ABSTRACT
At Shrovetide and Easter nutmegs and mace were bought (1 oz. and 1/2 oz. respectively each time) and at Allhallowtide and Christmas, cinnamon, cloves, nutmegs, mace, ginger and pepper (in quantities each time of 4 oz. for ginger and white pepper, 1 oz. each for the other spices, with 1 lb. or 1/2 lb. of black pepper). For most of these there is usually only one price a year, except in times of changing prices, given “ per oz.” except for ginger after 1729 (per lb.) and for black pepper throughout (per lb.). From evidence in the accounts and from taxation it is clear that the lb. was avoirdupois and the prices are tabulated per lb. of 16 oz. avoirdupois.
