Tudor “Books of Rates”: A Chapter in the History of the English Customs

Abstract

Dates of Books of Rates prior to 1558, that usually accepted as the first, 766. — Metropolitan rates (1507–36) precede the national valuations, 768. — Increase of valuations in 1558 and 1610, 769. — The Books contain valuations, not specific duties, except in the case of cloth, 770. — Other contents, 771. — The chief motives for the issue of the earlier Books were the desire for national uniformity and the need for reform of customs frauds, 772. — For the later books not the loss of Calais revenue but the necessity of adjustment to price changes and the increase of indirect taxation, 773.