The Irish standard., 1918-10-19
ireland Mad Food
Control In The
Middle Ages

The system of food control, put into
practice throughout large part of
Europe. parts of Asia, and in some of
the American countries, have for their
purpose the observance of mandate
observed in many places during the
Middle Ages, providing the common
first food of poor and rich alike"
The long period of the reign of In
dividualism is thus being interrupted
by the recognition of the common veal
on the one hand and by Government
interference in the matter of the food
supply in the same interest on the
other Such recognition was one of the
basic thoughts which inspired the
philosophy and the social order of
the Middle Ages, and food control,
the control Of the essential requisites,
for the physical wellbeing of the peo-
pie, was considered not only right
but even a duty by society, and it's
chiefest administrative organ, the
State. Many interesting cases might
be cited from the history of Italy and
Germany to illustrate this point. A
highly instructive illustration to the
same effect is offered from the his
tory of ireland by contributor to the
Irish Theological Quarterly
Sean Gall tells us, in the article
mentioned, that in the Ages of Faith
tho primary duty OF the Irish cor
poration was ito control all corn COM
ing into the town, whether by set or
land, to provide daily bread for all
inhabitants alike" Not merely food
stuffs but practically all imports were
put beyond the power of traders not
satified with AN honest penny The
Mayor of Kilkenny 0202) ordained
that no assiZe of victuas (fiXing their
market price, be made in the borough
except by the common assent of the
burgesscs and the consideration of
the bailitis.' Inistioge U20G) and
Kells N21o) issued similar regula-
tons"
Attempt at fraud by those who
wished to make unjust gains out of the
common need was a dangerous game.
Every ship entering Cork N339), we
are told, after paying customs. had to
enroll. with the hailff of the town,
the masters name and the names of
the consignees of all corn or other
merchandise. Every buyer had to
transact business by daylight. "be-
fore dinner" he was bound to grant
lot" to all citizens who demanded
lot of him, before sunset on the day
the corn was bought. TO prevent de-
ception ilr the purchases, all buyers
and sellers were urged to record their
names, tho quantity involved and the
purchase price at the Gid Hall. To
prevent secret buying Of, say, u ship
load of corn, it was ruled that before
the cargo was unloaded all the var-
Gus parties We're to be enrolled at the
Gid Hall, ION pain of forfeiture of
the corn" In the event OF proven de-
ception or improper collision the
their value given to the foreign seller
(importer), the forfeited corn was
divided among the citizens and the
prico obtained paid to the bailff.
The price for communal purchases,
IAN honest price" "a just price," was
fixed by the Corporation or the Gid
Merchant. In Waterford Q433-34)
the Corporation were common buyers
for all imports into tho city and dis
tributed them to all "citizens and COM
munalty OF the same as the shall
see behouffull." Anyone who offered
a higher price for corn, victuals, or
other goods than the Mayor and COun-
Gil of Galway G524) had offered, was
heavily fined. The Gid Merchant, in
many cities, possessed vast powers to
prevent corners" monopolies, and I'M
due competition on the part of "for-
eigners' (non,members of the Gild).
In many cases he was a member of
the Town Council; in Dublin, he was
distinct from the body, at least in later
medieval days. At any rate, evidence
is clear and strong that his power was
great and that the power vested in
him and the Council proved an effec-
tive force for food control
The question Of profiteering, hoard
ing the shortening" of flour by miller
or baker, were dealt with in perfectly
clear and unquestionable rulings The
composition of the daily bread, the
mode of baking it, and the price to
the consumer were set down for the
guidance of the baker. In fact, all
food-stuffs were regulated according
to the standard for corn, to which we
have briefly referred. Punishment for
the selling Of tainted meat was pro.
vided, as we'll as for the sale of spoilt