas, 2s. lod. ; malt, 4s. ^^d per qr. (Rogers). Wheat, 8.f. per qr. (Smith). Wool, IS. id. per tod (Rogers). 1424 A slight rise in the price of wheat. Barley cheaper. Wheat, 4^^. ii;^;^. ; barley, y. S^d. ; oats, is. ii^d.; rye, 3 J. lo^d.; beans, 4s.; malt, 4s. 6\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 8j. e^^d. per tod (Rogers). 1426 Wheat lower. It sinks to 2s. Sd. per qr. in two places. Wheat, 4s. o^d. ; barley, 3^. i\d.; oats, u. io\d. ; rye, 3 J. ; peas, 2s. 4d. ; malt, 4s. ^\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wheat, 4^^. per qr. Five ox-bides sold for I2J-. ; five cow-hides, 7^-. 3^.; thirty-six sheep skins, of two years old, 9J-. ; sixteen calf skins, 2s. (Fleetwood). Wool, 6s. io\d. per tod. Unskilled labour, 4d. per day. Mowing grass, lod. per acre (Rogers). 1426 The harvest must have been very abundant, and generally so. Wheat still lower. Barley good quality. Wheat, 3^. ii^d.; barley, 3 J. i\d. ; oats, is. ii^d. ; rye, 3^. 6d. ; beans, 3 J. ; malt, 3^. 6^*/. per qr. (Rogers). (94) September 28. Dreadful earthquake accompanied with thunder and lightning (Z. Townsend). The shocks lasted two hours, preceded by a dreadful tempest (Stowe). The Baltic was frozen over (Z. Townsend'). Wool, 6j. M. per tod {Rogers). 1427 The harvest of this year closes a period of extra- ordinary abundance and cheapness, which has lasted without intermission for seven years. Wheat, 4J-. 4^. ; barley, 3^. if^. ; oats, 2^. 2d. ; rye, 2S. lid. ; beans, 4^-. ; malt, 3^-. S^f. per qr. (Rogers). Great floods in summer (Rogers). Wool, 6s. loji/. per tod (Rogers). Rain began on April i, and did not cease till HoUon- tide, November i (Lowe). 1428 Wheat rises to 13J. i,d. per qr. at Lancaster, due to a wet season, particularly affecting western England. Barley is %s. per qr. at Sidmouth, and only 2s. &d. in Norfolk, and 6^. at Alton Barnes. Wheat, 8s. lo^d. ; barley, 4s. 8^d. ; oats, 2S. 8^d. ; rye, 5^. 51/. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, '~,s. ^d. per qr. (Rogers). No fruit at Alton Barnes (Rogers). Wool, IS. i\d. per tod (Rogers). 1429 This and the preceding year must have been charac- terized by continual rain : the latter in the west, the former in both east and west, though the east seems to have suffered most. Wheat was sold at Cambridge at 10s. per qr. Wheat, IS. iid.; barley, 4s. 4\d.; oats, 2S. 6^d.; rye, IS. 4d. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, 7^. 2d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 8s. 8d. per tod (Rogers). 1430 The harvest appears to have been generally good. Prices lower. Wheat, 5 J. ii\d.; barley, j,s. i^d.; oats, 2S. o\d.; rye, 4s. lod. ; beans, 3^. 4d. ; malt, 5^. 6d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, Ts. 8d. per tod. No fruit at Alton Barnes (Rogers). (95 ) 1431 Prices low. Oats have not been so cheap since 1387. Wheat, 4J. Sd.; barley, 3 J. id.; oats, is. <)\d.; rye, 4^. ; peas, 3J. ; malt, 3^'. ii\d. per qr. {Hogers). No fruit at Alton Barnes. Wool, 7 J. ii\d. per tod (Rogers). 1432 A considerable rise in prices. Wheat recorded up to 10s. per qr. Wheat, 6s. iid. ; barley, 3^. 8^d. ; oats, 2^. ^d.; rye, 4^. 8^. ; beans, 6s. Zd. ; malt, ^. 2,^d. per qr. {Rogers). No fruit at Alton Barnes (Rogers'). Wool, 6s. g^d. per tod (Rogers). Severe frost in England (Lowe). 1433 The harvest must have been a good average. Wheat, SJ. \o\d.; barley, 4^. 2\d.; oats, 2S. ^d.; rye, S^. 4d. ; beans, 4^. ; malt, 4^'. 6^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 4^. lod. per tod (Rogers). June 17. A terrible eclipse of the sun at three o'clock at afternoon, the day being darkened overhead for the space of one half-hour together as though it had been night, and thereupon it was called the black hour (Holinshed). 1434 Wheat lower. Barley cheap. Evidently an abundant harvest. Wheat, 5J. /i,\d. ; barley, 2^. lod. ; oats, is. ii^d. ; rye, 3^. 5d. ; peas, 3^. sfrf. ; malt, 3^. /s,\d. per qr. (Rogers). The winter very severe. The Thames frozen from 24th November, 1434, to loth February, 1435, so that it bore heavy waggons on its surface as far as Gravesend (Holinshed). Wool, SJ. 4^. per tod (Rogers). 1435 Wheat an average price. All other grain cheap. Wheat, SJ. 6\d. ; barley, 2s. $d. ; oats, is. S^d. ; rye, 3^. 5j^. ; beans, 4^^. ; malt, 2S. 8d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 4^'. lod. per tod (Rogers). The frost was so extreme this year, beginning about 2Sth November, and continuing till loth February, that ( 96 ) the ships with merchandise arriving at the Thames mouth could not come up the river, so their lading was brought to the city by land. In the harvest a blazing star was seen with long streaming beams {Holinshed). Wheat, 5^-. 4^. per qr. {Smith). In Scotland the frost was so vehement that ale and wine were sold by the pound weight, and then melted against the fire {ffolinshed). 1436 The price of wheat gradually rises, the forecast of the crop of 1437 having its effect on the markets. Wheat, 5 J. ^\d. ; barley, 3J. o^d.; oats, is. io\d.; rye, 3^. i-i\d. ; beans, 4J. ; malt, 2,s. sf^^. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 6 J. \\d. per tod {Rogers). The frost was so vehement that ale and wine were sold in Scotland by the pound weight, and then melted against the fire {Holinshed). A cow was sold in Salisbury market for is., and a calf for \d. {Eastori). Wheat allowed to be exported, when at ds. 8d. per qr,, without a license {Smith). Corn being of small price, viz. wheat at ds. ?>d., and barley at ^s. per qr., may be carried forth of the realm without license (15 Henry VI. c. 2). 1437 The price of corn rises rapidly. At November it stood at 8j. ; after it reaches to \i>s. The southern counties were most affected by the season, which was wet. The price of barley does not rise correspondingly with that of wheat. A dearth of considerable local severity prevailed during this year. Wheat, ()s. s^d. ; barley, 4^. ; oats, 2S. ii^d. ; rye, 6,5. 8d. ; beans, 3^. gd. ; malt, 5^. s|^. per qr. {Rogers). A great dearth in Scotland, the like was never heard of before, and such a death by pestilence that few escaped that were taken therewith {Holinshed). Wool, 4,?. 4d. per tod {Rogers). A bushel of wheat sold for 'js. in Chester {Pigott). (97) 1438 A year of undoubted famine, the most serious since 1315-16, from which it is separated by an interval of 122 years. The scarcity is universal, as well on the Conti- nent as in England. The cause of the calamity was heavy and long continued rain in summer, with an almost total absence of the normal solar heat. The dearth was early recognised, as in November the price is nearly up to the average of the year. The scarcity of the year, 1438-9, is the most serious in the fifteenth century. It does not equal in severity or extent those of the four- teenth, but it created general distress, perhaps loss of life, in the more impoverished and inaccessible districts. Wheat rose to 20^. per qr. Wheat, 14s. T^d. ; barley, 6s. 8f^. ; oats, 3J. 45^. ; rye, I IS. 6ci. ; beans, "js. 4^d. ; malt, 6s. &id. per qr. [Rogers). Wool, /[s. per tod {Rogers). Great dearth of corn from 1437 to 1440. Wheat worth 40(/. a bushel in many places, yet men might not have enough. Wherefore Stephen Brown, the Lord Mayor, sent into Prussia and brought to London certain ships laden with rye, which eased and did much good to the people, for corn was so scarce in some places that poor people made bread of fern roots {Caxton). Unskilled labour, 4^. per day; mowing grass, 16^. per acre (Rogers). 1439 Price of wheat lower. It remains high in Cambridge, Sussex, and Devon, but low in Oxfordshire and the Cots- wold district. Barley does not fall proportionately. Wheat, ys. 6^d. ; barley, 5J. 2\d. ; oats, 2s. ^d. ; rye, 4s. lo^d. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, js. 2d. per qr. (Rogers). Wheat, 23J. 4d. per qr. (Adam Smith). Wool, 6s. ^d. per tod (Rogers). Land sold at ten years' purchase, so great was the in- security of possession (Rogers). By reason of great tempests, raging winds, and rain, there rose such scarcity that wheat was sold at 3^. 4d. the H (98 ) bushel, wine at twelve pence the gallon, bay salt at fourteen pence the bushel, and malt at i^s. 4^. the qr. {Holinshei). Unskilled labour was for many years about fourpence per day {Rogers). 1440 Price of wheat uniformly low. Wheat, 3^. \o\d.; barley, 3^. ; oats, \s. ']\d.; rye, 3^. ; peas, 2s. 6d. ; malt, 2s. i\\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, ()s. g^d. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, 24s. per qr. {Adam Smith). 1441 Plentiful harvest, evidently from the low price of corn. Wheat, 4J. o\d. ; barley, 2s. 4\d; oats, is. lo^d. ; peas, 2s. 2,d. ; vetches, 2s. Sd. ; malt, 2s. 6d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4s. 8d. per tod {Rogers). North country wool, 6^. per tod ; Wiltshire wool, i is. per tod. 1448 The harvest must have been abundant. Prices were uniformly low. Wheat, 3^. ii^d. ; barley, 3^. 2^d. ; oats, 2s. i^d. ; rye; 2S. 8d. ; peas, 2s. 8d. ; malt, 3^. y^d. per qr. {Rogers). . Wool, 5^. g^d. per tod {Rogers). 1443 Wheat prices are still very low, barley is also cheap. Wheat, 4s. 2d. ; barley, 3^. i^d. ; oats, is. gd. ; peas, 3^. e^i-d. ; vetches, 3^. id. ; malt, 3^. ^\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 5^. 4d. per tod. On Candlemas Eve, by lightning in a tempest that fell with claps of thunder, at afternoon, Paul's steeple was set on fire in the midst of the spear or shaft in the very timber work {Holinshed). Waltham Cross fired by lightning same day {Townsend). 1444 The harvest must have been abundant, and of good quality. One quarter of wheat is sold at Abingdon for one shilling. Other corn cheap. Wheat, 35. I i%d. ; barley, 2s. ^\d. ; oats, is. Z\d. ; rye, 2s. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, 2s. ']\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, ^s. 8d. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, 4s. id. per qr. {Adam Smith). 1445 Bad wheat harvest, especially in the south and east. (99) One sale recorded at Boreham, at los. id. per qr. ; and one at Cambridge, 8s. lod. Barley cheap. Wheat, 6s. 2,\d. ; barley, 2s. i^d. ; oats, is. i id. ; rye, 2s. io\d.; vetches, 2s. Sd.; malt, 2s. lo^d. per qr. {Hogers). Wheat, 4^. 6d. per qr. {Smith). Wool, 5J. 6\d. per tod (Rogers). The steeple of St. Mary RedclifF, Bristol, thrown down and the rest of the church much damaged by a thunder- storm at St. Paul's tide {Lowe). 1446 Wheat crop nowhere very bad, and nowhere very abundant. Wheat, 5J. ii\d. ; barley, 2S. io\d.; oats, 2^. if^. ; rye, 4^. ; vetches, 4^-. 4\d. ; peas, 2s. 2,id. ; vetches, 3^. 4^. ; malt, 3.f. 4j;d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 3^. 4d. per tod (Rogers). Wheat at Salisbury, one shilling per qr. ; malt, one shilling and fourpence (Easton). 1455 Wheat rises to its average amount Above the aver- age in eastern England, and below in the midland district. Wheat, 55. sl^. ; {)arley, 3^. i\d. ; oats, i^. lod. ; rye, 3^. ; peas, 2s. id. ; malt, 4J. o\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 3^'. /\d. per tod (Rogers). Wheat, IS. 2d. per qr. (Smith). 1456 In July and early in September there was a sudden ( loi ) and sharp rise, due probably to anticipations of a defective harvest. Wheat, 4s. ii|(/. ; barley, 2s. lof^. ; oats, 25.; rye, y. 4d. ; beans, 3^. ; malt, 3J. id. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 5^-. per tod (Rogers'). Two comets (Z. Townsend). 1457 Deficient harvest. Wheat, 5^. 9|%d. per tod (Rogers). In a little town in Bedfordshire there fell a bloody rain, whereof the red drops appeared in sheets, the which a woman had hanged out for to dry (Holinshed). Wheat, SJ. per qr. (Adam Smith). The Baltic frozen so that people travelled on ice from Denmark to Lubeck, Wismar, Rostock, and Stralsund (L. Townsend). 1460 The price of corn much higher. Wheat quoted up to %s. ^\d. ; barley, y. dd. Wheat, 7^. o\d. ; barley, 4^. o\d. ; oats, 2^. o^. ; rye, 55. ; vetches, 6s. 8d. ; malt, 4s. 4d. per qr. Malt is quoted up to 7^. S^d., indicating considerable local scarcity (Rogers). Wool, 4s. 8d. per tod (Rogers). ( 102 ) Wheat, 8^. per qr. {Smith). Wheat permitted to be exported when below bs. M. per qr. ; and barley, 3^. s,d. per qr. {Hume). A comet in August {Holinshed). Produce of a farm. Wheat 12 bushels per acre, at Si-, per qr. ; barley, 2 qrs. ; peas, i qr. ; oats, 2 qrs. 4 bushels {Rogers). 1461 Wheat still rising. Wheat, 7^. 55^. ; barley, 4?. id. ; oats, 2s. ^^d. ; peas, 4.r. 4(f. ; vetches, 6^. ; malt, 4.?. ^\d. {Rogers). Wool, 4^. per tod {Rogers). 1462 All corn much cheaper. Wheat, 45. 4:|(/. ; barley, s^- 3i'^- > os-ts, i-f. Si^- 1 T^) 4.f. 8/f. j beans, ^s. j,d. ; malt, 2^-. 4^. {Rogers). Wool, sj. per tod {Rogers). 1463 The harvest must have been uniformly abundant, as wheat falls to the price of 1440-1, which is the lowest of the century as yet. Barley equally cheap. Oats dearer. Wheat, 3J. lo^d. ; barley, 2s. /^\d. ; oats, is. 8|^. ; rye, 2S. lod. ; beans, 35. 6d. ; malt, 3^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, p. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, IS. lod. per qr. {A. Smith). No wheat allowed to be imported till the price was over 6^-. id. per qr. {Smith). 1464 Wheat a little dearer, but prices generally low. Wheat, 4^'. i\d. ; barley, 3s. 6\d. ; oats, 3^. /^. ; beans, 3J-. %d. ; rye, ^s. ^d. ; malt, 4J. lo^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4^. lod. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, 6^. Sd. per qr. {Smith). 1465 Wheat still dearer, but all com very cheap. Wheat, 4^. id. ; barley, 3^. o^d. ; oats, is. gd. ; rye, 2,s. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, 4^, 45^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4s. lod. per tod {Rogers). 1466 All corn higher except pulse, which is low. Wheat, 5^. 4d. ; barley, 35. 4f^. ; oats, 2s. id. ; rye, 35. sld.; beans, ^s. 4d.; malt, 3^. 8d. per qr. {Rogers). ( 103 ) Wool, 4J'. lo^. per tod {Rogers). 1467 Very slight alteration in prices. Wheat, 5^. /^d. ; barley, 3^. z^. ; oats, 2s. i\d; rye, 4J. ; beans, 3^. ^\d. ; malt, 3^. q^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, C>s. i\d. per tod {Rogers). Wine was cut with hatchets and served to the soldiers in Flanders {Chambers), 1468 The harvest seems to have been generally good, but prices of wheat are high in the eastern counties. Wheat, SJ. yf^. ; barley, 3J. 2\d. ; oats, is. i\d. ; rye, 35-. ^d. ; beans, 2S. ']\d. ; malt, 3^-. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4^. e^d. per tod {Rogers). 1469 Prices high in the west, up to Sj-. /^d. at Budleigh and Loders, whilst in eastern counties it is down to 5^. id. ; barley and oats dearer. Wheat, 6^. c,\d. ; barley, y. 6\d. ; oats, 2s. i\d. ; rye, 4J. 2^d. ; peas, 2s. Sd. ; malt, 3^. {Rogers). Wool, 4^-. ^d. per tod {Rogers). 1470 Prices lower, except in the eastern counties. Wheat, 5^. g^d. ; barley, 3^. ^d. ; oats, is. gd. ; rye, $s. 4d. ; malt, 3J. 8^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4X. per tod {Rogers). A heavy flood in the valley of the Ouse. 1471 Wheat about an average price, barley higher. Wheat, 5J. 7^d.; barley, 3^. ii^d. ; oats, is. lo^d. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, 4^. g\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4s. i^d. per tod {Rogers). 1472 Wheat uniformly low, barley and malt rather cheaper. Wheat, 4s. o^d. ; barley, 3J. ^d. ; oats, is. lo^d. ; beans, 3^. 4d. ; malt, 5s. ^\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 5 J. 2\d. per tod {Rogers). 1473 Wheat low. Wheat, 3J. 10^. ; barley, ^s. 6\d. ; oats, 2s. ^d. ; rye, 3^. 4d. ; beans, $s. 4\d. ; malt, 3J. i\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 5 J. 2\d. per tod {Rogers). A comet appeared in the south from January 17 th to ( 104 ) February i8th, and was placed between the Pole and the Pleiades (^Holinshed). Very hot summer; the whole earth seemed on fire (Zt^ze/^). 1474 Wheat higher, other corn lower. Wheat, 4J. bd. ; barley, 3^. 2^d. ; oats, is. s|^. ; beans, 2S. 8f(f. ; malt, 3^. o^d. (Rogers). Wool, 4^. per tod (Rogers). Very hot summer, similar to the last (Lowe). 1475 Wheat still dearer ; barley cheaper. Wheat, 5 J. ^\d. ; barley, 3J. 2d. ; oats, \s. \\\d.; rye, 4^. ; beans, 3^. 4^. ; malt, 2s. 4^. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, IS. id. per tod (Rogers). Several villages destroyed near the mouth of the Hum- ber by inundation (M. Hoff). 1476 Wheat, 5^. i\d. ; barley, 3^'. 2d. ; oats, \s. \i\d. ; rye, 3^. 4(f. ; beans, 3J. ^d. ; malt, 2s. /\,\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, ?>s. Sd. per tod (Rogers). 1477 Wheat much dearer, it reaching -js. 4d. at Coleshull. Wheat, 6s. 8d. ; barley, 3 J. 2%d. ; oats, is. Sd. ; beans, 2S. 8d. ; malt, 2S. 6\d. per qr. (Rogers). Probably a wet summer. Wool, 6^. per tod (Rogers). By reason of great heat and distemperance of air hap- pened so fierce and quick a pestilence that fifteen years war past consumed not the third part of the people that only four months miserably and pitifully despatched and brought to their graves (Holinshed). 1478 Wheat still at a high price, and universally so. Barley cheap, but malt high, indicating that the quality of the grain was low. This summer, as well as the last, was probably wet, and the quality of the corn inferior. Wheat, ds. •]\d. ; barley, 2s. ^d. ; oats, is. lod. ; rye, 4J. ; beans, 4^. ; malt, 4J. ^^d. (Rogers). Wool, 4^. per tod (Rogers). 1479 Wheat cheaper. Wheat, 5^. io\d. ; barley, y. ^\d. ; oats, is. jd. ; rye, $s. 4d. ; beans, ^. ; malt, 3^-. 6\d. (Rogers). ( los ) Great mortality and death, by the pestilence in divers parts of the realm, which began in September in the year last passed and continued all this year till November, about fourteen months {Holinshed^. 1480 Wheat, 51. 10^.; barley, 3J. ; oats, \s. \\\d.; rye, 3^-. ^d. ; beans, 3J-. \o\d.\ malt, 4J. i\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 3^. %d. per tod (Rogers). Wonderful tempest of wind and weather (Hector Boe- tius). An earthquake in July {Norwich Register). 1481 A decidedly defective harvest. The probable cause of the dearth was wet in the midland and eastern coun- ties. Wheat, 8j. 6%d. ; barley, 5^. M. ; oats, ^s. 2,\d. ; rye, 5^. Q\d. ; beans, 5^. ; malt, 5^. io\d. (Rogers). Wool, 4^. /^d. per tod (Rogers). 1483 Prices are still higher, especially in eastern England. Barley and malt are also very dear. The highest rate for wheat is 15^. at Wearmouth. Oats are by no means dear, but beans and peas are. Wheat, 10s. 4d. ; barley, 6^. i%d. ; oats, zs. 4^d. ; beans, SfS. ^\d. ; peas 8f. ^d. ; malt, yj. per qr. (Rogers). These two years are distinctly those of scarcity, es- pecially in the eastern counties. The highest prices being in Durham (Rogers). Probably cold and wet seasons, as oats are not affected in price, and they are not injured by seasons of this character (T. H. B.). Wool, 5.f. Td. per tod (Rogers). 1483 Prices fell as the prospects of 1483 improved. Wheat, "js. ^\d. ; barley, y. iid. ; oats, 2s. ^d. ; beans, 4J. \\d. ; peas, 4X. xd. ; malt, 4s. gd. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 55. 2d. per tod. Such a flood in Gloucestershire by force of continual rain and moisture that all the country was overflowed by the Severn, and several persons drowned in their beds. ( io6 ) The waters did not abate for ten days, and in the country adjoining they call it to this day " The great water " {^Holinshed'). Another flood {Arlingham Register). Sweating sickness first appeared in England. It chiefly attacked males in the prime of life, and more especially the higher classes. It was a disease of peculiar violence, and in twenty-four hours the fate of the sufferer was de- cided for life or death {Lowe). 1484 The price of wheat falls to an average price. Wheat, 55. 2)i'i- '> barley, 4J. i\d. ; oats, zs. i^d. ; rye, 4J. &d. ; beans, 3J-. 8^. ; malt, 3^. lOj^. (Rogers). Wool, s^. 4d. per tod {Rogers). 1485 Prices of corn low. Wheat, 4s. 6ld. ; barley, 3^. t^d. ; oats, is. 8d. ; beans, 3^-. 4d. ; peas, si'. 4^. ; malt, 2S. ^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 5^. per tod (Rogers). Two mayors and six aldermen died in London in one week of the sweating sickness (Lowe). 1486 Prices a little higher. Wheat, SJ. s^d. ; barley,' 4^. i id. ; oats, \s. ^d. ; rye, 6^^. Bd. ; beans, 3^. 6d. ; malt, 3^. 4^. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 5^. per tod (Rogers). A new kind of sickness suddenly invaded this land about 2ist September, and continued till the latter end of October, being so sharp and deadly that the Uke was never heard of to any man's remembrance before that time (Holinshed). Wheat three shillings the bushel at Salisbury (Easton). ? 3^. perqr. (T. H. B.). 1487 Wheat, ^s. e^\d. ; barley, 3J-. o^d. ; oats, is. g^d. ; rye, SJ-. 4d. ; peas, 2s. ; malt, 3^. loi^. per qr. (Rogers). Earthquake at Norwich. Wool, 4;'. per tod (Rogers). 1488 Wheat, 5^. 6d. ; barley, 4s. o^d. ; oats, 2s. g^d. ; rye, 4s. ; beans, 2s.; malt, 2s. lo^d. per qr. (Rogers). ( 107 ) Wool, 4S. $d. per tod {Rogers). 1489 Wheat, 5^. io|^. ; barley, y. ^d. ; oats, \s. g^d. ; rye, 6s. 8d. ; beans, 3J. ^d. ; malt, 3J. 6d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4J. 9j(/. per tod {Rogers). 1490 Wheat, 4^-. io|^. ; barley, 4^. 2^. ; oats, is. ^^d. ; malt, 4^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 3^. 6d. per tod {Rogers). A dearth this year {Rogers). 1491 Price of wheat rises with the summer of 1492. Some is sold at Norwich at 8s. 6d. per qr. Wheat, 6s. ']\d. ; barley, ^s. id. ; oats, 2s. ; rye, 4^. 4^. ; beans, 3^. ; malt, 3J. ^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4^'. &d. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, i4.f. 8d. per qr. {Adam Smith). Wheat, 13^'. 4^. per qr. at Salisbury {Easton). 1492 Wheat is cheap. Wheat, 4J. 3^. ; barley, 4s. ; oats, ij'. 4d. ; rye, 25^. ; malt, y. iid. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4x. per tod {Rogers). 1493 Prices of wheat uniform and almost stationary. Wheat, 4s. id. ; barley, 3J. 3\d. ; barley, 2s. <)\i.; oats, 2s. xd.; beans, 3^. 2)\d- ; peas, 5^. 4^. ; malt, 2s. lod. per qr. {Jiogers). Wool, ^s. 2,d. per tod (Rogers). Unskilled labour, 41/. per day ; carpenter, dd. ; tiler, (>d. (Rogers). The sweating sickness returned (Holinshed). The use of hops and the planting of them introduced from Flanders about this time (Hume). 1508 Wheat, 3^-. io|^.; barley, 2s. lod.; oats, 2s. id. ; beans, 2S. 7|(/. ; peas, 2S. ']\d. ; malt, 3^-. 2\d. (Rogers). Prices are low in the autumn, and in March begin to sink, till in September, 1509, they reach a rate which has not been known for years (Rogers). Wool, 3^'. id. per tod ; unskilled labour, /^d. per day ; reaping wheat, is. per acre {Rogers). September 19. A great earthquake in many places, both in England and Scotland (Holinshed). A very plentiful harvest (Pigott). 1509 Prices exceedingly low (Rogers). No doubt this was an abundant harvest. The years 1509-10 are characterized by remarkable plenty. Wheat, 3J. ; barley, 3^. 2d. ; oats, i^. i^d. ; beans, 2S. 5^d.; peas, 3^. iid. ; malt, $s. i^d. per qr. (Rogers). The price of wheat in 1509-10 is the cheapest recorded in more than two centuries (Rogers). Wool, 4^. Sd. per tod (Rogers). Thrashing and winnowing i qr. of barley, $^d. {Rogers) Wheat, 5^. 8d. per qr. ; malt, 4s. per qr. ; fat beasts at { III ) Allhallow-tide, 13^. i^. each, and lean beasts at St. Helen's, 8^. a piece \ sheep, 2od. a piece ; fat hogs, 2s. a piece ; fat calves, 201/. ; lambs, 10^. to is. (Hume). 1510 Wheat still very low. The price began at 35. in November, and rose to 4^. 8^. in the following September. Wheat, 4^. ; barley, 4^. ■^d.; oats, \s. \o\d.; rye, 2,5. sj(i?. ; beans, 5^. ■^Xd. ; malt, zs. ^\d. (Rogers). The plague was great in divers parts of the realm (Holinshed). Wool, ds. (i\d. per tod; unskilled labour, 3\d. ; barley, 3^. \\d.; oats, is. '^\d.; rye, SJ. 4^. ; beans, 4^. ; malt, 3^. ■^^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, IS. id. per tod (Rogers). Unskilled labour, 4^. per day (Rogers). 1512 Price of wheat very high, up to X2S. Zd. at Cambridge. Wheat, gj. \\d. ; malt, 4^. 3!^. per qr. (Rogers). During a scarcity this year a great store of corn was laid up in the Leadenhall granary, and the mayor used to attend the market at 4 a.m. {Walter Thornbury). 1513 Wheat much lower. Wheat, 6j. o\d. ; barley, 5^. ; peas, ds. id. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 4J. liji/. per tod (Rogers). July 21. Called "The Dry Wednesday," for the day was wonderfully hot, and some died for lack of moisture (Holinshed). Great cold, wind, and rain to Sept 9th (Holinshed). This season began a great mortality in London and other places, when much people died (Holinshed). . 1514 Wheat, 5.?. 4^. j barley, 5^. \Qd.\ oats, u. id.; rye 4f. M. ; peas, js. 6d. ; malt, 2s. ii^d. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 6s. 8d. per tod (Rogers). November 27. Great flood at Burton-on-Trent (Rev. Stebbing Shaw). ( "2 ) 1515 Prices are low this autumn, beginning at 4s. 2d. in October and gradually rising till the next harvest ; one lot sold at Norwich at 9>s. bd. Wheat, 6s. g^d. ; barley, zs. lod. ; oats, 2s. ^d. ; rye, 2S. Sd. ; beans, 4s. ; malt, 35. "j^d. per qr. {Hogers). Wool, 6s. 6jd. per tod {Rogers). Thames frozen and used as a highway. Carriages passed over on the ice from Lambeth to Westminster ( W. Thornbury). 1516 Wheat, 5^. ^^d. ; barley, 3J-. 4^d. ; oats, is. lod. ; rye, 3 J. 7!^!, ; peas, 55. 2d. ; vetches, 6s. Sd. ; malt, 3J-. lo^d. (jRogers). Wool, 7 J. 7f//. per tod {Rogers). Thames frozen. Black May in London. Wool dear on account of the mortality amongst sheep. Time of drought. 1517 Wheat was dear at the beginning of the harvest year, and fell greatly towards its conclusion. Wheat, 6s. ^d. ; barley, 3J. ^d. ; rye, 2s. 8d. ; malt, 3^. ii^d. per qr. (Hogers). Wool, 7^. 2^d. per tod (Hogers). 1518 In October, 1518, wheat is only half the price at which it is bought in the following summer. Wheat, 5^. iiid. ; barley, 3^^. 6d. ; oats, 2S. 2^d. ; rye, 4s. • beans, 4^. 4^d. ; malt, 5^. 6^d. per qr. (Rogers). W09I, 5.f. 6ld, per tod (Rogers). 1519 The price of wheat considerably higher. One parcel sold at Cambridge at los. iid. The price rose greatly with the prospects of the next harvest, which was scanty. Wheat, "js. 2d.; barley, 3^. iifi/. ; oats, 2S. ^^d. ; rye, $s. 6\d. ; beans, "js. 4d. ; malt, 4s. Sd. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 7^. 4d. per tod (Rogers). The sweating sickness continued from July to the midst of December (Holinshei). Deluge of St. Leonard's Day, Nov. 6th (Norwich Register). ( "3 ) 1520 Wheat higher than it has been since 1438. At Cam- bridge, on 20th September, 10 qrs. were sold at izs., 25 qrs. at loj-., and 20 qrs. at 7^., the variation on the same day showing that the quaUty differed considerably (Jiogers). No doubt this was an ungenial summer {T. H. B.). Unskilled labour, i^\d. per day ; carpenter, 6\d. per day {Hogers). Wheat, qs. ^\d. ; barley, ^s. 2d. ; oats, 3^. 4^. ; rye, 4 J. iid. ; malt, 6^'. $id. per qr. {Jiogers). Wool, 6s. id. per tod (Jiogers). On Monday, June i8th, was such an hideous storm of wind and weather that many conjectured it did prognos- ticate trouble and hatred shortly after to follow between princes (Holinshed). 1521 Wheat has fallen in price, though it is still dear in London, where one price is as high as 13^. d^d. {Rogers). Wool, i^. 3|(/. per tod (Rogers). Wheat, 20J'. per qr. (Adam Smith). Wheat, 7J-. ?>\d. ; barley, ^s. <)\d. ; oats, 2S. 8d. ; malt, 5^. jd. per qr. (Rogers). The king, having regard to the commonwealth of this realm, considered how, for the space of fifty years past and more, the gentlemen of England, being given to grazing of cattle and keeping of sheep, had invented a mean how to increase their yearly revenues, and studying how to increase their pastures more than to maintain tillage, began to decay husband tacks and tenements, and to convert arable ground into pasture, furnishing the same with beasts and sheep, so inclosing the field with hedges, ditches, and pales, ingrossing wools and selling the same, and also sheep and beasts at their own prices. Hereof a threefold evil chanced to the commonwealth : one, that thereby the number of husbandmen were sore diminished ; another, that many towns and villages were left desolate and became ruinous ; the third, that both I ( "4) wool, and cloth made thereof, and the flesh of all manner of beasts was sold at far higher prices than was accus- tomed. So commandment was given that the decayed houses should be built up again, that enclosed grounds should be laid open, and sore punishment against them that disobeyed {Holinshed). 1522 Wheat, 6^. o\d.; barley, 3^. iid. ; oats, 2s. i^d. ; beans, 3 J. 8d. ; malt, 4s. ^^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat is sold in London for 20s. a quarter, in other places for 26^. 8^. {Holinshed'). 1523 Wheat, 5^. (>d. ; barley, 3J.;oats, 2S. 2,d. ; malt, 3^. 4d. per qr. (Rogers). Great rains and wind in beginning of November, followed by a sore frost, which was so extreme that men died of cold, and some lost fingers, some lost toes, and many lost nails, so extreme was the rigour of the frost {Holinshed). November 3. At night a sore and vehement storm and tempest of rain {Holinshed). 1524 Wheat, 55. \\d. ; barley, 4^. ; oats, 2S. \o\d. ; beans, 3 J. i^d. ; malt, 4s. ?>\d. {Rogers). Prices have fallen considerably below the average {Rogers). Butter was 10s. the barrel {Rogers). 1525 Probably a good harvest, and low prices in eastern counties. Wheat, Si-, c^d. ; barley, 4^-. 2>d. ; bats, 2s. 4^d. ; rye, 6s. lod. ; beans, y. lod. ; malt, 4s. 8^d. (Rogers). Wool, 4^. S^d. per tod {Rogers). In this winter was great death (Holinshed). 1526 Prices steadily growing. Wheat, 6^-. 2^d. ; barley, 6s. 6d. ; oats, 2s, lod. ; beans, 6s. M. ; peas, 7^. 6d. ; malt, Si-. ii\d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 4^. 3d. ( 115 ) Wheat, i2s. iid. ; barley, 5^. j^. ; oats, y. g^d. ; rye, i2s. o^d. ; beans, ^s. ; malt, gj. 2\d. per qr. A famine year {Rogers). Wool, 7f. 5|(/. per tod {Rogers). Great scarcity {Norwich Register). By reason of the great wet that fell in the sowing time of the corn, and in the beginning of the last year ; now, in the beginning of this, corn so failed that in the city of London for a while bread was scant. In the beginning wheat was only at 15J. the qr., and from thence it rose to 20X., and after to 26^-. Zd., till remedy by outward pro- vision was procured {Holinshed). In the winter season of this year fell great abundance of rain ; and namely in September, November, and December, and on January i6th, it rained so abundantly that great floods thereby ensuing destroyed corn fields, pastures, and drowned many sheep and beasts. Then was it dry till April 1 2th, and thence it rained every day or night till June 3rd. And in May it rained thirty hours without ceasing, which caused great floods and did much harm, namely in corn, so that great dearth ensued {Holinshed). Smut first noticed in wheat {Rogers). Wheat at Salisbury 2.s. the bushel {Eastori). 1628 Wheat is cheaper, but still high, locally standing at 1 5 J. to i6f. at Bardney. Wheat, Si-. io\d. ; barley, 6^^. id. ; oats, 3^-. ; rye, 7 J. ^d. ; beans, 5^. \o\d. ; malt, 5^. M. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 6j. ^\d. per tod {Rogers). In the end of May the sweating sickness again appeared {Holinshed). A year of scarcity {Rogers). In spring almost incessant deluges of rain prevented the corn being sown, consequently an extensive failure in the harvest. Grain was imported largely from Germany {Lowe). ( "6 ) 1529 Price higher this autumn than the following summer. Wheat, Ss. lod. ; barley — oats, 25. 4\d. ; beans, 5^. 4^.; peas, 7^. i\d. ; malt, 5^. lo^d. per qr. (Rogers). Scarcity [Rogers). 1530 Wheat a little lower in price. Prices were high in the west and south, and low in the east of England. Highest price registered is i \s. 4d., and this apparently late in the year. Wheat, 8s. e^d. ; barley, 5s. o^d. ; oats, 2s. \o\d. ; rye, ^s. rod. ; beans, 4.?. ^d. ; malt, 5^. 5^. per qr. (Rogers). November 4th and sth was a great wind that blew down many houses and trees, after which wind followed so high a tide that it drowned the marshes on Essex side and Kent, with the Isle of Thanet and other places, de- stroying much cattle (Holinshed). 1531 Wheat still dear at Cambridge ; average here being \os. 2\d., and at one time up to 15J. In London the average for the year is 9J. (sd. In other places it is much cheaper. Barley and malt very dear. Wool, 5J. 4(f. per tod. Wheat, 8i. 2\d. ; barley, is. 4d. ; oats, 3;-. 4^d. ; malt, 8s. id. per qr. (Rogers). A comet (Townsend). 1532 Wheat, 8s. ; barley, ^s. '^\d. ; oats, 3^. 2ld. ; beans, 6.f. 4^d. ; peas, gs. ^d. ; vetches, 7^-. 4J. ; malt, 6s. io|if. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 6s. 6d. per tod. Highest price quoted for wheat, 10^. 6d. (Rogers). A comet (Townsend). 1533 Prices fall towards the harvest of 1534. Wheat, 7^'. 8d. ; barley, 4^. i^d. ; oats, 2s. g^d. ; beans, ^.f. 4d. ; peas, 4^. yd. ; malt, 5^. sjrf. per qr. Wool, 6s. 8f^. per tod (Rogers). Unskilled labour, 4^. per day (Rogers). Beef and pork sold at a halfpenny per lb. 1534 Wheat cheaper. ( "7 ) Wheat, 7^. ; barley, 4^'. j oats, 3J. 8^. ; rye, i6s. ; beans, Ss. ; malt, 3^. gd. per qr. (Eogers). Rye is probably a double qr. Wool, 6s. per tod {Rogers). Great frost from November till February. The river Thames frozen some miles below Gravesend. Goods carried by land across Essex and Kent to London [Lowe). 1535 Far higher prices. In May, 1536, wheat is sold at 17^. 4^. per qr. Wheat, 10s. 2,id. ; barley, 4s. 5^. ; oats, 3^. 4^d. ; rye, 6s. 6\d. ; beans, 8j. ; malt, 6s. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, Sj. 2d. per tod (Rogers). This was evidently a very deficient harvest {T. H. £.). Oxen, 6s. &d. each ; cows, 5^. ; yearlings, y. ; calves, •LS. ; ewes, 6d. ; lambs, 6d. ; horses, 17J. T.d. ; wheat, ^s. per qr. ; barley, 3^-. ; oats, is. ^d. ; ploughs, 6^'. Sd. each ; carts, 3^. ; pigs, is. ; mules, S-f- i asses, 2S. Arable land let at sd. per acre ; pasture, at 2s. ( Wi'/is Mag., Monklon Farleigh, vol. xx.). Floods in haymaking time {Rogers). 1536 The prices begin with those of the previous year, and continue till September with slight variation, when it . became evident that an abundant harvest was at hand, and the price of wheat falls to the old average. Wheat, los. "j^d. ; barley, 4^. T.\d. ; oats, 3^. lof^. ; rye, 8^. ; beans, 3^. gd. ; malt, 5^. ^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 7^. "jd. per tod {Rogers). The eve of St. Simon and St. Jude there fell a rain not great to speak of, but yet the river Dem rose suddenly to such a height that seldom had been seen there the like hugeness of water {Holinshed). Another defective harvest {T. H. B.). In December the Thames frozen over ; insomuch that the king and queen rode through London to Greenwich {Holinshed). 1537 Wheat down to 4^. i id. at Cambridge. ( "8 ) Wheat, "]!. id. ; barley, Si'. ; oats, 2S. 8^d. ; rye, 5^. 4d. ; beans, 3;-. i \d. ; malt, ^s. %\d. per qr. (^Rogers). Probably an abundant.harvest {T. H. B.). 1538 Wheat, 6s. -ii^d. ; barley, 4^. T^d. ; oats, 2s. g^d. ; rye, 5^. sd. ; beans, 6s. 8d. ; malt, ^s. per qr. (^Rogers). Excessively hot and the rivers dried up in summer (Lowe) . 1539 On the whole the harvest was generally good. Prices have now fallen to the old averages. Wheat, 5s. •]\d. ; barley, s^. ^d. ; oats, 2s. 8d. ; beans, 5s. ; malt, $s. 2d. per qr. (Rogers). Excessively hot summer again (Lowe). Average wages of an artisan the last 140 years, 3^. a week; of an unskilled labourer, 2s. a week (Rogers). Oxen, 30J. each ; sheep, 3X. ; wheat, 6s. Sd. per qr. ; malt, 4s. ; oats, 2s. 8d. per qr. ; hops, 12s. per cwt. ; calves, 4s. 4d. each ; chicken, id. ; partridges, is. 2d. ; pheasants, 2s. 6d. ( Wilts Arch. Mag., vol. xv.). 1540 After a calamitous year, fine weather and heat lasted from February till September 19th, during which interval rain only fell six times; an exceedingly early spring. Cherries ripe by end of May ; grapes ripe in July ; middle of harvest, June 25 th. This year was remarkable for the abundance of corn and fruit (Lowe). Wheat, 5^. 8\d. ; barley, 55. 4^. ; oats, 3^^. o\d. ; beans, SJ. 4d. per qr. (Rogers). An enclosure of eleven acres of land let at Barking at IS. 4d. per acre, and 6 acres at 3J. 4^. per acre (Rogers). Very cold winter. The Zuyder Zee entirely frozen over Chambers). In the latter end of this summer was universally through the most parts of this realm great death by a strange kind of hot agues and fluxes, in which season was such a drought that wells and small rivers were clean dried up, so that much cattle died for lack of water (Holinshed). 1541 Wheat, 9^. o\d. ; barley, 4s. 6d. ; oats, 2s. lo^d. ; peas, SJ-. ; malt, 4s. lod. per qr. (Rogers). ( 119) Probably another deficient harvest {T. If. £.). A remarkable drought. Almost all the small rivers dried up, and the river Trent diminished to a straggling brook. The Thames so low that the sea water even at ebb extended beyond London Bridge. Much cattle died for want of water, especially in Nottinghamshire ; and many thousands of persons died from grievous diarrhoea and dysentery {Lowe). 1542 Wheat, is. ii\d.; barley, 6^-. 4^.; oats, ^s.; beans, SJ. %d. ; malt, 45. 4f ^. per qr. (Rogers). Unskilled labour, /^d. per day {Rogers). The board of workmen is reckoned at 2d. a day {Rogers). Corn dealers prohibited from having more than 10 qrs. in their possession at onetime, and justices could examine a farmer's barns and sell the superfluous stock ( W. Thorn- bury). 1543 Wheat, 9^. j,\d. ; oats, j,s. ; malt, 4^. M. per qr. {Rogers). Evidently another defective harvest {T. H.'B.). Wood was sold very dear in the winter season of this year, and likewise victuals, both flesh and fish, grew to a high price towards the spring, by reason of the un temperate wet season last past causing great death among cattle. A quarter of mutton was soldibr two shillings, a lamb at three shillings, or three and fourpence, which afore that time was esteemed scarce worth sixteen pence {HolinshecT), Great pestilence {Holinshed). Very foul weather after AUhallow-tide {Holinshed). Iron first cast in England at Buckstead in Sussex {Holinshed). Unskilled labour, 5-|^. per day {Rogers). In October wheat was los. 8d. per qr. ; malt, 4s. 8d. {Wilts Arch. Mag., vol. xv.). 1544 Wheat, gs. o\d. ; oats, 3^. ^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat quoted up to los. gd., and the rate rises with the summer in anticipation of the next harvest {Ros;ers). ( I20 ) Heavy penalties inflicted on persons who bought corn to sell again ( Walter Thoriibury). Good land was let at one shilling per acre in Cambridge- shire {Hume). 1545 Wheat during the greater part of the year is at famine prices. Highest price made at Cambridge is January 1 2th, I7J-. i^i., but the rate falls as the year goes on till September loth, when it stands at 8^. M. At Bicester, wheat and barley mixed, were sold at 20s. Wheat, 155. (>\d. ; barley, gj. ; oats, 4^. %d. ; malt, las. perqr. (JRogers). Severe winter. A famine (Rogers). Wool, 32^. per tod (Rogers). Unskilled labour, \d. per day. Thrashing and winnow- ing wheat, ^\d. per qr. (Rogers'). September 6. Earthquake throughout Europe (Mallet). About June 25 was a great tempest in Derbyshire, where trees were overturned, and divers churches, chapels, and houses were uncovered. Also in Lancashire there fell hailstones as big as men's fists (^Holinshed). Carrots, turnips, and other edible roots were first pro- duced in England about this time (Hume). Butter was 26^. Zd. the barrel (^Rogers.). Currency debased, consequently this is the beginning of an era when the prices of all commodities rise in value considerably. 1546 This year began under the influence of the previous bad harvest, but prices fell by reason of the more abun- dant crop. Wheat, is. 3^^. ; barley, 4J. ; oats, 4^. 2d. ; malt, 10^. 8^. per qr. (^Rogers). Average weight of oxen bought for the Navy nearly 4 cwt. each, at 9^. ^d. per cwt. {Rogers). Unskilled labour, ^\d. per day (^Rogers). 1547 The price of wheat lower than in any year since 15 10 and the harvest must have been very abundant. ( 121 ) Wheat, 4^. iid. ; barley, ^s. /^. ; oats, 3^. id. ; beans, 6^. ; peas, 5^. ; malt, $s. 4^. per qr. {Rogers). Average weight of a fat ox, 430 lb. Wool, gs. 4d. per tod {Rogers). Frost intense in England at end of year (Lowe). 1548. Prices begin with the rates of the previous year, but the market stiffens gradually till in March it reaches I IS. Sd. It falls again in May and July, but rises anew towards the end of September. Wheat, 8s. i^d. ; barley, 3 J. ii^d.; oats, 3^. 6^d. ; malt, 6s. lod. per qr. {Rogers). Great floods at Cambridge {Rogers). 483 oxen bought in London, 3 cwt. 3 qrs. 2o|- lbs. each, at 8 J. 8^. per cwt. {Rogers). Probably another defective harvest ( T. H. B.). Average rate of wages, about 31. per week {Rogers). 1549 Wheat begins at very high rates, and goes on increas- ing till it reaches i6j. 2d. in August at Cambridge. The average of wheat bought for the Navy is i <)s. £,d. Wheat, i6j. 4^.; barley, \\s. ^d.; oats, 6j. ; malt, 95. \d. per qr. {Rogers). Unskilled labour, e^d. per day {Rogers). A statute was passed fixing the price of beef and pork at a half-penny per lb. Mutton and veal at a half-penny half-a-farthing. Tillage was abandoned, and lands thrown into pasture. New laws were from time to time enacted against the practice. Unskilful husbandry was probably the cause why the proprietors found no profit in tillage. The number of sheep allowed to be kept in one flock was restrained to 2,000. Sometimes one farmer would keep a flock of 24,000, and the Parliament ascribes the in- creasing price of mutton to this, as the commodity having got into so few hands the price of it is raised at pleasure {Hume). Great demand for wool both abroad and at home. 1560 Harvest again bad and prices high. ^Vheat, i8j.; oats, ds. 8d.; malt, 10s. 8d. perqr. {Rogers). ( 122 ) The price of wheat after harvest rose to a price without parallel {Rogers). Wheat 1 5 J. a bushel at Chester and York {Lowe). ? a qr. {T. H. B.). 1551 November 2. A sale of wheat is made at 26^-. Zd. at Cambridge, and the average from the Princess Elizabeth's household book is 1 7^ . At Hatfield one entry is made at 325. Prices fall to 7^. Wheat, 20J. i4- '■> oats, 4^.; malt, 5J-. 4i/. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 20^. per tod {Rogers). Wheat, 8j. per qr. {Smith'). The sweating sickness again {Orange). May 25. Earthquake in Surrey {Mallet). A mighty great wind in the night, and so high a flood that many cattle were drowned upon Saltney {Lowe). 1552 Prices fell on an average at Cambridge to less than half the rates of the previous year. They rise again, however, in the following summer to 141'. on June 30th, whilst in January they were down to is. Wheat, 10^. (>\d. ; barley, 8^. ; oats, 6^'. 8d. ; beans, -i.2s. id. ; malt, Zs. per qr. {Rogers). It was enacted that whoever should buy corn to sell it again should suffer two months' imprisonment for the first fault, and forfeit the value of the corn ; for the second, six months' imprisonment and forfeit double value ; and for the third be set in the pillory, suffer imprisonment during the king's pleasure, and forfeit all his goods and chattels {Smith). Wheat, Bj. per qr. {Smith). A heavy fall of rain, which lay on the grass as red as wine {Register of Gray Friars). 1553 Wheat a little cheaper on the average, but the market fluctuates greatly. Highest prices in July, wh en wheat is bought at 135. (>d. and xds. Wheat, loj. ; barley, loj-. ; oats, 55. /^. ; malt, gs. 4d, per qr. {Rogers)^ ( 123 ) Wheat, 8s. per qr. {Smith). The board of workmen is now reckoned at rates varying from 2s. 6d. to 3^. 6d. per week (Jiogers). 1554 Wheat very high; 32J. is quoted late in the season. Wheat, i8s. 8|i/. ; oats, 6s. ; beans, ts. M. ; peas, 6s. 8d. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat, 8s. per qr. (Smith). It seems the scarcity this year was local (Rogers). Export of wheat prohibited without license when above 6s. 8d. per qr. ; rye, 4^^. ; barley, y. Unskilled labour, 6\d. per day (Rogers). 1555 General scarcity. Wheat at Cambridge reached 325-. Wheat, 22s. o\d.; barley, 21s. 4d.; oats, 6s. ; beans, 18^. ; peas, 16s. 6\d. per qr. (Rogers). Wheat, 8s. per qr. (Adam Smith). Rain fell in such torrents that Westminster Hall was filled with water, and boats were rowed into King Street from the landing-place ( W. Thornbury). September 30. By occasion of great wind and rain that had fallen was such great floods that that morning the king's palace at Westminster and Westminster Hall was overflown with water unto the stair foot. And that morning a wherriman rowed with his boat over Westmin- ster Bridge (Holinshed). 1556 A year of famine. Before Christmas the price of wheat reached 32X. 8d. The lowest figure in the winter was 2 5 J. 4^. From March to May the price is 40J., then in July it falls to t.8s. (^Rogers). Wheat, 28s. S^d. ; barley, 15^. 5;/.; beans, x8s. S^d. ; peas, i6s. jd. ; malt, 24^-. per qr. (Rogers). An entry in the Norwich Register declares that wheat reached S3^- ', barley, 32j-. ; and oats, i6s. (Rogers). A comet is seen at all times of the night, 6th, 7 th, 8th, 9th, and loth of March (Holinshed). Great mortality in England (Holinshed). The drought was so great that the springs failed, and ( 124 ) wheat rose from Bs. to 53^. per qr. At Chester the price of wheat was i6j. a bushel; barley, izs., very dear {Pigotfs Chester). 1557 A great fall in the price of wheat ; it reaches ds. Sd. in November. Wheat, 8^. 4fd. (Rogers). Unskilled labour, 5^. per day (Rogers). 1559 Wheat is dearer, but prices not excessive. Wheat, I IS. o\d. ; barley, (>s. ?>d. ; oats, 55. jfrf. ; beans, 9^. per qr. (Rogers). Wool, 15^. M. per tod (Rogers). Wheat, 8j. per qr. (Adam Smith). September 5. About midnight fell a great tempest at London, with terrible thunder and lightning (Holinshed). Unskilled labour, Td. per day (Rogers). 1560 Prices are rising. Wheat, 14^. 2\d. ; barley, 9^. ; oats, 6s. 6d. ; peas, 6s. &d. ; malt, gs. 6d. per qr. Wool, iSs. per tod (Rogers). A cow is sold at Oxford for i^s. ^d. (Rogers). Great dearth, for wheat was sold at 30^-. per qr., and at one time at 40^. (Rogers). Cotswold sheep worth about four shillings each (Gloucester Notes and Queries). ( 126 ) Wheat, 8s. per qr. (^Smitti). Unskilled labour, t\d. per day {Rogers). Washing and shearing sheep, 2s. per loo {Rogers). January 30. In London a fine display of Aurora bore- alis {Lowe). 1561 Wheat, i^s. 8d. ; barley, 6^. lo^d.; oats, 6s. 2\d. ; beans, 13J. Q\d. ; malt, 8^. per qr. {Rogers). Three cows are sold at 41.?. 8^., 38^-., and 40J. each respectively {Rogers). Wheat, 8^. per qr. {Smith). June 4. St. Paul's steeple fired by lightning, more than ;^i 0,000 damage {Holinshed). Unskilled labour, 7^. per day {Rogers). Beef, ?>d. per stone ; leg of mutton, ^d. ; hind-quarter of veal, lod. ; pullet, 2d. ; rabbits, ^d. per couple; flour, 6d. per bushel ; 34 eggs, 6d. ; partridges, 6d. per brace ; oatmeal, 2d. per peck ; butter, 2\d. per pint ; table beer, IS. per barrel ; double strong beer, 2s. 6d. per barrel {Norfolk Tour). On St. Matthias' Day (Feb. 24th) thunder and lightning in London {Dr. Fulke). 1562 Prices generally falling, but wheat is dearer at Cam- bridge, some making 245'., and the average being x^s. ?>\d., whilst at Oxford the average is 85. \o\d. Wheat, \os. i\\d.; barley, 8^. l\d.; oats, 6j-. /^\d. ; beans, i6j. ; malt, 13^-. per qr. {Rogers). Wheat, 8 J. per qr. {Smith). Export of wheat allowed when not above 10s. per qr. {i,th of Elizabeth). Unskilled labour, ']\d. per day {Rogers). Wheat, 17^-. a bushel {Pigott). ? per qr. 1563 Prices much higher. At Oxford the average is 23J. i,\d. ; at Basingstoke, 25^. (^d. Wheat, igy. ^\d.; barley, ii.f. 6\d. ; oats, 7^. ; beans, \(>s. ; peas, gs. ^d. ; malt, los. &d. per qr. {Rogers). A cow is sold at Oxford for 25^-. {Rogers). ( 127 ) Unskilled labour, "jd. per day {Rogers). Exportation of corn first allowed {Hume). January 9. A great tempest of wind and thunder happened in the town of Leicester, which uncovered 42 bays of houses, and overthrew many, renting and tearing them in pieces in a marvellous manner. July 8. In the morning a great tempest of lightning and thunder, killing a woman and three kine near Covent Garden. At the same time in Essex a man was torn all to pieces as he was carrying hay, his barn was borne dawn, and his hay burned. Both stones and trees were rent in many places. In September was an earthquake in divers places in this realm {Holinshed). Wages of a first class hind, jCfi is. 2>d. per annum {Rogers). 1564 Wheat has again fallen in price. At Cambridge it is bought at 15^. ii\d., whilst at Oxford the average is 9^. xo^d. Wheat, -LOS. io\d. ; barley, ys. ; oats, 5 J. ii^d. ; peas, 7^. lo^d. ; malt, 13^-. 4d. per qr. {Rogers). Weekly wages of a labourer fed at the common table, from IS. to IS. gd. ; his maintenance, i^d. to 2d. per day {Rogers). September 20. Arose great floods in the river of Thames, where through the marshes near adjoining were overflowed and many cattle drowned. — October 7. At night, from 8 o'clock till after 9, all the north parts of the element seemed to be covered with flames of fire pro- ceeding from N.E. and N.W. towards the midst of the firmament, where, after it had stayed nigh one hour, it descended west, and all the same night seemed nigh as light as it had been fair day {Holinshed). Severe frost at the close of December. On New Year's Eve people went over and along the Thames on the ice from London Bridge to Westminster. Football and divers games played on the ice. January 3rd it began to thaw, ( 128 ) and on 5 th was no ice to be seen between London Bridge and Lambeth, which sudden thaw caused great floods and high waters that bare down bridges and houses and drowned many people, especially in Yorkshire {Holinshed), October 7. Aurora borealis brilliant in London (Stowe). Great hailstorm at Salisbury, some of the stones being six inches in circumference {Easton). 1565 Wheat begins after harvest at bs. 8d., but before the next harvest rises to i-js. 4/i. Wheat, 10s. ^d. ; barley, 8^. id. ; oats, 6s. g^d, ; beans, 105. ii\d.; peas, gs. ^id. per qr. (Rogers). Four cows are sold at Oxford at 325. 6d. each, and five oxen at 1205. each {Rogers'). July 16. About 9 o'clock at night began a tempest of lightning and thunder, with showers • of hail, which con- tinued till 3 o'clock the next morning, that at Chelmsford 500 acres of corn were destroyed, the glass windows on the east side of the town and of the west and south sides of the church were beaten down, with the tiles of their houses also, besides divers barns, chimneys, and the battlements of the church. The like harm was done in many other places, as at Leeds, Cranbrook, Dover, etc. December 24. In the morning there rose a great storm and tempest of wind, by whose rage the Thames and seas overwhelmed many persons {Holinshed). 1566 Wheat, 1 6.f. ^\d.; barley, is. lod. ; oats, 6 j. 45^. ; rye, i^^. 4d. ; beans, xos. ; malt, ws. Sd. per qr. Wheat at Camtjridge as high as igs. id. (Rogers). Unheard of dearth of corn (Rogers; C.C.C.). The price rose once to 265. Sd. (Rogers). The exporter of sheep was for the first offence to forfeit all his goods for ever, to suffer a year's imprisonment, and then to have his left hand cut off in a market town on a market day, to be there nailed up, and for the second offence to be adjudged a felon, and to suffer death accordingly (Smith). ( 129 ) 1567 Prices lower, but higher at Cambridge than in the midland counties. Wheat, IIS. id.; barley, los. g^d. ; oats, 55. lofaT. ; peas, I2S. 2ld.; malt, lo^. per qr. {Rogers). Unskilled labour, 2,d. per day; mason, izd. {Rogers). 1568 Wheat at Cambridge, 12s. g^d. ; at Oxford, 7^. g\d. Wheat, IIS. s^d.; barley, iis. ; oats, 6s. e\d. ; peas, gs. gd. per qr. {Rogers). Beef sold at 2s. per stone of 14 lb. {Rogers). Horses up to jQg los. each {Rogers). March 18: Through vehement rage and tempest of winds many vessels on the Thames were sunk and destroyed. After a dry summer followed an extreme sharp winter, namely the latter part thereof with such scarcity of fodder and hay that in divers places the same was sold by weight as in Yorkshire ; and in the peak of Derbyshire, where a stone of hay was sold for fivepence. There followed also a great death of cattle ; namely, of horses and sheep {HoUnshed). 1569 Wheat still dearer at Cambridge than at Oxford ; at the former it averages 12^. ^\d., and at the latter 7^. g\d. Wheat, I IS. g\d. ; oats, 6^. 2\d. ; peas, is. ']\d. ; malt, gs. Zd. per qr. {Rogers). Beef sold at is. t^\d. per 14 lb. {Rogers). October 30. A great gale at Ashley, Nottinghamshire, only sixty yards broad, and only lasting seven minutes, but destroying everything in its path {J. Templar in Lowe). 1570 Wheat, gs. lod.; oats, 5 J. ^d. ; peas, 8s. 8d. ; malt, 7 J. 2^d. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, i6s. per tod {Rogers). Beef, IS. £(/. per stone {Rogers). Unskilled labour, 6^d. per day; carpenter, loj^. {Rogers). Butter, 3d. per lb. ; sugar, i;id. per lb. {Wilts Mag., i., 346). October 5. A terrible tempest of wind and rain both K ( I30 ) by sea and land, by means whereof many ships perished, and much hurt was done in divers parts of the realm. — February 7. Kinnaston Hill, in Herefordshire, moved of itself forty paces, carrying everything with it, and over- throwing Kinnaston Chapel {Holinshei). The north end of the Stamford Town Bridge was borne down by a flood and rebuilt {Stamford Paper). 1571 Wheat rises considerably, and Oxford prices slightly exceed Cambridge. Wheat, T.2S. ^\d.; barley, 8i-. ; oats, 5^. >]d.; peas, IS. /^\d. ; malt, 2>s. per qr. {Rogers) . 1572 Average price of wheat at Cambridge, lyj. \od. At end of year the maximum price is recorded 26^. \o\d. ; probably the rise was caused by the prospects of harvest of 1573. Oxford average is \2s. \o\d. " Wheat, \-}yS. ii\d.; barley, 9^. 4^.; oats, 55. Sji/. ; rye, \2S. ; peas, 10^. ^^d. ; malt, 8.r. ^. per qr. (Rogers). Unskilled labour, Zd. per day ; mowing grass, is. per acre (Rogers). A great and sharp frost almost continually lasted from before the Feast of All Saints' till after the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord, with sometimes great and deep snows, and sometimes rains, which freezed as fast as the same fell to the ground. Where through at many places the arras and boughs of trees being overcharged with ice brake off and fell from the stocks of the same trees. Also the wind continued north and east till after the Ascension Day, with sharp frosts and snows, whereby followed a late spring (Holinshed). 1573 The price of wheat very high. Eastern England does not appear to have been compelled to such high prices as the rest of the country. The average in the east is 19^. A,\d., whilst in midland and south England 29^. i^. is a common price. Wheat, 265. z\d.; barley, \\s. %d.; oats, 7^.; rye, t8j. ; beans; \qs. lod. ; malt, i8x. per qr. {Rogers). ( 131 ) June 7. A great tempest of hail and rain between one and two o'clock in the afternoon in Northamptonshire. At Towcester six houses were borne down, and fourteen more perished with the waters which rose of that tempest. The hailstones were square, and six inches about. One child was drowned, and many sheep with other cattle {Holinslud'). About Lammas wheat 3^. a bushel, after it was raised to 4^., 5^., ds., and before Christmas to a noble and 7^-., which so continued long after. Beef, zad, a stone ; peas, 4f. a bushel ; oatmeal, 45. Zd. {Hoiinshed). 1574 After this harvest wheat fell to a little more than half the average of the jM'evious year. Wheat, 14J. 2id. ; barley, &f. g\d. ; oats, 5^. ?>\d. ; beans, 15^.; peas, 12^. i^d.; malt, 10s. {Rogers). Wheat got as high as 6/^. per qr., at one time as low as 24J. Average of year, 40$. per qr. This year at London after harvest the price of wheat began little by little to fall from seven shillings to three shillings the bushel, at •which price it staid all the year after ; but bay salt was raised from three shillings to six shillings the bushel, the like whereof had never been seen before {Hoiinshed). November 14, being Sunday, about midnight divers strange impressions of fire and smoke were seen in the air to proceed forth of a black cloud in the north toward the south, which so continued till the next morning that it was daylight. The next night following the heavens from all parts did seem to burn marvellous ragingly. The eighteenth day at night blew very stormy, and tempestuous winds out of the south as hath not been known the like {Hoiinshed). Three earthquakes in England — one in February {Mallet). 1575 Prices fluctuate greatly at Oxford ; they range from 1 3 J. 4if. to 2^s. 43'. for wheat. Cambridge gives an aver- age of 14^. 6d. ( 132 ) Wheat, 15^-. lid. ; oats, 6^. s^d. ; peas, los. g\d. ; malt, loj. lof^. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, 20s. per tod {Rogers). February 13. Aurora borealis brilliant {Lowe). September 28. Aurora borealis {Lowe). February 24. After a flood which was not great at Tewkesbury, there came down the Severn great numbers of flies and beetles a foot thick above the water. The mills thereabout were dammed up with them for the space of four days after, and then were cleansed by digging them out with shovels. From whence they came is yet unknown, but the day was cold and a hard frost. — Feb- ruary 26. Between four and six p.m., great earthquakes in York, Worcester, Gloucester, Bristowe, Hereford, and in the countries about, which caused the people to run out of their houses {Holinshed). Great pestilence in Ireland {Holinshed). At London the tide in the Thames ebbed and flowed twice within an hour {Mallet). 1576 Price of wheat rises greatly. Wheat, 2 2J. z\d. ; oats, 5^. (>\d. ; beans, 13J. i^d. ; peas, IIS. old.; malt, 14s. 'j\d. {Rogers). March 1 7. Through a strange tempest near to Rich- mond, not only cottages, trees, barns, and haystacks, but also the most part of the church called Patrike Brumton was overthrown, with most strange sights in the air both fearful and terrible {Holinshed). 1577 Wheat at Cambridge, 17^. (>\d.; Oxford, 19J. 10^.; Faversham, 26^. (>\d. Wheat, 20S. 2d.; oats, 65. 8^.; beans, iis.; peas, 105. ^\d.; malt, 151. per qr. {Rogers). Wool, i4f. per tod {Rogers). On Sunday, August 4th, between nine and ten o'clock in the forenoon, whilst the minister was reading the second lesson in the parish church of Bliborough, a town in Suffolk, a strange and terrible tempest of lightning and ( 133 ) thunder strake through the wall of the same church into the ground almost a yard deep, drave down all the people on that side, above twenty persons, then renting the wall up to the revestry cleft the door, and returning to the steeple rent the timber, brake the chimes, and fled toward Bongie, a town six miles off. The people that were stricken down were found grovelling more than half an hour after, whereof one man more than forty years old, and a boy of fifteen years old, were found stark dead. The other were scorched. The same or the like flash of lightning and cracks of thunder rent the parish church at Bongie, wrung in sunder the wires and wheels of the clocks, slew two men which sat in the belfry, and scorched another (Holinshed). 1578 Wheat prices lower. Wheat, 1 7 J. 4\d.; barley, 8j. ; oats, 4J. zk'^-'i T^i lis. Sd. ; beans, qs. ; peas, los. ; malt, 13J. (Rogers). May 6. Snow did lie so thick on the ground at Broad Chalke that the bearers of Edward Saintlowe, Esq., carried his body over the gate in Knighton Field, and they digged a way to the church porch (Aubrey). 1579 Wheat, 17J. 6\d. ; oats, 6^. "j^d. ; rye, 19^. 6^/.; peas, 1 IS. o\d. ; malt, 1 2 j. 5^. per qr. {Rogers). April 24. Fell such a snow between four a.m. and nine a.m., that in London it was a foot deep (Holinshed). Great flood at Westminster. Fishes were left upon the floor of the Hall by the subsiding stream ( Walter Thorn- bury). In September and October fell great winds and raging floods in sundry places of this realm. In Newport cot- tages were borne down, corn lost, pasture ground over- whelmed, and cattle drowned. In Bedford the water came up to the market-place. Also Saint Edes and God- manchester suffered severely (^Holinshed). Feb. 4, and the night following, fell such abundance of snow that next morning it was two feet deep in Lon- ( 134) don in the shallowest. Many cattle and some men and women were overwhelmed in the drifts in the country and lost. It snowed till the 8th, and froze till loth, then followed a thaw with continual rain a long time after, which caused such high waters and great floods that the marshes and low grounds were drowned for the time, and the water of the Thames rose so high into West- minster Hall that after the fall thereof fishes were found to remain in the said Hall {JTolinsked). 1580 Wheat is dearer. In Yorkshire the price is 22s. Wheat, 20s.; barley, i/^. 2^d.; oats, 5^.; rye, i8j. 2\d.; beans, 12s. id. ; malt, 14^-. ^^d. {Rogers). The frost was very intense in England and Denmark ' Chambers). April 6. A great earthquake in most parts of Eng- land {Sotnerset Magazine, vol. xviii.). May I. An earthquake felt in divers parts of Kent {Holinshed). June. Great storms of thunder, lightning, and hail {Holinshed). Wonders seen in the air in Wiltshire and Somerset- shire [Holinshed). October 8. Immediately after the new moon there appeared a blazing star, which was nightly seen more than two months {Holinshed). Great famine in Ireland about this time. People driven to eat horses, dogs, and dead carrions, and also the carcases of dead men {Holinshed ; John Hooker). 1581 Wheat is 175. dd. at Cambridge; 14^. \i.\d. at Pem- broke ; but higher in Yorkshire. Wheat, 2\s. ^\d. ; oats, ds. 4^^. ; rye, 2qs.; beans, 1 2 J. %d. ; peas, \os. Zd. ; malt, 13J. 2\d. per qr. {Rogers). Unskilled labour, 9>d. per day. Carpenter, i2\d. per day {Rogers). Great hailstorm at Dogdean. Hailstones fell as big as a child's fist of three or four years old {Aubrey). ( 135 ) May 15. At night, about ten o'clock, a comet de- scending in the north-west, the beard whereof streamed into the south-east {Holinshed'). Within these last thirty years commodities had in general risen fifty per cent., some more. Price of ordi- nary labour, M. a day (Hume). Ratio of rise in prices since 1 540 : Grain, 2 -40 ; live stock, 2-62; labour, f6o; building materials, 171; metals, i'88; clothing, 2-12 {Rogers). 1582 Wheat, 19^. \\d. ; barley, 13J. ; rye, 22s. ; beans, i2.f. i|(f. ; peas, 125-. ; malt, 12^. ^^d. {Rogers). August 12. A great tempest of lightning, thunder, whirlwind, and rain with hailstones like to the rowels of spurs, two or three inches about in the county of Norfolk between the market towns of North Waltham and Worsted, which tempest beat the corn flat unto the ground, rent up many trees, and shivered them in pieces, or wound them like withes. At Hening the west door of the church, weighing more than three hundred pounds, was lifted oflf the hooks and thrown over the font The top of the church was riven up. At East Russen many bams were blown down and houses uncovered {Holin- shed). Unskilled labour, "jd. per day. Carpenters, is. {Rogers). 1583 January 13. In the parish of Ermitage, in a place called Blackemore, in Dorsetshire, a piece of ground con- taining three acres, removed from the place where it was first planted, and was carried clean over another close where alder and willow trees grew, the space of forty goads (every goad fifteen foot), and hath stopped up an highway that directed towards the market town of Cerne, and yet notwithstanding the hedges wherewith it was enclosed, environ it still, and the trees stand thereon bolt upright saving one oak tree, that is well nigh twenty goads removed, the place whereat the ground had his ( 136) being at the first is left like unto a great hollow pit (Holinshed). 1584 July 24 (St. James' Day). At Chester such a storpa of thunder, lightning, hail, and rain raged from noon till midnight, that the streets were flooded and the cellars filled with water. Great harm was done to the mills, much hay and corn destroyed, and many glass windows broken with the hailstones (being five inches in compass). "Many men and cattle were slain by the Lights bolt in divers places." The like was never heard of in man's memory (Figott). 1585 Wheat at Chester on May 6, 24^. per bushel ; barley, i4f. September 2, a great fall in price : wheat, 9^. ; bar- ley, 4J. ? per qr. {Lowe; T. H. B.). 1586 Wheat was "js. 6d. per bushel (Somerset Magazine, vol. xviii.). Great dearth of corn {Holinshed). On Saturday, October 8, there arose the greatest storm that happened since the wind which some do call Dover wind, which was in the time of the reign of Queen Mary. It was thought universal, as also that which raged in September, wherewithal fell such sharp showers of rain that the drops thereof beating against the faces of travel- lers made them so smart as with twigs of birch. Besides great harms which happened that night upon the seas there were upon the land in every quarter overthrown thereby houses, cottages, barns, haystacks, tiles, chim- neys, pales, and gates innumerable, and many trees, both great and small, were not only torn and rent asunder, but grubbed up by the roots, in so much as upon the Mon- day next in many places men could not pass on horse- back in the highways by reason of the trees that lay blown and broken down cross overthwart the streets {Holinshed). November 29. Violent gale at Beccles, Suffolk. Se- vere frost. The river hard frozen {Lowe). ( 137 ) 1587 Wheat, 64s. per qr. {Smith). Land was commonly sold at ten years' purchase {Hume). Great scarcity of corn {Pilkingtori) . St. Mary's Bridge, Derby, and some mills broken down by a great flood {Lowe). 1588 Wheat at Oxford, 14J. 2^d. per qr. {Rogers). Abundant harvest {Rogers). May 30. Gale on the southern coast, which disabled many ships of the Spanish Armada {Lowe). 1589 It was enacted that no cottages should be erected unless four acres of land were attached to them, and that not more than one family should inhabit a cottage under a penalty of ;^io, and 40J. a month after so long as it continued {Statutes at Large, 31 Eliz., cap. 7). 1590 A comet {Townsend). 1591 In spring an uncommon drought in Nottinghamshire. It being succeeded this summer by strong westerly winds and little rain. The Trent and other rivers were almost without water. The Thames, historians say, was so dried up, that a man might ride over it on horseback near London Bridge {Thoresby). 1592 A severe winter. Starved wolves entered Vienna and attacked both man and beast {Chambers). Drought Strong westerly winds (? Is this a double entry ?). 1593 Export of wheat allowed when not above 20^. per qr. on a duty of 2s. per qr. March 21. This year was an exceeding great tempest of wind, which continued all the day long and did great hurt in many places in blowing down of steeples, dwell- ing-houses, barns, trees innumerable in every place. In Alrewas, Staffordshire, seven barns were overthrown. In Lichfield the tops of the steeples of St. Michael's and St. Mary's were blown down {Lowe). 1594 Great dearth of corn. Wheat, qs. the bushel {Easton). ( 138 ) Wheat, 56^. per qr. {Stntth). The sea was frozen from Marseilles to Venice. Dearth owing to rain from beginning of May to July 25 {Stow). Great dearth of corn. Wheat at Salisbury at 9^. the bushel {Eastori). 1595 Wheat, 53^. per qr. {Smith). [From this time the quarter in Smith's prices is nine bushels-l The dearth still continuing, wheat advanced to izs., and barley to "js. the bushel {Easfon). Liming of ground was not used but about 1595, some time after the coming in of tobacco {Aubrey). 1596 Wheat, 8oj. per qr. {Smith). A comet {Townsend). The rapines committed by the infinite number ol wicked, wandering, idle people were intolerable to the poor countrymen, and obliged them to keep a perpetual watch over the sheepfolds, their pastures, their woods, and their cornfields in Somersetshire and other counties {Hume). Wheat very dear at Chester : ^os. per bushel ; barley, 31^. ? per qr. {Lowe; T. H. B.). At Oakham Hill, near Westerham, in Kent, about nine acres of ground continued in motion eleven days, some parts sinking into pits, and others rising into hills {Lowe). 1597 Average price of wheat, 92J. per qr. It reached 104^. {Smith). Wheat sold for 17X. the bushel {Somerset Magazine, vol. xviii.). Wheat sold at Salisbury at 1 2s. the bushel, and barley at 7^. the bushel, in consequence of the dearth {Easton). A famine {Rogers). Earthquake in Scotland, July 23 {Mallet). 1598 Wheat, 56^. 8^. per qr. {Smith). Plague raging at Penrith {Lowe). 1599 Wheat, 39J. 2d. per qr. {Smith). ( 139 ) 1600 Wheat, 36^. 8^. per qr. {Smith). Land worth twelve years' purchase {Townseni). The river Trent during a heavy flood changed its course near the village of Holme by Newark, through which means the township became situated on the east side of the river, whereas it had previously been on the west side {Lowe). 1601 Wheat, 345. lod. per qr. {Smith). At Maenclochog, Peinbrokeshire, at the beginning of June, caterpillars were so abundant that a man could not tread without killing twenty or thirty. On this hill they destroyed all the grass {E. Floyd). December 24. Earthquake. December 23. Siege of Kinsale in Ireland. Our horsemen did see lamps burn at the points of their spears in the midst of lightning flashes {Tyne Morgan). 1602 Wheat, 29^. 4^. per qr. {Smith). August 22. A wonderful exhalation of a fiery colour was seen over the city of Chester like a canopy, and was thought by the poor to foretell some evil {Pigott). 1603 Wheat, 35^. 4;/. per qr. {Smith). The plague rages {Lowe). 1604 Wheat, 305. M. per qr. {Smith). Export of wheat allowed when not above 2(15. M. on a duty of 2S. per qr. ; rye, beans, and peas when not above iSj. ; and barley when not above 14J. on a duty of 18^. per qr. {James /, i., c. 25). Plague still rages {Lowe). 1605 Wheat, ssi'. xod. per qr. {Smith). Plague in London {Lowe). 1606 Wheat, 33^. lod. per qr. {Smith). Great inundations of the Severn {B. W. E. Journal). January 20. Many people and cattle drowned all along the Severn from Bristol to Gloucester, also terrible floods throughout Wales and the West of England {Rock- hampton Register). ( 140 ) By the breaking of the bank at Burnham some thirty villages were overflowed and their cattle destroyed, be- sides men, women, and children. Suddenly, without notice, the country, for twenty miles by five, was flooded to the depth of eleven or twelve feet, the deepest part being at Kingston Seymour. Also great overflowings of waters in Norfolk, Monmouth, Glamorgan, Carmarthen, etc. {Som. Mag., vol. xxiv.). 1607 Wheat, 36^. %d. per qr. {Smith). A comet {Townsend). A most extreme hot summer, insomuch that many died with heat. A wonderful frost followed by a dearth (Gloucester Notes and Queries). In London fires on the ice on the Thames in the first week in December {Stow). A great frost and snow, the which began the sth day of December and so continued until the 14th day of Feb- ruary, 1 608, all which time all our rivers were frozen, and in most parts that they would bear horse and man loaded and carts loaden ; the most part of mills were so frozen up that they could not grind any corn but with much ado, and did hurt to many things — as wheat, grass, and herbs ( Whittock). 1608 Wheat, 56^. Zd. per qr. {Smith). Great scarcity of corn {Easton). Frost very severe in London in January. Thames frozen over. Wheat rose in Windsor market from 36J. to 56^. per qr. {Lowe). February 19. The Thames ebbed and flowed twice at noon {Howes). A tremendous hurricane did incalculable mischief at Beverley in Yorkshire ( WhittocKs York). November 9. Earthquake at Aberdeen {Lowe). 1609 Wheat, 50^. per qr., nine bushels {Smith). January 19. An extraordinary flux and reflux of the ( 141 ) tide twice in an hour in the river Thames. February 6. Strange shifting of tides {Howes). Plague at Loughborough and Chesterfield {Lowe). 1610 Wheat, 35^. lod. per qr. (Smith). July 3. Thunder, hail, and lightning from heaven against certain covetous persons, inhabitants of Humber- stone, near Grimsby, thought to be a just punishment from God in the behalf of the poor. How the corn was destroyed the like never heard of in any age ; only one man's estate preserved, who gave them reUef, as it was testified before the knights and justices of the county at the sessions held at Louth loth of July {Lowe). 1611 Wheat, 38^. 8^. per qr. {Smith). Plague at Leicester {Lowe). 1612 Wheat, 42J. /^d. per qr. ; beef about /^. per lb. {A. Smith). 1613 Wheat, 48^. Zd. per qr. {A. Smith). June 26. A mighty great tempest of rain, lightning, and thunder at four p.m. Violent at Southampton (/ Hilliard). 1614 Wheat, 41J. Z\d. per qr. {A. Smith). 1614-16 January i6th began the greatest snow which ever fell upon the earth within man's memorye. It covered the earth fyve quarters deep uppon the playne. There fell also ten less snows in Aprill, some a foote deep, some lesse, but none continued long. Uppon May- day in the morning instead of fetching in flowers the youths brought in flakes of snow, which lay above a foot deep uppon the moores and mountaynes {Youlgrave Register, Derbyshire). Of course this was April, 1615, and May also {T. H. B.). At York a heavy snow in January and eleven weeks frost, and then the river Ouse overflowed, which flooded the streets, and lasted ten days, destroying many bridges, etc. ( Whittock's York). 1615 Great flood at Boston {Lowe). (142) Wheat, 38^. &d. per qr. {SmitK). A drought followed the great flood and continued till August, causing a great scarcity of hay and corn. Hay, 305. and 40^-. a load, and at Leeds Zos. {Lowe). Great mortality amongst sheep at Boston {Lowe). The snow, which began on January 16, was very deep, so that passengers, both horse and foot, passed over gates, hedges, and walls. It continued daily increasing till March 12 without the sight of any earth either upon hills or valleys, upon which day it began to decrease, and so by little and little consumed till May 28, and then all the drifts were consumed, except one upon Kinder Scout, which lay till Whitsun week ( Youlgrave Register). 1616 Wheat, 40j-. i^d. per qr. {Smith), Great drought {Lowe). 1617 Wheat, 48^. %d. per qr. {Smith) ; 43.?. id. per qr. of eight bushels. 1618 Wheat, 465. M. per qr. {Smith). The general turn of the age was the conversion of arable land into pasture {Hume). A comet {L. Townsend). Best wool was about 33.5. per tod for many years about this time {Hume). 1619 Wheat, 35^. 4^. per qr. {Smith). 1620 Wheat, 30.^. j^d. per qr. {Smith). There was a frost fair on the Thames ( Walter Thorn- bury). A great flood of the Severn, November 29th. There was drowned at Hampton Lode 68 persons as they were going to Bewdly fair {Gloucester Notes and Queries'). Thirteen days' snow known as the "thirteen days' drift " in Scotland, where on Eskdale Moor out of 20,000 sheep only 45 were left alive {Lowe). England was never generally so poor since I was bom as it is at this present ; inasmuch that all complain they cannot receive their rents. Yet is there plenty of all ( H3 ) things but money, which is so scant that country people offer corn and cattle or whatsoever else they have in lieu of rent, but being no money, and corn is at so easy rates as I never knew it, at 20 pence or 22 pence a bushel, barley at 9 pence, and yet no quantity will be taken at that price {From Tooke). 1621 Wheat, 30J. i^. per qr. {Smith). The usual bread of the poor was made of barley {Hume). In consequence of the excessive cheapness and plenty of wheat the price of land is reduced from 20 years' pur- chase to 16 or 17. The best wheat, 2s. Sii. and 2s. 6d. the bushel, ordinary, 2s. ; barley and rye, i^. id. The farmers murmured, the poorer sort traversed the markets to find out the finest wheats, for none else would now serve their use, though before they were glad of the coarser rye bread {Sir Symonds d 'Ewes). 1622 Wheat, 58^. 2>d. per qr. {Smith). All the rivers in Europe frozen, also the Zuyder Zee {Lowe). 1623 Wheat, 525. per qr. {Smith). Export of wheat allowed when not above 32J. per qr. on a duty of 2s. per qr. Rye when not above 20s. ; beans and peas, i6s. ; bar- ley or malt, 12^'. on a duty of i2>d. {21 James I.). 1624 Wheat, 48^. per qr. {Smith). 1625 Wheat, 52^. per qr. {Smith). A severe winter followed the infectious summer of 1625 {Lowe). Fearful plague in London during June, July, August and September {Lowe). 1626 Wheat, 49^. ^. per qr. {Smith). April 14. Heavy fall of snow which lay on the ground {M. L. E.). Through some experiment Lord Bacon made with the snow when on a journey, and being put in a damp ( 144 ) bed, he caught a severe cold, which caused his death (M. L. E.). 1627 Wheat, 36X. per qr. {Smith). Regulation prices of a turkey cock, 4X. dd. ; turkey hen, 3^. ; cock pheasant, 6^. ; hen pheasant, 5^. ; par- tridge, \s. ; a goose, 2^. ; a capon, 2s. 6d. ; pullet, is. 6d. ; a rabbit, 8 pence ; a dozen of pigeons, 6s. {Hume). January 28. A terrible south gale, many houses and trees thrown down {Lowe). April 9. At s p.m. warm, windy, W.N.W. ; a hideous noise in the air, followed by a strange and fearful thunder, then another, till 20 peals were heard. A stone fell near Hatford and was dug up by Mistress Green. It broke, one piece weighed 19I lb. and another 5 lb. {Lowe). 1628 Wheat, 28^. per qr. {Smith). November 4. A great flood. 1629 Wheat, 42^-. per qr. {Smith). February 3. Another flood. 1630 Wheat, 55^. M. per qr. {Smith). Very dry in summer {Lowe). 1631 Wheat, 68x. per qr. {Smith). A famine {Jiogers). There happened an extraordinary dearth in England, corn bearing an excessive price {Evelyn). Plague still rages {Lowe). 1632 Wheat, 53J. /^d. per qr. {Smith). Hot summer. A comet {Penny Magazine). Labourers' wages, 6 pence per day. 1633 Wheat, 58^-. per qr. {Smith). Flood at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, upwards of 120 persons drowned {Townsend). 1634 Wheat, 56J. per qr. {Smith). Thames frozen over ( Walter Thornbury). 1635 Wheat, 56^. per qr. {Smith). A great flood at Salisbury {Easton). A severe frost and heavy snow having occurred in ( 145 ) January, the thaw produced a great flood, and February 5th water was a foot deep in Salisbury Cathedral (Hatcher). Watering meadows began in Wiltshire about this time {Aubrey). February 17. At Rutherfield, Sussex, between 8 and 9 a.n). there were two mock suns, and an inverted rainbow near the zenith in S.E., which lasted an hour {Lowe). 1636 Wheat, 561. id. per qr. {Smith). This year extremely dry {Evelyn). A very forward spring {Lowe). Plague very violent {Lowe). 1637 Wheat, 53 J. per qr. {Smith). A very great flood {Easton). 1638 Wheat, 57^. 4^. per qr. {Smith). Wheat at is. ^d. the bushel {Easton). A sickly and feverish autumn {Aubrey). An earthquake at Chichester which did great damage at end of the year. There was a smell like pitch and sulphur {Mallet). October 21. A stone from the sky fell at Wydecombe, near Dartmoor, with great noise {Lowe). 1639 Wheat, 44^. lod. per qr. {Smith). Mr. Bishop, of Merton, first brought into the South of Wiltshire from Flanders the practice of burnbaking land {Aubrey). 1640 Wheat, 44^. 8^. per qr. {Smith). Springs did not break till near Christmas {Aubrey). On Whitsunday a terrible thunderstorm at Anthony, in Cornwall {Hone). 1641 Wheat, 48.^. per qr. {Smith). Wheat, S7J-. id. per qr. {Tovey). In April, the Welland flowed halfway up to St. Mary's Church {Stamford Paper). 1642 Wheat, 60^-. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). August 27. Gale at Nottingham {Lowe). August 4. Between Woodbridge and Albons, Suffolk, L ( 146) a wonderful drum-beating like noise, and then a long peal or discharge lasting i^ hours, and then a violent report, and a stone 4 lb. weight fell. Captain Johnson saw it fall, and it was hot when he dug it up {Gentleman's Magazine). 1643 Wheat, 59^. \od. per qr. {Tovey). March 10. I must not forget what amazed us in the night before, viz., a shining cloud in the air, in shape re- sembling a sword, the point reaching to the North; it was bright as the moon, the rest of the sky being very serene. It began about 11 at night, and vanished not till about one, being seen by all the South of England {Evelyn). November 6. A hideous storm. Then snowy and untoward weather (Evelyn). 1644 Wheat, 61s. 3^. per qr. {Tovey). An ox sold for £^ ; a cow £,i igs. {Somerset Mag.). May 15 and 16. Staffordshire and Warwickshire in divers places there fell great storms of hail, with hail- stones of divers forms, some round as big as walnuts, and some flat as big as half-crown pieces, with thunder and lightning in three or four several places at one instant ; the like seldom seen {Lowe). 1645 Wheat, 515. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). The air very warm and so infectious that dogs, cats, mice and rats died, and several birds in their flight over the town dropped dead. 1325 persons died in Leeds from March 12th to June ist {WhittocKs York). March 12. Great floods. In February the weather was extremely cold and tempestuous. A heavy storm for two days {Daniel). 1646 Wheat, 48J. per qr. {Bishop Fleetwood). The qr. is nine bushels. January. Extreme snow fell, and very cold at Venice {Evelyn). Excessively hot {Lowe). 1647 Wheat, 73^. M. per qr (Smith). I would remark that after 1595 all Smith's quarters ( 147) are nine bushels, therefore the apparent discrepancy between his prices and others (T. H. £.). Labourers' wages, lod. per day {F. A.). A comet (Townsend'). 1648 Wheat, 85^. per qr. {Smith). Exceedingly wet summer (Ellis). Great scarcity of grain {Hatcher). Wheat, T^s. 6d. per qr. {Tovey). A deare yeare of come {Aubrey). This was a most exceeding wet year, neither frost nor snow all the winter for more than six days in all. Cattle died everywhere of a murrain {Evelyn). 1649 Wheat, 8oj. per qr. {Smith). Wheat, "jis. id. per qr. {Tovey). A famine year {Rogers). January 22. Now was the Thames frozen over, and horrid tempests of wind. — April 29. I saw in London an huge ox bred in Kent, seventeen foot in length, and much higher than I could reach {Evelyn). June 2 7. The sun so scorched my face that it made the skin peel off {Evelyn). 1650 Wheat, 76^. ?>d. per qr. {Smith). Wheat, 68j. -id. per qr. {Tovey). 1651 Wheat, 73J. ^d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 65.?. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). 1658 Wheat, 495. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 44.f. per qr. {Tovey). A comet {Townsend). January. An exceeding hard frost of long duration. April 29 was that celebrated eclipse of the sun, so much threatened by the astrologers, and which had so exceedingly alarmed the whole nation, that hardly any one would work nor stir out of their houses (Evelyn). May 25. After drought of near four months, there fell so violent a tempest of hail, rain, wind, thunder and lightning as no man had seen the like in this age ; the hail ( 148 ) being in some places four or five inches about, brake all glass about London (Evelyn). The warmth was very great, the summer being the dryest ever known in Scotland {Lowe). 1653 Wheat, 35^. dd. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 3 If. 6d. per qr. {Tovey). February 19. I planted the orchard at Sayes Court ; new moon ; wind, west {Evelyn). 1654 Wheat, 26^'. ?:d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 23^. id. per qr. {Tovey). July 4. Extremity of heat. 1655 Wheat, 33J. /^d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 2()s. id. per qr. {Tovey). Very cold in Scotland. The excessive snow and rain did great injury this winter {Lowe). 1656 Wheat, 435. per qr. of nine bushels {Adam Smith). Wheat, 38^-. zd. per qr. {Tovey). January 18. A great frost {Evelyn). May-day. Hills white with snow {Aubrey). July 7. Excessive hot and dusty {Evelyn). Export of wheat allowed when not above 40^. per qr., duty \s. per qr. October 3. The Thames ebbed and flowed twice in three hours {Boyle). 1657 Wheat, ifis. %d. per qr. of nine bushels {Adam Smith). Wheat, 41X. sd. per qr. {Tovey). August 2 1 fell a most prodigious rain in London, and the year was very sickly in the country {Evelyn). The Seine frozen over. July 8. Earthquake at Bickley, Cheshire, at about 3 p.m. A piece of land sank into the earth, and some goodly oaks ten yards high in the body sunk down into the earth into a water prepared to receive them, with a noise representing thunder or the roaring of a well laden cannon. Though the branches were very high they were buried out of sight {Pamphlet). ( 149 ) 1658 Wheat, 65^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 5 7 J. gd. per qr. (Tovey). March 7. This had been the severest winter that any man aUve had known in England. — June 2. An extra- ordinary storm of hail and rain. The season as cold as winter. The wind northerly near six months. — August 18. A tempestuous wind which did much mischief all over England. It continued the whole night and till three in afternoon of next day, in the south-west, and destroyed all winter fruit {Evelyn). September 3. The greatest storm of wind that had ever been known for some hours before and after Crom- well's death. The effects of it were terrible {Old Book). The tide in the Thames ebbed and flowed twice in three hours {Lowe). It is remarkable that on the day of Cromwell's decease the greatest tempest of wind ever witnessed took place {Boyle). 1659 Wheat, 66s. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 5 8 J. M. per qr. {Tovey). Severe frost. December 8. A remarkably high wind, such as had never before been experienced in this country. Did great damage to houses in York ( Whittock). 1660 Wheat, 56.?. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 50J. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). Seasonable spring, free from sharp east winds {Evelyti). Very cold winter. Wheat allowed to be exported when at 40J. ; rye beans and beans at 24^-. ; barley and malt, zqs. ; oats, 16^. the qr. (12 Car. ii.). 1661 Wheat, 7 of. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 62s. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). A comet ( Townsend ) . A great wind, Feb. 18th, being Tuesday morning ( Winchcombe Register). ( ISO ) Very mild winter. — No cold at all. — January 21. Ways are dusty, rose bushes full of leaves ; such a time of the year as was never known in this world before {Pepys). February 18. Great storm in London (^Old Almanack). Upon the i8th of February, being Tuesday, very early in the morning there began a very great and very dreadful storm of wind (accompanied with thunder, lightning, hail and rain, which in many places was as salt as brine), which continued with a strange and unusual violence till almost night, the sad effects whereof throughout the nation are so many that a great volume is not sufficient to contain the narrative of them {Defoe). An exceedingly sickly wet autumn {Evelyn). December. An earthquake {Mallet). February 23. Mock suns. — September 6. Coloured arches and mock suns. The river Derwent was so wonderfully dried up that in many places there was no water, and people might go over dry shod {Pilkington). 1662 Wheat, 74J. per qr. {Adam Smith), nine bushels {T. H. B.). Wheat, 65^. 9^. per qr. {Tovey). January 15. Fast day for more seasonable weather. It having hitherto been summer weather, both as to warmth and every other thing, as if it were the middle of May or June {Pepys). ' January 15. General fast for colder weather. There had fallen great rain without any seasonable cold, it being near as warm as at Midsummer some years. — February 17. This night and the next day fell such a storm of hail, thunder, and lightning, as was never seen the like in any man's memory, especially the tempest of wind, being south- west, which subverted, besides huge trees, many houses, innumerable chimneys, and made such havoc at land and sea that several perished on both. — July 28. Ill weather. — December i. Great frost ; Thames frozen {Evelyn). ( iSi ) A famine {Eogers). In Febraary a dreadful tempest occurred in London {Boyle). 1663 Wheat, 57^-. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 50 J. 2,d. per qr. {Tovey). July 16. A most extraordinary cold and wet season {Evelyn). August 28. Cold all night and this morning, and a very great frost, having had no summer at all almost {Fej>ys). Great rot in sheep {Day). Export of wheat allowed when not above 48X. per qr. ; duty, 5^. 4^. per qr. (15 Car. ii.). A fog in London in August {Lowe). Export of barley allowed when at 28^., oats at i^s. 4d., rye at 32s., beans or peas 32^., paying such rates as before granted (15 Car. ii.). 1664 Wheat, 40^-. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 36J. per qr. {Tovey). A comet {Towmend). December 22. Exceeding cold, and a hard long frosty season, and the comet very visible {Evelyn). Till the beginning of March a very violent frost froze up all things from the beginning of winter {Lowe). February 19. Two lunar halos {Sir L Newton). 1665 Wheat, 49X. 4^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 43.f. per qr. {Tovey). January 4. Excessive sharp frost and snow {Evelyn). Earthquake at Oxford. A comet {Townsend). Fat swine sold at 2,\d. per. lb. Men's shoes, 3^. a pair {Daniel). December 17. Very cold at London {Lowe). Sharp frost in January and February {Dr. Wallis). October 25. Great gale in London {Seal). October 26. At Bristol, barometer 27I inches. — Oc- tober 25. 28^ {Beal). ( 152 ) Great plague in London and other places. 1666 Wheat, 36^-. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 3 2 J. per qr. {Tovey). September 2. A very dry season previous. A long set of fair warm weather. — October 21. After so long and extraordinary drought in August and September this season was so very wet and rainy as many feared an ensuing famine (Evelyn). December 31. Very hard frost in London {Lowe). A comet {Townsend). January 18. Earthquake at Oxford, etc. — 24th. Thun- derstorm at Andover. — May 12. At Oxford. — ^July 17. Hailstorm in Suffolk. At Aldborough some hailstones were full as big as turkey's eggs. At Yarmouth small (JDr. Fairfax). On the Wednesday before Easter a great tempest of thunder and rain at Cranstead, Kent, and although no ponds about, two acres were scattered over with whitings of the size of a man's little finger {Dr. Conny). 1667 Wheat, 36^. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 325. per qr. (Tovey). March. Great frost, snow and winds prodigious at the vernal equinox ; indeed it had been a year of prodigies in this nation, plague, war, fire, rain, tempest and comet. — April 4. The cold so intense that there was hardly a leaf on a tree (Evelyn). A comet (Townsend). At the beginning of January a hard frost (Lowe). 1668 Wheat, 40J. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 35^-. dd. per qr. (Tovey). Dry March. July 24th, at Sutton Pool, Warwickshire, owing to a sudden rain a great flood took place. The waters flowed over a stone wall ten feet high. Two large pools of 20 acres each, called Windley and Bracebridge, had their dam heads both broke through by the press of water. ( 153 ) probably occasioned by the bursting of a waterspout. (Parish Register). In London small-pox destroyed a ninth part of the inhabitants {Nettletoti). 1669 Wheat, 44^'. ^d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 39J-. 5^. per qr. {Tovey). Dry Year. Wiltshire people went a great way to water their cattle {Aubrey). August 18. A mighty torrent from Pendle Hill flooded the village of Worston, the furniture floating about in the houses {Townky). December 14. Bristol barometer, 30 "6 inches. Wind, E. and N. E. {Dr. Beat). December 26. London. Colder than for five or six years, freezing quickly for some days. Coldest date, December 26th, after which a great snow. Much colder than in 1665 and 1666 (Dr. Beat). December 13. Barometer higher than for five years, 30"6 {Lowe). Hard frost at Christmas (Lowe). 1670 Wheat, 41J. M. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 37^. per qr. (Tovey). December 15. It was the thickest and darkest fog on the Thames that was ever known in the memory of man (Evelyn). Export of wheat allowed on payment of the subsidy though the price should exceed 48^., and import when not exceeding 53J. j^. on a duty of xds. ; when exceed- ing ssj'. i^., but under 8of., on a duty of 8j. ; when exceeding 805. on a duty of 5^. i^d. October 13. Very violent gale at Braybrook, but only six yards wide. June 20. Eight mock suns, and the whole or parts of seven circles of light Frost most intense this winter (Lowe). 1671 Wheat, a,2s. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). ( IS4) Wheat, 37J. 4d. per qr. (Tovey). January 21. This year the weather was so wet, stormy and unseasonable as had not been known for many years. September 13. This night fell a dreadful tempest (Evelyn). December 9, 10, 11. Vast destruction of trees about Bristol, Wells, Shepton Mallet, Bath, and Bruton. No ice on any water, but the rain froze as it fell. An ash branch | lb. weight had 16 lb. of ice on it, the ice being 5 inches in circumference. The trees on the highway from Bristol to Shepton were all thrown down. Also at Bruton the roads were blocked by fallen trees. The same ice storm occurred at Oxford. This was followed by great heat, and bushes and flowers were as forward as usually in April. An apple bloomed before Christmas (Dr. Wallis). 1672 Wheat, 41J. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 36^. 5(/. per qr. (Tovey). A comet (Townsend). February 3. An extraordinary snow. Very wet season (Evelyn). November 22. A large, very bright globose meteor seen at Wednesbury which lasted the eighth of an hour (Lowe). Some farms I know which after two years lying waste, are abated one-half their rents, thousands are thrown up, and thousands abated, some above one-sixth, others above one-fourth, others above one-third (From Tooke). 1673 Wheat, 46J. Zd. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 41s. ^d. per qr. (Tovey). Deficient harvest (Farm^s' Almanack). The poor obliged to eat bread made of peas and beans. Wheat, 10s. and iis. per bushel (Somerset Mag., vol. xxiv.). Great quantity of rotten sheep (Ellis). In January of this year. Order of Sessions made for ( iSS ) burying the bodies of diseased dead cattle, caused by the continuing rains, whereby the air is likely to become corrupt from the infinite numbers of sheep and other great cattle being suffered by the owners to remain dead above ground {Somerset Sessions). Great floods and inundations in December, January, and March, 1674. Smothering of people in snow. Drowning of many cattle and people, etc. (^Somerset Mag.). 1674 Wheat, 6Ss. Sd. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 6is. per qr. {Tovey). Great floods in January and March. Thirteen days of drifting snow in March in Scotland {Somerset Mag., vol. xxiv.). A famine year {Rogers). Such desolation was caused in Scotland that the ill- fated Monmouth, husband of Lady Anne Scott, of Buccleuch, received the royal license to import from Ireland 4,800 Nolt of a year old, and 200 horses to make up the loss sustained on the Buccleuch lands by the thirteen drifly days of March {Standard). Deficient harvest {Farm. Aim.), Snow fell in England for eleven days ( ). Small-pox destroyed an eighth part of the people in London {Nettleton). December 21. Whole woods were torn up by the roots by a N. W. gale, at Tarbut, Scotland {Sir G. Mackenry). May 7 and 8. Great floods on rivers Trent and Tame {Lowe). 1675 Wheat, 64?. 8^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, S7J. e^d. per qr. {Tovey). Deficient harvest {Farm. Aim.). An exceeding dry summer and autumn {Lisle). January 4. A terrible earthquake 7 to 8 p.m. at Aire was, Staffordshire {Lowe). November 23. Lunar rainbow at Oxford {Dr. Plot). ( 156) 1676 Wheat, 38^. per qr. of nine bushels {SmitK). Wheat, 3 3 J. t^d. per qr. {Tovey). October 31. A prodigious and dangerous mist. — December 10. There fell so deep a snow as I re- member not to have seen the like. — 1 7th. More snow falling, I was not able to get to church {Evelyn). September 20. A large meteor at 7 p.m. as light as noonday {Dr. Wallis). June 16. A hailstorm at Dunstal ij miles long, \ mile broad ; some of the stones 4 inches about {Lowe). 1677 Wheat, 42^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 37.?. /^d. per qr. {^Tovey). A comet {Townsend). Rainfall, Townley, Lancashire, 43 "6 in. January, 47 in. June, 5-2 in. August, 4'8 in. November, 4-3 in. December, 4-0 in. {Lowe). Earthquake at Wolverhampton {Lowe). 1678 Wheat, 59^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 52.f. ^d. perqr. {Tovey). An excessive hot autumn {Evelyn). A dearth {Aubrey). July 12. Mock sun {Lowe). Several earthquakes {Mallet). Rainfall at Townley, 427 in. May, 5-8 in. September, S"3 in. October, 6'4 in. December, o'6 in. {Lowe). 1679 Wheat, 60s. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 53^-. 4^. per qr. {Tovey). October 6. A very wet and sickly season {Evelyn). Very hot. No rain from May all the summer {Lowe). August 28. Mock sun (Lowe). Rainfall at Townley, 38*2 in. January, o '4 in. April, o'9 in. August, 8'3 in. September, 5*5 in. October, 6 "2 in. December, 4-4 in. (Lowe). In January a singular darkness occurred at noonday, which prevented persons reading without the aid of candles {Boyle). ( 157 ) 1680 Wheat, 45J. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 405. per qr. {Tovey). Two comets (Townsend). November 12. A remarkable meteor. After many days and nights of snow, cloudy and dark weather, the comet was very much wasted {Evelyn). Severe winter {Penny Mag.). Towards the middle of November appeared a comet, with a prodigious stream of light in the west. The star from which the blaze proceeded was but small, and when first discovered seemed not to be much above the horizon, but every night afterward it appeared higher and higher in the beginning of the night, and consequently setting later and later, its magnitude and lustre also proportion- ably decaying {Hist, of Europe). Earthquake in Somerset, January 4, at 7 a.m. Rainfall at Townley, 44-3 in. January, 5-1 in. February, 4 '9 in. August, 5"o in. October, 5 7 in. November, 4-8 in. {Lowe. Several meteoric stones fell in London {Greg). 1681 Wheat, 46^. 8if. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 41J. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). March 27. An extraordinary sharp and cold spring, not yet a leaf on the trees ; frost and snow lying whilst the nation was in the greatest ferment. — April. But one shower of rain all this month. — May 25. There had scarcely fallen any rain since Christmas. — June 12. It still continued so great a drought as had never been known in England, and it was said to be universal {Evelyn). Rainfall at Townley, 33'3 in. January, 0-5 in. April, o'6 in. May, 07 in. September, 6-i in. {R. Townley). May 17. Mock sun {Lowe). — December 4. Mock sun. Small-pox violent in London {Nettleton). 1682 Wheat, 44^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 39^. Iff. per qr. {Tovey). C IS8 ) April. The season was unusually wet, with thunder. — September 20. A comet near Cancer very bright, but the stream not so long as the former {Evelyn). Warm winter {Penny Magazine^. Rainfall at Townley, 507 in. January, 9-9 in. June, 5'2 in. July, 4-8 in. October 4'3 in. November, 5*2 in. December, 4-6 in. {R. Townley). March 22. River Thames ebbed and flowed three times in four hours {Lowe}. Much damage at Brentford. The sudden flood oc- casioned by the tempest was so great that the whole place was laid under water. Boats were rowed up and down the streets, and several houses were carried away by the force of the torrent {Beauties of England and Wales). 1683 Wheat, 40^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 35J. (sd. per qr. {Tovey). March was unusually hot and dry, and all April ex- cessively wet. — December 23. The Thames frozen, it being this year one of the severest frosts that had hap- pened for many years {Evelyn). Earthquake in many parts of England {Townsend). Cold summer. Severe winter {Penny Magazine). Rainfall at Townley, 37'2 in. June, 47 in. July, 4'i in. August, S'8 in. December, 0-4 in. {Townley). February 5 or 6. Very destructive flood throughout the Trent valley and many other parts, occasioned by the breaking up of a frost, with much snow, which commenced in September, 1682, and continued without intermission till February 5. The Trent Bridge at Nottingham almost wholly destroyed by pieces of ice floated down the stream {Lowe). The longest frost on record. Ice on the Thames eleven inches thick. Nearly all the birds perished. Small-pox raged in London {Lowe). The weather was very wet up to September 20 ; then ( 159 ) fine till 27th; then frosty. Barometer higher than for three years {Phil. Trans.'). Elms, ash and walnuts cleft by the frost, but not so much as oaks. The oaks, in being cleft, made a noise like a gun. Yews and hollies in some places killed, and in many places lost their leaves. Rosemary, laurustinus, etc., generally killed, and common herbs and flowers killed {Jacob Bobarf). Coaches on the ice on the Thames {Derham). 1684 Wheat, 44.?. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 39.r. id. per qr. (Tovey). January i. The weather continuing intolerably severe, streets of booths were set upon the Thames. The air was so very cold and thick as of many years there had not been the like. — 6th. The river quite frozen. — 9th. I went across the Thames on the ice, now become so thick as to bear not only streets of booths, in which they roasted meat, and had divers shops of wares quite across as in a town, but coaches, carts and horses passed over. So I went from Westminster Stairs to Lambeth. — i6th. The Thames was filled with people and tents, selling all sorts of wares as in the city. — 24th. The frost continuing more and more severe, the Thames before London was still planted with booths in formal streets, all sorts of trades and shops furnished and full of commodities, even to a printing press, where the people and ladies took a fancy to have their names printed, and the day and year set down when printed on the Thames. Coaches plied from Westminster to the Temple, and from several other stairs to and fro as in the streets, sleds, sliding with skates, a bull baiting, horse and coach races, puppet plays and interludes, cooks, tipling and other lewd places, so that it seemed to be a bacchanalian triumph or carnival on the water whilst it was a severe judgment on the land, the trees not only splitting as if by lightning struck, but men and cattle perishing in divers places, and the very seas ( i6o ) so locked up with ice that no vessels could stir out or come in. The fowls, fish and birds, and all our exotic plants and greens universally perishing. Many parks of deer were destroyed, and all sorts of fuel so dear that there were great contributions to preserve the poor alive. Nor was this severe weather much less intense in most parts of Europe as far as Spain. London, by reason of the excessive coldness of the air hindering the ascent of the smoke, was so filled with the fuliginous steam of the sea coal that hardly could one see across the streets, and this filling the lungs with its gross particles exceedingly obstructed the breast so as one could scarcely breathe- Here was no water to be had from the pipes and engines, nor could the brewers and divers other tradesmen work, and every moment was full of disastrous accidents. — February 5. It began to thaw but froze again. — 8th. The weather was set in to an absolute thaw and rain, but the Thames still frozen. — loth. After eight weeks missing the foreign posts there came abundance of intelligence from abroad. — March 28. The weather began to be more mild and tolerable, but there was not the least appearance of any spring. — April 4. Hardly the least appearance of any spring. — July 2. There had been an excessive hot and dry spring, and such a drought still continued as never was in my memory. — July 13. Some small sprink- ling of rain, the leaves dropping from the trees as in autumn. — August 10. We had now rain after such a drought as no man in England had known. — August 24. Excessive hot. We had not had above one or two con- siderable showers, and those storms, these eight or nine months. Many trees died for want of refreshment. — November 2. A sudden change from temperate warm weather to an excessive cold rain, frost, snow, and storm such as had seldom been known. This winter weather began as early and fierce as the past did late ; till about Christmas there had been hardly any winter (Evelyn). ( i6i ) A comet this year {Townsend). December 23. The weather being cold and freezing, there likewise happened a terrible, and certainly the most dreadful, storm hath in these nations been heard of in the memory of man. Many persons perished in the snow on the Downs {Easton). Rainfall at Townley, 34'i in. Jan., 0-3 in. Feb., 4'8 in. March, 0-9 in. May, i-o in. Oct, 4^2 in. Nov., S'8 in. {Townley). A frost began at Christmas and lasted ninety-one days, and mortality increased. In dry mountainous places trees escaped tolerably well. Firs and pines escaped the cold {Bobart). 1685 Wheat, 46^. M. per qr. of nine bushels i^Smith). Wheat, 41J. d. ( i63 ) Exportation of wheat allowed when not exceeding 48s., with a bounty of $s. per qr., and importation on the same terms as 1670. January. Frost very severe in England. The Thames frozen {Lowe). October 30. At about seven in the evening were seen as it were long streamers or pickes in the sky to- wards the north and north-west, but towards midnight it was seen very terrible, those long streamers as it were warring each with other and seeming as it were two parties. 'Twas seen about Bristol, where they say were seen men and guns and drums ; and it is said in other places men were seen, viz., two armies {George Wansey). 1689 Wheat, jps. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 26s. Zd. per qr. {Tovey). Exportation of corn first received a bounty ( Young). January 7. A long frost and deep snow. Thames almost frozen over. — April 21. One of the most season- able springs, free from the usual sharp east winds, that I have observed since 1660, which was much such a one. — June 23. An extraordinary drought to the threatening of great wants as to the fruits of the earth. — July 1 r. An unusual and violent storm of thunder, rain, and wind, upsetting boats on the Thames, rooting up trees, etc. — August 25. Hitherto it has been a most seasonable summer. — November 10. After a very wet season the winter came on severely. — 1 7th. Much wet without frost, yet the wind north and easterly {Evelyn). Warm winter {Penny Magazine). Upon nth day of January, being Saturday, towards evening there happened a violent tempestuous wind, which continuing to about 11 or 12 at night blew down a great elm (sold afterwards for ten pounds) growing on the north side of the church, which falUng on the church and chancel beat down a great part of the roof of both {I,andford Register). ( i64) A great scarcity of wheat, being at lo^. the bushel (Easton) ? Oct. 4. Rain began towards night and continued without intermission (except a few hours on the 6th) till the loth at noon, which caused such a rage of waters as overflowed the lower part of Norwich and broke down the bridges of Bungay {Lowe). Rainfall at Townley, 48-6 in. March, 87 in. April, 47 in. Oct., 7*4 in. {H. Townley). 1690 Wheat, 34X. id. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 30J-. grfl per qr. {Tovey). Land worth 18 years' purchase {Tnvnsend). January 11. This night there was a most extraordi- -nary storm of wind, accompanied with snow and sharp 'iweather, blowing down houses and killing many people. It began about 2 a.m. and lasted till 5, being a kind of hurricane which mariners observe have begun of late years to come northward. This winter has been hitherto wet, warm, and windy. — August. A very extraordinary fine season, but on 12th was a great storm of thunder and lightning, and on 15th the season much changed to wet and cold. The unseasonable and most tempest- uous weather happening, the naval expedition is hindered, and the extremity of wet causes the siege of Limerick to be raised. — 17th. An extraordinary sharp, cold east wind. — October 7. An earthquake felt at Barnstaple, Holy- head, and Dublin. — 12th. Very great storms of wind. — November 16. Exceeding great storms, yet a warm season. — December. Most of this month cold with frost {Evelyii). Rainfall at Townley, 42-9 in. Jan., 7'i in. April, o'8 in. Oct., 7"6 in. Nov., 7-2 in. {R. Townley). 1691 Wheat, 341'. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 30J. id. per qr. {Tovey). July 26. An extraordinary hot season, yet refreshed by some thvmder showers. — August 20. Great thunder ( i6S ) and lightnmg, but the wind and rain very violent. — Sep-' tember 13. A great storm at sea. We lost the Corona- tion and Harwich, above six hundred men perishing. — October 14. . A most pleasant autumn. November 8 to 30. An extraordinary dry and warm season without frost, and like a new spring, such as had not been known for many years {Evelyn). Rainfall at Townley, 31 -4 in. March, 4-8 in. {R. Townley). In August great mortality in York; 11,000 persons victims to the contagion (Boyle). 1692 Commenced a series of extraordinary bad seasons ; they have been traditionally referred to as the barren years at the close of the 1 7th century. Great rains in autumn. An earthquake was felt in England and in most parts of Europe (Tooke). Wheat, 46s'. 8ei. per qr. of nine bushels (Smitti). Wheat, 41 J. S(/. per qr {Tovey). January 24. A frosty and dry season. — February 7. An extraordinary snow fell. — April i. No spring yet appearing. — 24th. Very cold and unseasonable weather, scarce a leaf on the trees. — May 5. Eastern wind con- stantly blowing. — ^June 9. An exceeding great storm of wind and rain, in some places stripping the trees of their fruit and leaves as if it had been winter, and an extra- ordinary wet season with great floods. This wliole summer was exceeding wet and rainy, the like had not been known since 1648, whilst in Ireland they had not known so great a drought. — August 14. Still an exceed- ing wet season. — September 15. An earthquake. — Octo- ber I. The season was so exceedingly cold by reason of a very long and tempestuous north-east wind, that this usually pleasant season was very uncomfortable. No fruit ripened kindly {Evelyn). "Sferj cold winter {Chambers). Rainfall at Townley, 437 in. January, o'5 in. April, ( i66) 5'o in. July, 4*5 in. September, 6-o in. December, 8 '9 in. {H. Townley). In England a cold summer and a great deluge of rain till reaping time {Lowe). September 8. After 2 p.m., in London and the suburbs, there was plainly felt a trembling and shaking of the houses, the stools and chairs hitting together, many persons being taken with giddiness. It lasted about two minutes {Braunston). 1693 Wheat, (>is. 8d. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, tos. id. per qr. (Tovey). February 4. Hitherto an exceeding mild winter such as has seldom been known, and portending an unpros- perous spring as to the fruits of the earth. Our climate requires more cold and winterly weather. — 26th. An extraordinary deep snow after almost no winter, and a sud- den gentle thaw. — April 23. An extraordinary wet spring. —June 24. A very wet hay harvest and little summer as yet. — August 6. Very lovely harvest weather and a wholesome season, but no garden fruit. — October 31. A very wet and uncomfortable season. — November 12. The season continued very wet, as it had nearly all the summer, if one might call it summer, in which there was no fruit, but corn was very plentiful. — December 10. Very great storm with thunder and lightning {Evelyn). Rainfall at Townley, 42-3 in. February, o'8 in. April, s'4 in. May, o'9 in. June, i'8 in. July, I'l in. August, 67 in. September, 6-4 in. October, 5'i in. November, 6 '3 in. {H. Townley). A very wet summer. This unseasonable weather ex- tended to France, where numbers perished from want, notwithstanding they imported much corn from Sweden and Denmark. In Kent turnips made a considerable share of bread for the people {Tooke). 1694 Wheat, 64s. per qr. of nine bushels at Windsor {Smith). ( i67) Wheat, 56^. lod. per qr. {Tovey). A very wet summer {Tooke). The whole month of April without rain, and till May 13, when some refreshing showers. — June 3. Seasonable showers. — July. Glorious steady weather ; corn and all fruits in extraordinary plenty generally. — August 5. Stormy and unseasonable wet weather this week {Evelyn). Deficient harvest {Farmers^ Almanack). April 22. A fiery exhalation rising out of the sea spread itself in Montgomeryshire a furlong broad, and many miles in length, burning all straw, hay, thatch and grass, but doing no harm to trees, timber, or any solid things, only firing barns or thatched houses. It left such a taint on the grass as to kill all the cattle that eat of it. It lasted many months {Evelyn). Frost so intense that many forest trees and oaks were split by it {Chatnbers). 1695 Wheat, S3J. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 4 7 J. id. per qr. {Tovey). January 13. The Thames was frozen over. — 20th. The frost and continual snow has now lasted near five weeks. February 3. The long frost intermitted, but not gone. March. The latter end sharp and severe, cold with much snow and hard frost. April 14. After a most severe cold and snowy winter, without almost any shower for many months, the wind continuing north and east, and not a leaf appearing, the wind and weather now changed, some showers fell, and there was a remission of cold. — 21st. The spring begins to appear, yet the trees hardly leafed. — July 28. A very wet seasoa — August 11. The weather now so cold that greater frosts were not always seen in the midst of winter ; this succeeded much wet, and set harvest ex- tremely back. — 2Sth. The season wet, great storms, un- seasonable harvest weather. — 29th. Very cold weather. — October. Very mild weather the whole month. — Decern- ( i68 ) ber 25. Hitherto mild, dark, misty weather. Now snow and frost {Evelyn). Cold summer {Penny Magazine). Deficient harvest {Farmer^ Almanack). Rainfall in London from August 12 to August 12, 1696, 29 in. {Lowe). Many of the Scotch are driven into Ireland by the excessive price of corn {Tooke). 1696 Wheat, 7 i.f. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 63 J. \d. per qr. {Tovey). February 2. An extraordinary wet season, though temperate as to cold. — March i. Wind north and east all this week. Great frost and cold through March. — June 21. An exceeding rainy, cold, unseasonable sum- mer, yet the city was very healthy. — ^July 7. A northern wind altering the weather with a continual and im- petuous, rain of three days and nights, changed it intq perfect winter. — 12th. Very unseasonable and uncertain weather. — August 3. Reasonable good harvest weather. — September. Fine seasonable weather, and a great har- vest after a cold wet summer. Scarcity in Scotland. — October 24. Unseasonable stormy weather and an ill seed time. — November 8. The first frost began fiercely, but lasted not long. — 15th to 23rd. Very stormy weather, rain, and inundations. — December 13. Continuance of extreme frost and snow {Evelyn). Wet wheat harvest {Lisle). Deficient harvest {Farmer^ Almanack). January 26. Intense frost. In London temperature 9° below zero {Lowe). Crops bad and dear this year {Lowe). February 3. The great pier demolished and much damage done at the Isle of Portland, owing to excessive fain {Sir W. Southwell). The mean rate for wheat for the next fifty years was 5 J. 4d. per bushel (Z. M.). ( i69) A very wet summer {Tooke). 1697 Wheat, 6qs. per qr. of nine bushels (^Smith), Wheat, S3f. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). January 17. The severe frost and weather relented, but again froze with snow. — February 7. Severe frost continued with snow. Soldiers in the armies and garrison towns frozen to death on their posts. — September. Very bright weather, but with sharp east wind. — October 3. So great were the storms all this week that near 1000 people were lost going into the Texel {Evelyn). Deficient harvest {Farmers^ Almanack). A very wet spring. Rainfall at Townley 38-0 in. Much rain in March, August and September, but little in January and April (S. Townley). Rainfall at Upminster, Essex, 1 5 '5 in. {Derham). Great thunderstorms, with hail, April 29, May 4, and June 6, killing fowls, rooks, hares, etc. ; hailstones immense size (Hattey, etc.). 1698 January 26. Ice eight inches thick. — 29th. Thunder and lightning. — February 14. Great snowstorm ; snow drifts several yards deep. — February 26. Ice four inches thick. Weather very cloudy, with north-east wind nearly all through February. — March 24. Warm weather ; a thunderstorm; also March 26, April 11, 25, and 27. — April 22. Snow all day. A cold April. — May 8. A great deep snow all over England. — 15th. Woods like winter. — June 3. Thunderstorm with fierce great hail covering the ground three inches deep. Cold, very back- ward spring ; the latest for the past forty-seven years, but very hot for the first part of July. — July 9. Thunder- storm. — 15th. Great rain. — i8th to 26th. Cloudless. — August 13 to 15. Frosts, after which very fine to the end of the month. — August 28. Three mock suns and circles from 8 a.m. till lo a.m. — Thunderstorms on October 3, November 17, December 22. — Extremely ( 170 ) cold nights on October 15, 16, 17.— Much rain and snow, October 30. — A terrible flood at Derby, Novem- ber 5. December a warm month {Lowe). The coldest year between 1695 and 1742 {Lowe). Rainfall at Townley, 4i'o in., but little rain in January, February, May, and June (R. Townley). Rainfall at Upminster 24-5 in. (Derham). Wheat, 68j. i,d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, dos. gd. per qr. {Tovey). A comet {Townsend). A very wet summer {Tooke). April 21. An exceeding sharp and cold season. — May 8. An extraordinary great frost and snow, nipping the corn and other fruits. Corn at 9^. the bushel. — December 18. Very warm but exceeding stormy {Evelyn). Labourers' wages, 9>d. per day. Deficient harvest {Farmer^ Almanack). 45 J. considered good rent for a cow, it formerly yielded less; I cwt. skim cheese, 14^'.; 70 lbs. butter, 23^-. 4^. ; calf, i6j-. ; pig, ; 2 gallons of milk daily {Lisle). August 6. Biggest raindrops known. The most rain last four months known, whole fields of corn spoilt. The first wheat cut in the middle of September, and much barley in swathe in December. In the north much corn ungot at Christmas, and in Scotland corn was reaped in January, 1699, and the snow beaten off it. Bread made of it fell to pieces and tasted sweet like malt. January. Much snow in deep drifts, and all the month ice on the water. — 24th. Barometer lower than ever seen, 2 7 'So {Derham). 1699 Wheat, 645. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, s6j. lod. per qr. {Tovey). February 7th was a terrible storm that did much damage, W.N.W. {Derham). February 19. A most furious wind, such as has not happened for many years, doing great damage to houses ( 171 ) and trees, by the fall of which several persons were killed. — March 26. An extraordinary storm. — June 11. After a long drought we had a refreshing shower. — 2Sth. The heat has been so great almost all this month that I do not remember to have felt much greater in Italy, and this after a winter the wettest though not the coldest that I remember for fifty years last past. — ^July 23. Season- able showers after a continuance of excessive drought and heat. — October 21. After an unusual warm and pleas- ant season we were surprised with a very sharp frost. — November 25. There happened this week so thick a mist and fog that people lost their way in the streets, it being so intense that no light of candles or torches yielded any (or but very little) direction. I was in it and in danger. It began about 4 p.m., and was quite gone by 8, without any wind to disperse it. A gentle, calm day, temperate weather all this season of the year, but now came sharp, hard frost and mist, but calm. — December 3. Calm bright and warm as in the middle of April {Evelyn). After barley seedtime there was for about a month a very dry time. A mighty year for aftermass grass. About midsummer a mighty cold and wet day and night falling after shearing many sheep died. On good pastures calves do not pay more than 2s. per week, till five or six weeks old for the batcher (^Lisle). A dry summer ( Winchcomb Parish Register). A comet {Townsend). Deficient harvest {Farmers' Almanack). Severe winter {Fenny Magazine). Rainfall at Upminster, 15-1 in. {Derham). Severe frost. The price of wheat rose to 71J. per qr. Mock suns, February 26, at Canterbury, and April 7 {Gray). 1700 Wheat, ^os. per qr. of nine bushels at Windsor {Smith). ( 1/2 ) Wheat, 35J. 6d. per qr. {Tovey). Calm, bright, and warm as April, to January 21. The weather on 25th was now altering into sharp and hard frost. — February 18. Mild and calm season with gentle frost and misling rain. — 8th. The season was like April for warmth and mildness. — March 24. The season warm, gentle, and exceeding pleasant. —April. A most glorious spring with hope of abundance of fruit of all kinds and a propitious year. — ^June 2. A sweet season with a mixture of refreshing showers {Evelyn). Corn housed extraordinary well. May cold and wet Mowing an acre of clover, is. Cutting an acre of vetches, 2s. 6d. November, frosty (Lisle). Rainfall at Upminster, i9'3 in. (JDerham). Extremely warm (Lowe). All duties payable on the exportation of wheat, etc., cease (11 and 12 William III.). 1701 Wheat, 37J. 2>d. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 33J. 5^. per qr. (Tovey). January 4. An exceeding deep snow and melted away as suddenly. — 19th. Severe frost and such a tem- pest as threw down many chimneys and did great spoil at sea. — May. A great dearth, no considerable rain having fallen for some months. — 17th. Very plentiful showers, the wind coming west and south. — August. The weather changed from heat not much less than in Italy or Spain for some days, to wet dripping and cold with intermissions of fair (Evelyn). This was a mighty corn year, and a year which grew much straw. Hot summer. Clover high in barley., Dry March and April (Lisle). Hot summer (Penny Magazine). Rainfall at Upminster, 187 (Derham). 1702 Wheat, 29J. ^d. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 26s. 2d. per qr. (Tovey). Dry summer and harvest. Very hot and dry for six ( i;3) weeks during latter part of April and all May. Great scarcity of hay and grass. Very wet winter [Lisle). A comet {Townsend). Hot summer {Penny Magazine). February 3. A remarkable storm, at which time was the greatest descent of the mercury ever known (Defoe from Derham). Violent gale all evening and till the morning of 4th {Derham). Scarcely any rain from April 23 to May 29 ; after May 29 great showers. March had been a dry month, and April, up to 23rd, wet {Derham). Rainfall at Upminster, 20"4 in. 1703 Wheat, 36^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 32^. per qr. {Tovey). January. Corn and provisions so cheap that the farmers are unable to pay their rents. — June 13. Rains have been great and continual, and now near midsummer cold and wet. — July 25. The last week in this month a long-continued rain, and the Sunday following thunder and lightning. — Nov. 21. The. wet morning. — Nov. 26, 27. The effects of the great hurricane and tempest of wind, rain and lightning through all the nation were very dismal. Many houses demolished and people killed {Evelyn). Much grass. Wet summer. Late harvest. May and June very wet. Corn yields very ill {Lisle). April, May, June and July wet months in South of England. In May there fell more rain than in any month in any year since 1696. June was a dripping month. July had considerable intermissions, but violent showers on 28th and 29th. September was a wet month, especially the latter part. October and November not remarkably wet, but open, warm months for the most part ( ). November ye 26th day at night, or rather, the 27th in morn, a great wind which blowed down houses, barnes, ( 174) trees, being Satterday morning, and much harm to the ships at sea ( Winchcomb Parish Register). Twelve war ships sunk with their crews. The Bishop of Bath and Wells killed in his bed by stack of chimneys falling on him. Eddystone lighthouse with Winstanley, its builder, swept away ( ). 1,500 seamen perished {Boyle). November 18. A great wind, yt day and night being Thursday ( Winchcomb Parish Register). One continued storm from Wednesday, November 24, till Wednesday following, about one o'clock in the afternoon. It had blown hard for about fourteen days past, and that so hard that we thought it terrible weather. Friday, 26. It did not blow so hard till twelve o'clock at night but that most families went to bed. But about one or, at least, by two o'clock, few people that were capable of any sense of danger were so hardy as to lie in bed. From two o'clock the storm increased till five, and from five to half past six it blew with the greatest violence. About eight it ceased so much that people began to peep out of doors. About three in the after- noon it increased again, and at four was as violent as at any time of the night. It kept blowing all Sunday and Monday, and Tuesday afternoon it increased again, and all Tuesday night it blew with such fury that many famiUes were afraid to go to bed {Defoe). December 8. Dreadful S.W. gale. — 27th and 28th. Violent gales {Thoresby). .Rainfall at Upminster z4"o in. during the year {Der- ham). In the gale from Nov. 26 to Dec. i London sustained a damage of ;^2, 000,000 ; 8,000 persons lost their lives by the floods of the Severn, Thames, and on the coast of Holland. In one place 15,000 sheep were drowned. In Kent 1,107 houses and barns were destroyed {Lowe). The price of wheat rose by Lady-Day, 1704, to nearly ( us ) ' double of what it had been in the preceding spring (Tooke). 1704 Wheat, 46^. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels at Windsor Wheat, 41J. 4d. per qr. (Tovey). This year has been very plentiful {Evelyn). Plenty of grass in the spring, but no rain in June of July ; grass all burnt up. Very dry autumn {Lisle). Rainfall at Upminster, 15 '8 in. ; average for past 8 years, 29-5 in. {Derham). At Townley average of past 8 years, 42-5 in. 1705 Wheat, 30^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 26s. &d. per qr. {Tovey). A dry summer ( Winchcomb Parish Register). January very wet and rainy. No rain from April to 2nd July. Wonderful dry summer {Lisle). June. The season very dry and hot. — February 21. Remarkable fine weather. — March 11. An exceeding dry season {Evelyn). Gales, March 30, April 5, August 11, and September 29 {Derham). Rainfall at Upminster, 16 -9 in. for the year {Derham). 1706 About this time the kingdom was blest with plenty {Tooke). Wheat, 26^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 23J. id. per qr. {Tovey). Severe winter {Penny Magazine). Dry spring. No rain for three months before harvest {Lisle). A comet {Townsend). Rainfall at Upminster, 24-3 in. {Derham). , Another dry summer. A great wind Feb. 9th ( Winch- comb Register). July 16. Began to rain at 8 a.m., and continued incessantly for thirty hours, with thunder and lightning at Denbigh. All the rivers in Denbighshire, Flintshire and ( i;6) Merionethshire overflowed, and spoilt much corn. The stream was so choked with mown hay as to break down a dozen large bridges {Dr. Hans Sloane). 1707 Wheat, 28J. (td. per qr. of nine bushels at Windsor {Smith). Wheat, "25^. 4i/. per qr. {Tovey). Very dry from March 12 to May 22. Sun hot by day, nights cold. Parching \irinds. Spring corn did not come up till June. Hot summer. Wheat much blighted Showery weather in harvest. Extreme wet winter {Lisle). July 8 was so excessively hot and suffocating by reason of no wind stirring, that divers persons died {Derham). Aurora borealis in November {Derham). Rainfall at Upminster, i6'3 in. {Derham). 1708 Wheat, 41^-. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 2,^5. zod. per qr. {Tovey). Wet and cold spring. Cut barley 30th August. Rain every day for three weeks to 20th September, followed by a severe winter {Lisle). Dreadful winter {Gilbert White). Thames frozen. Extraordinary cold in December {Chambers' Diet.). June 12. It was so cold that there was a hoar-frost, and during all the cool weather of that month there were frequent and large rains, amounting to above two inches in depth in Essex {Derham). January 24. Great snowstorm {Pulman's Book of the Axe). September i. Great thunder and lighteninge; ye greatest floods that hath been known in any man's age ( Winchcomb Register). Rainfall at Upminster, 19 '2 in {Derham). A hard frost, which brought on a prodigious scarcity of provisions, more in France than in England. In general the summer was cold and wet {Tooke). 1709 Wheat, 78^. bd, per qr. of nine bushels at Windsor {Smith). ( 177 ) Wheat, 60s. gd. per qr. (Tovey). Cold and wet April and May. No bite of grass in Somerset on June 1 9th (Lisle). A famine {Rogers). A frost with heavy snow from December till March (Dugdak). Wheat at los. and barley at 5^. the bushel {Easton). Thames frozen over, but not sufficiently permanent to allow a frost fair, although several persons crossed on the ice ( Walter TTiombury). Remarkably severe winter to a very late period in the spring {Whistlecraft). January 9. Extremely cold. Frost so intense that in less than twenty-four hours rivers froze so as to beat loaded wagons. Cattle, sheep, and birds perished. Great quantities of snow fell, and the storm continued for three months. A backward spring and a general scarcity (Lowe). Rainfall at Upminster, 2 6 -6 in. (Derham). 1710 Wheat, 78^. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith), Wheat, 69^. \d. per qr. (Tovey). A famine (Rogers). Price of a two-years-old colt from ;£'io t0;^i2. Fat lambs sell in May at about los. 6d. each (Lisle), Rainfall at Upminster, i8'4 in. (Derham). Exportation of corn prohibited for one year (Tooke). Wheat at Lady Day, at lis. 6d. the bushel off nine gallons, having risen 200 per cent, in two years (Tooke). 1711 Wheat, 54^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 48J. per qr. (Tovey). Wet and cold spring. Wheat cut July 27th; barley 26th August. Dry summer, but not hot (Lisle). October 7. Great storm, with thunder and lightning, doing considerable damage near Oakhampton, in Devon {Old Record). Rainfall at Upminster, 23 -6 in. {Derham). N ( 178) Aurora borealis, March 6th {Lowe). 1712 Wheat, 46^. i^d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 41 J. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). Dry February and March. A little rain first week in April, then no rain till mid May. Very hot till June 20th. Strong westerly winds before harvest {Lisle). Constant and great rains in autumn and winter {Bisliop of Clogher). Rainfall at Upminster, Essex, 23-8 in. {Derhani). d713 Wheat, 5 \s. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). ^Vheat, 45^. /^. per qr. {Tovey). Cold dry spring with easterly winds, followed by a dry Summer. Wheat generally good. Barley and oats bad {Lisle). Rainfall at Upminster, 23 "2 in. {Derhani). The price of wheat rose after harvest to Sj. the bushel as a consequence of a bad harvest. From 1692 to 1713 are no fewer than twelve years of bad or indifferent har. vests, and consequent high prices arising from inclemency or unpropitiousness of the seasons {Tooke). 1714 Wheat, 50^. 4^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 44J. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). Very cold dry spring. Summer and autumn hot and dry. Wheat cut 21st July. Finished wheat harvest August 5th. Crop good. Barley and oats bad {Lisle). Rent for white arable land in Wiltshire, sixpence an acre {Lisle). Rainfall at Upminster only 11 -2 in. during the year {Derham). A remarkable drought {Derham). 1715 Wheat, 435. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 38^. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). Cold and wet summer. Wet wheat harvest, most farmers have some grown. Autumn very wet, followed py extreme cold and snow. Wheat lay in ground {Lisle). Thames frozen for three months and a fair held on it. ( 179 ) — January 19. Two oxen were roasted whole on the ice. Vast quantities of snow fell at different times ( Walter Thombury). A severe frost from November 24th to February 9th, 1 7 16 {Farmers^ Almanack). Aurora borealis, March 6th. April 22. A total eclipse of the sun about 9 a.m., when the darkness was so terrible for three minutes and thirteen seconds that the stars appeared, and the birds and other animals were in a state of great consternation {Boyle). 1716 Wheat, 48.?. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 42f. 8^. per qr. {Tovey). Cold dry spring and summer till the end of August. Wheat scarcely to be seen at end of March. Small crop of hay. Turnips a failure. Aftermass very short (Z£r/i?). Fair on the Thames. Great frost and snow. February 23. Aurora borealis unusually brilliant. March 18, 19, and 20. Surprisingly brilliant, especially on the 6th, which lasted from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Halley says nothing of the kind had occurred in England for more than eighty years, nor of the same magnitude since IS74- A long drought ( ) September 14. The Thames lay perfectly dry both above and below bridge, leaving only a very narrow channel. It was occasioned by a strong westerly wind that blew all the preceding day and night, which forced back the tide and drove forward the ebbing waters {Bai>le). 1717 Wheat, 45X. 8^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 40J. id. per qr. {Tovey). No rain from middle of March to 22nd May. Showery summer. Clover to a great height in barley. About this time white arable land was rented in Wiltshire at sixpence per acre {Lisle). ( i8o) Shops on the Thames ( ). Dreadful thunderstorms July 21 and 22 {Boyle). Aurora borealis, February 5, March 30 and 31, April i and 2, and September 20. December. Very mild {Miller). 1718 Wheat, 38^. \od. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 34J. dd. per qr. (Tovey). Hot and dry summer. Barley harvested without rain {Lisle). Hot summer. Severe winter {Penny Magazine). A comet {Townsend). Seine frozen over ( ) Snow fell for several days in succession early in January, and a very hard frost for a long time besides, snow very often, and all things very dear. Two turnips sold for a penny, and coals at 40^. a qr. ; and all these things, notwithstanding so dear, were very bad in kind {Old. Book). • Aurora borealis, September 5 and 6, and December 19 {Lowe). 1719 Wheat, 35^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 31J. \d. per qr. {Tovey). Great frost {Lowe). Dry and cold spring. Exceeding hot summer. Hay and straw so short that cows sold at Michaelmas at 30J. each, which generally make jQ^ Fat pigs are 4^ . 6d. per score, bulls tenpence per score. The following spring beef made fivepence per lb. {Lisle). May 19. A great meteor at 8 p.m. {Old Almanack). Wet autumn, and mild weather to the beginning of February {Lisle). March 19. A surprising meteor was seen about 8 p.m. from all parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Its duration was not above half a minute. At Exeter its light exceeded that of the sun at noon-day. It seemed to break like a sky rocket into sparks of red fire, and ( i8i ) shortly after a report as loud as a cannon shook the windows, succeeded by about thirty others at the interval of a minute. It broke over the sea near the coast of Brittany at an altitude of about thirty miles {Hone). 1720 Wheat, 37.?. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 32f. \od. per qr. (Tovey). Wet and cold spring and summer. So wet through March, April, and May that the pastures did not afford a bite for cattle till middle of May. About a month before haymaking there fell so much rain that the water mead- ows were overflowed and very much stranded, so that the hay was given to them who would cut it and carry it off (Lisle). Cheese, 24X. per cwt. Summer wet till July i8th. A great burden of hay and grass {Lisle). 1781 Wheat, 37J. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 33^. 4^. per qr. (Tovey). Aurora borealis, January 6, February 6, September 1 1, October 21. Mock suns February 22, August 30, October 22, 23, 26 (Lowe). March 26. Much rain and hail with thunder and lightning. June 20th and up to 26th, hot weather, when I finished haymaking. The first week in December was frosty. — 13th. Rain. Hired a cook maid at ye wages of jQ^ {Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq.). 1722 Wheat, 36^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 3 2 J. per qr. {Tovey). Very mild December {Lowe). Rainfall in May, 35 in. July, 4-3 in. October, 06 in. {Horsley). Mock suns March 22, 23, 26. Aurora borealis Feb- ruary 19, March 15. January 12. Frosty. Wet season up to April. Floods beginning of June. ( i82) Hired an upper maid at ;^3 $s. per'annum (Diary of Thomas Smith, Esq."). 1723 Wheat, 34J. M. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 30J. \od. per qr. {Tovey). Hot summer {Penny Magazine). Very dry year. Rainfall in February, 0-5 in. March o"2 in. {HorsUy). Aurora borealis, August 20, October 20. 1724 Wheat, 37J. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 3 2 J. lod. per qr. {Tovey). A very great flood in February {Easton). October and November. Wind N. and N.E. at Plymouth {Lowe). 1785 Wheat, 48J. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 43^. id. per qr. {Tovey). Drought from middle of January till middle of April. It was drier than ever known in this country. Cold and very wet from middle of April till August 27. Great flood at Ketton, June 11 and 12. — August 23. Twenty-four hours' heavy rain, causing a flood in the meadows for four or five days ; garden stuff one month later than usual ; scarcely any kidney beans, no cater- pillars or flies, fruits scarcely ripened, corn very dear, very warm spring till April {Lowe). 1786 Wheat, 46^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 40^-. lod. per qr. {Tovey) Greatest flood ever known in Salisbury, water rose a foot high in the Cathedral {Easton). March 8. River Thames four inches higher than had been known for 40 years {Jones). Aurora borealis, October 3, 4, 8, 26 {Derham). October 25. Severe earthquake at Dorchester and other places {Derham). 1787 Wheat, 42J. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, lis. ^d. per qr. (Tovey). An earthquake in several parts of England {0/d Almanack). ( i33 ) Aurora borealis, January 4, 5, March 2, 3, 5. Four mock suns March 1 ( Whiston). 1728 Wheat, 54^. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels (SmM). Wheat, 48^. $d. per qr. {Tovey). January. Great floods. Malt tax ;^7S0iOoo i great dearth 1728-9 ; severe winter (Zowe). Aurora borealis, October 13 {DerAam). This year and the preceding one there was a great dearth in Ireland {Boyle). 1729 Wheat, 46^. lod. per. qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 41J. id. per qr. {Tovey). January 24. Began a hard frost which lasted nine weeks {Farmers' Almanack). A comet {Townsend) July. Most horrible tempests accompanied with such astounding deluges of rain in parts of Spain that the like was never known in any country, and the dai^ages sus- tained were deemed irreparable {M. C). Great thunderstorms in England in June {Monthly Chronicle). Great rains and floods in November {Monthly Chron- icle). November 4. A whirlwind from north-west at Barfor 498,195 qrs. wheat, on which a bounty was allowed of ;^i63,476 (Bqy/e). Rainfall at Plymouth, 37-114 in. {Gilbert White). Earthquake in Ireland in August that destroyed 100 houses and five churches {Townsend). July 13. Great rain. — August 9 and la Thunder. — nth and 26th, and November 261 Gale. — Qctober i. Violent rain at Chester ; great flood on the Dee. — 25th. Earthquake on the south coast. Necessity has compelled our farmers to more carefulness and frugality in laying out their money than they were accustomed to do in better times ( W. Allen, Esq.). 1735 Wheat, 435. per qr, of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 38J. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). January 8. Great hurricane ; great and general rot in sheep, the carcases a great nuisance ire the higliways. The most general rot in the memory of man. Thousands not worth offering for sale. One of the wettest seasons I ever knew. 100 sheep sold at Leighton market at 6d. each {Ellis). January 8. So violent a gale has not been known since the memorable one of November, 1 703 ; gales and inundations general throughout England : barometer at noon, 27-9. Very cold summer. During June and July there were but few fair days. ( i86) July ig. The excessive wet has laid the corn flat, and much hay has been spoilt by flood in the valley of the Thames {Lowe). March 9. A whirlwind at Kilverston, in Norfolk, which blew the lead off the tops of the churches, the tiles from the houses, levelled a piece of ground as if it had been harrowed, blew water out of the river carrying it i^ fur- long. {Boyle). August 23. Great rain ; a flood. — 27th. Violent gale, did much damage, and destroyed a third of the hops. — September 7. Gale with tremendous rain at Droitwich ; men, horses, sheep, and bridges were carried away by the flood. At Coventry greater flood than for forty years {Beighion). September 15. A hailstorm destroyed most of the un- reaped corn in Ayrshire ; it lay two ,feet thick in some places. — October 27. Great flood. — December 7. Fearful thunderstorm, with great rain, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. — December II. Aurora borealis. — 30th. Two mock suns {Lowe). 1736 Wheat, 40s. j[d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 35^. lod. per qr. {Tovey). Remarkably deep snow {Townsend). January. Scarcely any frost, continuous rains, many lives lost by floods. — February 2. A gale.— 8th. Great saow, with gale. — 16th. Thames rose 6f in. above the height of the great tide of March 8, 1726, being higher than for fifty years. — ^.zist. Great snow; great flood in May. From May to December i7'o in. of rain fell at Lyndon, Rutland {Barker). July 5. From the beginning of March such continuous rains the like not known in the memory of man. All the low meadows in the kingdom floated, and the hay and corn carried away or spoilt. The damage done almost incredible. In three days five inches of rain fell. — ( i87) September 17. Three mock suns. — July. The houses near the Leen, at Nottingham, 2 feet deep in water {Thoresby). October 9. A great storm. — November tz. A great N.W. gale. — i2th to i8th. So severe afrost at Edinburgh that 24 hours after it began persons were walking on the lake. Nov. 13. Aurora borealis brilliant at 6 p.m. (^J. Short). November 24 and December 20. Gales. — 24th. Thames flowed into Westminster Hall, the prodigious high tide being occasioned by previous heavy rains {Boyle). 1737 Wheat, 38^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 33J. ()d. per qr. {Tovey). February 14. Prices of com in Salisbury market : Wheat, 3^^. iid. to 4-r. (>d. per bushel; barley, 17^. per qr. ; oats, 1 1 J. to 125. per qr. ; beans, 3J. dd. to 4^. (>d. per bushel; peas, i2j. per. qr. May 12. A load of wheat belonging to Farmer Waters, of Burford, going to Redbridge for exportation was stopped near Whiteparish by about 60 people, who knocked down the fore horse, broke the wagon in pieces, cut the sacks, and strewed about the com. They threat- ened to do the like to all who sold wheat for exportation. Price of wheat peck loaf, 2s. 3//. ; household, \s. 8|i/. {Salisbury Newspaper). Great inundation of the Severn {Bath and Wesi of England Journal) . A comet {Townsend). Hot summer {Penny Magazine). Weather very changeable; the summer dry; August, as cold as winter ; September, very changeable ; October, much catarrh ; November, fatal diarrhoea {Short). January 9. In the evening, and for some hours in the night, such a violent storm of wind, rain and hail that ( i88) the like has not been felt since the great storm of 1703. The lowlands in Gloucestershire and Somersetshire over- flowed, and abundance of sheep, etc., were drowned. Great deal of thunder and lightning. June 21. Great drought in West of England. — July 2. Very violent thunderstorm at Bristol in the evening. — August 2. Violent gale, with great rainfall, London. — 3rd. Flood at Tunbridge Wells. Heavy rains from September 28 to October 3 caused floods doing great damage. — October 18. Great flood. — December i. Violent gale. — 16th. Gale. 1738 Wheat, 3Si-. dd. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 3 If. 6d. per qr. (^Toveji). April dry and cold ; great showers between May and end of June, which occasioned the rotting of great num- bers of sheep {Ellis'). January 4. Severe thunderstorm with a sudden violent wind, which destroyed Walcot Church, Bath. — 14th. Violent gale in Scotland. — 25 th. Gale. — February 2. Gale. — July 25. Dreadful thunderstorm, with hail as big as walnuts, at Dunstable, St. Albans, Uxbridge, Bungay, Marlborough, Reading, etc. — August 5th, at Harlow. Great drought from August till September 7 {Dr. Short). Great meteor August 29, at 5 p.m., sun shining brightly. Rainfall at Lyndon, Rutland, 17 '2 in. February, o'6 in. July, o'6 in. November, 07 in. {Barker). Earthquake in December, in Yorkshire {Lowe). 1739 Wheat, 38^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 34^. 2d. per qr. {Tovey). Wet autumn. A hard frost, for nine weeks, began December 24 {O. A.). Thames frozen. This is called the hard winter ( ). A comet {Townsend). A very wet season {Bru7nham). Severity of frost beyond precedent. A few days after it began there arose a very high wind which did great ( i89) damage to the shipping ; several vessels were sunk by the ice, and a more dismal scene presented itself on the Thames than had ever been beheld by the oldest man living ( Walter Thornbury). January 4. Violent gale, with thunder, lightning, hail, and rain. — 14th. Dreadful gale in Scotland and Ireland. — March 18. Aurora borealis. — May 20. Greatest storm of thunder, hail, and rain ever known. — September 10. Most violent thunderstorm. — nth. Much damage done by gale and excessive rains, which swept away great quan- tities of outstanding corn. — 28th. Great damage done to crops by excessive rain. Gales on October 30 and Noveiijber 21. Frost began December 24 {Lowe). 1740 Wheat, 50J. M. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 45 J. \d. per qr. {Tovey). Dreadful winter. Cold north-east winds continued through April and May. Fieldfares remained till June. Dry summer ( Gilbert White). A year of extraordinary scarcity {A. Smith). Thousands of acres of turnips ratten {Ellis). November i. A dreadful hurricane. Labourers' wages, rod. a day {F. A.). People dwelt on the Thames in tents for weeks ( ). A storm began in Eskdale in the middle of January and lasted until the sun melted off the snow {Standard). An unheard of frost seized with extraordinary severity on the world and the elements, so that it is scarcely possible to number or relate the many strange occurrences that took place through its violence. Men felt so op- pressed that days passed by unheeded. One would and could hardly speak ; one sat and thought, yet could not think ; if any one spoke a word it was with a hard, set face. Many hens and ducks, even the cattle in the stalls, died of cold ; the trees split asunder. Not only beer, but wine in cellars froze. Deeply sunken wells were covered with impenetrable ice. Crows and other birds ( 190 ) fell to the ground frozen in their flight. No bread was eatable, for it was as cold and hard as a stone. This extraordinary winter was followed by an equally uncom- mon spring. In May no sign of verdure was yet to be seen ; it was still cold in July, and vegetation was then still further hindered by drought. The harvest was not over till late in the autumn, and by the middle of October the frost returned before the fruit in the gardens had had time to ripen {Brocks s " Contentmetit in God "). Remarkably severe winter to a very late period of the spring ( Whistlecraf{). January i to February 5. During all this time the temperature was seldom as high as 32 °. It fell as low as 2 ° F. — January 5 and 6. The coldest night. Ink froze in a room in a few minutes (Bevis). Gales on September 4, 7, and November i. December. Great snows, rains, storms, and severe frosts, and in some places dreadful thunder and lightning. Cattle, corn, and hay swept away {Lowe). During the spring and summer there was little rain {G. White). February 16. The inclement season having continued with little intermission for nearly eight weeks, began to subside, and gradually diminished till the end of the month ; but it continued still very cold, and not till the 20th did the Thames begin to thaw above bridge {Boyle). ^^t Wheat, 465. M. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 4i.f. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). Dry summer. Great quantity of partridges. Rainfall at Plymouth, 20*354 in. (^Gilbert White). September 8. Hurricane in Huntingdonshire ; about sixty bams blown down. Also great damage done on the Thames, and at Newcastle and Canterbury {Boyle). Rainfall at Lyndon, 157 in. February, o-6 in. March, o"6 in. April, o'o in. May, o'4 in. September, 4*9 in. December, 0-5 in. {Barker). ( 191 ) July 28. Violent thunderstorm, with hail, in Yorkshire, etc. — September 8. A gale. — December 11. Large meteor. Two last winters have been severe and summers dry {Lowe). Uncommonly dry summer, many springs and ponds failed {G. W.). Beef sold for one penny per pound. Wheat sold for sixpence a stone, and other provisions proportionately cheap (Boyle). December 18. A large ball of fire passed over Canter- bury at midday, which was succeeded by a dreadful tempest that shattered nearly all the windows. On the ensuing morning was seen an appearance resembling three suns and an inverted rainbow (Boyle). J742 Wheat, 34^. per qr. of nine bushels (Smii/i). Wheat, 30J. 2d. per qr. (^Tovey). Two comets (Townsend). Wheat excellent in quality and very dry {Lisle). Great damage done to the pastures, particularly about Bristol, by swarms of grasshoppers at the end of August {Gentleman's Magazine). Rainfall at Lyndon, Rutland, 17-3 in. March, o-i in. August, o'2 in. July, 3*2 in. December, o'2 in {Barker), December 18. Frost for three weeks, without any snow {Lowe). January 20. Unusually hot {Miles). August 18. Great heat and thunder, doing terrific damage to corn, trees, etc. The hail lay on the ground for a week {Lowe). 1743 Wheat, 24J. lod. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 22s. id. per qr. (Tovey). 40s. per annum considered good wages for a servant maid {Note to Aubrey). August 18. Great storm of hail, damaging corn severely from Tewkesbury to Chester {Boyle). Hail as big as hens' eggs. ( 192 ) Rainfall at Plymouth, 20-908 in. (Gilbert White). At Lyndon, 1 6' I in. January, 0-4 in. February, 0-4 in. June, 0-4 in. September, o-8in. July, 5-2 in. October, 3' I in. {Barker). February 3. Great gale. — April i. N.E. gale. — 27th. A gale. — July 15. Hail fell at Enfield as big as nutmegs, and laid the corn for several miles {Lowe). January l8, O.S. We have now a wonderful fine sea- son, that makes our spring flowers come forth {Collinson). 1744 Wheat, 24^. \od. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 22s. id. per qr. (Tovey). .Severe winter (Fenny Magazine), Seine entirely frozen over ( ). A comet (Townsend). February 5. Shocks of earthquake in Merionethshire (Boyle). Rainfall at Lyndon, 227 in. July, o'8 in. August, I'o in. June, 3-5 in. September, 3'3in. October, 3*i in. (Barker^. October. The constant heavy rain has occasioned floods in divers places, and sheep and cattle have been drowned. Thunderstorms on June 4, August 13 and 14, very violent (Lowe). Snow on April 2nd. Therm., on 6th, 34"; 21st, 75". 20th, first warm day (Lowe). Gales, February 19th, 20th. N.E., 24th, at Brighton. 2Sth. Rainfall in London, in April, 5 '2 in. (Lowe). Malt duty amounted to ;^697,ooo I'&s. (Boyle). 1745 Wheat, 27J. (>d. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 24f. 5^. perqr. (Tovey). Very wet harvest ; all the corn grown in the ear (Lisle). Many rotten sheep. Wool, 15.^. 6d. per tod {Ellis). November 18 to 20. Gales (Lowe). From this time to 1765, great distemper in horned cattle, which occasioned the consigning to the plough ( 193 ) of all the best lands, and reduced the average price of wheat for twenty years, from 1735 to 1755, t0 32j. 6d. per qr. In the thirty years previous it had been 38^., and in the century before 41^. 6d. per qr. Spring and summer, very wet ; autumn, cold and dry ; winter, damp and cold {Dr. Mortimer). Rainfall at Lyndon, 20-6 in. June, 3*5 in. July, 07 in. August, 3 '9 in. 1746 Wheat, 39^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 34^. 8d. per qr. {Tovey). Fowls, IS. ^d. per couple ; beef, 2\d. per lb. ; bacon, 6d. per lb. ; butter, 6d. per lb. Servant maids' wages, ^■^ a year {Reliquary). The statutes to prevent the spreading of the distemper which raged among horned cattle enforced in Somerset every year since 1747, except in 1750 {Orders of Quarter Sessions). June 7. Shock of an earthquake between 11 and 12 p.m. in N.W. of England {Boyle). Rainfall at Lyndon. July, 2-6 in. August, 3*4 in. September, 07 in. December, 3-9 in. Rainfall at Lyndon, 22-2 in. At Norwich, 26'8 in. {Barker). January. Hail, snow, and gales. January 24. Severe frost continuing till middle of February, with snow. — February 17. A flood caused by sudden rain melting the snow. Many houses were washed away, most of the bridges destroyed, and many persons, horses, and cows drowned. — March i. Snow, nth to 31st. Gales. — 24th. A flood. — April i, 2, and 29. Gales.— 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 29. Hail. — May 11, 15, 18, 21. Hail. — 13, 14, 15, 16, 20. Gales. From 22nd to 26th. Hot. — June 2. Weather very sultry. Great hail- ( 199 ) storm, lasting two hours, at Sherborne, Downton, Bridg- water, etc. Prodigious hailstones (^Lowe). 1754 Wheat, 34f. M. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 30X. 9^. per qr. {Tovey). Wool, X2S. a. tod {Arthur Young). July 28. Violent storm of thunder, lightning, and hail, doing great damage in Suffolk. Hailstones as big as pigeons' eggs {Boyle). The harvests of the four years, from 1752 to 17SS, although not attended with any marked deficiency yielded bare average crops {Tooke). Wheat, from 27^. to 33^. Barley, 17^. to igy. Oats, 1 2X. dd. to 1 3^. per qr. at Mark Lane. 1755 Wheat, 33J. 10^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 30f. id. per qr. {Tovey). November. Earthquake at Lisbon, followed by a very wet winter. Waters in England, Ireland, Scotland and Holland were observed to be agitated on November ist, when the earthquake happened at Lisbon {Hone). June 10. Violent thunderstorm at Newcastle. — ^July 1 8. An earthquake with a great noise like the report of a cannon in Lincolnshire. — September 11. The greatest fall of rain ever witnessed in the North of England {Boyle). From 1730 to 1755, was a series of twenty-six years with only one of a decidedly unfavourable character, viz. the winter of 1739-40, followed by a bad harvest {Tooke). 1756 Wheat, 45^. ^d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 40J. id. per qr. {Tovey). Great scarcity {Smith). Wettest summer in memory of man {Jones). October 6. At night happened a most violent hurri- cane at Wigton, such a one perhaps as has not happened in memory of man. It lasted from 1 1 to 3. The damage over the whole county was deplorable. The corn suffered prodigiously. Stacks were entirely swept away. ( 200 ) Trees torn up by the roots, leaves shrivelled up and turned black by the salt water. The wind was westerly {Hone). The harvest greatly deficient through the greater part of Europe (Tooke). January 2. About 4 p.m., at Tuatn, in Ireland, ap- peared an unusual light far beyond that of the brightest day. It faded away by sensible degrees, and by about 7 o'clock a sun of streamers crossed the sky which undula- ted like the surface of rippling water and caused great alarm. The phenomenon discharged itself in a blaze towards the north. A very uncommon shock immedi- ately succeeded {Hone). January 16. Earthquake shock at Dover. — June 24. At Ashford. — November 18. At Rothsay {Boyle). 1757 Wheat, 60^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 53J. 4^. per qr {Tovey). A famine year {Rogers). A comet {Townsend). Appeared October 21 {Twner). On account of the scarcity of com and dearness of bread, twopennyworth each day allowed to every poor prisoner in the several gaols in the county {County of Som- erset, order of Sessions at Brutori). Also orders made to enforce the statutes for prevention of disease amongst horned cattle. February 23. At Lamborne, Berks, there was such a prodigious flood occasioned by the sudden thaw and melting of the snow on the neighbouring hills, that the inhabitants of several houses were lost {Boyle). September 24. William Margarets was convicted at the assizes at Cambridge for an attempt to raise the price of corn in Ely Market, by offering bs. a bushel for wheat, for which only 55. 9^. was demanded. He was let off by paying ;^so to the poor at Ely, and jQ<,q to the poor at Cambridge, the full cost of the prosecution, and acknow- ledging his offence publicly in the Market Place of Ely ( 201 ) on a market day, and publishing the same in sundry newspapers {Hone). Very great heat in July {Brumhani). 1758 Wheat, 50^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 44^. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). Large comet. Halley's {Boyle). From this time to 1767 wool was from i8j. to 215. a tod {Arthur Young). 1759 Wheat, 39J. \od. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 35^-. 2,d. per qr. {Tovey). Three comets {Townsend). One appeared March 13th ; one November 27th ; one December 17th {Turner). A hot and dry summer {Brumham) . Feb. 24. Shock of an earthquake at Liskeard. — April II. Steeple of Great Billing Church destroyed by light- ning {Boyle). Very severe weather in December on the continent {Boyle). 1760 Wheat, 36^. 6d. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 32^. 51^. per qr. {Tovey). A labourer's daily wages, is. Northern lights were strong for two or three seasons and then totally disappeared {Daniel). Great storm in North Wilts, February i6th, which killed a child and a cow, and prostrated trees and houses ( Wilts Mag., vol. xvi.). Very hot and dry summer {Brumham). February 15. A dreadful storm in London and its environs, during which the lead upon the Admiralty was rolled up like a scroll, and many stacks of chimneys blown down {Boyle). December 12. Pear trees were in full bloom, and daisies and primroses appeared, owing to the mildness of the season {Boyle). 1761 Wheat, 30^. 3^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). ( 202 ) Wheat, z6s. gd. per qr. (Tovey). Uninterrupted rain in autumn after middle of Septem- ber ( ). Unusually mild winter (^Knapp). March 31. Shocks of earthquake felt all over Europe. ■ — June 9. Considerable shock of an earthquake felt at Sherborne and Shaftesbury about five minutes before twelve o'clock. Much stormy weather latter end of August and beginning of September.- — October 14. A most astonishing phenomenon was seen at Great Malvern. It had the appearance of a volcano, was attended with great noise, and preceded by a most violent storm of thunder and lightning {Boyle). 1763 Wheat, 39^. per qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 34$-. ?>d. per qr. {Toz'ey). Great snow for eighteen days together in February {Annual Register). February 21st and following day great fall of snow, in some places 10 ft. to 12 ft. deep. Near fifty people lost their lives, and many cattle perished. Large trees, houses, chimneys, etc., levelled with the ground. Such devastation not remembered by present race in England (Monthly Chronologer). Wheat in Warminster, 34X. to 48^. ; barley, 14^. to 17 J. per qr. Wheat in Devizes, 34.?. to 40J. ; barley, i6f. to i8j. dd. ; oats, 15.?. to 15^. 6d. per qr. Hay, per load, in London, 30^. to 44s. ; straw, los. to 24s. per load; hops, jQ2 to ^4 per cwt. (Monthly Chronologer). Unparalleled drought this summer ; great scarcity of fodder. — October 26th and following days. The sudden overflowing of the waters occasioned by the violent rains and north winds about Stratford, West Ham, Plaistow, and for , twenty miles north of London was very fatal to the inhabitants. Most of their cattle in the fields were carried off; likewise stacks of hay and wood, with the loss ( 203 ) of all their hogs that were in their styes and yards, to- gether with all the horses that were in stables ; for the waters rose twelve feet in less than five hours, which was in the dead time of the morning, nothing of it being per- ceived at one o'clock ; it reached their chamber windows before five, and the face of the water was covered with the bodies of the beasts that perished. The damage at West Ham alone was computed at ;^ioo,ooo. At Chelmsford, Cambridge and Norwich great damage was sustained, and at many other places ; sundry persons perished, and several thousands of hogs, horses, horned cattle and sheep were drowned. Houses were over- flowed ; the roads in many places were three feet deep. Several post boys had nearly lost their lives, and the mails and their horses were drowned. Houses, chimneys and trees were blown down ; numbers of vessels driven on shore, and others lost. Part of Kingston bridge in Surrey, those of Kelvedon, Chesterfield, and Ilford in Essex, Buntingford in Hertfordshire, Tunbridge in Kent, Morton and Saxthorpe in Norfolk, and some others were carried away. In fine, such a melancholy scene of devastation has not been remembered in this country by the present race of inhabitants {Londoti Magazine). Five recruits belonging to the young Bufis who perished in the snow coming up the hill from the Fop Lane end on Sunday, the 21st February, at 5 o'clock in the evening (Feb. 2(>th, Register of Stow- on-the-Woli'). A comet {Townsend). May 29th {Turner). Snow for eleven days {Dugdale). A very hot and dry summer, and a very dry year (Brumham). December 25. A very hard frost commenced, which continued till the 29th of January (Boyle). 1763 Wheat, 40X. <)d. per qr. of nine bushels (Smith). Wheat, 2fis. id, per qr. (Tovey), ( 204 ) Wettest summer since 1756 {/ones). From July to January, 1764, great quantity of rain {Gilbert White). Hay, 2s. 6d. per cwt. ; butter, 6d. per lb. ; cheese, 2\d. per lb. ; cream, 6d. per pint ; milk, ^. per gallon. A notable farmer's wife would make ^^ per cow. Fat pigs, 6s. 6d. per score ; yearling heifers, 35.?- each ( Young). February 13. The tide overflowed the Bishop's Walk, Lambeth, so that the people were carried from house to house in boats. A fall of snow took place the same day which laid eight feet deep upon the high roads in the midland counties. — March ist. One of the most violent storms of hail and rain ever remembered occurred at Harrow. — July 23. Hertford Church struck by lightning during Divine service, but no one injured {Boyle). 1764 Wheat, 46J. <)d. per. qr. of nine bushels {Smith). Wheat, 4iy. ^d. per qr. {Tovey). Remarkable year for floods and high springs ( ). November 6. Shock of an earthquake felt at Oxford {Boyle). January. Sudden rise of springs and great floods at Imber and other villages on Salisbury Plain {Hoare). Warm winter {Penny Mag.). A comet {Townsend). January 3rd {Turner). At Devizes market in July wheat sold at from 34?. to 45J. per qr. ; barley, from 19^. to 23^;. ; oats, from 17^. to 2\s.; beans, from 34^. to 36^.; peas, 28^. to 32^.; vetches, 365. to 38.?. {London Chronicle). Household bread, 5^. ; wheaten bread, 6\d. the quar- tern loaf. — June 23. Most violent hailstorm in Middle- sex with a hurricane of wind, \yholly destroying the corn and fruits of the earth. July 6. Great storm round London followed by inun- dations, causing great damage in the eastern counties, washing away hay, etc. {London Chronicle). ( 20S ) Notwithstanding the great quantity of grass this season, old hay is now (July 7) sold at ^^ i^s. a load. — July 26. Barley harvest began this week in several places in the upper part of Hertfordshire, where they have the greatest appearance of a plentiful crop. July 28. Most of the farmers in Hertfordshire began their wheat harvest yesterday, where they have very large crops {London Chronicle). July 24. Harvest began at St. Ives, in Huntingdon, this week ; the corn in general fine and forward, and a plentiful crop in that and the neighbouring counties, but hands scarce and wages high. A farmer near Norwich has lately sold barley at 9^. a qr. less than he sold the same sort of barley at last winter. This fall in price is owing to the prodigious crop of grain. He says he is sure he shall have seven qrs. of barley an acre. Also a farmer near Ware says that he shall have six qrs. an acre, which is more than double what he expected a month ago, the great quantity of rain having made a surprising alteration. Hay, which for some time past sold for about £,2, a load, is con- siderably cheaper, and it is imagined will soon fall to 4o.f. There has been but little stormy weather in Dorsetshire to do any hurt, and there is the finest prospect of a plentiful harvest there and in the other western counties. Great and destructive thunderstorms, with hail, in July and August {London Chronicle). 1765 Wheat, 48J. per qr. (Tovey). The choicest pieces of the best beef, i^d. to i,\d. per lb. ; the coarse, \\d. to 2\d. per lb. ( ). A plentiful crop of grain {London Mag.). When wheat got up to an average in ten years of 39^^., export was prohibited, import allowed free of duty, and distillation of grain prohibited. The summer was re- markable for its heat and dryness, and all vegetation being influenced by their effects brought forth fruits and flowers in unusual perfection {Knapp). ( 206 ) A very dry summer and often very hot {Brumhani). 1766 Deficient harvest. Bread, u. dd. the 41b. loaf. A severe frost {Farmer^ Almanack). Severe winter {Fenny Magazine). Seine entirely frozen over ( ). Great rot in sheep. Oats, about i^. td. per bushel ; hay, 2s. per cwt. ( ). Wheat, 43 J. id. per qr. (^Tovey). Two comets {Townsend). One appeared March 8th, the other April 8th {Turner). Arthur Young about this time quotes the following prices : viz., old crone ewes, Sj. each ; cows, ;^5 each ; a sow and ten pigs, three weeks old, 52J. bd. ; rent of ordi- nary land, 1 5 j'. per acre ; old crone ewes, sold fat, with their lambs, 155. per couple. A cow gave from May till October inclusive 369 gallons of milk, which was sold for J^d 2S. There was nothing remarkable in the goodness of the cow or her feed. The common clear profit of a cow is ^4. The common price of hiring cows is ;£'3. Hay, from 40^. to 60s. per ton; barley he reckons at i6s. per qr. ; wheat, at 32^. per qr. {A. Young). April 21. A large spot, three times the size of the earth, passed over the centre of the sun's disc. — June 2. A collection was made for the haymakers, who had assembled at the Royal Exchange on account of the heavy rains, which prevented them from working. — July 30. Three thousand sheep were destroyed by the floods near Great Upwell. The corn was seized from the farmers by the poor at Hoxton and sold at 5.?. 6d. per bushel. The high price of provisions produced a riot at Exeter. — September 29. Exportation of corn stopped {£oy/e). September 25. We have had a most uncommon rainy summer, which was no way propitious to the growth of wheat ; but it pleased Providence to send us the finest hot and dry harvest ever known, yet the warm constant ( 207 ) rains drew up the wheat so much to stalk that the ears are very light {Collinson). Vl^l Wheat, /[^s. 4d. per qr. (Toveji). Wheat in August, 40s. to 51s. per qr. ; barley, 23s. to 2'js. ; rye, 22s. to 23X. ; oats, 13s. to 15^.; malt, 32J. to 36J. ; peas, 24s. to 27^. ; beans, 20s. to 23J. per qr. Hay at Whitechapel, 21s. to 46^. per load; straw, from 14^. to 2 IS. per load. Harvest not quite so forward as usual, but a better prospect of a good crop of grain than at any period for twenty years past ( Universal Museum). Hard winter ; coaches plied on the ice on the Thames ( )• Seine frozen for thirty-five days ( ). Wheat thrashed in Norfolk at 2s. ; barley and oats at \s. per qr. {A Young). Great floods in Yorkshire in August {Universal Mu- seum). Towards the end of December a violent frost began, which was very severe till i6th January following. The Thames was frozen so hard that navigation was entirely stopped. Roads in the country were quite impassable, and many persons were found dead in the snow. This was followed by a violent hurricane which did much damage ( Walter Thombury). Wheat, 4?>s.; barley, 24s.; oats, \Zs. per qr. {Arthur Young). Labour in winter, \od. to \s. per day ; in summer, \s. 6d. to IS. Sd. Reaping wheat, 4^. 6d. to 55. per acre ; mowing corn, lod. to i4d. per acre; hoeing turnips, 2s. 6d. ; butter, 6^d. to jjd. ; beef and mutton, ^d. to 4\d. ; veal, 2\d. ; cheese, ^d. to ^\d. per lb. Arable land in Wiltshire from "js. to los. per acre in general {Arthur Young). Severe weather in January {G. White). Hard frost the whole month {Boyle). 1768 Wheat, 53^. qd. per qr. {Tovey). ( 208 ) Very severe frost in January. Cold and wet season throughout (^Gilbert White). September. — Floods, in consequence of sudden rise 'ot springs in Wiltshire {Hoare). November 22. Remarkable fall of the barometer all over the kingdom. At Selborne no wind, and not much rain, only vast swagging rock-like clouds in the distance {Gilbert White). Height of flood in the Thames, at high-water mark at Clifton Hampden, 7 feet 7 J in. (_/. C. C. in Agr. Gazette). The year began with a very severe frost, which aggra- vated the calamity of the lower classes of the people, who were already much distressed from the exorbitant price of food {Littleton). The year begins with a fortnight's frost and snow. Rainy during February. Cold and wet spring. Wet season from the beginning of June to the end of harvest. Latter end of September, foggy without rain. All October and the first part of November rainy ; thence to the end of the year alternate rains and frosts {Gilbert White). Rather a backward year {G. White). 1769 Wheat, 40j-. "jd. per qr. {Tovey). Wet harvest. Mild wet winter ( ). Sheep on the Downs are very ragged this winter, and their coats much torn {Gilbert White). Land extremely dry at Midsummer, and the drought continued till 5th July ( Winter). A comet {Townsend). Warm winter {Penny Magazine). January and February, frosty and rainy, with gleams ot fine weather in the intervals. To the middle of March, wind and rain ; to the end of March, dry and windy. To the middle of April, stormy. To the end of June, fine weather with rain. To the beginning of August, warm dry weather. To the end of September, rainy, with ( 209 ) short intervals of fine weather. To the latter end of October, frosty mornings with fine days. The next fort- night rainy, thence to the end of November, dry and frosty. December, windy, with rain and intervals of frost, and the first fortnight very foggy {Gilbert White). Mr. Barker, who has measured the rain more than thirty years, says that more has fallen this year than in any he ever attended to j though from July, 1753, to January, 1754, more fell than in any seven months this year {G. White). 1770 Wheat, 43J. dd. per qr. {Tovey). A constant succession of frost, snow, hail, and tempest in April. Fine harvest. Incessant rain in autumn. Great deal of rain this year, 7^ inches in three weeks, in December {Gilbert White). A comet {Townsend). Height of flood in the Thames, at Clifton Hampden, 7 ft. 5 in. {J. C. C. in Agr. Gazette). Frost for the first fortnight; during the 14th and isth all the snow melted. To the end of February, mild hazy weather. The whole of March frosty, with bright weather. April, cloudy, with rain and snow. May began with summer showers, and ended with dark cold rains. June, rainy, chequered with gleams of sunshine. The first fortnight in July, dark and sultry ; the latter part of the month, heavy rain. August, September, and October, for the first fortnight, in general fine weather, though with frequent interruptions of rain, from the middle of October to the end of the year almost incessant rains {G. White). The choicest pieces of beef, I am assured, now sell in Warminster market for 2\d. per lb., and the inferior sort at \\d., whilst some other markets are kept up to the extravagant price of four pence {Equity in Salisbury Journal, January 1st, 1770). Trees retained an uncommon verdure late into Novem- ber. A late spring; cool and moist summer ((7. White). p ( 210 ) 1771 Wheat, 47^. id. per qr. {Official Returns). Average rate of wages, 7^. 2,\d. per week. Bread, \\d. per 4 lb. loaf J butter, (i\d. per lb. ; cheese, 2>d. ; meat, id. per lb. {Arthur Young). Severe frost till the last week in January. To the first week in February, rain and snow. To the end of February spring weather. To the end of the third week in April, frosty weather. To the end of the first fortnight in May, spring weather, with copious showers. To the end of June, dry, warm weather. The first fortnight in July, warm, rainy weather. To the end of September, warm weather, but in general cloudy, with showers. October, rainy. November, frost, with intervals of fog and rain. December, in general, bright, mild weather, with hoar frosts {Gilbert White). Severe winter {Penny Magazine). Thames entirely frozen over at Fulham in January {Boyle). May 6. By letters from Gloucester we learn that the late rains have produced such an alteration that every- thing promises a plentiful crop, though a late one. — July 31. A violent tempest of thunder and lightning at Wymondham, Norfolk, and August nth, another at Saffron Walden. It is supposed there have been more tempests in Walden this year than in all England besides. Great hurricane 12th to 14th October. Many oxen which formerly sold for ;^io now sell for £,20, and a horse at three years old is worth 15 guineas, an ox at the same age about J[^i los. {Oxford Magazine). Dr. Johnson says that in 1771 the season was so severe in the Island of Skye that it is remembered by the name of the Black Spring. The snow, which seldom lies at all, covered the ground for eight weeks, many cattle died, and those that survived were so emaciated that they did not require the male at the usual season. The case was just the same with us here in the south ; (211 ) never were so many barren cows known as in the spring ' following that dreadful period. Whole dairies missed being in calf together. At the end of March the face of the earth was naked to a surprising degree. Wheat hardly to be seen, and no signs of any grass ; turnips all gone, and sheep in a starving way. All provisions rising in price. Farmers cannot sow for want of rain (^Gilbert White). Wheat dearer than usual. All other provisions cheap {Rogers). Dreadful spring, as well as last year. Frost to 20th April {G. White). The beginning of November was unusually warm and sunny at noon {G. W.). The summer was cool and dry. July, August, and September, 2°9' below the average temperature {Glaisher). A very dry summer and year {Brumhani). 1772 Wheat, 50^. 8rf. per qr. {Official Returns). Wheat, 5^. dd. to 6j. ; malt, 4^. 4\^- to 4^. j butter, 8^. to \Qd. per lb. Labourers' wages, \s. to \s. yi. per day {Sir Thos. Beevor). Cold winter and spring. Hot and dry summer. Rainy autumn {G. White). Great snow in Scotland ( ). To the end of the first week in February, frost and snow. To the end of the first fortnight in March, frost sleet, rain, and snow. To the middle of April, cold rains. To the middle of May, dry weather, with cold piercing winds. To the end of the first week in June, cool showers. To the middle of August, hot, dry summer weather. To the end of September, rain, with storms and thunder. To December 22, rain, with mild weather. December 23, the first ice. To the end of the month, cold, foggy weather {Gilbert White). September 7. A most astonishing rain fell at Inverary, ( 212 ) the floods caused by which did great damage {Annual Hegister). March 22. Violent hailstorm doing great damage in London. — June 20. Hailstones as big as nutmegs fell in Yorkshire. — Sept. 25. Great gale in London which did considerable damage. — November 22. One of the Needles rocks destroyed by wind {Boyle). 1773 Wheat, ^is. per qr. {Official Returns). Some frost to middle of February. Warm, showery spring. Fine harvest. Very wet autumn. Wheat yields bad. Corn scarce and dear, from a succession of wet seasons the last ten or eleven years. Springs higher than they have been since 1764 {G. White). The first week in January, frost ; thence to the end of the month dark, rainy weather. The first fortnight in February, hard frost. To the end of the first week in March, misty, showery weather ; bright spring days to the close of the month. Frequent showers to the latter end of April. To the end of June, warm showers, with intervals of sunshine. To the end of August, dry weather, with a few days of rain. To the end of the first fortnight in November, rainy. The next four weeks frost ; and thence to the end of the year, rainy {Gilbert White). Exportation of wheat allowed when under 44^., with a bounty of 5^^. per qr. ; above 44.?. prohibited. Importa- tion allowed when at or above 48.C, on a duty of six- pence. Very wet autumn and winter. Wheat, in February, 1774, by the continual, late, sudden vicissitudes from fierce frost to pouring rain, looks poorly, and the turnips rot very fast. Such a run of wet seasons as we have had the last ten or eleven years would have produced a famine a century or two ago {G. White). February 16. Great fall of snow in Flintshire, burying . cottages, men and cattle. — April 15. Shocks of earth- (213 ) quake in Jersey and Guernsey, and soth, at Poole. — August 14. Much damage done at St. Peter's Church, Cornwall, by a storm of thunder and lightning. In many parts of England riots occurred from the dearness of provisions, though a quartern loaf was sold at y^d. — October 15. A hurricane at Oxford (Boyle). 1774 Wheat, S2J-. 8d. per qr. (Official Returns). January and February were remarkable for great melt- ing snows, and vast gluts of rain. Rainy weather with some sunshine all through the summer {G. White). A famine (Rogers). March. Sudden rise of springs and floods at Imber, and other villages on Salisbury Plain (Hoare), A comet, August isth (Townsend). Hot summer (Penny Magazine). Height of flood in Thames, at Clifton Hampden, 8 ft. I in. (/ C. C). Bullocks, jQ6 each; sheep, 12^.; lambs, 8 J. ; turkeys, 3^. 6d. ; geese, 2s. 6d. ; chickens, gd. ; pigeons, 2d. each ; pork, i\d. per lb. (A. Y. R.). March 20. The low lands at Chelsea and Battersea were overflowed in consequence of the heavy rains. November 25. Between Yarmouth and Leith, more than forty ships driven on shore in a storm. December 5. A storm occurred in London, which lasted three days, doing great damage to the shipping in the river. In Smithfield Market this year were sold 94,000 head of cattle and 800,000 sheep (Boyle). Frost and rain to the end of the first fortnight in March ; thence, to the end of the month, dry weather. To the iSth April, showers ; thence to the end of April, fine spring days. During May, showers and sunshine in about an equal proportion. Dark, rainy weather to the end of the third week in July ; thence, to August 24th, sultry, with occasional showers and thunder. To the end ( 214 ) of the third week in November, rain with frequent inter- vals of sunny weather. To the end of December, dark, dripping fogs (^Gilbert White). Wall fruit abounds ; but grapes backward beyond all precedent. The ungenial weather, the black cold solstice discoloured and blighted the wheat. The crop of hops promises to be very large {G. White). The year began with severe frost, and for nearly two months the ground was frost bound {M. S.J.). 1775 Wheat, 48.?. 4d. per qr. {Official Returns). Plentiful harvest (Clarke). Temperature i"2° above the average in July and August {Times). To the end of the first fortnight in March, rain almost every day. To the first week in April, cold winds, with showers of rain and snow. To the end of June, warm, bright weather, with frequent showers. The first fortnight in July, almost incessant rains. To the 26th of August, sultry weather, with frequent showers. To the end of the third week in September, rain with a few intervals of fine weather. To the end of the year, rain, with intervals of hoar frost and sunshine {G. White). September as wet a month as ever was known {G. White). The summer of 1775 was dry and hot {Glaisher). The thermometer in April rose to 85° ( Whistlecraft). February i. A violent storm of wind and rain did much damage at Portsmouth. The water having risen higher than had ever been known {Boyle). From 1766 to this year was a prevalence of bad seasons through Europe x{Tooke). 1776 Wheat, 38^. 2d. per qr. {Official Returns). To January 24. Dark, frosty weather, with much snow. — March 24. To the end of the month, foggy with hoar frost. To May 30, dry, dark, harsh weather, with cold winds. To the end of the first fortnight in July, (215 ) warm with much rain. To the end of the first week in August, hot and dry, with intervals of thunder showers. To the end of October, in general fine seasonable weather, with a considerable proportion of rain. To the end of the year, dry frosty weather, with some days of hard rain (^Gilbert White). Till 30th of May the fields were burnt up and naked, and the barley not half out of the ground; but June 10 there is an agreeable prospect of plenty. Warm summer, with much rain. Snow on the ground in London 26 days {Gilbert White). Remarkably still autumn (fuse). April 9. Aurora borealis (Jones). Five feet of ice on the Danube below Vienna, and much snow (Chambers). January 7. The greatest fall of snow happened that was ever remembered (Boyle). Very cold winter ( Whistlecraft), Great heat in July and August. Chiefly dry and fine from May (Brumham). The first week in January was uncommonly wet. — 7th. Snow driving all day, which was followed by frost, sleet, and snow till 12th. On 14th, many of the narrow roads were filled with snow ; from this time the snow continued to increase and to stop the road wagons and coaches. — 20th. The sun shone out the first time since the frost began. — 27th. Much snow fell all day. — 3.1st. Ther- mometer at zero. — ist February, a thaw ; Thames frozen (G. White). Yllf Wheat, 45^. f>d. per qr. (Official Returns). To January 10, hard frost. To 20th, foggy, with frequent showers. To February 18, hard, dry frost, with snow. To the end of Mayj heavy showers with intervals of warm, dry spring days. To July 8, dark, with heavy rain. To i8th, dry, warrp weather, then very heavy rains to end of the month. To October 12, re- (2I6) markably fine warm weather. To the end of the year, grey, mild weather, with but little rain and still less frost {Gilbert White). March 26 and 27. So hot that bees swarmed. Ther- mometer, 66° degrees in the shade ; but harsh, severe weather followed {Gilbert White'). April 10. The rigour of the spring abating, a softer season began to prevail. — November 3. Wet and blustering. — 4th. Dark and mild and soft; wind S.W. ; thermometer, 58|° {G. White). 1778 Wheat, 42^. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 20s. ; oats, 14J. (>d. {London Afag.). Land worth 35 years' purchase {Townsend). Thames frozen over at Kingston ( Walter Thornbury). To January 13, frost, with a little snow. To 24th, rain. To 30th, hard frost. To February 23rd, dark, harsh, foggy weather, with rain. To the end of the month, hard frost with snow. To the end of the first fortnight in March, dark, harsh weather. From the ist to the end of the first fortnight in April, spring weather. To the end of the month, snow and ice» To June i ith, cool, with heavy showers. To July 19, hot, sultry, parching weather. To the end of the month, heavy showers. To the end of September, dry, warm weather. To the end of the year, wet, with considerable intervals of sunshine {Gilbert White). In December barometer 30*935 in. {Sir George Shuck- burgh). Very hot and fine summer. Excessive heat in the first half of July {Brumham). July 23. Very serious damage done in the neighbour- hood of London by lightning {Boyle). Wool, 14J. a tod {Arthur Young). 1779 One of the most terrible hurricanes of wind finished the old and ushered in the new year, doing an immense amount of damage in London; also at Dover, Deal, ( 217 ) Bristol, Whitehaven, Margate, Canterbury, Newmarket, etc. In Lincolnshire the storm was accompanied with a very extraordinary tide ; being eighteen inches higher than the high tides of 1735 ^.nd 1763 {London Magazine). July 20 and following days, disastrous thunderstorms. October 19. The violent blowing weather we have had for several days has done a great deal of damage {London Magazine). Prices so low that very general complaints have been heard of ruined farmers and distressed landlords^ Wool is only 12^'. a tod. Wheat and all sorts of giain are greatly fallen {A. Young). Wheat, 3 3 J. %d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 26^.; oats, 13J. dd. {London Magazine). Season of great fertility ; the crop one-fourth above a medium {Clarke). Land worth 24 years' purchase {Townsend). Frost and showers to the end of January. To April 21, warm, dry weather. To May 8, rainy. To June 7, dry and warm. To July 6, hot weather with frequent rain ; to i8th, dry, hot weather. To August 8, hot weather, with frequent rains. To end of August, fine, dry harvest weather. To the end of November, fine, autumnal weather, with intervals of rain. To the end of the year, rain, with frost and snow {Gilbert White). Mean temperature in July and August 2-3 above average {Times). Very great heat all spring and summer. Thermometer, 94° in Suffolk {Brumham). January i. One of the greatest storms ever known. Extended its ravages round London, where scarcely a building escaped damage. A frost continued for eighty- four days this winter {Boyle). Destructive thunderstorms latter part of July and beginning of August. Violent winds about middle of October {London Magazine). ( 2I8 ) 1780 Wheat, 35s. 8d. {Official Returns). Cold backward spring. Rainfall at Selborne, 27-32 in. {G. White). Fine summer with fair proportion of rain. Though the heat was intense the wheat was mildewed and crops light {Gilbert White). To the end of January, frost. To the end of February, dark, harsh weather, with frequent intervals of frost. To the end of March, warm showery spring weather. To the end of April, dark, harsh weather, with rain and frost. To the end of the first fortnight in May, mild, with rain. To the end of August, rain and fair weather in pretty equal proportions. To the end of October, fine autumnal weather, with intervals of rain. To November 24, frost To December 16, mild, dry, foggy weather. To the end of the year, frost and snow {G. White). A very hot summer. In May thermometer 84° {Brum- ham). February 29. A great phenomenon was visible in the sky, the elements seeming on fire. The same was visible in France and Germany. — October 15. Great damage done to Hammersmith Church by a tornado. — December 13. A spot was observed on the sun {Boyle). 1781 Wheat, 44?. ?>d. per qr. {Official Returns). Hot summer {Penny Magazine). Unusually hot and dry summer, but wheat much mildewed and crops light. Mild autumn, with frequent rains. Rainfall at Selborne, 3071 {Gilbert White). To January 25. Frost and snow. To the end of February, harsh and windy, with rain and snow. To April 5, cold drying winds. To the end of May, mild, spring weather, with a few light showers. June began with heavy rain, but thence to the end of October dry weather, with a few flying showers. To the end of the year open weather, with frequent rains {Gilbert White). A severe, hot summer, and a preceding dry spring and ( 219 ) winter. In the following autumn many wells failed and ponds were dry {Gilbert White). March. A distemper occurred among the horned cattle, when the diseased were ordered to be killed and buried {Boyle). Wheat, clean for seed, sold at ^s. the bushel. Barley down to 2 J. the bushel after this year's harvest {Tooke). 1782 Wheat, 47^. \Qd. per qr. {Official Returns). Land worth 20 years' purchase {Townsend). Thousands of acres of turnips destroyed by the black caterpillar in Norfolk {Royal Ag. Soc. Journal). A snowstorm from 26th Nov. to end of March, 1783 {Standard). Rainfall at Selbome, 50-26 {G. White). To February 4th, open, mild weather. To 22nd, hard frost. To the end of March, cold, blowing weather, with frost, snow and rain. To May 7 th, cold, dark rains. To the end of June, warm and dry. To the end of August, warm, with almost perpetual rains. The first fortnight in September mild and dry, thence to the end of the month rain. To the end of October mild, with frequent showers. November began with hard frost, and continued throughout with alternate frost and thaw. The first part of December frosty, the latter part mild {Gilbert White). Much rain this year everywhere in England {E. T. B.). The coldest November on record. The mean tem- perature was 34°7' {Brumham). A very rainy summer and year from July {Brumham). May I. The severity of the weather exceeded all former winters in the recollection of man {Boyle). This spring clover seed of good quality sold at 3 is. dd. per cwt. {Tooke). Very unfavourable harvest. In Scotland the weather during the whole year was as unfavourable as in 1799. A winter of great severity followed {Tooke). In the winter succeeding this harvest wheat was sold ( 220 ) at loj. 6s. 3^. ; oats, igj'. 5^. Beef and mutton, j,\d. Cheese, 4^/. Down, wool, \s. 4(1. per lb. Favourable season {Driver). RainfallatSelborne, 32'27 in. (G^. White). At London, 2 1 '97 6 in. Deep snow, April 15. Fine harvest {G. White). Labourers' wages in Norfolk, 7^. per week. Reaping wheat, 5^-. to 7^. per acre {Report). Labourers' wages, 6j. per week, in Dorset {Stevenson). Very hot in July {Chambers). Little either frost or snow in the beginning of the year. ( 227 ) On the 17th, 1 8th, 19th December, much snow {John Dalton). Rainfall, i6'052 in. at London. To January 16, mild foggy weather, with occasional rains. To 21st, frost. To 28th, dark, with driving rains. To February 14, mild dry weather. To 22nd, hard frost. To April 5th, bright cold weather, with a few showers. To isth, dark and harsh, with a deep snow. To 21st, cold cloudy weather, with ice. To June 6, mild spring weather, with much rain. From July 3 to 14, cool, with heavy rain. To the end of July, warm dry weather. To August 6, cold, with wind and rain. To 24, fine harvest weather. To September 5 th, strong gales, with driving showers. To November 26, mild autumnal weather, with frequent showers. To December i, hard frost and snow. To the end of the year, rain and snow, and a few days of frost {Gilbert White). March 6. An earthquake felt in Westmoreland. — November 20. Fatal inundations of the rivers Derwent, Trent, and Don. — December 23. Violent storm of wind in London {Boyle). 1791 Wheat, 48^. id. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 26^. 10^. ; oats, \Zs. id. per qr. Down Wool, I ^\d. per lb. Beef and mutton, 4(/. Cheese, /s,\d. Favourable season {Driver). Average produce of wheat estimated at 20 bushels per acre {Billingsley). Abundant crop {Clarke). Wheat, if under 50J. per qr., admitted on paying a duty of 24^-. 2)d. per qr. At or above 50.?., but under 54?., a duty of 2S. 6d. per qr. At or above 543'., a duty of 6d. per qr. The temperature, o'5 " below the average, brought a good harvest owing to the dryness of the season {Times). No frost either in winter or spring, but on June 12 (Whitsunday) snow fell in various parts, and in a few ( 228 ) days the thermometer was at 1^° {^Gloucester Notes and Queries). To the end of January, mild, with heavy rains. To the end of February, windy, with much rain and snow. From March to the end of June, mostly dry, especially June. March and April, rather cold and frosty. May and June, hot. July, rainy. Fine harvest weather, and pretty dry to the end of September. Wet October, and cold towards the end. Very wet and stormy in November. Much frost in December {Gilbert White). Export of wheat restricted as in 1773, except fixing the prohibition at 46^. Import regulated as follows : If under 50J., duty, 241-. 3^. ; if above ^os. and under 54^-., duty, 2S. 6d. ; above 541'., duty, 6d. Haymaking at its height in neighbourhood of Bridport, beginning of July {Marshall). June 15. A remarkable change in the weather took place within a few days. The thermometer, which stood at 75 °, fell to 25 ". The hills of Kent and Surrey were covered with hoar frost and whitened with snow. In many places there was ice of the thickness of a shiHing {Ho?ie). January 20. Barometer, 28-10 at sea level {Sy man's Mag.). A very hot summer and dry. A very dry year {Brum- Jiam). February 2. The tide so high in the Thames that boats were floated into Westminster Hall. — June 6. The weather at this period was so uncommonly hot that the thermometer was up to 75 '^. — 12 th. The weather turned extremely cold and snow fell {Boyle). A season of singular abundance and felicity {Annals of Agriculture). 1792 January 27. Great storm at Plymouth. — March i. Shock of an earthquake in Lincolnshire and the adjacent parts. — April 18. A waterspout at Bromsgrove {Boyle). ( 229 ) Wheat, 43^. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 21s. id. ; oats, i6s. gd. per qr. Summer and autumn were a continued series of wet weather. Both corn and hay greatly injured in harvesting. Average produce of wheat, 14 bushels per acre. Wheat, 5^. 6d. to 6s. ; malt, ^s. 6d. per bushel ; meat, 4d. to 4^d. per lb. ; cheese, 4d. to $d. ; butter, lod. to i.f. {Billingsley). Down wool, 2s. per lb. {Driver). Inferior harvest, much injured by wet {Clarke). July and August i"6° below the average temperature (Times). Great sheep rot. Some hard frost in January, but mostly wet and mild. February, some hard frost and a little snow. March, wet and cold. April, great storms on the 13th, then some very warm weather. May and June, cold and dry. July, wet and cool ; indifferent harvest, rather late and wet. September, windy and wet. October, showery and mild. November, dry and fine. December, mild {G. White). Rainfall at Selborne, 48-56 {Gilbert White). June 5. Gloucester and the surrounding country not only visited by an intense frost, but the ground was covered with a deep snow {Gloucester Notes and Queries). Spring and summer were wet and cold, hay and corn bad, wet winter, but neither frost nor snow {Gloucester Notes and Queries). Wages, IS. to is. 4^. per day {Sir Thomas Beevor). Summer remarkably cold and ungenial all over Eng- land. It was uniformly wet, windy, cold and dark, excepting one dry week in August, when the heat was so excessive as to cause many deaths, and at the com- mencement of September all thoughts of summer were annihilated by the severe frosts. 'On June 23rd there was a severe storm in the Cheviot Hills, where the snow and hail covered the ground to a depth of half a foot {Gentleman's Magazine, p. 883). ( 230 ) July 17. A similar storm at Sedgefield, in Durham, when the depth of ice was two feet, the corn totally- destroyed, and the trees were stripped of their leaves (JSyke's Local Record, i., 361). Beef and mutton, 4^/. j cheese, 4j^. in August, then declined (Tooke). Up to March 21st, unusually severe weather. — Jan. 25. Thermometer was far below zero (Whistlecraft). 38° below freezing point in Fahrenheit (Britton). The winter of 1795-6 seems to have partaken of none of the severity usual to the season (Knapp). The coldest January on record. The mean tempera- ture 23'9° (Brutnham). ( 232 ) Most extraordinary heat at the beginning of September, the thermometer on two days 90° and 91° respectively {Brumham). The winter of 1794-5 much wheat was destroyed, and in the summer following a cold dry east wind attended with sharp frosts happened at the time of the wheat's blooming. The ears were not filled, and some of the capsules quite empty. I never had grain of so low a quality, yet I sold one load for £2 1 {Burke). Wheat, 755. 2d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 37^. 5^. ; oats, 2\s. ^d. per qr. Deficiency of crop. Wool, 19^^.; cheese, S^d. ; beef and mutton, 4^d. per lb. (Driver). Average produce of wheat estimated at 1 2 bushels per acre (Billingsley). Excessively cold and winterly to March 21st. Great snow in Scotland. Great scarcity of food {Boyle). The Zuyder Zee frozen over {Boyle). Very defective crop, followed by a dearth, in which many of the poor perished {Clarke). July and August, 2-2 below the average temperature ( Times). Lincoln wool, 2>d. per lb. {Driver). December 27. A stone fell in Yorkshire from the atmosphere 55 lb. weight {Boyle). Rates of wages in West Devonshire, xs. a day with a quart of cider ; in hay time, \s. a day with more liquor ; in harvest time, i.f., with full board; mowing meadow grass, 2s. ; clover, 20 pence; corn, 18 pence per acre, with three or four quarts of cider. Women servants, £,2) to 3 guineas per annum ; reaping wheat, 4^-. to 5.^. without binding. 1796 Wheat, 78^. id. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 35J. ^d. ; oats, 2i.f. 10^. per qr. Season less unfavourable, beef and mutton, dd.; cheese, <,\d. ; down wool, i'j\d. per lb. {Driver). ( 233 ) Dec. 25. Thermometer 16° below zero in London (^Hayter). Intense frost in December {Boyle). A famine year {Rogers). Excessively severe winter, 1796-7 {Brumham). Crops nearly one half deficient {Letters of a Yorkshire Gentleman). A severe frost set in in December, and the thermometer in many places on the 24th was below zero. In some places it was 16°, which is for this country the greatest cold on record {Glaisher). The warmest January on record {Brumham). A plentiful season. 1797 Wheat, ^^s. gd. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 27^. 2d. ; oats, 16^. ^d. per qr. Season less unfavourable {Driver). Wool, i&d. ; beef and mutton, 6\d. ; cheese, ^\d. per lb. Great storms end of July, beginning of August, and in September, which did great damage all over Great Britain {Penny Magazine). Heat unusually great part of summer. Thermometer in July from 89° to 91° about i6th and 27th. A very wet summer and year from August {Brumham). Backward spring. Summer variable and rather cold, the harvest wet and stormy, and the general reports of the crops unfavourable both as to quality and c\a.a.n'aXY{Tooke). 1798 Wheat, 51.^. lod. perqr. {Official Returns). Barley, 29^. ; oats, igs. ^d. per qr. Season less unfavourable. Wool, iS^d. ; beef and mutton, s|(f. ; cheese, ^\d. per lb. {Driver). September 12. Tremendous storm as any remembered by oldest man living {Gentleman's Magazine). Lincoln wool, 'j\d. per lb. {Driver). A very fine hot summer {Brumham). Moderately abundant season, early harvest, and the crops well got in {Tooke). ( 234 ) 1799 From its commencement to its close this season was, perhaps, as ungenial to the productions of the earth and to the animal creation as any upon record, and the in- clemency extended over a great part of Europe. In this country, and particularly in the north of the island, many fields of corn were still uncut as late as November, and some were not cleared till the January following {Tooke). About the beginning of August, heavy rains, with cold easterly winds, reduced the summer fallows and turnip fields into a perfect mire, half rotted a great part of the hay, stopped the growth of the second share clover, laid down all the strong corn, and prevented the wheat from filling. The month of September was, on the whole, rather worse. Much of the wheat died at the root before the ear ripened, from excess of moisture. Oats suffered less, but they were nearly destroyed by two severe nights of frost on the i6th and 17th of October. Some beans were also injured {Tooke). Wheat, 69X. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 36^. 2d. ; oats, 2'js. 6d. per qr. Bad season. Wool, 2s. ; cheese, 6d. ; beef and mutton, c,\d. per. lb. {Driver). Wet, cold summer ; much grain injured and destroyed {Clarke). Cold winter and spring, succeeded by gloomy summer, with almost daily rain. Very late harvest. Much corn never got together. Harvest did not commence till September ( Whistlecraft). 1799-1800 Excessively severe winter {Brumham). July and August, 2-3° below average temperature {Times). Severe weather and deep snow in February {Hone). July. Mutton, 5^. per lb. — October. Beef, ■^^d. per lb. {Gloucester Notes and Queries). A severe frost at Christmas {Brumham). An extremely wet summer from July 8th, and very bad harvest {Brumham). ( 235 ) March i8. Great land floods overflowed' the river at Bath. — Nov. 12. A train of meteors (^Boyle). 1800 After a cold, backward spring, this season assumed rather a favourable aspect, the early part of the summer being dry and hot ; but the promising appearances were soon changed into the dismal reality of renewed or con- tinued scarcity. A small part only of the crops was got in before heavy and almost incessant rains began. Of the wheat, that part which was secured in the southern districts of the island before the rains comrnenced, and therefore in good condition, proved to be light, coarse, and unproductive. But the rains came on in August, and caught a considerable portion in the fields, even in the south, and injured the whole of the crops in the north of the island. The crops were still worse in Scotland. In Mark Lane, in the course of the season, wheat reached the extravagant price of 184J., and the quartern loaf, for four weeks, was \s. \o\d. Not only was there this great rise in the price of corn, but every article of animal food participated in the advance. In the following spring, beef sold at \od. to i.o\d. ; mutton, 11^. to \2d. ; veal, \2d. to 14^. per lb. In the past eight years there were four of great and general deficiency: viz., 1794, 179S, 1799, and 1800; two of bare average produce, 1793 and 1797 ; two only of good crops, 1796 and 1798 ; and there were four severe winters, 1794-5, 96-7, 98-9, and 99-1800, followed, as such winters usually are, by cold backward springs {Tooke). Wheat, iisj'. 10/^. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 59^'. 10^. ; oats, 39J. /^d. per qr. Bad season. Down" wool, 2\\d. per lb.; beef and mutton, t\d. ; cheese, 6\d. per lb. {Driver). Bad crop, partly saved in England. In Scotland much com did not ripen, destitution and famine followed. Much rain {Clarke). ( 236 ) A temperature of o' 7° above the average brought only a bad crop, because of the excessive lains (Times). October 30th, men were employed raking barley out of the water on the lowlands of Chadenwych Farm, Mere, and taking it on the higher ground to dry. It was carried to the rick November 6th, and the following spring was sold at about 70^-. per qr. (/okn Phillips). Lincoln wool, ()\d. per lb. {Driver). Excessive drought for seven weeks in summer, from June 22nd to August 19th, then very wet. Great rains in August and September {Brumham). Rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 26-82 in. (Capper). Feb. 1 1 . An Act passed that no bread should be sold until it had been baked 24 hours. — Aug. 19. Pieces of ice as large as a hen's egg fell at Heyford, in Oxfordshire, the same storm doing great mischief in Bedfordshire, where hailstones fell eleven inches in circumference, kill- ing many hares and partridges. — Sept. 15. A great storm of thunder and lightning fell over the whole kingdom (Boyle). 1801 Wheat, 119J. iid. per qr. (Official Returns). Barley, 68j. dd. ;. oats, 375. per qr. Good crops. Wheat, in March, 15 ij'. 2d. per qr. ; barley, 90J. "jd.; oats, 475'. 2d. (Driver). Wet, warm winters, and cold, dry, blighting springs and summers (Lawrence). Down wool, 2T.\d.; Lincoln wool, -i.2\d.; beef and mutton, 8^. ; cheese, (i\d. per lb. (Driver). April. Beef at Cirencester, 3^. per lb. ( Gloucester Notes and Queries). Maximum temperature near London, 85° in Suffolk (Brumham). A fine summer and good harvest (Brumham). Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 24-10 in. (Capper). Nov. 21. A great storm in Devonshire and in the ( 237 ) Baltic. The quartern loaf this year was sold as high as one shilling and ten pence halfpenny (Boyle). This season was favourable on the whole (Tooke). The memorable year of scarcity, in which some wheat was sold as high as 255. the bushel ; but towards autumn it fell to nearly one-third of that price in consequence of a bountiful harvest (Easton). 1802 Wheat, 6^s. lod. per qr. ( Official Returns). Barley, 2>Z^. ifi. ; oats, 20J. i^d. per qr. ; down wool, 2T,\d. ; beef and mutton, ?>\d. ; cheese, 6^- per lb. (Driver). Favourable season. Average crops (Driver). July, wet and cold. Sharp frosts in June. Barley crop very fine in Norfolk (Report). September lo. A beautiful lunar rainbow in Derby- shire (Hone). Hot and dry August and September (Brumham). Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 2277 in. (Capper^. January 21. A great storm at Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, and Whitehaven. — Aug. 18. A violent storm throughout the north of England (Boyle). The weather not quite so favourable as in 1801, and the produce not above an average ( Tooke). 1803 Wheat, 58^. lod. per qr. (Official Returns). Barley, 2^s. 4^.; oats, 2i.f. 6d. per qr. ; down wool, 22^d. ; beef and mutton, i\d. ; cheese, 6id. per lb (Driver). Average crops (Driver). Lincoln wool, is. per lb. In April cutting nights. Wind in general northerly. May, cold, dry, and sterile like October. June, cold and wet. June, July, and August sharp frosts and white rimes by night. September, warm and rainy. October, foggy mornings, hot days and cold nights, succeeded by a particularly mild winter. Wind almost constantly west or south (Report). ( 238 ) Very hot and dry summer {Brumham). Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 20*59 in. {^Capper). January i. A violent whirlwind at Falmouth, and on 5th another at Plymouth, doing much mischief. — ^July 4. Thunderstorm in London. — November. A meteor illu- mined the atmosphere nearly a minute. A shower of nearly 3,000 stones fell at Aigle, in France. — April 26. Some at Avignon. — Oct. 3. Showers of red snow in Carriola {Boyle). The principal feature of this season was a drought of several weeks' continuance, and the general produce though good was not large (Tooke). 1804 Wheat, dzs. 3^/. perqr. {Official Returns). Barley, 31^-. ; oats, 24^. 3^. per qr. ; beef and mutton, 8^. ; cheese, ^d. ; down wool, 2S. per lb. {Driver). Warm summer. Deficient crops {Driver). In the spring the weather was occasionally very warm, with cold alternations. At the critical period of the wheat's blooming, heavy rains, chilling dews, and cold north-east winds, with alternate scorching gleams of the sun. Weather continued in a similar unfavourable train two full months, during which the most singularly rapid changes of the wind were almost daily taking place between the south and north, producing alternately the pinching cold of December, and the blazing heat of the dog days. Wheat blighted {Lawrence). Wheat allowed to be brought in at all times on paying the following duties. The average above 66j., a duty of 6d. ; between 66j-. and 63J., a duty of 2s. 6d. ; below 63^., a duty of 24J. ^d. per qr. Exports prohibited above 54^. ; but allowed when under 48^., and a bounty of 5^. given. Extremely hot and dry in September {Brumham). Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 27"oi in. {Capper). ( 239 ) January 8. A hurricane did considerable damage in Devon and Cornwall. — May 4. Tremendous storm at Bath, destroying some roads, with several gardens, and the same night a storm in Lancashire and Cheshire swept away many buildings {Boyle). The crop proved decidedly deficient in quantity, and inferior in quality {Tooke). 1805 Wheat, Sgj. ^d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 44J. bd. ; oats, 28^. 4^. per qr. ; wool, 2S. ']\d. ; beef and mutton, 'j\d. ; cheese, y^d. per lb. {Driver). Cold year except autumn. Average crops {Driver). Rainfall 22 in. in London ( ). Lincoln wool, 145-^. per lb. {Driver). In April sun hot by day, heavy chilling dews by night. Wind immovably E.N.E. Harvest rather late, but productive, and well got in. 9^ in. of rain in June, July, and August {Old Almanack). Very hot in August {Brumham). Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 20'28 in. {Capper). May 28. Violent thunderstorm in London. — July 6. Tremendous storm at Kingston-on-Thames {Boyle). The harvest proved to be one of average produce {Tooke). 1806 Wheat, t^s. id. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 38^. &d. ; oats, 2'js. id. per qr. ; wool, 2S. \\d. ; beef and mutton, 7^^. ; cheese, 'i\d. per lb. {Driver). Average crops {Driver). Lincoln wool, izh'^- P^r lb. {Driver). Cold and ungenial spring. Hot summer. — July 17. A meteor appeared about one-fourth of the diameter of the moon ; it passed horizontally with great velocity {Townsen£). Thermometer, 95° at Plaistow on one day, 93° on one day, 90° on one day, and from 80° to 87° on 17 days at the same place {Brumham). ( 240 ) Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 60 feet above sea level, 27-86 in. {Capper). January 17. A lunar rainbow appeared at Wakefield. — July 24. A most violent storm visited the metropolis, when the lightning did much mischief, and' the rain descended in torrents. — Dec. 26. Extraordinary high tide {Boyle). The crops not quite equal to those of last year {Tooke). 1807 Wheat, 755. 4^. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 39^. \d. ; oats, 2?>s. /\,d. per qr. ; wool, 2s. ; beef and mutton, "jd. ; cheese, ']\d. per lb. {Driver). Average crops {Driver). Lincoln wool, i^\d. per lb. {Driver). May, wet. July and August, hot. Fine summer. One of the best harvests. Wheat crop extraordinary good, both quantity and quality, and much spoken of by the old i. Whistlecrap). In the latter portion of 1807, and the first three or four months of 1808, there had been more than 160 days in succession in which rain had fallen in more or less quantities in the neighbourhood of Plymouth {Hone- Hay don) . It rained on St. Swithin's Day, and a dry time followed {Hone). Great deal of wet weather in harvest in Ayrshire {Hone). Sept. 23. A comet visible {Boyle). Very hot and fine summer, especially July and August {Brumham). Total rainfall at Cathay, near Cardiff, 2o"68 in. {Capper). The season was fine and dry from June till the first week in September, and the crops were generally secured in good order. Wheat, about an average crop ; but spring corn and turnips were greatly deficient. The pastures much burnt, making fodder scarce. The ( 241 ) weather in Scotland highly unfavourable to the harvest. The potato crop in Ireland partially failed. The fol- lowing winter set in unusually early {Tooke). In many of the northern and western districts a large proportion of the crop was in the fields in November exposed to ruin and destruction from the elements. The crops, wheat excepted, are of little bulk, more so than in any year since 1800. Barley is below par; but oats, beans, and peas are greatly defective, the latter articles particularly so {Farmer^ Magazine). Leaves on the trees destroyed by a severe frost, Sep- tember 12. Winter commenced in earnest on November 4. Frost continued through December and January {Notes of a Dorsetshire Farmer'). 1808 Wheat, %\s. s,d. per qr. {Official Returns . Barley, 43 j. 4d ; oats, 331. 4/i. per qr. ; wool, 2S. id. ; beef and mutton, 6|rf'. ; cheese, yfrf. per lb. {Driver). Partial deficiency {Driver). Lincoln wool, g^£ per lb. {Driver). Fine summer. July, very hot. Thermometer, 98^° on 14th {Whistlecraft). Feb. 12. Very severe storm, preceded by heavy fall of snow {Fenny Mag.). July 13. Thermometer, 94°in the shade {Chambers). Great rot in sheep {Brown). March and April, cold {Brumham). April 19. Heavy fall of snow for four hours. A fine, productive harvest. Began reaping August 5th. Finished harvest August 26 {Cox). It rained on St Swithin's Day. Much lightning at night. Only quarter of an inch of rain to 22nd, then a new moon, which was very wet, and there fellj S'lo in. of rain {Hone). The mean of the whole summer was not quite 1° above the average. — Feb. 16. Travelling on the northern road was stopped by the snow. — July 15. Hailstones, that R ( 242 ) measured from 6 to 7 inches, fell during a thunderstorm in Somersetshire. — Dec. 8. Great damage sustained by the overflowing of the Thames (Boyle). The crops more deficient than last year. The hot days in the early part of July did great injury to the wheat, and they were followed by a great deal of wet and stormy weather, from that time till the getting in of the harvest. Some of the other crops also suffered {Tooke). 1809 Wheat, 97 j. /i^. per qr. (^Official Returns). Barley, 47 j. ; oats, 31^. 5^. per qr. ; wool, 3J. ; beef and mutton, t>\d. ; cheese, 8d. per lb. (Driver). Great deficiency {Driver). Hot May. Wet summer. Great rot in sheep. Deficient crop. The rain set in in July and continued to October. Wheat suffered from mildew and sprouting (Clarke). Height of flood in the Thames at high water mark, at Clifton Hampden, 9ft. i in. (/, C. C. in Ag. Gazette.). Highest flood on record. Began reaping August 10. Finished harvest September 2. Last week in April cold, wet, and frosty, and unplea- sant weather. May came in fine and hot {Cox, in Penny Mag.). July and August i'3 below average temperature {Times). January i6th and 17 th. Snow. — 17th. A small brilliant meteor about 6 p.m., in S. E. — 19th. A freezing shower from E. encased everything with ice ; birds were disabled by it, and were seen lying on the ground in great numbers. This was followed by snow. Then to 24th, frequent falls of snow, then a steady rain from W., and the country was inundated to a greater extent than in 179s {Hone). January 28. A lunar halo of the largest diameter. — 29th. After a fine morning the wind began to blow hard from the south, and during the whole night of 30th it raged with excessive violence from the west, doing con- ( 243 ) siderable damage. The remainder of the moon was stormy and wet, and it closed with squally weather, which, with the frequent appearance of the rainbow, in- dicated the approach of a drier atmosphere {ffone). The average height of the barometer for the last seven years was 29'i86, of the thermometer 50-48; rain, 2 9 "6 1 8 {Boyle). Eighteen new comets have appeared since 1789 {Nat. Institute of France'). The harvest this year proved to be worse than 1808. The rains set in in the early part of July and continued with scarcely any intermission till October {Tooke). April 20. It began to rain about 3 o'clock, and lasted till Friday night, which caused the highest flood in Dorsetshire since 1773. Continual frost through the autumn {Notes of a Dorset Farmer). 1810 Wheat, io6.f. c^d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 48^. id. ; oats, 28.f. "jd. per qr. ; down wool, zs. \d. ; beef and mutton, %\d. ; cheese, M. per lb. {Driver). Wet and cold season. Bad crops. Quantity of wheat destroyed by frost. Average produce of that which stood, 12 bushels per acre {Stevenso7is Dorset). Bad, scanty crop. Well got in {Clarke). Much mildew {Times). Began reaping, August 14. Finished harvest, Septem- ber 5 {Cox). July and August, 37 below average temperature {Times). November 10. Great floods ( Whistlecraft). Much thunder in summer. Very wet autumn after September. Flooding rains in November. Dry year to October {Brumham). August 14 and 15. The thunder and lightning did great damage, many persons being killed. — November 16. Great inundations in Lincolnshire {Boyle). ( 244 ) The spring was singularly cold and ungenial ; a series- of dry east winds prevailed for many weeks together, and made the hay crops greatly deficient, the price of which rose in the following winter to £,\ i the load. The spring crops and wheat were generally thin upon the ground, but, in consequence of the weather becoming fine im- mediately preceding the harvest, and the fine weather during the harvest, the produce turned out to be rather better than had at one time been apprehended {Tooke). More than three-fourths of the wheat crop destroyed by the frost of the previous winter ; but the berry was remarkably fine (^Notes of a Dorset Farmer). 1811 Wheat, 95 j-. ^d. per qr. (^Official Returns). Barley, 42^-. 3^. ; oats, 27^. id. per qr. ; wool, 2s. id. y beef and mutton, 8^d. ; cheese, S^d. per lb. (Driver). Deficient harvest (Driver). Wet and cold season, | of an average crop. The pea crop a general failure, in many cases barely the seed (Murray). Wheat suffered as much from blight this year as from frost in 1810 (Stevenson). Thames frozen over on January 7 (Boyle). Five-eighths of an average crop. High winds at blossoming time, and little sun and heat at harvest (Clarke). Began reaping July 24. Finished harvest August 26' (Cox). A very severe frost set in at the beginning of January. On the 8th the Thames was so much frozen that there was only a narrow channel in the centre free from ice. The banks of the river were so firmly set with ice and snow that people could walk upon it from Battersea Bridge to Hungerford Stairs ( W. Thornbury). Mildew in wheat (Times). July and August i'7 below average temperature (Times), ( 24S ) A very warm spring. Showery summer though so hot (_£rum/iam). January ii. The northern roads impassable from a heavy fall of snow. — Feb. 2 5. The tides much higher than usual. — Sept. i. A comet appeared and continued till December ; its greatest brilliancy was in October (JBoyle). Wheat below an average quantity, and far inferior to last year in quality {Tooke). The first three weeks in September answered well for executing harvest work, but before the end of the month a sequence of wet days occurred, and in the north of England and through the whole of Scotland, one half of the corn was exposed for three weeks to rains and storms, much of which was badly sprouted. On October 13, a violent tornado nearly destroyed the uncut corn, which was left nearly as free from grain as if it had passed through the thrashing machine. The two succeeding weeks were busily employed in harvesting the crop and sowing wheat ; after which such heavy falls of rain that it was hardly practicable for some time to plough any ground unless of the driest kind. Favourable weather, however, returned in the latter part of November, and wheat sowing was finished much better than could have been expected. The wheat crop was defective in every district more or less. The deficiency arose from wetness in May and cold frosty nights in June ; from boisterous winds at blooming time, and from want of heat when the grain was formed. Barley was below an average. Oats and peas and beans suffered so much from the wetness in May and June as not to prosper after on thin soils, but may be considered as fair crops (^Fai~mers' Magazine). 1812 Wheat, izSj-. dd. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 66j. (^d. ; oats, 44^. (>d. per qr. ; wool, 2^. id. ; beef and mutton, ?>\d. ; cheese, 8^1/. per lb. (Driver). Wet and cold. Bad crop. Defective and bad crop. A famine year {Clarke). ( 246) Dantzic wheat fetched i8os. per qr., and oats 84^. per qr. in Mark Lane (Royal Society Journal). July and August 3-8° below the average temperature {Times). Began reaping, August 1 9. Finished harvest, September 9 {Cox in Penny Mag.). January 10. London was for several hours in palpable darkness (Howard). Very cold summer (Brumham). January 10. A remarkable fog in London (Boyle). A treacherous summer ; rainfall much above the average in the year, but a fine September (Brumham). January 29. An earthquake felt in Oxfordshire. — ■ October 21. The Thames rose and overflowed Palace Yard.- — December 20. A remarkably thick fog in London (^Boyk). Backward harvest. July i. Average price of wheats 1405. i^d. per qr. The winter began early and severely. From 1793 to 1812 inclusive, there were eleven seasons more or less deficient, six of average produce, and only three of abundant crops (Tooke). Oats reached 8oi'. per qr. before harvest (Tooke). Where the crop was secured in September, both the quality and quantity of the grain is good, but in many high and cold situations a great deficiency is found. Bad weather set in the early part of October, and greatly damaged the crops not then harvested (Farmers^ Maga- zine). 1813 Wheat, 1095-. <)d. per qr. (Official Returns). Barley, 58^. iid. ; oats, 38;'. (>d. per qr. ; wool, zs. 4^. ; beef and mutton, 8f ^. per lb. ; cheese, %\d. per lb. (Driver). Lincoln wool, \s. ^d. per lb. Hot and dry. Great harvest (Driver). General thanksgiving for an immensely productive harvest (Cox, Penny Alag.). ( 247 ) Began reaping August 12. Finished harvest Septem- ber 9 {Cox). The great frost commenced 27th December. 1813-14 Excessively severe winter {Brumham). A fine and good summer [Brumham). December 27. A very thick fog extended fifty miles round London and continued eight days, attended by a severe frost that lasted six weeks {Boyle). The produce of this year was of undoubted and general abundance. The weather was, on the whole, favourable to crops of every description (Tooke). 1814 Wheat, 745. 4^. per qr. (Official Returns). Barley, 37^. 4(f. ; oats, 25^. Zd. per qr. ; wool, 2^. dd. beef and mutton, Ci\d. ; cheese, ?>\d. per lb. (Driver). Nearly average crop, but great import (Driver). Lincoln wool, u. 'j\d. per lb. Great snows and con- stant frost to the equinox. Shops and booths on the Thames. Hot and dry summer ( ). Wheat much mildewed this year. Barley good crop ; turnips, good. August was showery (Farmers' Journal). Crops not above average (Tooke). Began reaping August 21. Finished harvest Septem- ber 7 (Cox). January 4. The deepest snow that has been known for 40 years began, was some days falling ; continued on the ground five weeks. Drifts in places 15 ft. high (Penny Mag.). The year began with an immense fog which lasted about a week. On January 8 the fog disappeared in con- sequence of a change of wind ; and a frost then set in almost as unexampled in its duration and severity as the fog had been for its density. The frost continued with little intermission till March 20. — ^January 31. Several persons walked across the Thames. — February 3. A sheep was roasted, and the whole space between London and Blackfriars Bridges had become a complete fair (Hughson). ( 248 ) A severe storm of thunder and lightning in the evening of the Thursday before the 27th January (Hone). Hay, a light crop. Butter, i/Sfd. per lb. Water short in September {Report for Devon). Very hot in July, thermometer 88°. Showery and cold till end of June {Brumham). January 14. Travelling was much impeded in the west of England owing to a great fall of snow, the cold being intense in every part of England. The thermometer, when exposed to a N.E. aspect, stood at 19° below freezing point. In Ireland the weather was nearly as severe. — February 4. A fair was held upon the Thames. — 17th. Great inundations were occasioned by a very sudden thaw. — December 16, 17. Greenock and its neighbourhood sustained heavy damage by a hurri- cane. — 26th. Extraordinary high tide in the Thames {Boyle). At Horringer Fair, in Suffolk, in September, prices of crone ewes were from Ss. to loj'. less than last year. Those in bad condition were scarcely saleable at any price. Some small lambs were sold as low as from ;^4 T.OS. to £,6 per score. At Lewes Old Cliffe Fair two-tooth wethers fetched from ^os. to 39^. ; four-tooth, 40^. to 44^. ; six-tooth, 48 J. ; ewes, from 26s. to 37J. ; lambs, a brisk sale, at from 1 5 J. to 2']S. At Weyhill Fair a full show of sheep, which had a brisk sale at advanced prices. Farnham hops from ;^io to 13 guineas; country, from ;^8 to 11 guineas per cwt. Best Somerset cheese^ from 885. to 945. per cwt. Corn harvested in as fine condition as ever known. Twenty- five days' of brilliant weather between 20th August and 20th September, two other days fair, and on four rain fell. Thermometer as high as 74° on four days, and once 75° {Farmers' Journal). At Wilton Fair sales were brisk at y. per head above ( 249 ) Britford. Wethers, from 36^-. to 54^'. ; ewes, 27^. to 385. ; lambs, iBs. to 28s. ; number penned, 63,000 {Farmers' Journal). At Winchester Fair, many thousand sheep driven away unsold ; prices, 3^'. (>d. a head lower than Weyhill. Best cheese, 78^'. to 86^. ; skim, 24^. to 28J. Weather fine till October 9, then heavy rains {Farmers' Journal'). Salmon sold at Barnstaple at ^d. per lb. Hay scarce and dear. Fine time for wheat sowing. At Berwick Hill Fair, Wilts, there was a large num- ber of lean pigs, which sold high. Fat pigs made from \2s. to 1 3 J. per score {Farmer^ Journal). The harvest was much impeded by the showery weather this year. Barley began to grow in the swathe {Report Jrom Kent). At Appleshaw Fair, November 4, was the largest show of sheep ever remembered. Ewes fully 8.f., and lambs 5^. lower than at Weyhill {F.J?). Cold north-east winds this year, frequently with snow and sleet, till the middle of June. No genial weather till August. Late harvest. Crops deficient {Notes of a Dorset Farmer). 1815 Wheat, 65 j-. id. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 30^. yl. ; oats, 23^. jd. per qr. Wool, is. rod. per lb. ; beef and mutton, 2>^d. ; cheese, ?>d. per lb. {Driver). Full average crop. Hot and dry {Driver). Lincoln wool, is. ii\d. per lb. Began reaping August 9. Finished harvest August 26 {Cox). The Act passed this year prohibits wheat being im- ported until the average is above Boj-. per qr. Fine season and excellent crops ( Whistlecraft) . Rainfall at Greenwich, 20-52 in. January, 078 in. February, i'20 in. March, 2'oo in. April, 2-47 in. May, 2 '14 in. June, i'65 in. July, i'57 in. August, ( 250 ) 1-83 in. September, 1-07 in. October, 2-39 in. No- vember, 1-37 in. December, 2-05 in. {Glaisher). An abundant season on the whole {Tooke). Remarkably fine from March to October {Brumham). Much excitement was caused by the passing of the Corn Bill. The houses of many supporters of the measure were much damaged. On account of a great decrease in the prices of all productions various farmers threw up their leases {Boyle). 1816 Wheat, 78^. 6d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 335. 11^. ; oats, 27^. 2d. per qr. ; wool, u. iO(/. ; beef and mutton, ']\d. ; cheese, 6^d. per lb. (Driver). Great and general deficiency (Driver). Lincoln wool, is. i^d. per lb. Corn very badly harvested. Wet and cold summer. Harvest began beginning of September. Wheat much sprouted. Quantity of rotten sheep. Some corn out when the winter snows began ( ). Considerable fall of snow in the counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon on September 2nd, by which much damage was done to the gardens (Dugdale). Great deficiency in quantity and quality. Heavy rain and stormy winds in July until harvest ( Clarke). Began reaping August 29th. Finished harvest Octo- ber 12 (Cox). From April 12th to isth snow remained on the ground, and the weather was severe and frosty. — September 3. A severe frost, which produced ice ( Cox, Penny Magazine). One of the worst harvests known. July and August 4'8° below average temperature (Times). After St. Swithin's Day it rained twenty-five days out ot thirty. Total fall, 2-41 in.; before this S'i3 in. fell in July (Howe). February 7 to 13 unusually cold (MS.). Rainfall at Greenwich, 27-49 in. (Glaisher). Jan., 1-90 in. Feb., i'47 in. March, 171 in. April, ( 2SI ) i"94 in. May, i'95 in. June, 2'ig in. July, ygi in. Aug., 2-30 in. Sept., i'86 in. Oct., 2-61 in. Nov.,. 274 in. Dec, z-gi in. (^Glaisher). Cold backward spring, a wet summer and autumn with a singular absence of solar heat. The quality of corn was universally bad, being got in wet and unfit for im- mediate use {Tooke). January i. Average price of wheat, 53^. "jd. ; in June, 1817, it rose to 1125. "jd. {Tooke). No good hay made this year {Notes of a Dorset Farmer). January 12. A dreadful flood at Strabane, in Ireland, by the melting of the snow. — February 6. Dreadful floods in Northumberland and Durham. — 27th. Great mischief by tremendous gales in the North of England. — March 20. An earthquake felt in several parts of England. — ^June 17. Several spots on the sun's disc, one in the centre appeared larger than the earth. — August 14. An earthquake felt in Scotland. — 31st. Tremendous gales of wind did considerable damage on the English coasts. — September 20. Some spots reappeared on the sun's disc. — October 10. Great spots were visible upon the sun. Great disturbances this year owing to the distresses of those out of employ {Boyle). 1817 Wheat, 96^. wd. perqr. {Official Returns). Barley, 49X. 4d. ; and for every i^. increase, is. off. Great rot in sheep. Great number of ewes prematurely cast their lambs in several districts. — ^July 9. Tremendous thunderstorm at Bath. Houses at Widcombe inundated to a depth of 12 feet in some cases. Reports from all parts of the country state that the floods in July were unprecedented. Quan- tity of hay washed away, and fields of wheat laid as flat as if trampled upon by a herd of cattle {Bell's Weekly Messenger), July 28, 1828. The wet time was only from July to August 15, then finer {Whistlecraft). August 12. A waterspout on Mere Down, head of Ashwell Bottom, the torrent of water from which com- pletely flooded the lower part of the town {T. IT. B.). June 1 7. Abundance of rain fell the preceding night, and about 2 o'clock the sun broke out, the air becoming hot and heavy {Knapp). Rainfall at Greenwich, 28-44 in- January, 3*87 in. February, i'04 in. March, o"86 in. April, 2 '17 in. May, I '47 in. June, i"8s in. July, 6-43 in. August, 375 in. September, 2 "41 in. October, i'4i in. Novem- ber, 0*85 in. December, 2 -3 3 {Glaisher). ( 270 ) 1829 Wheat, 66^. 2,d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 32J. 6d. ; oats, 22s. gd. per qr. ; wool, Sd. per lb. ; beef and mutton, ^^d. ; cheese, 6d. {Driver). Lincoln wool, "jd. per lb. Average crop {Driver). Inferior crop. Cold stormy summer {Times). Began reaping August 4 ; finished harvest October 6 {Cox). Began reaping August 10; finished harvest Septem- ber 30 {JI. Baker). Wet and cold season. Rain from July i to October 6. Great quantity of rotten sheep and beasts. In Scotland, May, June, and July were unusually hot, drought was so great as to kill many recently planted trees. Aurora borealis in beginning of July. Floods in August {Penny Magazine). Rain more or less every day from June 16 to Sep- tember 20, being ninety-six days, except on four of them, 23rd and 24th July, and 3rd and 4th September; the season was not particularly cold, but the wettest in my memory. The last load of oats carried on October 6 went into the barn white with snow {Cox). Highest price for lambs at Wilton Fair, 26^. ( Wilts County Mirror). Lambs sold at Marlborough Fair at 42^. a dozen. Roasting pigs sold in Falmouth -Market at 2s. each ( Wilts County Mirror). October 7. A considerable fall of snow between i and 3 p.m. {Howard). 1839-30 Excessively severe winter {Brumhani). Mostly rainy and stormy from July i to October 6, but some very hot days occurred in the fourth week in July and beginning of August ( Whistlecraft). July 29. Severe storms {Whistlecraft). Rainfall at Greenwich, 22-64 in- January, 0*36 in. February, I '17 in. March, o"6o in. April, 4-35 in. May, o'4S in. June, I "46 in. July, 378 in. August, 4'i3in. ( 271 ) September, 3 '2 7 in- October, i "67 in. November, i '3 2 in* December, o'oS in. {Glaisher). Fine and warm for about seven weeks in May and June, then very wet {Brumham). 1830 Wheat, 64^. ^d. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 325. "jd. ; oats, 2/^. ^d. per qr. ; wool, is. per lb. ; beef and mutton, 4^d. ; cheese, sf ^. {Driver). Lincoln wool, lod. per lb. Average crop {Driver). Under average. Cold and wet {Times). January 1 9. Heavy fall of snow, with boisterous gale of wind. Frost very severe. Travelling almost impossible for many days. Salisbury coach seventeen hours coming from Andover {Dowding). Off-going ewes made i8j. each on a Wiltshire farm {John Phillips). Cold summer. Great rot in sheep {Brown). February 7. End of frost {Whistlecraft). Wheat averaged 20 J bushels per acre {John Phillips) . Began reaping August 3 ; finished harvest September 18 {T. O.). Began reaping August 9 ; finished harvest September i {Cox). A severe firost till February 7. March was fine, dry, and warm, without a storm or a shower. — ^April i was snowy till noOn {Cox). Top price for lambs at Devizes October Fair, 19^'., was made by Mr. Mark Sloper, of Bishop's Cannings. At Britford Fair, August 12, ewes fetched from 20s. to 30J. ; lambs from 12s. to i6j. At Yarlington Fair, August 26, fat heifers from 7^. dd. to 8f. bd. a score. At Wilton Fair, September 12, ewes from i4J'. to 2^. ; wethers from 18s. to 28^. ; lambs from los. to i6s. At Romsey Market good lamb was sold at $d. per lb. At Appleshaw Fair a superior lot of lambs made 25^. a head. Best Somerset cheese, 44s. to 53^. per cwt. ( Wills County Mirror). ( 2/2 ) Warm and early spring, and a very hot July {Brum- hani). Good harvest {Brumhani). July 30. Great heat {Whistkcrafi). Rainfall at Greenwich, 31 "14 in. January, 2*63 in. February, 2-37 in. March, 072 in. April, 3*22 in. May, 376 in. June, 4"i4 in. July, 2-46 in. August, 2 '45 in. September, 3-54 in. October, i'i4 in. No- vember, 3 '00 in. December, 171 in. {Glaisher). 1831 Wheat, 66j. 41/. per qr. (pfficial Returns). Barley, 38J. ; oats, 25^. 4^/. per qr. {Official Returns). Wool, 14^. per lb. ; beef and mutton, ^\d. ; cheese, e^\d. {Driver). Off-going ewes made 23J. each {John Phillips). Lincoln wool, \rd. per lb. Wheat averaged 25^ bushels per acre ( John Phillips). Began reaping July 30 ; finished harvest September 8 {H. Baker). Began reaping July 29; finished harvest August 22 {Cox). Nearly average crop {Driver). Fair crops. Warm, showery {Times). Wet summer. Most severe frost on May 6. The young shoots of the ash and oak were destroyed, fruit trees of all sorts were greatly injured, and even the meadow grass was checked to such a degree that it never recovered from its effects. Ice was nearly half-an-inch thick on the ponds on the common {Cox). Fine and fairly abundant season ( Whistkcrafi). Rainfall at High Wycombe, 34'48 in. January, 275 in. February, 3'9i in. March, 2-93 in. April, 1*42 in. May, 2-59 in. June, i"3i in. July, 3-46 in. August, 2"i4 in. September, 4*15 in. October, 3-65 in. No- vember, 270 in. December, 3*47 in. {Glaisher). Very wet year and part of summer {Brumhani). ( 273 ) Hot and dry July and August (Brumham). 1832 Wheat, 58^-. 8^. per qr. ; barley, 33J. id. ; oats, 20s. 5^. ( Official Returns). Wool, IS. per lb. ; beef and mutton, ^\d. ; cheese, Sf^. {Driver). Lincoln wool, 10^. per lb. Off-going ewes made 27^-. each {John Phillips\. Began reaping wheat August 6 ; finished harvest September 12 {H. Baker). Began reaping wheat August 4 ; finished harvest September 4 (Cox). Above an average crop {Driver). Under average. Medium weather {Times). Deficiency of rain in April, May, July, and September. Great excess in June and August. Unsettled summer till July, then fine ; after which heavy rain which damaged crops still out {Times). Wheat averaged 26f bushels per acre {John Phillips). Rainfall at High Wycombe, 30-69 in. January, 1-29 in. February, I'oy in. March, 3'02 in. April, i'49 in. May, 274 in. June, 3-27 in. July, i's8 in. August, 4'8o in. September, 0*46 in. October, 4'4i in. No- vember, 4*48 in. December, 2'o8 in. {Glaisher). Summer chiefly fine. Great heat about August 10, and very hot at the end of September {Brumham) . 1833 Wheat, 52J. iid. per qr. {Official Returns). Barley, 27^. td. ; oats, xZs. ^d. per qr. ; wool, i8d. per lb. ; beef and mutton, s|\s. ; barley, 32J. io(/. ; oats, 2 3 J. (Officta/ Returns). Wool, 10^. per lb. (If. Baker). Off-going ewes made 26J. dd. each {John Phillips). Cows let at ;^9 105. per cow {H. Baker). Good hay year. Rainfall at Epping, 2 9 '9 in. {Alman- ack). January, mild and stormy. February, winterly, and much snow. March, snowy and cold to- loth, then bright and warm, with east winds. April, showery, with some snowstorms. Latter end, bright and warm. May, very wet. June, showery to 13th, then fine. July, very hot. August, awful thunderstorms, with hail. September, very hot. October, rainy. November, mild and showery. December, dry and mild. Frost in fen districts, June 24 {Almanack). Very mild winter to end of December, 1 843 {Jesse). April 9th, loth, and nth, snow and frost, with cold nights. — 13th, still colder. Thermometer, 8 a.m., 33!°. — 17th, still cold. — October 13, cold and frosty. — 20th, severe frost, which destroyed dahlias. Thermometer, 8 a.m., 36°. — 22nd, weather cold. — November 13th, thermometer, 8 a.m., 30°. Ice, but sunny day. — 25th, mild day {/esse). Extreme heat in July. Thermometer, 90° {Brumham). Began harvest August 8; finished September 12 {H. Baker). Fine and fairly abundant season ( Whistlea-aft). September 16, thermometer, 85°. Rainfall at Green- wich, 2 2 '5 2 in. January, i'o4 in. February, 2-20 in. March, 0-30 in. April, i"57 in. May, 3-55 in. June, Q-go in. July, 2-58 in. August, 3*38 in. September, ( 286 ) o'38 in. October, 4-38 in. November, 174 in. Decem- ber, 0-50 in. {Glaisher). 1844 Wheat, 51J. 3^. perqr. ; barley, 33^. Zd. ; oats, 275. 7(/. (^Official Returns). Value of .;^ioo tithe rent charge, ;^io4 3^. 'i,\d. ( Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 6ij-. 2d. ; barley, 32^. 4^. ; oats, 225. 4d. {Official Returns). Wool, x^d. per lb. {H. Baker). Off-going ewes made 265. and iBi-. {John Phillips, \%s. ; H Baker, 26^.). Began harvest July 29; finished Oct. 29 (H. Baker). Cows let at;^9 \os. per cow (ZT. Baker). Hot and dry spring and summer. No rain from Lady Day till June 25, when there were some thunderstorms, till which time the late sown spring corn came up very irregularly, much of which was not harvested till October and November, and some was still out in December, and never ripened. Good crop of wheat, but straw very short. January, winterly. February, frosty throughout. March, stormy to 24th. April, con- stant sun. May, very hot. June, intensely hot. 25 th. Great rain after 13 weeks drought July, sultry, with showers. August, showery till 15th, then fine. Septem- ber, hot, with thunderstorms. October, very warm. November, wet to 13th, then fine. 26th, set in frost, which continued to the end of the year. Rainfall at Greenwich, 21 '87 in. January, f99 in. February, i'88 in. March, 2-02 in. April, 0-23 in. May, 0-15 in. June, 1-58 in. July, 2'3i in. August, I '43 in. September, i"i9 in. October, 4- 01 in. Novem- ber, 474 in. December, 0-34 in. {Glaisher). January 13. Barometer, 28'266. Great gale, with thunder and lightning. 240 vessels lost and 450 lives. The ships and cargoes valued at ;^82S,ooo. From April 14 to June 24, a most extraordinary ( 287) drought, scarcely any rain at all for seventy-one days. The latter part of August very dry, and only half the usual rainfall in September (Brumham). 1845 Wheat, 50^. \od. per qr. ; barley, 31^. Zd. ; oats, 22s. 6d. {Official Returns). Value of ;£'ioo tithe rent charge, ^^103 17J. ii:|^. ( Official Returns) . Seven years' averages : Wheat, 60s. 8d. ; barley, 32J. 10^.; oats, 22s. (Official Returns). Wool, i4ld. per lb. {JI. Baker). Off-going ewes made 31J. each (/oAn Phillips). Off-going ewes made 325-. each (JI. Baker). Began harvest August 16; finished September 11 (H. Baker). Cows let at £,f) per cow {H. Baker). Wet and cold season. First year of potato disease {T. H. B). Severe frost set in January 27, and continued till March 21, with some heavy snows. Coldest February for 50 years. No such March on record. Warm April. May, cold and gloomy. June, fine and bright. July, showery and hot, with awful thunderstorms. August, rainy, gloomy, and cold for the season. September, fine for the harvest, unsettled at the end. October, very wet to nth, then dry, with surmy sky to the end. Novem- ber, fine, dry, and warm to isth, then rain and wind. December, wet, windy, and mild {Almanack). Very severe time, and great snows to March 21. On March 14, thermometer, 5° {Whistlecraft). Rainfall at Greenwich, i8'69 in. January, i'44 in. February, 077 in. March, i'o6 in. April, 0^44 in. May, I -98 in. June, i'69 in. July, i'6i in. August, 2-48 in. September, 2 '18 in. October, i '26 in. Novem- ber, I "80. December, i-<)S {Glaisher). Very fine weather from August 21 to September 14 {Brumham). ( 288 ) Very wet, gloomy, and cold part of July and August. A very bad year (Brumham). 1846 Wheat, 5 4 J. M. perqr. ; barley, 32J. 8^. ; oats, 23^. 8^. {Official Returns). Value of ;^ioo tithe rent charge, ;^io2 17^. ?>\d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 585-. 8^. ; barley, j^y. ; oats, 22s. {Official Returns). Wool, \2\d. per lb. {H. Baker). Off-going ewes made 40 j! {John Phillips). Cows let at jQ() per cow {H. Baker). Began harvest July 20 ; finished August 27 {H. Baker). Wheat crop generally good, and over an average ; oats and barley hardly an average {Clarke). July and August, 2'8° above average temperature. Corn Laws repealed {T. H. B.). Dry summer. Early harvest. Good crop. January, February, March, and April, mild. Early spring. May, dry. June, scorching. July, dry and hot, also August. September, hot and bright. October, warm showers. November, fine and dry. December, frost and snow {Almanack). June 19. Thermometer, 89^° {WMstlecraft). Rainfall at Greenwich, 23-54 in. January, 2*48 in. February, i'4S in. March, o'88 in. April, 3-07 in. May, 1-47 in. June, 0-47 in. July, 1-37 in. August, 4-09 in. September, 173 in. October, 4^47 in. Novem- ber, i'36. December, 070 in {Glaisher). Backward spring and very dry summer {Cooc). This was a notably hot summer ( WMstlecraft). June, July, and August, 4-2° above average temperature. The thermometer was 93° at Chiswick {Brumham). The hottest June on record. The mean temperature was 65 '3 {Brumham). The first 2 2 days of September were extremely droughty {Brumham). 289 ) 1847 Wheat, 6gs. gd. per qr. ; barley, 44^'. 2d. ; oats, 28y. Zd. {Official Het urns). Value of ^100 tithe rent charge, fyg i?>s. io\d. (^Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 56^. /^d. ; barley, ^2S. ; oats, 2IJ-. 8(/. {Official Returns). Wool, i3(/. per lb. {H. Baker). Off-going ewes made 33^. each {/okn Phillips). Off-going ewes made t,os. 6d. each {If. Baker). Cows let at fy per cow {H. Baker). Began harvest August 11 ; finished September 8 {H. Baker). Wheat crop considerably over an average in quantity, but not of prime quality. It suffered much from mildew, and to some extent from red gum. Barley was much^over an average ; oats only an average {Clarke). July and August, 2° above average temperature. Dry and hot summer. General failure of the potato crop. Famine in Ireland. July and August, very hot ( )■ Rainfall at Greenwich, i2'82 in. January, 072 in. February, i'26 in. March, 0-34 in. April, o'68 in. May, I -05 in. June, I'oi in. July, 0-34 in. August, 2'oo in. September, 1-27 in. October, i'46in. Novem- ber, ITS iti- December, i'54 in. {Glaisher).* Rainfall of September considerably below the average, and but little rain in October, except on 7 th, 9th, and 23rd {Brumham). The summer of 1847 was very dry, only 17-8 in. of rain for the whole year at Greenwich. Maximum tempe- rature at Chiswick, 93° {Brumham). 1848 Wheat, joj. 6d. per qr. ; barley, 31J. 6d. ; oats, 20s. 6d. {Official Returns). Value of ;^ioo tithe rent charge, ;^i02 \s. {Official Returns). * This rainfall is 30 ft. from ground. U ( 290 ) Seven years' average : Wheat, 56^. lod. ; barley, 335. ; oats, 22S. 2d. {^Official Returns). Wool, <)d. per lb. {H. Baker). Off-going ewes made 27^-. dd. each {John Phillips). Off-going ewes made 35J. {^H. Baker). Cows let at ^^9 10s. per cow {H. Baker). Began harvest August 2nd; finished September 4th {H. Baker). There was promise of a fair average wheat crop, but the latter half of August was wet, and the harvest defi- cient. Oats were a poor crop, and barley various {Clarke). July and August, 1-3° below average temperature. Great scarcity. Average price of wheat in May, io2j'. t,d. per qr. At one time the price exceeded 120^., but it rapidly receded to under 60s. Cold summer. Much thunder. Wet wheat harvest, much of it badly sprouted {T. H. B.). September was chiefly fine till the equinox {Brutnhairi). January, cold and frosty ; February, mild and wet ; March, wet ; April, wet ; May, bright, with east winds ; June, showery ; July, fair and hot ; August, very wet ; September, fine ; October, great floods ; November, fine ; December, mild {Almanack). October 18. Snow {Miss Ormerod). Some fine and hot periods in the first fortnight in July, and the first twenty-two days of September. The re- mainder of the season was wet, with much thunder ( Whistlecraff). Rainfall at Greenwich, 30-07 in. January, o'96 in. February, 2-47 in. March, 3-00 in. April, 3-15 in. May, o'22 in. June, 3^92 in. July, 2-08 in. August, 4'59 in. September, 2-44 in. October, 3-45 in. No- vember, i'37 in. December, 2-42 in. {Glaisher). Wet winter and spring until middle of April, then a parching drought to June 12th. Wet summer and autumn after until Christmas {Cox). ( 291 ) The hottest May on record. The mean temperature was 597° {Brumhain). Mean rainfall, 35 "98 in. {Symons). 1849 Wheat, 44s-. 3^. per qr. ; barley, 27^ 9^. ; oats, 17^. (id. {Official Returns). Value of ;£^ioo tithe rent charge, ;£ioo y. ']\d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average: Wheat, 54^. \od.\ barley, 2,2s. \od.\ oats, 2 If. lad. {Official Returns'). Wool, I \d. per lb. {H. Baker). Off-going ewes made 25^. each ; wethers, 34^. {John Phillips; H. Baker). Cows let at jQ^ \os. per cow {H. Baker). Began harvest Aug. 7 ; finished Sept. 17 {H. Baker). Nearly average temperature, with fine weather {Times). Fine harvest. Good crops. Wheat straw very bright (7. IT. B.). Wheat crop very good, and over an average {Clarke). June, July, and August, 0-9° above average tempera- ture. Thermometer 89° at Chiswick {Brumham). Rainfall at Greenwich, 23-92 in. January, i'6i in. February, 2'i6 in. March, 0^47 in. April, 2'22 in May, 3-87 in. June, 0-24 in. July, 2-96 in. August, o'6i in. September, 3'i6 in. October, 2'89 ill. No- vember, I '63 in. December, 2'io in. {Glaisher). April 1 6th to 20th, much snow and frost. The Wester- ham coach was buried, and left all night in a snow-drift on Titsey Hill, April 19th. A fine summer {Cox). A fine and warm summer {Brumham). 1850 Wheat, 40^. ■^d. per qr. ; barley, 23^'. dd. ; oats, 16s. ^d. {Official Returns). Value of ;^ioo tithe rent charge, :£gS 16s. lod. Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 53J. ; barley, 32J. lod. ; oats, 2 IS. 8d. {Official Returns). ( 292 ) Wool, i^. per lb. {H. Baker'). Off-going ewes made 27.?. each; wethers, 33^'. {John Phillips). Cows let at ;^8 10^. per cow {H. Baker). At Devizes October Fair ewes made from 22s. to 295'. ; lambs, 15 J. to 23J. Began harvest August 12th; finished September 7th (i/. Baker). Wet and cold season. July and August, i'4° below average temperature {Times). Wheat much blighted, but a fine harvest {T. H. B.). Harvest much under an average, with great losses by mildew and winds. The crops were better in the north ( Clarke). Great agricultural distress. Rainfall at Greenwich, 187 1 in. January, i'i7 in. February, i'29 in. March, o'36 in. April, 2-00 in. May, 2-35 in. June, 0-94 in. July, 2-88 in. August, i'89 in. September, i'3o in. October, i'25 in. No- vember, i"98 in. December, i'30 in. (Glaisher). March dry, without a shower, but very cold and frosty {Cox). A cold and winterly Christmas, 1849, s-^d January was severely cold to the end {Brumham). June, August, and September were very dry, only 197 in. of rain in the whole year at Greenwich {Brumham). A stormy summer, though so hot at times [Brumham). 1850-51 A very mild winter {Brumham). Great heat and drought part of summer ; very fine till end of October {Brumham). 1861 Wheat, 385. 6d. per qr. ; barley, 24?. gd. ; oats, 185. 7d. ; barley, 32J. ; oats, 2 1 J. 4^. {Official Returns). ( 293 ) Wool, IS. per lb. (H. Baker). Ewes made 25^-. 6d. each {John Phillips). Ewes made 26^. dd. each (H. Baker). A late harvest gave a full average crop both of wheat and barley {Clarke). Began mowing clover June 6th {H. Baker). Began harvest August 8th ; finished September 9th {H. Baker). Wheat good. Fine season altogether. Average tem- perature {Times). July and August, o-6° above average temperature {Times). Rainfall at Greenwich, 20-27 in. January, 2-43 in. February, 0-86 in. March, 373 in. April, I'gy in. May, 076 in. June, 1-37 in. July, 4-33 in. August, 1-47 in. September, 0-43 in. October, 175 in. November, o'SS in. December, 0-59 in. {Glaisher). Excessive heat from June 19th. Thermometer, 91'' at Chiswick {Brumham). 1852 Wheat, \os. ^d. per qr. ; barley, 28^. 6d. ; oats, 19^'. id. {Official Returns). Value of ;£^ioo tithe rent charge, ^^93 ids. ii^d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 495'. lod. ; barley, 2,0s. lod. ; oats, 21s. {Official Returns). Wool, i3^d. per lb. {Jif. Baker). Off-going ewes made 30J. each {John Phillips). Off-going ewes made 34J. each {H. Baker). Began harvest Aug. 5 ; finished Sept. 10 {H. Baker). Rainfall at Petworth, 36749 in. {H. Sockett). Wet harvest, with grown wheat and a general preva- lence of mildew. All the mischief done by a fortnight's warm wet weather in August {Clarke). Under average. A very fine crop was injured by excessive rains and high temperature together in two weeks of August, causing mildew {Times). ( 294 ) July and August, 27° above average temperature (Times). Average crop. Wet wheat harvest, some sprouted. Extraordinary wet autumn. Very little wheat sown at end of year ( 7". H. £.). Tremendous tempest in September, which caused the Severn to overflow, and its surface was covered with up- rooted trees, crops, and drowned animals. All the Vale of Gloucester was one wide spreading sea {Royal Agri- cultural Society' s Journal, vol. XV.). Height of flood in the Thames, at Clifton Hampden, 7 ft. 10 in. (_/; C. C, in Agricultural Gazette). July 17. Awful storms {Whistlecraft). Rainfall at Greenwich, 3271 in. January, 2 '88 in. February, 073 in. March, o'i4 in. April, 0-50 in. May, 2-03 in. June, 4'Ssin. July, 2-32 in. August, 4'5o in. September, 3*93 in. October, 375 in. November, S"66 in. December, 172 in. {Glaisher). Dry winter and spring till 17th May; very wet till 4th July, the rest of which was a scorching month, fol- lowed by a wet harvest and autumn, the like of which seldom happens {Cox). Intensely hot July. Thermometer, 97° at Chiswick {Brwnham). 1853 Wheat, 53^-. 3^/. per qr. ; barley, 335. 2d.; oats, zis. {Official Returns). Value of ;^ioo tithe rent charge, ;^9i 13^. sf^. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 48^^. ^d. ; barley, 30^. ^d. ; oats, 20s. 6d. {Official Returns). Wool, i7|^. per lb. {ff. Baker). Off-going ewes made 32.9. each {If. Baker). Off-going ewes made 345. each {John Phillips). Began harvest August 13; finished November 11 at Mere Down {T. H. B.), and September 19 at Charlton Horethorn. ( 295 ) Wheat crop much below an average, thin plant, and late harvest. Oats and barley an average except Scot- land {Clarke). Very much under an average. Excessive rainfall ( Times) . August 26. A hurricane in Wiltshire and other counties, blowing down trees, etc. ( Wayleii). Wet season to end of October. Bad crops of corn. Hay made badly. Wheat very thin plant owing to wet autumn last year. Rot in sheep. Cold season and very wet. Flakes of snow fell in June (T. H. B.). Great rot in sheep (Brown). Very disastrous summer floods. Hundreds of acres of meadow in low lying districts were cleared of their hay, and corn crops were flattened and spoiled. Many sheep swept away. Immense damage done to sheep, hay, and corn in Essex (JRoyal Agricultural Society s Journal). Great quantity of wheat sown this autumn, capital time for puttmg it in {T. H. £.). Some good hay made latter part of July and beginning of August (t: H.B.). July and August i"4° below average temperature {Times). February 19. Severe frost {Whistlecraft.) Rainfall at Greenwich, 29 "13 in. January, i'95 in. February, o'8s in. March, i'49 in April, 3-09 in. May, I '6 1 in. June, 2 '81 in. July, 6 '02 in. August, 2"i5in. September, 2 -40 in. October, 474 in. Novem- ber, i'5i in. December, o'5i in. {Glaisher). Rain almost daily from beginning of August to Novem- ber I, except 20 days. Wheat crop not half an average hereabout (Trevereux) {Cox). Very cold summer {Brumham). 1854 Wheat, 72J. 5^/. ; barley, 2fis.\ oats, 27^-. 11^. per qr. ( Official Returns) . Value of ;^ioo tithe rent charge, fyo 19^. 5^/. {Official Returns). (296) Seven years' average : Wheat, 48s. ; barley, 30^. 41/. ; oats, 20s. 2d. (^Official Returns). Wool, \2>d. per lb. (^H. Baker). Off-going ewes made 305. and 255. {H. B. and J. F.). Began harvest August 18; finished September 18 {T. H. B.). Average wheat crop. Scanty rainfall. Some mildew and sprouting (Times). Heaviest crop of wheat for many years. Fine harvest, but not an early one [T. H. Baker). Oats and barley good (T. H. B.). January 4. Deep snow; roads impassable. — 7th. Heavy rain, melted all^the snow which has been lying on the ground since December 27. Mild with some ram, and occasionally slight frosts through remainder of Janu- ary and February. — March and April dry in general. — April 20. Very wet. — 2Sth. Sharp frost. — May, June, and July below average temperature. Heavy thunder- storms in May, and some hasty showers in June, but a light crop of hay was put together tolerably well. Meadow hay not finished making till August. — August a good harvest month. — September began with very hot sunny weather. Good harvest month, but some showers. — October. General thanksgiving for the abundant harvest. One of the finest autumns for wheat sowing in the memory of man (r. H. Baker). 1854-55. Excessively severe WvcAtr {Brumham). July and August, o'9° below average temperature {Times). Rainfall at Greenwich, 18 '3 5 in. January, i'67 in. February, i'03 in. March, 0-36 in. April, 0-56 in. May, 3'27 in. June, 0-97 in. July, i'66 in. August, 2*95 in. September, 070 in. October, 2'69 in. No- vember, I "41 in. December, r"o8in. {Glaisher). Severe frosts and snow, 1853-4, till January 4 (Brumham). ( 297 ) Very dry weather from 31st May to 26th June {Brum ham). Warm and early spring. Fine and hot summer. Ther- mometer in July, 88° {Brumham). 1865 January. Mild, with some rain till middle of the month; then frosty, and on the 22nd snow. Frost after, and on 31st driving snow. Roads impassable. — Febtuary was frosty, with great deal of snow. Coldest month on record, most intense before the middle of the month. East and north-east wind from middle of January to loth May. Cold late spring. Fine harvest Fine autumn. — ^June was a warm, bright month. Fly carried away nearly all the rape and swedes sown before the end of this month. — July. Good haymaking weather first 10 days ; then showery to the end. — August was a good harvest month, with a few showers. Capital harvest weather till September 13, then unsettled, with a few dry days to end. — October was stormy. Heavy rains latter end. — November was a good month for wheat sowing. — December, after 5th, was frosty to the isth ; then a few mild days, after which snow and cold. Last week'wet and mild {T. H. B.). Value of jQioo tithe rent charge, ^89 15^. Z^d. (^Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 48^. dd. ; barley, 2^s. 2d. ; oats, 20 J. (^Official Returns). Wheat not an average crop ; quality inferior to last year {T. H. B.). Began mowing clover 2Sth June {T H. B.). Began harvest August 21 ; finished September 21 (r. H. B.). Wheat crop under an average, and of inferior quality, knocked down by heavy rains in the last week in July. Harvest fine, but late. Plant injured in the south by frost. Barley abundant, but coarse. Oats, an average crop (^Clarke). C 298 ) Wheat, 74^. 8^. per qr. ; barley, 34^. 9^. ; oats, 2'js. ^d. ( Official Returns). Wool, i5d. {H. Baker). Lambs, 22^. {H. Baker). Began mowing clover June 5th (J! H. B.). Began harvest July 29th ; finished September loth {T. H. B.). Wheat crop, over an average. Oats and barley, under ( 301 ) an average, the latter of inferior quality. Wheat plant suffered from the unusual drought ( Clarke). Cold spring. June, hot and dry. Fine summer. Great crop of wheat, which was harvested well and of superior quality. Wet barley harvest ; a good deal badly stained, and harvested damp. Fine autumn {T. H. B.). Turnip crop good. Fly very busy early in the season {T. H. B.). At Devizes October Fair ewes made 28^. to 38 j. ; lambs, 20s. to 26s. {N. P.). July and August o'8 below average temperature {Times). March 8. Severe gale. — June 16. Thermometer, 92°. — September 11. A comet {Whistlecraft). Rainfall at Greenwich, 1779 in. January, 076 in. February, 172 in. March, o-88 in. April, 2-34 in. May, I '99 in. June, i'24 in. July, 2-97 in. August, I-53 in. September, -o-SS in. October, i'36 in. No- vember, o'45 in. December, 1-67 in. {Glaisher). A fine, dry, hot summer ; many ponds and wells dry (Cox). Very dry in June, August, and September. Maximum temperature at Chiswick, 97° {Brumham). Rainfall at Hull, 22-42 in. on 135 days (H. Smith). 1858-9 A very mild winter (Brumham). October 26. Barometer, 29-068 ; and December 26, 28-629 (Symons' Magazine). Warm and early spring {Brumham). Rainfall at Hull, 21-12 in. on 170 days {Harold Smith). 1859 Wheat, 435. 9^. per qr. ; barley, 33^-. 6d. ; oats, 235-. 2d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average for tithe returns : Wheat, 5 8 J'. Sd.; barley, i$s. 8d. ; oats, 24s. 2d. {Official Returns) . Wool, i8|\d. (Official Returns). ( 303 ) Seven years' average on which tithes are collected : Wheat, 59^. ; barley, 36^. 4d. ; oats, 24s. lod. Wool, i^\d. per lb. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 34^. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 33^'. {John Phillips). At Devizes October Fair ewes 24s. to 34X. ; lambs, 20s. to 2 6 J. Beef and mutton, -jld. per lb. {T. H. B.). Began harvest Aug. 27 ; finished Nov. 1 {T. H. B.). Wheat, nineteen bushels per acre ; barley, thirty-eight bushels (r. H. B.). Harvest a fortnight behind and very wet. A remark- ably cold and rainy summer ; in fact, the most disastrous season known. Produced a heavy crop of straw, much laid, and knocked about. Wheat very far below the average ; the worst for many years. Oats fair, barley good (Clarke). January. Very wet February. Frosty. March. Warm. Cold, late spring ; middle of May warm. Rain set in about 20th, and continued through June, in which month it rained every day. First half of July fine, and some good hay made, then wet again till end of August. Very little com cut till September, and harvest not finished till November. Some corn harvested tolerably well beginning of September. Very deficient crop of wheat, and the quality very bad. The temperature was so low that there was little if any sprouted corn. Wheat was harvested in September, but scarcely any barley carried till October. Barley not bad quality, but condi- tion bad, and some of it stained. Roots very bad ; plant good but bulbs small. Great sheep rot (7^ If. B.). The Christmas of i860 is supposed to have been the severest ever experienced in Britain. At 9 a.m. ther- mometer 17° below freezing point {Chambers). July and August, 4-6° below average temperature (Times). ( 304 ) The rains were greater in June, and again from July 1 9 till near the end of August. Harvest generally began about August 27. A wetter season than 1799 and 1816, yet not quite so late ( Whistlecraff). February 28. Awful gale ( Whistlecraft). Rainfall at Greenwich, 28'oi in. January, i'66 in. February, i-oi in. March, 1-71 in. April, 1-09 in. May, 370 in. June, 5-39 in. July, 2-67 in. August, 3-57 in. September, 2-19 in. October, i'o6 in. November, i'87 in. December, 20-9 in. (^Glaisher). Rainfall at Thwaite, 36 in. {Brumham). Wet, cold spring; six inches of rain in June; very backward year, similar to 1816 ; bad haying and harvest ( Cox). A wet year everywhere but in the north-west of Scot- land {Symons). Rainfall at Hull, 3i'74in. on 205 days {H. Smith). 1861 Wheat, 55^-. 4^. ; barley, 36^. id. ; oats, 23^-. gd. per qr. (^Official Returns). Value of ;£ioo tithe rent charge, ;^ii2 3^. ^\d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 59X. ; barley, 36^. \od. ; oats, 2 5 J. 4d. {Official Returns). Wool, 17^. per Vo.{T.H. B.). Beef and mutton, 6f^. per lb. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 33^-. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 35^-. 6d. {John Phillips). At Devizes October Fair ewes 36^. to 405. 6d. ; lambs, 28s. to 33^. {Newspaper). Began harvest August 6 ; finished September 1 1 {T. H. B.). Wheat, twenty-four bushelsper acre ; barley, thirty-one bushels {T. H. B). Wheat was below an average, having suffered from excessive thinness of plant. Oats were fair {Clarke.) Severe winter. — ^January was a cold month. — February ( 30S ) and March mild. — April and May. East winds. — June. Warm, with some rain. — July. Wet and cloudy. Light crop of wheat. Barley, bad quality. Oats good. Turnips good (r. H. B.). May 28. Great storm, in which there were 143 wrecks. Hay made well in general, but some of the meadow hay cut late was made bad. By no means a dry summer. Wet enough to keep everything growing. Quality of wheat pretty good {T. H. B.). July and August 0-3 above average temperature {Times). January 8. Severe frost ( Whistkcraft). August 12. Thermometer, 90°. Rainfall at Greenwich, 21 00 in. January, 0-5 1 in. February, 173 in. March, 2-29 in. April, 0-90 in. May, I '55 in. June, 176 in. July, 2-98 in. August, 0-59 in. September, 1-49 in. October, 0-89 in. November, 5-06 in. December, i"2 5 in. {Glaisher). Remarkable for want of bloom on fruit trees of all softs. The failure extended to black and white thorns. Fine summer and autumn to Christmas {Cox). Very dry April. Very fine, dry, and hot August, and dry September {Brumhani). Summer chiefly fine. Fair and hot at end of Septem- ber. Rainfall at Hull, i9'97 in. on 163 days {Smith). 1862 Wheat, 55^. 5^/. per qr. ; barley, 355. id. ; oats, 22s. id. {Official Returns). Value of ;£ioo tithe rent charge, £,\o^ ly. 6d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 565. 6d. ; barley, 36^. lod. ; oats, 24s. Sd. {Official Returns). Wool, i8|^. per lb. {T. H. B). Beef and mutton, 6\d. per lb. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 37J. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 34^-. {John Phillips). { 306 ) At Devizes October Fair, ewes, 36^. to 41s. ; lambs, 28s. to 325. {Newspaper Report). Began harvest August 19th ; finished September 23rd {T. H. B.). Wheat, 24I bushels per acre; barley, 32 bushels {T. H. £.). Cold backward season. Not so wet as i860, but very cold and unfruitful. Deficient crop of wheat, but quality tolerably good. Began mowing clover 4th June, which lay about some time, 100 acres of grass cut before any carried. Barley crop perhaps an average, but a good deal of it was put in bad in consequence of the wet weather in March and April. Oats but a middling crop. Thin on the land and light in grain {T. IT. £.) Crops generally inferior in quality and below an average ; one of the worst wheat crops known for many years. Storms of wind caused the plants to be root- fallen before the seed was fully formed. Barley average {Clarke). Let cows at jQio los. per cow {T. H. B.). July and August, 2-6° below average temperature {Times). Rainfall at Greenwich, 26-41 in. January, 179 in. February, o'46 in. March, 3-55 in. April, 2-84 in. May, 2-84 in. June, i'93 in. July, i'69 in. August, 3'oi in. September, i'6i in. October, 4'o8 in. No- vember, o"99 in. December, i"62 in. {Glaisher). At Hull, 23-69 in. on 174 days. Rainfall at Leamington, 27-086 in. January, 2-540 in. February, 0-630 in. March, 3-254 in. April, 1-6 17 in. May, 3-821 in. June, 3-308 in. July, 2-142 in. Au- gust, 2-056 in. September, 3-061 in. October, 2-580 in. November, 0-697 in. December, 1-380 in. {Jones). 1862-3 A remarkably mild winter {Brumham). A wet year in the greater part of England, dry in Nor- folk, wet in Scotland and Ireland (Symoiis). ( 307 ) January 1 1. High wind and heavy rain {Beesley). Great heat in May, therm., 84° ; no day all the summer so hot after. Very fine to June 4th, then a changeable time (Brutnham). 1863 Wheat, 44^. <)d. per qr. ; barley, 33^-. <)d. ; oats, zis. zd. {Official Returns). Value of ;£ioo tithe rent charge, ;^io7 <~,s. 2d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 53^. \od. ; barley, 37.?. ; oats, 24J. (Official Returns). Wool, 2id. per lb. {T. H. B.). Beef and mutton, 'i\d. per lb. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 40J. and 3ij-. dd. (71 H. B.). Ofl-going ewes made 38^. and 34^'. {John Phillips). At Devizes October Fair, ewes, 38^. to 44^. ; lambs, 29>s. to 3 2 J. {Newspaper Report). Began mowing clover June ist. Some of the clover hay lay about some time, but a great deal of good hay made afterwards {T. H. B.). Began harvest Aug. 8; finished Sept. \'j {T. H. B.). Wheat, 39 bushels an acre ; barley, 37 bushels {T. H. B.). One of the finest summers for the farmer on record. Extraordinary crop of wheat and also oats. Barley a good crop, but harvested badly with the exception of the very early. A great deal of it grown, and nearly all very much stained. Wheat and oats harvested in fine condition {T. H. B.). Wheat a magnificent crop and grain bold. Barley and oats average. The summer was specially dry, and there was bright sunshine at and after blossoming time {Clarke). Let cows at ;^io 10^. per cow {T. H. B.). From end of October to close of December was a season of gales, but remarkably free from frost ( ). July and August i'4' below average temperature {Times). (308) December 3. Heavy gale ( Whistlecraff). Rainfall at Greenwich, i9'67 in. January, 272 in. February, 0-49 in. March, o'69 in. April, o'43 in. May, 1-25 in. June, 3-94 in. July, o-88 in. August, i'83 in. September, 2-97 in. October, i'82 in. No- vember, I '57 in. December^ i"o8 in. (jGlaisher). At Hull, 24'63 in. on 155 days {Smitk). Wet spring, fine summer, productive harvest {Cox). Rainfall at Leamington, 21 -8 18 in. January, 2 -5 96 in February, 0^449 in. March, o'668 in. April, i'463 in. May, 0-508 in. June, 4'883 in. July, 0-573 in. August, 2-437 in- September, 2-256 in. October, 2-897 in. November, 2-281 in. December, 0-807 in. {Jones). Remarkably dry weather from June 20th to August 7th {Brumham). Sharp drought in spring and summer, and generally very hot {Brumham). 1864 Wheat, 40^-. 2(1. per qr. ; barley, 29^-. 11 d. ; oats, 20J-. id. {Official Returns). Value of ;£^ioo tithe rent charge, ;£^io3 3^. io\d. { Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 50J. /i,d. ; barley, 35^. lod. J oats, 235. 6d. {Official Re/urns). Wool, 2sid. per lb. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 35^. and 25^. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 31^-. and 27^. {John Phillips). Beef and mutton, 'j\d. per lb. {T. H. B.). Let cows at ;^io 10^. per cow {T. H. B.). At Devizes October Fair, ewes, 34,?. to 39^'. ; lambs, 20s. to 30 J. {Newspaper Report). Cull lambs, 20^. dd. {T. H. B.). Began niowing clover May 30th. Light cut, but hay made well. Began harvest July 27 ; finished Sept. 12 {T. H. B.). Wheat, 35 bushels an acre ; barley, 42 bushels {T. H. B.). ( 309 ) Very dry summer. Some districts suffered greatly from drought, and in general the turnip crop was a complete failure, but July 17 th we were favoured with a very heavy thunderstorm, which filled our ponds and kept the turnips growing. Our swedes were never better. Mangolds were small, and the late turnips suffered severely from grub. Crop of wheat good, but not so bulky as last year ; quality excellent. Barley crop good, and the corn heavy. Oats light in grain, but an average crop. Beans and peas almost a failure {T. H. B.). Wheat appeared to be an average crop, but turned out defective. Barley, average. Oats, bad {Clarke). July and August, 2-2° below average temperature (^Times'). August 2 1 . End of drought ( Whistlecraff). Rainfall at Greenwich, i6"38 in. January, o'88 in February, 076 in. March, 2-53 in. April, 0-82 in. May, 2 -GO in. June, 0^92 in. July, 0-27 in. August, I "3 1 in. September, 276 in. October, i'o6 in. No- vember, 2 "5 7 in. December, 0-50 in. {Glaisher). At Hull, i8'2 7 in. on 152 days. Cold spring, dry summer ; little hay, no turnips ; har- vest except wheat not an average i^Cox). Rainfall at Leamington, i8-868 in. January, i"oo5 in. February, 1758 in. March, 2'896 in. April, i"37i in. May, I '840 in. June, 0*967 in. July, 0*429 in. August, 0-517 in. September, i"978 in. October, 2*260 in. November, 1*933 in. December, 1*914 (^Jones). The driest year for fifty years. The mean rainfall, 22*11 in. {Symons). Remarkably dry from July 4 to August 9, after which the great drought went on to September 2 {Briimham). 1865 Wheat, 41J. per qr. ; barley, 29^. ()d. ; oats, 21s. lod. ( Official Returns). Value of .^^100 tithe rent charge, ^^98 15^. 10 Ji/. (^Official Returns). ( 310 ) Seven years' average : Wheat, 48^. ; barley, 34^. 2d. ; oats, 2.2s. Zd. {Official Returns). Wool, 2i\d. per lb. {T. H. £.). Stock wethers, 455. {T. H. £.). Beef and mutton, 81^- > lambs, 20s. to 24s. {Newspaper). Began mowing clover June 6. Finished haymaking 2ist, except the meadows. No rain since we began, but the tail end of thunderstorm on i6th, when large hails fell at Mere, none at Mere Down. The storm very severe through the Vale of Blackmore, doing considerable damage to glass, etc. Some of the hailstones were as large as hens' eggs {T. H. B.). Began harvest July 27 ; finished August 23 {T. H. B.). January. Open weather till 21st, then frost to end of month. — February. Began with open weather, and some rain. — 3rd. A beautiful, warm, sunny day.^gth. Severe frost, after a heavy rainfall, sharper than anything since i860, accompanied by a rough, piercing easterly wind" till 15th ; then a thaw, but not able to plough till 24th ; then mild to end of month. ^March i. Wet afternoon and night, then fine, but cold till isth, when a little rain, after which cold and dry. Began oat sowing 8th, finished 15th. Began barley sowing 22nd. — April was very cold, keep short, ponds all empty by 20th. Finished barley sowing 2 1 St. No rain since we began. — May was dry. Beginning of month cold, keep scarce, gave sheep hay till 9th. — nth. A -thorough wet day, very cold, then unsettled for a week, after which it was dry and hot. — June. Began with gentle, warm rain, and ended with dry weather. The Downs, etc., quite parched. Pastures ( 323 ) where mown do not produce more than from 5 cwt. to 10 cwt. per acre, and many people do not mow at all. — July. Began with dry weather, but cooler, and the country suffered more from drought than in 1868, especially the pastures, they having had no soaking this year. Partial thunderstorms. Turnips and swedes good on Mere Down. Rape, capital plant, but in many places roots are a total failure. Rain 31st. Wheat on the hills very thin from the severe winter. In the valleys best crop since 1863. Barley good, both in quantity and quality. Oats fairly good. Beans short, but well pod- ded. — August was a iine harvest month. The first four days close and wet. Wheat just beginning to sprout when weather broke up and we had no further hindrance till harvest was all in. The last week was stormy. — September. Set in with a week of showery weather, but not enough rain for the pastures. Cut clover seed 12th, hauled it 17th. Springs are very low. Well nearly dry 20th. Water quite muddy. Fine, clear, warm days, and cold nights. — October. Dry the first week, then rain enough to make wheat sowing go well. River dry at Monkton Deverill. — November. A fine seasonable month. Wheat sowing done well. — December. Cold and frosty. — 20th. Snow to the end {T. H. B.). Over an average crop of wheat. Very fine, sunny season, fine blooming time and hot harvest ( Times). 1870-71. Severe winter {Brumhani). July and August, 07° above average temperature [jTimes'). Severe December. Thermometer down to 3° on the 2Sth, and 5° on 31st {Whistlecraff). Aurora borealis in February, September, and October, very brilliant also December 1 7. Rainfall at Cambridge, i4'2 5i in., being 6-4 in. below the average. It fell on 130 days (^Adams). Coldest November and December on record. Mean ( 324 ) temperature at Greenwich, 33 "6°, being 6-i° below the average of fifty years {Symons' Magazine). Rainfall at Bridport, 20-32 in. Jan., 174 in. Feb., 2-23 in. Mar., i'93 in. April, 0-53 in. May, i'44 in. June, 076 in. July, o'66 in. Aug., o'82 in. Sept., 0-99 in. Oct., 3-52 in. Nov., i'86 in. Dec, 3'84 in. At Cirencester, 24'oi in. Jan., 2'45 in. Feb., i'8o in. Mar., 176 in. April, o'68 in. May, i'8o in. June, 075 in. July, i-8i in. Aug., 274 in. Sept., i'22 in. Oct. 4'S4 in. Nov., 2'26 in. Dec, 2 '20 in. Aurora borealis Feb. 11, April 5, Sept. 24, Oct. 24 and 25. Remarkable thunderstorm and hail which did great damage in Dorsetshire and parts of Somerset and Wilts on i6th June (T. H. B.). Thunderstorms, April 9, in Yorkshire, and in divers places June 16 and 17, July 9, and in South of England November 22 {T. H. B.). Oct 19. Terrific squall swept over the West and South of England. — November 19. Remarkable meteor, which discharged with a dreadful noise in Scotland (^Syinons' Magazine). Rainfall at Hull, 25-81 in. on 172 days (Zf. Smith). At Marlborough, 23-54 in. on 128 days. Jan., i'89 in. Feb., 2"44 in. Mar., 2'io in. April, 0-55 in. May, 2-14 in. June, 0-36 in. July, i- 7 5 in. Aug., i '91 in. Sept., i"29 in. Oct., 4-56 in. Nov., 2'04 in. Dec, 2-51 in. {Preston). 1871 Wheat, 56^-. ?>d. per qr. ; barley, 36J. 2d. ; oats, 25.?. 2d. ( Official Returns). Value of ;^ioo tithe rent charge, ;!^io4 \^s. id. ( Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 50.?. M. ; barley, 36^. 2d. ; oats, 2^s. 2d. {Official Returns). Wool, l^\d per lb. {T. H. B.). Beef and mutton, %\d. per lb. Off-going ewes made 455. and 43^. ; lambs, 45.^. and 36^-. {T. H. B.). ( 325 ) Off-going ewes made $os. {John Phillips). At Devizes October Fair, ewes, 48J. to 54^. ; lambs, 2fis. to 46X. {News). Began mowing clover June 2. Light cut. Fine weather to 13th, then unsettled, and quantity of hay made badly {T. H. B.). Began harvest Aug. 12 ; finished Sept. 12 {T. H. B.). January. Frost and snow to 14th, then open to 26th, when ploughing was stopped again. — February. A fine month. Began sowing spring com 24th. — March was very fine. Nearly all the barley sown. Early part mild, latter part cold. — April. Dry and cold to nth, then mild showers. Began cutting water meadow for cows 1 2th. Turned dairy to grass same day. After this heavy fall of rain. — May was dry, with cold nights and very little growing.- — June. Carried early hay well before 13th. Heavy rain after. — July was unsettled and cold. Quantity of bad hay made. — isth was fine, followed by a hot week, then unsettled again. — August was a fine harvest month. All the corn ripe together. Finished wheat hauling 28th. Sold old ewes at Britford Fair at 43^., very poor. — September. A fine month for late harvest, which was cleared up by the middle. — October was very dry, and November cold, with east winds. — December. Frosty till 14th, then open weather to the end {T. H. B.). Wheat an average crop. Some of the barley very bad quahty on our hills, about 40 lbs. per bushel {T. H. B.). Under average crop of wheat Cold and wet July. Crop heavily laid by storms and mildewed. The August heat was too late {Times). End of year sold wheat 12 sc. 12 lb. at 28.?. 6d. ; malting barley, 36^-. 6d. {T. H. B.). Trade is very dull. Sold in-calf heifers at ;^i4 each. Mutton is 10^. per lb.; beef, from 13^-. to 15^-., and fat pigs, gj. per score (71 H. B.). (326) Let dairy cows at j^ii per cow {T. If. B.). July and August, 1-2° above average temperature {Times). December 8. Severe frost ( Whistlecraff). February 8. Lunar rainbow at Burnham {Symons' Magazine). Rainfall at Bramar, 3o'36 in. on 175 days ; at Buxton, 47"i2 in. on 240 days; at Worthing, 23-68 in. on 143 days {Bates). Rainfall at Bridport, 30-84 in. Jan., 2-99 in. Feb., 2-26 in. March, 1-77 in. April, 4-96 in. May, 0-99 in. June, 2-04 in. July, 3-96 in. Aug., 0-80 in. Sept., 4-50 in. Oct., 2-75 in. Nov., 1-29 in. Dec, 2-53 in. At Cirencester, 32-40 in. Jan., 1-86 in. Feb., 1-72 in. March, 1-65 in. April, 3-65 in. May, 1-70 in. June, 3-00 in. July, 4-31 in. Aug., 2-78 in. Sept., 6-70 in. Oct., 2-30 in. Nov., 0-40 in. Dec, 2-33 in. {Symon). At Hull, 25-69 in. on 170 days {H. Smith). March 1 7. Earthquake north of the Mersey {Symons' Magazine). April 9. Aurora borealis {Symons' Magazine). Last eight days in September very wet {Symons' Maga- zine). November 9 and 11. Aurora borealis {Symotis'' Magazine). Rainfall at Marlborough, 30-00 in. on 163 days. Jan., 2-93 in. Feb., 1-51 in. March, 1-63 in. April, 3-85 in. May, I'oo in. June, 2-99 in. July, 3-63 in. Aug., i-i8 in. Sept., 6-22 in. Oct., 1-88 in. Nov., o'6g in. Dec, 2-49 in. {Preston). 1872 Wheat, 57^. per qr. ; barley, 375. T,d. ; oats, 235. 2d. {Official Returns). Value of ;£ioo tithe rent charge, jQioi 41'. o\d. {Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 53^'. ; barley, 37J. 2d. ; oats, 2 4 J. lod. {Official Returns). ( 327 ) Wool, 2i|^. per lb. {T. H. B.). Beef and mutton, ?>\d. (T. H. B.). Oif-going ewes made 58^. 6d. and 53J. ; lambs, 42^. and 2^s. <)d. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 60s. and 50^. {John Phillips). At Devizes October Fair, ewes, top price, 605. ; lambs, 45J. to 5oy. {Neivspaper). Began mowing clover May 31st. A good crop of hay, none of it made badly {T. H. B.). Began harvest Aug. 8 ; finished Sept. 13 {T. H. B."). January and February were wet and mild. — March was fine till 20th, then very wet. — April, fine till 20th, then very wet. Great deal of barley not sown till May, which was by no means a genial month. Much cold weather and rain. — ^June, wetthe first fortnight, then some fine haymaking weather. Much thunder in July. — August, a fine harvest month. Cut and carried all the wheat in little more than a week. Everything put together in good condition. Wheat under an average crop. Wet autumn. Wheat sowing done well early part of the season, after- wards it was with difficulty got in at all. In north of England and Scotland much of the corn was never harvested. — September was showery, but late harvest completed tolerably well. — October, good wheat-sowing weather till 21st. End of month, wet. — November, toler- ably fine till the middle ; a few frosts ; then very wet. — December, a wet month ; great deal of wheat not sown at end of the year ; in wet districts scarcely any put in. Great floods this autumn, the wettest since 1852. In south of England this year good crops, and fine weather to secure them {T. H. B.). Much under an average crop of wheat. A defective plant ; crop severely injured by storms in July. — August, cold and cloudy (Times). Height of flood in the Thames at Clifton Hampden, 5 ft. II in. (/ C. C, in Ag. Gaz.). ( 328 ) April 21. Ground covered with snow two or three in., followed by a rough strong week ; then fine (7! H. B."). July and August, 1-3° above average temperature (^Times). August 2 . Severe thunder ( Whistlecrafi). Severe gale, with thunder and lightning, January 4th. — 4th of March, aurora borealis. Great thunderstorms the last week in April, first week in May, 17 th, i8th, and 19th June, and 25th and 26th July. Wettest and coldest May for many years. Ice on 12 th. Rainfall at Bridport, 44*04 in. January, 5-92 in. February, 2-53 in. March, 3'oo in. April, 2'i8 in. May, i"88 in. June, 4'i2 in. July, 3"93 in. August, i'i6 in. September, 176 in. October, 676 in. No- vember, 576 in. December, 5 "04 in. At Cirencester, 4079 in. January, 5*04 in. February, 2 '8 7 in. March, 2*54 in. April, 2*37 in. May, 2*09 in. June, 3'45 in. July, 4"65 in. August, 2-27 in. Septem- ber, 3 '05 in. October, 3 '65 in. November, 4'82 in. December, 4*04 in. December 8. Great gale, doing considerable damage {Synions' Mag.). February 4. Aurora. January 24. Barometer, 2 8 "3 3 2 {Symons). At Upwey, 28"i35; at Clifton, 28-18; at Evesham, 28-179. Wettest spring for many years, rainfall of first five months near Maidstone, 13-85 in., except 1869, when rainfall was 14-21 in. (^Robsoti). Rainfall at Hull, 36-51 in. on 221 days {H. Smith). Rainfall at Marlborough, 42-09 in. on 220 days. January, 6-84 in. February, 2-64 in. March, 2-40 in. April, 2-01 in. May, 2-32 in. June, 3-41 in. July, 2-64 in. August, 2-33 in. September, 1-09 in. October, 5-66 in. November, 5-23 in. December, 5-52 in. {Freston). ( 329 ) 1873 Wheat, 58^. id. per qr. ; ^barley, 40s. ^d. ; oats, 25 J. 5^. (^Official Returns). Value of ;£ioo tithe rent charge, ;£iio 15^. \o\d. {^Official Returns). Seven years' average : Wheat, 55^. 2d.; barley, 38^. 2d. ; oats, 2 5 J. {Official Returns). Wool, i9d. ; oats, 25.?. 8^. {Official Returns). Wool, isf^. per lb. {T. H. B.). Beef and mutton, ^\d. per lb. {T. H. B.). Off-going ewes made 48J. 6d. and 43^^. ; lambs, 405. {T. H. B.). At Devizes October Fair, ewes, 40^^. to 56^-; lambs, 20J. to 35^. {Newspaper). Let cows at £,12 per cow {T. H. B.). Began mowing clover June 7 ; finished haymaking July II. Began harvest August 10; finished September II {T. H.B.). January was mild and frosty alternately. Corn trade bad. Wheat, 60 lb. per bushel, worth 40^^. per qr. ; (• 334 ) medium barley, 30^'. ; oats, 2^5. per qr. To middle of February, slight frosts, then continual rain till middle of March. This was a rough wet month, and but little sowing done. Ewes and lambs do very bad owing to the inclement weather, and the hay having been made so bad in 1875, sheep were very poor and weak this spring, many lambs died ; in some flocks not more than 50 per cent, reared. — April set in hot and summerlike till loth, then cold rain, and nth to 14th cold snowstorms, ground covered every day, but gone before night. Sharp frost 14th. Half of the barley not sown by the middle of month. Finished barley sowing. May 9. Very dry May till 24th. — June was a fine haymaking month, but some showers. — July very hot. Good crop of corn and fine harvest. Fine autumn (T. H. B.). Under average crop of wheat in quantity, but quality fine. The crop defective owing to an unprecedentedly bad seed time, and excessive wet and cold in spring and early summer. Ears imperfectly filled from late frosts ( Times). Very cold spring. Hot and dry summer. Swedes, fair crop. Turnips, bad (J! If. £.). July and August, 3 "6° above average temperature ( Times). August 14. Therrhometer, 90° ( Whistlecraft). Excessive rainfall in December. The year ended with terrific gales and heavy rain. A rough wet month {T. H. B.). March 12. Heavy snowstorm in eastern counties, and again April 13. A meteorite, weighing about 8 lbs., fell in Shropshire; it penetrated the ground to a depth of 18 in., and exploded with a loud noise {Symons' Met. Mag.). Rainfall at Bridport, 40-85 in. January, 1-38 in. Febru- ary, 3-49 in. March, 3-10 in. April, 2-59 in. May, 0-29 in. June, 2'8i in. July, 0-82 in. August, 2-99 in. September, 5-65 in. October, 2-27 in. November, S"94 in. December, 952 in. {Symons' Met. Mag.). ( 335 ) Rainfall at Hull, 3077 in. on 191 days (SmifA). Destructive tornado at Cowes on September 29. December 4. Barometer, 28"28 at Devonport {Newn- ham). July 16. Thermometer, 95'2° at Hereford {Isbell). Thunderstorms, July 16, 24, and again in August. — August 14. Thermometer, 95 "i. Rainfall at Marlborough, 41 "91 in. January, 2*5 1 in. February, 3'ii in. March, 4'2o in. April, 3'4i in. May, o'98 in. June, I'gS in. July, o"88 in. August, 475 in. September, 6'88 in. October, 1-67 in. No- vember, 4-34 in. December, 7 '20 in. It fell on 182 days {Preston). Rainfall at Ryehill, Warminster, 4o"56 in. on 197 days {S.Jeffery5). 1877 Wheat, 56^. 9s. per qr. Heavy rainfall in April after nth, amount- ing to over 5 in. — 29th. Terrific gale from N.W., which blew down great quantities of trees, and did considerable damage. The foliage did not attain its usual luxuriance during the whole of the succeeding summer, and the apple crop was almost entirely destroyed. — August 23. A gale which knocked about the corn a good deal. — May. Partial storms the first week, then dry, with blinding east winds, till 23rd, when storms again. Fine last few days. Barometer higher in January than ever recorded, up to 30-987. — June was wet from 3rd to 14th, and very cold ( 34; ) at times ; white frosts 14th, i6th, 17th. Fine haymaking weather i6th and 17 th. A very catching time for the hay after, yet there was a quantity made well. — 26th. Thunder. — July was a wet cold month. Torrents of rain on St. Swithin's Day. The meadow hay in our dairy districts a heavy crop, but made badly. Hasty storms, with thunder and hail, 24th. Turnips a good plant, and doing well. August was fine till 12 th, when there was very vivid lightning in the even, but little rain. It had been hot two or three days previous. Cut winter barley, 3rd ; and peas about same time, the latter a very poor crop, having gone off prematurely ripe. Began reaping wheat August 15. Finished carrying barley September 19. A very catching time for the wheat harvest, yet most of it was put together in sound condition, although not fit to thrash at once. A lunar rainbow seen at Bristol on September 2nd. Clover very high in the barley, which was broken down by the wind on August 23 ; on the chalk hills it was the thinnest sample and the worst crop grown for years, except in 1879. A fortnight of fine weather set in 6th September, during which time there were heavy dews and some, very white frosts in the valleys, but not a drop of rain here, although thunderstorms went .round us 12th and 13th. Hail accompanied ' them on 12th. On 19th, rain came on soon after midday from the north-east, and continued with little intermission till next morning, when I registered '97 in. ; then a few fine days to clear up the late harvest, after which it was showery again. Finished harvest September 26. October was excessively wet. — 15th. Rain from the . east, and lasted till 17th; i'26 in. registered on 16th. — On 24th. A terrible downpour of r -40 in. fell before 9 a.m., causing the deepest flood known in memory of man and doing considerable damage. — November 17. .Aurora borealis and a meteor. ( 348 ) December 6. A fall of snow ; very deep in some parts of England. Winterly weather till 12th; then a thaw and mild weather to end of year. Rainfall at Mere Down. January, r66 in. February, I'gS in. March, 173 in. April, 5-41 in. May, 2*28 in. June, 4-27 in. July, 5-62 in. August, 2-48 in. Septem- ber, 3-68 in. October, 679 in. November, 4-61 in. December, 4-50 in. Total for the year, 45'oi in. (T. H. B.) Rainfall at Ryehill, near Warminster, 43 "04 in. (6'. Jeffisrys). The wettest year for 30 years. Average yield of wheat in western and south-western counties, 23 bushels per acre ; barley, 29 bushels ; oats, 38 bushels. In eastern counties: Wheat, 28-4; barley, 34'8 ; oats, 51 '8 bushels (^Craigie). This autumn was so wet that in many districts no wheat was sown, and a small breadth throughout the country, estimated at f the usual quantity. Some corn not harvested ip late districts, and little clover seed was ever secured (71 I£. B). 1883 Wheat Value of ;£'ioo tithe rent charge, ;£^ioo 4^^. 9|, i- 1 !! f* 1 1 1 •»3 "S 1 2 .9 1 I t 00 ■3 ' §■ 1 1 1 to 1 > ^ 1 1 1 -> o rod d ■s' jI ■&» " V r IS. 1 1 1 1 c ^ 2°; ?°. 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