Reviewed by Hans J. Dykxhoorn Western Michigan University
The London Record Society was founded in 1964 for the purpose of publishing “transcripts, abstracts, and lists of pri-mary sources for the history of London, and generally to stimu-late interest in archives relating to London [p . 219]. This book, which is the 27th volume published by the Society, contains an extensive introduction that familiarizes the reader with the Lon-don custom, practices and the types of custom officials during the fifteenth century.
The main part of the book carefully chronicles the foreign trade that took place in the port of London between September 29, 1480 and September 29, 1481. The imports and exports are listed in chronological order and any custom duties levied are cited. For example, Entry 7 for October 2 states: “From the ship of John Pache called Anne of Colchester: William Grenewolt, H 2 lasts soap, 12 pounds. Arnold van Stalle, H 1 roll Herford linen cloth, 12 pounds.
The book lists 224 ships entering and 215 ships leaving the port of London during the one year time period covered. The reason why fewer ships were recorded leaving the port than entering is explained by being “partly due to the omission from the Petty Custom account of the wool fleets which sailed in December 1480 and July and September 1481 with over 7000 sacks of wool” [p. xxxviii]. It is interesting to note that customs were levied not only on imported goods but also goods exported by alien merchants. The main purpose of levying custom duties was to collect funds for the Crown rather than to achieve some economic goals.
An extensive Glossary and Index of Commodities is included which defines the terms used in the listing and deciphers the English language in use in the fifteenth century. Without the glossary, the book would be of very limited use. Few readers would know that “gipsers” are purses, pouches or wallets sus¬pended from a belt, or that a “last” is a type of measure equal to 12 barrels.
This book will be of primary interest to historians of the London trade during the fifteenth century. Accounting historians will benefit mostly from the Glossary if used as a reference when researching English accounting records of this period.
The Overseas Trade of London Exchequer Customs Accounts 1480-1 appears to be a fine addition to the collection of volumes published by the London Record Society. Although H. S. Cobb is listed as the “editor” of this volume, Cobb contributed a great deal more considering the meticulous work done in the Intro¬duction and the Glossary and Index of Commodities.
