1283. The statute _de Mercatoribus_ (11 Edw. I.) was intended to assist merchants in the recovery of their debts, and thus to encourage them to trade in England. When they supplied goods and the debt was acknowledged before royal officers in specified towns, they could be empowered under the King’s seal to distrain for debt in default of payment. At Acton Burnel this new scheme was determined on, for trial in London, York, and Bristol; and after two years it was decreed (_Statutum Mercatorum_, 1285, 13 Edw. I.) that it should be brought into much more extensive operation by giving similar facilities in many other places, especially in _fairs_, and a much greater number of royal officers were empowered to act in the matter. These privileges were not limited to men from particular towns or countries: all foreign merchants could avail themselves thereof, except when this kingdom was at war with their native land. The clause relating to the “Seal of the Fair” was as follows:— “And a Seal shall be provided that shall serve for Fairs, and the same shall be sent unto every Fair under the King’s Seal, by a Clerk sworn, or by the Keeper of the Fair, and the Seal shall be opened before them, and the one piece shall be delivered unto the aforesaid merchants, and the other shall remain with the Clerk; and before them, or one of the merchants, if both cannot attend, the Recognizances shall be taken as before is said.” In the case of London two merchants of the Commonalty should be chosen that should swear compliance with this law. And by a charter of the following year granted to foreign merchants then resident in England, it was ordained, “that one weight shall be kept in every fair and town; that the weigher shall show the buyer and seller that the beam and scales are fair, and that there shall be _only one weight and measure_ in our dominions, and that they be stamped with our standard mark.” All students of history, know how well this ordinance has been observed! By the Statute of Wynton [Winchester] attributed to the reign of Edw. I., but probably of earlier date it is enacted (c. 6) “And the King commandeth and forbiddeth that from henceforth neither Fairs nor markets be kept in the _Church-yards_ for the Honour of the Church.”[6] 1321. About this date—reign of Edw. II.—there is supposed to have been enacted “Articles of the Office of Escheatry.” Amongst the duties of this officer of the crown, he was to hold inquest (_inter alia_) of markets, fairs, tolls, passage-monies, and customs, unjustly levied without license of the King; also where, when, and from what time, and how much they are worth by the year. Under the power so granted various inquisitions regarding fairs, and the tolls charged, and the privileges asserted, were conducted. [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. COURTS OF PIEPOWDER. These have been already referred to, and will arise in various other parts of this work, as being closely associated with fairs.