But there is only one thing,from whence we may certainly track out the prices,and which carries with it a constant resultance of the Prices of all other things which are necessary for a Mans life;and that is the price of Labourers and Servants Wages,especially those of the meaner sort.And as there is to be found no other certain and constant Cause of the raising of the Prices of all things,but two;viz.the one the raising of the values of Moneys,the other the great abundance of Gold and silver coming into these parts,in this latter age,out of the Indies:And although the hire of Labourers did continually rise (when Money was raised),yet it did rise so much and no more,as its value was raised;but after the Discoverie of the Indies,you shall finde the price of the Labourers wages raised in Proportion far exceeding the raising of Moneys,and therefore,for my part,I am certainly perswaded that as long as the values of Moneys are raised,and the Indies do yield that abundance of Gold and Silver which they do,that both the hire of Labourers,and generally the price of all things,especially of things necessary for life,will rise,although for a year,two or three,through uncertain Accidents,sundry particulars may stand at a stay or abate:But that the hire of Labourers and Servants carrieth with it a resultance of the prices of all things generally necessary for a mans life:Besides,that Reason doth convince that there must be a convenient Proportion between their Wages and their Food and Raiment,the Wisdom of the Statute doth confirm it,which doth always direct the Rate of Labourers and Servants to be made with a regard of Prices of Victuals,Apparel,and other things necessary to their use.In the 25th year of Edward the Third,it was provided that in time of Hay-making,none should pay above our penny in the day;that for threshing of one quarter of Wheat or Rye,none should pay above 21/2d.,and for threshing of a quarter of Oats,Barly,Beans and Pease,above one penny half penny;that a Master Carpenter shall have 3pence,another Carpenter but 2d.a day;a Master free-Mason but 4pence,a Tyler 3pence;but either of their servants,a penny half penny:all this is in the summer time,for in the Winter wages lessened,and without meat or drink,or any other courtesie,and that in the Country,where Wheat was wont to be given,they shall take for the Bushel ten pence,or Wheat at the will of the Giver.
In the Twelvth year of Richard the Second these Rates did still continue (so likewise the Money did still continue the same in goodness)but there was further added like wise a yearly rate for Servants wages;and there was allowed by the year for a Bailiff 13s.4pence,with a Livery:a Master Hind was rated at 10s.a Carter at 10s.a Shepheard at 10s.an Ox-heard or Cow-heard at 6s.8d.a Driver of a Plough at 7s.at the most:and all these but the Bailiff,without cloathing or other courtesie.
In the Thirteenth of Richard the Second,It was provided that the Justices of the Peace might rate the Day-labourers according to the dearth of Victuals,which seemed to have growth through some accidental Dearth,which then happened:in the Thirteenth of Henry the Fourth there was raising of Moneys to about the 6th part more,by Advice in Parliament,but there was no new Rate for Servants Wages,until the sixth of Henry the Sixth,the price of things growing higher by reason of the raising of Moneys:It was provided by Statute that the Justices of the Peace might rate as well the Hire of day labourers as the Wages of Servants,as they should find fit in the Sessions,notwithstanding the former Statute of the 25th of Edward the Third,and 12th of Richard the Second,and notwithstanding the Money had not been raised above a sixth part,which I attribute to the great want of Servants and Labourers,the Kingdom being then exceedingly exhausted by the long continuance of the Wars in France:but in the 49th of Henry the Sixth Money was exceedingly raised,so as a pound of Sterling Gold made 22l.10s.and a pound of Sterling Silver together was half as much more as they were valued,in the 25th of Edward the Third.
In the 11th of Henry the Seventh (c.22)there was a new Statute for the rating of Servants wages and the hire of day-laborers,which in a manner doth agree with the 23rd of Henry the Sixth:but I find this almost only difference between them,that by the 23rd of Henry the Sixth,the Meat and Drink of the Day-labourer is valued but three halfpence,but by the 11th of Henry the Sixth,the Pound of sterling Gold being (then brought from 16l.13s.4d.to 22l.10s.0d.and the silver from 30s to 37s 6d.:From the 11th of Henry the Seventh until the 6th of Henry the Eight,there was no new Rate upon hire of Labourers or Servants wages:but that year there was a new Statute,which notwithstanding was little or nothing different in the Rates from the former,except in some Particulars which are not pertinent to this Inquiry.
