living in 16th century england

Chapter 10

For most of the Middle Ages, a good longsword could buy two oxen for the price.With the development of mining and smelting technology, the price is constantly falling.

In the late 15th century, a pound of iron was about 5 pence, which provided the basis for the popularity of knives and iron farm tools.

By some point in the sixteenth century, most adult European men carried a knife, and perhaps women as well.It can be said that the whole people are armed with abundant martial arts virtues.

For example, in the schematic diagram of English clothing in the 16th century, hanging at the waist or holding a knife in hand have become part of the clothing.

Still, a well-made longsword doesn't come cheap.

The blacksmith faltered: "I was determined not to sell it at first, but he... gave too much."

Matthew rolled his eyes: "How much is it?"

"45 florins..."

Matthew wondered: "So many...Who is this fool?"

Blacksmith: "A Portuguese merchant. His ship is still at the port." He pointed with his finger, "It's the biggest one."

Matthew took a look, three-masted Karak?It is estimated that the load can exceed 200 tons.Belongs to the big ship in this era.

It is impossible to know the size of a sailing ship just by looking at the name of the sailing ship. Taking Karak as an example, there have been 100 to 2000 tons in history.Very confusing.

It is said that in 1441, a British nobleman bought a set of decorated armor for himself for 8 pounds.

In 1539, Britain spent 454 pounds to order 1200 sets of armor for ordinary soldiers from Cologne.On average £0.38 per set.Although it is a practical model without decoration, the price is quite amazing.

But at that time a pound was a pound of silver.It is difficult to convert specific currency values.

Such mass production shows that the metal smelting and hand forging industries in continental Europe have made rapid progress in the past 100 years.

England's industry in this area is obviously backward.The purchase aroused domestic protests at the time, on the grounds that it was protecting related domestic industries.Because their price is £3.33, a difference of almost ten times.This may be a kind of low price dumping.Maybe it also has a strategic purpose.

But this has nothing to do with Matthew, he only knows that a flashy swift sword was sold... for about 10 British pound gold coins.

rich future.

Matthew: "Have you made more than one sword like this? Show me."

The blacksmith had a strange expression: "Those who practice their hands are also sold out. The price varies from one or two gold coins...they have accounts."

Matthew: "?"

He touched his chin: "What kind of people are these...customers?"

Blacksmith: "Basically they are sailors, captains, adventurers, and a monk...I guess there are two outlaws."

Are these professions that don't wear armor?It seems that this kind of slender sewing needle can be used in the same way.

Many people think that the swift sword is not suitable for the battlefield, including Matthew.

In fact, in the middle and late 16th century, the battlefield was full of armor, and the efficiency of this attack method was even worse.

So this kind of weapon is also more widely equipped.Although it is difficult to penetrate armor, it can pass through the gaps in the plate armor. It can still do it as long as it is hard to face the chain armor. The attack method of stabbing is also more deadly.On the contrary, it is very useful in a crowded battlefield.Although the dagger is also available, but the dagger is too short, and its versatility is much worse.

The swift sword has been the standard equipment of European soldiers for a hundred years.It was not until the large-scale use of muskets that armor began to become a burden that it withdrew from the battlefield stage.

Matthew chuckled: "You know what to do next? Our goal is... let everyone have one."

The blacksmith smiled and said, "That's exactly what I mean, but I need to recruit more people. There is not enough space for the cannon. I plan to find a place by the Taima River outside the city, build a few houses, and add a lot of things."

This is to build a factory?

Matthew thought for a while, estimated the various costs, and then said: "You can figure it out. However, the prices of these weapons must be unified. The same shape and material can only be used at one price. You can't wait for others to order. The decoration is gorgeous and the workmanship For the elegant ones, the standard is 10 gold coins."

The blacksmith quickly understood, and then he stretched out his hand: "Maybe we need to build a water mill, it will cost money, can you give me some more gold coins?"

Matthew touched his pocket: "...I only have 12 gold coins, how much do you want?"

The blacksmith was a little confused: "...Eleven, plus the income from the previous few days, it's probably barely enough."

Matthew: "..."

Well, you actually know to leave one for me.

After leaving the blacksmith shop, I went to the shipyard again.

A few fishermen were watching.There are always people who choose to rest at home in winter.

The length of the keel is less than 25 meters, the bow and stern columns have been erected, and several people are busy installing the ribs, so there is no time to pay attention to him.

Since the blacksmith shop is his own, Matthew naturally suggested that some iron products could be used to reinforce it.After discussing with several people in the shipyard, they felt that as long as they pay attention to anti-rust, it is completely feasible, and even better.

But what Matthew didn't know was that this was actually a way ahead of the times.Leading level... 200 years.

In this era, the quality of iron nails was not good, and wooden pegs were often used to drive in the links.All the gaps between the wood have to be filled with putty, and some have to be filled with hemp fiber, and finally glued paint is crazy.

At the beginning of the 16th century, there was no tung oil in Europe.It will take another 200 years to master the technology of tung oil paint.Without tung oil, there is no decades of longevity.

Matthew knows shit about tung oil.I have to tell you, we must pay attention to the common sense that everyone knows such as waterproof, leakproof and anticorrosion.As for how to do it, he doesn't know.

But in many cases, with awareness and effective action, the results must be benign.The boss pays attention to it, and the boatmen will pay more attention to it.

The sailboats produced by Hawkins Shipyard will have a much longer service life than sailboats of this era.This secret was not known to the world until seven or eight years later.

Now Matthew doesn't know that he is trying to sell this "boat" to fishermen who watch the fun.

Matthew walked over and coughed: "See? This is the largest fishing boat in Plymouth. This one will be a discounted price. It only costs 120 gold coins, and I only earn a bit of the king's tonnage subsidy. Want to buy one?"

The fishermen took off their hats: "Hi, Master Hawkins."

Matthew also raised his felt hat and said with a smile, "It seems that everyone knows me... What do you think of this boat?"

A fisherman said: "It will look very strong, it should be a good boat."

Another fisherman said: "Actually, I also know a little about shipbuilding, especially good at repairing leaks... Is your shipyard still short of people?"

Matthew is puzzled, what do you mean?Are you looking for a job?
The fisherman said with a smile: "My fishing boat is no longer working, it is leaking everywhere, and I want to change my career."

Matthew chuckled: "Isn't it enough to buy a new one? This is a discounted price. Does the Newfoundland fishing ground know? It is specially designed for oceangoing. With a load of 120 tons, you can earn back the boat money in one trip."

Matthew didn't think these fishermen were poor. His Uncle Jack was a fisherman.The more and more ships I bought, the bigger I switched to offshore trade.Doing trade and doing it makes a part-time pirate.

Plymouth has no feudal lords, only some knightly fiefs.In addition to the church, taxes are also paid to the royal family in accordance with the prescribed ratio.There are many local families, and no one can cover the sky with one hand.Therefore, compared with other places, the population here is concentrated, and few people move away.The water source is abundant, the land is not lacking, there are many forests, and many places have not yet been developed.

Historically, Plymouth was the first place in England to be established as a city.

Another fisherman said: "I have some money, but 120 gold coins... I can't get it out. I can only continue to buy a boat... Can you build some smaller fishing boats?"

Matthew immediately said: "Of course, after this one."

His heart moved, the attitude of these fishermen is very interesting, it seems... they don't trust other shipyards very much.

Soon the fisherman answered his doubts: "Your shipbuilder is different from others, and the method is also different. He can also use a ruler... I wonder if I can order a 30-ton ship?"

Matthew smiled and said, "Of course, the discounted price of 30 tons is only 30 gold coins. Just pay 30% deposit in advance."

But the fisherman said: "As long as you can guarantee that it can be used for at least five years, I will pay the deposit tomorrow."

Matthew didn't even hit it in a daze: "I promise in the name of God, I will give you a full refund in less than five years."

Several fishermen were shocked: "Full refund?!"

Can Matthew guarantee it for five years?He can guarantee a fart.What he wants now is the trust of the fishermen. Even if it really sinks in three or four years, a full refund is fine.As long as all the nearby fishermen come to him to buy boats.

Even if he hesitated for a second now, he would be suspected that his ship was not good enough.A bad product can be improved, and a reputation for bad quality is not easy to erase.

The fishermen believed it.Andrew Hawkins has a good reputation.Although he is an upstart, the upstart must be rich, and of course the rich can afford a full refund.

Two seconds later, Matthew thought of a possibility, and he immediately patched it: "This kind of good thing is limited to you, and it is regarded as an opening reward, and other people will not buy it. It will be converted according to the year. For example, it will be used for four years For those that fall apart, only 20% can be refunded. For three-year refunds of 40%, there must be sufficient evidence.”

In order to increase his credibility, he immediately found paper and pen at the shipyard and wrote down the names of several fishermen.

No one thought that Matthew Hawkins was fooling people, but that this well-dressed young man was too honest.Decent people, of course, do things decently.

A fisherman was in a hurry: "I just bought my boat for a year, what should I do?"

Matthew smiled and said: "It's fine if you sell it. The opening discount is of course only for the opening. Or you pay the deposit first, and you can make up the price at any time in the future to get a new ship."

I have spent too much money recently, so I have to make up for it.

After tossing and tossing for a long time, I finally got an order... um... intention, but unfortunately no one bought this 120-ton "big guy".

After the fishermen left, Matthew rubbed his chin. If it can't be sold, should we set up a fishing company?
In the Middle Ages, meat and fish were the only foods enjoyed by nobles and rich people. The rise of sea fishing can only be stimulated by high prices.

He has collected some prices recently, salted fish is expensive anywhere in Europe.The poor can't afford it at all.For the sake of salted fish, he also researched the price of salt, and unexpectedly found that all the salt he ate was imported from France, at 12.7 shillings per quarter (5 kilograms).A gold coin can only buy more than 50 kilograms.

As for why it is salted fish instead of dried fish?Because there are aborigines on Newfoundland, the so-called Indians.

If you want to dry fish, you must go to the island to dry the fish.But now Europeans dare not, they can only run away after catching fish, nearly 4000 kilometers... the sea journey, only salted fish.

Matthew sat on a log and thought.If you want to get a fishing company, the best candidate is of course his Uncle Jack, but the relationship between Andrew and Jack is a bit delicate.It is definitely unwilling to let Jack come to work.

Unless it's...a partnership, he should be the master.

A few days later, Matthew couldn't find a buyer, so he confided the idea to Andrew.

Sure enough, Andrew objected as soon as he heard it.

"No! I pay the money and return the boat, but let him have the final say?"

Matthew: "There are a lot of payouts, and a lot of dividends. He has rich sailing experience, many skilled sailors, and many outlaws who hang out with him. When he meets pirates, he doesn't know who will snatch who. At least he won't lose everything."

"The most important thing is that it's not peaceful there. I heard that there are fishing boats from France, Portugal and Spain. In this regard, only Uncle Jack is the most suitable for Plymouth."

"Didn't you notice that since I exposed those liars last time, his attitude has been much better."

Andrew snorted: "Who else in Plymouth will pay to save him except me? ... But he won't give in easily."

Matthew smiled: "As long as he is willing to partner, this must be his main business. But it's just one of our family's insignificant businesses. After a few years, no one will think he is qualified to represent Hawkins Home."

"Maybe...including himself."

Andrew: "... Is there such a possibility?"

Matthew: "It is very possible that Plymouth is a place to see who has more money. As long as we pay more dividends, it will be fine. At that time, you may be able to represent Plymouth to London."

It's a beautiful idea, but unfortunately, now he can't even imagine what Jack and his son will do in his boat in the future.

(End of this chapter)