ABSTRACT
Until 1739, Newcastle coal was bought in London. The earliest plan was for the Steward to buy coals by the shipload from Newcastle colliers in the Thames and to charge the price in his monthly Household Accounts. In 1716 this plan was abandoned, and competing tenders were invited from contractors ; but in 1718-39 a single contractor only was employed to supply coals obtained by him from the colliers to the Hospital at market price plus the cost of bringing the coal from the colliers to the Hospital and an annual commission of £5 5s. Od. These purchases of coal were made by the “ bare ” London chaldron at 20 to the score. In tabulation, for convenience of comparison with other series, the recorded prices have been increased in the proportion 21 : 20, so as to represent the “ full-pay ” London chaldron, i.e. of one twentieth the price of a score of 21.
