The Singularity Is in Our Past...
Will McLean writes:
A Commonplace Book: Buying Power of 14th Century Money: In the second half of the 14th century, a pound sterling would:
- Support the lifestyle of a single peasant laborer for half a year, or that of a knight for a week. Or buy:
- Three changes of clothing for a teenage page (underclothes not included) or
- Twelve pounds of sugar or
- A carthorse or
- Two cows or
- An inexpensive bible or ten ordinary books or
- Rent a craftsman’s townhouse for a year or
- Hire a servant for six months
Think of a world in which a pound of sugar costs two weeks' wages...
