In the 1260s, British bakers were notorious for gypping their customers by selling extra-light products. As a result, King Henry III directed that Draconian penalties* be imposed against any bread maker caught skimping on the goods. In order to make sure that they didn't accidentally sell a wussy load to a customer, the bakers over-compensated by adding an extra roll to every 12, thus establishing that thirteen items equals a "baker's dozen."
*In the 1260s, you really, truly, did not want to have Draconian penalties inflicted upon you.
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