Food and drink : Ireland's overseas trade in the Later Middle Ages

Abstract

This thesis examines Ireland's overseas trade in food and drink commodities in the later Middle Ages. The study focuses primarily on trade between Ireland and ports on the west and south west coast of England but also covers Ireland's continental trade. In order to provide an outline oftrading conditions in and around the Irish Sea, Chapter One examines what type ofships freighted commodities from and to Ireland. This chapter also analyses shipbuilding on both archaeological finds and documentary sources. Other topics covered include harbours and their accessibility; legal issues relating to mariners and merchants; the threat and impact posed by piracy on trade; and personnel be they merchants, shipmasters, or crew on ships in Irish waters. In Chapter Two the analysis turns to the grain and bean trade. The heavily regulated overseas grain trade is examined to explain the change in grain supply from the glut of grain in Ireland after the Black Death to the virtual cessation of Irish exports of grain after 1450. Beans as well as grain will be analysed to account for the large quantities imported from Bridgewater and Bristol to Ireland in the fifteenth century. Chapter Three is a study of the fish industry in Ireland. Herring, hake and salmon made up the bulk offish exports from Ireland. Irish processors and merchants had the most up to date curing methods to preserve the catch and were sourcing the raw materials to do so (salt and old wine) domestically and from abroad. The impact of political unrest on the fish trade will be examined. Chapter Four sets out to determine the importation of wine. Most probably it came from Gascony but additional supplies arrived from Iberia and via England. Wine imports before and after the Black Death will be assessed to determine the quantities imported to Ireland. Who consumed wine in Ireland and the reasons for its consumption will also be outlined. Chapter Five focuses on salt, honey, spices, fruit and nuts. Most of these products were imported to be used as either food additives or as food dyes. Some spices (cinnamon, saffron) were imported in small quantities for medicinal purposes. The final Chapter focuses on the impact oftrade on the Irish economy. It deals with the aftermath of the Black Death, population levels, coin and its use in the Irish economy and finally the economics oftrade. The costs associated with overseas trade will be set out including licences, ship hire, freight rates, insurance and port levies, keelage, cranage, and the measurement of commodities. This chapter suggests that the Irish economy was generally performing well for most of the fifteenth century.