---
entity_slug: assize_of_bread_and_ale
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T00:36:01.965755'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and non-circular, clearly explaining that these
    were medieval English regulations linking bread and ale prices to grain costs.
    It captures a distinct regulatory mechanism rather than a vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual text, as he specifically
    discusses the assize of bread and ale in Book I, Chapter 11 as historical evidence
    for tracking price changes and silver values over time.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain assignment is perfectly appropriate, as this
    represents a clear example of government price regulation of essential commodities
    in medieval England.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This maps reasonably to S3 (internal regulation) as a historical regulatory
    mechanism, but it's primarily a historical artifact rather than an active system
    component, making VSM placement somewhat forced.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides good explanatory value by illustrating how historical
    price regulation mechanisms worked and how Smith used such regulations as data
    sources for economic analysis. It demonstrates the relationship between grain
    prices and regulated food prices as a concrete regulatory mechanism.
---

# Evaluation: Assize Of Bread And Ale

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and non-circular, clearly explaining that these were medieval English regulations linking bread and ale prices to grain costs. It captures a distinct regulatory mechanism rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual text, as he specifically discusses the assize of bread and ale in Book I, Chapter 11 as historical evidence for tracking price changes and silver values over time.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain assignment is perfectly appropriate, as this represents a clear example of government price regulation of essential commodities in medieval England.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This maps reasonably to S3 (internal regulation) as a historical regulatory mechanism, but it's primarily a historical artifact rather than an active system component, making VSM placement somewhat forced.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides good explanatory value by illustrating how historical price regulation mechanisms worked and how Smith used such regulations as data sources for economic analysis. It demonstrates the relationship between grain prices and regulated food prices as a concrete regulatory mechanism.
