The Situation Of Food Supply In London From The 16th Century To The Mid-18th Century

The time from 1500 to 1750 was an important period in English History, in which English trade developed quickly and cities underwent great changes. It was in this period, with the rapid increment of its population, that London became the largest and the most important consumer of the country. As a dramatically developing city, London's food supply problem was particularly noticeable. Scholars abroad most of whom focused on staple food from domestic have studied the London's food supply of this period to some extent. However, their researches, especially on overseas food supply situation and characteristics in normal years, food supply situation and characteristics in unusual years and the commercial influence to food supply, are insufficient. Also, the domestic scholars have rarely been involved in above topics. This paper attempts to make up the above insufficiencies and to synthetically analyze London food supply problems from 1500 to 1750; further to discuss commercial impact to London food supply.According to the historical analysis, in normal years from 1500 to 1750, Londoners' diet presents the following aspects. First, the quantity of Londoners' demand to major foods, including corns, milk, eggs, fish and meat was continuously increasing. Second, Londoners were accustomed to vegetative food, such as corns, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. Third, Londoners tended to consume high quality food, including fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, milk and eggs. In the meantime, they reduced the consumption of low quality wine. Fourth, spices, sugar, tea and coffee which had previously been considered a luxury food were also favored by Londoners in this period. These aspects affected the food supply of London which meanwhile made the Londoners meet the need of their diet. On one hand, the domestic markets mainly supplied London corns, milk, eggs, butter, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and part of wine. On the other hand, spices, tea, coffee, chocolate as well as part of wine mainly relied on overseas trade. Generally speaking, from 1500 to 1750, food supply basically not only catered to the trend of Londoners' diet but also met their need.When natural or man-made disaster occurred, food supply of London in these unusual years from 1500 to 1750 was different from that in normal years. Take the plague for example. Because plague often interrupted the regular trade, Londoners had to take three main measures to maintain their basic needs. Firstly, they relied on the reserves of food, including corns, salted fish or meat to keep their lives. Secondly, they went to nearby villages to procure their food. Thirdly, London government also provided funds or food to assist Londoners. In poor harvest period in agriculture, the government played an important role in London's food supply. First, by means of issuing laws or decrees the government controlled the quantity and the price of the food. Second, through a combination of offering relief funds and food, the government managed to feed the poor and vagrants in London. Businessmen, who either sold hoarding food to Londoners or donated relieves to them, also played an important role in supplying food of London in poor harvest years. In addition, the individual activities had a certain degree of influence on food supply of London in poor harvest period. As far as the period of war (especially the civil war), fires, earthquakes and rainstorms was concerned, because of the insignificant impact on the trade, food supply of London was similar to the normal years. Overall, in unusual years, when regular trade had been seriously affected, London's food supply could only maintain its residents' basic survival, instead, nothing but a normal year.It is obviously that the development of Britain's trade and business had an important impact on the food supply of London. With the development of trade and business, on the one hand British unified national market in which London's dominating position consolidated and developed constantly improved. On the other hand, British overseas markets kept on expanding. These conditions provided vast food markets to the Londoners. Moreover, because of the blooming of specialized markets, shops and small traders or hawkers, Londoners not only could make more direct access to food; but also made their food reserves increase correspondingly. In addition, businessmen, brokers and vendors who participated in the food trade or took other effective actions, promoted London's food supply. In conclusion, largely due to the development of British business, London had been able to meet the food needs of its residents. However, business was not the decisive factor. The productivity which promoted the economic development of the social was the real impetus. Conversely, food supply of London also played a role in promoting socio-economic development.