Suffolk and Norfolk

EDWARD  Bailiff 1381 born estimated at 1350 -1360

There has been several riots of the towns people against the rule of the Abbey. The most serious  was in 1381.

Once the violence died down, Roger Rose the Alderman and James Martham and Edward Lucas (Bailiffs) were required to collect a fine on the town of 2000 marks. Of this 1500 marks was eventually collected.

Total estimated population only about 5000

The Alderman and Majors of Bury St Edmunds from 1302  - J C Ford

Money of account

Values in the treasure were calculated in pounds, shillings and pence (12 pence = a shilling; and 20 shillings = a pound), although there were no coins equal to pounds and shillings and would not be until Henry VII's reign.

For the purposes of accounting marks were used, worth 13 shillings and 4 pence (the noble, therefore, fitted both systems well, being worth a third of a pound and half a mark).

Gold noble (6 shillings and 8 pence)

Gold quarter-noble (1 shilling and 8 pence)

Silver groat (4 pence)

Silver penny

The noble was the highest value coin in England (and probably in Europe). At 6s. 8d. it was worth a third of a pound or half a mark.

As a comparison a Thatcher earned 4 pence a day (£5.25 per year - based on working 6 days a week)

© 2019 John Lucas

SN32