England, 1266
The size, weight, and more importantly, the price, of bread, is to become standardized. In a decree called the Assize of Bread and Ale, King Henry III has requested uniformity in the production of this staple food to avoid major price variations and to weed out any dishonest pricing practice
The Assize was enacted in response to the perceived shortage of grain and wheat. Because farmers only grow wheat in small quantities, prices vary each season. Although there have been cases of unprincipled bakers overcharging for bread in lean times, there have also been some cases where bakers have been mobbed by angry people who believe that bread is being kept from the population.
and Ale is designed to regulate the industry, providing not only bread but fair prices too. Bakers who sell underweight loaves will now be subject to fines or other punishments. Some bakers are now selling 13 loaves at a time to make sure that the total weight complies with the regulations.
and so it was, they say!!!😀
