Introduction
This list was compiled from different sources by Darin Lea. I've since then edited it to
suit my needs. In particular, the earnings of mercenaries etc. have been
tweaked way down. The completely unedited original version is also available.
If your browser doesn't display tables properly, try the non-table version (may be
slightly old).
A Hungarian
translation has been provided by Ákos Tasnádi (Thaur).
This list is more oriented towards "big" than "accurate". You should
not assume historical accuracy, although some of the prices may be from
historically accurate sources. On the other hand, prices vary wildly in
different years and regions, so providing a historically accurate
pricelist would be a futile effort anyway. Still, there may also be
internal inconsistencies. Caveat Emptor.
Many of the items on this list are obscure to say the least. Consult
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary or
Encyclopædia Britannica for
explanations.
Prices are in pounds (L), shillings (s), pennies (d), halfpennies (h)
and farthings (f).
1 pound = 20 shillings = 240 pennies
1 shilling = 12 pennies
1 penny = 2 halfpennies = 4 farthings
Corresponding money units in other countries (the abbreviations are the
same):
Note: The weight units descend from the original Roman basic unit of
weight, the libra, which is why the abbreviation is lb. A libra
is equal to 0.327 kg (or 0.722 pounds avoirdupois), and is divided into
12 uncia. At the canonical time period the unit of weight in
use in England was probably the Tower pound (aka London
pound, English pound). It was approximately 0.350 kg. For more
information, see e.g. measurement system in Encyclopædia Britannica.
(Fascinating stuff. Did you know that in 1707 a gallon of ale
could have a greater volume than a gallon of wine?)
The most typical inhabitant of Mythic Europe, the common farmer,
seldom came into contact with money. Barter was the most common form of
trade in small communities.
Note that not only the price, but also the availability of items,
varies with location. Some of these items should only be for sale in
major trade centers, and possibly in very limited quantities. Also, some
items (notably weapons and armor) may only be for sale to the upper
social classes. If you don't like improvising, approximate the rarity of
the item (no, I'm not going to classify the hundreds of items
in this list) and consult the following (arbitrarily derived, feel free
to change) table:
Anachronisms
It is often the case that players encounter items or phenomena that
did in fact not exist in the time period of the game. Such items and
phenomena are called anachronisms. Whether something is an
anachronism, depends of course on the time period played. A thing may
also be a partial anachronism, in the sense that although it did exist
at the time, it was very rare.
Times and origins are historical, not mythical. Time period is
expressed in centuries. If separate Rare and Common time
periods are not known, the time period is given in a large field that
encompasses both the Rare and the Common fields.
Anachronisms in the canonical time period
These items and phenomena were at least not common in the early 13th
century.
Here are items and phenomena that did exist in the early 13th
century, but have not always been present. They are for the benefit of
players that play an earlier time period. Things that were present
before Christ have not been included.
- comments?