CHAP.
X.
How
&
by
whom
the
practising
of
the
Merchandising
Exchange
,
is
the
Cause
of
all
excessiue
prices
in
Commodities
&
things
vendible
:
to
the
preuenting
and
peruerting
of
all
lawfull
Traffick
and
orderly
Dealing
within
the
Realme
and
Common-wealth
of
England
.
THe
necessity
of
conseruing
an
equallity
in
contracts
of
buying
and
selling
,
and
a
fit
meanes
for
the
exportations
,
and
importations
,
of
things
necessary
and
commodious
for
a
Common
Wealth
,
hath
caused
all
wise
&
politick
Rulers
of
Regions
and
Countries
,
to
iudge
the
vse
of
coyned
Money
;
signed
with
some
publick
figures
,
notes
,
and
carrects
,
to
be
the
most
conuenient
thing
that
could
be
deuised
.
In
like
manner
hath
it
beene
iudged
,
and
thought
no
lesse
expedient
and
necessary
,
by
all
such
wise
and
experienced
Men
,
that
the
same
coynes
and
Money
should
haue
their
indication
,
valuation
,
price
,
and
estimation
,
onely
by
publick
Rulers
&
common
authoritie
of
euery
Common
Wealth
:
from
the
which
no
priuate
Person
,
Order
,
or
Societie
in
the
same
,
may
or
ought
to
swarue
or
vary
,
nor
alter
,
vnder
capitall
paine
.
Forsomuch
as
the
sayd
publick
valuation
,
is
as
it
were
the
essentiall
part
,
whereby
any
kinde
of
matter
,
substance
,
or
mettall
,
is
receiued
and
accepted
for
Money
,
and
for
a
lawful
meane
to
buy
&
sell
withall
,
in
euery
well
ordered
Common
Wealth
.
And
whereas
the
valuation
of
this
common
,
and
lawfull
meane
of
price
,
is
not
well
knowen
,
or
not
worthily
accepted
,
straightly
&
duly
obserued
,
of
all
manner
of
Persons
,
Societies
,
and
Orders
,
there
doth
experience
teach
,
that
thereof
followeth
confusion
and
disorder
,
with
excessiue
and
immoderate
prices
in
the
commutations
of
all
things
Vendible
in
the
Common
Wealth
.
As
for
example
,
when
a
Prince
or
Ruler
of
any
Country
,
doth
decry
and
disalow
any
kinde
of
coyne
and
Money
,
which
he
hath
suffered
before
time
to
be
currant
,
at
a
certaine
price
and
valuation
throughout
his
Realme
,
the
same
coyne
immediatly
as
it
is
so
decried
,
leseth
the
estimation
it
had
before
,
and
is
of
no
value
to
buy
any
kinde
of
ware
with
,
amongst
all
the
common
people
of
the
same
Realme
;
so
that
few
or
none
will
receiue
the
sayd
Money
for
any
manner
of
ware
,
though
one
would
offer
it
at
much
lower
price
then
it
was
before
currant
for
:
and
if
it
chaunce
any
doe
bargaine
to
take
it
,
they
will
raise
and
inhance
the
price
of
the
wares
they
vtter
,
much
aboue
the
ordinary
price
thereof
,
&
all
because
it
lacketh
their
Princes
and
common
valuation
of
their
Country
.
In
like
manner
do
the
common
people
of
all
Countries
,
esteeme
forraine
,
strange
,
and
vnknowne
coynes
brought
vnto
them
,
not
valued
by
the
common
authority
of
their
Country
,
how
fine
and
pure
soeuer
the
matter
or
mettall
of
them
be
,
onely
(
as
is
sayd
before
)
for
lacking
the
publick
valuation
of
the
Country
.
Wherby
it
is
apparant
,
that
the
Princes
and
publick
valuation
of
Money
,
is
of
so
great
efficacy
and
authority
,
in
euery
ciuill
Common
Wealth
,
that
not
only
it
maketh
it
a
meane
to
buy
things
withall
,
but
also
it
preserueth
a
moderation
,
equallity
,
and
indifferency
in
the
prices
of
all
things
,
so
bought
and
sold
betweene
party
and
party
.
Therefore
is
the
sayd
valuation
solemly
,
and
(
as
a
man
may
say
)
religiously
to
be
kept
and
obserued
of
all
manner
of
sorts
of
persons
in
a
Common
Wealth
.
And
the
Alterars
&
Changers
of
the
same
by
their
priuate
authority
,
are
worthily
to
be
reprehended
and
reproued
,
how
craftily
and
subtilly
soeuer
they
doe
it
,
for
the
manifold
inconueniences
they
thereby
bring
into
their
Country
:
With
a
number
of
which
,
the
Common
Wealth
of
England
,
is
sore
troubled
at
this
day
,
through
the
frequent
practising
of
Merchandising
Exchange
,
by
the
two
Societies
of
Merchants
Staplerers
and
Aduenturers
of
England
,
betweene
their
owne
Country
,
and
the
Marting
Townes
of
Flanders
,
with
slights
,
crafts
,
and
subtilties
:
continually
thereby
altering
the
price
and
valuation
of
their
Princes
coyne
;
by
the
occasion
whereof
,
all
manner
of
wares
and
commodities
only
sold
in
the
Realme
of
England
,
be
brought
and
grow
to
such
inordinate
and
excessiue
prices
,
as
they
beare
at
this
Day
:
for
the
proofe
of
the
premisses
,
this
reason
may
be
first
made
.
Afore
this
Merchandizing
Exchange
was
practised
by
the
English
Merchants
Staplers
and
Aduenturers
,
betweene
the
Marting-Townes
of
Flaunders
,
Brabant
,
&
their
owne
Country
,
in
the
trafficke
of
Merchandise
to
and
fro
,
no
person
complained
vpon
any
manner
of
Merchandize
,
or
commoditie
of
the
Realme
,
nor
of
forraine
Realmes
brought
into
England
,
did
at
any
time
grow
or
arise
to
inordinate
or
excessiue
prices
:
yet
were
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
abundantly
&
plentifully
,
yea
,
more
liberally
exported
and
transported
into
all
forraine
Countries
,
then
at
this
day
.
But
there
were
not
in
those
dayes
so
many
forraine
wares
brought
in
againe
into
the
Realme
,
as
be
at
this
day
.
For
from
the
raigne
of
the
famous
King
Edward
the
third
,
in
whose
dayes
the
trade
of
Merchandize
began
cheefely
to
be
exercised
in
England
,
vnto
the
end
of
Edward
the
fourth
,
which
is
the
space
of
aboue
150.
yeeres
,
Acts
of
Parliament
were
prouided
,
thereby
forcing
all
maner
of
men
that
occupied
and
fold
the
wares
and
commodities
of
the
Realme
to
forraine
Merchants
,
to
raise
and
keepe
vp
the
prices
of
them
,
and
penalties
layd
vppon
those
which
went
about
to
diminish
and
bring
downe
the
prices
of
them
.
And
in
all
this
space
of
time
,
not
onely
Wooll
and
Felles
,
Leather
,
Lead
,
Tinne
,
Butter
,
and
Cheese
,
out
of
the
Realme
into
all
forraine
Realmes
.
But
sithence
these
two
Societies
of
English
Marting-Merchants
,
practising
the
Merchandising
Exchange
,
haue
made
the
exporting
and
transporting
of
the
commodities
and
Merchandizes
of
the
Realme
,
to
the
Staple
of
Callice
,
&
Marting-townes
☞
of
Brabant
,
a
priuate
trade
to
themselues
,
the
Princes
of
this
Realme
haue
beene
constrained
to
restraine
and
prohibite
,
not
onely
the
going
out
of
certaine
of
the
aforesaid
commodities
of
the
Realme
;
but
also
haue
beene
compelled
to
studie
and
deuise
meanes
by
Acts
of
Parliament
,
to
bring
&
keep
downe
the
prices
,
as
well
of
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
:
as
of
all
forraine
Realmes
.
Therfore
it
must
needes
be
concluded
,
that
Merchandizing
Exchange
,
and
the
practising
thereof
,
is
the
occasion
of
this
great
inconveniencie
and
Mischiefe
raigning
in
the
Common-wealth
of
England
.
By
the
reason
whereof
,
all
things
be
growne
to
excessiue
prices
.
Also
,
since
these
two
afore-saide
Companies
of
English
Merchants
vsurped
these
Liberties
and
Priuiledges
to
themselues
,
that
the
one
of
them
should
transport
only
Staple
wares
to
the
Staple
of
Callice
,
and
the
other
Broad-clothes
,
Moreouer
,
since
these
two
Societies
of
English
Merchants
,
vsurped
vnto
them
the
priuate
exportations
of
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
,
into
England
to
the
Staple-Townes
,
for
the
and
carrying
away
of
the
commodities
&
Merchandises
thereof
,
were
bound
by
the
Acts
and
orders
of
the
Realme
,
to
pay
for
them
at
the
said
Staples
,
in
ready
gold
and
filuer
afore
their
departure
from
thence
;
as
may
appeare
by
diuers
Acts
made
in
diuers
Kings
dayes
,
from
Edward
the
third
,
vnto
the
end
of
Edward
the
fourth
:
and
therefore
at
that
time
were
all
Princes
well
contented
,
to
suffer
their
Merchants
to
carry
their
coynes
and
Bullyon
into
England
.
Which
manner
of
Traffick
,
continued
betweene
England
and
all
other
Realmes
,
till
that
these
Merchants
became
to
be
a
priuate
Society
,
and
so
within
a
while
after
,
compounded
&
agreed
with
the
Merchants
of
Holland
,
Zeland
,
Brabant
,
Flanders
,
and
other
Countries
there-abouts
,
which
were
the
buyers
of
the
Staple-wares
,
to
receiue
their
Money
for
such
Staple-wares
,
as
the
sayd
Staplers
sold
them
at
Callice
,
in
Flemish
Money
,
at
the
Marting
Townes
of
their
owne
Countries
,
rating
,
setting
,
and
valuing
the
English
pound
,
at
a
certaine
stinted
price
of
Flemish
Money
,
for
euer
thereafter
to
bee
payed
vnto
them
,
after
the
said
price
;
which
was
a
drift
driuen
of
the
sayd
Staplers
of
England
,
to
bring
to
passe
this
Exchanging
Traffick
,
to
the
intent
they
might
make
the
returne
of
their
Money
,
from
thence
into
England
by
Merchandising
Exchange
:
whereby
they
made
a
reckoning
,
much
more
to
their
priuate
gaines
and
lucar
,
then
to
be
payed
in
ready
Money
at
the
Staples
of
Callice
,
or
any
place
of
England
,
according
to
the
olde
custome
,
although
that
manner
of
payment
was
much
more
beneficiall
,
and
commodious
for
the
common
Wealth
of
the
whole
Realme
,
which
they
passed
not
vppon
,
neither
yet
doe
,
so
they
may
gaine
and
get
Money
.
And
thus
the
faire
Lady
Merchandising
Exchange
,
enticed
and
allured
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
of
England
,
Marting
Townes
in
a
forraine
Realme
and
Country
,
for
the
vtterance
of
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
,
because
they
might
make
their
returne
and
imployments
,
from
thence
into
Englang
,
by
the
reckoning
of
Money
currant
in
the
sayd
Merchandising
Exchange
.
And
by
this
meanes
,
ceased
and
ended
the
franck
and
free
bringing
in
of
Money
,
&
Bullion
into
England
by
forraine
and
strange
Merchants
,
after
the
English
Merchants
had
nusseled
themselues
in
the
Marting
Townes
beyonde
the
Sea
,
so
that
now
a
dayes
,
no
Money
or
Bullion
is
brought
into
England
by
Merchants
,
but
secretly
,
and
as
it
were
,
by
stealth
,
and
for
the
respect
of
priuate
gaines
and
profite
,
which
they
finde
thereby
,
after
the
reckoning
they
make
thereof
,
by
currantnes
of
Money
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
.
Item
,
when
it
pleased
that
famous
Prince
,
the
eight
.
King
Henry
the
eight
,
vpon
good
considerations
and
purposes
,
and
for
the
great
benefite
of
his
people
,
and
common
Wealth
,
to
augment
and
increase
the
valuation
and
price
of
his
coyne
and
Money
,
throughout
all
his
Realme
,
within
a
little
processe
and
countinuance
of
time
after
,
it
chanced
by
the
malice
and
wickednes
of
men
,
such
a
quantity
of
currupt
,
and
drossy
coyne
of
Money
,
to
bee
brought
into
the
Realme
out
of
forraine
Countryes
,
by
the
Ministery
of
Merchants
:
(
as
it
hath
beene
supposed
,
thought
,
and
gathered
by
certaine
cercumstances
)
which
Money
being
currant
,
as
well
as
the
true
and
lawfull
Money
,
amongst
all
manner
of
persons
within
the
Realme
,
by
the
reason
of
the
likenes
of
the
fashion
,
and
forme
that
it
had
with
the
true
and
lawfull
Money
,
caused
many
inconueniences
to
rise
therby
at
length
,
to
the
whole
Common
Wealth
:
for
such
a
meruailous
desire
and
hastynes
,
entred
into
all
kinde
of
Occupiers
,
by
the
lothsomnes
and
hatred
they
conceiued
of
the
sayd
Drosse
coyne
,
to
bestow
it
vppon
one
thing
or
other
,
that
thereupon
beganne
to
grow
some
disorder
of
prices
in
all
wares
and
commodities
,
sold
in
this
Kingdome
:
which
being
first
perceiued
by
the
Graue
,
and
Fatherly
Gouernors
of
the
Realme
,
in
the
raigne
of
blessed
King
Edward
the
sixt
,
they
consulted
together
for
the
deuising
of
some
wayes
to
be
taken
,
to
auoyde
the
said
disorder
so
begunne
and
sprung
.
And
the
best
meanes
for
that
purpose
was
thought
by
their
wisdomes
,
to
be
the
deminishing
,
of
all
the
white
currant
coyne
and
Money
of
the
Realme
:
intending
by
that
meanes
at
the
length
,
to
haue
vtterly
banished
from
thence
all
such
counterfeited
coyne
,
taking
leisure
withall
study
&
care
,
to
doe
it
with
as
much
ease
,
and
as
little
losse
to
euery
State
&
condition
as
could
be
deuised
.
But
before
this
their
godly
and
most
lawdable
purpose
,
could
be
brought
to
effect
,
when
it
was
yet
but
in
talke
and
consultation
,
and
onely
a
rumor
bruted
and
spred
abroade
that
such
a
decry
of
Money
should
be
;
The
Merchants
Aduenturers
prepared
withall
speed
possible
,
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
priuate
shift
to
preuent
the
Princes
purpose
for
the
common
good
.
Armour
and
defence
against
the
losse
,
which
they
feared
their
State
should
fall
into
thereby
,
when
indeede
euery
person
of
the
Realme
,
ought
to
haue
borne
with
a
very
good
will
the
sayd
losse
,
for
the
redressing
of
the
sayd
disorder
so
sprung
vp
in
the
Realme
,
in
the
prices
of
all
things
,
bought
and
sold
betweene
party
and
party
:
according
as
the
prudent
and
wise
Counsellors
of
the
Kings
Maiesty
,
had
deuised
and
purposed
to
haue
brought
to
passe
,
and
as
the
rest
of
all
States
of
the
☞
Realme
would
haue
yeelded
vnto
:
if
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
had
beene
destitute
of
their
Exchange
.
But
greedy
lucar
and
priuate
gaine
,
coulde
not
suffer
their
couetous
harts
to
beare
any
little
losse
at
that
present
,
though
it
should
in
the
end
haue
turned
to
the
common
benefit
of
all
the
Realme
.
And
so
forsooth
without
further
helpe
,
they
vsed
the
pollicy
of
Merchandising
Exchange
,
their
practise
wherein
was
as
it
were
,
to
disualue
and
decry
the
price
,
of
the
English
pound
in
currant
Money
by
the
same
Exchange
:
for
the
passing
of
Money
therby
betweene
England
,
and
their
Marting-Townes
.
Which
pound
had
beene
currant
amongst
them
,
two
and
fro
in
the
sayd
Exchange
,
vntill
that
time
,
betweene
26
.
sh.
and
30
.
sh.
Flemish
,
but
then
sodainely
they
decried
and
disualued
it
to
16.
and
17
.
sh.
Flemish
;
and
at
length
,
to
13
.
sh.
Flemish
,
before
the
alteration
of
the
coyne
was
proclaimed
:
by
the
which
occasion
,
the
prices
of
all
forraine
wares
and
Merchandizes
,
rose
excessiuely
in
England
,
as
of
necessity
they
must
,
for
the
lesse
Flemish
Money
is
allowed
for
the
English
pound
at
the
Marting-Townes
,
at
the
other
side
the
Sea
in
their
fouresayd
Exchange
,
the
dearer
and
the
higher
prices
must
all
that
Country
wares
beare
,
bought
there
to
bee
transported
into
England
,
which
for
the
respect
of
the
base
price
of
th'
english
Money
,
must
needes
be
sold
after
the
like
rate
in
England
.
For
whereas
before
vntill
that
time
,
the
English
pound
had
beene
worth
at
the
sayd
Marting-Townes
,
at
least
,
26.
ss.
Flemish
,
then
by
this
abasing
of
the
Exchange
,
26.
ss.
Flemish
was
brought
to
bee
worth
at
the
end
,
40.
ss.
English
,
because
the
sayd
English
pound
was
no
more
in
value
,
but
13.
ss.
Flemish
,
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
,
by
which
meanes
the
thing
that
cost
but
13
.
sh.
Flemish
,
was
sold
betweene
20
,
and
26.
ss.
English
,
in
England
:
which
manners
of
Sales
,
must
needes
cause
all
manner
of
Flemish
wares
to
beare
excessiue
and
inordinate
prices
there
,
which
immoderate
prices
of
strange
and
forraine
wares
,
were
sufficient
cause
to
be
alledged
,
why
all
the
commodities
of
England
,
did
first
arise
to
such
prices
as
they
doe
still
beare
,
euen
at
this
day
:
because
so
great
a
quantity
,
of
the
sayd
Flanders
wares
were
brought
thether
,
and
bee
in
so
great
vse
,
so
much
bought
and
spent
,
of
all
manner
of
sorts
of
persons
in
England
.
Yet
notwithstanding
,
the
said
Flemish
wares
were
not
the
next
and
principall
cause
,
that
the
English
commodities
did
so
rise
and
exceed
in
price
:
but
rather
the
two
Companies
of
English
Merchants
,
the
Staplers
&
Aduenturers
,
for
they
made
so
gainefull
reckoning
at
their
Marting-Townes
,
by
returning
home
theyr
Money
by
Merchandising
Exchange
,
that
they
past
not
what
price
they
gaue
and
paid
for
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
in
England
;
for
the
Staplers
made
aboue
28.
ss.
Flemish
of
euery
pound
English
they
solde
theyr
wares
and
Merchandizes
☞
for
,
by
an
old
composition
taken
betweene
them
and
the
Merchants
of
those
parts
,
by
the
which
manner
of
reckoning
,
they
got
aboue
60.
in
the
hundred
in
England
.
The
like
reckonings
made
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
by
the
sales
of
theyr
commodities
,
although
theyr
gaines
were
not
so
certaine
,
because
they
had
no
such
composition
with
the
Merchants
of
those
parts
,
as
the
Staplers
had
.
Yet
sold
they
after
such
rate
,
that
they
made
of
euery
English
pound
,
betweene
26.
and
28
.
shillings
Flemish
,
all
the
while
the
Exchange
came
from
thence
,
Merchandising
Exchange
,
was
the
principall
cause
,
why
both
forraine
wares
,
and
English
,
grew
to
such
excessiue
prices
in
England
.
For
when
all
other
sorts
and
conditions
of
persons
of
the
Realme
,
perceiued
,
that
the
bettering
and
amending
of
the
☞
coine
of
Mony
of
the
Realme
,
was
nothing
esteemed
amongst
the
Merchants
,
but
rather
lesse
regarded
,
as
though
it
had
bin
lesse
in
value
then
it
was
before
,
forsomuch
as
they
daily
encreased
the
price
of
the
wares
they
brought
from
the
Marting-Townes
to
be
sold
in
England
:
All
other
States
likewise
,
beganne
to
passe
and
set
nothing
by
it
,
and
so
rather
couited
to
bestow
it
rashly
and
vnaduisedly
in
one
thing
or
other
,
what
price
so
euer
things
did
beare
,
then
discreetly
and
warily
to
foresee
and
looke
afore-hand
,
how
they
might
bestow
it
,
for
the
bringing
downe
of
the
immoderate
prices
that
euerything
was
growne
vnto
,
because
they
were
perswaded
,
that
the
said
English
coyne
,
was
no
more
worth
then
the
Exchanging
Merchants
valued
it
at
.
In
so
much
,
that
the
Clothiers
which
came
to
Blackwell-hall
,
set
theyr
pices
on
their
Clothes
,
according
☞
as
they
learned
of
the
Merchants
the
price
of
Money
came
from
the
Marting-Townes
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
into
England
,
and
not
according
to
the
valuation
thereof
giuen
&
proclaimed
by
their
Prince
.
Merchandising
Exchange
,
was
so
profitable
and
gainefull
vnto
them
,
during
this
base
and
low
price
of
Exchange
.
Likewise
,
whereas
the
Queenes
Maiestie
,
Merchandising
Exchange
,
for
the
returning
home
of
theyr
Money
into
England
from
their
Marting-townes
at
the
other
side
the
Sea
;
and
as
they
did
before
,
in
the
blessed
time
of
King
Edward
,
so
now
at
the
first
bruite
and
rumour
of
this
Queenes
most
noble
and
euer
praiseable
enterprise
,
they
caused
the
price
of
her
pound
of
Money
to
be
valued
in
theyr
Exchange
but
at
16.
and
17.
ss.
Flemish
:
by
which
occasion
,
as
it
came
to
passe
before
at
other
reformations
of
Monies
,
the
prices
of
all
those
Countrey
commodities
,
and
also
of
all
other
forraine
Nations
and
Countries
,
did
not
onely
keepe
theyr
old
excessiue
and
deere
prices
in
England
,
but
did
rather
encrease
and
waxe
higher
,
and
so
did
likewise
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
follow
after
,
not
onely
because
forraine
wares
did
so
,
but
specially
for
the
hastines
men
made
to
bestow
their
Money
vpon
them
,
by
the
examples
of
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
who
spared
not
to
buy
all
manner
of
wares
transportable
beyond
the
Sea
,
at
what
price
soeuer
was
demaunded
for
them
,
for
that
this
returning
home
of
Money
by
Exchange
,
made
them
great
gayners
,
and
would
be
a
way
&
meane
,
if
the
worst
fell
,
to
keepe
and
saue
them
from
all
losse
and
danger
in
the
fall
of
the
Money
,
which
all
other
states
and
conditions
hauing
theyr
traffick
within
the
Realme
,
looked
to
haue
sustained
and
borne
by
the
reformation
of
the
said
Money
,
which
these
Merchants
Aduenturers
did
prouide
to
auoyde
,
through
this
theyr
peculier
traffick
and
practise
,
by
tossing
and
turning
their
Money
,
betweene
England
and
their
Marting-Townes
,
by
the
sayd
Merchandising
Exchange
.
For
although
the
commodities
of
the
Realme
,
which
they
transported
to
the
Marts
,
rose
from
4.
li.
to
6.
li.
and
7.
li.
English
,
yet
might
they
sell
them
at
the
Marts
,
as
good
cheape
as
euer
they
did
,
and
be
greater
gainers
then
in
times
past
.
For
so
much
,
as
though
customably
they
did
make
afore
times
30.
&
34.
ss.
Flemish
of
a
pound
English
in
theyr
sales
,
after
which
rate
,
they
made
6.
and
7.
pound
,
8.
ss.
Flemish
,
of
4.
li.
English
,
and
so
150.
pound
,
and
160.
li.
Flemish
,
of
a
100.
li.
English
,
yet
because
they
returned
theyr
Money
by
Exchange
at
that
time
after
28.
ss.
and
30.
ss.
or
32.
ss.
Flemish
for
the
English
pound
,
theyr
gaines
passed
not
aboue
13.
in
the
hundred
.
Where
now
selling
their
commodities
at
the
said
prices
of
6.
&
7.
li.
Flemish
,
though
they
paid
also
for
them
so
much
in
England
of
English
Money
,
(
after
which
reckoning
they
did
or
do
make
of
100.
li.
English
,
but
100.
Flemish
)
yet
returning
home
their
Money
,
after
this
reckoning
and
low
Exchange
of
16.
and
17.
ss.
Flemish
for
the
English
pound
,
they
got
betweene
17.
&
25.
in
the
hundred
,
notwithstanding
they
sold
not
vnder
24.
&
26.
ss.
Flemish
for
the
pound
English
during
the
said
lowe
Exchange
:
after
which
rate
,
although
they
made
but
120.
&
130.
li.
Flemish
of
their
100.
li.
English
,
yet
made
they
in
England
at
the
returne
of
their
Money
,
by
the
foresaid
low
Exchange
,
aboue
150.
and
160.
li.
English
of
their
100.
li.
transported
first
from
thence
to
the
Marts
.
By
which
manner
of
reckoning
,
☜
theyr
gaines
rose
to
aboue
50.
and
60.
in
the
100.
for
the
space
of
one
Mart.
And
so
by
this
policy
of
Merchandising
Exchange
,
Merchants
Aduenturers
haue
not
only
saued
themselues
at
all
falls
of
Mony
passed
in
England
,
&
haue
hindred
the
Queenes
Maiesties
purpose
,
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
by
the
practise
of
their
fraudulent
Exchange
:
for
all
other
maner
of
persons
of
the
Realme
,
would
gladly
haue
borne
the
losse
of
the
Money
,
according
to
the
Queenes
Maiesties
meaning
,
because
they
perceiued
,
that
they
should
thereby
thereafter
saue
more
for
the
buying
of
things
at
moderate
and
reasonable
prices
,
then
they
should
lose
by
the
reformation
of
the
coyne
;
for
the
cause
beeing
taken
away
of
those
excessiue
prices
(
which
was
as
all
men
saide
,
the
drossy
and
base
coyne
and
Money
of
the
Realme
)
the
effect
which
proceedeth
thereof
,
must
needs
also
haue
ceased
and
vanished
away
.
But
seeing
it
hath
not
so
come
to
passe
,
men
must
needes
say
and
confesse
,
that
some
other
subtiltie
and
policie
,
besides
the
foresaid
drossy
coyne
,
Merchandising
Exchange
;
practised
by
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
as
is
heretofore
proued
.
ITEM
,
the
same
practising
of
Merchandising
Exchange
,
is
the
meanes
whereby
all
things
doth
continew
deere
,
and
at
high
prices
still
in
England
:
for
like
as
is
before
declared
,
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
for
their
owne
priuate
lucar
&
gaine
,
by
the
pollicy
thereof
,
caused
all
things
in
the
Realme
to
rise
to
immoderate
and
excessiue
prices
:
altering
the
valuation
of
the
English
pound
,
without
reason
or
equity
,
by
disualuing
,
and
bringing
downe
the
prices
thereof
,
farre
vnder
the
value
it
ought
to
haue
had
in
the
sayd
Exchange
:
which
pollicy
they
inuented
,
at
the
fall
of
the
Money
,
to
preuent
the
losse
their
State
and
Company
should
haue
receiued
thereby
.
So
after
the
fall
was
proclaimed
in
England
,
for
the
loue
of
the
like
priuate
gaines
and
lucar
which
they
had
tasted
of
so
sweetely
at
the
same
time
,
euer
since
they
haue
kept
the
price
vnder
the
summe
of
Money
it
ought
to
bee
worth
in
the
same
Exchange
,
and
thus
passing
and
returning
their
Money
into
England
vniustly
and
without
equity
,
they
stay
all
manner
of
wares
and
commodities
,
at
the
vnreasonable
and
excessiue
prices
they
first
brought
them
to
,
or
rather
doe
raise
them
higher
.
For
neuer
since
the
Queenes
Maiestie
,
reduced
all
the
corrupt
coyne
of
the
Realme
to
pure
and
fine
Siluer
,
the
price
of
the
English
pound
hath
come
from
the
Marting-Townes
into
England
,
aboue
22.
ss.
2.
pence
Flemish
,
at
Vsance
by
the
sayd
Exchange
,
where
before
till
the
first
fall
was
noised
in
England
,
the
coyne
being
most
drossy
and
corrupt
,
the
price
of
the
sayd
pound
came
from
thence
betweene
,
26.
and
28.
ss.
Flemish
.
To
the
which
price
the
sayd
Merchants
,
should
doe
their
endeuour
to
bring
it
againe
,
rather
then
as
they
doe
,
keepe
it
at
so
vile
a
price
,
and
farre
vnder
the
price
that
it
is
esteemed
,
and
valued
to
be
worth
,
in
valued
Money
of
that
Country
,
set
foorth
by
the
Prince
thereof
,
forasmuch
as
all
the
Money
of
the
Realme
,
Marchants
Aduenturers
,
make
of
their
speciall
Mart
Townes
,
beyond
the
Seas
,
to
the
good
of
their
Country
.
is
now
so
fine
and
pure
.
But
greedy
lucar
hath
no
reason
,
which
causeth
that
both
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
of
England
,
and
also
the
Merchants
of
the
Marting-Townes
,
doe
(
as
it
were
)
by
a
conspiracy
betweene
them
,
keepe
the
value
of
the
English
pound
,
at
so
vniust
and
vile
price
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
;
for
by
reason
thereof
,
doe
the
Merchants
of
those
parts
sell
there
wares
to
English
Merchants
,
for
meruailous
much
more
gaines
,
then
euer
they
did
before
,
and
buy
the
commodities
of
England
againe
of
them
as
good
cheape
,
as
euer
they
did
at
any
time
before
:
likewise
the
sayd
Merchants
of
England
,
gaine
and
get
much
more
then
euery
they
did
,
whether
they
make
imployments
of
their
Money
home
in
wares
,
or
in
Money
by
Exchange
from
the
Marting-Townes
.
Therefore
it
appeareth
,
that
as
this
base
,
vile
,
and
low
price
of
the
English
pound
,
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
,
did
raise
at
the
first
,
all
manner
of
wares
and
commodities
,
to
immoderate
&
excessiue
prices
in
England
:
so
by
the
same
Merchants
,
hauing
gathered
so
sweete
and
pleasant
gaines
,
doe
they
stay
and
keepe
them
at
those
sayd
immoderate
,
and
excessiue
prices
,
from
the
which
there
will
no
way
be
found
to
remoue
them
,
so
long
as
the
Merchants
may
liberally
at
their
pleasure
,
vnder-price
the
Queenes
Maiesties
coyne
of
England
,
in
their
Exchange
:
and
so
trade
and
Traffick
therewith
,
betweene
England
,
and
the
sayd
Marting-Townes
,
because
of
the
great
commoditie
,
gaine
,
and
profit
the
Merchants
of
both
Countries
receiue
by
the
same
.
Moreouer
,
the
Queenes
Maiestie
of
England
,
receiueth
great
losse
and
dammage
at
the
Merchants
hands
,
by
taking
or
prouiding
Money
of
them
by
this
their
Merchandising
Exchange
,
according
as
they
practise
it
now
a
dayes
:
for
where
the
Merchants
Aduenturers
,
and
Staplers
of
England
,
esteeme
the
English
pound
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
,
not
aboue
22.
ss.
6.
pence
Flemish
,
from
London
to
Antwerp
,
at
Vsance
,
yet
is
not
that
the
true
and
iust
valuation
it
ought
to
haue
in
currant
Money
of
the
sayd
Exchange
,
forsomuch
as
by
the
publick
valuation
of
that
Country
Money
,
proclaymed
by
the
commandement
of
the
Prince
,
anno
.
1559.
the
English
pound
of
Money
is
esteemed
to
be
worth
,
of
the
same
valued
Money
,
22.
ss.
6.
pence
Flemish
at
least
,
which
valewed
Money
is
better
by
6.
pence
,
and
12.
pence
in
a
pound
,
then
the
currant
Money
by
Exchange
.
So
then
,
when
one
deliuereth
Money
in
London
by
Merchandising
Exchange
,
to
be
payd
againe
at
Antwerp
,
at
sight
,
he
ought
to
receiue
there
for
his
English
pound
of
Money
,
at
the
least
,
23.
ss.
Flemish
,
of
this
Exchanging
Money
,
and
after
the
Order
of
Merchants
,
in
the
sayd
Exchange
,
if
it
be
deliuered
for
Vsance
,
he
ought
to
receiue
23.
.
sh
6.
pence
Flemish
.
Neither
can
the
Merchants
giue
any
good
reason
,
why
the
price
of
the
English
pound
in
their
Exchange
,
should
be
esteemed
at
this
day
but
at
22
.
sh.
6.
pence
,
seeing
it
is
no
lesse
worth
in
the
valued
Money
of
the
sayd
Country
.
For
after
their
olde
Order
of
their
Exchange
,
when
the
English
pound
was
valued
in
those
parties
to
bee
worth
26
.
sh.
8.
pence
Flemish
of
the
Princes
Money
,
the
sayd
pound
in
currunt
Money
of
that
Exchange
,
was
worth
28
.
sh.
so
that
then
their
was
4.
Grotes
of
Exchanging
Money
allowed
more
to
the
English
pound
at
the
least
,
then
of
valued
Money
,
yea
most
commonly
it
came
from
thence
into
England
,
by
their
Exchange
at
30
.
sh.
Flemish
and
somtime
at
34
.
sh.
of
the
sayd
Money
,
&
from
hence
it
went
at
a
more
and
higher
price
in
their
sayd
Exchange
.
Therefore
according
to
the
proportion
of
the
prices
of
Money
then
,
and
now
at
this
day
:
the
price
of
the
English
pound
from
hence
ought
not
to
bee
vnder
23
.
sh.
10.
pence
,
&
from
hence
at
24
.
sh.
4.
pence
,
for
from
hence
by
the
Order
of
Exchange
,
vnto
the
Marting-Townes
,
the
price
of
the
sayd
pound
is
higher
and
more
worth
,
then
from
thence
hether
commonly
,
by
6.
pence
Flemish
.
Wherefore
if
truth
and
equity
were
vsed
in
this
Merchandising
Exchange
,
or
if
the
foresayd
English
Merchants
frequented
the
Marting-Townes
beyond
the
Sea
,
for
the
preferment
of
the
Common
Wealth
of
their
Country
,
and
not
rather
altogether
☞
for
their
owne
priuate
gaines
and
lucar
,
they
would
neuer
maintaine
this
piraticall
Exchange
,
that
they
practise
now
a
dayes
,
esteeming
the
English
pound
to
be
lesse
worth
of
their
Exchanging
Money
,
then
the
Prince
alloweth
it
to
be
worth
of
his
valued
Money
,
which
was
neuer
seene
before
these
dayes
.
For
seeing
their
Exchanging
Money
is
worse
by
6.
pence
&
12.
pence
in
a
pound
,
then
the
Princes
valued
Money
,
why
should
not
more
thereof
bee
giuen
and
allowed
for
the
English
pound
,
then
of
valued
Money
according
as
it
hath
beene
accustomed
,
to
bee
euer
heere
before
when
the
Prince
of
that
Country
allowed
26
.
sh.
8.
pence
of
his
valued
Money
for
the
English
pound
.
Therefore
that
the
Queenes
Maiestie
,
might
be
exonerated
of
so
great
losse
,
when
her
affaires
doe
require
the
foresayd
meane
to
prouide
Money
,
and
to
the
end
some
way
of
reformation
,
might
also
be
prouided
for
the
redressing
of
the
excessiue
prices
,
that
specially
all
forraine
wares
be
sold
for
in
England
:
the
foresayd
Merchants
Staplers
and
Aduenturers
,
would
bee
by
some
order
compelled
to
bring
the
English
pound
,
to
this
aforesayd
iust
price
&
valuation
,
it
ought
to
haue
in
their
vniust
and
polling
Exchange
,
&
then
shall
they
bring
the
Sales
of
their
commodities
,
at
the
Marting
Townes
to
be
sold
at
26.
and
27.
ss.
Flemish
,
and
vpwards
for
the
English
pound
:
for
the
Sales
of
their
wares
must
bee
2
.
sh.
in
a
pound
aboue
the
price
it
hath
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
,
or
els
shall
they
make
no
reckoning
to
liue
by
.
And
so
after
this
reckoning
,
raising
the
price
of
their
Exchange
,
shall
they
be
able
to
sell
in
England
,
and
afford
all
forraine
commodities
,
25.
in
the
hundred
better
cheape
,
and
vnder
the
price
they
sell
them
now
a
dayes
:
which
reckoning
shall
induce
some
manner
of
reformation
,
in
the
disordinate
prices
which
all
wares
beare
at
this
day
,
to
the
great
ease
of
all
the
Common
Wealth
.
After
the
same
sort
,
when
the
sayd
Marting-Merchants
venture
into
Spaine
,
although
they
can
deuise
no
such
way
and
meanes
to
practise
their
Exchange
thether
,
as
they
doe
to
there
Marting-Townes
,
yet
by
the
example
thereof
,
they
occupy
in
that
Country
as
subtill
practise
,
and
as
iniurious
,
and
hurtfull
to
the
Common
Wealth
of
their
Country
,
as
their
Exchange
.
For
when
they
bestow
xx
.
Nobles
in
the
commodities
of
England
,
to
be
transported
into
Spaine
,
at
the
comming
thether
withall
,
they
make
not
their
reckoning
to
sell
their
wares
,
to
make
their
English
Money
good
againe
in
Spanish
Money
,
that
is
,
to
make
of
euery
English
Noble
15.
Rialls
of
plate
,
and
of
euery
5
.
sh.
English
.
11.
Rialls
,
or
a
single
Ducate
of
Spaine
,
which
were
to
make
of
euery
pounds
worth
of
English
wares
,
4.
Ducates
in
Spanish
Money
:
but
they
make
their
reckoning
to
sel
their
wares
there
,
as
the
Ducates
were
valued
in
England
,
when
the
coyne
and
Money
of
England
was
most
base
and
drossy
,
after
the
reckoning
they
make
of
an
English
Noble
,
but.
11.
Rialls
or
a
single
Ducate
in
Spaine
.
So
where
they
should
sell
the
20.
Nobles
English
,
for
26.
or
27.
Ducats
Spanish
,
if
they
were
profitable
Merchants
for
their
Country
,
with
some
gaines
towards
their
charges
,
they
content
themselues
now
a
dayes
,
rather
then
faile
,
to
make
of
the
20.
Nobles
English
,
but
20.
Ducats
Spanish
,
and
so
turne
the
matter
cleane
contrary
,
deuising
afore-hand
at
their
returning
home
into
England
,
to
make
by
the
Sales
of
such
Spanish
wares
as
they
bring
into
England
,
not
onely
20.
Nobles
English
,
of
20.
Ducats
Spanish
,
but
within
these
few
yeeres
they
haue
priced
Spanish
wares
after
such
sort
,
that
they
haue
☞
made
of
euery
Spanish
single
Ducate
,
betweene
8.
and
10
.
sh.
English
.
Which
vnreasonable
reckoning
they
were
most
diligent
to
make
,
when
the
English
pound
was
most
vily
priced
in
their
Merchandising
Exchange
:
and
that
was
alwayes
at
such
time
as
when
either
the
Queenes
Maiestie
that
now
is
,
or
any
of
her
☞
prodecessors
:
were
most
studious
by
the
abolishing
of
the
sayd
drossy
and
base
coyne
then
currant
,
to
haue
brought
downe
the
excessiue
prices
by
their
subtilty
,
raised
vpon
all
things
in
England
.
For
at
such
times
,
the
said
Marting
Merchants
haue
alwayes
thought
best
and
most
fittest
to
take
occasion
to
raise
,
and
enhaunce
the
prices
of
all
manner
of
things
in
their
owne
Country
,
to
the
entent
thereby
to
decline
and
auoyde
the
losse
that
should
be
borne
by
the
reformation
of
the
coyne
&
Money
,
and
therewithall
did
they
venture
most
busily
,
their
owne
Country
commodities
into
Spaine
,
in
greater
number
then
euer
they
were
wount
to
doe
before
,
and
all
because
of
this
new
manner
of
reckoning
,
to
make
of
euery
Spanish
Ducate
8.
or
10
.
sh.
English
,
in
the
Sales
of
those
Country
wares
.
Through
which
occasion
,
they
haue
also
raised
the
commodities
of
that
Country
,
to
double
and
treble
the
price
that
euer
they
were
wont
to
be
sold
for
in
Spaine
:
insomuch
,
that
the
wise
and
discreete
men
of
that
Country
,
wish
that
the
Marting
Merchants
might
be
kept
from
the
trade
of
that
Country
,
two
or
three
yeeres
together
,
Yet
can
they
not
well
sell
them
vnder
those
prices
to
be
any
gayners
,
they
leese
so
much
in
the
Sales
of
their
owne
commodities
which
they
sell
in
those
parts
,
although
they
needed
not
to
doe
so
,
if
they
kept
any
Merchantlike
Order
in
the
transporting
of
their
commodities
into
those
parts
:
and
in
the
Sales
thereof
at
their
comming
thether
,
as
other
Merchants
of
the
Realme
haue
done
in
times
past
,
when
they
made
euer
reckoning
to
make
in
the
Sales
of
their
commodities
in
that
Country
,
15.
Rialls
of
plate
of
euery
English
Nobles
worth
of
ware
they
brought
thether
,
which
gaines
is
sufficient
towards
the
charges
.
So
might
wise
and
discreete
Merchants
doe
now
at
this
day
,
as
well
as
they
which
were
wise
in
times
past
did
;
for
the
commodities
of
England
,
be
as
necessary
and
commodious
for
the
Country
at
this
day
as
euer
they
were
before
,
and
therfore
would
they
giue
for
them
[
*
](A07552-e19510-b)
*
This
Treatise
was
written
about
the
time
of
the
Colloquy
of
Bruges
,
which
was
holden
in
aunis
,
1564.
et
1565.
as
much
Money
as
euer
they
did
,
whereof
I
poore
and
plaine
WRITER
of
this
Treatise
,
haue
had
good
experience
,
euen
in
these
dayes
.