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CHAPTER VI - BANS AND MONOPOLIES

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2010

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Summary

Another great source of business uncertainties, and therefore of quarrels, was the monopoly of mill and oven. This encouraged not only such tricks as those which are described in Chaucer's Reve's Tale but also disputes as to the length of time during which the peasant was obliged to wait on the miller's good pleasure. Sometimes these regulations were extremely onerous; for instance, in eighteenth century Brittany, the tenants were compelled to grind at their lord's mill “if there were one within 4800 yards; at a water-mill they must wait if necessary for three days and nights, at a windmill one day and night”. But they were generally fairer than this; those of Ramsey abbey in the thirteenth century may be quoted as typical.

All the tenants owe suit to the mill, whereunto they shall send their corn. And if they cannot, on the first day, grind as much wholemeal as may keep their household in bread for that day, the mill must grind it; and if the peasant cannot grind there that day, then he may take his corn elsewhere at his will. If a man buy his corn, then he may grind it without hindrance at the next mill he comes to. From Aug. 1 to Michaelmas each man may grind where he will, if he be unable to grind at my lord abbot's mill on the day whereon he has sent the corn. […]

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010
First published in: 1925

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