1634-1635, Edited by John Bruce, Esq., 1864
Vol CCLXVII, May 10, 1634 (Norwich)
71. Mayor and other of Norwich to Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey. Received his letter of the
17th April with two proclamation which were proclaimed in the first year of the King's reign and which they
have again caused to be published, and also have intimated the same to many tradesmen whom the issuing of
farthing tokens principally concerns. The news was not pleasing either to rich or poor, the former being
glutted with counterfeit farthing tokens, the latter having little or no coin but these counterfeit tokens
to buy their bread. Upon publishing the proclamation, a general refusal was made of all farthing tokens
although the writers caused it to be divulged that all farthing tokens warranted by authority were to have
passage; thereupon so great was the complaint of the poor as the writers were enforced to give them
content,--persuading men to take of them such farthings as were good, and pressing such as had paid any
poor body counterfeit tokens to give them current money or warrantable tokens. The business is peaceably
reconciled, only the true farthing tokens are for the most part refused. Edward Wyar, a man of good estate
has been long observed to put away great quantities of farthing tokens in payments. Hearing that in his
pack cloths sent down from London since Easter there was a bundle of farthing tokens, the same was opened in
his presence and was found to contain in farthings 14l. 5s. 6d. of various stamps, many
false and few true. Send copy of his examination, and request direction. [1 p.]
Vol CCLXVIII, May 19. 1634 (Barnstaple)
30. Mayor and others of Barnstaple to the Council. The daily complaints of many thousands of the
poorer sort of people enforce the writers to implore their direction, what course to take, for by a
general refusal of receiving farthings there is a distraction amongst the poorer sort, and they brought
into that miserable estate as they cannot get bread, beer, or meat or other necessaries. They receive
little or no other money for their work, or for such commodities of low price as they have used to sell,
but farthings, which has brought their small stocks into that coin (silver being exceeding scarce in the
country) and now their farthings being refused, although they would depart with them at half their value,
they have neither wherewith to set themselves on work nor for present relief. Pray that some course
may be taken for redress of this general grievance. [Seal with arms. 1 p.]
Vol CCLXVIII, May 19, 1634 (Taunton)
32. Mayor and others of Taunton to the Council. Of late such extraordinary quantities of farthings,
of several sorts, are brought into the county of Somerset, and into their town especially, that the
poorer sort of people, as weavers, and all day labourers, are constrained to receive their wages, or
the greatest part thereof, in farthings; and now a general rumour being raised, that the greatest
part of the said farthings shall not hereafter be allowed current, being suspected to be brought into
this kingdom by some indirect means, all sorts of people are ready to deny receipt of any farthings. By
means whereof, the poor people are not able to provide themselves with necessaries for their livelihood,
so that on several market days, and especially on Saturday last, a great tumult was like to have been
made. The poor people are like to perish unless some speedy course be taken for their relief. The writers
desire directions. [Seal with arms. 1 p.]
Vol CCLXIX, June 20, 1634 (Star Chamber)
Proclamation of an extract from a Decree of the Court of Star Chamber, made on the 25th April last, in
a case of Sir Francis Crange against William Hawkes and others, for making and vending counterfeit
farthing tokens. The court declared that it was unlawful that farthing tokens should be forced upon
labourers or workmen, that no person should pay above twopence in farthings at any one time, and that
it was unlawful to by farthings at less than the rate at which they are vented by the patentees.
[Coll. Procs., Car. I., No. 178. 2 pp.]
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