The kindness of farmers (1499)

In a village in Norfolk, England, a farmer named John had a rough year when he mistakenly planted barley instead of wheat in one of his fields. Wheat was more valuable, and this mistake cost him dearly. The local manor court records show that he tried to argue that the mistake was due to poor seed from the market, but the village elders ruled it was his responsibility. However, a kind neighbour agreed to trade some of his wheat harvest with John so he wouldn’t lose everything.