In 1754 in White-Chapel, England, a man named William Briley had three piglets stolen from a room in his house. The thieves were tried and sentenced (to death!) for breaking and entering and theft. In the Old Bailey (London's court building) trial transcript there is a sentence that really confuses me. Briley said he nailed boards over a window "because I would not pay window-light."
This is the room from which the baby pigs were stolen. I've looked and looked, but cannot find a source saying what "pay for window-light" means. Does it mean people were charged/taxed by the number of rooms with natural light (such as daylight)? Does it mean he wouldn't pay for curtains or window shades?
I don't get it.
