The Indianapolis journal., 1892-12-26
SELLING WIVES IN OPEN MARKET.
Some of tho Customs Which Marked the
Reigns of the Norman Kings.

Reigns of the Norman Kings.
London News.
The earlier Norman kings lay on straw,
and land W as held at tAylesbury on condi-
tion Of finding this commodity for the royal
oeedinely comfortable things. The service
was nominal and the pay was gold. The
kings champion. who rode into WestmIn-
ster Hall to challenge all comers who dis
puted his masters title. was handsomely
rewarded. One of the Russians obtained a
grant OF land in Dorsetshire for putting
away tho pieces after playing at chess with
the king.
Kings stirrup whom he came to that town,
enjoyed q perpetual grant OF q tishpond.
Some obtained grants on condition of say
ing q daily paternoster for the throne.
Others gave an annual SNOWFALL or an an-
nual rose In exchange for most substantial
privileges.
AtNorwich-when Norwich was fishing
station, though it is eighteen miles from
the sea-there was By indenture. an annual
delivery of herrinRs to the king. certain
number of fsh from the first yield were put
in twenty-four "pyes" well-flavored with
spices, and sent I'D to town. IL was under
stood that there should be at least five herr
riggs in every pye. but occasionally the of.
ficers of the royal household had to COM
plain OF short measure.
The wolf and boar hunting tenures in
volved by no means q nominal service in
gentlemen In Hants be- said to have a sine
cure whose business IL was Ito keep in
order the female domestic servants and
dismembcr malefactors." The latter must
have been by far the lighter task. Women
were always bad to manage until some one
invented the art Of treating them properly.
The old art of management includes the
right, or. at any rate. the custom OF selling
wives in the open market. There Is no
room for doubt on this subject after many
instances which Mr.. Andrews has given by
chapter and verse. The common people bad
q notion that q husband might lawfully dis
pose of his wife in this way provided be
conducted the transaction in some public
place and delivered her to the purchaser
with q halter about her neck. The sales
were duly reported in the newspapers of
the period without any special comment as
items of every day news.
"lD some instances market tolls were col
lected similar to those charged for animals
brought to the public market" The busi-
ness was usually conducted by auction. but
now and then it was managed by private
tender. One Of the lowest prices is Cd and
a quld of sobacco In one instance q writer
ironically instanced the increasing value
Of women in the market as certain
criterion of advancing civilization, the
price of wives at Smithfield having risen
from half guinea TO 3i2 Ruineas.
At Carlisle, In 1892 farmer offered his
wife fer sale in the following terms: Cen
tiemen. it is her wish. as well as mine. to
part forever. She has been to me only n
serpent. l took her for my comfort and
the good OF ms home; but s1e became my
tormentor. q domestic curse. q night inva-
sion and domestic plague" lie then
thought proper to say a word or two on
1.-The bright and sunny side" of the
picture: She can read novels and milk
| COWS
"She can laugh and weep with the same
ease that you can take n glass Of ale when
| thirsty. She can make butter and scoid
| the maid; she can sing Moore's melodies
and plait her frills aud caps. L therefore
| offer her, with all her Projections and i'm
| perfect ctions for the sum of 80 shillings"
Good old timesl But stay. In 1852, at
| Alfreton, Derby shire, q husband sold his
wife in public house for glass Of beer.