Re: [Mid] Curtains

Pipe polls are accounting "books" listing the individual purchases,
expenses, and income for various projects, towns, and fortifications and
castles. They are very detailed. If I recall from the Orford pipe roll, it
even listed how many fish were purchased to feed the soldiers and
governors at the fortification.

Until more recently, the historical significance of these accounting
papers were largely overlooked. However, the detail involved gives an
incredible amount of insight on what was used in the period, the costs of
being a ruler, and the incomes of those they dealt with. Many, many still
exist because of the financial nature. (For the accountants among us,
imagine knowing the original cost of the Tower of London!)

The Tower of London book I saw was an actual book. It was created during
the time of Henry VIII and was quite ornate. This was for the torture
chamber. The page I saw was an inventory (with cost) of various implements
(eep!). It also noted that one item had been stolen. I'd have to look at
my snapshot of the page to recall if it was pincers or something more
diabolical. I found it interesting that someone would steal a torture
device, and wonder what uses they put it to!

Heirusalem

A good Gentle wrote: Piotr Zavilov
> What is a pipe roll?

-- 
Despôtissa Heirusalem Crystoma
“The true measure of a career is to be able to be content, even proud,
that you succeeded through your own endeavors without leaving a trail of
casualties in your wake.” Alan Greenspan
From:  "Heirusalem Crystoma" <crystoma@midrealm.org>
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