[439] _Dom. State Papers_, Jas. I., Vol. 143, 35, 2.
[440] Norwich. Numerous resolutions are recorded by the Court Books, 18th Oct. 1630. "Some of the corne in the City Granary shalbe weekely ground into meale and solde to the poore in the market."
14th Feb. Corn is bought for the poor and delivered to the aldermen of each ward weekly to be sold.
6th Mar. The corn delivered to the poor to be two parts barley, one wheat, and one rye.
2nd July. Wheat bought for 30_s._ the combe, rye 25_s._ and barley 16_s._ To be sold to the poor at 16_s._ the combe; the three grains equally mixed.
Between 25th Feb. and 25th March, 1631. £114. 18_s._ 10_d._ "was given towards buyeinge of corn for the poor."
See also _Dom. S. P._, Chas. I., Vol. 186, 26, 191, 54.
Great Yarmouth, _Dom. S. P._, Chas. I., Vol. 188, 80. "There hath beene 300^{ li} laid out to buy corne w^{ ch} hath beene brought into the comon graineries of the towne and there by parcells delivered to the poore inhabitants of this towne under the rate of the markett price which hath beene a great releife to the poore."
"93^{ li} to buy corne for the poore and sold them at iiijs the bushell."
[Sidenote: Stores of corn sold under price to the country labourers.]
The same plan was also adopted in the country. It was recommended by the Council, but it is not one of the fixed regulations enforced by them. In one case however we find that a small sum of money had been collected for a magazine of corn in Suffolk, and that now the Council ordered it to be used to supply the poor of Halesworth[441].
[441] _Privy Council Register_, 18th Dec. 1830.
In many other cases corn was provided by the inhabitants themselves often by voluntary agreement made under the persuasion of the justices. In 1623 this method of helping the poor was usual in Hertfordshire. In March the Sheriff sends to the Council reports from the justices of the greater part of the country. He states that the justices and gentlemen have "by there good and charitable exsamples and perswasiones" provided a quantity of corn at nearly half the market price in "euery parish where neede requireth." There was enough to last until next harvest and they hope "noe complainte of the pore shall hereafter add any disturbance unto his Ma^{ ti's} most graciouse pittifull, and charitable minde[442]."