Papers by Christopher T . C . Miller
The roots of landowner and tenant rights in modern times rest in the feudal system imposed on Eng... more The roots of landowner and tenant rights in modern times rest in the feudal system imposed on England by William I. Beginning with the Coronation Charter of Henry I and culminating in the Magna Carta, signed by John and reiterated twice during the next century, the laws governing rights and privileges of landholders limited the absolute sway originally claimed by feudal overlords. Rights of due process, inheritance, and protection from excessive taxation are among the most significant which developed during this era. The importance placed on protection of these rights by the mesne lords is evidenced by the fact that more than 50 percent of the text in the Great Charter is devoted to ensuring their continuance.
Modern rum production uses molasses – a byproduct of sugar cane processing – as the principle ing... more Modern rum production uses molasses – a byproduct of sugar cane processing – as the principle ingredient. Sugar plantations in the 16th century West Indies were attempting to keep up with the demand for refined sugar in Europe – particularly France and England. Refining removed the molasses byproduct which caused an unpleasant color and consistency, and did not allow for proper crystallization. Enterprising sugar producers in the West Indies found that the molasses could be fermented and distilled into a hard liquor and sold for additional profit. The term “rumbullion” as a name for this beverage appears in Richard Ligon's History of Barbados, written in 1651. Various etymologists attribute the common name “rum” to a shortening of the word “rumbullion.” Although modern rum only dates to 1636 (per the public relations information put out by the Foursquare distillery in Barbados, the oldest extant sugar plantation in the western hemisphere), distilled beverages using sugar as the principle ingredient date to within middle ages. Discovering those beverages in Europe requires us to look beyond pure apothecary distillation, and to follow both the trade routes used in period between Europe/North Africa and the middle and far East and the migration of knowledge of technology and agriculture.
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Papers by Christopher T . C . Miller