1600 – 1676: Wheat Standard

            England switches to the wheat standard in 1600 and is the reason for the next logical break in the record.  English agriculture is very important in this era that encompasses the Age of Religious Wars.  Wool is still important but now a food product has become the basis.  Over the 76-year period, commodities are listed 99 times (Figure 2.4).  All years are recorded and matched up with more than one commodity listing.  Cold and natural phenomenon hold the next highest ranking numerically – albeit distant.  Rain and storms are mentioned only occasionally rarely.  Proportionately, harvest and livestock reports are becoming less frequent.  Cold and frosts are beginning to be recorded in higher numbers.  Seemingly more important is the price of the commodity over the quality of the commodity.