Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/363

RENT-ROLL OP TTTE DUKE OP RrCKlXOHAM. 271 person being 2.9. ^^r/., or G/. 0.s .Of//. ))cr aninim. liislioj) Percy coniimtcs tliis sum (taking wlioat at .l.v. Mr/, per f/uarter in 1512, against .O.v. )cy hushcl in liis own time) at 44/. 17*. Gd. for each individual, which, amounting to nearly 7000/. per annum, would express tons clearly the abiiiidaiice and the liberality of the general scale of the Earl's liousekeeping. But large as wxre the sums actually paid at this period, in a vast establishment, for provisions — for mere eating and drinking — they formed but one item of expenditure. As additional outgoings w^e may enumerate : — 1. The icardrobc of persons of rank, including the jewel- lery, furs, chains, velvets, cloth of gold and embroidery. So magnificent and expensive were these, that it has been said, many of the nobles "carried their castles, woods, and farms on their backs."^ The velvet for a nobleman's robe in the 17 lien. VIII. is estimated at 1/. ll.v. 8(/, the yard, the dress amounting to 26/. 2s. 6d., nearly 200/. of our money. Black satin at 8.9. per yard. The parson's livery at this time cost one mark — 13.9. Ad. 2. The wages paid and liveries furnished to a very numerous household. 3. The armoury, horses, and harness, and the carriages required for the removal of the contents of one castle to another. This was a singular feature in the manners of the times, the owners of castles removing from one to another, furnishing each, as it was from time to time required, for their reception. 4. The keeping in repair the castles and dwellings, and the restoration of churches and chapels. 5. Donations in money, or in money's worth, towards the building, rebuilding, or restoration of many of our cathedrals and churches. These were oftentimes granted with a libe- rality befitting the object. We must gladly advert to the spirit — the large and generous spirit of ancient days, when fortunes were cast into the oflTerings to God ; when one person would accomplish what, with some splendid cxcei)tions, we now require a society, a town, or parish to undertake. In the twelfth century, on the rebuilding the abbey and church of Croyland, a knight laid one stone, and placed on it 20/. ; anothei- knight 10 marks ; his wife and sister ■^ Henry's Hist. Eng., vol. ii. 1.3,5.