Barons and their tenants and sub-tenants were offered an
alternative of paying shield money ["scutage"] of 26s.8d. per fee
in commutation for and instead of military service for their
fiefs. This enabled Henry to hire soldiers who would be more
directly under his own control and to organize a more efficient
army.
Henry II restored the silver coinage to its standard of purity.
The first great inflation in England occurred between 1180 and
1220. Most goods and services increased threefold over these forty
years.
Great households, whether of baron, prelate, monastery, or college
gave their officers and servants allowances of provisions and
clothing called "liveries". The officer of such departments as the
buttery [cellar storing butts of wine], the kitchen, the napery
[for linen cloth], and the chandlery had his fixed allowances for
every day and his livery of clothing at fixed times of the year or
intervals of years.
The administration of a great estate is indicated by the Pipe Roll
of the Bishopric of Winchester, 1208-1209, as follows:
"Downton: William FitzGilbert, and Joselyn the reeve, and Aylward
the cellarer render account of 7 pounds 12s.11d. for arrears of
the previous year. They paid and are quit. And of 3 pounds 2s.2d.
for landgafol. And of 12d. by increment of tax for a park which
William of Witherington held for nothing. And of 2s.6d. by
increment of tax for half a virgate of land which James Oisel held
without service.
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