debt or to keepe few seruasits or noÌ„â—… except it be one Prentize or two And therefore the Journeymen what of our occupations and what of Clothyers and all other occupations being forced to be without worke are y â— most parte of these rude people that maketh these vprores abrode to the great 〈◊〉 not onely of the Queenes highnes but also of hir people And neede as yee knowe hath no booty MarchauÌ„t It is true yee knowe likewise what other notable acts men of myne occupation haue done in this City Before this yee know the hospitall at the townâ—…s ende wherein the freemen decaâ—…ed are releaued how it was founded not longe 〈◊〉 by one of our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereby y â— the â—…y should be much releaued which then was in some decay and yet it decayeth still euery day more and more whereof it should be longe I caâ—…ot well tell Knight â—…yr as I knowe it is true that yee complayne not â—…out cauâ—…e so it is as true that I and my sorte I meane aâ—… Gentlemen haue as great yea and 〈◊〉 greater cause to complayne then any of you haue for as I sayd now that the pryâ—…es of thinges arâ—… so rysen of all handes you may better lyne after your degree then we for you may and do rayse the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 waâ—…s as the priâ—…es of â—…tayles other your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 cannot we so much for though 〈◊〉 bee true that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as coâ—…e to our handes â—…ther 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by â—…mination and ending of such terâ—…es of yeares or othâ—… 〈◊〉 that For mine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I â—…oe either 〈◊〉 a better 〈◊〉 than of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 the renâ—… thereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereto for 〈◊〉 â—…arge of â—…y â—…holde that is so encreased ouer that it was yet in all my lyfe tyme I looke not that the thyrd parte of my land shall come to my disposition that I may enhaunce the rent of y â— same but it shalbe in mens holding either by leases or by copy graunted before my time and still continuing and yet lyke to continue in the same state for the most part during my lyfe and percase my Sonnes so as we cannot rayse all our wares as you may yours and as me thinketh it were reason we did and by reason that we cannot so many of vs as yee know that haue departed out of y â— couÌ„trey of late haue bene driuen to geue ouer our housholds and to kepe either a chamber in London or to wayte on the Court vncalled with a man and a Lackey after him where he was wonte to keepe halfe a score of cleane men in his house xx or xxiiii other persons besides euery day in the weeke and such of vs as doe â—…yde in the countrey still â—…not 〈◊〉 two hundreth a yeare kepe that house that we might haue done with CC. markes but 〈◊〉 yeares past And 〈◊〉 we are forced either to minishe the third part of our housholde or to raise the third part of our reuenewes and for that we cannot so doe of our owne landes that is already in the hands of other men many of vs are enforced either to keepe peeces of our owne Landes when they fall in our owne possession or to purchase some Farme of other mens landes and to store it with sheepe or some other cattell to help to make vp y â— decay of our 〈◊〉 and to mainetayne our olde eâ—…ate withall and yet all is litle ynough Husband Yea those sheepe is the cause of all these 〈◊〉 for they haue driuen husâ—… out of the coâ—…trey by y â— which was increased before all kinde of 〈◊〉 now all together sheepe sheepe sheepe It was farre better when there were not only sheÌ„epe ynough but also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 swyne Pig Goose Cayon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cheese yea and â—…de 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 corne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reared all â—…ogether vpon the same lande Doctor Then the Doctor y â— had leaned on his Elbowe all thâ—… while musing sat vp and sayd I perceaue by you all three that there is none of you but haue iuâ—… cause to complaine Capper No by my troth except it be you men of y â— church which trauaile nothing for your lyuinge and yet haue ynough Doctor Yee say troth in deede we haue least cause to coÌ„pâ—…ne yet yee know well we be not so pleÌ„tious as we haue bâ—…ne the first fruits tenthes are deducted of our liuings yet of the rest we might liue wel ynough if we might haue quietnes of minde conscience withall And albeit we labour not much with our bodies as yee say yet yee know we labour w t out mindes more to y â— weaking of y â— same then by any other bodily exercise we should do as yee may wel per ceiue by our câ—…plexions how wan our colour is how faint and sikely be our bodyes all for lacke of bodily exercise Capper Mary I woulde if I were of y â— Queenes counsell prouide for you well a fine so as you should neede takeâ—… no disease for lacke of exercise I woulde set you to the Plough and Carte for the deuill a whit of good 〈◊〉 doe with your studies but set meÌ„ together by the Eares some with this opinion some with that some holding this way some an other and y â— so stifly as though the troth must be as they say that haue y â— vpper hand in coÌ„tencion this contencion is not also y â— least cause of former vprores of y â— people some holding of y â— one learning some of y â— other In my minde it made no matter though we had no learned men at all Knight God forbid neighbour that it should be so how should the Prynce haue 〈◊〉 then how should we haue christian religion taught vs how should we know y â— estates of otâ—…er realmes haue coÌ„ference w t them of al couÌ„tryes except it were through learning by y â— beneâ—…t of Letters Doctor Care not therefore goodmaÌ„ capper yee shall haue few ynoungh of learned men â—…in a while if this world hold on Capper I meane not but I would haue men to learne to wryte reade yea to learne y â— laÌ„guages vsed in couÌ„tries about vs y â— we might write our minds to theÌ„ they to vs yea and y â— wee might reade y â— holy scriptures in our mother tongue as for your preaching except yee a gree better it made no matter howe litle wee had of it for of dyuersity thereof cometh these diuersities of opinions Doctor Then yes care for no other sciences at all but the knowledge of tongues and to wryte reade and so it appeares well that yee be not alone of that mynde for nowe a dayes when men sendes their sonnes to y â— Uniuersities they suffer theÌ„ no longer to tary there theÌ„ they may haue a litle of the latin tongue then
that was ignoraunt in Geomatry and to this high schoole of Dyuinity hee that knoweth not his Grammer much lesse any other science shall be admitted at the â—…irst I say not to learne for that might be suffered but to iudge and there commeth in the thinge that the same Plato sayeth to bee an onely cause sufficient to ouer throwe a whole Common weale where it is vsed that is when they take on them the iudgment of things to whom it doth not apertayne as youth of thinges belonginge to olde men children ouer their fathers seruaunts ouer their maisters and priuate men ouer their Maiestrates what Ship can bee longe sause from wracke where euery man will take vpon him to bee a Pylate what house well gouerned where euery seruaunt will be a maister and a teacher I speake thus much of the commendation of learning not onely because I heard my friend heere the Capper set litle by learninge but also that I see many nowe a dayes of his Opinion which care nothinge for any other knowledge but â—…nely that they may wryte and reade and learne y â— tongues whom I can resemble well to thoâ—…e men that esteemeth more the Baâ—…ke than the Tree the Shale more then the â—…yrnell wherefore they seeme to take the bright Suâ—…e from y â— Earth that would take away learning from vs for the same is no more necessary for the increase of all thinges on earth then is â—…earninge for the increase of Ciuility Wisedome and Policy amonge men And asmuch as reasonable men doth excell all other creatures by y â— gyft of Reason so much excelleth a learned man any other through the polishing and adorning of Reason by these Scyences Knight Of my fayth I am glad it was my chaunce to haue you in â—…y company at this time for of a wise man a man may alwayes learne But mee thought yee sayde lately to my neighbour the Capper that wee should haue learned men few ynough within a while if y â— world did continue What ment yee thereby and what should be y â— cause thereof Doctor I shewed you all ready one great cause of the same that was where I shewed you that most men were of that opinion that they thought learning ynough to write reade another cause is y â— they see no preferment ordered for learned men nor yet any honour or estimation geuen them like as hath vene in time past But rather the contrary y â— more learned the more troubles losses vexations they come vnto Knight God forbid Howe so Doctor Mary haue you not seene how many learned men haue bene put to trouble of late within this xx or xxx yeares all for declaring their opinions in thinges that haue rysen in controuersie haue you not knowne when one Opinion hath bene sâ—…â—…orth and who so euer sayd against that were put to trouble and shortly after when the contrary opinion was furthered and set forth were not the other that prospered before put to trouble for saying their minds against this latter opinion and so neither of both parties escaped but eyther first or last hee came to bee hit of whether side soeuer he were except it were some wetherwise fellows that coulde chaunge their opinions as y â— more stronger part did chaunge theirs and what were they that came to these troubles the singularest fellowes of both parties for there came no other to the concertacion of these things but such who seeing in steede of honour and preferment dishonour and hinderaunce recompenced for a reward of learning wil any either put his childe to that science that may bring him no better fruite than this or what scholer shall haue any courrage to study to come to that ende the rarity of scholers and solitude of the Uniuersities doe declare this to be truer then any man w t speach can declare Marchaunt Then I perceaue euery man â—…deth himselfe greeued at this time no man goeth cleare as farre as I can perceaue The Gentleman that he cannot lyue on his Landes onely as his father did before the Artifficers cannot set so many a worke by reason all maner of victayle is so deere the Husbandman by reason his Lande is deerer rented then before then we that be Marchaunts pay much deerer for euery thing that commeth ouer sea which great derth I speake in coÌ„parison of former times hath ben alwayes in a maner at a stay euer after that basenesse of our Englishe Coyne which happened in the later yeares of Kyng Henry the eyght Doctor I doubt not but if any sorte of men haue licked themselues whole yee be the same for what oddes so euer there happen to bee in exchaunge of things yee that bee Marchaunts can espy it straight for example because yee touched somewhat of y â— Coyne as loone as euer yee perceiue the price of that enhaunsed yee by and by what was to bee wonne therein beyonde sea raked all the olde Coyne for y â— most parte in the Realme and founde the meanes to haue it caryed ouer so as litle was lefte behinde within this Realme of such olde Coyne in a very shorte space which in my Opynion is a great cause of this dearth y â— hath bene since of all things Knight How can y â— be what maketh it to the matter what sorte of Coyne we haue among our selues so it be currant from one hand to another yea if it were made of Leather Doctor Yea so men commonly say but the truth is contrary as not onely I coulde proue by common reason but also y â— proofe experience hath already declared the same but nowe we doe not reason of the causes of these griefes but what states of men bee grieued in deede by this dearth of things and albeit I heare euery man sinde 〈◊〉 selfe grieued by it in one thinge or other yet considering y â— as many of them as haue wares to sell voe enhaunse as much in y â— pryce of thinges that they sell as was enhaunsed before in the prices of things that they must buy as the MarchauÌ„t if he buy deere hee will sell deere agaâ—… so these Artiâ—…cers as Cappers 〈◊〉 â—…homakers and Faâ—…mers haue respect large ynough in sâ—…ge their wares to the price of vâ—…tayle â—…ooll Iron which they buy I haue seene a Cap for xiiii peÌ„ce as good as I can get now for it shillings sixe pence of cloth yee haue heard how the price is rysen Now a payre of shooes cost twelue pence yet in my time I haue bought a better for sixe peÌ„ce Now I can get neuer a horse shooed vnder ten pence or twelue pence where I haue alsâ—…ne the coÌ„mon pryce was sixe pence I cannot therefore vnderstande that these men haue greatest griefe by this common and vniuersall dearth but rather such as haue their Lyuinges and Stypendes rated at a certaynty as common Laborers at eight pence a day I ourneymen of
by â—…ason hereof wee payed dearer presently for euery thing that we haue from beyonde the Sea then wee were wont to doe before Knight That cannot be denyed Doctor By howe much thinke you Knight By the thirde parte well in all maner of thinges Doctor Must not they that buy deare sell deare agayne theyr wares Knight â—…hat is true if they intend to thriue for he that selleth good cheape buyeth deare shall neuer thriue Doctor Yee haue your selfe declared the reason why things â—…in the Realme proued after that time so dâ—…aie for we must buy deare all things bought from beyond the sea therefore wee must sell agayne as deare our thinges or els wee make ill bargaynes for our selues And though that reason maketh it plaine yet the experience of y â— thing maketh it playner for where yee say that euery thinge bought beyond the sea is commonly dearer by the third parte then it was doe yee not see y â— same proportion reised in our wares if it be not more Knight What losse haue wee by this when wâ—…e sell ouâ—… commodities as â—…eare as we buy others Doctor I graunte to one sorte of men I accompt it no losse yea to some other a Gaine more then any losse and yet to some other sorte a greater losse theÌ„ it is proâ—… to y â— other yea generally to the vtter empouerishing of the realme and weaking of the Queenes maiesâ—…es power exceedingly Knight I pray you what be those sortes that ye meane And first of those that ye thinke should haue no losse hereby Doctor I meane all these that liues by buying and selling for as they buy deare they sell thereafter Knight What is the next sorte that ye say would win by it Doctor Mary all such as haue takâ—…es or â—…earmes in their owne manurance at the olde rent for where they pay after the olde rate they sell after the newe that is they pay for theyr lande good cheape and sell all things growing therof deare Knight What sorte is that which yee sayde should haue greater losse hereby then these men had profit Doctor It is all Noble men Gentlemen and all other that lyue either by a â—…ented rent or 〈◊〉 or doe not Mannure the grouÌ„d or doe occupy no buying or selling Knight I pray you peruse these sortes as ye did the other one by one and by course Doctor I will gladly first the Noble men and Gentlemen liue for the most parte on the yerely reuenues of their lands and fees geuen them of the Prince Then ye know he that may spende now by such reuenues and fees CCC li. a yere may not keepe no better port then his father or any other before him that coulde spend but nigh CC. li. and so ye may perâ—…eiue it is a great abatement of a mans countenaunce to taâ—…e away the thirde parte of his liuing and therefore geÌ„tlemen do â—…udy so much the inerease of theyr Landes and enhaunsing of theire rentes and to take Fearmes and Pastures to their owne handes as yee see they doe and all to seeke to mainteine their 〈◊〉 as their predecessors did and yet they came shorte there in Some other seeing the charges of householde encrease so much as by no prouision they can make it can be holpen geue ouer theyr householdes and get them chambers in London or aboute the courte and there spende their time some of them with a seruaâ—…t or two where he was wont to keepe thirty or forty persons daily in his house and to doe good in the Countrey in keeping good order and rule among his neighbors The other sorte be euen Seruingmen and men of Warre that hauing but their olde stented wages cannot finde theÌ„selues therewith as they might afore time without rauin or spoile As ye know xii d. a day now will not go so far as viii pence would afore time And there fore yee haue men so euill willing to serue the Prâ—…e now a daies from y â— they were wont to bee Also where xl shillinges a yere was honest wages for a yeoman afore this time and xx pence a weeke borde wages was sufficient now double as much will skante beare their charge Knight That is longe of theyr excesse aswell in apparell as in fare for now a dayes Seruingmen go more costely in apparell and looke to fare more deintely then their maisters were wont to do in times past Doctor No doubt that is one great cause of the greater charge of householde For I know when a Seruing man was coÌ„tent to go in a Kendall coate in Sommer and a frise cote in winter and with a plaine white hose made meete for his body And with a piece of biefe or some other dishe of sodde meate all the weeke longe Now he will looke to haue at the least for sommer a coate of the finest cloth that may bee gotten for money and his â—…osen of the finest Kersey and that of some straunge die as Flaunders die or french puke that a Prince or great Lord can weare no finer if he weare cloth Then their coates shalbe garded cut and stitched and the breches of their hose so drawen with silke that y â— workmanship shall farre passe the price of the 〈◊〉 And this thing is not restrained as it should be but rather cherished of the maisters one striuing with the other who may bee most proude and whose retinue may go most lauish gay for a time of showe whereas through such excesse they are fayne all the rest of the yere to keepe the fewer seruauntes And so in excesse of meates they fare at some times in the yeare that in the whole yeare after they keepe either no houses at all or if they do it shall be very small like excesses aswell in apparell as in fare were vsed in Rome a litle before the declination of the Empyre 〈◊〉 as wise men haue thought it was occasion 〈◊〉 the decay thereof And therefore Cato and diuerse wise senatours at that time would haue had lawes made for restrainte of such excesses and for that through the insoleâ—…ie of some that maintained the contrary y ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not duly executed muchpride ensued there and of pride diuâ—…tand through deuision vtter desolation of the coÌ„mon weale I pray God this realme may beware by that example specially London the head of this empire where such 〈◊〉 by reasoÌ„ the wealth al most of al this Realme is â—…aped there 〈◊〉 as the corne of a Fielde into a â—…rne be most vsed for in other parties commonly of thys realme the lawe of necessitie keepes men in good case for exceding either in apparel or fare I thinke wee were as much dread or more of our enemies when our gentlemen went simply and our Seruingmen plainely without cuts or gards bearing theyr heauy Swordes and Buckelers on their thigâ—…es in sted of cuts and gardes and light daunsing Swordes and when they rode carying good Speares in their 〈◊〉 in â—…ede
forthwith for that is proper to the principall cause that as soone as it is taken awaythe effect is remoued also Yet I confesse all these things rayseth together with this dearth that euery of them should sceme to be the cause of it neuerthelesse that is no good proofe that they should bee the causes of it no more then was the steeple made at Douer the cause of the decay of the Hauen of Douer because the Hauen began to decay the same time that the Steeple began to be builded nor yet though some of these because of the other in deede yet they be not all the efficient causes of this dearth But as I haue sayd before of men thrusting one another in a thronge one dryuing another and but one first of all that was the chiefe cause of that force So in this matter that we talke of there is some one thing that is the oryginall cause of these causes that be as it were secondary and makes them to be the causes of other as I take y â— reising of al prises oâ—… victauls at y â— husbandmans hand is cause of the reysing of y â— rent of his land And y â— Gentlemen fall so much to take â—…earmes to theyr hands least they bee driuen to buy theyr prouision to deare that is a great cause againe that Inclosure is the more vsed For Gentlemen hauynge much land in their hand and not being able to weild all and see it manured in husbandry which requyreth the industry labourr and gouernaunce of a greate many of persons doe conuerte moste of that Lande to Pasâ—…ures wherein is requyred both lesse charge of Persons and of the which â—…euerthelesse commeth more cleare gaines Thus one thynge hanges vpon another and sets forward one another but one fyrst of all is y â— chiâ—…fe cause of all this circuler motion impulsion I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hile that y â— chiefe cause was nâ—…t in the hâ—…andman nor yet in y ◠〈◊〉 Let vs 〈◊〉 whether it were in the marchaunt man It appeares by reason that all wares bought of him are dearer now fare theÌ„ they wâ—…re wont to be the husbandman is dryuen to 〈◊〉 his coÌ„mo dities deareâ—… now y t the matter is brought to mais er â—…ar chaunt how can ye anoyd the cause from being in you Marchaunt Sir easly ynough for as wee sell nowe dearer all things then wee were wont to do So wee buy dearer all thinges of straungers and therefore let them put the matter from vs for we disburden our selues of this fault Doctor And they be not here to make aunswere if they were I would aske them why they sell their wares dearer nowe then they were wont to doe Marchaunt Mary and to that I hearde many of them aunswere er this when they were asked that question two maner of wayes One was they selled in deede no dearer then they were wont to do saying for proofe there of that they woulde take for theyr commodities as much and no more of our coÌ„modities then they were wont to do As for our tod of woll they would gieue asmuch Wine Spice or Silke as they were wont to geue for so much Yea for an ounce of our siluer or golde as much stuffe as euer was geuen for y â— same and their other aunswere was y t if we reckened they did sell their wares dearer because they demaunded moe pieces of our coyne for the same then they were wont to do that was not their fault they saide but oures that made our pieces lesse or lesse worth then they were in tymes past Therefore they demaunded the moe pieces of them for their Wares saying they caried not what names wee woulde gieue our coynes they would consider y â— quantitie right value of it that they were esteemed at euery where through y â— world Knight Then I would haue answered theÌ„ there of this sort If they came hether but for our commodities what made it y â— matter to them what quantity or value our coyne were If so they might haue as much of our commodities for y â— same as they were wont to do If they came againe for our siluer and golde It was neuer lawfull nor yet is expedient they should haue any from vs. Wherefore I would thinke that was no cause why they should sell theyr wares dearer then they were wonte to doe Doctor Then he might haue aunswered againe â—…hat it chaunsed not all wayes together that when they had wares whych we wanted we had againe al those wares y â— they looked for And therefore they hauinge percase more wares necessarie for vs then we had of such wares as they looked for would be glad to receiue of vs such stuffe currant in most places as might buy that they looked for elsewhere at their pleasure And that they will say was not our coyne And as for our lawes of not transporting ouer sea any gold or siluer they passed not thereof so they mighte haue the same ones conueyed theÌ„ As they had many waies to haue it so which I haue before remembred Finally hee might say that wee had not in deede our coyne in that estate our selues that by the name they pretended but esteemed both the value quaÌ„tity of the stuffe it was made of For if they had brought vnto vs halfe an owne of siluer wee would not take it for an ownce nor if they brought vs brasse mingled with Siluer we would not take it for pure Sâ—…luer and if wee would not take it so at theyr handes why shoulde they take it otherwise at ours Then they saw no man heere but woulde rather haue a cup of siluer theÌ„ of brasse no not the maister of our miâ—…ts though they woulde otherwise perswade the one to be as good as the other Wherefore seing vs esteeme the one in deede better then the other as all the world doth beside why should they not esteeme our coine after y â— quantity and value of the substaunce thereof both after the rate it was esteemed amonge vs also euery other where And so as in moe pieces now there is but the value that was in fewer pieces afore therefore they demaunded greater number of pieces but â—…et the like value in substaunce that they were wont to demauÌ„d for their wares Now let vs see whether now goeth the cause of this matter from the straungers For me thinkes he hath resonably excused himselfe put it from him Knight By your tale it must bee in the coine and 〈◊〉 in the â—…ynges highnes by whose 〈◊〉 y t same was altered Doctor Yea percase it goes further yet yea to such as were the first counsaâ—…lours of that deede pretending it should bee to his highâ—…es greate and notable commoditye which if his grace mought haue perceiued to haue ben but a momeÌ„tain profit and contâ—…all losse both to his highnes and also hys whole Râ—…alme He with his people might haue ben easely reuoked againe from the
〈◊〉 mee thought I coulde noâ—… apply my study to a better and theâ—… to publish make relation of such matters as I haue heard throughly disputed herein First what thingee men are most grieued with than what should 〈◊〉 the occasion of the same And that knowne how such 〈◊〉 may bee taken away and the state of the Common weale reformed agayne And albeit yee might well â—…ay that there be men of greater wittes then I that haue that matter in charge yet Fooles as the Prouerbe is sometimes speake to the purpose and as many heads so many wittes and therefore Prynces though they bee neuer so wyse themselues as our most excellent Prynce is yet the wiser that they be the moe counsellers they wil haue as our noble and gratious Queene doth daily make choyse of more for that that one cannot perceaue another doth discouer the giftes of wits be so diuerse that some excelles in Memory some in Inuention some in JudgemeÌ„t some at 〈◊〉 first sight ready some after long consideratioÌ„ though each of these by them selues do not â—…euerally make perâ—…t the matter yet when euery maÌ„ bryngs in his gyfte a meane witted man may of all these the best of euery mans deuise being gathered together make as it were a pleasaunt and perfect Garlonde to adorne and â—…cke hys head with all Therefore I would not onely haue learned men whose Iudgementes I would wyshe to be 〈◊〉 â—…steemed herein but also Marchaunt men Husbandmen Artificers which in their callinges are taken wyse freely suffered yâ—…a and 〈◊〉 to tell their Aduyses in this matter For some 〈◊〉 in their feates they may disclose that the wysest in a Realme cannot vnfoulde againe And it is a maxime or a thinge receyued as an infaylible verity among all men that euery man is to be credited in that Arte that he is most exercysed in For did not Apelles that excellent Paynter consider y â— whan he layde forth his fyne Image of Venus to be seene of euery man y â— past by to the intent he hearing euery mans iudgement in his owne Arte might alwayes amend that was a mysse in his worke whose Censures he allowed so longe as they kept them within their owne Faculties and tooke not vppon them to meddle w t an other mans Arte so percase I may be aunswered as he was yet I refuse not that if I passe my compasse but for as much as most of this matter coÌ„tayneth Pollicy or good gouermnent of a coâ—…onweale being a Member of Philosophy morale wherein I haue somewhat studyed I shall bee so bolde with my countreymen who I doubt not will construe-euery thinge to the best as to vtter my poore and sâ—…mple coÌ„teipt herein which I haue gathered out of the talke of diuerse and sundry notable men that I haue heaâ—… de reason on this matter and though I should herein percase moue some thinges that were openlye not to bee touched as in such cases of disceptacion is requisite yet hauinge respect to what 〈◊〉 they bee spoken I trust they can offend no man for harde were it to heale a soare that a man woulde not haue opened to his Physition nor yet a surfâ—… that a man woulde not declare the occasion thereof Therefore now to goe to the matter vppon 〈◊〉 of your good acceptation that kinde of reasoning seemeth to 〈◊〉 best for boultinge â—…ut of the truth which is vsed by waye of Dialogues or colloquyes where reasons where made â—…oo and froe as well for the matter intended as against it I thought best to take that way in the discourse of this matter which is first in recounting the common and vâ—…niuersall grieues y â— men complayne on now a dayes secondly in boulting oute the verye causes and occasions of them thirdlye and finally in deuising of remedies for al the same Therefore I will declare vnto you what coÌ„munication a Knight had betweene him certayne other persons of late about this matter which because it happened betwene such persons as were Members of euery state y t finde themselues grieued now a dayes I thoughte it not meete to bee forgotten to let you vnderstand that y â— persons were these A knight as I sayde first a Marchaunt man a Doctor a HusbaÌ„d man and Craftes man And first the Knight rehearsed y â— communication in this manner ensuing THE FIRST DIALOGVE Knight AFter I and my Fellowes the Justices of peace of this 〈◊〉 had the other day declared the Quenâ—…s highnes coâ—…ission touching diuers matters geuen the charge to 〈◊〉 I â—…eing doth weary of the heate of the people 〈◊〉 of the same thought to 〈◊〉 to â—… friendes house of myne in the towne which selles Wyne to the intent 〈◊〉 eate a â—…orsell of meate for I was then fasting taking with me an honest husbandmaÌ„ whoâ—… for his honesty and good discretion I loued very wel whether as we were coâ—…e had but â—…kant sit downe 〈◊〉 â—… close Parloure there comes me in a Marchaunte man of that câ—…ty a man of estimation and substaunce and requires the sayd Husbandman to goe and dyne with him â—…ay quoth I â—…e will not I trust nowforsake my company though he should fare better with you MarchauÌ„t Than quoth the marchaunt man I will send home for a paâ—…y of â—…enison that I haue there for a friend of mine and a neighbor that I had bid to dinner and we shalbe so bolde as to make merry withall heere in your company as for my guest hee is no straunger vnto you neyther And therefore both he of youres you of his company I trust wilbe the gladder Knight Who is it Marchaunt Doctor Pandotheus Knight Is he so on my fayth he shalbe heartely welcome for of hiâ—… we shaâ—… haue some good communication aâ—…d wise for he is noted a learned and a wise man And immediately y â— Marchaunt sendes for him and he comes vnto vs bryngeth wyth him an honest man a Capper of the same towne who came to speake with the sayd Marchaunt than after salutations had as yee knowe the maner is betweene me and maister 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which had bene long before 〈◊〉 vs we sat all downe 〈◊〉 when we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of out stomackes Doctor On my â—…ayth quoth the Doctor to me yee make much adoe you that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Countrey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in causing poore men to appeare before you and leauing theyr husbandry vnlookte to at 〈◊〉 Knight Surely it is so Yet the prince must â—…e serued and y â— coÌ„monweale for God and y â— prince haue not sent vs the poore 〈◊〉 that we haue but 〈◊〉 seruice therefore abrode amonges our Neyghbours Doctor It is well if yee take it so for nature hath graffed that perswasion in you and all other thâ—…t followes the cleare light of Nature As learned men haue remeÌ„bred saying we be not borne onely to
our selues but partely to the vse of ouâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of our Kinsfolkes and partly of our Friendes and Neyghboures and therefore all good vertues are graffed in vs naturally whose effects be to doe good to other wherein we shewe forth the Image of God in Man whose property is euer to doe good to other and to distribute his goodnesse abrode lyke no Nygarde nor enuyous of any other creatures As they reseÌ„ble nothing of that godly Image so they study no commoÌ„ vtility of other but onely the conseruation of them selues and propagation of their owne kynde Wherefore if we looke to be reckned most vnlyke them being most vyle and lykest to God being â—…ost excellent let vs 〈◊〉 to doe good to other not preferring the ease of this Carkasse which is like the Brute beastes but rather the vertues of y â— minde whereâ—… we be lyke God him selfe Husband Then sayd y â— Husbandman for all your paynes meaning by me all oures also I would yee â—…ad neuer worse Commissions in hande than this is So we had lost more 〈◊〉 workes at our 〈◊〉 than this Knight Why so Husband Mary for these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vs â—…ll for they make vs to pay dearer for our lande that we occupy causes that we can haue no lande in manner for our money to put to Tyllaâ—… all is taken vp for 〈◊〉 for Pasture eyther for 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Cattell in so much that I haue knowne of late â—… 〈◊〉 plougheâ—… within lesse compasse than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about mee layde downe within this seneÌ„ yeares and where threescore persons or vpward had â—…eir liuings now one man with his Cattell hath all which thinge is not the 〈◊〉 cause of former 〈◊〉 for by these Inclosures many doe lacke â—…uings and be 〈◊〉 therefore for â—…ery necessity they are desiroâ—…s of a chaunge being in hope to come thereby to somewhat and well assured that howe so euer it befall with them it can bee no harder with them than it was before more ouer all 〈◊〉 are so deere that by their day wages they are not able to lyue Capper I haue well y â— experience thereof for I am â—…aine to geue my Iourneimen two pence in a day more than I was 〈◊〉 to doe and yet they say they cannot sufficiently liue thereon And I know for truth that the best husbande of them can saue but litle at the yeares ende and by reason of such derth as yee speake of we that are Artificers are able to keepe but fewe or no Prentizes like as wee were wont to doe and therefore Cityes which were herâ—…tofore well inhabyted and wealthy as yee know euery one of you are now for lacke of occupiers fallen to great pouerty and desolation Marchaunt So be the most parte of all y â— townes of England London 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and noâ—… only the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 decayed in their Howses Walles Streates and other buildings but also the countrey in their high wayes Brydgés for such pouerty raygneth euery where that few men haue so much to spare as they may geue any thing to y â— reparation of such wayes brydges and other coÌ„mmon easements and 〈◊〉 there be many things layde downe now which before time were occasions of much expences as Maygames Wakes Reuels wages at shootinge wrestling running and throwing the stone or barre besides that Pardons Pylgrimages Offrings and many such other thinges yet I perceyue we bee neuer the wealthyer but rather poorer whereof it is long I cannot well tell for ther is such a general dearth of al things as before xx or xxx yeares hath not â—…ene the like not onely of things growing within this Realme but also of all other Marchaundize that we buy from beyond the Sea as Sylkes Wynes Oyles Woode Madder Yron Steele Waxe â—…lare â—…ymencloth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Couerlets Carpets and all â—…earfes Tapestry Spyces of all sort and al â—…aberdasher ware as â—…ayer both white browne Glasses aswell drinckinge and looking as for glasinge of Windowes 〈◊〉 Needles Kniues Daggers â—…ats Cappes Broches Buttons and Laces I wot well all these doe cost nowe more by the thyrde parte than they did but fewe yeares agoe than all kinde of Uittayle are as deere or deerer agayne no cause of Gods part thereof as farre as I can perceaue for I neuer sawe more pleÌ„ty of Corne grasse and Cattell of all sorte than wee haue at this present haue had as yee know all these twenty yeares passed continually thanked bee our Lorde God if these Inclosures were cause thereof or any other thinge els it were pity but they might be remooued Knight Synce yee haue plenty of all thinges of Corne Cattell as yee say theÌ„ it should not seeme this â—…arth shouâ—… be longe of these Inclosures for it is not for scarcenesse of Corne y â— yee haue this dearth for thanked be God Corne is good cheape and so hath bene these many yeares past coÌ„tinually Than it cannot bee the occasion of the dearth of Cattell for Inclosure is the thing that nourisheth most of any other yet I confesse there is a wonderfull dearth of all things and that doe I and all men of my sorte feele most griefe in which haue no way to sell or occupation to lyue by but onely our landes For you all three I â—…eane yoâ—… my neyghbour the husbandman you maister 〈◊〉 and you goodman Capper 〈◊〉 other Arâ—…rs may saue yóur selues meetely well Forasmuch as all thinges are deerer then they were so much doe you aryse in the pryce of your wares and occupations that yee sell agayne 〈◊〉 ut we 〈◊〉 nothing to sell whereby we might adâ—…ce y ◠〈◊〉 thâ—…of to counterualue those things that we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Husband Yes yee ráyse the price of your 〈◊〉 and yee take Fermes also and pastures to your haÌ„ds which was 〈◊〉 to bee poore mens lyuings such as I am and haue geuen ouer to liue onely vpon your Landes On my soule yee say truth quoth the 〈◊〉 and the Capper also sayd no lesse adding thereto that 〈◊〉 was neuer merry with poore Crafts men since Gentlemen became Grasiers for they cannot now a dayes sayd he finde theyr Prentizes and seruauntes meate and dryncke but it cost them almost double asmuch as did before 〈◊〉 where fore where many of myne occupation and other like heretofore haue dyed rych men and bene able to leaue honestly dehynde them for theyr Wyfe and Children and besides y â— leaue some notable bequestes for some good deede as to 〈◊〉 making of Brydges repayring of highwayes all which thinges goe to wracke now euery where Also some were wont to buy Land eyther for to helpe the poore beginners 〈◊〉 occupations yea some time they had such 〈◊〉 as they could ouer such bequestes leaue another Portion to finde a prysle or to founde a Chauntry in some parishe Church and now we are skant able to liue without
all occupations seruing men to forty shyâ—…ngs a yeare and 〈◊〉 whose landes are set out by them and their Auncestors either for lyues or for terme of yeares so as they cannot enhaunce y â— rents thereof though they would and yet haue the pryce enhaunsed to them of eâ—…ry thing that they buy Yea the Prynce of whom wee speake nothing of all this while as she hath most of yearely Râ—…newes and that certayne so should she haue most losse by this dearth and by the alteration specially of the Coyne for like as a man that hath a great number of serâ—…ts vnder him if he wouâ—…d grasit that thâ—…y should pay him pinnes weekely where before they payde him pence I thinke he should be most looser himselfe so wee bee all but gatherers for the Prince and of that which commeth to vs wee haue but euery man a poore liuinge the cleare gaynes coÌ„meth for the most part to the Prince now if hâ—…r highnes doe take of vs the ouerplus of our gettinges in thâ—…s base Coyne I reporte me to you wether y â— will go as farre as good Money in y â— Prouision of necessaries for her selfe and the Realme I thinke plainely no for though her grace might within this realme haue thinges at her owne price as her grace cannot in deede without great grudge of her Maiesties subiects yea since her Maiesty must haue from beyonde the Seas many thinges necessary not onely for her graces houshold and Ornaments aswell of her person and family as of her horses which percase might bee by her Grace somewhat moderated but also for the furniture of her warres which by no meanes can be spared as Armor of all kindes Artâ—…llary Ankers Cables Pitch Carre Iron Steele yea I iudge farther some Handgunnes Gunne powlder and many other thinges moe than I can recken which her Grace sometimes doth buy from beyonde the Seas at the prices that the straungers will set them at I passe ouer y â— enhaunsment of y â— charges of her Graces housholde which is common to her Grace withall other noble men therefore I say her Maiesty should haue most losse by this common dearth of all other and not onely losse but daunger to the Realme and all her subiects if her Grace should want â—…reasure to purchase the sayde Prouision and necessaries for warre or to finde Souldiers in time of neede which passeth all y â— other priuate losses that wee speake of Capper Wee heere say that the Queenes Maiestyes mint maketh vp her losses that way by the gaynes which she hath by the Mint another way and if that bee to shorte shee supplieth that lacke by Subsidies and impositions of her Subiects so as her Grace can haue no lacke so longe as her Subiectes hath it Doctor Yee say well there so long as the Subiects haue it so it is meete the Queene should haue as long as they haue it but what and they haue it not for they cannot haue it when there is no Treasure lefte within the Realme and as touchinge the Mint I coumpt that profit much like as if a man woulde take his woode vp by the rote to make the more profit thereof at one time and euer after to lose y â— profit that might growe thereof yearely or to pull y â— wooll of his sheepe by the roote and as for the Subsidies howe can they be large when the Subiects haue litle to departe with yet y â— way of gathering treasure is not alwayes most saufe for the Prynces suerty and wee see many times the profits of such Subsidies spent in the appeasing of the people that are mooued to sedition partely by occasion of the same Knight Nowe that it was our chaunce to meâ—…te with so wise a man as yee be Maister Doctor I would wee did go thorough with y â— whole discourse of this matter as hetherto wee haue ensearched the very sores and grieues that euery man feeleth so to try out the 〈◊〉 of them and y â— causes once knowne the remedy of them might be soone appa rent and though we be not the men that can reforme them yet percase some of vs may come in place where wee may aduertise other of the same that might further and helpe forward the redresse of these thinges Doctor A Gods name I am content to bestowe this day to satisfie your pleasures though this coÌ„munication percase should doe no great good yet it can doe no harme I trust nor offend no man sâ—…h it is had beâ—…weene vs heere a parte and in good manner Knight No what man should be angry with him that were in an house and espied some faulte in the Beames or Rafters of the same and would ensearch y â— defaâ—…lt then certifie the good man of the house thereof or some other dwel ling therein aswell for his owne sauegarde as for others but for as much as wee haue thus farre prooceeded as to y â— findinge out of the griefes which as farre as I perceaue staÌ„deth in these poyncts that is to say dearth of all things in comparison of the former age though there be scarsenes of nothing desolation of CouÌ„tryes by Inclosures desolacion of â—…wnes for lacke of occupations and Craftes and 〈◊〉 of Opinions in matters of Religion which hâ—…leth men to and fro maketh them to contend one against anoâ—…her Nowe let vs goe to the Garden vnder the Uyne where hauing a good freshe and coole sitting for vs in the shadow there wee may proceede further on this mâ—…tter atleasure And I will be speake our Supper heere with myne host that wee may all suppe together A Gods name quoth euery one of the rest of the company for wee are weary here of sitting so long And so wee all departed to the Garden THE SECOND DIAalogue wherein the causes or occasions of the sayd griefes are encreased Knight WHen we had walked vp and downe in y â— sayd Garden a prety whyle I thought long till I had hearde more of the sayd Doctors communication for hee seemed to mee a very wise man not after y â— common sort of these Clarks which can talke nothing but of the faculty that they professe as if they 〈◊〉 Deuâ—…es of diuinity Lawyers of y â— lawe Phisitions of 〈◊〉 oneâ—…y this man spake very naturally of euery thinge as a man vâ—…iuersally seene that had ioyned good learning with good wit and therefore I desired him and the rest of our sayde companions to resorte agayne to the matter that wee left at and first to discourse search out what should be y â— causes of the sayd common and vniuersall dearth of all things in comparison of y â— former age saying to y â— Doctor thus I maruayle much maister Doctor what should be y â— cause of this dearth seeing all thinges are thankes be to God so plentyfull There was neuer more plenty of Cattell theÌ„ there is nowe of all sortes And
the plough to be as good rate for rate as the profit of the Grasier and sheepe maister is Knight How coulde that be done Doctor Mary I coniecture two manner of wayâ—…s but I feare me the deuises shall seeme at the first blush so displeasaunt vnto you ere yee consider it throughly that yee will reiect them ere yee examyne theÌ„ for we talke now to haue things good cheape and then if I should meÌ„cion a meane y â— should make some thinges deerer for the time I should be a none reiected as a man y â— spake against euery mans purpose Knight Yet say your minde and spare not and though your reason at the first seeme vnreasonable yet we will heare whether yee can bring it to any reasonable ende Doctor Remember what we haue in hand to treate of not how the prices of thinges onely may bee brought downe but how these Inclosures may bee broken vp and husbandry more vsed of the prices of thinges we shall speake heereafter Knight Wee will remember well that Doctor What maketh men to multiply pastures â—…osures gladly Knight Mary the profit that groweth thereby Doctor It is very true and none other thinge Then finde the meanes to doe one of these two thynges that I shall tell you And yee shall make them as glad to exercise tillage as they dâ—…e â—…e Paâ—…ures Knight What be those two thinges Doctor Mary either make as litle gaynes to growe by y â— Pastures as there groweth by y â— tillage Or els make y â— there may growe as much profit by tillage as did before by the Pastures and then I dâ—…ubt not but tillage shall be aswell cherished of euery man as Pasture Knight And how may that be done Doctor Mary the first way is to make y t wooll to be of as base pryce to the breeders thereof as the Corne is and y â— shalbe if yee make a like restraint of it for passing ouer Sea vnwrought as yee make of Corne another is to increase y â— rustome of Wooll that passeth ouer vnwrought And by that the price of it shalbe abated to the breeders and yet y â— price ouer Sea shal be neuer thelesse but that which is inâ—…eased in the pryce thereof on straungers shall come to y â— Queenes highnesse which is as prefitable to the Realme as though it came to the breeders and might relieue them of other subsidies Thus farre as touchinge the bringing downe of the price of Woolles now to the inhaunsinge of the price of corne to be as good to y â— husbandman as wooll should be and that might be brought to passe if yee wil let it haue as free passage ouer Sea at all times as yee haue now for Wooll Marchaunt By the first two wayes men woulde send lesse woâ—…ll ouer sea then they doe nowe and by that way the Queenes cuâ—…ome should be dyminished by your latter way y â— price of Corne should be much enhauÌ„sed wherewith men would be much grieued Doctor I wot well it woulde bee deere at the firste but if I can perswade you that it were reasonable it were so and that the same could bee no hinderaunce to the Realme vniuersally but greater profit to y â— same then I thinke see would be content it shoulde be so and as touchinge the Queenes custome I will speake afterward Marchaunt I graunt if yee coulde shewe mee that Doctor I will assay it albeit the matter bee somewhat intricate and as I shewed you before at the first vew would displease many for they would say woulde yee make Corne deerer then it is haue wee not dearth ynough els without that Nay I pray you finde the meanes to haue it better cheape if it may bee it is deere ynough already and such other like reasons would be sayd But now let the husbaÌ„dman aunswere such againe Haue not you Grasters raysed the price of your Woolles and Felles and you Marchasit men Clothiers and Cappers raysed y â— price of your marchaundize and wares ouer it was wont to bee in manner double is it not as good reason then that we should raise the price of our Corne what reason is it you should be at large and wee to bee restrayned Eyther let vs all bee restrayned to gether or els let vs bee all at lyke liberty yee may sell your Wooll ouer Sea your felles your tallow your Cheese your Butter and your Leather which ryseth all by grasing at your pleasure and for y â— deerest penny yee can get for them And we shal not sell out our corne except it be at x. d. the bushell or vnder that is as much to say as wee that be husbandmen shall not sell our ware except it be for nothing or for so litle as we shall not be able to liue thereon Thinke you if the husbandman here had spoke these words that he did not speake them some what reasonable Husband I thanke you withall my heart for yee haue spoken in y â— matter more then I could doe my selfe and yet nothing but that is most true Wee felt the harme but wee wist not what was the cause thereof many of vs sawe well long a goe that our profit was but small by the Plough therefore diuerse of my Neighbours that had in time past some two some three some foure Ploughes of their owne haue layde downe some of them part and some of them all their Ceemes and turned either parte or al their erable grouÌ„d to Pasture and thereby haue waxed very riche men And euery day some of vs incloseth some part of his ground to Pasture and were it not that our grounde lyeth in y â— common fieldes entermingled one with another I thinke also our fieldes had bene enclosed of common agreement of all the towneship longe or this time And to say y â— very truth I that haue inclosed litle or nothing of my ground coulde neuer be able to make vp my Lords rent were it not for a litle herd that I haue of Ncate sheepe swyne geese and Heâ—…es that I doe reare vpon my grounde Whereof because y â— price is somewhat round I make more cleare profit then I doe of all my corne yet I haue but a very bare liuing by reason that many thinges doe belong to husbandry which bee now exceeding chargâ—…able ouer they were in tyme past Capper Though this reason of maister Dâ—…ctors here doth please you well that be husbandmen yet it pleaseth vs that be arâ—…rs nothing at all which buy most both breade Corne and malte corne for our peny and whercas ye maister doctor say that it were as good reason that the Husbandman should reyse the price of his corne and haue as free vente of the same ouer sea as we doe and haue of our wares I caÌ„not greately deny but that yet I say that euery man hath 〈◊〉 of corne but they haue not so much of other wares Doctor Therefore the more necessary that corâ—…e
of white rods which they cary now more like ladies or gentlewomen then men all which delicacies maketh our men cleane effeminaâ—…e without strength Knight We may thanke our longe peace quiet within y â— realme that men be not 〈◊〉 to rideâ—… strong It was a trâ—…blous world as well within the Realme as without when men went and rode as you do speake Doctor What can you tell what time or how sone such a worlde may come againe wise men do say that in peace men most looke and prouide for warre and in warre again for peace If men might be alwaies sure of peace then needed no maâ—… to keepe men at all But sith it is otherwise and that the iniquitie of men is such as they cannot bee longe wythoute Warre And that wee recken here in Englande our chiefe strength to be 〈◊〉 our Seruingmen yeomen it were wisedome to exercise them in tyme of peace somwhat with such apparell fare and hardenes as they must needes sustayne in time of warre then the same shal be no nouelty to them when they come to it and their bodies shall be stronge and harder to beare that that they were somewhat accustomed wich all afore Let this that I say be of no creâ—…ite if delâ—…acie and teÌ„dernes was not the most occasion of the subduing of the greatest Empires that were Knight Surely ye say very well that which soundeth to good reason I must needes alowe that I haue found true my self for my men are so tenderly vsed in time of peace that they can not away with any heauy armour in time of warre but either shirts of Maile or Coates of linnen ragges which at a shotte may perhaps deceiue vs. Then what saye you by our buildinges that wee haue here in Englande of late dayes farre more exceâ—…iue theÌ„ at any time heretofore Doth not that impouerish the Realme cause men to keepe lesse Houses Doctor I say that all these thinges be tokens of ornamentes of peace and that no doubt is cause of lesse housholdes sith the buildings and trimming of those houses spendes away that that should be otherwise speÌ„t in houshold But it doth not empouerish the Realme at all for all the expences of buildings for the most part is spent amonges our selues amonges our neighbours and Countreymen As amonges Carpenters Masons and Labourers except men wil fall to guilding or peinting of these Houses For in that much treasure may be spent and to no vse Also the Areses Uerderers and Tapistry workes wherewith they bee hanged commonly conueieth ouer into Flaunders other straunge Countreyes where they be had from much of our Treasure Knight Syr yet I must remember you of one thing more which men do suppose to be a great occasion of the spending of y â— treasure abroade it is where there is comen to y â— crowne of late yeares much lands by reason of Monasteries colleges and Chauntres dissolued which men suppose hath beÌ„ the cause two maner of waies that there is lesse treasure a broade in the Realme One is because the reuenues of the sayd places dissolued heretofore were spent in the countrey and went from hand to hande there for vittaile cloth and other thinges and now are gone to one place out of the couÌ„ trey Another is that diuers men which had any ryches or wealth vttered the same to buy perselles of the said dissolued lands lying commodious for them whereby one way other the whole riches of the countrey is sweeped away Doctor Truth it is also that it wringed the countrey abroade for the time and had kept it so still if the Kinges Maiesty had not dispersed the same lands abroad among theÌ„ in the couÌ„trey againe but after y â— his highnes departed with a great deale of those possessions part by gift and part by sale treasure hath and will encrease againe abroad as much as euer it was if it be not letted by other meanes so that I take y â— to be no great cause of the dearth that we haue for the soile is not taken away but the possession thereof is onely transferred from one kinde of persons to another Knight Then to retourne to the matter of the coine where wee left I haue heard your conceipt how the alteration thereof within our Realme did some men no harme as Buyers and sellers some other it did good vnto as Farmors that had Lande at the olde Rent and some other as Gentlemen men of warre seruaunts and all other liuing by any rated or stented rent or stipend were great losers by it But I heard you say it was so much withal to the losse of the Prince that it might be to the great perill of y â— whole Realme in processe of time I meruayle howe it should be so for I heard wise men say that the Queenes highnesse Father did winne inestimable great summes by the alteration of the Coyne Doctor So it was for the time but I liken that gaynes to such as men haue when they sell away their landes to haue the greater some at one time and euer after to lose the continuall increase that should grow thereof for you knowe all the treasure of this Realme must once in few yeares come to the Princes handes by one meanes or other and from thence it should goe abrode againe to the Subiects As all Springes runneth to the Ocean Sea out of it are they spred abrode agayne theÌ„ as they came into y â— kings coffers at the firste in good mettall they came forth in such as you haue heretofore seene And albeit it seemeth at y â— first vew to empouerishe but the subiects onely at length impouerisheth also the Prince and then if the Prince should want in time of warre specially sufficient treasure to pay for armor weapons tacklings of shippes gunnes and other artillary necessary for y â— warre and could by no meanes haue of the subiects wherewith to buy y â— same what ease should the Realme be in Surely in very euill therefore these Coynes and treasure bee not without cause called of wise men Nerui bellorum y t is to say the Synowes of warre And that is the greatest dasiger that I doe consider should growe for want of treasure to the Prince and the Realme for though a Prince may haue what coyne he will currant within his Realme yet the straungers cannot be compelled to take them And I graunt if men might liue within themselues all together without borowinge of any other thing outwarde we might deuise what coyne wee would â—…ut since we must haue neede of other and they of vs wee must frame our things not after our owne phantasies but to followe the common market of all the worlde and wâ—…e may not set the price of things at our pleasure but follow the price of the vniuersall Market of the World I grauÌ„t also that brasse hath bene coyned ere this yea Leather in some
practise of that simple deâ—…se but as a man that entendeth to heale an other by a medecine y â— he thinkes good thoughte it proue otherwise is not much to be blamed no more was the kinges maiesty in any wyse in whose time this was don which is not to be supposed to haue inteâ—…ded thereby any lâ—…sse but rather commoditye to him selfe and his sâ—…iects to be herein reprehended albeit the thing succeded beside the purpose Knight Then ye thinke plainely y â— this alteration of y â— coyne was the chiefe and priâ—…cipall cause of this vniuersall dearth Doctor Yea no doubt and of many of y â— sayd grienes that we haue taâ—…ked â—…f by meanes it being the oryginall of all and that beside the reason of the thing being playne iâ—…gh of it self also experience proofe doth make it more playne For euen with y â— alteration of y â— coyne 〈◊〉 this dearth and as the 〈◊〉 appayred so rose the miâ—…s of thingâ—…s with all this to 〈◊〉 true y â— few 〈◊〉 of olde coâ—…ne which afterward 〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉 For ye should haue for any of y â— same coyâ—…e as much of any ware â—…ither outward or inward as euer was wont to be had for the same For as the 〈◊〉 is madâ—…â—…sse there goeth more number to make vp the tale and 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 not together at all mens handes therâ—…ore sâ—…me haâ—…h greate losses and some other greate 〈◊〉 thereby and that made such a generall 〈◊〉 for the thinge at the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And thus to conclude I thinke this alteration of y â— Coine to haue ben y â— first origiâ—…all cause that strauÌ„gers first sould their wares dearer to vs and that made all Farmors and Tenaunts that reared any coÌ„modity againe to sell y â— same dearer The dearth thereof made the Gentlemen to rayse their râ—…ts to take Farmes to their haâ—…es for their better 〈◊〉 and coÌ„sequently to inclose more Groundes Knight If this were the châ—…fest â—…ause of the dearth as of very good probability by you maister Doctor heere tofore alleaged t should sâ—…eme to be how coÌ„meth it to passâ—… where as you say if the cause be remoued the effect is also taken away that the pryces of all thinges fall not backe to their olde rate where as now long 〈◊〉 our english coyne to the great honour of our noble Princesse which now rayghueth hath bene again throughly restored to his former purity and perfection Doctor In deâ—…de sir I must needes confesse vnto you although it may seeme at the first sighte to discredite my former saâ—…ings in some parte that notwithstanding that our Coyne at this present day yea and many yeares past hath recouered his aunciente goodnesse yet the dearth of all thinges which I before afirmed to haue proceeded of y â— decay thereof to â—…emayne and continewe still amongst vs. Wherefore as your doubt heerein moued very aptly and to y â— purpose is well worthy the consideration so doe I accoumpt it of such difficulty y â— perhaps it would not be thought to stand with modesty to vndertake without farâ—…her study presently to dissolue the same Knight Syr I pray you for this time omâ—…t the pleadinge of mâ—…desty I vnderstand well 〈◊〉 by your former talke that you are not vnprouided of sufficient store without farther deliberation to satisfie vs wâ—…thal in greater matters if neede were then these Doctor Well I am contâ—…t because you will haue it so to yeelde to your importunity I will vtter fraÌ„ckely vnto you myne Opinion heerein but vnder protestation that if you like it not yee reiect it imparting likewise with mee your owne Phantasies and iudgementes in the same I finde therefore two speciall causes in myne Opinion by meanes of the which notw tstanding y e restitution made in our ceine the aforesayd dearth of thinges in respect of y â— former age remayneth yet among vs. The first is that whereas imme diately after the basenesse of our Coyne in y â— time of King Henry the eight y â— prices of all things generally among al sorts of people rose it must needes happen here withal as yee know that our gentlemen which liued onely vpon y â— â—…euenues of their lands were as neare or nearer touched as is before proued with the smarte hereof then any other of what order or estate so euer This therefore being taken as most true the Gentlemen desirouse to mayntaine their former credoâ—…e in bearing out y â— Porte of their Predecessors were driuen oâ—… necessity as often as whensoeuer any Leases deuised for terme of yeares by theÌ„selues or their auncestors were throughly expired fel into their hands not to let them out againe for the most part but as y â— rentes of them were farre racked beyoâ—…de y â— olde Yea this racking and hoyssinge vp of rentes hath coÌ„tinued euer since y t time vntill this present day hereupon the husbandman was necessarily inforced whereas his rent was now greater then before and so continueth vnto this day to sell his victailes dearer to continue the dearth of them and likewise other artificers withall to maintaine the like proportion in their wares wherefore as this deaâ—…th at the first time as I said before sprang of the alteracion of the coyne as of his first and chiefest efficient cause so dâ—…e I attribute the continuaunce of it hitherunto and so forâ—…ward partly to the racked and stretched rentes which haue lasted yea and increased euer since that time hetherunto so are like to continue I know not how long Now if we would in these our dayes haue the olde pennyworthes generally restored among vs a gayne The restoring of our good Coine which already is past before y e improued rentes would only of it selfe haue beâ—… sufficieÌ„t to haue brought this matter to passe will not serue in these our dayes except w tall the racked rentes bee pulled downe which possibly caÌ„not be w tout the coÌ„mon consent of our landedmeÌ„ throughout y t whole reaâ—… Another reason I coÌ„ceiue in this matter to be y â— great store plenty of treasure which is walking in these parts of y â— world far more in these our dayes theÌ„ euer our forefathers haue sene in times past Who doth not vnderstand of y â— infinite suÌ„mes of gold siluer which are gathered from y â— Indies other countries so yearely transported vnto these coastes As this is otherwise most certain so doth it euidently appeare by the coÌ„moÌ„ report of al auÌ„cient men liuing in these daies It is their coÌ„stant report y â— in times past within y â— memory of maÌ„ he hath ben accouÌ„pted a rich wealty man wel able to keepe house among his neighbors which all things discharged was clearely worth xxx or xl l' but in these our dayes y â— man of y â— estimation is so far in the coÌ„mon opinioÌ„ from a good houskeeper or man of wealth y â— he is reputed the
next neighbor to a begger Wherefore these ii reasons seemed vnto me to cōtain in them sufficient probability for causes of the continuaunce of this generall dearth Knigh◅ Yea but sir if the increase of treasure be partly the occasion of this continued dearth then by likelyhood in other our neighbors nations vnto whom yearely is conuayghed great store of gold and siluer the pryces of victayles and other wares in like sorte raysed according to the increase of their treasure D◅ctor It is euen so and therefore to vtter freely myne Opinion as I accoumpt it a matter very hard for the difficulties aboue rehersed to reuoke or call backe agayne all our Enlish◅ wares vnto their old prices so doe I not take it to be either profitable or conuenient for the Realme excepte wee would wishe that our commodities should bee vttered good cheape to straūgers and theirs on y ◠other side deare vnto vs which could not be without great impouerishing of the Commonweale in a very shorte time Knight Now that you haue so well touched the occasion of this derth and what is to be hoped or wished of y ◠same so fully that I am well satisfied withall I pray you sh◅we me the remedies of this great Inclosiers whereof all the realme complaineth of so much and hath complayned long vpon For you haue well perswaded how it is a meane of greate desolation of this real◅ne and that is longe of y ◠great profit that men haue by pasture ouer y ◠they haue by tillage y ◠they turne so much to pasture Now I would fayne heare how it might be remedied againe for I haue hearde this matter of long time often reasoned vpon aswell in Parliament as in Coūsayles yet small remedy found therefore that tooke effect Doctor If I then after so many wise heades as were in those Parliaments and Counsailes would take vpon me to correct as they say Magnificat to finde a remedy for this thinge which they could neuer doe I might be reckened very arrogant Knight Yet tell your phantasie therein for though you misse of the right meane to reforme that it shall be no more shame for you to doe so then it was for so many wise men as yee speake of to misse Doctor You say truth and since I speake nothing in this part y ◠I would haue takē as it were for a law or determined thing but as a certayn motion for other wise men to cōsider to admit or reiect as to their better reason shall seeme good therefore as yee haue boldned me already w t your patience to say thus farre I will not spare to declare my minde in this But still I must keepe my grounde that I spake of that is to try out the effectuall cause of this inclosures and then by taking away of the cause to redresse the thinge Knight I pray you doe so for to mee it seemes very reasonable that ye say and agreeable to that I heard a good Ph◅tion tell me ones when I was sicke of an ague when I asked him why he gaue me purgati◅s that made me yet weaker then ◅ was being weake inough already saying hee had more neede to geue me thinges that should make me stronger Then he answered me that choler was the cause of my sickenes and that hee gaue me those purgations to auoyde this humour which being the cause of my disease ones taken away the sickenes should be ridde from mee with all And therfore I pray you vse your accustomed order in this matter and tel the cause of these Inclosures Doctor I shewed you before in our communication in the Garden the thinges that I thought to be the cause thereof and partely the remedy of the same Knight So did other men among vs tell their fantasie as then but nowe we pray you tell which of al those causes ye take for the necessary and efficient cause of this matter Doctor To tell you plaine it is auarice y t I take for y ◠principall cause thereof but can we deuise y t all couetousnes can be taken frō men No no more thē we can make men to be without wealth without gladnes without feare and wythoute all affections what then we must take away from men the occasion of their couetousnes in this part what is that the ◅xceeding luker that they see grow by these inclosures more then by their husbandry And that may bee done by any of these two meanes y t I will tell you Either by the minishing the luker that men haue by gasing Or els by aduaunsing of the profit of husbandry til it be as good and as profitable to the occupiers as grasing is for euery mā as Plato saith is naturally couetous of luker And y t wherin they see most luker they wil most gladly exercise I shewed you before that there is more luker by grasing of x. Acres to y e occupier alone then is in y ◠tillage of xx And y ◠causes therof be many one is y ◠grasing requires small charge smal labor which in tillage cōsumes much of y e mēs gains though it be true y ◠the tillage of x. acres brings more gaines generally amongs the maister all his mainy then the grasing of xx acres Another great cause is that whatsoeuer thing is rered vpon grasing hath free vente hoth ouer this side also beyond the sea to be sold at the highest penny It is cōtrary of all thinges reared by tillage for it requires both great charge of seruaunts of labor And also if any good cheape be of corne it paieth scant for the charge of y ◠tillage And then if the market do arise either within y ◠Realme or without the poore husband shalbe so restrained frō sellyng his corn y ◠he neuer after shal haue any ioy to set his plough in the ground whych maketh euery man forsake tillage and fall to grasing which bringeth all these Inclosures Knight Now what remedy for that Doctor Mary as for the first poynt that is touching the vnequal charges of tillage and grasing that can not be holpen in al pointes by reason the nature of both reapes the contrarye Therefore the latine tongue calles the one that is pasture pratum that is asmuch to say as paratum ready But thee other thinge might be remedied that y t husbandmā mighte haue asmuch liberty at all times to sel his corne either with in the Realme or without as the grasiers hath to fell hys which would make the husbandmen more willing to occupy theyr plough And other seeing them thriue would turn theyr pasture to tyllage And though it enhaunse the market for the time yet would it cause much more tillage to be vsed and consequentely more Corne within time of plētye within this Realme might brynge in much treasure And in time of◅ arsity would suffice for y ◠realme as shewed you before And this