[Northkeep] OK, here is a Lenten question...maybe Talana?

[Talbot the Mad]

On the subject of chickens, again, I recently came across a "reference",
while doing research. Several times, in fact, but with no actual reference
other than, "It is said" or "It is widely known". The observation was that
Bantam or Dwarf breeds of chickens existed in the Medieval period, because
the largest eggs produced by a peasant's flock were to be given to their
lord as part of their rent. Bantam eggs, being a great deal smaller, were
exempted from this tithe, and could be kept by the housewife for the
family's own use. While eggs in modern times are quite a bit larger than
their historical counterparts, Bantam eggs were even smaller yet. Thus we
get recipes handed down that include phrases like "Take a thousand eggs or
more".
Has anyone else come across this? Ever found an actual bibliographical
reference? Thoughts?
~B. Talbot