The master craftsman often was a tradesman as well,
who supplied timber, bricks, or lime for the building being
constructed. The company of painters was chartered with a
provision prohibiting painting by persons not apprenticed for
seven years.
The prosperous merchants began to form a capitalistic class as
capitalism grew. Competition for renting farm land, previously
unknown, caused these rents to rise. The price of wheat rose to an
average of 14s. per quarter, thereby encouraging tillage once
more. There was steady inflation.
With enclosure of agricultural land there could be more innovation
and more efficiency, e.g. the time for sowing could be chosen. It
was easier to prevent over-grazing and half-starved animals as a
result. The complications of the open system with its endless
quarrels and lawsuits were avoided. Now noblemen talked about
manure and drainage, rotation of crops, clover, and turnips
instead of hunting, horses, and dogs. The breed of horses and
cattle was improved. There were specializations such as the
hunting horse and the coach horse. By royal proclamation of 1562,
there were requirements for the keeping of certain horses. For
instance, everyone with lands of at least 1,000 pounds had to keep
six horses or geldings able for demilances [rider bearing a light
lance] and ten horses or geldings for light horsemen [rode to
battle, but fought on foot].
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