living in 16th century england

Chapter 8 The First Snow of Winter
There are many shipbuilders in Plymouth, but no large ships have been built here.

As for Matthew, except for those crazy people who are ready to cross all day, who in modern times knows how to build wooden boats?
But he knew what the sailing battleship of the future would look like.There are also brainless common sense such as "artillery is below the deck," "good stability can resist wind and waves," and "streamlined speed is fast."

He didn't even know that warships manufactured after 200 years could be used for 50 years.Instead of being built in a few months now, and then falling apart in four or five years.Any job is a science.

But the best solution for ocean trade is to find a group of people to share the risk.And everyone on board, including the sailors, has a share of the trade profits.Without a high income, ghosts go to sea with their lives.

Those who contribute money are called capital shares, and those who contribute are called labor shares.There are many people who contribute money, which is called diversified investment.

Offshore, however, is not so complicated.In the English Channel, whether you go north to Amsterdam in the Netherlands or to Bordeaux in Nantes, France, it is very convenient to go back and forth for half a month.

For example, his dear Uncle Jack, the boat is only seventy tons, and it is already very old. The new boat he just bought...is also seventy tons.How much money can you get if you help people transport goods?The big money was earned by other cargo owners and Andrew.

Beer counts as food and water supplies, so I sold the supplies, isn't that an exaggeration?

That's why Matthew is dissatisfied. There are only a few people in two 140-ton boats, drinking [-] barrels on the road?This is to take a bath, right?
But for beer, even if there is a price difference at the ports along the way, you can't earn much, it's just a small amount of money.

It is very common to double the profit of ocean trade, and 30% in offshore Europe is usually very good.But it also depends on the product, such as velvet.

That's why this Uncle Jack is a part-time pirate.To subsidize the family and provide for the families of sailors who died in accidents.

That's right, pirate ships in this era are not big, they value mobility.Often it is more than 100 tons, even doing business and robbing.

Before I got home, the meal time was over. After all, the manor is not close to Plymouth, and there is only one horse, and the entourage is walking, of course not soon.

Matthew took out the bread from the saddle bag, and he and his entourage put it on first.From a distance, a group of people were cutting trees at the edge of the pasture.

Follower: "Master is asking them to cut down trees again."

Far has the advantage of far, at least wood does not need to spend money to buy.This piece of land was extremely cheap when it was bought at the beginning, because there were too many forests, so they were cut down so that they could be herded and farmed.The "corpses" of all kinds of big trees are everywhere, and some have been lying there for several years.Some were sold, and some were "divided" into the furnace.

In England in the early 16th century, timber was not sold at a price.It wasn't until the 18th century, when Britain's forest cover declined by 10%, that timber began to be imported in large quantities.

Matthew: "Tell me, can these woods be used to build boats?"

Follower: "Of course, the drier wood is more suitable for shipbuilding."

Matthew: "How do you know?"

Follower: "My father said he built many ships."

Matthew said happily, "Your father can build ships?"

Follower: "Yes, but he has been dead for several years."

Matthew: "..."

Well, people don't live long these days.

Matthew: "If you have nothing to do, you can help me find out who has the best shipbuilding skills in Plymouth."

The entourage stopped suddenly, and Ma immediately snorted.He turned and said, "I think it's me."

Matthew almost fell off his horse, what a fool, have you ever built a boat?

"Of course, from the moment I opened my eyes, I watched my grandfather and father build boats. Later, when I could walk, I became their assistant. After my grandfather died, I became an assistant to my father."

Matthew suddenly remembered: "Aren't you a homeless Exeter?"

Exeter is a small coastal town in east Devon.Of course, in Matthew's view, all of Europe is a small town.

The entourage was eating bread with a calm expression: "Yes. The business is good, and someone wants to buy it. My father didn't want to... Later they were all killed, so I had to run away and finally came to Plymouth."

Matthew is skeptical, but there is such a life experience?
However, there is nothing flawed in what he said, and there is no need to lie to him, after all, it is easy to know whether it is a mule or a horse.

Children in this era do not go to school, and it is only natural to help the family from an early age.Some small shipyards have only a few people.Home-based workshops are common.So a man in his early twenties who says he can build a boat is not necessarily bragging.

As for the failure to kill people by buying and selling, it is the most unquestionable, characteristic of the times.Kings and nobles rob everywhere, and it is not uncommon for children of nobles who have lost their inheritance rights to become robbers.Even the Pope is selling indulgences.

As for vagabonds, they usually stayed away from ruling institutions and aristocratic lands.After all, the enclosure movement has been going on for many years.Henry VII also promulgated corresponding laws, the content of which is that "vagrant and begging is a crime" and people must be arrested.This is also a Western tradition.

Is it high salary poaching?Or cultivate it yourself?Matthew already has the answer.

It's a two-pronged approach, because two people are more efficient in many tasks.

Matthew: "If you want, you can find a knowledgeable helper tomorrow, and find a good place near the port. Let me see if you build a small fishing boat first. You can use the wood here. If you need tools, go to the blacksmith shop, remember Take the bill."

Matthew is putting on airs first, if it doesn't work, he can change.In this era, a small shipyard is a suitable place by the sea, and then a hut is used for storing tools, eating, resting and sleeping, and nothing else.Shipbuilding is basically open-air, and the most important thing is to have multiple sheds to keep out the rain.

The entourage thought for a while: "Not tomorrow, just now, but you have to give me some money first."

Now?Matthew couldn't help twitching the corners of his mouth, but finally asked, "How much do you want?"

The follower did the math: "Let's give 80 gold coins first."

Matthew almost choked to death on the bread, took out two mouthfuls of water: "It's just a small fishing boat, why do you need so much?"

With this number, you might be able to buy two 30-ton boats.

The entourage has a simple and honest face: "A 120-ton fast ocean-going fishing boat, with a full load, might be able to throw off pirates."

Matthew Daqi: "A 120-ton... ocean-going fishing boat?"

"Are you lying to me? Is there such a thing in England in this day and age?"

The entourage is still simple and honest: "Have you heard of the Newfoundland fishing ground?"

Matthew thought about it, but finally remembered a rumor. In 1497, a navigator named Capote discovered the Newfoundland fishing grounds. It is said that even if they fell into the sea, they could go ashore by "stepping on the back of the fish", or "fishing with a basket".

This kind of "rumours" should not be too much in the era of great navigation.In many cases, it is used as talk material to brag and fart.

However, this fishing ground still exists. It is said that British fishermen have also gone to it in recent years, and they return with full rewards every time.

Newfoundland, North America, is about 3700 kilometers away from Plymouth.

In the 16th century, cod from Newfoundland fishing grounds was the main source of protein for Europeans.You read that right, it is "main".

Then it wasn't just the UK.France, Spain, and Portugal have organized fishing fleets to catch fish.You can see the profit in it.

It never occurred to Matthew to go fishing in the sea.But...it seems pretty good.Uncle Jack doesn't know if he wants to go back to his old job?

As for ocean-going fishing vessels, they are actually not much different from trading vessels.Ships in this era did not have specialization.

Matthew: "So, you designed this boat to run around Newfoundland?"

Follower: "I didn't design it, it was my father."

Matthew was silent.

The followers were also silent.

Finally, Matthew raised his head and said, "I don't have that many gold coins on me, so let's go home first."

Follower: "..."

Matthew chuckled: "When you have a lot of money, you can do a lot of things, can't you?"

Back at the thatched mansion, the attendants quickly left with the gold coins.But Matthew thought about it and found two people to assist him temporarily.After all, there is still a wooden house to afford, and there is still a lot of preparation work.Of course, he would never admit that it was because it was convenient for the three of them to supervise each other.

When the first snow of this year came, there was a bad news.Jack Hawkins never came back.There are rumors that he was caught in a certain port, and the ship was detained.However, it was soon clarified that a group of pirates defeated and captured him.The visitor also sent a letter asking the Hawkins family to pay the ransom by name.

Matthew felt that this was too funny.The part-time pirate was robbed by the noble pirate?
Jack's wife and children are here, William is the eldest of their family, and he is quite calm.He came to ask Andrew to save someone,
Andrew: "1000 pounds? How could it be so much? We are not nobles."

It is still possible for Andrew to empty his pockets for 1000 pounds and sell some properties, but is this to drink the northwest wind?
Don't underestimate this number, but you have to compare it to know how much it is.As mentioned earlier, Henry VII left 200 million pounds to his son, which was equivalent to 15 years of England's fiscal revenue at this time.The average is more than 13 per year.

According to records, the entire net worth of a certain earl, including various real estate properties in the manor castle, is only more than 8000 pounds.

According to records, Henry VIII's naval ship, the 900-ton Mary and John, cost 2667 pounds, with an average cost of 2.96 pounds per ton.

Andrew was illiterate, so Matthew took the letter and read it carefully.Danny also leaned over to see this rare thing.

Matthew: "William, don't panic. Tell me, how many of them are there? Where are they now?"

William said: "Four people are waiting for an answer at my home."

Matthew shouted: "Robert...Robert, take your weapon, let's go and see."

Danny: "Me too."

William rolled his eyes: "Is there any problem?"

Matthew: "Just guessing. But better have your knives ready."

In this era of England, everyone carries a knife and has a lot of martial arts.A knife is not only a self-defense weapon, but also a guy who eats.literal meaning.

As for the forks, please wait a few more decades.

Everyone rode on horseback, and some able-bodied people voluntarily followed.Jack's land is near Plymouth.When Matthew saw it, several people who came to ask for ransom had already been surrounded.Good fellows in this circle... most of them have the last name Hawkins.

Matthew separated the crowd: "I have a few questions, who can answer me?"

The four looked at each other, and someone smiled and said, "Who are you?"

Matthew smiled: "I'm Matthew Hawkins, someone who has the ability to pay the ransom."

At this time, the gaudy Robert squeezed in, what a dress! ?The four of them couldn't laugh anymore.

"We, too, are entrusted." This is self-denial.

There are rumors in the rivers and lakes that even the devils are not accepted as mercenaries because they are afraid.

This outfit is not cheap, especially the two-handed sword, genuine mercenary equipment.Even if it's a counterfeit, it's a rich counterfeit.

Matthew: "Relax, I want to know if Jack Hawkins is safe and healthy. He is the captain after all. How is the diet? Is there any wine and meat?"

This is just a routine problem, and the four of them breathed a sigh of relief.

"He's fine, eats, sleeps, and drinks, of course. I guess he's getting our client poor."

Matthew: "Second question, are the sailors on the ship safe? How is the diet, and is there any alcohol?"

This is what many people present want to know, they are also holding various strange weapons.Asking about wine is also normal. In this era, wine is the only safe source of water when you go out.

"A few casualties, but I don't know their names, the rest are fine. They get food, but you know, you can't overfed them. As for the wine, we can't have enough ourselves. So no .”

Very logical.Matthew looked around and saw a group of people murderous.

"All relax, all relax, let go, let go."

Then Matthew turned around: "The third question, are the two boats and my wool intact?"

Asking about cargo is also a common question.

Seeing a group of people put down the guys, the four of them finally relaxed.Someone replied: "The ship is a little damaged, you have no problem getting wool. As long as the ransom is paid, all..."

Matthew chuckled: "You are here to cheat the ransom... Catch them for me."

The sound is not high, but it is very clear.

Everyone was stunned, and then they all reacted.Robert's great sword immediately slashed at one person.

William roared, grabbed the guy who was eating, and rushed over.The reaction speed is not slow at all.

Danny rushed over with everyone.

This is a dead end for the four liars.

The only lifeline is Matthew.As long as he catches this clean rich son, he should be able to turn things around.

The one who reacted the fastest immediately pulled out his knife and rushed towards Matthew.

It's a pity that this nasty kid just took two steps back and got mixed up with the crowd.In the next second, he was knocked down by the messy pitchfork and the like.

(End of this chapter)