Legal Definitions - statute of bread and ale

The Statute of Bread and Ale refers to a historical English law, specifically a medieval ordinance known in Latin as Assisa Panis et Cerevisiae. This statute was a significant piece of consumer protection legislation from the 13th century, designed to regulate the quality, weight, and price of two staple goods: bread and ale. Its primary purpose was to ensure fair trade practices, prevent fraud by bakers and brewers, and protect the public from substandard products or exorbitant prices.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of the Statute of Bread and Ale:

• Imagine a baker in a bustling medieval market town in the year 1250. An official, acting under the authority of the local lord, regularly inspects the loaves of bread being sold. If this baker is found to be consistently selling loaves that are lighter than the standard weight prescribed by the Statute of Bread and Ale for a given price, they could face penalties, such as fines or even public shaming. This demonstrates the statute's role in ensuring consumers received the correct quantity of bread for their money.

• Consider a tavern owner in a 14th-century village. The local authorities, empowered by the Statute of Bread and Ale, might periodically test the quality of the ale being served. If the ale is found to be watered down, spoiled, or otherwise failing to meet the established standards for strength and purity, the tavern owner could be penalized. This highlights the statute's focus on maintaining the quality of essential beverages to protect public health and ensure fair value.

• Picture a time of poor harvest where grain prices have risen sharply. Despite this, the Statute of Bread and Ale would dictate a maximum price that bakers could charge for a loaf of a certain weight, adjusting the weight of the loaf rather than allowing the price to skyrocket. If a baker attempted to charge significantly more than the legally permitted price, they would be in violation of the statute. This illustrates the law's function in controlling prices to prevent price gouging and ensure basic foodstuffs remained accessible to the general population, especially during times of scarcity.