Page 28
CHAP. CXXVI.
Of Roven, and the Trade thereof.
ROVEN seated on the bankes of the River Sein, * 1.1 and the seate of the Parliament of Normandy, is one of the principall Cities of Traffique and Commerce in France, having a great concourse of Merchants of all these Northerne Kingdomes, and is one of the three principall Townes in France where Exchanges are used.
The Commodities that is hence, and out of Normandy exported are Linnens course and fine, buckroms, paper, cards, some Wines, and * 1.2 other petty manufacturies.
The Commodities sent thither from England, principally Clothes of sundry Countries, as Kerses of Devonshire and York shire, Baies of Coxall, Cottons of Wales and York shire, and of late pepper, galles, cotton yarne, and other Turky Commodities also, Lead, Tinne, Fish, and some India Commodities.
The notes of trade observed there at my residence therein 1614 I shall briefly touch as I then noted the same. * 1.3
The Monies currant and Accounts kept are the same as in generall used throughout France, see farther in Paris.
The Kings beame is heere called the Viconte, which is 14. per cent. * 1.4 greater than our English 112. lib. and some have found it to bee 10. or 12. li. by which is weighed all Commodities whatsoever, but I have often found that the 112. lib. English hath made by Viconte 98. li. and by common beame 101. li.
The Measure is heere an Alne, by which all Commodities of * 1.5 Woollen and Linnen is measured, and is accounted 1¼ yards English, but those that have made triall thereof finde it to bee 46. inches, but it is here to bee noted that in buying of Linnen cloth of this Country there is allowed in the account of Measure 24. Alnes for 20. and is called the Merchants Alne or measure, and by the same is oftentimes here againe sould in England, and it is found that Deepe, Cane, and some other Cities of Normandy afford also this over-mea∣sure; in the sale of Normandy canvas here made, so that it may bee said this place hath a great and a small Alne, the one exceeding the other 20. per cent. or 120. for 100. and the smaller agreeing with our English Elles. Roven is found to have 3. Faires in a yeare, at two * 1.6 whereof there is liberty given for fifteene dayes to buy and trans∣port any commodities in this Citie free of all customes and taxes: