86 THE PEASANT'S YEAR
long as we bear in mind that our figures are only approximations
we can proceed safely. To begin with the theory laid down by
Walter of Henley: he tells us that land which did not yield more
than three times the seed sown gained its owner nothing unless
the price of corn was high.1 It is generally agreed that something
like 2§ bushels of wheat were commonly used to sow an acre in
medieval times, so that it is clear that nearly 8 bushels per acre
had to be harvested in order that there should be no loss.
Turning from theory to fact we find that, as a result of his
investigation of thousands of accounts, Thorold Rogers gave it
as his opinion that "the rate of increase was not more than four
times", i.e. (4x2!) bushels2—say between 9 and 10 bushels.
A great deal of work has been done since then ;3 and, although
even now the range of statistics is not sufficient to allow of cer-
tainty, the figures of Sir W. Beveridge (with certain small adjust-
ments) may be taken as our most accurate modern evidence. By
an examination of the account rolls of the Bishop of Winchester
he obtained records of wheat yields per acre from eight manors
in various counties—three in Hampshire and one each in Somer-
set, Wilts, Oxford, Bucks and Berks.4 His investigations led him
to the conclusion that the average yield for the period 1200 to
1250 was about 9-44 bushels.5 These figures have since been
examined by Mr M. K. Bennett who gives reasons for believing
the Winchester figui^s to be rather low as an average for all
England, and comes to the conclusion that "perhaps 10 bushels
would not be too high; but a conservative guess would be 8 to
9 bushels ".6
If, then, we reckon the yield of wheat on demesne lands to
have been 8 to 9 bushels, we shall probably be over-estimating the
1 Walter of Henley, 19. a Hist, of Agric. I, 56.
8 See especially Milton Whitney, " The Yield of Wheat in England during
Seven Centuries", Science, Oct. 1923, p. 320; H, Bradley, The Enclosures in
England (Columbia Univ. Studies in History, Economics and Public Law,
LXXX, No. 2); R. Lennard, " The Alleged Exhaustion of the Soil in Medieval
England", Econ. Jotam. March 1922.
4 Econ.Joum. (Supplement), May 1927, "The Yield and Price of Com in
the Middle Ages", 155.
5 The modern 60 Ib. bushel is 20 per cent, heavier than the medieval
bushel, which would give us a figure of 7-5 bushels of 60 Ib. The wheat sown
would be correspondingly less.
6 Econ.Journ. (Supplement), Feb. 1935, "British Wheat Yield for Seven
Centuries*', 12.