ABSTRACT
Abnormal rates for very small purchases (5 lb. or less in each case, except for 8 lb. in a total of over 500 lb. in 1630) have been ignored in 1585*, 1598, 1607*, 1615, 1619-21 and 1630.
After the rise of prices in 1683-84 from 6s. to a new general level of 8s. per doz. lb. there are occasional entries at 6s., 7s. or 6.50s., almost invariably for the Tower. In some cases it is stated that carriage is to be paid in addition to these prices, and this is presumably the case in all of them. I t has appeared safest, accordingly, to omit these exceptional Tower prices from 1683 onwards ; their inclusion would cause the tabulated prices to show an irregular fluctuation probably not in accord with the reality.
