[1] A great dearth. Matth. Paris. In this yeare was an exceeding great dearth, in so much that a quarter of wheat was sold at London for foure and twentie shillings, whereas within two or thrée yeares before, a quarter was sold at two shil|lings. It had beene more déerer, if great store had not come out of Almaine, for in France and in Nor|mandie it likewise failed. But there came fiftie great ships fraught with wheat and barlie, with meale and bread out of Dutchland, by the procure|ment of Richard king of Almaine, which greatlie re|leeued the poore; for proclamation was made, and or|der taken by the king, that none of the citizens of London should buy any of that graine to laie it vp in store, whereby it might be sold at an higher price vnto the needie. But though this prouision did much ease, yet the want was great ouer all the realme. For it was certeinelie affirmed, that in three shires within the realme, there was not found so much graine of that yeares growth, as came ouer in those fiftie ships.The gréedie dealing of the Londoners to the hurt of the cõmon-welth. The proclamation was set foorth, to re|streine the Londoners from ingrossing vp that graine, and not without cause: for the wealthie citi|zens were euill spoken of in that season, bicause in time of scarsitie they would either staie such ships as fraught with vittels were comming towards the citie, and send them some other way foorth; or else buy the whole, that they might sell it by retaile at their plesure to the needie. By means of this great dearth and scarsitie, the common people were constreined to liue vpon hearbs & roots, and a great number of the poore people died through famine, which is the most miserable calamitie that can betide mortall men, and was well marked euen of the heathen, but notablie by Ouid, who making a description of famine, setteth hir foorth in most ouglie and irkesome sort, intending therby the dreadfulnes of that heauie plague, saieng:

Quaesitámque famem lapidoso vidit in antro,Ouid. lib. 8. Meta. fab. 11.

Vnguibus & raris vellentem dentibus herbas,

Hirtus erat crinis, caua lumina, pallor in ore,

Labra incana situ, scabrirubigine dentes,

Dura cutis, per quam spectari viscera possent,

Ossa sub incuruis extabant arida lumbis,

Ventris erat pro ventre locus, pendêre putares,

Pectus & àspinae tantummodo crate teneri,

Auxerat articulos macies, genuùmque tumebat

Orbis, & immodico prodibant tubere tali, &c.