The prices of commodities in this reign are also a certain proof that no such enormous sum could be levied on the people.

A hide of land, or about a hundred and twenty acres, was commonly let at twenty shillings a year, money of that time.

As there were two hundred and forty-three thousand six hundred hides in England, it is easy to compute the amount of all the landed rents of the kingdom.
The general and stated price of an ox was four shillings; of a laboring horse, the same; of a sow, one shilling; of a sheep with fine wool, tenpence with coarse wool, sixpence.[*] These commodities seem not to have advanced in their prices since the conquest,[**] [19] and to have still been ten times cheaper than at present.
Richard renewed the severe laws against transgressors in his forests, whom he punished by castration and putting out their eyes, as in the reign of his great-grandfather.

He established by law one weight and measure throughout his kingdom;[***] a useful institution, which the mercenary disposition and necessities of his successor engaged him to dispense with for money.
[* Hoveden, p.

745.] [** See note S, at the end of the volume.] [*** M.Paris, p.