Bread and Ale for the Brethren: The Provisioning of Norwich Cathedral Priory, 1260–1536 (11) (Studies in Regional and Local History)

Despite increased commercialization and an efficient network of local markets in 1300s Europe—as well as significant costs and risks associated with the production, transportation, and storage of food—some landed lords, monasteries, and convents continued to rely on the produce of their own estates. This detailed study sets out to account for the puzzling situation, covering the period between 1260 and 1536, with an in-depth analysis of the changing patterns and fortunes of the provisioning of Norwich Cathedral Priory. As it examines the entire process of food delivery from field to table, the record explores the question of food security within the context of the various crises in the 14th century, and also illustrates the aftereffects of the Black Death. Although providing unparalleled insight into the Priory, the book also serves as an important resource on understanding the Late Middle Ages economy of England and society during a time of upheaval. 1 'a Puzzling Economy': Demesne Cultivation And Seigniorial Autarky In The Age Of Commercialisation 1 -- Commercialisation And Marketisation Of The Late Medieval Economy 1 -- Seigniorial Autarky In The Age Of Commercialisation 4 -- 2 Norwich Cathedral Priory: Population, Food Requirements And Provisioning Channels 8 -- The Priory Population, 1096-1538 8 -- The Grain Requirements Of Norwich Cathedral Priory 15 -- Getting Grain: Sources And Resources 21 -- The Grain Supply Of Norwich Cathedral Priory In A Wider Context 23 -- Why Two Channels? Economic Instability, Risk Aversion And Diversified Portfolios 24 -- 3 Norwich Cathedral Priory's Grain Market, 1260-1538 26 -- Geographic Extent Of The Priory Grain Market 26 -- The Grain Trade: Reputation And Trust 29 -- Quantities Of Purchased Grain 33 -- Frequency And Seasonality Of Transactions 36 -- Norwich Grain Prices, 1264-1536: Between Endogenous Factors And Exogenous Shocks 39 -- Market Integration? 44 -- 4 Grain Production On Norwich Cathedral Priory Demesnes 48 -- The Era Of Direct Management 48 -- Regional And Chronological Trends In Crop Geography 57 -- Crop Geography Determinants: Environment, Markets And Consumption 63 -- Annual Crop Disposal: Chronological And Regional Patterns 69 -- Crop Disposal In A Wider Context 75 -- Production Costs 77 -- Food Farms 81 -- Conclusions 83 -- 5 Shipping The Produce: Transportation Requirements, Strategies And Costs 84 -- Grain Transportation: Sources And Resources 84 -- Demesne Horses 85 -- The 'great Boat' (magna Navis) 87 -- Transporting Services: Customary Dues 87 -- Transporting Services: Harvest Famuli 88 -- Transporting Services: Stipendiary Famuli 102 -- Transporting Services: Priory Carters And Boatmen 103 -- Carting Requirements And Logistics 105 -- Transportation Costs And Savings 109 -- Transportation Logistics: The Case Of Eaton Carters 113 -- Road Versus River Transportation: Advantages And Drawbacks 115 -- Conclusions 116 -- 6 Space For Grain: Barns And Granaries 119 -- The Medieval Barn And Modern Scholarship 119 -- Demesne Barns: Nature, Layout And Capacity 120 -- Demesne Barns: Storage Costs 122 -- The Great Granary: Layout And Costs 126 -- The Almoner's Granary 130 -- Barns And Granaries: A Tool For Insurance, Speculation Or Practical Storage? 130 -- Grain Storage Mechanisms And Depletion Rates 136 -- Conclusions 139 -- 7 Grain Into Bread And Ale: Processing And Consumption 140 -- Cathedral Mills 140 -- Cathedral Bakery And Brewery 142 -- Annual Baking Patterns 145 -- Panis Monachorum 147 -- Panis Ponderis Minoris 150 -- Panis Militum 153 -- Bread Consumption Patterns 156 -- Two Kinds Of Ale 159 -- Annual Brewing Patterns 163 -- Turning Malt Into Ale: Gallons And Calories 163 -- Grain Consumption In A Comparative Perspective 167 -- Bread And Ale Consumption In A Wider Perspective 169 -- 8 Economics Of Charity: Grain Alms As Poor Relief 173 -- Hermits And Anchorites 173 -- Prisoners In The Castle Prison 175 -- Almoner's Soup Kitchen For Norwich Paupers 179 -- Grain Alms In A Wider Context, Theological And Social 183 -- Conclusions 186. Philip Slavin. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 199-210) And Index.