Lit. *'assize of bread and beer'. It was first issued during the reign of Henry II. The purpose was to set prices for the sale of bread in accordance with the cost of grain. Similarly, the price of beer was dependent on the cost of its ingredients. Punishments were set out: a culprit would be subject to *amercement; but persistent breaking of the assize could result in the *pillory. The Latin term for a brewer was * cervisarius.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.