Extracts Relating to Mediaeval Markets and Fairs in EnglandDouglas-Irvine, Helen
History
Extracts Relating to Mediaeval Markets and Fairs in England
Douglas-Irvine, Helen
Fairs; Great Britain -- History -- Sources; Markets -- England
Ailmarus, the bishop, held Hoxne in the time of King Edward.... In this
manor there was a market in the time of King Edward and afterwards.
William the king came, and the market was held on Sunday. And William
Malet made his castle at Eye; and on the same day on which there was a
market in the bishop's manor, William Malet made another market in his
castle, and that so much to the detriment of the bishop's market that
this was of little worth. Now therefore it is held on Friday, but the
market of Eye still takes place on Sunday.
_Domesday_ (Rec. Com.), II. 379.
1087. _Abolition of Launceston Market._
The canons of St. Stephen hold Launceston. Thence the count of Mortain
has now taken a market, which was situated there in the days of King
Edward, and which was worth 20s.
_Domesday_ (Rec. Com.), I. 120b.
It appears always to have been the intention of the Government that
markets and fairs should be held only in the stronger places of the
country, where the just and peaceful transaction of business could be
secured. Such a situation was in the later middle ages the rule, but
that in an early period it was not universal appears from the existence
of legislation on the subject.
1066-87. _Law of William the Conqueror._
We forbid that any market or fair be held or suffered except in the
cities of our realm and in the walled boroughs and in castles and in
the safest places, where the customs of our realm, and our common
right, and the dues of our crown, which were constituted by our good
predecessors, cannot suffer loss nor fraud nor violation; for we will
that all things be done with right forms and openly, and in accordance
with judgment and with justice.
Thorpe, _Ancient Laws and Institutes_, 212.
NEW CREATIONS.
1214. _Grant of a market and fair to William of Lancaster._
THE KING TO THE SHERIFF OF WESTMORELAND GREETING.
Know that we have granted to our beloved and faithful William of
Lancaster that we have every week a market at his manor of Barton on
Thursday, and that he have a fair there every year to last two days,
the vigil and the feastday of All Saints. And therefore we command you
to cause that the said William have the market and fair according to
the tenor of our charter which he has.
_Cal. Rot. Lit. Claus._ (Rec. Com.), I. 173.
1215. _Grant of a market to the men of Beer Hackett._
THE KING TO THE SHERIFF OF DORSET GREETING.
Know that we have granted to our men of Beer that they have a market at
Beer every week on Wednesday, so that it be not to the injury of
neighbouring markets. And therefore we command you to cause them thus
to have that market.
_Cal. Rot. Lit. Claus._ (Rec. Com.), I. 220.
1205. _Creation of a royal fair having for three years special
privileges._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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