medieval-atlas/economic-development/259

Transcription

Overseas trade: the Middle Ages to the sixteenth century Coastal salt-pans are recorded in Scottish charters from the twelfth century onwards. Most were linked with coal-mines, salt being produced by boiling sea-water in large metal vessels. Customs duty on salt was introduced in 1429. Almost all the salt exported seems to have come from salt-pans owned by collieries. The salt from Edinburgh and Haddington came from the pans at Prestoun (hence Prestonpans), which were linked to the colliery at Tranent; similarly, the salt from Dysart and Culross was produced there at-pans owned· by adjacent collieries. Customs returns for salt, unlike those for coal, begin from the point at which they were devised but salt exports were «) Linlithgow